by C. A. Harms
Things I was sure would forever haunt my soul.
I looked back over my shoulder and found her smiling brightly from the entryway.
Something told me the woman lived to torture me. She looked entirely too pleased with herself.
People said she had a mean streak.
Hell, I’ve heard some horror stories over the months, not only from family but from those around town.
But I’d say she’s more ornery than mean. At least to me anyway.
She was bullheaded, set in her ways, and damn it—she wouldn’t back down for nothing. The woman got her way, no matter what it took.
And she didn’t give a second thought to those she pissed off along the way.
To me she was tough as nails and I admired her.
Hell, with all the shit she faced from the family that should have been supporting her, she had the right to be stubborn.
I adored the woman, scowl and all.
Chapter Three
Trinity
“You need to breathe.” Alena looked at me with an amused look. “He asked you out because he’s interested. That part’s done. Now just sit back, relax, and be yourself.”
Was she crazy?
Be myself.
The woman hadn’t witnessed my word vomit yesterday. If she had, she wouldn’t be telling me to be myself.
“I’m gonna say something stupid,” I assured her as I turned around to look at myself in the mirror.
“You’ll be fine,” she said. “And this dress looks amazing on you, so even if you do, he’ll be too focused on these legs of yours to notice.”
She’d been playing dress-up with me all afternoon. After I told her about Chase asking me out, she broke out the new line from some top designer friend of hers and I immediately became her new dress-up doll. Not that I was complaining about having the most gorgeous dresses at the tips of my fingers, though—I was in awe.
There I stood in a form-fitting dress flared out at the bottom and in the most amazing shade of blue.
I did look good.
I smiled at my reflection in the mirror just as the bell above the door chimed.
I spun around expecting Amber because she’d already said she was coming over to do my hair, but she wasn’t alone.
If it had only been Ryan tailing behind, I would have just shrugged it off as no big deal. On most days he was easy to handle. Hell, all ya had to do was threaten him with Amber and normally he backed off pretty quick. A trick I leaned from Olivia.
But he had an accomplice.
Jackson.
Why he had been the one to claim fatherly duties when it came to me, I was still unsure. But when more than one Sawyer man came at ya at once, they were so much harder to tame.
“So were ya planning on sharing the news about your date with us?” Ryan leaned against the countertop as Amber rounded the end and moved toward me with a bag of hair products and a curling iron.
I couldn’t help but giggle when she rolled her eyes.
“Didn’t see a reason to clear it through you,” I said with a shrug, choosing to ignore the scowl he wore.
I could see the reflection of both men in the mirror in front of me and neither of them looked too impressed with my brush-off.
“Well, it’s all good,” Jackson said with a smirk. “We cornered your boy at the station this morning.”
I turned around so fast I knocked the bag Amber was holding out of her hands and the contents spilled to the floor.
“What do you mean you cornered him?” The images rolling around in my mind had me on high alert. Nothing about Jackson and Ryan cornering Chase was giving me warm fuzzy vibes.
“We just made it perfectly clear how important it is, to his health, that he chooses to act like a perfect gentleman in regards to you,” Ryan stated proudly and Jackson chuckled.
The looks the two of them were exchanging had my stomach coiled in knots.
Embarrassment at its worst filled my chest and I instantly wanted to call the whole thing off.
“Relax,” Ryan added, giving my now racing heart no further comfort. “He knows right where we all stand now. It’s all good.”
I wanted to clobber the both of them.
Now I knew exactly what Olivia felt when she first brought Keeton around. That poor guy spent weeks over summer vacation trying to prove himself to the Sawyer men, and even then he still struggled.
I could only imagine how much of an outsider he felt, and now it appeared Chase would be forced to face some of the same things. The problem was he and I hadn’t even gone on our first date yet.
These arrogant asses were gonna scare him off before I even got the chance to see if the fantasies I’d had held a candle to the real thing.
They were interfering with my need for male contact, and I thought it might be time for them all to realize they just didn’t do that to a woman who had spent entirely too long with a set of batteries instead of the real thing.
“If you two torment Chase to the point where he changes his mind about me, I can assure you you’ll see a whole side of me you never knew existed.” I glared at the two of them, daring them to say even one word.
Amber laughed and Alena leaned against the counter, her arms crossed over her chest as she smiled wide.
It was funny to watch Ryan and Jackson share a look of confusion. It was like they were debating on pushing me further, wondering if I would prove my point.
“We just don’t want to see ya hurt, Trin.” Ryan was the first to speak. “You know we love ya, and us not taking our chance at warning a guy about the expectations we have…well, we can’t let that slide. It’s not in our nature.”
“Well I can assure you both that though I adore you for attempting to save me from any future heartache, I can handle it.” I loved them both for wanting to protect me, but there was no reason for them to hound Chase when all the guy had done was ask me out.
