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Sloane arrives at Honky Tonk to meet Naomi, Lina, Knox, and Nash, trying to focus on finding a suitable partner instead of Lucian. She hears positive updates on the Mary Louise Upshaw case—growing interest, a podcast request, and an upcoming informal meeting with the judge—while masking disappointment that Lucian isn’t expected.

Lucian unexpectedly enters the bar, reigniting Sloane’s desire. As their friends head to the dance floor, Lucian corners Sloane in the dim bar, and they escalate into intimate touching. When the group returns, Sloane shields Lucian’s arousal, and they claim they need to “finish a discussion.”

Down a hallway, the encounter intensifies. Lucian admits frustration at not finding Sloane alone. They push boundaries with mutual touching; Sloane kneels and begins to pleasure him before they are interrupted by nearby patrons. Lucian halts the act and insists they rejoin the group to avoid suspicion.

They agree to leave in thirty minutes. Back at the bar, they struggle to keep their hands off each other until Naomi gives Sloane an easy exit. Sloane says goodnight and leaves first, with Lucian following shortly after.

Outside, Lucian intercepts Sloane at her Jeep and directs her into his Jaguar, determined not to let her out of his sight. Their decision to leave together underscores their inability to resist each other, despite Sloane’s intentions to date for a different future.