Without another word, Sawyer headed back to the offices, trying his damnedest to forget the cold, hard glare Jeff had passed him before he turned away. It was true, what they did together was none of Sawyer’s business. And he fully intended to forget everything he’d just seen.
And soon.
THE MOMENT KENNEDY stepped through her front door, she kicked off her shoes and made a beeline for the kitchen. She needed a drink. Something strong enough to relieve some of the stress from the day. It’d been one hell of a week so far and the rest of it wasn’t looking to be much better. Without a receptionist or an additional tech to take the strain off Olivia, Kennedy was having to deal with a very tired, very grumpy woman at the office. Normally one to go with the flow, Olivia was beginning to show signs of her exhaustion, and Kennedy had no idea how to help her. She’d already put ads in the paper, hoping to hire someone, even if it was only temporary, but there weren’t any applicants yet.
None. Zero.
Maybe it was because Christmas was getting closer, she didn’t know, but she was at the point she was willing to hire the first person to walk through the door as long as they knew how to answer a phone.
Pulling out a glass and the wine she had put in the refrigerator the day before, Kennedy poured a full glass and then headed toward the living room. Dropping down on the sofa, she put her feet up on the table and sighed. Her feet hurt, her head hurt, and the only thing she really wanted to do was go to sleep. If only her brain would turn off.
That didn’t seem to be happening though because her mind quickly filled with thoughts of Sawyer. Thoughts that she should’ve left alone, but she couldn’t help herself. She continued to wonder what had happened to him. After he’d brought her a late lunch last week, she hadn’t seen or heard from him. Not that she should’ve expected any more. He had probably moved on to better things when she insisted that she wasn’t going to give in to him.
Part of her wished he’d been a little more persistent, but again, she shouldn’t have been surprised. He was the same old Sawyer no matter how much she wanted to believe otherwise. If she had to guess, he was probably getting busy with some floozy at the resort where he worked. The sex resort, she reminded herself.
Why in the world would she be interested in a man who ran a sex resort? A place where people went to do . . . whatever it was they did there. She had no idea, nor did she want to know.
Okay, so maybe she was a little curious. But just a little. Not enough that she would ever consider going inside. No one she knew would ever step foot into a place like that. Hell, her father had even warned her away from that place on more than one occasion.
He wasn’t usually the type of man to offer his opinion on something he knew little about, but when Alluring Indulgence Resort had sprouted in town, he’d been the first to inform her it was no place for a woman like her.
She remembered that conversation, strange as it had been.
“What do you mean, a woman like me?” Kennedy asked, confused as to why her father seemed so against the resort. Based on the numbers that Travis had presented to the town, it was going to be beneficial to the overall economy.
“You don’t wanna know what goes on there,” Jeff explained. “It’s not for good girls. That’s what I’m gettin’ at.”
Kennedy hadn’t bothered to tell her father that she wasn’t as good as he wanted to believe she was. It wasn’t a conversation that she could ever imagine herself having with him, no matter the reason, so she’d allowed him to give him his warning and then she’d moved the conversation along.
But she had to admit that he’d piqued her curiosity, as had the rumors that began spreading around town about the resort. No one that she knew had actually been there. At least no one other than the Walkers, who of course weren’t sharing any details of their superexclusive “resort for the naughty,” as it had been dubbed.
Why she was thinking about it now, Kennedy didn’t know. Why she was thinking about Sawyer, she didn’t know, either. She needed to move on, forget that he even existed as she’d done for so long, and maybe her life would get back on track. She’d been better off before he had started pursuing her in the first place. Sure, she was somewhat flattered by the attention he’d given her over the last few years, but just as he had this time, Sawyer would pop up in her life and then disappear for weeks at a time without a word.
And she would hear the stories about him standing on the street corners, soliciting sex by holding up signs—a joke she had learned he performed just to get attention from the ladies. Or she would hear of his next conquest, or ten.
She didn’t want to hear about him or the things he did anymore. She was better off moving on and trying to find a nice guy, as her father said she needed.
