by Addison Cole
Somewhere in the back of her mind she was chastising herself about this being their first date, knowing she should slow down. But Sky was all about the universe pulling her in the right direction. And right here, right now, she let herself enjoy where it was taking her. Every touch, every stroke of Sawyer’s tongue, made her crave more. She turned to him and claimed his mouth in another unrelenting kiss. He returned her efforts hungrily, until his oxygen became hers and the line between them blurred.
Sky didn’t know how much time had passed before they finally left the bar, but it felt like a lifetime. A long, sensual lifetime that made her acutely aware of her sexuality and the aroused state her body had fallen into.
His arm was heavy on her shoulder, his jaw scratchy against her cheek, and she loved it all. His strength, his protectiveness. The sound of his gravelly voice.
They headed toward the shop with their bodies pressed together, their mouths connecting every few steps. Forgetting herself—forgetting that they were on the crowded sidewalk with people walking by. She didn’t care, and probably no one else did either. At night Provincetown was a plethora of sex and greed, and tonight she was lost in the thick of it. Lost in the world of Sawyer Bass.
As they rounded the dark alley beside the shop, their lips parted long enough for her to say, “I had you pegged so wrong.” She was breathing hard, wishing she hadn’t spoken so he’d plunder her mouth again.
“When I came in for the tattoo and could hardly keep from staring at you?” He leaned in to her and pressed her back against the cold brick wall as their mouths came together again.
“At the bar,” she said. “When I heard you play the guitar. I thought you were totally into yourself.”
“I was lost in thoughts of you. I saw you reading and couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
“You don’t need to butter me up. You’re already getting kissed good night,” she teased.
“If I wanted to butter you up I’d use a better line, like, where have you been all my life, or—”
“Cheesy!” She bumped him with her shoulder as they stumbled toward the stairs as if they were tipsy, when all they’d consumed was each other.
They ascended the narrow steps to her apartment. His hand rested at the base of her spine, searing heat right through her shirt to her skin. On the landing, Sky’s pulse quickened with the need for a fast decision. She was having more fun, and felt more alive, than she had in a very long time. Sexy fun. If she asked him to come inside, she knew they’d likely end up in bed together, which sounded very, very good to her at the moment. But she wasn’t the type of girl who slept with a man on the first date, and she was truly hoping for a second date with Sawyer—and a third and fourth.
“I had a really great time,” she finally said.
He held her hips, and the surety of his grip stirred thoughts of what it would be like to be intimate with him.
“Want to come inside?” The invitation came too fast for her to stop it.
“I want to,” he said, eyes dark as night, “but I think I’d better say good night here.”
Worried that if she said anything at all, Then stop thinking, would come out, she nodded instead.
He pulled her against him and, wow, did he feel good. Driven by the combination of lust and something deeper that had seeded itself sometime between the ice cream and his confession about his family, she went up on her toes and pressed her lips to his.
His tongue swept over hers in a slow, intoxicating kiss. A lovers’ kiss that spoke of far more history than they’d shared—and like everything else about Sawyer, it drew her in.
One hand slid beneath her hair and cupped her head, and the other crushed her to him. Sky was whirling with desire, and her hands were on a mission, traveling up his sides, over the muscles of his back, then down into the back pockets of his jeans. She pressed on him there, bringing them impossibly closer. The depth of her desires surprised her, and her eyes came open with the realization of just how strong the urge was. How far she was willing to go.
Their lips parted and he kissed her forehead, then pressed his hands to her cheeks and said, “I could kiss you all night long.”
“Okay—” slipped out before she thought to stop it. She wasn’t ready for more, despite how much she wanted it. Was she? Oh…did she ever want him. He smiled and pressed his lips to hers again, lighter this time, and when he drew away, her mouth still tingled from their impassioned kisses.
“I like you, Sky. I like you too much after just a few hours. I don’t trust myself not to do more than kiss those lovely lips of yours if we go inside.”
Her knees weakened at his honesty. “I’m not sure I trust myself either.”
“See how much we have in common?” He held her close, and she breathed him in, memorizing his scent to carry her through the night. “I’m training in the morning. I’d like to see you tomorrow evening. That is, if you don’t mind hanging out with a boxer.”
A boxer. How could she have let that get so far from her mind? Fighting went against everything she believed in, but she’d never had her beliefs tested in this way before. One look in his dark eyes drew her into his arms again.
“Honestly, I haven’t had time to process how I’ll deal with your career, but I know I feel more connected with you than I’ve felt with anyone before. And that means something to me, so I’d like to spend more time with you while we figure out the rest.”
“I can’t ask for more than that,” he said with a smile. “Tomorrow, then?”
“Oh, wait.” She winced, remembering her promise to Jenna. “I just remembered that my brother and our friends are having a bonfire tomorrow night, and I promised to go. Would you like to go with me?”
“I would love to, as long as I won’t be imposing on your time with your friends.”
“Not at all. It’s just a few of my friends and their husbands.”
“Sounds great,” he said with a sexy smile. “What can I bring?”
“Me.”
