Chapter Three
Sloan paced the kitchen of the huge two story house. His fists clenched and unclenched several times as anger radiated through him. He should have gone with Michael to confront the house guest they received earlier, but Michael had insisted on going alone. Apparently, Sloan was too much of a hot head and would most likely aggravate the situation.
Damn right he would. All he wanted to do was rip someone’s head off, or better yet shift into his dragon form and make toast out of someone with his fire breathing ability. And the person who he wanted to hurt so badly was one of their own. Ronan. Damn the bastard. The dragon shifter was unhinged and that made him dangerous. He wanted to create a dragon shifter uprising because he had some deranged vision of a world run by dragon shifters. All shifters were wary of Ronan. He was a threat to them all.
Ronan has been following Michael and Sloan for decades, trying to convince the two shifters to join forces with him. They were among the few oldest and most pure-blooded dragon shifters and would be generals in Ronan’s army. They, of course, wanted nothing to do with the man. Both men wished to live peaceful, semi-normal lives among humans. They thought Ronan had given up since they hadn’t heard from him in three years, but it seemed the evil scoundrel was back.
Sloan let out a frustrated growl and moved to the counter to uncap the bottle of vodka resting there. So much for playing ball and bedding women, he thought. Worrying about Ronan certainly put a damper on the fun. Taking a long swig from the liquor bottle, he sat down on a stool. He might as well get drunk until Michael returned with news.
He heard footsteps approaching the front door before the bell rang. He sniffed. It was a woman. Hmm, I love female visitors. He sauntered out of the kitchen to the front of the house. When he opened the door his heart skipped a beat. His eyes swept over the woman before him.
“Hello,” he drawled.
Rachel frowned. Do I have the wrong house? “Hi. I’m looking for Michael Pryce.”
Sloan’s brows shot up. It was too bad she belonged to Michael. Although they had no problem sharing, he hadn’t gotten his friend’s permission yet. “He’s not here.”
Rachel’s shoulders dropped. “He told me to come here at this time. I’m supposed to interview him.”
“You’re the reporter?” Yes. She didn’t belong to Michael, after all. He could have his fun.
“I am.” She extended a hand. “Rachel Forbes.”
“Sloan Ryder,” he introduced, taking her hand in his. “Michael’s team mate and housemate.
Rachel’s cheeks warmed as deep-set gray eyes roved over her body. Michael’s friend was just as gorgeous as he was, except he was a head shorter. He was just as muscular, though. He seemed darker than Michael both in looks and personality. Where Michael had low cut sandy blond hair, Sloan had black hair that was a bit too long. His entire demeanor was darker.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Ryder.”
He smiled slightly. “Just Sloan. Why don’t you come in and wait for Michael? He shouldn’t be too much longer.” He stepped aside and indicated for her to enter.
Rachel hesitated. Sloan looked like bad news. But what harm would it be to wait for a little while? “Thank you,” she said, stepping inside. Sexual awareness spread through her when she brushed past him. What is my deal? She had been just about ready to jump Michael at the stadium and now she was getting heated in his friend’s presence. Yup, I definitely need to get laid soon.
“Have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?” Sloan asked.
She swallowed. “Water, please.” When Sloan disappeared, Rachel assessed the living room, taking in the expensive furniture.
“Here you are.” She turned to Sloan, who handed her a glass.
“Thank you.” Rachel drank deeply, letting the cool liquid moisten her too-dry throat.
Sloan watched her with interest. He wondered why he felt such a deep attraction to Rachel. Sure, he was involved with many beautiful women, but there was something about the one sitting in his living room that made his heart flutter. Maybe it was because he hadn’t taken her to bed yet.
Rachel shifted uneasily in her seat. She could feel Sloan’s eyes on her. Giving him a fleeting glance, she asked, “So, Sloan. How is it playing for the Broncos?”
He shrugged. “It’s okay.”
“Just okay? I get the impression you don’t enjoy your career.”
“I got into it because of Michael.” When she gave him a questioning look, he added, “He and I go way back. We do just about everything together.”
Rachel nodded. Why did his last statement sound so suggestive? “I see.” She glanced at her watch. “I suppose I can meet up with Michael tomorrow. I don’t want to take up your time, Sloan.”
