by Jenna Jacob
If not for the pain etching her face and the sincerity in her voice, Sawyer would have laughed. Instead, he brushed a knuckle down her cheek and sent her a ghost of a smile.
“That’s never going to happen, darlin’.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m deeply attracted to you.”
“Great. That’s just great!” She tossed her hands in the air and groaned. “You can’t be. The only men attracted to me are scumbags who’ll do or say anything to get in my panties. And like a happy moron, I believe them.”
Like the others, Sawyer was guilty of wanting inside Brea’s panties and her body. But unlike them, he wouldn’t fill her head with empty promises to achieve his goal. He had to prove to her that he was different. Yeah, it chafed that she’d been with so many men, but Sawyer didn’t care about anything, only that he was her last.
Slow down, cowboy, before you step in something you can’t scrub off your boots, the voice in his head warned the resurrected thoughts of monogamy swirling through his brain.
“You’re a beautiful woman, Brea. They had to be attracted to more than your…” Sawyer nodded toward her crotch. His cock lurched, scraping his zipper.
Wrong place to focus, fucker. Way wrong!
Whipping his gaze back to her face, Sawyer didn’t want her thinking he was another douchebag wanting to get her horizontal—even though he did. He wanted more than a single night of passion. No, he wasn’t a knight in shining armor, but he’d treat Brea light-years better than the men of her past.
Brea had made some mistakes. So what? He’d made plenty as well. Hell, he’d married his biggest mistake of all. And while it had left a nasty taste in his mouth, he hadn’t tossed all females to the curb, Sawyer simply vowed to never say “I do” again.
“You’re selling yourself short with your man ban, baby.”
“No, I’m not.” She adamantly shook her head. “I’m through playing whore, mother, maid, and scapegoat. I’m done.”
“Not all men are assholes. Some of us are quite charming.”
“They’re only charming until they get what they want.”
Deciding to try a different tactic—one that would hopefully lighten the moment—Sawyer slapped a palm to his heart and feigned mortal pain. “You wound me, woman.”
Brea choked on a tiny laugh that filled him with joy before she quickly sobered. “Do yourself a favor, Sawyer. Stay away from me. You’re a nice guy…when you’re not holding spare house keys hostage.”
Though Brea was trying to make light of the situation, her low self-esteem had him seeing red. He hated the fact that she couldn’t see her own beauty.
Guess it’s up to me to me to open her eyes.
Cupping her cheeks, Sawyer held her with an intense gaze. “I’m not staying away from you, darlin’. I can’t. I’m dying to know everything about you. The good, the bad, and even the things you think are ugly. And when the time comes, I’m going to peel you open, peel off your clothes, and make all your dreams come true.”
Her eyes grew wide as a tremor shook her body. “You can’t. I-I won’t let you.”
“Wanna bet?”
Chapter Six
Brea
* * *
Brea so wanted to take that bet…wanted to dare him to bring all her desires out of the shadows. Excitement, hope, and a metric ton of fear squeezed her chest. But none of that lessened the demand now beating like a drum, the ache of her pebbled nipples, or the knots coiled in her stomach. Her unruly hormones mocked her ridiculous man ban with a chorus of Do him! Do him! Fuck him senseless!
The only thing stopping her from climbing him like a spider monkey was fear.
Brea knew Sawyer could peg the needle on the sexual Richter scale after one potent, toe-curling kiss. A kiss that stole her breath, made her dizzy, and had her lips still tingling. It was humanly impossible for any man who kissed like that to suck in the sack. Not only would he shatter her body, in ways she’d probably never experienced before, but he would completely annihilate her heart.
Thankfully, she’d had the wherewithal to ease from his arms instead of dragging him to her bedroom to put his competent skills to the test. But that didn’t stop her from wanting more…
More of his hot, rugged body pressed against hers.
More of his hard erection nudging her pussy.
More of his warm, firm lips.
More of his prickly scruff scraping her neck.
More of his sinful, sweeping tongue.
More of everything that had her pulse racing, pussy weeping, and nipples throbbing.