Problem was, Kennedy didn’t want a nice guy. Well, she wanted nice, but she wanted someone naughty in the bedroom. She’d learned that her desires burned hot and the few men she’d been with saw her as the sweet girl who needed to be cuddled and sweet-talked. No, what Kennedy wanted—which was what she knew Sawyer Walker was capable of giving her—was something significantly hotter than that. Maybe a little hair pulling, some dirty talk, or even a quick fuck against the wall.
Shit.
Tossing back the rest of her wine, Kennedy decided to give up for the night. The only company she would have for now would be her vibrator and if she wasn’t careful, she was going to burn through more batteries. To the point she’d have to start picking them up at the store that sold them in bulk.
Yep, certainly time for bed.
chapter NINE
On Thursday night, Sawyer had gone to dinner with his brothers. They had met up with Luke, Sierra, and Cole at the diner, opting for somewhere close since Travis had finally given in to Kylie’s request to bring Kate. Throughout dinner, everyone had cooed over the sweet little girl, including Sawyer on occasion, and by the time they’d finished the meal, Sawyer wasn’t ready to go home.
So, instead he headed for Moonshiners after his brothers informed him they were all heading home, including Brendon, which had surprised Sawyer somewhat. He would’ve expected Brendon to hang out with him, if for no other reason than not to go home to an empty house. His brother was still acting strange, but he had ventured out with them tonight—had even contributed to the conversation—so that was a start. However, Sawyer had noticed that when the topic had drifted to Cheyenne, Brendon had tried not to pay attention, or at least look like he wasn’t. Sawyer saw through that. If anyone had been hanging on every word about the country music superstar who would soon call Coyote Ridge her home, it was Brendon.
“Hey, Mack,” Sawyer called to the bartender when he walked inside.
For the first time in . . . God, Sawyer didn’t even know how many years it’d been since he’d started sidling up to the bar at Moonshiners, but it had been a long damn time. But for the first time, Mack didn’t greet him back, which put Sawyer on high alert instantly.
“Somethin’ wrong?” Sawyer asked as he stepped close to the bar.
“You want somethin’ to drink, or what?” Mack asked, his eyes narrowed on Sawyer’s face.
What the fuck was that about?
“I’ll take a whiskey and water,” Sawyer told him, keeping his eyes locked with Mack’s.
Mack turned away first, leaving Sawyer staring after him. That was when he heard a conversation from behind him.
“Yep, you heard me,” the gruff voice said, “we’ve got another one.”
“I heard. Knew it would happen. Once you let people think it’s okay, they’ll come out of the woodwork.”
They were old men, Sawyer could sense that much without turning around. They sounded like they were talking about the weather, as nonchalantly as they were speaking, but Sawyer knew differently. The hairs on the back of Sawyer’s neck stood on end. It wasn’t so much the words as it was the way the men were talking that had Sawyer’s ears cocked to hear more.
“It’s that damn resort,” the one man said.
“Won’t argue with you there. Look at that poor Ethan. All of a sudden the resort opens and he’s gay.”
All of a sudden? Sawyer’s back teeth ground together. He knew what the topic had been even before his brother’s name had been tossed in, he just didn’t know what had spurred it. Whatever it was, it had pissed Mack off enough that he wasn’t talking to Sawyer.
“It’s depraved, I tell ya. Then that ol’ boy, Beau. He got turned and got himself hitched to Ethan.”
“What about Travis? You know he’s gay, right?”
Sawyer’s temper ignited like a match to a slow-burning fuse, but still he didn’t turn around. When Mack walked up, pushing his drink toward him, he knew he had to say something. He just didn’t know what.
“And now Mack. I heard he was over there at AI, screwin’ some guy.”
“I heard that, too. He met some guy there and got a room.”
“It’s that damn resort, I’m tellin’ ya. It’s turnin’ all these boys gay.”
