Page 73 of Tattered Edges

“Would you?” I teased, reaching between us to wrap my fingers around his length.

“Should you find yourself in distress in the next forty-eight hours, we’ll deal with it—fully clothed. And after our date, I will certainly enjoy you. But in the meantime, barring any traumatizing events, we’ll do as we please.”

“Whateverwe please?” I asked, abandoning his mouth as I began to kiss my way across his cheek and down his neck.

He didn’t answer me with words, but as I continued my decent, he returned to his back, watching me with a fiery blue gaze.

This time, when I took him into my mouth, he didn’t stop me.

Rory

Itwaspouringrainas they made their way down Fleet Street, headed for the sports bar the following afternoon. Sawyer had insisted she wanted to walk, so Rory had lugged out his big umbrella. She clung to his arm as he did his best to keep them dry, and he was forced to admit—with her glued to his side, the journey wasn’t half bad.

Manchester United was slated to play Arsenal, and their group had previously arranged to enjoy the match in a livelier environment than Rory’s flat. It wasn’t often he found himself in someone else’s pub—but The King’s Steed didn’t have any televisions, or a menu full of food, so out they went.

It would be Sawyer’s first time watching Manchester play in a bar full of people, and her anticipation was girlish and endearing.

They were the last to arrive, Graham, Maya, and Oscar already seated at a table in a prime spot. Rory noticed there was only one barstool left, but he didn’t mind the idea of standing. By the time the match started, half the pub would be on their feet anyway.

“You two walked?” asked Maya incredulously. “In this weather?”

“It wasn’t that bad. I kind of liked it, actually,” Sawyer replied with a shrug.

Rory pulled out the empty stool beside Oscar and nodded for Sawyer to sit.

“Thanks,” she murmured, offering him a smile.

It was a natural, easy facial expression, and one he’d seen often enough; but it pierced him straight through, knowing it was for him and him alone.

He hadn’t seen it coming, his denial absolute. Regardless of his attraction and his enjoyment of her company, he never allowed himself to indulge the idea ofthem—not until she’d kissed him.

Again.

Now, her smile had him resisting the urge to kiss her square on the mouth in front of all their friends.

It had been hardly more than thirty-six hours since he’d abandoned his resolve to keep her at arm’s length, and he’d never felt so liberated. It wasn’t until he had her that he realized just how hard he’d been fighting what he now believed was inevitable.

He didn’t know what the future held, but he felt quite certain Sawyer was a woman he would treasure for as long as they wanted each other. Having had a glimpse of her tender heart, and a taste of her unadulterated passion, there was no doubt she deserved that much.

And yet, he was still trying to wrap his head around it—his desire to be near her, to touch her, to remind her of their intimacy. It was a foreign feeling, but one he couldn’t shake. He felt it important, given her history, that she know their relationship—however new—was worth something.

Shewas worth something.

She was worthchasing.

Rory reached around her and hung his umbrella from its handle on the end of the table pushed against the wall. The others had draped their coats across the back of the table as well, so he reached for Sawyer’s and helped her shrug it off, setting it aside before he removed his.

It wasn’t until he felt settled that he caught Graham’s eye across the table.

His mate had been watching him. Now, a knowing smirk curled the corner of his mouth.

With no intention of satisfying his friend that easily, Rory quirked an eyebrow, as if he didn’t understand.

Their silent exchange was interrupted when their server arrived. She’d brought the first order of drinks and was quick to take note of what Rory and Sawyer wanted. They both opted for beer.

“We already ordered a round of appetizers for the table. Hope you’re hungry,” said Maya.

“Oh, thank goodness. I’m starving. I haven’t eaten anything all day,” gushed Sawyer.

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