“I don’t mind your company.” His eyes were smoldering as he stared at her.
Rachel put her glass down on the center table and stood up. She had to get away from him before she combusted under his heated gaze. Before she realized that he had even moved, he was on his feet in front of her. Such proximity to him was disconcerting. “Um, it’s fine. I have no problem waiting another day.”
Sloan’s gray eyes seem to penetrate her. “I don’t want you to leave just yet,” he murmured. His gaze dropped to her lips. Such lovely lips. She must taste like heaven, he thought. His head lowered and inched close to her.
Rachel watched him wide-eyed. Should she let him kiss her? He seemed like a playboy. But his allure was so powerful.I’ll let him kiss me, just for a few seconds. She was curious to know what he tasted like. His lips touched hers and she instantly melted. His mouth on hers felt natural. Sloan stepped closer, wrapping his hands around her waist. Rachel moaned as her body was pressed against his and she felt his hardening erection pressing into her stomach.
Her hands were splayed against his broad chest. She couldn’t help running her palms over his hard muscles. He feels so good. Rachel parted her lips, giving him permission to deepen their kiss. His tongue swept inside her mouth to explore.
Sloan could feel himself losing control. If he didn’t stop their kiss, he would take her right there in the living room. But he couldn’t bring himself to stop. Backing towards the couch, he took Rachel with him. Sitting down, he pulled her on top so that she straddled him. Her dress rode up, revealing smooth thighs.
He slipped his hands under her dress to cup her ass and pull her closer. Rachel shifted against his cock, causing him to let out a groan. His fingers slid into her panty to trail against her mound before slipping into her softness. The contact pulled Rachel from her sexual haze. Gasping, she tore her mouth from his and jumped to her feet, stumbling on her high heels. She stared down at him, eyes wide with horror. Panting and still heated from their passionate kiss, she said, “Oh my God. What am I doing? I don’t even know you.”
Sloan stood up slowly, disappointment mixed with confusion swirling in his mind. He would have loved to claim the lovely Rachel, who he knew absolutely nothing about. That had never stopped him before. What he couldn’t put his finger on was why his need to touch her, to be inside of her, was so strong. “I’m sorry. I got carried away.”
Rachel reached for her handbag, which had dropped to the floor. She straightened her dress. “I-I’m going to leave. I’ll come back tomorrow. No, I’ll see Mr. Pryce at the stadium.”
Sloan watched her back toward the door. He didn’t bother to stop her because he would probably jump her again if she stayed. The door closed and he still stood rooted to the spot. What in the world had just happened? Plopping down on the plush couch, he was lost in wonder and didn’t hear the door open.
Michael stepped through the door. “It was as we suspected. Ronan is in town.”
Sloan looked up, his brows furrowed. “Hmmm?”
Michael’s brows shot up. He closed the door behind him and studied his friend with concern. “Are you alright? You look a little lost.”
Sloan scratched his head. “Uh, yeah. I’m fine.”
Michael froze. “She was here.” He could smell Rachel’s scent permeating the air. He had ingrained her scent in his nostrils when he had first met her. As he got closer to Sloan, his scowl deepened. “Her scent is all over you,” he bit out.
Sloan arched a brow. “A woman’s scent is always all over me.”
“This one, the reporter, she’s mine.”
Sloan jumped up. “You’ve never had a problem sharing before.”
Michael took several breaths in an attempt to dampen the rage mounting in him. “There’s something about Rachel. I’m not entirely sure what, but there is this magnetism between us. But you wouldn’t have known that. I’m sorry.”
Sloan’s eyes widened and he sucked in a breath. Maybe his feelings about Rachel weren’t real. Perhaps he had tapped into Michael’s emotions. Their kind could pick up on each other’s feelings and they had been together for so long, their bond was strong even though they didn’t share the same blood line.
Michael’s jaw clenched. “You didn’t-”
“No. We kissed and that was all. She practically ran through the door,” Sloan murmured.
Michael stared at him for a long while, an emotion that Sloan couldn’t identify flickering in his eyes. Then he abruptly wheeled around and headed back through the door, leaving Sloan feeling more perplexed than before.