by Kris Norris
The man nodded at Mallory. “I told her to go home hours ago but…” His voice faded as he stared at the floor, toeing the tiles with the tip of his boot. “Guess I should wake her up and take her home.”
Cole shifted his weight when Sawyer snagged his arm. Cole lowered his gaze, staring Sawyer square in the eyes.
Sawyer gave him an apologetic smile. “Sorry. I just wanted to say that you don’t have to worry about Mallory. I’ll see she gets home safe.”
Cole’s eyes narrowed as he looked from him to Mallory and back again. An amused grin curled one side of Cole’s mouth as he took a step back and crossed his arms on his massive chest. “You’re going to see her home?”
“And that seems strange because…”
“Because until five hours ago, your name was a curse word in this office. Christ, Sawyer, the two of you have barely spoken to each other since the case ended, but everything else went for shit two years ago. I thought for sure she was going to hurl that paperweight on Don’s desk at your head.” Cole chuckled as he shook his head. “I just hope you’re up for the battle.”
“There isn’t going to be a battle.”
“Isn’t there? So I’m the only one here that feels the oppressive tension between you two?” Cole uncrossed his arms and stuck his hands in his pockets. “Let’s be honest. Either you two are going to kill each other, or you’re going to have the hottest angry-sex known to man.”
Sawyer sighed. He’d forgotten how direct Cole was, though that was one of the traits he liked most about the man. And probably one of the reasons Cole and Mallory got along so well. Cole didn’t take any of her shit, and Mallory had the heart of a saint, finding forgiveness in just about any circumstance.
Don’t count on it.
Sawyer cursed at the nagging voice in his head, turning his attention back to Cole. “Is that why you think I’m offering to take her home? So I can have angry-sex with her?”
Cole shrugged. “Angry, hard, kinky…I don’t think the type really matters.” He held up his hand to stop any protest. “Hey, it’s me. I watched you two fall in love and I know, at least for Mallory, those feelings haven’t gone away. Just do her a favour. Think about more than one night before you jump back into bed. She hasn’t done so well since the last time you were here. I’m not sure she can take another desertion. And don’t get all defensive about how she wanted the marriage annulled. I’m just stating facts, not placing blame.”
Sawyer glanced around the office, thankful they were the only three agents still left on the floor. “You know about that?”
“Are you kidding? I’m her partner. We spend an exorbitant amount of time together. I know everything.” He chuckled. “Women like to talk.”
“So this isn’t you trying to put the fear of God into me if I touch her?”
Cole smiled and grabbed his leather coat off the back of his chair. “I’m not quite a god, but if that’s how you see me…” He gave Sawyer a pat on the shoulder as he moved past him. “Just see she actually gets some sleep. A person can only go so long on whisky shots and long naps.”
Sawyer watched the man amble down the aisle before glancing back at Mallory. He didn’t like the picture Cole had painted of her life, but he supposed he wasn’t the right person to criticise her. Not after walking out like he had. It’d been impulsive, hurtful…childish. But at that moment, he hadn’t been able to handle her apparent rejection and had taken the easiest exit route—a transfer to his old unit in Albuquerque. Looking back, he was pretty certain he’d overreacted. Hell, he’d just plain fucked up.
He pushed to his feet, unsure of his next move as he gently shook her arm. She mumbled something cryptic and settled in again, more hair falling across her shoulders. It was longer than he remembered but just as soft as he trailed his fingers through the ends, wanting nothing more than to bunch it between his hands as he claimed her mouth.
The image made him take a step back. Cole was right. The last thing she needed was a quick romp with him. Hell, from the looks she’d been giving him, it was more likely she’d cut off his dick than allow it anywhere close to her body. And he couldn’t really blame her. He’d been an ass. He still was.
“Mallory. Come on, darling, I’ll take you home.”
Mallory jumped when his hand settled on her shoulder again, blinking a few times as she gazed around the office. She squinted for a moment then groaned, running a hand through her hair as she leant back in her chair.
