Page 10 of Second Love

Chapter Four

Sawyer gave the sauce another stir and nodded to himself. He nearly swiped his hands down his jeans then remembered he needed to make a good impression. His stomach bunched and he fumbled the spoon when he dumped it in the dishwasher. When had he ever been this nervous? He couldn’t remember. He didn’t have to try much with women normally. They tended to come to him fairly easily and certainly didn’t expect him to wine and dine them.

He glanced at the small oak table set with candles and some placemats he found in one cupboard. It was funny though, because hewantedto wine and dine her. And it wasn’t just about winning her over, it was about wanting to see her smile. It was about wondering how her skin would look in the candlelight.

But marriage?

He hadn’t meant to bring it up like that. Being thirty-one and tired of the dating scene had made him think more and more about marriage—and about the one chance he’d had at it—but he’d hoped to woo her properly. Not blurt out things about marriage.

But then, he knew Maddie. She hadn’t changed. She was still the same sweet, clever, kind girl. Who just happened to be wrapped up in a hot-as-hell package. Whether she really knew him was another thing, but there was time for that.

A knock at the door had his heart nearly breaking his ribs. This was it. He’d charm her, seduce her and make her see he wasn’t the guy he used to be. He rushed to the door and forgot the low beam just inside the living room. He staggered back as pain rushed through his skull.

Sawyer swore under his breath and pressed a hand to his forehead. No blood but it throbbed like hell. Small cottages like this were not designed for big men like him. Another reason for him to get out of Ballicliff Bay.

That was another battle he had ahead. Persuade Maddie to leave this backward town and come to London with him.

Another knock came and he forced himself to ignore the pain and draw open the door with a welcoming smile. Wide, wary eyes stared up at him. She wore a light red jacket and he couldn’t quite see what was underneath it yet. He suddenly felt very eager to know. Sawyer felt a little like the hungry wolf and here was Little Red Riding Hood, coming into his lair.

Stop that, he warned himself.Charm, seduce. Not devour.

“Come in.” He stepped aside and shut the door behind her.

“Where are we going?”

“I thought we could stay in. I’m cooking.” He tilted his head toward the kitchen.

Maddie paused halfway through unbuttoning her jacket. “You cook?”

Sawyer tried not to be annoyed at the remark. He understood the Sawyer she knew barely knew what a kitchen looked like. He lifted a nonchalant shoulder. “I have lived on my own for a while. Had to do something to stop myself from starving.”

“Of course.” She flushed and finished unbuttoning the jacket.

It seemed to take forever. Underneath he got glimpses of a little cleavage and flash of a cream top. When she handed him the garment, he took a moment to trail his gaze deliberately over her. She wore smart, dark denim jeans, a light cream v-neck top and heels. The top wasn’t low-cut but he knew if she bent over, he’d get a great view.

He couldn’t wait.

The years had been great to her. Added a few pounds onto her hips and breasts. Those few pounds made him want to grab those curves and feel them give under his hands.

“Why don’t you sit down?” he said, motioning to the couch. He hung her jacket in the alcove by the stairs and motioned to the wine on the coffee table. “Help yourself. I wasn’t sure what you liked but we’re having red meat.”

She peered at the two bottles of red on the table as if confused by them. Or perhaps by him. He wasn’t sure what he was doing. Yes, he wanted to impress her but he didn’t want to act like a douche.

“If you prefer white, it doesn’t really matter...”

“No, red is great. Thanks.” She drew a bottle close and opened it. “You’re having some?”

“Please.”

He needed it. Needed a whole bottle of it. He wasn’t sure what he intended to happen this evening. He’d thought getting her on her own in the small confines of this holiday cottage would give him a chance to show her how he’d changed.Look at everything I have to offer, this date would say.

She leaned forward as she poured the wine. He turned sharply. “I’ll just go check on the food,” he muttered.

In the kitchen, he rested his palms on the counter and took in several breaths. He hadn’t anticipated her being uncomfortable around him. They used to be best friends for Godsakes. She told him everything. Until he’d left her that was...

He also hadn’t expected to want to drag her upstairs and take her to bed. Sure, he fancied the hell out of her. Who wouldn’t? The desire between them always burned bright, but that impatient teenage itch had been replaced with something deeper and more powerful. Something he’d struggle to fight.

Sawyer was certain she felt this spark as much as he did. He wasn’t sure it would even take much persuading, but how was he ever going to prove himself more than the bad boy if he took her to bed on their first date?

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