by Kasey Martin
“Umm. I don’t have any appointments scheduled, who is it?” I asked with a wrinkled brow as I rose from my chair to see who was outside my office. I was confused because I didn’t have any appointments, and the gallery is usually closed on Sundays.
“Austin Thomas.” Flynn’s voice was flat, but I couldn’t tell if that was his normal tone or not. I was shocked that Austin had shown up to the gallery. I hadn’t talked to him in a few weeks. After the baby shower, he kept hounding me for details about Sawyer and his business. Any time we were together, the conversation would be about Sawyer Nash. He didn’t seem interested in getting to know me, so I decided we should just be friends. He agreed, and that was that.
“What is he doing here?” I mumbled under my breath as I rounded my desk.
“Don’t know. Do you want me to get rid of him?” Flynn asked. I smirked at him because, just as I suspected, Flynn may not say much, but he saw and heard everything.
“No. I’m good. You can send him in.” Flynn nodded, and I leaned against my desk to wait for Austin. A few seconds later, Austin entered wearing what I called his “relaxed” wear. His blue collared golf shirt was tucked into a pair of dark gray chino pants. His white pair of boat shoes made the outfit casual.
Austin smiled, and the dimple on his left cheek made an appearance. His short blond hair was perfectly styled, and his blue eyes twinkled. I could admit that he was a cutie, but definitely not my type. In fact, he was the exact opposite of my type, which is why I dated him in the first place. I seemed to gravitate toward the bad boys, and that only got me broken hearts and lonely nights.
“Hey, Austin.” I greeted with a smile. We parted ways amicably, so there was no need for me to be anything but friendly.
“Hey, Sasha.” Austin pulled me into an uncomfortable hug, but it didn’t last long because a throat clearing had him stepping away from me quickly.
I looked over Austin’s shoulder and saw a glaring Flynn still standing in the door. He was propped up against the door frame, and I had a feeling he wasn’t planning on leaving.
“Um, have a seat. What’s going on?” I asked once he was sitting on the couch in my office. I chose to sit in the chair facing the sofa. I was afraid if I sat to close to him, Flynn would do something crazy.
“I went by your apartment, and you weren’t there,” Austin replied cocking his head to the side.
“I’m confused. Why were you going by my apartment?” I questioned. We hadn’t so much as text since we decided to just be friends, so there would be no reason for him to just stop by my house.
“I hadn’t seen you in a while, so I thought I’d check up on you.” Austin shrugged, but I could see through his relaxed demeanor. We’d dated for a couple of weeks, and he was a nice enough guy, but we didn’t have the connection I was looking for. We barely even kissed, so I know he wasn’t just popping up for no reason.
“Oh. Well, I’m doing just fine.” I said suspiciously.
“I see that,” Austin glanced over at Flynn, who was staring at him with a death glare. He looked away quickly with a frown. I held back my smirk because Flynn wasn’t the one Austin should’ve been worried about. If Sawyer knew he was here questioning me, there would be hell to pay.
“Why are you really here, Austin?” I was never one for mincing words. It caused confusion and frustrations, and I already had enough of that in my life at the moment.
“I want to know why you disappeared on me, and now you have a bodyguard.” Austin had a little too much bass in his voice for my liking. He wasn’t my daddy, and I already had an overbearing spouse.
“First of all, I didn’t disappear. We decided not to date anymore. I don’t know what that means to you, but to me, that means I don’t owe you anything.” I was trying my best to keep my voice level. I didn’t like confrontations, and I’m a go with a flow type of girl, but I didn’t like the way Austin was coming at me.
“I didn’t say you owed me anything, Sasha. But I didn’t think you were that type of woman.” He all but snarled in my direction. I’m not sure what the hell he meant, but I didn’t appreciate the insinuation, and apparently neither did Flynn because I heard him grunt behind me. It seems like both me and Flynn are losing our patience with Austin.
“What type of woman would that be?” I questioned with an arch in my brow. Austin didn’t know shit about me.