“It is just one date,” I told them and both of them remained in the same position, watching me. “I’ve been here in Livingston for close to seven years. And I’ve never been happier. I’m not the same girl you all found sleeping in her car along a back country road. I’m stronger, and that’s because of all of you. I can assure you if Chase, or any other man for that matter, gets out of hand, I won’t stand back this time and let it happen.”
“Neither will we,” Jackson said without hesitation.
“The first man to try would be signing his own death warrant,” Ryan grumbled and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Okay,” I said through my laughter. “Now can the two of you stop being so damn nosy and let us do the girly stuff?”
Chapter Four
Chase
I walked into the kitchen feeling anxious about my date with Trinity, especially after the interrogation I had gone through that morning.
Ryan and Jackson Sawyer made it a point to assure me that Trinity was their sister, blood or not. If I hurt her, that gave them the right to set me straight.
Now I could smile about it, but I didn’t dare then.
I knew the connection Trinity had with the Sawyer family. It sure as hell didn’t take a damn genius to see that they all adored her.
I came to a halt when I found Nana bracing herself with one arm on the counter while she balanced a stack of bowls on her other hand.
“Woman, what are you trying to do?” I hurried to her side and braced her with my hand on her back.
The lady was no more than one hundred pounds and weak from all the medications and other hell she’d gone through. Yet none of this stopped her from doing things that made my damn heart stop.
On more than one occasion I thought of tying her ass to her recliner while I was at work for fear of coming home to find she had fallen when attempting something she shouldn’t.
Telling her to wait for me to get home was like talking to the old spruce tree in the front yard.
Pointless.
She’d do it anyway and smile, knowing that it
was something I disagreed with.
Again, the woman was stubborn as hell.
“I’m fine,” she insisted, swatting my hand away as she climbed back down off the step stool she’d used to reach the bowls. “Quit acting like I’m crippled, boy.”
“You’re gonna give me a heart attack is what you’re gonna do.” I shook my head, realizing she had obviously made several trips up on that stool within the last hour.
While I was taking a shower and getting ready she was scaling the countertops.
“Where you going all dressed up?” she asked, ignoring my comment.
“I told you I had a date,” I reminded her, and she looked back at me with a stern look written all over her face.
“Date with who?” she asked.
I had already gone through this with her this morning, but either she didn’t remember or she was only using it as a way to push me for more information.
“Trinity Flores,” I said.
She continued to stare at me, waiting for more information.
“She works in town at the Sassy Ladies Boutique. Friends with the Sawyers, more like family really.” I was hoping something clicked because I was already running late and really needed to get going.
“Is she the girl they found sleeping in her car along Henry Lane?” She looked at me with a skeptical look.
I had already tapped into Trinity’s case months ago. I knew all about her being married to some asshole from Dillon. I also knew the prick abused her and she fled when she felt there was no other escape.
Knowing she had lived that type of life only made me want to hold onto her and assure her she should never fear me.
“Yeah, Nan,” I said, still lost in the memories of the notes I’d read.
Broken wrist, bruises both fresh and old.
It sickened me, the terror she must have felt.
“Hmm,” she hummed as she once again busied herself. “Well, I’m gonna bake some cookies. I haven’t done that in a while.” I couldn’t decide if she just no longer cared or something about me going on a date with Trinity bothered her.
But instead of fishing for the truth behind her evasiveness, I leaned in, gave her a kiss on her cheek, and walked out the back door.
After climbing up into my lifted Ford, I backed down the driveway and headed into town.
***
Blue was a good color. In fact it just became my favorite. Trinity made blue look good.
Damn good.
The moment she opened her door and my eyes locked on that form-fitted dress she wore, hell—my head instantly began to spin.
She looked down, and paused a few seconds before looking back up to meet my stare. “Do I look all right?” she asked.
Was she serious?
“You look damn good,” I assured her, and she blushed. So maybe saying, “You look beautiful,” or “Sweetheart, you’re gorgeous” might have been a better option, but at the moment my brain-to-mouth filter was a little short-circuited.
I honestly loved when her cheeks got all flushed and she smiled nervously. It happened often; I’d noticed whenever she caught me looking at her or the times I found her checking me out too.
“Thank you,” she said so softly I almost missed it completely. “I thought maybe I’d overdressed. I wasn’t sure what the plans for tonight were.”
At that moment I would have been perfectly happy with a sandwich and chips if it meant I got to continue looking at her and that sweet smile of hers.
“I thought we could head over to that bistro on Second.” I stepped to the side as she stepped out and closed the door behind her. “A few of the guys at the station mentioned their wives loved the place.”
Trinity looked back over her shoulder as she checked the lock on the door. “Sounds great,” she offered with a smile.
I knew it was wrong, but I was having a real hard time with the thoughts in my mind. They were running off right and left to areas I knew would only get me into trouble.
Thoughts I shouldn’t be having this early in the game.