She looked up at him. “How long was I out?”
He smiled, wishing he’d taken more time to watch her while she’d slept. Appreciate the way her long lashes brushed against her pale skin or how her lips twitched when she mumbled something in her sleep. “About ten minutes.”
She glanced over at Cole’s desk. “Where’s Cole?”
“He called it a day, which is what I suggest you do.” He stood, grabbing her keys off her desk. “Come on. I’ll drive you home.”
Mallory stared at him, one corner of her mouth lifting into an amused smile. “I’m a big girl. I can drive myself home.”
“Not without falling asleep at the wheel.” He waved off her scowl. “Please. Whether you want to acknowledge it or not, I know you. You get this dazed look on your face when you’re trying to keep your eyes open. And right now, I’m surprised you haven’t fallen face first back onto your desk.”
Mallory released a slow breath, shaking her head. “I haven’t slept for two days. Yeah, I’m tired, but—”
“No buts. Regardless of your opinion of me, I’m not about to let you saunter off and get yourself killed because you were too proud to accept my help.” He held up the keys and shook them. “Besides, I’ve got your keys.”
“Jesus, you act as if I’m drunk.”
“Driving in your state would actually be worse than if you’d been drinking.” He motioned towards the door. “Grab your stuff and let’s go, before we’re both too tired to drive.”
Mallory got to her feet, grabbing her coat from the floor where it’d fallen off the back of her chair. “But what about your car? Even you can’t drive two at a time.”
Sawyer clenched his jaw. He wasn’t exactly sure where he was headed with this. He only knew he wasn’t prepared to let her go just yet. “They roused me out of bed at four o’clock this morning and had me hop, skip and jump my way north just to get here. I didn’t have much time to prepare.”
“In other words, you don’t have a car.”
“No car.”
She nodded, walking over to him. “So what’s the plan? Take me home then head off to the hotel? Were you going to pick me up again in the morning?”
He tried not to flinch as he shifted his feet. “Like I said…not much time to prepare.”
Mallory snorted as she rested her ass against a desk. “You don’t have a place to stay yet, either.”
“I was kind of hoping you might consider letting me stay in the guest room. Just for tonight,” he added when he thought her eyes might bulge out of her head. “I’ll find a motel tomorrow.”
Mallory looked away, the muscle in her jaw flexing as she clenched her teeth together. “I sleep with my gun.” She turned back to him, crossing her arms on her chest. “Are you sure you think being in the same house with me is a good idea?”
Sawyer moved closer, brushing his chest against her arms. “Are you planning on shooting me tonight?”
She smiled sweetly at him. “The thought had crossed my mind.”
“There’d be a mountain of paperwork involved, darling, not to mention the bastardly job of cleaning up all that blood.”
“Right. Wouldn’t want that.” She sighed, nodding towards the door. “Fine. You can camp out in the spare bed for the night. But considered yourself duly warned.”
“I’ll wear my Kevlar vest, just in case.”
She chuckled and headed for the stairs, nearly tripping down the seven flights to the ground floor. Then she made her way outside, walking across the road to a small parking lot
. The attendant nodded at her as she darted through the gate and over to her Jeep. She rounded the hood and stood waiting on the passenger side as Sawyer unlocked the SUV and jumped behind the wheel. She slid into the seat and buckled her seatbelt, closing her eyes before he’d even backed up the vehicle.
Though it’d been a while, Sawyer made his way towards the house they’d once shared, the familiar feel of the road stirring emotions he’d hidden away. It seemed as if every tree and street corner brought back a long-suppressed memory, making him realise how empty he’d felt in Albuquerque. He had had friends, but…
He glanced at Mallory. Her head rested against the window, and her eyes were closed, but he knew she wasn’t sleeping. Her breathing hadn’t deepened and every now and then her eyelids fluttered open, revealing a hint of blue in the flashing streetlights. She didn’t seem overly tense, though he suspected she wasn’t quite prepared for him to spend the night, even if it was forty feet away with a couple of walls and a gun between them.
