Page 16 of Sawyer

Our eyes lock. My stomach somersaults for the hundredth time tonight. He’sgorgeous.

Dropping my purse on a nearby side table, I saunter over and take the cup he offers me. “This is perfect. Any fancier and you might scare me off.”

“I’m a lot of things.” He searches my face, his full mouth curling into a smirk. “But fancy ain’t one of ’em. Cheers, Ava.”

The space between us thrums. I’m not sure I’ve ever been this turned on.

“Cheers.” I tap my cup to his. “To getting body-slammed.”

Bringing his cup to his lips, he laughs. “I got other plans for your body.”

Heaviness gathers inside my skin as I sip my champagne. Its dry, sweet flavor bursts on my tongue in a rush of starry delight. “Care to elaborate?”

Reaching out, he curls a finger through my belt loop. “You ride, don’t you?”

I can almost hear the way my blood crackles and pops inside my veins. “What gave me away?”

“These legs.” He gives the loop a tug while sipping his champagne. “That ass. And the way you dance. You’re strong. Quick. Graceful. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were a barrel racer.”

I dig my teeth into my bottom lip. This guy pays attention, and that makes me feel some kind of way.

It makes me feel wildly … adored.

“You’re good, cowboy.”

One side of his mouth kicks up. “And I ain’t even kissed you yet.”

“Let’s get that out of the way, then.” I down the contents of my cup before setting it on a nearby table. “So I can show you exactly how well I ride.”

We both laugh. A wash of warm, liquid light moves through me that makes me feel like I’m glowing from the inside out.

This man really,reallydigs the Pisces in me.

“What?” I tease, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I wasn’t gonna let you be the only one who drops terrible lines.”

His gaze flicks to my mouth. “Kind of you.”

“A little kindness goes a long way.” I dig my fingers into his hair.

Sawyer’s eyes darken as I trail my fingertips across his scalp. I get the feeling he hasn’t been touched this way in a while. He’s leaning in, practically purring with pleasure when I put a hand on his face and arc my thumb over his thick stubble.

“It does, yeah.” His voice is husky. He stops, lips poised an inch over mine. Less.

My pulse throbs as the realization hits me—he’s waiting for me to make the first move. Waiting for me to give him permission. In my prior life, when I tried so hard to be the proper wife and woman Dan wanted, I would’ve suppressed my desire to take the reins.

Now, though, it makes me smile. There’s power in having the ball in your court.

Power, and freedom.

Joy, warm and potent, fills my center. At the same time, the desire between my legs twists tighter. I can still taste the champagne on my tongue. My buzz is light. Happy.

What a perfect fucking night.

Closing my eyes, I lift my chin and tilt my head. Then I gently press my lips to his, praying I don’t pass out from the sheer pleasure of the way his mustache tickles my skin.

CHAPTER5

Sawyer

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