So, after a day full of drug deals, speeding tickets, domestic disputes, and a little girl who I can only pray they find justice for, Conner and I are at Harvey’s Tavern to unwind since we have tomorrow off.
He breaks and I’m stripes. Before he takes his next shot, he looks at me. “I should kick your ass, ya know?”
I chalk my cue stick. “Why is that?”
“My sister.”
Ahhh … figured this was coming. I raise one hand in surrender while keeping the other wrapped around my pool stick. “Look man, I should kick my own ass for that. Momentary weakness. I knew better and it’s on me. I have called her, though.”
Conner leans over the table takes his shot and sinks the ball in the left corner pocket. Standing, he takes a pull of his beer before meeting my stare.
“Look man, you and me go way back. Been my best friend for as long as I can remember. My sister, though; dude, stop snatchin’ those panties.”
I can’t help but laugh. Conner knows about my stash. It’s stupid, but it’s something I started when I was I in college as a joke and then it somehow just stuck. After Sawyer broke up with me, I went a little wild and this panty snatching thing started.
He lines up his next shot. “And just sayin’ I blame Sawyer for Elizabeth’s infatuation as much as I blame you.”
He misses and I scan the table looking for my best angle to sink a ball.
“How does Sawyer have anything to do with Elizabeth hooking up with me under the terms of no commitment but every single time she pushes for more?”
Conner laughs. “Man, I get you don’t have siblings. But I had to live in a house with my sister whose best friend was dating my best friend. They would giggle and swoon over every fucking move you made. Sawyer shared everything with Elizabeth even when she was in college, Elizabeth would tell Sawyer all about you and school and your life.”
My chest tightens. Sawyer broke up with me. I didn’t want it to end, but she’s the one who wanted to see the world. After that, I have simply enjoyed my experiences with women the way she wanted to have something more than this town could give her. I don’t know why, but every time I think of Sawyer I have this longing. It’s stupid as fuck, but it’s there. We didn’t have closure or some shit.
Sawyer Jones knew my every secret. She was more than my girlfriend; like Conner, she was my best friend. And then she went on to bigger and better.
That burns.
“Again, that’s chick shit. How does Sawyer make Elizabeth want to be with me? It’s been years, man, eight of them.”
I line up the cue ball and take my shot sinking the ball in the right corner pocket.
“Gotta remember it wasn’t always like this. Look, love my baby sister. Love you like family, Zane. I don’t think it has a damn thing to do with you as much as you’re safe for Elizabeth.”
Lining my next shot, I look up at him and raise an eyebrow in question.
“You know what that Cal guy did to her. Five years, fucking with her head, fucking around on her. Zane, you might like to fuck but you’re clear with women. Down to your bones, you’re good people. Elizabeth knows it and it gives her a safe space. She wants safe not love, not even lust. She wants a man who isn’t going to put her down or push her around.”
“I get that,” I say as I stretch to make my attempt. The cue ball smacks my stripe but I miss.
Before we can continue the conversation, Hunter walks over with three beers. “Hey fellas,” he greets handing me a fresh cold one and then Conner.
“How’d you swing tonight off?” I ask, knowing he usually works night shifts for the station.
He shrugs his shoulders. “Guess the powers that be thought I should be off so I can come down here and watch Sawyer Jones fuck your game up.”
“Huh?” I ask as Conner takes his shot and misses.
“Sawyer is back in town. Like Superman and kryptonite, she’s gonna kill the Panty Snatcher,” he jokes while I line up my shot.
“Sawyer and I been over too long for her to come in and do anything,” I say sinking my ball in the right side pocket.
Hunter studies me taking a pull from his beer. “You aren’t surprised she’s back?”
“Nah, I’ve already been informed. Plus, I worked her mom’s car accident. Mrs. Jones’ was bad off, I figured it would bring Sawyer back.”
“Permanently?” Conner asks watching the table and trying to figure out his next move.
“Fuck if I know. Ask Elizabeth.”
