Page 107 of Love Me Reckless

His eyes flash and he gives the slightest smile. “Sounds like you could use some help.”

“Definitely.”

He closes the distance between us. I take a step back, but my heels hit the wall, preventing me from going any further. Sawyer braces a hand next to me, boxing me in, his eyes never leaving my face.

“What’s going on inside here?” He gives my forehead a soft tap.

I’m trying to control my breathing, but the closeness of him, that peppery cedar scent of his and the strength vibrating through his body is throwing my thoughts upside down. “I’m excited.”

He chuckles. “Yeah? Something in particular you’re excited about?”

“Touching you,” I blurt.

His eyes warm. “Where do you want to touch me, princess?”

The smoldering heat inside me sparks like a match to gunpowder. “Everywhere.”

I stroke the side of his jaw, where his skin is warm, the hard planes of his face smooth under my fingertips. Tracing the contour of his neck to where he’s unbuttoned his dress shirt, I slide my hand under the collar. He’s even warmer here, and so muscular and firm, it’s easy to imagine him climbing towers and swinging tools and carrying heavy loads with ease.

He gives a soft groan.

I smile. “You like that?”

“I might be a little excited, too.”

Laughter bubbles up through me. Has touching someone ever been this fun? I place my hand on the shirt’s button placket and glance up. “Can I?”

“You’re in charge, remember?”

I slip the first button from the tight seam, then the next, my quickening pulse tapping hard in my ears. At his waistband, I pull the tails free, and the shirt falls open. Caressing slowly, I mold his chest with my palms to his shoulders and slip the shirt free. He drops it to the floor then he’s back to boxing me in. His scent is stronger now—mixed with a subtle earthy warmth that’s uniquely and so perfectlyhim.

I want so badly to feel his naked chest against mine, for him to wrap his arms around me and never let go.

He lifts my chin so our eyes meet. “You doin’ okay?”

“The dress… please.” It comes out needy, almost desperate.

He turns me to face the back of the nearby sitting chair, the fabric of my dress swishing about my feet. He steps close, his bare chest warming my back. Heat shivers dance over my skin. My sigh comes out shaky. I wrap my fingers over the back of the chair and gently press back into him.

He caresses down my arms and places a kiss at the crook of my neck. I release another shaky breath.

“Why do you always smell so good?” he asks, wrapping his armsaround my middle, like he wants me close, his nose buried in my hair. “It’s like cocoa, only better.”

He kisses the back of my neck, his lips so soft. More tremors ghost across my skin. He kisses down my spine. When his fingers brush past the bird at my ribs, he releases a soft hum.

“All healed and ready to fly, isn’t she?” he asks in a low tone.

I reach back and press his hand to my side, pinning him there while I breathe. Emotions I’ve held inside crack open inside me.

Keep following your heart, and you’ll get there.

“Such a brave girl,” Sawyer coos. He kisses the other side of my neck, his lips warm and wet. “So strong.”

I lean into him and he wraps both arms around me, cradling me close. I hug his arms tighter to me. “Very un-princess-like.”

He groans, and because his mouth is lined up behind my ear, the sound rattles through my insides, making my pulse throb. “Depends on the princess. I happen to know one who’s got all the courage in the world.”

I go limp in his embrace. Is this how he feels about me? I so want it to be true.

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