A thought flickered through his mind and his heart raced in response. He tried to take a calming breath as he cleared his throat, drawing her attention. He smiled, wondering how to ask the question without coming across as a jealous stalker. “So, you mentioned you sleep with your gun. Don’t suppose there’s anything else I should know? Something or someone else who might try to kill me if I get up to grab a glass of water in the night?”
Mallory’s skin crinkled slightly around her eyes as her mouth curled into a knowing smile. “Is that your subtle way of asking me if I have a lover?”
He glanced over at her. “It wasn’t subtle.”
“Then the answer won’t be either. There’s nothing to worry about. I’m the only one who might take a shot at you.”
He arched a brow. “Are you sure about that?”
She scoffed at him. “Am I sure if I have a lover? Yeah, I’m pretty sure I don’t have one.” She looked out the window at the passing scenery. “Cole stays the odd night in the spare room, but that’s it.”
“Is there something I should know about you and Cole?”
Her head spun around and she looked at him as if he’d lost his mind. “Are you seriously asking me if Cole and I are lovers?”
“You spend a lot of time with him, so it’s only natural…”
“Natural that we what? Screw each other?”
He shrugged. “It happens, Mal.”
She huffed. “Yeah, I know. No, we aren’t lovers. I already tried sleeping with my partner once.” She paused to look him in the eyes. “You know how well that turned out.”
He tamped down the guilt that surfaced, nodding in silence. Yeah, he knew first-hand how that had turned out…not at all the way he’d hoped. He swallowed, turning onto her street. “So, no lovers.”
“None.”
“Currently or…” He motioned with his hand, unable to get the words to form on his tongue.
She laughed and shook her head. “None. Period. Ever. Are we done?”
“Can’t blame a guy for asking.”
“No, but I don’t see you offering up any information.”
“You didn’t ask.”
She glared at him. “That’s because I have what they call tact.”
Sawyer pulled into her driveway and cut the engine, spinning in this seat to face her. She might not have asked, but he hadn’t missed the stressed tone in her voice. She was just as curious to know if he’d had any lovers as he’d been about her.
He looked her in the eyes. “I haven’t so much as been on a date.”
“You don’t have to go out on a date to fuck someone.”
He smiled at the provocative look in her eyes. “No, you don’t. And I haven’t done either.” He nodded at the house. “So can we go in now, or do you need a blood sample for testing?”
“Can I use my gun to get it?”
He just stared at her.
She shrugged, giving him a hint of a smile. “Fine. Maybe later.”
She opened the door and jumped out, stumbling again as she headed for the porch. He could see her fatigue hunched in her shoulders and wondered how she managed to stay upright. She fiddled with the key a few times, then slid open the door, casting a wedge of light across the tiled entry. He followed her in, squinting as she flicked on the light, illuminating the room in a harsh glow.
He looked around, placing his bag beside a small table. “Either you have a very fastidious maid or you don’t spend much time here.”
“I don’t have a maid.”
“That’s what I thought.” He pointed at the walls. “You painted.”
“I had some time on my hands. You hungry?” She pointed at the kitchen. “There might be something edible in there, though I’d check the expiration date first.”
Sawyer tsked as he toed off his shoes and moved over to her. “I thought you knew how to take better care of yourself.”
“I’m fine.” She leaned against the wall. “But I’m beat. Everything is pretty much where it used to be. There are towels in the hall closet if you want a shower. And you can repay me for my kindness by buying breakfast tomorrow. Now if you’ll excuse me…”
She pushed off the wall and turned towards the hallway, stopping when he gently gripped her arm. Heat seared through his fingers and across his shoulder, spiralling down his spine and straight to his cock. God, how many times had he wished to hold her just one more time? To feel her skin against his as she pulsed around him, screaming his name like she’d done a thousand times before.
He pushed the thoughts aside, praying she didn’t glance at his crotch. “Thanks.”
“For what? You haven’t made it through the night…yet.”
