Page 70 of Branded

“Oh yeah?” I pull her legs up into my lap and trail my fingers along her knee.

“There’s only one way to get to know a kitty, right? You have to pet them and stroke them... learn what they like.”

I walk my fingers up her thigh, thankful she changed into shorts and I can feel the warmth of her skin under my touch.

I place kisses along her cheek to her ear. “Can I stay the night and leave from here tomorrow morning?”

She shivers and leans into me even more. “I had hoped you would.”

I take her hips in my hands and lift her up, settling her over my lap.

“I hope you don’t like very much sleep.”

Chapter 19

Isaac

It’samazinghowquicklytwo and a half months can pass when you find yourself having fun with someone every moment you aren’t working. Thanksgiving zips by and so does Christmas until we settle into the middle of January.

Sawyer and I have gotten closer every single day since the night we got back from Napa. I knew from the beginning she’d be a problem for me. What I didn’t count on was just how much of one, because even now, as I’m wiping down the truck after a call, I can’t hide the look on my face knowing I’m taking her to dinner with Grams tomorrow night. The two most important women in my life spending time together, formally, means everything to me.

“What’s gotten you so chipper today, Black?” Graham asks, with arms crossed over his chest.

I hop down off the side of the truck and toss the towel I was using over my shoulder. “Can’t a guy just be in a good mood?”

Sawyer and I haven’t really been advertising to folks back here in Sunset Valley that we are seeing each other. We are just taking the time to get to know each other and just enjoying simply... being together. Being with her is, without a doubt, altering everything about me for the better. That’s for sure.

“You’re usually such a sulky bastard. I’m trying to understand the mood shift happening here.”

“Fuck you, I’m the life of the damn party and you know it.” I fling the towel from my shoulder to his as I walk by. “You all would be lost without me here.”

“You mispronounced happier. We’d be happier without you here.”

“Don’t you have something to be doing rather than out here flirting with me? It’s getting old, man. I appreciate the compliment though.” I pull a clipboard from the wall; checking things off I’ve done so far.

“You’re not exactly my type. You’re missing a few key things that I very much enjoy.”

“Black. You’ve got a visitor.”

Graham and I both turn toward the front at the sound of the chief’s voice over the intercom just as Sawyer comes into view with two to-go boxes in her hands.

“Well, hello there,” Graham says. “I think I have found my answer to why you’re so damn happy. You’re finally getting laid.”

I jokingly shove him back as I walk by him on my way to her.

“Hi,” she says sweetly, holding up the boxes. “I thought I could drop of some food for you? Olivia and I went to dinner so I ordered some for you. I figured I could bring it on my way back home.”

Fuck, she’s beautiful.

She’s wearing a pair of high-waisted jeans and this short blue top that shows off just a sliver of skin between her pants and shirt. Her hair is in a bun on top of her head. She’s radiant like this. Simple and casual, that’s a deadly combination on Sawyer Westbrook.

“That’s very sweet.” I cup her face in my hands and kiss her. “Thank you.”

“I didn’t know the protocol of things like this so I took a chance. Plus, I really wanted to see you in your station wear. I figured food was a good enough excuse.”

I grin, proud she is using terminology I taught her. “You never need an excuse to drop by here.” I kiss her again, but it’s quickly interrupted by hoots and hollers.

“I think we are being watched,” she whispers, when I drop my forehead to hers.

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