Chapter 3
Allison
What in the world made me tell Sawyer that my life is great?
Maybe the fact he had embarrassed me in front of my co-workers. Maybe the fact that standing so close to him had me flustered. No longer the kid in a leather jacket on his motorbike, Sawyer is now very much the sexy Lumberjack the girls were describing. Broad chest, muscled arms, a flat stomach under his threadbare t-shirt and even a flannel shirt that he wore open to show off his broad frame.
His face has changed, now sporting a three day old beard growth that does nothing to hide his sharp jawline and only enhances his deep green eyes. He is all man now, grown up and apparently loving life in the outdoors running this adventure camp.
Or maybe it was when he told me he had a crush on me in high school and looked at me as though I should be someone great. Whatever it was, it made me want to be something more than I am.
Senior Customer Success Manager?
What a laugh. I answer phone calls and take complaints. I’m nothing. The lowest of the low.
It’s crazy, I studied hard in school. I never went out, I got good grades. Aren’t I meant to be a successful, happy adult? Isn’t that how it goes in the movies. How did it happen that the motorbike riding, smoking, school skipping bad boy has a better life than I do?
What ever made me lie to Sawyer about my life being great, is now pushing me to try the obstacle course. Normally I would try and get out of doing something like this but what the heck. And when I see Sawyer watching me I am determined to show him that I can do this.
Deciding to do something and actually doing it is two totally different things. I’ve always been scared to try new things. Even the wobble bridge has me wanting to crap myself. I’m not great with heights and I’ve never done anything remotely athletic in my life. But I take the first few steps and it’s not nearly as bad as I thought. The wobble beneath my feet feels strange but it’s not too bad. Actually it is kind of fun even as I urge myself to move faster to get to the other side. And then, having done it, I feel proud of myself and eager for the next challenge.
As I work my way through the obstacles I stop wondering what Sawyer or anybody else thinks of me and I just enjoy the challenge.
I’m eyeing off the next challenge. Logs are stood up at all different heights and the goal is to step from one to the other, balancing on top of one log while choosing the next step.
“Need a hand?”
I look down from my little platform into Sawyer’s handsome face and my heart does that same skipping thing it did when I was sixteen. Damn, the man is too handsome for words and it’s all wrapped up in memories from the past of watching him as he sat on his motorbike in his leather jacket, laughing with his friends.
“I don’t need any help. I’m just…just calculating the best path to take.”
“You always were a thinker.”
I glance at Sawyer. Surprised that he had formed any opinion of me at all in high school. I didn’t even think he knew I existed.
“Here, let me help you.”
I look at his outstretched hand, remembering how it felt when he touched me earlier. How Pinkie had set her sights on him and how he didn’t seem to mind.
“I don’t need any help, thank you. Not from you.” Sawyer takes a step back and crosses his arms, watching me. Probably waiting for me to fail. I take a step onto the first log, wobble, and regain my balance.
I’m on the third log when Sawyer speaks again. “So you’re some big, fancy, corporate boss now?”
I make him wait while I think about my next step. The higher log is the quickest path but if I lost my balance I’d be sure to fall. But if I take the little logs I will look like a fool in front of Sawyer. A slight breeze plays with my hair and I take the leap. Hold my balance and smile. I’m not about to diminish this feeling of elation by admitting that my life sucks.
“Yes. That’s right. Unlike you, I actually attended classes in school and now I have an awesome job that I love.”
“The good, little, girl next door gets it all? I’m not at all surprised.”
I don’t know if it’s the fresh mountain air, the obstacle course or seeing Sawyer again that makes me want to snap at him. Ignoring the tinge of bitterness in his voice.
“I’m not always a good girl.”
As I take the next step I happen to glance at him and catch a sexy, hungery look in his eyes that makes me lose my balance. My arms whirl around, trying to steady myself, in a flash he is there, reaching out and grabbing my hand.
I look down and I’m caught in his eyes. A zing of electricity between us. I can’t move right now to save my life. His look is dark and hungry. His warm grip on my hand sends heat right through my body. His gaze falls to my lips and for a moment I think he will drag me off the log, take me in his arms and kiss me. For a moment I want him to.
With a gasp I pull my hand back as if burnt and with cat-like precision I didn’t know I had, I race across the remaining logs to the platform on the other side.
“That was good, Ally.”
I don’t know if he is referring to the logs or the moment that had passed between us. I’m just glad I didn't fall. I’m glad I can keep my head up high as I ignore Sawyer and take the step down from the platform.
My foot misses the step and, having crossed the dangerous logs, I fall flat on my face into a pile of mud on the tiny step down at the end.
Strong hands lift me up, peeling me out of the mud like a wet sock. Once on my feet I wipe mud from my eyes and look around to see everybody watching. Pinkie and her gang laughing.
“Are you okay?” Sawyer asks. For some reason the kindness in his voice makes me want to cry.
“I’m fine.”
“Showers are that way.”
With a little nod I stomp off to the direction he has pointed. This is just the worst trip ever and I’m wondering why I ever came here.
A little while later I answer a knock at the cabin door to find Sawyer there. Once again I am hit with a rush of feelings. Attraction. Embarrassment. And I have completely forgotten what a person normally does with their hands when standing and talking to someone.
Sawyer has his forearm resting on the door frame. A casual stance but it makes his chest seem even bigger as he fills out the space. He is so close I can smell his scent, fresh pine, a clean smell with a little masculine spice. It is intoxicating.
“I just want to check if you are okay?”
I feel my defenses coming up. “You mean after falling on my ass and having everyone laugh at me? Yeah I’m just fine.”
He tilts his head a little to the side. “Most people fall on the obstacle course at some point.”
“Into a pile of mud?” I ask.
He laughs. A deep, rumbling sound that makes me feel all warm inside, despite the chill in the air. “Sometimes. It’s always better in mud, but I’m sorry if you were embarrassed in front of your friends.”
I shrug. I hadn’t noticed anybody else but Sawyer. It was Sawyer who I had wanted to impress. “Just like in school. I am always tripping over stuff.”
He brings his hand up and softly tucks my hair behind my ear. His voice low, he says, “We aren’t in school anymore, Allison.”
I look up into his face. His green eyes are so much more stunning thanks to his tan. I feel caught in a spell, standing so close, close enough that our breath mingles and I think he might kiss me as his eyes drop to my lips.
“You know, you were such a good girl. I always wondered if you might like to try being bad. Just once.”
His fingertips touch my check. So softly I can barely feel the touch on my skin. But it’s enough to have my stomach start churning and heat travels through my body as though my heart might be on fire. When his thumb moves across my bottom lip I hold my breath.
“We might be all grown up. But I can still be the bad boy if you want me to?”
Oh my God! This is what I used to fantasize about. To be kissed by Sawyer Shaw.
I hold my breath. My skin jumping to be touched by him. If I just move towards him. He is so close. I could get the kiss I’ve always dreamt of.
But I give myself a mental shake. No. This isn’t right. It’s just not me. Forever the good girl. I take a step back and ignore his disappointed sigh.
“I think you should go. Thank you for checking in on me, I assure you I am fine.” Head up, shoulders back. “I’m just fine. I don’t need any special attention from you.”