“The type that dates a man for his status.” Austin narrowed his eyes at me. I was shocked that a man I dated only a few weeks had the audacity to show up and accuse me of being some gold digging trollop.
“Well, it seems you’ve made yourself perfectly clear,” I stood up and walked toward where Flynn was still standing, “Flynn will show you out.”
“Sasha, don’t act all innocent. I know you’re dating Sawyer Nash, or his goon wouldn’t be here.” Austin’s face was held in a fierce frown, and I took a step back. I looked him up and down with a sneer. The fucking nerve!
“How dare you call, Flynn a goon. You don’t know shit about my friend and you don’t know shit about me. I don’t know what your problem is, but what I do and who I date ain’t none of your business.”
“Whatever. You can flop around here acting like it’s all love, but I know who you are. You can’t just drop me and move on like I’m a nobody!”
“Just leave. You’re delusional, and I won’t be able to stop Flynn from kicking your entitled ass if you don’t go now.” I huffed trying to regain some control over my emotions.
“I suggest you take my wife’s advice, or Flynn is going to be the least of your worries.” Sawyer’s deep voice was calm, but I could hear the malice dripping from each syllable.
Both Austin and I turned to find a glaring red faced Sawyer standing where Flynn had been. I don’t know where Flynn went or when Sawyer arrived, but by the look on his face, I was afraid for Austin.
***
“Hey, baby!” My voice was entirely too loud and cheery. I could never control my pitch when I get nervous.
“Céile, I came to see what was taking you so long. We have dinner plans.” Again, Sawyer’s voice was entirely too calm. But the fire in those emerald green eyes didn’t lie. The monster I often got a glimpse of was present, and I know I can’t handle him in full force.
“Austin, decided to drop by and see how I was doing. He was just leaving.” I looked at Austin and nodded toward the door. If he were smart, he would leave.
“I wasn’t leaving because we weren’t finished talking.” Austin replied in a haughty tone, and I sighed. He isn’t smart, after all.
“Oh? What were you two talking about?” Sawyer made his way to my side and kissed me on my neck. I shiver at the possessive display.
“I didn’t know you two were as close as you are. I knew you knew each other but dating…” Austin’s eyes bounce back and forth like he’s trying to figure something out. I’m surprised he didn’t hear Sawyer’s initial declaration that I was his wife. Maybe he was too distracted at glaring at me to hear what my husband said.
“We’re not dating.” Sawyer simply stated his face expressionless.
“Well, you look awfully cozy for two people who aren’t dating.” Austin’s blue eyes squinted in our direction. Sawyer’s face broke into a wide grin, and I knew he was about to be petty.
“We’re married.” I blurted out before he got the chance. Sawyer looked down at me with a smirk, and Austin was glaring at me with a hatred I didn’t expect from him.
“So, I guess you landed an even bigger fish. Typical.” Austin’s flippant response was followed by a growl. I placed a calming hand against Sawyer’s chest. Wherever Flynn went, I wished he would make an appearance because the last thing I needed was Sawyer flipping out and going mob boss on Austin’s dumb ass.
No matter how many hints I threw at the man, he just wouldn’t recognize when he was in danger. His flight or fight response must’ve been seriously impaired. Hell, even I was ready to take off running when Sawyer growled, and I was his wife. Before I
could warn Austin again, Sawyer moved quickly and had Austin by the front of his shirt.
Austin’s eyes were wide, and the entitlement was wiped completely off of his smug face. This could potentially be a huge problem for Sawyer. The last thing I wanted was my husband losing his shit on a lawyer. Austin worked for the biggest firm on the island. It wouldn’t look good for either of them to be fighting.
“Babe, it’s fine. Please put him down. We have reservations remember?” I could hear the pleading in my voice.
“Flynn!” Sawyer bellowed, and Flynn appeared out of nowhere. I swear he was a ninja in his former life. Shit, he might be one now.
“Yeah, boss?” Flynn responded in his perpetual dry tone. He didn’t bat an eye at the fact Sawyer had a man hemmed up by his collar.