Good god. I’m losing my ever-loving mind.
Brea had to fight the relentless lust threatening to destroy her again, but the desire and determination blazing all over Sawyer’s face told her it was going to be a bloody, wicked cage match.
“Damn, darlin’. Your lips are the sweetest I’ve ever tasted.”
“Ahem.” Colton cleared his throat.
Brea jolted and took a big step backward, replacing the delicious warmth of Sawyer’s body with a cold, empty void.
Colton smirked. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to… Ah, dinner’s ready.”
Without a doubt, her friend’s interruption had been divine intervention. But after Sawyer’s spine-melting kiss, Brea knew it was going to take more to change her ways than a kick in the ass by some higher power. Thor’s hammer probably wasn’t strong enough to break her bad habits.
“You got lousy timing, man,” Sawyer groused.
“Sorry, bro. I didn’t know the war was over and you two were making up.”
A blush set fire to Brea’s face. “I’m going inside to see if Jade needs any help. Something I should have been doing all along.”
Turning on her heel, Brea stormed off. She hated acting like a bitch, but it was the only way she could fight the battle raging inside her.
“Don’t bother. She’s got it all under control.” Colton’s voice faded as Brea stormed into the kitchen.
“You okay?”
“Yeah,” Brea lied.
“Okay,” Jade said, eyeing her suspiciously.
“What can I do?”
“Grab the potatoes out of the oven for me?” Jade nodded toward the stove as she tossed the salad.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“I invited you two over for dinner, and you guys have done all the cooking.”
“Oh, please. I love to cook. It’s the clean-up I can’t stand.”
Brea set the pan of twice-baked potatoes on the stove. “Then I’ll take care of that when dinner’s done.”
“Deal.” A knowing smirk crawled across Jade’s face. “That was some kiss you and Sawyer shared outside.”
Brea touched her fingers to her mouth and dipped her head.
Jade chuckled. “I take it your man ban has bitten the dust?”
“No. I-I… It was an accident.”
“Oh. So, you accidentally tried to suck the lips off his face. I suppose your arms were holding on to the back of his neck like an anchor to keep him from accidentally sucking your tongue down his throat, too.” Jade giggled.
Brea glared, which only made her friend laugh harder. “I’m glad you find my suffering funny.”
“Suffering? Yeah, I’m sure kissing that hunky cowboy must have been excruciating.”
“It will be if I don’t put a stop to it now!” Brea barked.
The smile fell from Jade’s face as she instantly sobered. “Shit. I’m sorry. Okay, take a deep breath and find your Zen.”
“I can’t!” Brea cried. “It just flipped me off and caught a flight to the Bahamas. It knows a lost cause when it sees one.”
“Then grab a beer. Your chickenshit Zen can’t hold a candle to alcohol.”
“Unfortunately neither can I.”
Jade sent her a sympathetic smile, the kind a bestie uses to soothe when your emotions are spinning out of control.
Seconds later, Colton and Sawyer swaggered in throug
h the back door. Jade held back whatever she was going to say next and placed a steak on each plate, while Brea silently followed, dishing out the potatoes.
“What a feast. I haven’t eaten like this since last Thanksgiving,” Sawyer stated. “I appreciate you guys inviting me over.”
“Glad you joined us.” Colton smacked Sawyer on the back, then took a seat beside Jade, leaving Brea the last empty chair…next to Sawyer.
Wonderful.
Nerves jangling, she sat down wondering how she was going to choke down dinner. She was enveloped in Sawyer’s alluring scent and the tempting heat pouring off his perfect body, and food was the last thing on her mind.
“I saw Nate in town this morning. Surprised to see him here so early. Everything okay at the ranch?” Colton asked, carving into his steak.
The knife in Sawyer’s hand stilled as it hovered over his plate. “Yeah. Everything’s good.”
Though it technically wasn’t a lie, Sawyer wasn’t forthcoming about the argument he’d had with his brother. Maybe he simply didn’t want the town gossiping about their little drama. Still, a lie, whether big or small, was a lie. Brea finally realized that Sawyer was just as flawed as the rest of the male species.
