Chapter Text
December 31, 2010 Jackson, Wyoming
Sloane looked up and admired the large decorated Christmas tree in the Town Square. That thing’s gotta be at least 15 foot tall. It was wrapped with shimmering silver and gold garland and hundreds of decorations–some traditional and some homemade. She spied a small child’s hand imprinted on a ceramic circle hanging on one of the lower branches. The thought of the child making the decoration with their parents and then picking out a spot for it on the tree made Sloane smile ear-to-ear.
Christmas hadn’t felt like it in years; it was often just another day. But the tight-knit community of Jackson brought the magic back into the air in Sloane’s eyes. The decorations, the carolers, and the gift exchanges that took place amidst the backdrop of several feet of snow... It was a Christmas miracle. She didn’t think feelings like this could exist anymore, but here it did, and in lovely excess.
A group of squealing children ran past, and one of them tried to hide behind Sloane’s long legs. Sloane turned her head around to see another child aiming a snowball at them. “Go awn, run! I’ll make a distraction,” Sloane whispered to the child at her feet.
The red-haired little girl took off with a giggle, and Sloane turned around to the other child aiming the snowball. She threw her hands up incredulously, “I’ve no clue where she went!”
“I thought I seen her go that way!” Joel joined in as he pointed to the opposite direction.
The blonde haired boy nodded curtly at them before running off in pursuit of the red-headed girl. Sloane shot Joel a warm smile, and he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in close as they continued to admire the tree.
“Tommy told me bout some New Year’s party later tonight. Supposedly they’ll have drinks, food, and a live band,” Joel said. “Wanna go?”
“Hell yeah, I wanna go!” Sloane exclaimed excitedly. “It’ll be like our first official date.” Sloane’s brown eyes widened as she got an idea. “Oh my God! We could pretend to be two normal people goin on a first date. That could be fun!”
Joel let out a laugh. “Okay, I’ll bite. You gonna make me pick you up at the front door?”
“Obviously! Then we can do the whole awkward exchange at the end of the night... You walk me to the front door, you want a lil somethin somethin and so do I, but I’ve gotta decide whether I just kiss you or invite you in and give it up. Y’know, decidin if I want to be easy or not.”
“Ah, and I gotta figure out which it’ll be based on how you eye me,” Joel recalled. “I know the whole song and dance well and good.”
Sloane leveled a look of mild surprise at him. “Joel Miller a player? Well I’ll be damned.”
Joel clicked his tongue. “I’ve dated.”
“By the sounds of it you’re a regular ole hussy,” Sloane teased with a shrug. Joel squeezed her shoulder playfully which made Sloane giggle. “A hoochie mama, even,” Sloane goaded him further.
“Do your gums ever tire from how much you flap ‘em, darlin?” Joel asked her in feigned seriousness.
“Ha ha,” Sloane mocked him. “So when’s the party start?”
“Bout nine.”
Sloane put a pondering finger to her chin before pointing it at him. “So pick me up at 8:45 then."
Joel looked at her with furrowed brows. “You serious? I thought we was playin.”
“As a meemaw about her cornbread!” Sloane admitted. She nudged him gently with her elbow. “C'mon, it’ll be fun!”
Joel rolled his eyes and sighed. “Alright fine. As long as you promise to give it up.”
Sloane bellowed a laugh. “We’ll see.”
Sloane waited on the couch in the living room for Joel to “pick her up”. She knew that he thought the whole idea was ridiculous, and she could admit that it was, but it still excited her. They weren’t normal people allowed to live normal people lives, but seeing as the town of Jackson pulled off the Christmas spirit in a post-apocalyptic world, she thought it couldn’t hurt to try. And that’s why she and Joel worked so well–he got her to be more serious while she got him to be more unserious. The bell in the grandfather clock chimed, signifying the beginning of the hour. 9:00. Tsk, tsk, Joel Miller.
Sloane got up and looked at herself in the hallway mirror. She was wearing a red long-sleeved flowy blouse that she’d found in the cellar in Pennsylvania, a pair of jeans, and her boots. She’d found a tan pea coat hanging in the closet, and although it was a little big, she thought it looked nicer than her usual jacket. Sloane had to fight the urge to wear her hat, but she figured since she curled her hair, she ought to let it lie. There was a knock at the door, and Sloane sighed as she went to it. At least he didn’t make me wait. She could feel nerves fluttering in her chest that made her laugh to herself. She knew it was just Joel, but she hadn’t been on a proper date in ages–before the outbreak or after. The idea of putting on a persona for the night made her giddy.
Sloane opened the door, and Joel leaned against the doorframe. Joel’s dark hair was slicked back out of his face, and she could see that he’d freshly shaven. He wore a sherpa, button down shirt, jeans, and boots. Dear God, thank you for makin such a sexy man. Sloane spied a small bundle of daisies in his hand. They looked like he’d picked them from someone’s yard, but the sentiment alone of him trying to commit to her grand idea made goosebumps rise all over her body.