“Show Mr. Thomas to the exit, will you?” Sawyer’s voice was back calm, but I could see the raging bull in the depth of his green eyes. He shoved Austin into the door, and he stumbled before righting himself. I don’t know if Austin’s face was red because of embarrassment or anger, but I could see in his eyes this wouldn’t be the last I heard from him.
“I’m a lawyer. You can’t assault me and get away with it.” Austin threatened as he glared at me with contempt.
“You’ll be a dead lawyer if you think you can threaten my wife.” Sawyer’s voice was low and gravely, but I could tell Austin believed him. I know I did.
“Flynn, we’ll be down shortly.” Sawyer called out to Flynn, who followed behind Austin. Sawyer turned his glowing green gaze on me, “What was he doing here?” I frowned up at him.
“Hell if I know. He just popped up.” I shrugged. The entire encounter was weird. I hadn’t seen the man in weeks, and he just pops up out of nowhere. Then he gets mad and accuses me of going after Sawyer cause he’s rich. I’ve never been that type of girl. The mere suggestion pisses me off.
“You sure?” Sawyer asked his eyes narrowed as he looked me up and down. I didn’t like what he was implying. What was with these men calling me a whore?
“Yes! I’m fucking sure! What the hell do I look like? I’m not some slut running around sleeping with every Tom, Dick, and Austin!” I placed my hands on my hips and sucked my teeth. I have a happy disposition, but I’m not a pushover. And I definitely wouldn’t allow my husband to talk to me like a stranger off the street. I deserved respect because I gave him respect.
“I know you didn’t sleep with him.” Sawyer says, shrugging his large shoulders, and I frown.
“And just how the hell do you know that?” I asked, rolling my neck. I know I didn’t want him calling me a hoe, but he didn’t know my entire life.
“Because I know everything about you, Céile.” Sawyer answers my unspoken sass. His large hand slides down my cheek softly, and I all but melt into a puddle at his feet. There’s something about Sawyer Nash that I’ll never be able to resist.
“So, if you know so much, why are you questioning me then?” I step back, regaining my sassiness. He wouldn’t get to distract me with his soft touches after being a creep.
“You didn’t have any appointments for today, so I was surprised when Flynn called to tell me that your little friend was here.”
Anytime a grown man calls another grown man “little friend” he’s definitely jealous. However, now was not the time to antagonize my overbearing husband. But I would keep that in my back pocket for later. Right now, I wanted to make sure his crazy ass wouldn’t chase down my ex and beat him to death.
I stood in front of Sawyer with a seductive smile on my face. I might have been avoiding him, but now that he’s standing in front of me, I couldn’t help but feel the constant sexual energy between us.
I rubbed my hand down his chest, and I noticed Sawyer’s casual dress was completely different from Austin’s. His t-shirt fit snug across his muscular chest, and his relaxed fit jeans hung off his hips. And the classic pair of J’s matched the red and white t-shirt. He looked young and carefree, and I’d never seen this side of him. I liked it.
“Let’s go home and get ready for dinner.” It was my turn to kiss him on his neck, and he groaned before taking my lips in a dizzying kiss.
Chapter 12
SAWYER
I always get lost when I’m kissing Sasha, and she knows it. That’s why she’s distracting me instead of letting me kick Austin’s ass. But his day will come. Flynn will let me know everything I need to know about Austin Thomas. For now, though, I’ll let my wife think she has the upper hand.
Later that night, the SUV was quiet as we were driven to the restaurant. I held Sasha’s hand, and she didn’t pull away, so we were making progress. The familiarity with one another was slowly seeping back into our new relationship, and I was relieved. After seeing Austin’s slick ass sniffing around again, I made a decision to stop avoiding my wife.
I’m a grown ass man, and I haven’t run away from my problems since I was with Sasha the first time. I’ll never be that man again. I was broken, and I needed that time to get my shit together. Sasha was my salvation without even realizing it.
Brennan pulled into the valet and opened the door. Darby finally let him take on more responsibilities after training him for a year. Brennan was from Ireland and was almost as quiet as Flynn. The twins approved of his presence, and he had proven himself, so I trusted him.