“He was in town to take care of some business,” he added.
“Oh, really? What’s her name?” Jade grinned.
“The steadfast virgin?” He chuckled.
“I don’t understand why he wants to save his cherry.” Colton shook his head.
“None of us do. Actually, he stopped by for a cup of coffee,” Sawyer softly confessed. “But we got into an argument instead…a loud one.”
Clearly, she’d judged him too quickly…the man had a conscience! And even though she’d seen the pain Nate had inflicted all over Sawyer’s face, Brea wasn’t totally convinced she could trust him. She wanted to know what skeletons were rattling around in his closet. Of course, she couldn’t ask. She’d have to drag hers out, too, and that was never going to happen.
“About a girl?” Jade persisted.
“Jesus, he’s not sniffing around Deanne, is he?” Colton asked, lip curling in revulsion.
“Good god, no!” Sawyer barked.
“Who’s Deanne?” Brea asked.
“The town nympho,” Jade enlightened.
“How do you know?” Colton gaped.
“It’s a small town, baby. People talk.” Jade shrugged. “Rumor has it Deanne’s tumbled more sheets than a box of fabric softener.”
They all burst out laughing before Jade abruptly sobered and shot Colton with a jealous glare. “You never bumped bellies with Deanne, did you?”
“No, kitten. You already know I didn’t date any of the girls in Haven.”
Jade arched a quizzical brow at Sawyer.
“Don’t look at me. I wouldn’t tap that with a court order. They’d have to throw me in jail.” He darted a knowing glance at Brea.
Her heart sputtered.
How the hell did he know I was in jail?
Brea glared at Colton as he chomped on a bite of salad in complete oblivion.
I’m being paranoid. Sawyer doesn’t know shit.
Brea licked her lips and forced a smile. “Well, it looks like Jade and I are having dinner with the only two choirboys in Haven.”
Jade rolled her eyes and scoffed.
“We’re not choirboys, but we’re not man-sluts either,” Colton assured.
“Not anymore,” Jade teased dryly.
“How many kids are at the ranch this week?” Colton asked, quickly changing the subject.
She and Jade exchanged a knowing smirk while Sawyer started to talk, then paused and swallowed the food in his mouth.
“Twenty-four. Twelve girls and twelve boys.”
“What kind of ranch is it?” Brea asked.
While Sawyer told her about Camp Melody, the pride in his voice and the caring glow on his face had Brea in near tears. He was like a kaleidoscope, presenting a new and beautiful side of himself with each turn. Sawyer was part of a rare breed. Not only was he living his dream but also helping bring happiness to the lives of weak and dying children.
The man was beautiful, inside and out. Hell, he was almost a saint.
Brea felt guilty for all the insults and defiance she’d flung in his face. But instead of being dragged down by her own misgivings, she focused on Sawyer’s every word, completely forgetting about her dinner.
“It sounds amazing. I would love to see it sometime. I mean if visitors are allowed.”
“They sure are. I’d be happy to show you around and introduce you to some of the campers, especially Tina.” A sheepish grin crawled across his lips. “That cutie had me wrapped around her little finger the minute she smiled.”
“You’ve always been a sucker for a pretty face,” Colton taunted.
Sawyer raised his head and stared pointedly at Brea. “Yeah, I know.”
And just like that…lightning struck her girl parts. She couldn’t block or control the need he ignited inside her. Searching for a place to hide, Brea lowered her lashes and stared at her plate. She wanted to be a strong, self-empowered woman, but she wasn’t… not yet. She was still starving for affection and stupidly aching to fill that void with her body.
“Eat up, sweetheart,” Colton urged as if sensing she was sliding down a slippery slope to nowhere.
Forcing food in her mouth, Brea tried to focus on the conversation and enjoy the rest of the meal. Still, she was hyperaware of Sawyer’s every breath…every word…every glance. She knew she was in deep shit when she caught herself staring at the roll of his Adam’s apple when he took a drink of beer. It was pathetic that every sinful inch of the man turned her on. There were no two ways about it…Brea was in for one hell of a fall.
