Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
The thing is, I knew if I told Sawyer I needed help, he'd chuckle and shake his head at me. Then he'd show up to move my whole shop if I asked him. Sawyer has always shown up, and deep down, I know he’s always there if I need him.
Sawyer came running even when he was away on the rodeo circuit. He used to roll back into town and push my button two seconds later. He’s been retired for a long time, but back then, it was easier to put space between us.
"I'm going to go check on Sawyer. Make sure he's got clothes," I tell the What the Stitch ladies.
"Whoa, let’s not make any quick decisions." Betty pretends she's going to stop me from giving Sawyer his clothes.
"And I need to find my cowboy hat." Sawyer tossed it into the crowd, but since I won him, it’s mine.
"Good luck." Betty nods behind me, and I turn to follow her line of sight.
Carly has her paws all over the hat, and I narrow my eyes. I’m not sure what comes over me, but between the auction and, well, a ton of freaking history too, I make my way toward her. When she sees me coming, her hold on the hat tightens.
“Carly, I only want the hat,” I tell her, holding out my hand. I don’t want to make this a bigger thing than it needs to be, but I’m finding myself rather territorial at the moment.
"He tossed it to me." If I were in the sixth grade, I'd believe her.
"You really think that's true?" I put my hands on my hips, and Carly's brows lift in surprise. Guess she didn’t expect I’d challenge her on anything. It’s true that that’s more in line with something Liv would do. She’s the bubbly type, but she is also the type that doesn’t get fazed by attention, so she'd get loud anywhere. Hell, she’ll get loud to take attention off me.
“Why else would I have it?” Carly huffs but takes half a step back. The retreat gives away far more than she realizes. She’s all talk.
“Because you have a habit of wanting things that belong to other people.” I snatch the hat from her hands, and thankfully there isn’t a tug-of-war.
“What has gotten into you?” Carly hisses under her breath. “I’m guessing it wasn’t Sawyer.” Heat rushes to my face. “If he was, maybe you wouldn’t still have that stick up your ass.”
“You know what?” I let out a small laugh. “You might be right. I’m sure Sawyer would be more than willing to fix that issue. If I let him.”
“She means getting into her,” Betty says, coming to stand beside me.
“And removing the stick,” another one of the Stitch ladies adds.
“Not that there is one in her ass,” Betty adds quickly in my defense. I want to laugh, but I want to get to Sawyer more than anything.
"I'm not here to fight with you,” I tell Carly. “I'm only here to get the hat and let you know the lies you told back in middle school really hurt. And it messed with Sawyer and me for years.” I owe Sawyer an apology for that, but it’s a bigger conversation we need to have when we’re alone. "I'm not sure why you're back, but I hope you heal from whatever is causing you to act the way you do."
With that, I turn to head behind the stage. Could I have been a bigger bitch? Sure, but what would that do? I have my own fault in this. I never should have let other people get into my head before talking to Sawyer. I was young, and I thought admitting my crush might ruin our relationship. In the end, it happened anyway.
“Sawyer?” I ask Rhodes when I enter the backstage area. He nods toward a door. “Thanks.”
For some reason, I don’t think to knock and push open the door.
“Hey!” Sawyer freezes. “Oh, it’s you.” His body relaxes, and a smile breaks across his face.
“Forgot something?” I hold his hat up as he stalks closer.
“I sure did.” He’s right in front of me, and I don’t have time to think before he grabs my waist and pulls me to him. “But now that you’re here, I’m going to get it.”
That’s the only warning I get before his mouth covers mine in a claiming kiss.
Chapter Ten
SAWYER
The little whimper she makes goes straight to my dick, and I groan right along with her. My hands go to her ass, and when I lift her against me, she wraps her legs around my waist. Her hands are in my hair as I push her against the closed door, and it’s like I can feel her everywhere.
“You’re mine, Lane,” I tell her, not waiting on her to try and tell me all the ways this won’t work. In fact, I cover her mouth with mine again before she can start her usual protests.