When we got out of the SUV, I made sure to stand in front of Sasha to help her out. Her unusually short dress would’ve flashed anybody looking. And the last thing I wanted to do was kill a motherfucker on an empty stomach.
“Thanks, Monster.” Sasha smiled up at me, and I smirked because the nickname was back. That meant my Céile was feeling relaxed.
“You’re welcome.” I kissed the palm of her hand. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?” Sasha’s face broke out into a gorgeous big dimpled smile, and she fluttered her lashes at me.
“Yes. But a girl can never hear it enough.” She giggled, and the sound cute as fuck.
As we made our way to our table, I noticed there were a lot of stares and whispers. Lennox warned me about the high society bullshit the island abides by. Being the new family on the block, made us interesting for gossip fodder. I would definitely have to get used to navigating the tabloids here. I had plenty of experience with the rags back in the states, but they pretty much left me alone. Nobody cared about a grieving Architect, no matter how much money my family has. I wasn’t famous or interesting enough to be the subject of any magazine.
“You’ve made quite the stir, Mr. Nash.” Sasha smiled as the host led us to our exclusive table, which I paid a premium amount to have.
“No, baby. It’s you their whispering about.” I kissed Sasha on her temple before pulling out her chair and helping her sit.
Once I was sitting next to her, the eager waiter came to take our drink order before scurrying away. The ambiance of the restaurant was calming, and the design of the building was nice. It had a nautical theme that the island was famous for.
“Have you ever eaten here?” I asked Sasha as she perused the large menu.
“I have a few times.” She said without looking up. I quirked a brow at her answer. I knew for a fact that she was leaving something out because she was avoiding my stare. Which meant she’d been here on a date.
“Care to elaborate?” It seems like my wife wants to look everywhere but at me as she squirms in her chair. She’s already going to get her ass spanked tonight, but if she keeps avoiding the question, it will be for much longer than I planned.
“I came here with Raven and her family.” I nodded at the half-truth. Sasha is still fidgeting, so I know she’s bursting at the seams to tell the rest. She’s never been good at keeping secrets.
Before I could badger her more, the waiter came back to take our orders. His eyes kept wandering over Sasha’s cleavage, and his olive complexion held a red tint. I was worried about how short her dress is and didn’t account for how low cut the front is. In true flower-child fashion, the dress had flowy bel
led sleeves with lace details, and the front had the same lace details with a low cut v-neck showing glistening dark brown skin. She wore her hair up in a large puff at the top of her head with big hoop earrings that called attention to her long neck.
As I gazed at her, taking in all of the details of the woman in front of me, I couldn’t blame the waiter for his leering. But I would show my ass if he kept the shit up—good thing he didn’t.
“Did Thomas make you uncomfortable today?” I asked, breaching the subject of her so-called ex. That motherfucker’s clock was ticking. His mouth wrote a check that his ass would cash. I don’t do disrespect.
“Austin is all talk. But he did surprise me, though. I hadn’t seen or heard from him in weeks. But he acted like we just stopped talking yesterday. The shit was weird.” Sasha’s eyebrows were bunched, and her perfect lips were held in a pout. She’s so fucking gorgeous! And she’s mine!
“Well, don’t worry about Austin. He won’t bother you anymore.”
“Don’t kill him, Monster.” Sasha giggled, but I held my face completely blank. I would make no such promise.
“Monster? Sawyer, for real.” Her light brown eyes were wide because even though she claimed she didn’t, she knew me.
“How’s your wine Céile?” I questioned not so smoothly changing the subject.
“Sawyer.” Sasha’s voice was serious, but I wasn’t a liar, so I wouldn’t promise her anything dealing with Austin Thomas.
“Sasha,” I responded just as seriously. “People who aren’t a threat get to live.”
I stared her in the eyes so that she could understand I was serious. Any threat to my wife would be eliminated. I made the mistake of not taking threats seriously once, and it would never happen again. If anything or anyone caused even the slightest bit of fear in Sasha Nash, their days were numbered. I would see to it myself.