Sawyer grabbed his glass and downed the whiskey, relishing the burn that hit his chest like an atomic bomb. Slamming the glass back on the bar, he got to his feet and he wasn’t quiet about it. The sound was amplified because the rest of the bar had gone eerily silent. Turning around, Sawyer sighed when his eyes landed on Don and Ken, two old farmers who’d been in Coyote Ridge their entire lives.
“God damn it, Sawyer,” Mack barked from behind him. “You ain’t helpin’. Sit your ass back down.”
Sawyer ignored the bartender, making his way over to the table where the two old men sat. Neither man said anything as Sawyer approached, but Ken’s eyes looked like saucers as he met Sawyer’s gaze.
“I highly suggest the two of you keep your comments to yourself,” Sawyer said, trying to keep his voice low. It wasn’t working, and most of the people in the bar had already started moving closer so they could hear what was going on. “You’re startin’ rumors you can’t back up.”
Don, the mouthier of the two old men, turned his head and looked up at Sawyer. “Son, this conversation was between us. If you don’t like it, don’t listen.”
“I don’t like you talkin’ shit,” Sawyer said, not bothering to try and rein in his anger.
“If it ain’t true, why’re you gettin’ so pissed?” someone called from the back near the pool tables.
“Mind your own damn business,” Sawyer snapped, not looking up to see who had spoken up.
“Or what?” the voice called, sounding as though it was coming closer.
Sawyer did look up then, his eyes meeting Ricky Dillinger’s, the stupid little prick that Beau used to work with. The same one who had stirred up shit with Ethan last year.
Sawyer noticed the guy had bulked up a little. Probably had to because he’d been nothing more than a little pussy who liked to talk shit, but ended up with his ass handed to him anytime he did. Sawyer remembered their last run-in well.
“What the fuck did you just say?” Sawyer questioned, spinning on his heels to locate where the voice had come from.
“You heard me,” Jimmy Reardon replied softly.
“No, I don’t think I did,” Sawyer stated, anger still surging through him as he moved closer.
“Come on, boys,” Mack shouted. “Not in here.”
Sawyer ignored him, his hands balled into fists at his sides. He wasn’t sure he’d ever been as pissed as he was right then. No one . . . Fucking no one talked shit like that when he was around.
He felt his brothers lining up behind him, circling around him as Sawyer stopped just short of the table where Jimmy Reardon and that little pussy-fuck Ricky Dillinger sat.
“Care to repeat it, Reardon?” Sawyer asked, his voice low, his tone deadly. He’d never been one to hang on to hatred, but Sawyer hated Jimmy. The bastard had damn near killed Ethan and now he had the fucking balls to talk shit. Sawyer had been holding back for far too long, he couldn’t contain it any longer.
It wasn’t that Sawyer was looking for a fight, but he damn sure wasn’t the type to sit back and listen to dumb-asses spout stupid bullshit. Maybe he felt guilty for the way he’d been in high school. He hadn’t necessarily been one of the bullies, but he hadn’t done anything to stop it, either. The thought brought back memories of Kennedy and the way everyone had treated her.
God, he was a first-rate asshole back then.
“Are you the gay police now?” Ricky asked, moving forward and pulling Sawyer from his thoughts. “You gonna fight all their battles?”
“Their battles?” Sawyer snapped. “That’s my family you’re referrin’ to. You’re damn right I’ll fight their battles. Every fucking one of them if necessary.”
Sawyer’s fists were clenching at his sides and he fought the urge to punch Ricky in the face. It would’ve made him feel a little better, but he didn’t need to do more to piss off Mack, although he wasn’t exactly sure what he’d done to garner his wrath in the first place. However, one surefire way to get the bartender riled up was to start shit in his bar.
“Sawyer, I think it’s time you moved along.”
Sawyer spun around to see Sheriff Endsley standing just a few feet away, his unyielding gaze pinning Sawyer in place. Rather than argue, Sawyer nodded and headed toward the door without another word. Unfortunately, Sheriff Endsley followed close on his heels.
