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He chuckles and grins, his handsome face lighting up. “I fucking love it, but it still doesn’t mean you have to do anything. I’m not expecting you to.”
I can’t stop the smile from crossing my mouth at his admission.
“What?” he asks, the soft features of his desire hiding the cruel protector he is for me.
He cut a dick off and threatened a coven on my behalf and without asking for anything in return. I couldn’t have asked for a better punishment for the asshole who tried to hurt me. And while I still feel bad about the knowledge, he is right about not feeling the terror. Alexander would make me live with it. Sawyer wants to protect me not only in body but also in mind. I can’t help wanting to do something more for him.
I shrug. “Nothing. It’s just...you’re different. For once, I want to do this, and you deny me. Everyone expects this from me and doesn’t complain. Well, except Knox didn’t want me to do anything either. Is this some kind of law with your crew?” The second I mention Knox, I regret it.
Sawyer’s jaw tightens. “You like him, don’t you?” It must be a big deal if he doesn’t mention the other stuff I said.
I consider lying like I always do when a man asks me something I know he won’t like the answer to, but with Sawyer, I decide to be honest. It’s too dangerous to lie when he can open my mind. Also because I’ve seen him more than any of Alexander’s clients and guests within a week’s time.
“I do, yeah. But I also like you.” I might as well be honest about everything while I’m at it. “...and Monroe. I’ve never met anyone like you guys.”
Something shifts in his expression, but he doesn’t get angry. If anything, his features soften even more. He chuckles and shakes his head with whatever thought crosses his mind. “I want so badly to beat the shit out of them and keep you all to myself, but I also don’t want to hurt your feelings. This is confusing as fuck.”
How do I respond to that? “Oh.” It’s like my brain wants me to stay silent in case.
Groaning, he kisses me again. “I won’t ever hurt them though. Not because of my interest in you. They’re like my coven brothers even if we can’t form an official alliance because of the fucking ruling vampires and the La Vega Leadership.” Leadership? I don’t think I’ve heard of them before.
“Oh.” Come the fuck on, stupid brain. He’s going to think something is wrong with me if I can’t articulate my thoughts. I kiss him again to give me an extra moment to figure out what to say, and I meet his gaze again. “I’m glad to hear that. I wouldn’t want to get between you guys and risk getting kill...” Okay, bitch brain.
My comment sends silver flashing in his eyes, but he doesn’t scowl. He surprises me by laughing.
“If you were in between us, killing you is the last thing that would happen,” he murmurs, squeezing my ass again. “If anything, we’ll never let you leave.”
Holy shit.
My body hums at his words, and warmth blossoms up my chest and neck. His smile widens at my reaction, and he touches my heated skin with his cool fingers. I bite my bottom lip between my teeth and squirm under the intensity of his gaze.
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you,” he murmurs, his eyes flashing silver again.
My muscles relax as he taps into my mind again. “Yes,” I say, my mouth speaking without my mind’s consent. “I feel safe with you three.”
He breaks my stare and shakes his head, pulling away to put space between us. Turning his back on me, he laces his fingers through his hair and stares at Mya and Govan splashing in the pool.
I close the distance again and touch his shoulder. He spins around, and I automatically recoil, my chest tightening. I can’t help it. It’s instinctual for me to try to protect myself when a vampire moves that fast.
“Fuck, I’m sorry, Hayley. I wasn’t going to hurt you.” Sawyer slowly reaches out and touches my hand. “I wouldn’t.”
My lip quivers as I try to get myself under control, but it’s hard once something sets me off.
“I just—I want you. I want to steal you away from Fucker Aris and keep you safe and treat you like my queen. I can’t explain it without sounding like a psycho. It’s just that there is something about you that gets under my skin and won’t let me go.” He tightens his jaw and flicks his gaze past me. “You make me want to do stupid ass shit, and it pisses me off that I can’t. I just—I have to go. I’m sorry. If I stay, I’ll do something crazy.”
Sawyer kisses me again, cutting off my chance to ask him to stay. He disappears, leaving me standing alone and confused. Mya cocks her head at me, watching me peer around at the space in front of me like if I stare long enough, Sawyer will come back.
“Hayley, come join us!” Mya calls, waving her hands in the air.
I shake my head and turn around to leave. Why do I feel so rejected? I know better than to let him get to me like this. I belong to the Aris Hotel. I shouldn’t even consider going out of my way to spend time with a man that could cause my end—not by his hands but by Alexander’s.
Peering around once more, I head toward the entrance to the casino. I don’t want to bring Mya down or make her come with me.
If only a shadow didn’t move from the real trees beside me. I don’t have a chance to react as someone covers my head with a bag. Strong fingers grab onto me, and I’m stolen away.