With his mouth a whisper away, he ran his thumb over her lower lip and said, “The second before we kiss, you get a wanting and exquisitely feminine look in your eyes, and it’s the most sensual thing I’ve ever seen.”
How was she supposed to think about anything, much less form a single word in response, after hearing that? He left her nearly salivating for a kiss and held her hand as he walked down the first step toward the alley below, then pressed a kiss to the back of it and said, “Good night, my sweet summer Sky.”
She watched him disappear around the corner and finally broke from her stupor and went inside. Her apartment was dark, save for the sheen of red and yellow light streaming in the front window from the shop’s sign across the street. Merlin, her two-year-old longhair Persian cat, wound between her feet. She picked him up and he purred like crazy as she nuzzled him beneath her chin.
“How’s my boy?” She set her purse on the chair by the door and carried Merlin to the kitchen, the memory of Sawyer’s kisses still lingering on her lips. She filled a saucer with fresh water and set Merlin down to eat beside his food and water. He looked up at her with his puckered face that made him appear to be in a constant state of harrumph.
“Yes, I’m still thinking of him. Don’t look at me like that.”
Merlin rubbed against her leg, reminding her of how good it had felt to lie next to Sawyer in the sand.
“Eat, sweetie. We need to drive down to Wellfleet after you’ve had your fill.”
She heard footsteps rushing up the stairs outside her door, followed by a quick knock. One of the first things Blue had done when she’d bought the building was install a security monitor and a peephole, as well as a slew of locks and other security measures that she swore she’d never need—and he’d insisted upon. The minute her brothers had heard she balked at the idea of all those security measures, she’d landed in the middle of a text diatribe from Hunter and Grayson and a verbal lashing from Matty over the phone. Pete wasn’t nearly as gentle. He’d
appeared on her doorstep with a scowl and literally stood between her and Blue, keeping her from interfering with Blue’s efforts. She’d lost the battle but won the war. She was out of her father’s store and in her own place. That was a step in the right direction.
She glanced at the monitor hanging from the underside of her kitchen cabinets and saw Sawyer pacing on the landing, sending her heart into a frenzy.
She reached for the doorknob, hesitating for a moment to try to calm her racing pulse.
“I’m sorry,” he said as she opened the door. Apologetic had never looked so hot. “I forgot to ask for your number.” His cheeks were a little flushed.
“Did you run here?”
“Just from the pier.” He smiled, a sweet, slightly embarrassed, smile. “I was afraid you might have already left for Wellfleet, and then I worried that if you hadn’t left, I’d send the wrong message by showing up again. I…” He exhaled loudly. “I’m babbling.”
“A little, but a big, bad, babbling boxer boy is supercute.”
“Cute isn’t exactly what a twenty-eight-year-old man hopes for.” He laughed and handed her a slip of paper. “Here’s my number, in case either one of us is running late tomorrow.”
She held out her hand and wiggled her fingers. “Want me to put my number in your phone?”
He dug it out of his pocket and handed it to her, his eyes warm and grateful as she added her number to his contacts, then handed the phone back to him. She stepped out onto the landing and Sawyer peered around her.
“Someone’s giving me the evil eye.”
“That’s Merlin’s adoring look.” She bent and picked up her fluffy gray kitty and petted him. Sawyer lowered his face to Merlin’s eye level and kissed the tip of his nose.
I have a nose that needs kissing, too.
“Hope you had a nice evening, Merlin,” he said as he petted Merlin’s head.
“Cute. Definitely cute. In the very best of ways,” she assured him.
His eyes went dark and seductive as he wrapped his arms around her waist and said, “Thanks for your number.”
She whispered, “Cute,” just to see his reaction.
“I’m going to change your mind about that. You’ll be calling me Hulk-like or Herculean by tomorrow at midnight.”
She went up on her toes and kissed his prickly chin. “Okay, cutie pie.”
“If you weren’t holding your cat, I’d show you just how cute I really am.”
She couldn’t turn and set Merlin inside fast enough. She pulled the door closed so the kitty couldn’t escape and flashed her most challenging grin, which she hoped was at least a little bit sexy, then fisted her hands in his shirt. “Show me.”
“Sky.” As he said her name, he stepped forward, pressing her back to the door.
“Sawyer.” She loved the way his name slid off her tongue.
His rough hand cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over her jaw, heightening her anticipation. “Sweet, sweet summer Sky. What am I going to do with you?” His eyes dropped to her mouth. Shivers of heat rippled through her.
His touch, the sultry look in his eyes, and his potent masculinity swirled together and slithered over her skin. She brought her mouth closer to his.
“I’m trying to be a gentleman,” he said, seconds before claiming her lips in a kiss that sent ecstasy spiraling through her.
She had no hopes of silencing the needful sounds that spilled from her lungs into his. He held her so tightly that her feet left the ground, and as he lifted her, her legs circled his waist. His lips moved south, and he sealed his teeth over her neck.
Her head dropped back, and she sucked in air as sensations bowled her over. It was too much, felt too good.
