Page 20 of Restorations

He nods while playing with his train set. “Yeah, but um . . .” He holds a finger to his chin, buttering me up by looking all cute. “Can I have it in here?”

I laugh and shake my head at him, wanting him to have the freedom of childhood for as long as he can. Life is so complicated when you get older.

“Yes. I’ll bring it to you, I suppose. Can you say ‘please’?”

He nods, focusing on his toys as he singsongs, “Please.”

I’m satisfied with that, smiling down at him before walking to the kitchen, looking through the cabinets to decide what to make for breakfast as I go through my phone, checking my email. As I grab the pancake mix from the cabinet, I hear the doorbell. I place the mix on the counter before answering the door and seeing Sawyer there. I feel a sense of dread and maybe guilt as I open the door. “Hi. I didn’t know you were coming by today.”

I try to subtly cover my neck with my hand as I let him walk in the house. Shamefully enough, this is not the first time we’ve been in this same position. Me with Asher’s passionate mark on my flesh and feeling guilty about it with Sawyer.

He’s in a good mood, evident by his grin as I close the door behind him. “Yeah. Unfortunately, I can’t stay long. I have to go look at a house with Linc. I just found this for Baz and wanted to give it to him.”

I smile when I see a remote-control monster truck in his hands. “You spoil him.”

He shrugs. “He’s earned it.”

His smile falls as his eyes move to my neck. A hot flush covers my cheeks as I watch the recognition hit. “Wow.” He grips the back of his neck with his hand, placing the truck on the sofa. “You guys didn’t waste much time, huh?”

I feel like I might burst into flames as I struggle to form words. “I’m sorry. It was nothing.”

“Nothing, huh?” He drops his hand and moves closer to me, his body stalking mine.Is he jealous?My back rests against the wall of the living room. I didn’t even realize I was backing away from him. His chest is nearly touching mine as his fingers graze over the purple hickey. “Doesn’t look like nothing.”

My eyes meet his, the contact of his strong body only adding to my confusion. “A stupid junior high-type make-out.”

He nods his head, pulling his hand away, but his eyes remain there. “That’s all?”

I nod my head, knowing I don’t technically owe him an explanation, but I don’t want him to wonder. “Yes.”

His gaze lowers over my chest and then flicks up to my face. “He didn’t leave any more marks?”

The heat coming from him is almost too much. Even if I'm not in love with Sawyer, there’s an insane attraction there. I bite my bottom lip, my voice raspy. “Are you jealous?”

The smirk that plays on his lips is undeniably sexy as he takes in the sight of my marred neck again. “No.”Of course not, because it’s not love.His hands rest on the wall on either side of my head as his lips near mine. “But that doesn't mean I don’t feel the urge to compete.”

I groan softly into his ear as his lips dip to my neck and his tongue darts out, licking over the spot that’s bruised from Asher’s punishing mouth. “Sawyer,” I breathe.

I can feel him smile against my skin, one of his hands roaming over my breast, my nipple hardening from the contact. “You’re allowed to do what you want, Viv. You aren’t in a cage with me.”

I feel his body against mine, and my eyes flutter closed with the contact, enjoying the comforting feeling as his lips kiss and suck on my neck before his mouth moves up to my ear.

His voice is husky as he breathes passionate words that drive me crazy. “Doesn’t mean I won’t try to make you scream louder than he can.”

Jesus. I’m in trouble.

“Swearer!”

Shit!We both jump at the sound of Baz running toward us, and Sawyer pushes away as not only Baz, but also Asher join us in the living room. I notice Sebastian is dressed and his hair brushed. Of course, Asher has fallen right back into his role of helping me out with him.

Sawyer and I don’t ever touch or kiss around Baz. The last thing I want to do is confuse him. Asher’s eyes drill into me from across the room, but I try to only focus on my son. “Sawyer stopped by to see you.”

Sebastian looks so happy as Sawyer grabs the truck and holds it out for him as Baz loses his mind with excitement, tearing the package open. “Wow! This is the one I've been wanting!”

I smile and shake my head. “Can you say ‘thank you’?”

He nods his head excitedly. “Thank you, Swearer!”

I laugh at the nickname for Sawyer that definitely fits him. “You’re welcome. I wish I could stay and play, but I gotta go look at a house.”

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