Eden looked at the redhead, glancing away when she sensed him watching. “Jesus, Bernie, how are we supposed to have a meet and greet and a hook up at the same time?”

“You can’t, George.” Cheryl tapped her lips. “We need a new plan.”

Andy raised a palm. “You want to fuck Sloan Williams?”

“It’s a work in progress.” Eden glanced at Kieran’s phone, where the redhead was still crouching in a fireman’s uniform. “I mean, probably.”

“Great! Now I don’t feel like a creep for asking you to meet him. Should I bring him over?”

She and Cheryl exchanged looks.

“I’ll handle this.” Cheryl pointed at her. “Don’t read my lips.”

Eden wanted to turn away, but she watched, transfixed, as Cheryl strode across the green room, pausing in front of the redhead. “Hi.”

“Hey,” Eden read off his surprisingly full lips. “How’s it going?”

“Good. I’m Bunny Descent’s friend. I heard you wanted to meet the goddess?”

Eden groaned.

Jesus, Cheryl. Could you have toned it down just a bit?

She expected him to balk but his grin grew wider. “Hell, yeah. What do I have to do?”

“I don’t know. Are you good with your hands?”

Eden’s face burned. Only a perverse need to know how badly this was going down the toilet kept her watching. But Sloan Williams threw his head back and laughed. “I’ve been told I’m pretty good with my hands, why?”

“Bunny wants someone to play high school with.”

Eden’s skin tried to cringe itself off her body.

“What does that involve?”

“She wants you to go with her to the hallway closet. No conversation. No expectations. You’re going to hook up, then come back to the party.”

Eden’s face was melting. She was on the verge of looking away, running away, when he met her gaze. Air rushed into her brain, brightening the darkened room. Kieran was wrong, Sloan Williams had a great face, cocky but boyish and sweet. He was older than she thought. Mid-thirties maybe. Too mature to fuck around with her. Cold trickled down her spine.

He’s going to reject me. He’s gonna tell Cheryl I’m ridiculous.

But he didn’t. He smiled and warmth rushed through her. Pure, impossible to fake, attraction. She didn’t know what he saw in return, but his face lit up like a Christmas tree.

Oh fuck, this is going to happen… 

“Okay,” he told Cheryl, his blue eyes on hers. “I’ll play high school.”

3

Sloan Williams took her hand as they headed up the hall to the closet. They hadn’t even said hello but somehow that made it even harder to let go. His palm was hot and hard with calluses and though he held onto her gently, Eden was sure he could crush her fingers to powder.

Just say hi.