Page 97 of Restrictions

“Yeah. He definitely had fun today.”

“Did you?”

I know what he’s asking, and it leaves him vulnerable, which is a side to him I haven’t seen often. “I did.” I look away and out the windshield in front of me. “I really did.”

He turns to face straight ahead too. “I did too. You wanna grab dinner?”

I turn to look back at Baz, who is completely out, and smile. “I do, but I'm not sure Baz is up for that.” He nods his head, backing out of the parking space, and I realize I'm not ready for the date to end yet. Biting my bottom lip nervously, I shrug. “Maybe we could drive to Kansas City.”

He seems intrigued. “Kansas City?”

“Nora lives there. Maybe she would want to watch Baz for a couple hours.”

He smiles at that and nods his head as he drives. “That would be cool with me. Although I’ll miss Baz’s dinner conversation. The kid knows his shit when it comes to Marvel versus DC, and let’s be honest, Viv.” His large shoulder shrugs, and I notice the corded muscle of his bicep flex as he grips the steering wheel. “You just can’t keep up with that.”

I laugh, and it feels really good as I roll my eyes and pull my phone out of my pocket to text Nora. “Yeah, okay. I guess we’ll just have to make do.”

He laughs, tossing his head back as he drives, and I realize howcomfortable I feel with him, which of course makes me also feel very uncomfortable.

Nora was more than happy to watch Baz for a couple of hours, and Sawyer and I had a nice meal at the Plaza before picking him up, and he again conks back out in the dark car as we make the trip back to Lawrence.

There was no deep conversation. Mostly just talking about what we want to do now that we’ve both graduated from college.

Consensus, neither one of us have a clue.

When we pull into the drive at my house, my stomach drops when I see Asher’s car already parked there.

I unbuckle slowly and turn to Sawyer. “I really had a good time tonight.” He smiles, and I smile back and shake my head. “I didn’t see that coming.”

He laughs easily at that, keeping quiet as he looks back at Baz fast asleep and then back to me. “I didn’t either.”

“Screw you, I'm a delight.”

He laughs again, leaning closer, and I can smell his expensive cologne. It’s different from Asher’s but still so damn good. “You are. You aren’t nearly the uptight princess I thought you were.”

“So charming.” I smirk and bite my bottom lip, sensing he wants to kiss me, knowing I want him to. His lips are only inches away as I keep my voice a low whisper in the dark car. “You aren’t quite the arrogant, conceited asshole I thought you were.”

He chuckles as his closed hand rests under my chin, his thumb resting on the tip. “Give me time.”

His lips brush against mine before his mouth closes over mine, and we get lost in a kiss, one that sets me on fire and crushes my soul all at once because it’s good.

It’s incredibly good. My mouth opens for his, and his tongue sweeps inside, causing a soft whimper to escape my mouth into his.

And I know this date went well. Really well.

He leaves little kisses against my lips as he pulls away, and I know I want to do it again.

He looks back at Baz, his chest heaving with aroused breaths and then back to me. “Do you want me to carry him in?” He looks forwardat the front door, and we both know Asher is inside. “I can calm my body down. I just need a minute.”

I laugh at that, not daring to look at his lap, but knowing exactly what he’s talking about. I clench my thighs together, trying to ease the ache between them and shake my head.

“I don’t think tonight's the night for you to deal with Asher’s wrath.”

“You think you deserve it?”

I bite my bottom lip again and nod. “Maybe.”

“You don’t.” His voice is firm, and I smile, brushing the light stubble over his cheek and smiling.

---