Based on the man’s posture, Sawyer knew the other man had something to say and he welcomed whatever was on his mind, but he wasn’t sure he could handle it tonight. He was pissed, the rage churning inside him. A strong hand on his shoulder had Sawyer spinning around, coming face-to-face with the sheriff, and he fought the urge to throw a punch. He wasn’t stupid.
“I’m not sure what kinda stunt you’re tryin’ to pull, Sawyer, but I’m sick of this shit. You’re drawin’ attention where it doesn’t need to be.”
Sawyer was at a loss for words, confused by the anger plastered on Jeff’s face. Oddly, it matched the expression Mack had when Sawyer had entered the bar.
“I warned Mack. I told him to stay away from that place, but no, he was curious. And look where that got us.”
“Where’s that?” Sawyer asked, confused.
“Right where the others have been. Your so-called discreet club . . . It’s nothin’ but a sham. There ain’t nothin’ private about it. The rumors have started and it’s hard to believe . . .”
When Jeff didn’t finish his sentence, Sawyer took a step closer. “Hard to believe what?” he asked defensively.
“I’d appreciate if you’d stay the hell out of my business,” Jeff said softly. “You’ve done enough damage to enough people.”
“What the fuck are you talkin’ about?” Sawyer felt as though he’d been sucker punched. He got the feeling that Jeff was pinning this on him, blaming Sawyer for the rumor that had started—although he hadn’t heard a damn thing up to this point so he wasn’t sure what was real and what wasn’t. Jeff’s next words solidified Sawyer’s fears.
“Funny how you personally assured us that no one would find out and then all of a sudden it’s spread around town. Is that your way of marketing that damn club?”
Sawyer’s eyebrows turned down, confusion racking him. “Me? You think I said somethin’?”
“It’s hard to think otherwise. I know how you work. I remember all too well how you treated Kennedy back in high school. My daughter was right in not trustin’ you, Walker. And if you wanna do right by her, wanna fix the wrongs you’ve done, you’ll back off.”
“Back off? What are you sayin’?” Sawyer had an idea, but he wanted to hear Jeff say it.
“Stay away from Kennedy.”
Sawyer was immediately drawn back to the past, to the night he and his friends had toilet-papered Kennedy’s house as a joke. Unfortunately, that was one of the few times they’d ever been caught,
and by Jeff, no less. However, in Sawyer’s defense, it had been a case of kids being kids. He’d grown up since then.
Was that what this was? Was Jeff trying to keep Sawyer away from Kennedy because he’d pulled a few pranks when he was a kid? He didn’t see how that made him untrustworthy though. Certainly not enough for Jeff to fault him for some bullshit like this. Then again, if Kennedy had shared with her father how she’d been treated in high school, it was possible that Jeff blamed him personally.
“I’m done,” Sawyer said, exasperated. He didn’t have to put up with this bullshit. Turning back around, fully intending to get in his car and head home, Sawyer stopped suddenly. The instant he saw Kennedy standing just a few feet away in the parking lot, Sawyer knew he’d been right about Jeff. Keeping Sawyer away from Kennedy was his plan after all.
Sawyer’s eyes met Kennedy’s and he noticed the fury flashing in them. Yeah, she’d heard it all, just as her father intended. And he knew then that no matter how hard he tried, she wasn’t going to trust him.
Which was exactly what her father wanted.
KENNEDY COULDN’T BELIEVE what she was hearing. Based on the bits and pieces of the conversation taking place outside the bar, she gathered that her father and Mack had gone to AI. She wasn’t going to get into all the reasons why that pissed her off. She also picked up on the fact that something else had happened. Rumors?
Her father wasn’t one to get angry often. Not like this, which meant that whatever had gone down was bad.
When her eyes met Sawyer’s, she saw . . . Was that guilt? Or regret?
Whatever it was, she wasn’t going to find out, because he took the steps down into the parking lot and headed for his car, passing her without a word.
“Dad?” Kennedy called to her father when Sawyer was pulling out of the parking lot.
“You shouldn’t be here tonight, Kennedy,” he said firmly.
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