Page 79 of Offside Bride

And then there are these feelings for Sawyer—real, terrifying feelings that are growing stronger every day. It scares me more than any mobster ever could.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. “You don’t have to pretend anymore, Sawyer. We should tell Siobhan the truth.”

Sawyer’s eyes widen in panic. “No. Definitely not. She doesnotneed to know the truth.”

I spin around, ready to spill everything to Siobhan, but…she’s vanished. The living room is empty, save for the mess of broken trinkets.

“Where did she go?” I frown and drop the book on the table and go searching through the condo. Sawyer follows close behind, practically tripping over his own feet in his rush to stop me.

“Maggie, wait,” he pleads, his voice urgent. “Telling my sister the truth is a bad, bad idea.”

I march down the hallway, poking my head into rooms. “Why? Because having a fake wife is somehow more embarrassing than having a mob boss dad?”

“No, because—” Sawyer starts, but I cut him off.

“Because what? I’m tired of lying, Sawyer. I’m tired of pretending.”

I push open the bathroom door. No Siobhan. Where did she disappear to?

I want to cry but the tears aren’t even coming. It’s like they’ve had enough of my dumpster fire life and said, “Screw this” then decided to take the rest of the year off.

Sawyer grabs my arm, spinning me to face him. “You keep calling yourself my fake wife, but I seem to recall signing a very real marriage certificate. I don’t think you understand?—”

“Understand? Oh please, by all means, enlighten me.”

For one fleeting moment, something flickers in Sawyer’s eyes. Then suddenly, his hand is on the back of my neck, pulling me to him.

“I will,” he growls. Then his lips crash into mine with an intensity that knocks the wind out of me.

Sawyer’s mouth is urgent, demanding, like he’s trying to convey every unspoken word through this kiss. One of his hands tangles in my hair while the other finds my waist, gripping tightly as if he’s afraid I might disappear. I can feel the heat of his body through my clothes, setting my skin on fire.

His lips move against mine with a desperation that makes my knees weak. I’m caught off guard, my brain short-circuiting as I try to process what’s happening. Part of me wants to push him away, to demand answers, but another part—a traitorous, weak part—melts into his embrace. My fingers curl into the fabric of his shirt, torn between pulling him closer and shoving him back. The world around us fades away, and for a moment, it’s just us, locked in this passionate, confusing dance.

My body is a thousand torches, sparking and sizzling with each brush of his lips against mine. I marvel at how perfectly we fit together, how natural this feels despite the chaos swirling around us.

My heart’s pounding so hard, I swear he must be able to feel it, but I don’t care. In this moment, I’m lost in the intoxicating sensation of his touch, the warmth of his body pressed against mine, and the taste of him on my lips.

This kiss is everything I’ve been craving and more. It’s fury and frustration, adrenaline and desire all rolled into one explosive moment. It’s like every cell in my body is suddenly awake and singing.

When Sawyer’s lips leave mine, he trails hot kisses along my jawline and down my neck. I gasp as he nips at the sensitive spot just below my ear. My hands, seemingly with a mind of their own, clutch at his shirt, desperate to keep him close.

His stubble scratches deliciously against my skin, sending shivers down my spine. My fingers tighten in his shirt, tugging gently as I arch into him. The heat between us is intoxicating, making my head spin and my heart race.

I’m vaguely aware that we’re still in Siobhan’s hallway, but I can’t bring myself to care. All I can focus on is the feeling of Sawyer’s body pressed against mine, his hands roaming my curves like he’s memorizing every inch.

When he pulls back slightly, his eyes are dark with desire, and I’m sure mine mirror the same intensity.

“Maggie.” He breathes my name in a reverent whisper on his lips, and I’m lost all over again.

“Yes?” I manage, almost out of breath.

“Maggie,” he repeats.

When Sawyer’s lips find mine again, I submit to him. The world around us fades away, and all I can focus on is the feel of his mouth, his hands roaming my back, the solid warmth of his body pressed against me. It’s like every nerve ending in my body is on fire, sparking with electricity wherever we touch. He sweeps his tongue across my bottom lip, followed by a possessive nibble.

I feel intoxicated, dizzy with a heady mix of passion and tenderness that makes me…I don’t know. Something more than the physical act of making out…or the other thing. It’s something deeper that I don’t care to explore right now.

So, I throw caution to the wind and let out a soft moan as his mouth devours me, and I find myself clutching at his shoulders, desperate to pull him even closer.

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