Chapter 8
HAYDEN
For a physical therapist, you’d think I could be better at rubbing things on my own body. When it was your own kneading fingers, it just wasn’t the same, though. Giving yourself a footrub didn’t feel nearly as good as when someone else put their hands on you.
And right now, I had no idea which of the boys I’d let rub me first.
Seriously, Hayden?
It seemed a shame not to think about them, though.
Carter had that stubbled jaw I was always a sucker for, not to mention the most panty-dropping brown eyes.
His very presence was intimidating, yet somehow reassuring at the same time.
Sawyer was equally handsome; tall, wiry, and full of a coiled, almost limitless energy.
He had a perpetually mischievous smile, too.
Like he just swiped the last french fry from your plate; and was daring you to call him on it.
And then there was Bodie, who I had a serious crush on.
His six-foot-five frame was filled out in all the right places, in the most chiseled of ways.
It was obvious he worked out, but his strength came with an underlying power, too.
Beneath that strong Italian nose and naturally tan skin was the heart of a quiet warrior, and someone who looked suspiciously like he could kick a whole lot of ass.
I shifted from one ass cheek to the other, sliding my left foot to the floor as I grabbed for my right.
At least the fire had warmed me up some.
Right now it was roaring nicely, courtesy of the three logs I’d fed it on the way to the couch.
I’d skipped the midnight snack, though. I hadn’t wanted to make any noise, for fear of waking them.
“Morning, shred queen.”
The voice just appeared over my shoulder, like some weird, ventriloquist’s trick. By the time I finished gasping in surprise, Sawyer was already sliding in next to me on the couch.
“What in the world are you doing out here?”
I looked him over, as my heart climbed its way out of my throat. He wore a plain white T-shirt, a pair of sleep sweats, and had the most adorable case of bed-head I’d ever seen.
“I couldn’t sleep,” I admitted. “That back bedroom is, well… a little cold.”
“I knew it,” he shook his head. “It’s too far from the fire. I told Carter as much, but he insisted you take it.”
“No, no, it’s fine. I just—”
“You can have my room,” he insisted. “I’ll even give you my blanket. I don’t really use it, I’m warm-blooded as it is.”
“Not a chance,” I protested. “The three of you have given me more than enough alread—”
Any other words that might’ve come out of my mouth were lost forever, as Sawyer casually slid my feet into his hands. He took the closest one and began kneading and rubbing it, causing my eyes to roll back in pure pleasure.
“You were saying?”
I couldn’t even begin to speak. His thumbs were turning the arch of my foot into warm, melted butter.
“Fuuuuck…” I managed to breathe.
He laughed. “Not the first time I’ve heard that.”
I’d completely underestimated how tired my feet were. In retrospect, jamming them into rental ski boots was probably not the best of ideas, especially since I hadn’t worn a pair in pretty much forever.
“Heard from evil Hercules, yet?”
My eyes, which had closed involuntarily, fluttered back open.
“If you mean Cole, yes and no.”
He frowned. “Elaborate?”
“No, in that I’m not turning my phone on all weekend,” I declared. “Other than the quick call I made to Amy, to let her know I’m still alive.”
Cole switched to the ball of my foot, pressing with just the perfect amount of pressure. I closed my eyes again; and purred like a kitten.
“But yes in that I’ve ‘heard’ from him,” I hissed, in blissful contentment. “In the five quick minutes my phone was on, I saw fifty missed calls and about three-hundred text-messages.”
Sawyer whistled. “You really know how to pick em, don’t ya?”
“Yeah,” I conceded. “But this one picked me.”
“Still counts,” he quipped. “Who’s Amy?”
I hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. “Amy was my therapist, back when I was going through something. I saw her for the better part of six months, before she fired me.”
“Fired you?” Sawyer squinted. “Why? What’d you do?”
“We hit it off like sisters,” I said, matter-of-factly. “I mean, Amy and I really got along. So much that we started meeting for coffee, shopping together, and hanging out. She fired me as a patient, in order to maintain the friendship.”
“Sounds responsible enough,” Sawyer agreed. He glanced at me slyly. “Unless she’s sweet on you for other reasons.”
