“Wow.” Sawyer clicked off the TV with the remote. “Unbelievable.”
Devin chewed her bottom lip. “Both Walton and Syd have been more on edge than usual lately. Do you think they knew this was coming?”
Sawyer stood then reached down to pull her to her feet. “Wouldn’t that imply there’s some truth to the story?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.” She glanced up at him with a frown creasing her brow. “You’ve known him forever. What do you think? Is it possible he has a kid out there other than Dwight?”
“Hell, I don’t know.” Bits of jumbled conversation between his parents, overheard as a boy, pushed into his mind. “Walton and Cathy went through a rough patch not long after they were married. There was some talk of a separation. I remember being worried and asking my mom if that meant they wouldn’t come visit us anymore.”
“But they didn’t split up, even for a short period?”
He shook his head. “Not that I can recall, but I couldn’t have been more than eight or nine at the time. Not exactly the most reliable witness.”
“So, maybe Walton was cheating on her, which caused the rift. Seems unlikely a child from an affair could have been hidden for so many years, though.”
“I agree.” He pulled her against his chest. “Someone probably twisted the facts. If they can’t back them up with anything better than an anonymous source, I’m sure this will blow over soon. Some other scandal with more substance will push this one off the news front.”
“Let’s hope.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him. “Now, what were we doing before we were so rudely interrupted?”
Her voice held a teasing quality that made him forget all about Walton and his political problems. He swayed on his feet as all the blood in his head drained south. “Going to bed, I hope.”
“You’ve been remarkably patient all evening. Seems like you deserve a reward.” Taking his hand, she turned off the table lamp by the couch then pulled him toward the bedroom.
“As long as it involves you and the black thing you wore last night, I couldn’t agree more.”
“I have a red one. Wait until you see it.”
In the dark, he stumbled into the doorway and nearly knocked himself silly. Didn’t matter. The head on his shoulders wasn’t the one he intended to use tonight. He wasn’t going to think at all, certainly not about where the two of them were going from here. Not about anything except how he could make Devin feel for the next few hours.
“I like red.” His voice croaked.
She pushed him down on the bed then headed toward the bathroom. “I’ll be right back.”
Chapter 16
Devin stood in front of the mirror, dressed to seduce. Not that Sawyer wouldn’t be onboard if she came out wearing the flannel penguin pajamas. As he’d pointed out, they had no problem whatsoever in bed. She drew in a long breath, and her breasts swelled above the crimson lace that edged the plunging neckline of the camisole top. Barely there, high-cut panties trimmed in the same lace completed the outfit. If the man had a weak heart, he might not survive her grand entrance wearing slip-on stiletto heels in the same shade of red that, even to her critical eye, made her legs look like a million bucks.
Lucky for her, his heart was in perfect shape. Open and giving and filled with tenderness. Possibly love. She didn’t want to break it. Didn’t want to crush her own dreams of a future with the sweetest guy she’d ever known. But, since she wasn’t cut out to be the type of woman who was available for her man twenty-four seven, the kind who dropped everything when he looked her way, she feared that was exactly where they were headed. A painful split that just might rip both their hearts in two.
On another deep breath, she lifted her chin. But not until after the weekend was over. Looking down, she smoothed her hands over the silk camisole she’d purchased as a consolation gift one Valentine’s Day when she was feeling lonely and sorry for herself for having no special man in her life. She had one now, and she intended to enjoy their time together, no matter how fleeting. Turning away from the doubt mirrored in her eyes, she left the bathroom and paused just inside the bedroom doorway.
Sawyer lay in bed, propped up against pillows. His moss green eyes darkened to the deep emerald of a forest. “You look incredible. How’d I get so lucky?”
“You say that now…” She crossed the room to stop a yard from the bed. Her gaze slid over his bare chest, deeply tanned and hard with muscle, down well-defined abs to hover at the sheet riding low across his waist. “Maybe I’m the lucky one.”
“As long as we both keep thinking that, we’re good.”
She kicked off her heels when he pulled the covers back, then slid into bed. Heat encompassed her. His body radiated warmth, and his mouth was hot and wet as he claimed hers in a kiss that rocked her world. Stretching her arms out over her head, he gripped her wrists and nuzzled his way down her neck to the lace at her breasts.
“God, you may smell even better than you look.” His tongue flicked across one silk covered nipple. “How is that possible?”
She wiggled restlessly beneath him as the tension inside her ramped up several notches. Moisture dampened the tiny panties even as he slid them down her legs with his free hand, only to stroke up the length of her thigh. His fingers stopped just short of heaven.
“So soft…” His lips returned to hers.
When he released her captured wrists, she wrapped her arms around him and rolled, tangled in the sheets, trying to get even closer… He sank slowly inside her, and she was sure nothing in her life would ever feel so good again.
“I love you.”
The whispered words caressed her ear, so soft she wasn’t sure if she’d heard—or simply imagined—them. Before she could respond, or even process her feelings, he upped the tempo. Bodies slick with damp heat glided together with unbearable friction. They danced to a tune of their own making, building to a crescendo… Devin cried out as he pounded against her, and shook with the force of her release.