Hunter laughs. “Try to be casual all you want, Zane. I bet you if Sawyer gave you two another chance, those days of snatchin’ panties would be over.”
“Really?” I reply, wondering how serious he is.
Conner laughs. “I’m with Hunter, my money is on Sawyer getting you in line.”
“Damn fellas, no faith, no fuckin’ faith. What happened to the three of us protecting manhood for all by staying single forever?”
“Oh, we got that just fine, the two of us. Sawyer back in town, she’s sure to break you of all your bad habits,” Conner says just as I miss my shot.
Standing up tall, there is a ruckus behind me, but before I can sort out what is causing the commotion, a body bumps harshly into me at an angle. As I grab the tiny frame in front of me, I feel us off balance. I try to correct but with everyone around us and things happening so fast, I take the fall putting my body between the floor and the damsel in my arms.
We land on my ass and these deep brown eyes meet mine with such intensity it takes my breath away.
“Zane,” she says my name and I blink.
“Sawyer Brooke Jones,” I whisper.
“Guess who’s back?” she smiles shyly.
Sawyer Brooke Jones is at Harvey’s, in my arms and once again she’s knocked me on my ass.
Well, fuck me.
Chapter Four
Sex and sin, he’s still got that charisma that gets me every damn time!
Sawyer
The drunk old man at the bar got too grabby with Elizabeth. Then, in all the shuffle, I end up shoved, losing my balance and landing me on his lap, in his arms – karma is not my friend.
Damn, he looks good too. Dark hair, short and spikey on top. He’s got this thin beard where it’s not long like a lot of men wear it. No, it’s trimmed neatly to his face. His tongue darts out to lick his lips, the very lips I can still remember on my own.
“Come on, baby,” he whispers as his tongue teases my nipples. “Let me have a taste.”
I’ve never let a boy go there before.
“Relax, Sawyer. Promise you, I just wanna make you feel good. I wanna taste, that’s it.” He kisses his way down my belly.
Nervous anticipation fills me as he continues the slow pace to the spot between my legs. I close my eyes, trying not to be tense as his fingers find my folds and spread me open. His tongue is warm and wet as he delicately licks at my hot core. The tip teases me as he dances it around my sensitive nub. The air hitting my exposed flesh and his tongue flicking against my overly ready clit. My hips rock of their own accord as he tastes me.
“Sawyer,” he moans my name as he laps.
I need more. I need him to keep going. I am on the edge. The build up is deliciously painful. If he stops what he’s doing right now, I feel like I would almost die. My belly feels like a sea of turbulent ocean waters as he continues speeding up the way his tongue is circling the bud by my entrance. I feel his finger slide inside me, my walls clamping down to hold onto its prey.
He starts to pull away. I whimper. Blinking, I open my eyes to see him watching me.
“Good?” he asks and I nod feeling embarrassed as to how much I enjoy him going down on me. Sure, I’ve heard my friends talk about it, but to experience it – I never thought it could be so good.
Those lips with his fingers gave me my first orgasm. Zane Lewis Collier was my first everything.
“Sawyer,” Elizabeth squeals rushing over. Her arms come out to help me up. But before I can take the ass
istance, I feel Zane’s arm snake around my waist and lift me up with him. As he steadies us, I feel my cheeks heat.
“You okay, Sawyer?” Zane asks and I feel my entire body come alive in a way I have never felt before.
Unresolved emotion. This is a recipe for disaster.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry about that.” I pat his chest and step out of his hold.
Conner comes over, “Hey Sawyer, good to see ya.” He gives me a quick hug to which I swear I hear Zane tell him to fuck off.
“Hey Conner,” I greet back, releasing him and trying to calm my racing heart.
“I’m so sorry,” Elizabeth says patting me down like she’s checking me for injury. “I was trying to order our drinks, Old Man Ellis grabbed me. I reacted and didn’t mean to pull away from him bumping into you and sending you into a crowd only to land on Zane.”
“It’s fine,” I say to which Conner goes to his sister.