“Hi there,” Sloane said sweetly. “Those for me?”
“Hi there,” Joel replied with a nod. “Sure are.”
He handed them to her, and she held them up to her nose to smell. The soft floral tickled her nose, and she wrinkled it. She bit her lip and looked up at him. “They’re stunnin, thank you.”
Joel gave her a nonchalant shrug. “No worries.”
“Let me put them in water, and then we can go, alright?” Sloane replied as she stepped out of the way to let him in.
“Sounds good.”
Joel followed her inside, and Sloane disappeared into the kitchen. She found a small glass cup, filled it in water, and put the daisies inside. She let herself make one quiet happy squeal before she set them down on the counter and returned to him. Joel was sitting on the couch with his legs spread apart. His arms were draped on the top back of the couch, and the sight made Sloane double over inside. It took everything inside her not to cancel the idea right then as she got on her knees at his feet to pleasure him.
She bit the thought away, and Joel gave her a friendly smile. “Nice house.”
Sloane cocked her head in interest. “Thanks. But are you gonna admire the structural integrity or take me on a date already?”
Joel shot her a cheeky glance and got to his feet. “You’re direct. I like that.”
“A woman’s gotta make her desires known.” Sloane shrugged.
Joel came around and almost wrapped his arm around her, but instead he hesitated and put it down at his side. “Let’s giddy up on outta here then.”
Joel opened the door of the church for Sloane, and she stepped inside. Her brown eyes immediately widened as she took in the scene. The room was decorated with dozens of strands of string lights that dangled from the ceiling like a bunch of shooting stars. She was smiling ear-to-ear as she basked in the warm glow of the crowded room. Bluegrass music bellowed through the walls that enchanted Sloane. She turned to Joel in disbelief. “Holy shit. It’s beautiful!”
Joel wet his lips with his tongue as he took an unimpressed glance around the room before looking back at her with a cock of his head. “Sure is.”
Sloane felt her cheeks redden at the insinuation that he was talking about her. Sloane rubbed her arm idly as she looked back up at him. It was a wonder to her that even after all this time of knowing him as well as she did, he could still impress her–and make her giddy of all things.
“Let’s get a drink,” Joel said as he took her by the hand. He weaved them through the crowd of dancing people over to a small table that was attended by two volunteer townspeople.
Sloane waited while Joel got their drinks. She watched everyone swinging each other around, and it reminded her of the events that she’d been accustomed to going to in her small town. Sloane found herself being grateful for the way life had a tendency to come full circle at times.
“Here you go,” Joel said as he handed her a beer that was poured into a resealable glass bottle.
“Thanks,” Sloane said with a thankful bow of her head. She popped the top off and took a thoughtful swig of the home brew. It was pretty hoppy, but it wasn’t half bad compared to the home brews in the QZ.
Joel led them over to a small high countered table. Sloane leaned her body against it as she took another swig and watched the crowd.
“So…uh…what do you do for work?” Joel asked.
Sloane had a hard time picking up what he was saying over the music, so she leaned in closer to him and asked, “What?”
He got closer to her ear and spoke again, “I asked what you do for work.”
Joel shifted somewhat awkwardly, and Sloane found it endearing. He’s really bein a good sport about this.
“I’m a country singer,” Sloane replied. “What about you?”
“Construction,” Joel nodded before giving her a taunting smile. “And oh yeah? Where’s your cowboy hat?”
I knew I shoulda worn the hat!
“Where’s your hard hat?” Sloane jested which earned her a laugh from Joel.
“At home,” Sloane admitted with a smile. “Didn’t want it to flatten my curls.” Sloane flipped her long hair over the front of her shoulder so Joel could get a better look. She found him giving her a longing look, so she decided to terrorize him even more. “Do you like it?”
“Like what?” Joel asked distractedly as he continued to look at her.
“My hair.”
“You know I love it when your hair’s down,” Joel replied moonily. His eyes widened a touch, and he shot her an apologetic glance. “I mean, sure, it’s very nice.” He took a swig of his beer.
Sloane stifled a laugh by pressing the bottle to her lips. “Do you…want to dance?”
“Sure,” Joel agreed as he held out his hand to her.
Sloane took his hand, and he led them through the group of people. He opted to keep them on the fraying edge of the crowd. Sloane pulled him more towards the center, and he leveled a reluctant look at her.
“Looks like they’re two-steppin. You know how to do that?” Sloane asked with a raised brow.
“C'mere, and let me show you how folks in Texas do it,” Joel said as he prepared himself to dance.
Sloane laughed and nodded. Much to Sloane’s surprise, Joel’s movements were fluid and graceful. She figured that he’d be an awkward dancer, but she could tell that there was validity to his words. He moved like he’d been dancing his whole life. She let Joel lead her first and the music lead her second.
They’d spent the night playing out their little fantasy as two strangers who were getting to know each other for the first time. They’d managed to keep to their roles pretty well too with the exception of a few slip ups. The hardest part for Sloane was not touching Joel when he looked so good. Because now that she was his, she didn’t know if she could ever go an extended period without touching him in some manner of speaking ever again.
