Page 95 of Last Chance

When Sawyer finished his meal, he rose to prepare hot tea for Janie and poked around the cabinet until he found the right combination for her.

He dumped a bag each of chamomile and mint into the water and nuked the concoction. When the heating cycle finished, he set the mug in front of Janie. “Chamomile mint tea.”

“Thanks. I hope it will help me sleep.” She grimaced. “For a few hours at least. I need to return to the store to prepare more stock.”

Not what he wanted to hear. If the Vatos Locos members had intelligence greater than a houseplant, they’d know exactly where to find Janie tomorrow morning.

A muscle in his jaw twitched. He’d handle anything that happened at the shop. This was Janie’s livelihood, and her workers needed help with the workload. That thought reminded him to confirm that two Fortress bodyguards would be available to protect Janie’s workers. “All right.” He brushed his mouth over hers. “Come on. I’ll walk you home, Ms. Moran.”

She grinned. “My room is across the hall from yours. We can walk there in under a minute.”

“That’s part of my cunning plan.”

“To spend a minute walking me to my room?” She looked skeptical. “I’m not convinced.”

“I’m walking you home at the end of our date so I can kiss my girl goodnight at her door.”

Her breath caught. “Are you serious?”

“Sweetheart, I meant every word.”

She slid from the stool and picked up her mug. “Let’s go. I want that kiss more than I’ve wanted anything in my life.”

He chuckled. “Same.” Sawyer took the mug from her and wrapped his free arm around her shoulders as they walked.

After nudging the door open with his shoulder, Sawyer stepped back and motioned her inside. Once across the threshold, he closed the door and set the mug on her nightstand. He drew the woman of his dreams into his arms.

Slowly, he lowered his head and captured Janie’s mouth with his. Immediately, fire raced through his veins, heat suffusing his body and raising his core temperature to at least a thousand degrees.

Janie just did it for him in every respect, and now he was addicted to her taste. No other woman would do for him. He was well and truly hooked on Janie Moran.

Janie wrapped her arms around his neck. After another intense kiss, she stared at him with wide eyes. “Sawyer,” she whispered.

“I know. I feel it too.”

“I didn’t know it would be like this.”

“Neither did I,” he admitted. “This is special.”

“If these kisses become more intense, I might melt into a puddle at your feet.”

He hugged her tight for a moment, then forced himself to step back. “I have to leave while I still can.”

“Do you have to go?”

His mouth curved. “My control is whisper thin. A couple more kisses like those, and I won’t be able to leave.” He put more distance between them. “I’ll see you in a few hours. If you can’t sleep, come to me. We’ll curl up on the couch and watch a slow cozy mystery guaranteed to put you to sleep.”

Janie grinned. “What if I like cozy mysteries?”

Sawyer gave a mock sigh. “Sorry, Janie, but that goes in the negative column. I’m afraid I can no longer say you’re perfect.”

That brought a laugh from his woman. He winked at her and gripped the door handle. “Need anything? Water, a snack?”

She shook her head, eyes still twinkling with amusement. “Get some sleep, Sawyer.”

“Yes, ma’am.” After a last heat-filled glance, Sawyer left the room, closing Janie’s door behind him.

He stopped steps away from her door and leaned against the wall, fighting for more discipline. After winning the battle, he continued to his room. Logan was right. He needed to sleep for at least two or three hours.

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