When dinner was over, she handed each of them a fresh beer, then shooed them out the door so she could clean the kitchen. Sawyer held back while Colton and Jade stepped out to the deck with Ozzie in tow.
“Let me help you with that.” He gathered up the plates and carried them to the sink.
“Thanks, but you don’t need to… Go on outside and relax.”
“Not until you can join me.” His devilish smile made her knees go weak.
Yeah, she was toast. It was only a matter of time before Sawyer spread her out on the bed like butter.
Colton poked his head inside, pinning Sawyer with a strange expression. “Ah, you need to come out here for a minute, man.”
Wiping his hands on a towel, he strolled out the back door. Curiosity piqued, Brea followed, head snapping toward Sawyer’s house at the sound of feminine giggles.
“There you are, Sawyer!” a pretty blonde called from between an equally pretty brunette and redhead. All three women were sitting in the bubbling hot tub on Sawyer’s porch…a hot tub Brea hadn’t even noticed until now.
In tandem, the trio stood. Water sluiced down their ample breasts and colorful string bikinis. It was impossible for Brea not to notice that none of them had a ripple of cellulite on their perfect, skinny bodies.
Bitches.
“We’ve been waiting for you, sugar. Come back home and join us.” The blonde crooked her finger. “You don’t mind us starting the party without you, do you?”
A knife of jealousy twisted in Brea’s belly, bursting the foolish bubble of hope she’d clung to since Sawyer’s kiss.
The man of the hour, wide-eyed and mute, stood like a statue. Slowly, he dragged his gaze off the eager bimbos, clenched his jaw, and glanced at Brea. Anger, dread, or maybe guilt tightened his features as Sawyer scrubbed a hand through his hair.
Brea’s heart sank. She’d known getting twisted up with Sawyer would end in a fall, but she hadn’t expected to land on her ass this soon. Thankfully, it was a minor tumble. All she’d really done was scrape a knee. At least she’d discovered quickly that Sawyer’s kiss had been nothing but an attempt to get her into bed.
Neville Sawyer Grayson wasn’t a saint. He was just another horny man.
; Jade moved in beside Brea in silent support and solidarity as Colton let out a low whistle.
“Looks like you’ve got company.”
Jade sent her man an incredulous glare. Brea could hear her mentally screaming at Colton to fix this shit, or die a slow, painful death!
“What are you three doing?” Sawyer’s voice held an edge of annoyance.
“We wanted to play in the water, but the pool’s closing soon, so we crashed your hot tub instead,” the petite brunette explained in a seductive tone.
The woman was so transparent. Brea didn’t know if she wanted to gag or laugh. The three pool-time playmates hadn’t shown up to swim. They’d shown up to fuck Sawyer…fuck him three times over and then some.
“You were a bad boy last night. You left the Hangover without us.” the third centerfold beauty, with glossy, auburn curls, scolded with an overdramatic pout. “We came over so you could make it up to us.
“I was busy. I still am,” Sawyer bit out tersely.
“Aw, come on. We just want to have a little fun with you again,” the blonde begged. “Get wet with us. There’s plenty of room.”
Brea stood silently, struggling to tamp down the ugly emotions closing off her throat.
She shouldn’t care that three bikini-clad playmates were brazenly soliciting the man who’d just kissed her. But dammit, she did care. She felt like an ugly duckling compared to the three beautiful, confident swans who were ruffling their feathers, preening, and coaxing the man with an invitation Brea knew he wouldn’t refuse.
Foolish tears stung the backs of her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. Yes, Sawyer was funny, handsome, and had a heart of gold for sick and dying kids. But when it came to women, he was like all the others…letting his dick lead him through life.
It doesn’t matter! He’s nothing to me but a temporary neighbor.
God, she wanted to believe that, wanted to convince herself he meant absolutely zilch to her. But the tightening in her chest, squeezing the air from her lungs, told her that Sawyer meant a whole lot more, at least to her heart.
As the flawless females continued coaxing and cajoling, Brea wanted to shove Sawyer’s ass over the fence, if only to shut the whining bitches up.