“Maybe not, but…you could have tossed that paperweight at me in Don’s office.”
“It’s heavier than shit. Besides, his son made it for him and he’d have my head if I broke it.” She looked down at where his hand still held her arm. “Just get some sleep. It might be the only chance we get for a while.”
He nodded, releasing her arm as she headed down the hall, drawn to the simple beauty of her. Even exhausted she was sexier than any woman he’d ever met, and he still couldn’t believe he’d lost his one chance at claiming her as his.
Stupid damn case.
John Davies was the reason they’d got in this mess in the first place and it seemed the bastard wasn’t finished with them yet. But as he listened to her door click shut, he vowed he wouldn’t make the same mistake twice, if she didn’t decide to shoot him in the night.
* * * *
Sawyer rolled in the bed, trying to get comfortable as he stared at the neon numbers mocking him. Two-thirty and he hadn’t been able to get more than an hour’s worth of sleep. He’d drifted off easily enough, but then he’d wakened shortly after, thoughts of Mallory haunting his every breath. Damn, what was it about her that drove him crazy? Made him want what he knew he couldn’t have?
He cursed and stared up at the ceiling, wondering if she was having the same problem. He hadn’t heard a sound from her room since she’d closed the door behind her a few hours ago, suggesting she’d given in to her fatigue and was peacefully sleeping away the night…like he should be doing. But every time he closed his eyes, her body materialised in the dark. Long and lean, with pale skin and taut muscles, every inch of her excited him. From the soft spot behind her knee to the rough patch of skin on her elbow. She was beauty in every sense of the word, inside and out, and he couldn’t stop from picturing the two of them together again. Feeling her body give beneath his as he pounded into her from above, or holding her close as he took her against the wall. Any place, any way, just as long as he got to love her.
Love. Right. Like she still loved him. Hell, he’d spent the past two years wondering if she ever had. He just couldn’t understand why she’d reacted so violently in the hospital if she’d had any kind of love for him. And morphine or not, she hadn’t faked the hurt he’d seen in her eyes… Or had it been fear? Either way, he’d left, and now he
didn’t have a clue how to make his way back. He slammed his hand on the bed, wishing he could just say what he wanted to say to her, when her scream rattled the walls.
The sudden noise spooked him and he tossed the blankets aside, grabbing his gun off the side table as he rushed the door. He stopped, fisting the handle before cracking it open. He scanned the hallway then darted through, heading for her door. Her voice sounded again, words he couldn’t quite make out, and he had to fight the urge to storm into her room, knowing if she was fighting an intruder, being careless could bloody well get her killed.
He halted at her door, pressing his ear against it. Mumbled words and squeaks drifted through. He took a deep breath and threw open the door, barging into the room with his gun tight in his hand. He cleared the area, checking the closet and bathroom before running over to her bed. She thrashed on the mattress, sweat beading her brow as her hands twisted in the sheets. Another ungodly scream vibrated through the room, and he reached forward, shaking her arm.
Her eyelids flew open, but she didn’t stop fighting. She looked at him, glassy-eyed, fear making her pupils larger than usual.
“Mallory!”
She pulled against his hold, trying to roll across the bed. “No! Please.”
“It’s okay, darling. You’re just dreaming. Wake up!”
She yanked her arm away, reaching for the opposite bedpost. He swore under his breath and jumped on the bed, pinning her in place as he held her shoulders, forcing her to look at him.
“I won’t tell Mommy, just please, Daddy, don’t!”
Her words sent a cold shiver down his spine and he shook her again, fear beading his flesh with goose bumps. “Damn it, Mallory. Wake up!”
His voice echoed in the room and for a moment she stopped fighting, staring at him in utter confusion. Then she blinked and swung her head from side to side, looking around the room as if seeing it for the first time. Her ragged pants filled the air and he couldn’t do anything other than sit there, his legs straddling hers, his hands gripping her shoulders.
She sobbed twice then looked up at him, tears gathered behind her blue eyes. “Please. Sawyer. Get off me.”