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She smiles, excitement dancing in her eyes. “Liam is coming later…” She pauses. “I know you’re here because you have to be, and Sawyer’s your close protection officer…” she gives me a sad smile, “… but I think we can still have a fun weekend. Starting with bubbly in the hot tub! Get one of those suits on and meet me downstairs.” She winks and turns around, heading for the door.
“Brooke,” I call, and she spins back. “Thank you. This is exactly what I need.”
She smiles before walking out and closing the door behind her.
Sitting on the bed, I sort through the bathing suits she’s given me. My eyes are drawn to a beautiful flowered pink two-piece, and now that I’ve met Brooke, I can see we’re a similar size. Holding the soft fabric in my hands, I shake my head as it hits me how different things could have gone if it hadn’t been Sawyer’s family downstairs. As I clung to Sawyer’s T-shirt when he led me down the stairs, gun out and ready to fire, I’d been terrified. I was sure we’d come face to face with Matt. The relief I felt when I knew it was Brooke and her parents was indescribable, and I fought back tears as I met them all in the kitchen.
Standing, I head into the bathroom, pulling off my tank and yoga pants. As I slip the swimsuit on, I go up on my tiptoes to try and see myself in the vanity mirror. I can’t see much though, as the mirror is too small. There’s a full-length one in the bedroom, and walking out, I let out a little squeal as the bedroom door opens and Sawyer walks in.
“Holy shit,” Sawyer gasps as he closes the door behind him. Heat pools in my stomach as his eyes rake over me. Self-conscious, I wrap my arms around my body.
“Brooke lent me a swimsuit,” I whisper. “Is it too much? I’ve got a black one if it is.” He crosses the room and stands in front of me. Removing my arms from around my body, he waits for me to look at him. “Hallie, you look…” He shakes his head as he trails off. Butterflies swarm in my stomach as I wait for him to finish his sentence. “You look incredible.”
“Thank you,” I mutter, my eyes dropping from his.
“So, it looks like we have some company while we’re here. I’m sorry you were scared earlier. Are you okay?”
“I’m good. Your parents seem great, Brooke too. She brought me all those swimsuits to try.” I gesture to the pile still on the bed.
“Told you she wouldn’t mind you borrowing her stuff. Despite her being my annoying little sister, I know how great she is.”
“Are you sure they don’t mind me being here? I don’t want to intrude on a family weekend.”
“Not at all. My mom’s excited to have you here. Brooke too. She has a hot tub buddy now.”
“Am I putting everyone at risk? What if Matt finds me?”
He reaches a hand to my face, his fingers gently stroking my cheek. “No one knows we’re here, Hallie. Bryant has no idea about this place. We’re good.” I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding, involuntarily leaning my face into his touch. “You kissed me earlier,” he mumbles, his free hand slipping around my waist. He pulls me against him, and I gasp as our bodies meet, my arms looping around his neck.
“That was when I thought we might die,” I tell him, my voice breathless.
A smile tugs on his lips, and I can’t help but smile too. “So, you don’t want to kiss me now?”
“No…” I close my eyes as his fingers slide from my face into my hair.
“You sure about that?” His mouth has dropped to my ear, and he whispers the words, his breath hot on my skin. His hand is warm on my bare back and his touch has me feeling like I’m burning from the inside out.
“Hmm,” I mumble as he brushes soft kisses against my neck. He chuckles against my skin before peppering kisses along my jaw.
His kisses stop, and he asks, “Is that a yes? You want to kiss me, or—”
“It’s a yes,” I exclaim, cutting him off. Winding my fingers into his hair, I pull his face to mine. My lips find his, and it’s like I can’t breathe unless I’m kissing him. One of his hands stays in my hair while the other strokes up and down my back, his touch setting me on fire. Our tongues collide, and I tug on his hair, moaning into his mouth. A knock sounds on the bedroom door, and Sawyer groans before pulling out of the kiss, his forehead resting on mine. His breathing is labored as he takes a minute to catch his breath.
“You in there, Hallie?” Brooke calls out from the other side of the door.
“She’ll be down in a minute,” Sawyer says as he lifts his head, his eyes fixed on mine. “I’m not ready to share you yet,” he whispers, and I smile.
“Okay,” Brooke replies.
“You’ve had me to yourself for almost two weeks,” I tease, my arms still around his neck.
“Yeah, but not like this.” He kisses me again, and I’m soon lost in him. Doubt begins to creep into the edges of my mind though, and after a few minutes, I pull back. My heart is racing, and as much as I love being in his arms, I need to know what’s happening. Biting down on my lip, I look up into his worried eyes.
“You okay?” His fingers squeeze gently into the skin on my waist as he awaits my reply.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” I hear the uncertainty in my voice, but I need to know he’s okay with this.
“Am I sure I want you?” His gaze lingers on me, his eyes soft. “Yeah, Hallie. I’m sure.” He closes his eyes and sighs. “I was a jerk before. I was fighting with myself. But it was never because I didn’t want you. Never think that.”
