10. Hallie
HALLIE
S awyer was gone before I even woke up and not just from the bed— the whole house.
Part of me wants to be sympathetic to his plight, but the other is downright hurt that he couldn’t even stay and talk to me like a normal person.
It didn’t have to be a thing.
I’d been tempted to text him all day but screw him for making it weird—for making it into something it’s not.
For making me feel like I did something wrong.
Nothing happened. Hell, we didn’t even cuddle. Sawyer stayed so far on the opposite side of the bed I would have had to roll over twice to reach him.
Which I didn’t.
With a huff, I tie the straps of my bikini top around the back of my neck as I look at myself in the mirror. I’d thrown this one into my suitcase as an afterthought, but I’m glad I did. It makes me feel sexy and I could use the confidence boost after last night.
Grabbing my newest Sloane Daniels paperback and my phone, I pad my way down the hall to the bathroom to locate a beach towel, then turn for the stairs.
It’s beautiful out and as much as I’d like to go down to the beach, I’m just too tired to lug everything there. I’ll go a different day, but for now, the backyard will do just fine.
Winnie is curled up on the top of the couch, her black fur almost auburn in the sunlight, and after watching her for just a minute, I quietly let myself out the door and take my first full breath since I woke up this morning.
The hot, salty air is like an instant reset for my brain and body, and I’m thankful for the way my heart settles in my chest.
I should have done this sooner instead of stewing inside the house.
I know better.
And I do. I’ve always been like this. Fresh air helps, but ocean air has some kind of magical calming effect on me.
And with it comes the realization that, undoubtedly, I’ve overreacted to Sawyer leaving today. But it’s okay because when he gets home, we’ll talk and everything will be fine.
With that worked out in my mind, I set up the lounge chair I got the other day, putting it flat and spreading my towel over it. I should read, but a quick nap sounds like a perfect lazy day treat right now.
Lying on my stomach, I get comfortable and then untie my top, letting the strings pool next to me.
No sense getting tan lines when it’s only me out here…
I feel him before I even see him, his body casting a shadow over me.
“You’re in my sun,” I tell him simply, unwilling to have anyone or anything derail my afternoon. My nap was heavenly and so was the dream I’d been having.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Sawyer’s voice is a bark, my hackles rising even as I try to keep my voice unaffected.
“Tanning. Sometimes I work so much I forget what the sun even feels like. Besides, I found this chair while I was in town and I couldn’t resist.”
I kick my legs a little for emphasis, and I can’t be positive but it sounds like he growls. But that can’t be right, can it?
“We have neighbors, Hallie, and you’re not wearin’ a top.”
Rolling my lips inward, I do my best to hide my smile because Sawyer Kade is definitely riled up about that. He still has a Southern accent, but it’s far less pronounced than it was when I met him all those years ago.
It makes sense with how long he’s been here and the fact that Starlight Bay is nestled in the heart of New England.
But still, I like that he’s still him after all this time.
“I have a top. I just untied it so I don’t get tan lines. Seriously, do you know what it’s like being trapped inside for hours ?”
“Hallie.”
Annoyed, I make quick work of tying the strings at my back and then the ones behind my neck before rolling onto my side and sitting up.
“I’m allowed to lie out in the sun. It’s no different than if I went down to the beach. What are you so worried about? You think someone’s going to see my boobs? Why does it matter? They’re just boobs.”
I punctuate the statement by making a show of adjusting the tiny fabric triangles of my top, noting Sawyer has apparently gone mute in the last thirty seconds.
Holding up my hand to shield my eyes from the sun, I glare at him, opening my mouth to continue my tirade when I catch sight of his expression.
It’s a heady mix of fury and desire, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides as we face off, and now I’m pissed.
Because I won’t apologize for wearing a bathing suit.
And I sure as hell won’t be sorry he’s turned on by it—by me.
Snatching my book and phone off the ground, I push past him toward the house. I don’t look back, but I do put a little extra swing in my hips as I go, because even if he doesn’t say it, Sawyer Kade wants me.
Now I just need him to man up and do something about it.