But I had observed this woman for months. It was hard not to imagine the way she would feel in my arms, or the way her lips would feel pressed against mine.
“You ready?” she asked, and I nodded my head as I held out my hand for her. Without hesitation, she placed her hand in mine and I linked our fingers together as I led her toward the truck still idling at the curb.
“That is one hell of a truck,” she said, making me smile. “Did you bring a stepladder?” she joked as she paused at the side with her head tilted upward.
Not letting the opportunity to get closer to her pass me by, I stepped up behind her. Placing one hand on each of her hips, I placed my mouth only inches from her ear. “Don’t you worry darlin’, I’ll make sure you get up there safely.”
Chapter Five
Trinity
Talk about sensory overload. I had never in my life been more alert than I was at that moment, being that close to Chase.
He was a complete gentleman and held true to his word. He made sure I made it safely up into his oversized truck, and even though his touch was completely innocent, my body didn’t get the message.
Chase was sinful. He was so strong and confident, yet there was a sweet kindness about him that made me feel secure.
The Sawyer boys were raised right; they knew how to cherish and protect the women they loved. There was that same gentleness that surrounded Chase in everything he did.
Yet something told me he could be demanding and consuming too.
“How’s that ravioli?” I looked up to find Chase watching me, as he held his beer only inches from his mouth.
“It’s real good,” I confessed, imagining I must have looked like a starved child.
He chose the prime rib and from the looks of it, it too had been amazing. He had devoured it long ago.
“You want to share a dessert with me?” he asked as he lifted his beer and took a small sip.
How one simple question could sound so dirty, I’ll never know, but it did.
When he asked me if I wanted to choose, I shook my head, only telling him to surprise me, and in my opinion he chose well.
“Crème brûlée, with only one spoon.” He told our waiter just before he stood from his chair and moved to the vacant one next to me.
When I looked over at him with a puzzled look on my face, he grinned. “Just figured it would be easier to share this way.”
I knew he’d be dangerous to my sense of control. Hell, before I even knew the guy I was having vivid dreams of him. Even remembering those times I woke up feeling flushed and more turned on than I could ever remember made me feel a little embarrassed.
But having him this close, smelling the spicy rustic scent of his cologne, and feeling the way his jean-clad thigh brushed up against my bare one, it was real hard to hold myself together.
The waiter brought our dessert only moments later and placed it on the table in front of Chase. “Thank you,” Chase said, only seconds before he took the spoon in his hand and dipped into the yummy goodness.
I watched in awe as he lifted his arm and turned to face me, holding the custard only inches from my lips. Was he really going to feed me?
“You take the first bite, sweetheart,” he said as he grinned and moved the spoon closer.
I didn’t hesitate, partly because I was a huge dessert girl. But mainly because I had never had a man who treated me with such care.
The taste was like an explosion in my mouth and I couldn’t stop myself from moaning softly as he pulled back the spoon. “That is so good,” I whispered.
When Chase didn’t answer, I opened my eyes to find him staring back at me with an unreadable expression on his face.
His eyes shifting between my lips and my eyes only made my heart race with excitement.
“You should taste it,” I whispered, trying to break the awkward silence.
“That sounds like a great idea,” he whispered in return as he reached o
ut and wrapped his hand around the back of my neck, pulling me close.
The moment his lips touched mine, I was pretty sure I sighed. The dreams I’d had of Chase didn’t compare to the reality of his kiss. It was so all-consuming; I felt it in every single fiber of my body.
The way he nibbled at my lower lip, teasing it gently with the tip of his tongue, was so erotic.
When he pulled back I remained frozen, with my eyes still closed tightly. My heart raced, and I found it hard not to chase after him demanding more.
“You’re right,” Chase whispered, and it was then that I opened my eyes and found he was still so very close. He licked his lower lip and smiled back at me. “It does taste real good.”
Complete utter meltdown.
It was the only way to explain the way I felt.
I smiled shyly at him and he leaned back, placing some distance between us, but never did he wipe that smile from his face.
He was dangerous, but in the best possible way.
I’d spent the last seven years hiding from the life I led prior to Livingston. I had somehow convinced myself that if I just remained neutral, no dating or attachment, I’d be happy and safe.
I loved the life I led now.
The Sawyers filled my days with such happiness. And though Olivia was much younger than me, she was my very best friend. My life was full of smiles and laughter and I owed it all to them.
But whether I wanted to admit it or not, there was something missing. There was that connection between two people that I’d never felt, but saw every time I was around Ryan, Jackson, or Noah. There was that undeniable love that couldn’t be tainted, like between Olivia and Keeton.
I wanted those things.
I wanted a man to look at me like he needed me to breathe. I wanted a man to hold me close and make me feel like there was no one out there that he would rather be with than me.
And whether Chase was the one who made me feel those things, or someone else, I was more than ready to live again.
Or in my case, finally live.