The two of them stood in front of the door of their temporary house to cap off the final scene of their grand performance.
“I had a mighty fine time with you, Sloane, and I’d like to do it again,” Joel admitted with a cheesy smirk. “How’s that sound?”
“I’d say that sounds pretty good, Joel,” Sloane returned his smile. “Cause I did too. You don’t look it, but you’ve got some moves.”
He gave her a nonchalant shrug. “Had to show you what a true Southern two-step was. Not that Northern mess you were doin.”
Sloane shot him a playfully dumbstruck look and jabbed him in the arm. “Well excuse me. ” Her brown eyes found his, and she let her eyes fall to his plush lips a few times before they traveled back up. It was the age old invitation to be kissed. Joel got the message. Joel brought his hand to her face and softly tucked the blonde strays behind her ear. He cupped her cheek and raised his chin to level a hungry look at her. “I’m gonna kiss you now.”
Sloane couldn’t help but bite her lip. She gave him a slight nod, and he closed the distance between them.
His kiss was tender and soft, but not lacking in passion. He kept it straightforward and within the guidelines of a first date kiss. Sloane was used to kissing him with tongue and teeth–the two of them fighting to swallow each other whole. However, this was a welcomed change. Before pulling away, he gave her one last peck, and he looked at her with that heavy lidded look that she loved so much.
She had a mischievous thought. Sloane gave him a smile and let out a short sigh. “Well, goodnight.” Just like that, Sloane opened the door and slipped inside. She closed it softly behind her, and she nearly broke out into a fit of laughter. She knew that Joel was standing there right now in disbelief. Sloane moved away from the door and into the living room as she waited for him to burst through. She took off her jacket and threw it on the couch.
A few moments later, she heard the door open, and Joel called from the front door, “You better run, little savage! I’m comin to get you!”
Sloane let out a giddy scream as she ran past the front door and barreled up the stairs. She was nearly breathless with laughter once she reached the top. Sloane heard Joel’s heavy footsteps hot on her trail, and she went into the far side of one of the bedrooms.
Joel appeared through the door, and shot her a triumphant look. The bed stood as an obstacle between the two of them. “You’ve got nowhere to run, darlin.”
There was a predatory glint in Joel’s deep eyes that turned her on almost overwhelmingly. She was fine with being the prey, but she was going to make him chase her a bit. Sloane juked to the corner of the bed to make it look like she was moving, and Joel moved with her. With every step she took, so did he.
“C'mere, baby,” Joel instructed her as he motioned her with both hands.
Sloane raised her chin and gave him a shit-eating grin. “No.”
“I’m gonna count to five, and you’re gonna be over here by then, alright?” Joel said in his best effort of being stern. He knew that she liked it when he told her what to do.
Sloane’s lashes fluttered slightly, and she could feel her body language giving her away, but still she stuck to her guns and shook her head.
She watched as Joel counted and moved closer to her, “One…”
“Two…”
“Three…”
Sloane could hear her heartbeat in her ears and a pulsating between her thighs.
“Four…”
“Don’t make me count to five,” Joel warned her with a flash of his brows.
Joel tried to lunge for her, but Sloane somersaulted across the bed and made for the door. She thought that she’d made it past him, but she was yanked back into the room by her wrist.
Joel’s body pinned her against the wall. He gathered her two wrists up in one hand and held them over her head as his knee pressed against her pussy. Joel rubbed her aching mound slowly and looked down at her through hooded eyes. “And where do y’think you’re goin? Huh?” Sloane let out a weak whimper and looked at him lustfully. Joel pressed his lips against the shell of her ear, and his hot breath ghosted against it that sent a shiver down her spine. “You want to play games? Fine. We’ll play, but don’t forget, I always win.”
It was as if Sloane’s body were covered in gasoline, and Joel had flicked a match on her. She was ablaze under his touch. His knee pressed into her harder which elicited a needy whine from her rosy lips. Sloane’s hands twitched under his grasp, and Joel only tightened it above her.
Joel watched her squirm and clicked his tongue. “What am I gonna do with you?”
“Fuck me,” Sloane replied huskily.
“Why should I after your little cat and mouse game?” Joel asked.
Sloane nipples had begun to harden to the point that they were tender. She knew that the only thing that could sate her was Joel’s touch roving all over her body. “Please,” Sloane whined. “I’ll be good, I swear it.” Sloane’s eyes wandered down and saw that Joel’s cock was strained against his jeans, and she couldn’t help but let out a wistful sigh.
“Tell me who you belong to, Slo,” Joel egged her on.
She wiggled her body impatiently. “You.”
Joel gave her a proud smirk as he let her hands go and removed his knee. “That’s fuckin right.” Joel picked her up and threw her down on the bed. He lowered his body on top of hers as if he were a lion on the prowl. Sloane leaned back with a mischievous smirk as she waited for Joel to claim her.