Page 71 of Restrictions

Baz drops down to the ground and runs to grab his bucket to collect candy as the Tin Man raises his middle finger in the direction of the Scarecrow. “Please, you know the Tin Man got way more as...” Baz runs back over to us and Asher stops his foul statement, causing Sawyer to laugh.

“You both look fine.” I turn to Baz. “Right?”

Baz looks them over, scrutinizing every detail. “They’ll do.”

I laugh, knowing he had to get that from either Asher or Sawyer. Who knows? They are both arrogant assholes.

“You make afineDorothy, Viv.” I look over at Sawyer, his mouth pulled up in a smirk as his gaze slides over my costume once again.

“Let’s go.” Asher shoves his shoulder, pushing him toward the door playfully, but Asher seems slightly on edge as Baz and I follow them out the front door.

“What did I do?” I hear the laughter in Sawyer’s voice as I lock the house, and Asher doesn’t entertain the question.

“Let’s get to the party so we have enough time to hit the best houses afterward.”

“Fuck yeah!” Asher and I both look at Sawyer, shaking our head as Baz giggles.

“Swearer said a bad word.”

Thank God he knows that’s a bad word. I smooth my hand over his little mane. “Yes, he did. You don’t ever repeat anything Swearer says, okay?”

Sawyer laughs easily, not sweating it for a second. He doesn’t seem to let anything get to him. Of course, people who don’t know Asher well say the same thing about him.

I let myself wonder if Sawyer has deep secrets buried beneath the surface as we walk down the block to the home of one of Sebastian’s daycare playmates. His mother has an infant, Baz’s friend Roman, and a six-year-old and still found time to throw a massive party to celebrate Halloween.

“So, this Roman kid,... his mom hot?” Sawyer asks Baz and I roll my eyes.

Baz looks confused, again thank God.

“Sawyer, she’s married.”

He shrugs, and Asher nudges his shoulder. “Be good.”

“Hey, I dressed up in the least sexy costume...” He looks over at Ash and laughs. “Well, second least sexy.” He can’t resist the dig at Asher. “I deserve a MILF of my own.”

Asher looks slightly homicidal, and I can feel my cheeks heat with embarrassment when I hear Baz ask what a MILF is.

“I will kill you,” I warn Sawyer, who just laughs as we reach the party.

“I’ll tell you someday, kid.” It’s the least offensive answer I’m sure he could come up with, and I take Baz’s hand, moving in front of Asher and Sawyer and leading them to the front door of the Shaw’s home. Roman’s mom has ten years on me but is kind as she welcomes us into her home. The grown men with me look like they belong on a hottest men calendar despite their costumes. Her eyes scan both of them as she introduces us to other couples and children already at the party.

“Fuck, this party is boring.” Ten minutes in and Sawyer is already complaining, and thankfully, all the kids are at a safe distance away playing a bean bag tossing game as most of the adults stand around them in a large circle in the massive backyard.

I really wish I would have brought a jacket. It’s cold, and I wasn’t aware this was an outdoor party.

“Baz is having fun.” I fold my arms under my breasts, rubbing my arms.

“You want me to walk to the house and get you a jacket?” Asherwatches me shiver in the cold air, and the gesture is kind. But it also causes Sawyer to smirk devilishly.

I know he’s already convinced Asher I’m trying to trick him into some sort of relationship. He thinks us sleeping together is a bad idea, and I plan to prove him wrong. I wave him off. “I’m fine.”

Asher shrugs, turning back to watch the kids play, and Sawyer wraps an arm around me. I’m surprised by the action and turn my head to look at his handsome profile. “What are you doing?”

Asher turns to look at us, his eyes darkening. “Whatareyou doing?”

Sawyer isn’t bothered by the bite in Asher’s tone. “She’s fucking freezing. I’m warming her up like a goodfriendwould do.”

Asher glares at Sawyer, and I can feel the battle going on between the men, words that aren’t being said out loud are being spewed, and I want no part of it. I escape from Sawyer’s heavy, firm arm, lifting it off me and taking a step back, getting out of the line of fire. “I’m fine.”

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