“God, I love this. Love you. I think I’m going to die.”
His arms tightened as he collapsed on top of her. “Me, too. Me, too.”
They lay together, unmoving. He filled her still. Physically. Emotionally. When he finally slipped out and shifted, she sighed with the loss, missing the connection already. Neither spoke.
There was nothing left to say.
Hours later in the dark of the night, he held her close as she lay wide awake staring at the ceiling, wondering how she’d ever be able to let him go.
“Devin?”
“I’m awake.” Her voice was a whisper.
“I don’t want to lose you.”
She swallowed hard. “I don’t want to lose you, either.”
He was silent for a moment. “Will you at least think about moving to Wyoming this winter?”
She pressed a hand to her eyes. “I can’t—”
He shifted to tighten his hold on her. “Don’t answer now. Please, just think about it. Think about what we have to gain.”
She nodded, wondering if he could feel the brush of her hair against the pillow they shared. “Okay.”
“That’s all I ask.”
She let out a long sigh. He wasn’t asking much. But she feared it was more than she could give.
* * * *
Devin unlocked her apartment door and shoved it open, dumped her briefcase and purse on the floor, then headed straight to the couch to collapse. A couple more days of work before they left for Ainslee and Griff’s party. She and Walton were flying in a few days prior to the event for a handful of scheduled speaking engagements. Surely she’d survive until then. Surely…
Her phone chimed. With an effort, she tugged it out of the pocket of her jacket and glanced at the display. Sawyer texting her again. She chewed one ragged nail, wanting more than anything to answer his increasingly curt messages. It would be awkward between them at the party if she didn’t, but sh
e honestly didn’t know what to say.
With a sigh, she rose from the couch and headed into the kitchen in search of food. The refrigerator produced only barren shelves save for some limp lettuce and a container of scary-looking leftovers. Empty of anything even remotely appealing. Kind of the way she felt.
Sawyer had asked her to think about moving to Wyoming for the winter. She’d thought hard…but telling him she couldn’t do it, knowing how disappointed he’d be, was more than she could bear. So she ignored his messages. A coward’s way out.
Turning to the pantry, she found a can of chicken noodle soup, opened it and dumped the contents in bowl to heat in the microwave. Not exactly a gourmet meal, but she was beyond caring what she ate. Maybe she should move to Wyoming. At least there she’d have Sawyer. Why did she need a satisfying career to be happy? Plenty of women would be thrilled to have a man half as terrific as he was, and screw personal fulfillment.
The microwave beeped. Pulling out the soup, she slopped hot broth on her fingers and let out a cry. Tears sprang to her eyes. “Shit!” The word echoed in the empty apartment. Her heart ached. She dropped her head, and a sob slipped out.
Drawing in a quavering breath, she willed herself not to cry. Her life wasn’t a complete disaster. When she’d finally sucked up her courage and told Walton she intended to resign as soon as the election was over, he’d patted her on the back. Then he’d assured her he understood and promised a glowing letter of recommendation. She’d received two requests for interviews from the dozen job applications she’d submitted, one from a gallery in Boston and another from a museum in Denver. No one had sent her any more threatening letters. No one had tried to kill her boss recently. In fact, life was just peachy.
She pulled a stool up to the counter and ate her soup while she checked her email. A thanks but no thanks response from the museum in San Francisco and another from the one in Seattle. Damn. The San Francisco job had been her top choice. Two more rejections to add to the growing total. But the gallery in Carmel she’d applied to for the sole purpose of being close to Ainslee was interested. Very interested. Was she available to interview the beginning of next week?
“Hell, yes!” Her spoon clattered onto the counter. She’d set something up for Monday, right after the engagement party. Walton was giving a speech at Stanford University that morning, which wasn’t too far away. They planned to fly home later in the afternoon. The timing was perfect.
If she couldn’t have the man she’d fallen in love with, at least she could be close to her best friend. If she got the job. There were still the Denver and Boston options to consider, as well. Denver wasn’t so very far from Wyoming… Her cell with the unanswered calls and texts taunted her. Maybe if she heard Sawyer’s voice she’d figure out what to say.
After putting her empty bowl in the sink, she took her phone and headed into the living room. She flopped down on the couch and pressed the button to connect to the last missed call. When he answered on the second ring, her throat tightened.
“I wondered if you were ever going to call me back.”
“Sorry.”
He was silent for a few moments. “What’s going on, Devin?”
She pressed her fingers to her forehead and closed her eyes tight. “This isn’t going to work. I want it to—more than anything—but it just won’t.”
“Did that jerk who was at your apartment talk you into trying again with him?”
Her lids popped open. “Porter?”
“Do you have more than one ex-boyfriend still in the picture?”
She clenched her fist around the cell. “Now you’re pissing me off. I guess that’s better than making me feel guilty.”
“Jesus, what am I supposed to think?” His voice took on a raw edge. “You must have a decent reason for dumping me.”
“Not Porter, for God’s sake. By the time I finished telling him exactly what I thought about how he treated me, he was thrilled to hear I wouldn’t be working in DC much longer.”
