10. Sawyer #3
“How do you do it?” I ask her quietly, and her head swivels to look at me.
“What do you mean?” Her eyes search mine, and I swallow.
“How do you do it all?” We’re standing close, our voices low.
Kevin’s totally engrossed in the TV, the commentary loud throughout the house.
I look down at her, her soft pink lips parted slightly, her blue gaze looking me square in my eye.
I’m barely breathing as my gaze darts between her eyes and her lips.
My body wants to lean in, just for a little taste.
“Because I have to,” she whispers, and as we look at each other, her hair falls, a strand coming across her cheek, and with her hands wet in the sink, I don’t hesitate before I lift my hand, bringing it to her face. But before I can push her hair behind her ear, she flinches, and I still.
“Shit, I’m sorry,” I say immediately. “What was that?” My heart is racing, my body unmoving.
“Nothing.” She forces a smile on her face, huffing a weird laugh that’s not humorous but awkward. My blood starts to boil at what her reaction could mean.
“Annabelle. Who…” I lower my hand, not touching her. It’s clear someone has touched her, and it wasn’t in the same way I want to.
“Yes! Home run!” Kevin yells, and Annabelle jumps like she’s been burned, then moves away, breaking the moment. I run my fingers through my hair and blow out a breath, not liking this at all.
“You know, let me just see if I can find that paperwork and grab that box of soap. I don’t want you driving home too late in the dark.
” She dries her hands on the kitchen cloth and moves past me, not looking my way, and I feel on edge.
I’m not stupid. There’s only one reason a woman flinches like she just did, and I’m feeling very fucking protective of her about now.
“Annabelle…” I step toward her slowly, taking a breath to calm myself, not sure what to say with Kevin in earshot.
“It has to be here somewhere.” Her voice sounds nervous, her movements a little jerky and shaky. I step up beside her, giving Kevin my back, offering her some privacy from him for this conversation.
“I would never hurt you,” I grit out softly, hoping she can hear my sincerity.
She looks up at me, those large blue eyes of hers filled with so many emotions.
“I know. I’m sorry…” She shakes her head, releasing a heavy breath.
I frown. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I want you to know that I’d never lay a hand on a woman, and I’m sorry if that’s something you’ve had experience with.” I breathe through my nose, because my teeth are clenched so tightly, I’m bound to break a tooth.
“Thank you, Sawyer. But I’m fine. Really.
” Her hand finds mine. It’s a small move, but I grab on to her small palm and squeeze it, then I lift my other hand and slowly bring it to her cheek, brushing the hair from her face like I tried to before.
She lets me this time, my touch so light I can barely feel her face.
I knew Annabelle was special from the moment I first laid eyes on her, ready to end my life with a garden hoe and scalding me for my language. But it’s becoming increasingly clear to me that this woman, while young, has had a lot of life experience and much of it’s not so positive.
My city charms aren’t going to work on her like they usually do with women in the city. It shouldn’t be surprising; she’s nothing like them, and in the best way possible.
“Let me just look in this pile.” A small smile dances on her lips as she breaks the tension, and I drop my hand from her face and let go of her other hand as she gets busy, looking among some more paperwork that’s scattered on the table.
I look out the small window that’s above her kitchen sink, seeing it’s pitch-black already, even though it can’t be much past seven.
There are no lights, the cloud cover tonight hiding the moon so that doesn’t even create a glow on the land.
Anyone or anything could be out there, and you wouldn’t even know it.
“I can just print a new one for you to sign,” I tell her, following her into the living space.
“I’m sure it’s here somewhere, but that might be for the best.” She runs her hands down the front of her thighs before she plays with her hair again. We both know she’s lost it.
“Oh, here. For your brother.” She sidesteps and grabs a small box of soaps from a shelf, sitting among papers and crayons and a myriad of other things.
The whole setup should give me anxiety. Nothing is in place, most things in disarray, yet I feel more at home here with her than I have in a long time.
“Thanks for dinner,” I say as we both head toward her front door.
“Of course. Thanks for the company.” Her cheeks pinken, and I bite the inside of mine. She’s cute when she’s nervous. I quickly look over at Kevin who hasn’t moved.
“Bye, Kevin.”
I get a grunt in return, his eyes not moving from the TV.
Once we walk out the door, Annabelle stands on the porch as I walk down the steps and look around.
The darkness almost shrouds me, and a chill runs up my back.
Aside from the lights of the house creating a glow around Annabelle, it’s darker than I’m used to experiencing in the city.
I listen for any sounds, but there are none.
Her neighbors are so far away, they wouldn’t even hear her scream.
“Are you sure you’re alright out here?” I turn to look at her, not really wanting to leave her.
“We’re fine.” She swallows and plays with her hair again. My little liar.
“Have you got your phone?” I walk back to the porch, taking the steps two at a time before I’m right back in front of her.
“Ahh… sure?” She looks confused as she pulls it from her back pocket.
“Unlock it.” It’s more like a demand, so I clarify. “Just in case you need anything or just if you want to talk.”
Quirking her eyebrow, she unlocks it and hands it to me. I put in my number before handing it back.
“You going to rush back from the city to little ole me?” she jokes, and I grit my teeth, not liking the fact that I wouldn’t be here, even if she did call.
“My jet’s pretty fast; you would be amazed at how quickly I could be here.”
“A real-life Superman, then.”
My smile doesn’t meet my eyes, because I don’t like leaving her out here alone. She looks up at me, and I lean down, my body moving before I really think about it. I press a tender kiss on her cheek, so close to her lips, all she would need to do is turn her face and her lips would be on mine.
I hear her sharp intake of air, but I pull back just as quickly, seeing the flush to her cheeks as she smiles. Biting my bottom lip, I step away from her, walking backward to my truck.
“Thanks again for dinner, Annabelle.” I can’t remember the last time I had a good time on a date and was so hesitant to leave.
“You’re welcome, Sawyer.” Her voice is so soft, I almost dash back to her and take her lips with mine.
Instead, I grit my teeth and force my feet to move away from her.
And as I jump in the truck and drive away, my stomach feels heavy.
I tell myself it’s because she’s out here alone and it isn’t safe.
But the truth is, even if she lived on the busiest street in New York, I still wouldn't want to leave her. My eyes flick to the rearview mirror as I make my way down her driveway, seeing her silhouette on the porch, watching me the entire way. This is the second time I’m seeing her this way, and I like it a little less every time.