She nods. Her hand lands on my stomach, her fingers tracing my muscles.
I whisper, “Do you want me to leave, baby?” As much as it kills me, if she has some sort of issue with actually sleeping with me, I’ll go. I’d do anything to make sure she feels secure in our relationship, even things I don’t necessarily agree with.
Fuck. Willow was right. I am that guy. I’ll always put her first—no matter what—even at the expense of what I want and need. And when I consider just why that is, it floors me.
I’m half in love with her already.
Chapter 22
Hadleigh
Sawyer’s big body is so nice and warm, and he smells so damn good. He does things with his hands, tongue, and cock that I’ve never experienced before, but more than that, he’s affectionate and kind. Do I want him to go? That’d be a hell no.
I prop myself up so I can look into his eyes. He’s completely relaxed, one arm propped behind his head, the other wrapped around me. “You aren’t other men, Sawyer. It’s alarmingly clear that I’ve made some pretty dumb decisions in my past.” I wet my lips and press them together. I like how his gaze immediately drops to my mouth, but then just as quickly, he’s right back to staring into my eyes. “So, no, Sawyer. I don’t want you to leave. I’d like it if you’d stay right here with me. If that’s okay with you.”
His chest rises and falls as he searches my features, looking for any hint of discomfort before he answers. “With you is the only place I want to be.”
I nod, and for the first time in forever, am completely happy. His arm tugs me impossibly closer to him, and I close my eyes, resting my head on his chest.
When I wake up, I’m disappointed to find Sawyer isn’t in the bed with me. My brow creases, and the corners of my lips tilt down. Did he go? I thought I’d been clear about what I wanted. But then I hear something from the kitchen.
It’s a panicked shout, the kind of commotion which can only mean one thing—Sawyer has just met Space Ghost.
I hurriedly grab the first article of clothing I see, which happens to be Sawyer’s button-down, fasten a few buttons, and dash out of the bedroom. The sight that greets my eyes makes me giggle instantly.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry.” I cover my mouth for a quick second before I come to my senses and rush into the kitchen where Sawyer is standing in his jeans, shirtless. He turns this way and that, trying to figure out how to dislodge whatever is attached to the backside of his jeans—which happens to be my new kitten. He spins around, breath heaving.
“Hold still.” I pluck the tiny, black fur ball from the back of Sawyer’s thigh and hold him up in front of my face. “Bad kitty. Bad Space Ghost.”
Sawyer huffs out a laugh when he sees who his attacker was and reaches out with a few fingers to pet the animal’s head. “I didn’t know you were a cat person.”
“Well … technically I’m not, but I heard about this shelter having an over-abundance of kittens, and”—my gaze flicks up to his—“sometimes it gets a little lonely around here, so I thought I’d try something new. Just let me feed him, and he’ll leave us alone.” I hurry to the cupboard with Space Ghost curled up in a ball against my shoulder, purring loudly. Sawyer leans a hip against the counter as I get a can of food out and scrape some of it into a dish. From here, I sneak a look at Sawyer. His jeans are mostly unzipped, and it’s obvious he’s gone commando à la Joey from Friends. I smile to myself. Hot. A warm little knot begins to form and tighten in my lower abdomen as I remember everything that happened last night, how Sawyer had been way different than any other man I’ve been with before. He wasn’t about himself. He’d been all for delivering me as much pleasure as he possibly could. And he’d taken his time. This man—he’d savored me. He’d enjoyed every inch of me. Sawyer had devoured me whole. And if I get my way, he’ll have me again. Soon.
I put the remainder of the cat food into the refrigerator and hurry across the kitchen to the sink to wash my hands. “Right. So, where were we?”
Sawyer steps closer. “I was going to make you breakfast.” He wraps his hand around the back of my neck, pulling me to him, and kisses the daylights out of me. My pulse goes through the roof as my mind processes just how the scent of him, his hands on me, and his mouth on mine have me ready to tear his shirt off and go at it right here on the kitchen floor.
With my heart beating fast and lungs working overtime, I know I’ve never been so viscerally aware of another person in my whole life.
My eyes flutter shut. The whole experience of having him here with me is so dizzying I sway against him.
He tucks his head next to mine, kisses the spot below my ear. “Let’s eat something, then we can see about feeding other appetites.” He draws back to look into my eyes. “Sound good?”
I nod, discreetly placing my hand over my heart, willing it to slow the fuck down. “Yes. Food, then Vitamin D. That’s a good deal.”
“Vitamin D?”
I stare into his eyes, a teasing smirk on my lips before I reach between us, cupping him firmly. “Yep. I always need it.”
Sawyer gives a quick bark of laughter. “I love your sassy mouth.” He leans down and stamps a kiss on my lips.
“I know you do. Now, what did you want to make for breakfast?”
“Well, I had a look in your fridge right before I was cat-attacked.” He huffs out a