“Oh?”
“I handed in my notice. Walton was very supportive, which only made me feel worse about quitting.”
“From your tone, I take it you won’t be moving to Wyoming in November.”
“I can’t.” Her voice cracked. “I might be happy for a little while…”
“Okay.”
The single word pierced her soul. Tears ran down her cheeks. “I guess I’ll see you at the engagement party. We can still be friends, right?”
“That’s your solution? Friends?” His voice rose. “You don’t want to try to work out an alternative?”
“I don’t even know where I’m going when I leave here! Damn it, Sawyer.” She tried to clear the thickness from her throat and failed. “This isn’t just my fault. I told you up front how I felt about living in the middle of nowhere.”
“I guess you did. Sure, we’ll be friends.” His voice dripped sarcasm. “Why the hell not?”
She didn’t blame him for being angry. Not much, anyway. She forced down a sharp response. “I guess I’ll see you in Carmel.”
“Walton offered to give me a lift there.” He let out a long breath, and some of the resentment in his tone faded. “My parents and grandpa drove out a week early to spend some extra time in California. Eden is up in Tahoe visiting her old college roommate. I’ll drive back with her after the party.”
“So we’re flying into where, exactly, to pick you up?”
“Cody.” The seconds ticked by before he spoke again. “I’m not going to pretend to be happy, but I won’t make my brother’s engagement party awkward. I’m not an asshole like good old Porter.”
She almost smiled. “Good to know.”
“See you, Devin.”
The connection went dead. “Bye, Sawyer.”
She laid her cell on the coffee table then sat back defeated and numb. Was she making the biggest mistake of her life? Maybe. But Sawyer hadn’t exactly offered to drop everything to move to the location of her choice. Had he? She let out a sigh and leaned her head against the back of the couch. This miserable situation really wasn’t all her fault. Not that it mattered. Whoever was to blame, the result was the same. Her heart was definitely broken. The tears she’d been holding back slid down her face as she gave in to despair.
* * * *
Sawyer pulled into the lot at the small airport in Cody and shifted the truck into park. Rain came down in a light drizzle to spatter on the windshield. The gloomy sky reflected his mood.
Turning in his seat, he handed the keys to Roman. “Thanks for making the trip with me, especially since it should have been your day off.”
“Not a problem.” His employee hunched one shoulder. “If you don’t mind me using the pickup, I’d like to spend a few hours in town for a change, maybe go shoot some pool.”
“Of course I don’t mind…as long as you don’t have too many beers while you’re playing.”
The kid grinned. “I may be a little reckless at times, but I’m not stupid.”
“Good to know.” He opened his door and got out while Roman did the same. After slipping the strap of his daypack over his shoulder, he pulled his suitcase out from under the tarp in the bed of the truck.
“I bet you’re happy to spend the weekend with Devin.”
Sawyer dropped the bag with a thump. “We split up.”
Roman’s eyes held sympathy. “That’s rough. Should make for a strained couple of days, or is she not flying in with the congressman?”
“No, she’ll be on the plane.” He sighed and adjusted his ball cap to keep the rain out of his eyes. “The whole situation is…difficult.”
“A good reason to avoid relationships completely.” He tilted his head and pointed to the plane circling above. “I wonder if that’s them. Must be nice having your own private jet. I didn’t know public service paid so well, or did Hinsdale write the damn thing off as a business expense and let the taxpayers foot the bill?”
&nb
sp; “Walton comes from money. His family went from ranching to oil production back in the boom period.”
“So, he was born rich?”
“Yep. Can’t blame the man for his roots.”
“His opponents blame him for everything else…” Roman gave the keys a shake. “Well, I’ll let you get in out of the rain. See you in a few days.”
“Sure. Thanks for helping me out.”
“Anytime.”
Sawyer headed toward the low building at the edge of the runway. Entering the warm waiting area, he checked in with the friendly woman manning the counter and discovered the congressman’s jet had been cleared to land but would need to gas up before take-off. With a nod and a smile, he retreated to a hard plastic seat near the bank of windows.
When the only other occupant of the room, a tall, balding man, stuffed his phone in his pocket and turned, Sawyer reared back. “Charles. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I came to pick up Cathy. She decided to stay with me for a while. She’s been through hell since that story broke about—” He snapped his lips shut in a grim line.
“I thought the press dropped their talk of an illegitimate child when no one came forward with any proof?”
“Walton made sure the story died a quick death.” Charles ran a hand across the back of his neck and frowned. “Cathy’s feeling the pressure. I know she’s upset about missing your brother’s engagement party, but she needs to relax while she can.”
“I imagine the whole campaign has been incredibly stressful for her. What about Dwight? Is he coming, too?”
Charles shook his head. “He stayed home with friends. School, you know. He already missed a week to go on the raft trip.”
Outside, a sleek, silver jet touched down with a roar that vibrated the windows. Minutes later, the small craft taxied up the runway to a stop. A fuel truck cruised out to meet it, and the door opened. Steps lowered.
Wilde Side Page 18