“You’re a clutz anyway. Ellis fuck with you?” he asks always the protector.
Hunter, who I thought was just here, is gone in a swoosh and we all look up to find him yanking Ellis up off the bar stool.
Elizabeth watches with wide-eyed fascination.
Elizabeth Norman, southern belle and my best friend since we were five. I fell on the playground after she bumped into me. We both ended up with scraped knees, tears, and from the pain a friendship was born.
I have been home almost two weeks. Things at the District Attorney’s office are steady but not over flowing like in a bigger city. It’s a nice change of pace, I find. Since it’s Friday and Elizabeth had tomorrow off too, we decided to come out for drinks and to catch up.
Apparently, this is not our night.
“Well, I think I’ve caused enough trouble for one night. Maybe it’s time to head home,” I say more to Elizabeth than anyone.
Her eyes are glued to Hunter who has personally escorted Ellis out of the bar.
“Don’t go,” Zane says stepping into my space. The heat from his body is too much but the pull is something I can’t deny.
My arms ache to reach out and hold him like a fond memory.
That’s all we have though, memories, right?
I look to his eyes. There is a hunger there.
“Nah, Sawyer, stay have a good time,” Conner says going back to his pool game. “Your shot, Panty Snatcher,” he says to Zane on a laugh.
Zane glares at his best friend and I can’t help but wonder about the reference.
Before I can question Zane if he is still snatching panties like Elizabeth told me he’s known to do, Hunter joins us again with his eyes locked to Elizabeth. “You okay? Ellis won’t be back here again. I served him with a trespass warning.”
“You aren’t on duty. You can’t do that,” Elizabeth tells the man who at six feet tall towers over her.
“He touch and make you uncomfortable?” Hunter asks. When Elizabeth doesn’t answer he says, “Then I can do that.”
Elizabeth looks to Conner who shrugs his shoulders as Zane leans over the pool table to try to take a shot. One he misses because he’s too busy watching me instead of the game.
“Look, Beth,” Hunter says and I gasp because no one has ever shortened Elizabeth’s name. Her mother always said she gave her a name to be proud of so don’t cut it off. “Told you before, I’ll be that guy for you if you let me. You wanna play games with Zane and give up those panties, that’s between y’all. But you keep settling for less when I’ll damn sure give you my fuckin’ world.”
And there it is. The statement that always sends my best friend running. Elizabeth had a douchebag boyfriend before. All the words he said were not the right ones. He put her down and broke her spirit.
I know she’s hooked up with Zane a time or two. She’s my best friend – we don’t keep secrets. I also know Zane has a thing for keeping her panties to which she thinks it’s funny because she knows it’s not serious. I also know she pushes Zane to give her a commitment, not because she actually is head-over-heels for my ex, but that he’s safe.
The idea of falling, trusting, and relying on someone new petrifies her. She also told me that Hunter has asked her out on a regular basis. I know he scares her because she is attracted to him.
Zane is comfortable to her. Hunter is not.
She looks to me. I shrug my shoulders. I want to tell her to take a leap of faith, but I also know that once Elizabeth gives her heart to something, she gives it her all.
Zane steps over to Elizabeth and me. “Look, you and I have fun. What you want, I can’t give you. I promised it to someone else a long fuckin’ time ago.” His eyes dart to mine and I have to look away. “Hunter is good, Elizabeth. He’s a better man for you than I’ll ever be.”
“Zane,” she says his name.
He shakes his head. “Stop the damn games. You look at him the way I look at her.” He points to me. “Get out of your comfort zone and take a chance, Elizabeth. If you do and he fucks up, Conner and I will cut his balls off and serve them to your dog for Christmas.”
To this she smiles. “Zane Collier, you should take a chance too, ya know.”
Something exchanges between them silently before Elizabeth makes the move to Hunter. The man beams with happiness as Elizabeth nervously tucks her hair behind her ears.
Zane looks at me. There is a longing in his stare with a hint of sadness. The moment is broken when Conner shoves his pool stick in my face.