I laughed. “You boys would like that, wouldn’t you? But no. Amy’s got a husband, actually. Sweet guy. He helps her take care of her sick mother. From what she tells me, they were childhood sweethearts.”
“Like you and Cole.”
I looked up at him through the tops of my half-lidded eyes. His look was immediately apologetic.
“Sorry. Cheap shot.”
His hands shifted to my other foot, his fingers bringing a fresh wave of total euphoria. I couldn’t help but groan, and the groan that escaped my lips couldn’t have been more sexual.
I found that I didn’t care a single, solitary bit.
“Smart move to turn your phone off,” Sawyer went on. “We do the same thing, whenever we’re up here. You can’t be in a place this beautiful, this serene, and not unplug. Getting off the grid two or three times a year is the only thing that keeps us sane.”
“And who tends the bar for you while you’re gone?” I found myself asking.
“It’s not my bar, it’s Carter’s,” Sawyer replied. “He inherited it from his father’s uncle. The guy was a Vietnam veteran, and the two of them were very close. He was somewhat of a legend, actually. He built the place with his own hands, after coming home from the war.”
I nodded dreamily. “That’s why it’s called The Refuge.”
“Something like that, yeah. Only by the time Carter acquired it, it should’ve been called Duct Tape and Daiquiris. The place hadn’t been maintained in decades.”
“It looks nice, now,” I pointed out. “At least, before Cole wrecked it.”
“Yeah, that’s because Bodie and I jumped in to help,” Sawyer said proudly.
“We redid all the faulty wiring, patched the roof, and upgraded the kitchen. By the time we finished, The Refuge was a brand new bitch. Minus Grizz, of course. That old timer’s a permanent fixture; I don’t think he even moved from his stool. We remodeled the place around him.”
As he talked, Sawyer began alternating legs. His hands were kneading my ankles now, working their way up my tired calves. I found myself lifting my ass and shifting closer, to accommodate him. I also found him staring.
“We brought the place back, together. The three of us.”
I also found I didn’t mind him staring.
“Anyway, I’m glad you’re here with us,” he said genuinely. “We wouldn’t have been able to enjoy the weekend, knowing that dumpster fire of an ex was out looking for you.”
“He’s still out looking for me,” I sighed heavily.
“But you’re hundreds of miles away from that prick,” smiled Sawyer. “Deep in the woods. Safe and sound.”
His fingers crawled over my knee, and I didn’t dare move. He was kneading my thigh now. Working ever higher, ever closer; to where things got really dangerous, and the prize values were doubled.
My eyes followed those roaming fingers. And his eyes followed mine.
“Deep in the woods with three hungry wolves,” I noted.
Sawyer smiled and shrugged. “The devil you know.”
With that he shifted closer, pulling my legs over his own. His hands still worked their magic on my thighs, but now our faces hovered together, eyes locked. Each of us daring the other to make the first real move.
“But you’re the devil we didn’t know,” he teased softly. “Fishnet stockings. Amazing cleavage. A barbarian for a boyfriend…”
Our lips were practically touching now. I could feel the heat of his mouth, the softness of his touch. His fingers glided upward and outward; in the direction of my ass, as I inhaled the scent of his sweet breath.
Then he stood, scooped me up from the couch, and abruptly threw me over his shoulder.
“OH!”
His grip was strong, his strides smooth as he carried me away from the fire and down the hallway.
But rather than take me back to my bedroom, Sawyer made a hard left into his own.
He had one hand fully on my ass now, fingers spread, pinning me to his shoulder. My stomach was nothing but butterflies.
The soft down comforter was already thrown back. My body bounced as he dumped me unceremoniously into his bed… and then slid right in beside me.
“Hmmm…” I mused, as he turned me sideways. “I thought we were switching bedrooms?”
Warmth and comfort flowed over me, as Sawyer’s hard body pressed into me from behind. A strong arm slid around my waist, locking me in.
“I said you could have my room,” he exhaled, his lips pressed hotly against the back of my neck. My body shivered as he chuckled gruffly.
“No one ever said I was leaving it.”