Page 49 of Sawyer’s Mistake

“Let’s go upstairs,” he said. He held out his hand, waiting patiently for her to take it.

“Zander’s removed the cast,” she noted.

He nodded, turning his hand around for her to see. “The hand’s as good as new.”

He held out his hand to her again. His expression told her he’d wait as long as she needed. She made up her mind and put her smaller hand in his, his touch like an electrical current through her body.

She followed him upstairs, her mind thinking furiously. She’d been almost happy for a moment during dinner, thinking about the baby Storme and Eva would have and how amazing it was that babies could still be born in this world. Then she’d remembered the message she’d heard on the radio earlier, a message the Remur had broadcast for her to hear, and realized she was the greatest danger Eva and Storme’s unborn baby faced. After her daydream, reality fell like a ton of bricks.

She hadn’t had time to crack the voice box. Maybe she never would, now. It made her feel sad. It was the one thing she could have contributed to the team, the one thing she should have been able to do, and she’d failed. But there’d be scientists at the Pangea Colony, maybe even other linguists, who would be able to figure it out.

Her hand felt warm in Sawyer’s larger palm. His shoulders looked wide enough to withstand any load. He turned around and smiled at her, and for a moment she allowed herself to imagine what would happen if she told him the truth. Then she thought of Eva and realized she couldn’t do that.

I can’t force him to choose between them and me.

She bit her lip. If she wasn’t going to tell him the truth, then this was likely to be the last night they’d get to spend together. It would have to be enough. For both of them. She gripped his hand tighter and overtook him, leading the way to the bedroom. As soon as the door was closed behind them, she jumped on him, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his hips.

“I’ve missed you,” she whispered, her face buried in his neck. His stubble scratched her lips, her nose. He’d showered but hadn’t taken the time to shave. She nuzzled in even closer. He smelled clean. Like rain on a warm summer evening.

He walked over to the bed, his hands supporting her ass. It thrilled her how effortlessly he carried her. He placed her reverently on the bed, as if she were precious. She immediately pulled him down on top of her.

“Shouldn’t we talk first?” he drawled.

“I don’t want to talk, Jake. I want you to make love to me.”

His pupils went huge, the green almost disappearing. He kissed her roughly, and she felt his strong energy, his desire a match for her own.

“Yes,” she whispered, scrunching her eyes tight. He held her wrists over her head with one of his strong hands. She felt powerless.

“Look at me,” he said, his voice a low growl. “Open your eyes and look at me.”

She opened her eyes, responding to the demand.

“Is this what you want?” He asked. His voice was rough, but his eyes were gentle.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Stand up,” he ordered, lifting her onto the floor beside the bed. “Take your clothes off.”

He lay back on the bed to watch her.

“Can you close the blinds?” she asked.

He smiled at her lazily, rearranging himself. “I can, but I won’t. I want to see you.” His words made her feel warm all over. She took her top off first, slightly embarrassed by her nakedness.

“Hands by your sides,” he said softly. “Don’t cover yourself.”

The light green balconette bra was dainty and pretty. She’d been lucky to trade for it while at the Residence, even though it’d been designed for someone with smaller breasts in mind. Sawyer certainly didn’t seem to mind the expanse of creamy skin on display, judging by his feral expression.

She undid the button of her trousers and wriggled her butt to step out of them, enjoying his sharp intake of breath. His erection grew behind his fly. It made her feel powerful.

“Enough,” he growled, standing up in one swift move. He carefully and deliberately moved against her, holding her hip in place with one hand. With his free hand, he pulled her arms behind her.

He kissed her, and she melted into his mouth. They shared a common breath.

“Now take the rest of it off,” he said, gently nibbling on her neck. When she didn’t immediately respond, he stopped biting and just gripped her hips, holding her in place. She moaned in need and wriggled out of her bra.

“Take the underwear off, Saoirse. I need to fuck you.”