“More—” The unbidden plea surprised her, but she didn’t care. Everything about tonight had surprised her, and as his hands wandered, she closed her eyes, enjoying every second of being close with him.
When they finally drew apart, she opened her mouth to speak, but no words came.
His eyes narrowed as a grin curved his lips. Sky had never known such intensity, such overwhelming passion, and as he set her on her trembling legs and gathered her in close, she was thankful for his strong arms to hold her up. He tipped up her chin with his hand and pressed a tender kiss to her lips.
“Sweet dreams, my sweet summer Sky.” He held her hand as she somehow managed to walk inside the apartment, but she didn’t want to let go.
It was crazy, keeping hold of him the way she was. Insane the way she tugged him through the doorframe, leaning against him as she tried to calm her breathing. She didn’t know him well, and yet somehow she felt as though she’d known him a lot longer than a few hours.
“That was…” For the first time in her life, she had no words. Nothing measured up to his sensuous seduction or the longing for more that made her ache for him.
“If you say cute,” he whispered, before kissing her forehead, each cheek, and then the corners of her mouth. “I might have to try to convince you again.”
Before she could say, Stay, he added, “Some other time.”
Disappointment washed through her, surprising her again. What was going on with her? She was like the worst kind of addict. Give me more. No, don’t. Yes, please. It was new, and frightening, and exciting at once. She didn’t understand it, and she didn’t try to. She loved the way he made her feel, and laugh, and the way he spoke from his heart.
“I want to do things right with you, Sky. To date, treat you like you deserve to be treated, before we go further. I really like you, and I’m sorry if I went too far.”
“No. You didn’t,” she said quickly. “I don’t know what came over me. I pushed for more. I taunted you.”
“Sky, I’ve wanted you since the moment our eyes met across the bar. And I’m—”
She found her voice and her confidence and said, “Don’t you dare apologize, unless you didn’t enjoy being close to me.”
“Didn’t enjoy it? I loved it. I want more of you, not less. It’s taking all of my restraint to leave you tonight.” He reached for her hand. “I came back for your phone number, but part of me—a big part of me—hoped for more. I wanted to touch you. To kiss you.” His voice went low as he stepped in closer. “I wanted to taste you, and, Sky, your sweetness will infiltrate my dreams. But I don’t want you to wake up tomorrow morning and regret what you did tonight.”
“I won’t.” She was nervous and rattled to her core by what she’d experienced right outside her door, with a man she’d known only a short time. But still, she was sure tomorrow morning would not bring regret.
“Maybe not. But I’m not willing to take the chance.” He kissed her softly. “You have my number. If you change your mind about tomorrow night, call me.”
“I won’t.”
“I hope not.” With that, he turned and disappeared out her door.
Sky didn’t know how long she stood there, seeing his eyes in her mind when she’d opened the door and the simmering heat in them. Sometime later she opened the paper with his phone number on it and set it on the counter. It curled at the edge, revealing writing on the other side. She lifted it into the gleam of the sign from across the street and walked to the window, reading his note. Tall, strong letters gave life to each word.
Wanton looks, shimmering touches. Little nothings, wild and triumphant. Into the night. Into the night. She stared at the words, feeling each intimate one as a prickle of heat beneath her skin.
She looked out the front window and saw Sawyer heading down the alley toward the parking lot. His shoulders were strikingly broad, his waist narrow. Every step was determined, unlike those walking casually on the main road. He glanced back over his shoulder, his eyes moving up the building to the window where she stood watching. Her pulse quickened again. His lips curved up, and his hand followed in the sweetest wave she’d ever seen. In that instant, Sky finally understood what her friends had felt when they’d fallen for their men in practically the blink of an eye.
And in the next second, reality sank in.
No matter how great of a kisser he was, or how she felt like they’d connected on so many levels, he was still a fighter.
A boxer.
He stepped into a ring and beat someone up. For money.
For his father? At least partially, but she knew that was a rationalization.
He was a fighter, a competitor.
She’d challenged him with her body, and he’d won her with his words—but could she win their biggest challenge? Her acceptance of his career?
Chapter Six
SAWYER RAN DOWN the beach with the sun at his back. It was just after dawn, and he was nearing the end of his six-mile run. His house came into view, sitting high atop a dune in the distance. The summer house that his parents had called a cottage had been in his family for generations. Sawyer was the only one living in the large bay-front home, and it was much larger than he needed. But the familial history was important to him—and to his parents.
In the years between when his parents had sold their summer house and when Sawyer had bought it back, his parents had lost too many good summers, during his father’s strongest years. But at least it was back in the family. Sawyer’s parents never asked for a thing from him, besides for him to be an upstanding citizen and follow his heart—but they gave him unconditional love, emotional support, and strength every day of his life. Buying back the cottage, and winning the upcoming fight, couldn’t compare to what they’d given him, how they’d taught him to succeed and to believe in himself.
He sprinted the last quarter mile over the dunes. He might have run toward Wellfleet to seek out Sky at the Seaside community, but he had a feeling that if he was lucky enough to find her, his training would fall by the wayside. And that was not an option, no matter how much he enjoyed her company.
