Page 22 of Uncharted Desires
Xander grins and all but jumps, snatching the wine. “Thanks!” he chirps and before I can tell him not to betooobnoxious, he turns and disappears into the crowd.
“Here,” Sawyer says once Xander’s gone, dropping a thick-looking folder in front of me. “Hope my hard work meets your academic expectations.”
“You look like shit,” I snap before he even finishes talking.Fuck. I didn’t mean for it to sound like an insult.
“Why, thank you. You don’t look half-bad yourself.”
“Sorry,” I mumble and drop my gaze. And then it hits me. “Wait? Did you work last night?”
“That’s how jobs typically work, yes.”
I look at the folder. “So then when did you—”
“Don’t worry about it.” Even though his voice is stern, he doesn’t sound angry. Maybe he’s too tired for that.
I feel as shitty as he looks.
Had I known hereallydidn’t have the time, I wouldn’t have pushed him. Maybe I would have even offered to do everything myself.
And that realization has my mind spinning
It’s so not like me. I squash my thoughts. “Maybe…” I start as I size up as much of Sawyer as is visible behind the bar. “Maybe I could do something to make you relax.”
And even though his eyes look tired, I can’t miss the spark that flashes in them the second the words leave my mouth.
He tilts his head back and looks at the ceiling, presumably thinking about it, his tongue running along his bottom lip. But then---
“I don’t think so.”
My brows furrow. “Why not?”
“Because.” He puts his palms on the bar and leans in. “I’m at work. And you’re a fucking distraction.”
My cock twitches. It’s not even the words. It’s how he says them.
I shrug one shoulder and pretend it doesn’t affect me. “Fine.” I turn my head back and pretend to look around. “Plenty of fish in the sea tonight. I’m sure I’ll find someone to take me up on my offer.” And without giving him another glance, I walk away.
*
Sawyer
HOW DID I get here?
How is it possible that, in a span of two weeks, the man who’s back I’m staring as he disappears in the crowd stoppedbeing someone I actively try to avoid and start being someone I’m drawn to like a moth to the fucking flame?
It’s my dick doing the thinking. That’s how.
I run my palm over my face, my eyes stinging as I close them.
I shouldn’t follow him.
I should just let it go and let him know I simply don’t have the energy to keep doing this. But even I am not naïve enough to think I won’t be following him like a dog wherever he wants to go. And the worst part is that sleep depravity has nothing to do with it.
My peripheral catches a small group approaching the bar, and I hastily step back, my eyes scanning for Jesse. I give him an up-nod when our eyes meet and walk over. “Hey, do you mind if I finish early tonight? I have somewhere I gotta be.”
He folds his arms over his chest, expression amused. “That guy’s trouble, you know?”
Shit.
