Page 84 of Total Shutdown

I think back to the time Sawyer did exactly that, trying to convince me to go out with him. “Hmm,” I muse, reaching across and tapping him on the shoulder. “Like father, like son, I guess.”

Sawyer presses his lips together. “Thank you for taking him out for pizza and ice cream, he hasn’t stopped going on about it.” He pauses and twirls his sunglasses around, thinking. “I also appreciate the way you handled the ride he took over to your place. You were right to remind him of the dangers and you dealt with it way better than I would’ve done.”

I offer a tight smile. “He wasn’t annoyed that I told you then?”

Sawyer shakes his head on a low chuckle. “No. I don’t think it’s possible for you to annoy him, that’s my specialty.”

Uncertain if his next action is driven by the conversation we just had or my hot-as-fuck leather pants I know he loves, but when Sawyer takes my chin between his fingers and pulls my mouth to his, I conclude the source behind his motivation to kiss me really doesn’t matter.

He feels incredible.

I dissolve beneath him, a tiny whimper escaping me when his tongue teases the seam between my lips.

“Open for me, Collins,” Sawyer quietly requests. “Let me taste what I desperately missed these past seven days.”

The moment I do, he takes the kiss deeper, snaking a hand under my ass.

I press my palm against his chest, all too aware of the last time we got into it around people. “Listen, I’m down for more later, but not right in front of the garage. Cameron could see.”

A heady rumble reverberates in his chest, his tongue licking into my mouth, fingertips sinking into my pants. “I don’t think you need to worry about that asshole anymore.”

Using the hand still planted on his chest, I push back slightly, eyes narrowed in question. “Give me the specifics, Bryce.”

He chuckles, going in for another kiss.

I push back further, waggling a finger at him. Okay, I’m flirting, but still partially serious. “Uh-uh, not until you tell me exactly what you mean by that.”

He lifts his shoulders and chuckles again, knowing full well I’m getting a taste of my own shrugging medicine. “I meant nothing by it. He just knows where the boundaries are.”

I decide to test out a theory, wondering if my sudden afternoon and day off have anything to do with the man sitting next to me, still trying to steal kisses. “We’d better hurry up and head to wherever you’re taking me. I don’t want to be late in getting back for my asshole boss.”

He pauses with his lips over mine, the feel and scent of his breath making me tingle in the familiar way only he can evoke. “You and I both know the only place you’re going to be for the next thirty-six hours is my bed.”

The tingles intensify, tightening my core.

“Won’t Ezra be home tonight?”

He tips his head from side to side, thinking it over, though clearly not seeing me staying as a problem. “He will.”

I draw my bottom lip between my teeth. “Is this where we talk?”

Moving away from me and shifting into gear, Sawyer doesn’t say anything as he pulls out of the parking lot and heads down the street, taking a couple of lefts until we reach a quiet suburban area.

He kills the engine and leans across the center section, unclipping my belt and hauling me onto his lap. I squeal as he does it with ease, scooting his seat back to give me space.

He drops his eyes from mine, taking in the leather pants I quickly changed into before leaving work. “You wore these deliberately, didn’t you? To ensnare me in your Collins Mackenzie web.”

When he palms the nape of my neck, pulling my forehead down to meet his, I know I’m ready to go further. The truth is, I don’t know if I’ll make a good girlfriend. All I’m sure of is, I don’t want to let Sawyer or Ezra down.

But I’m starting to believe I won’t.

“Was I successful?” I whisper. “Are you tangled up in me?”

“Baby Girl,” he breathes out, pressing his head against mine, almost like he’s trying to merge our minds so I can understand how much he’s feeling, “you know I’ve been enraptured since the day I set eyes on you at Lloyd’s. Your web is one I never want to break free from. If you’ll let me stay.”

This time, I’m the one stealing the kisses, bringing my hands to either side of his face. Sawyer’s scruff feels delicious beneath my palms—a sensory bliss I want between my legs as soon as possible.

“I don’t want you to break free,” I say, voice a little shaky.

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