“You two catch up. I’m not good at the odd man out shit.”
I take the pool stick just as he releases it, keeping it from falling to the floor.
“Looks like I win the bet,” Hunter calls out to Zane before taking Elizabeth by the hand and guiding her to a corner all to himself.
“What bet?” I ask moving to the table and racking the balls.
“The boys said you’d be the one to break my panty snatchin’ days.”
The candidness in which he speaks of his sex conquests has my stomach twisting in pain. Zane hasn’t been my only lover, but he was my first and there is so much unsaid between us.
“I didn’t come home to mess things up for you,” I decide to tell him honestly.
He places the cue ball on the table. “You break the balls, you’re good at that.”
His jab cuts deep, but the pain in his stare is what gets me the most.
I stop and jut out my hip. “Zane, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I was in a new city, a new school, and I just wanted to try new things.”
“You got nothing to explain to me, Sawyer. The past is the past. I thought you were my future, I was wrong. We live, we learn. We can be friends.”
Friends.
Why does that word hurt more than anything in the world right now? This is what I wanted after all.
Zane Collier has grown from a boy into a handsome man with devilishly good looks. He is sex walking and talking. His reputation as the panty snatcher has me wishing he would take mine. Except he’s put me in the friend zone.
I guess it’s the place I belong.
But why does it feel so wrong?
Chapter Five
Can a second first date actually happen?
Zane
Two weeks later
The courthouse is always crowded. Today, I have to report for a car accident trial. I gave my statement in the report. The defendant is pleading not guilty on the moving violation so I have to come in and testify.
Stepping out of the courtroom, after finishing my duties, I look up to see her. Our eyes meet and I find my body moving to her without me being able to stop it.
“Hey Sawyer,” I mutter feeling like a damn fool.
“Zane,” she licks her lips, “Never seen you in uniform before.”
I can’t stop the cocky grin from forming on my face. “Yeah, the ladies like it.”
She laughs.
I see her name plate.
“District Attorney’s office, huh?”
She nods.
“Guess I’ll have to ma
ke sure I cut back on my tickets so my name doesn’t roll over your desk too much.”
She laughs and it’s heaven to my ears.
“Zane, maybe we can go to dinner and catch up?” She shifts her papers nervously in her arms. “I know I hurt you. We live in a small town. We’re bound to keep bumping into each other, let’s catch up.”
I nod. “I don’t have sex on the first date, Sawyer.” I joke with her and her eyes grow wild.
“Zane Lewis Collier, this is not a date, it’s to catch up.”
Elizabeth’s words ring in my ears about taking chances. Fuck it. Sawyer and I have this history. Since she came back to town I can’t even think about fucking anyone else. Hell, I can barely say more than hello to another woman. My body, my mind, my soul, none of them are happy with anyone but her. Yes, people change and maybe this second chance will be what I need for closure. Or maybe it can be the best thing to happen to us both. Either way, we’ll be better off than this limbo shit we’re playing.
“See bad shit every day, Sawyer. Had something good with you once. Don’t know if we can have it again. In fact, right now, the only thing I do know is the one woman to actually know my every dream that was wished upon some damn star stickers is back home and I don’t want to miss this opportunity to see if some of the dreams could still be a reality.”
“Don’t say stuff like that, Zane.”
“One story house on four acres. Three kids – two boys and a girl. One dog, one cat, and a fish tank. You, with my last name, driving a Chevy Suburban so it would fit all our kids and their friends to soccer practice.” I tell her the wishes she made on the stickers in her old bedroom. “You doing family law while we built our family together.” I drop my head to where my lips are close to her ear. Breathing down on her neck, I notice the slight jump; I have her attention. I whisper her fantasy. “Me coming home from patrol and you wearing nothing but my damn flannel shirt – no panties. Wet and waiting for my body to join yours.”
“Zane,” she says my name in a needy whisper.
“Could be good again, Sawyer.”
Panty Snatcher Page 2
