Sawyer (Carolina Reapers 2)

Echo: I’ll let you know.

I rolled onto my back, tossing my cell to the side.

Goddamn him.

I was flushed, frustrated, and knew there was nothing in this world that would satisfy that urge between my thighs other than Sawyer fucking McCoy.

We’d long since crossed the danger line between friends and fuck buddies, and it was high time we put fucking in the title.

Though, I couldn’t deny I reveled in this slow burn, this intoxicating back and forth.

But I didn’t know how much longer I could wait for him to make his intentions known, because the last thing I wanted was a relationship, and it was the last thing he needed, too.

Echo: You looked tense today in your interview.

Sawyer: Thanks for pointing that out.

Echo: You know what studies show is the best for built-up tension?

Sawyer: What is that?

I sucked in a sharp breath. It’d been too many days since Sawyer’s lips were last on mine and I was done playing the waiting game. I’d always been one to go after what I wanted, and there was nothing more than I wanted than Sawyer between my thighs.

Echo: No strings attached sex.

Two full minutes went by and not even the bouncing balls on the screen to show he was typing.

Maybe I’d scared him off. Maybe he didn’t do no-strings-attached intimacy. Maybe he was busy with a bunny.

I cringed at the last thought and told myself it shouldn’t matter if he was. He wasn’t mine. I had no claim on him. The last thing either of us needed was a relationship, but…if he did accept my offer then I’d have to make the rules very clear.

1) Don’t fall in love

2) Don’t sleep with other people

That’s it. Two very easy-to-follow rules. Because while I enjoyed sex and no strings, I didn’t enjoy sharing.

Sawyer: Where’d you read that one?

I hurried to respond.

Echo: I didn’t have to read it anywhere. I know it for a fact.

Sawyer: You’re full of interesting facts.

Echo: That’s it? That’s all you have to say?

Sawyer: Good joke? Is that better?

I rolled my eyes and tossed my cell under the bar as a few new customers strolled through the doors. I hurried to fill their orders before checking my cell again.

Nothing.

Well, if Sawyer thought I was joking, I guess I’d just have to show him how not joking I was.

9

Sawyer

I loosened my tie as I dug a bottle of water out of the refrigerator.

“I’m so glad you’re having a good time,” I told Mom as I balanced the phone on my shoulder.

“It’s so nice being with them again,” she said, her voice lighter than I’d heard in a while. “Weird to be in this little town again, but I’m sure that’s just because it’s been so long since I’ve been home.”

Guilt crashed through me, stealing a little of my post-win high. “I should have taken you home more often.” I shut the fridge and twisted the top on the bottle.

“Sawyer McCoy, stop that. It wasn’t your job to haul me all over the country at my whim. You had more than enough to handle in college. I really wish you would let some of this weight go.”

“You’re not weight,” I argued.

“That’s not what I’m saying. You are the best son I could have ever asked for, but I can’t help but feel like I’ve done you a disservice. You have a life to lead, Sawyer, and believe it or not, I still have one, too.”

I leaned back against the counter and raised the water bottle to my forehead, letting the cold seep into my skin. “I know you do. I just want to make sure you have everything you need. You’ve always taken care of me, and I’m just trying to do the same for you.” But it was hard lately. I was only home a few days at a time, and I hated that I didn’t get to see her as often as I did when we were in Seattle.

“I have everything I need,” she said softly. “Now you need to make sure you have the same.”

Echo’s face popped into my mind. I knew she was someone I wanted but was she someone I needed? It had been so long since I’d had the space to even think about wants versus needs that I just didn’t know anymore.

“Oh, we’re leaving for Nancy’s granddaughter’s recital. I’ll be home in a few days. I love you, Sawyer. Go try to relax. Enjoy the wins!”

“Love you, too, Mom.” I hung up the phone and cursed my father for the millionth time in my life. If he’d been half of a man, her life would have been a hell of a lot easier.

The doorbell rang.

I discarded my jacket on the way, leaving it thrown haphazardly over the back of the sofa. Hopefully it wasn’t the guys. It was only eight o’clock, and they’d said we all needed to go out and celebrate the way we’d just swept the Toronto series, but I wasn’t in the mood for a crowd.