Chapter 18
CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN
King
At thirty-six years old, I never thought I’d feel like a teenager again.
It’s been two weeks of me and Sawyer sneaking around, and I think it’s the most fun I’ve ever had. She’s the most enigmatic person I’ve ever met. She’s tough, but also vibrant. She’s not necessarily a bubbly person, but she makes me feel that way.
She makes me feel young, like there’s more to life than how I’ve been living.
We spent the day at Pike’s Place Market since she hasn’t been. We walk around, eat food, and talk. We’ve talked a lot. I tell her probably more than I’ve told anyone in the past decade.
I’m not normally a talkative person, especially about things that matter. But with her, it’s easy.
We talk about everything and anything, simple things like our favorite movies, and she scolds me for being so out of touch with my music taste.
And then we talk about serious things too. Like what it was like growing up for each of us, how different our upbringings were. We talk about her mom, and she tells me a little bit about her brother too, who seems like a piece of shit.
I also tell her more about my ex-wife—how I met Jillian, how we ended up together, and how I don’t think I ever really loved her. We were young, and I thought I did. I wanted to. I did love her in some capacity, she’s the mother of my kids, but I wasn’t in love with her.
There was always something missing between us. She knew it too, even if she’d never admit it.
I tell her more than I tell anyone else. And it feels freeing. It feels vulnerable too, like I’m sharing a deep part of myself with her, but it doesn’t scare me. I want her to know everything.
We’ve spent the day incognito—Sawyer’s idea—because she thought we might see someone we know. She has a baseball hat on, her hair tied into a low bun, and huge black sunglasses that cover half of her face. I also have on a baseball cap that she’s continuously pulled lower and lower over my face to cover my eyes.
It’s kind of cute how nervous she is about getting caught. I don’t think it’s actually because she cares too much about people knowing since, at this point, we both know that this thing between us is real. I think it’s more about her coming to terms with it herself and then telling people on her own terms.
Besides, the sneaking around has been kind of fun. For the both of us.
We end up eating dinner at a seafood restaurant in Pike’s Place, and it’s around eight p.m. by the time we’re done. We have another couple of hours to spare before I need to get home. Ellie’s at the house with her best friend, but they’re fine alone, and Willow is spending the night at my parents’ tonight, so I don’t have to worry about her.
I ask Sawyer if she wants to go to Carl’s for a little bit, but she points out that we’re almost guaranteed to run into someone there, which, of course, she’s right about.
Instead, she says she has the perfect place for us where we definitely won’t see anyone. I follow Sawyer into a dimly lit bar called Pickles Tap Room. She walks straight to the side of the room, snagging a booth for the two of us. I slide in across from her, flipping my hat around on my head so it’s not covering my face anymore.
She ditches her sunglasses, shoving them inside her small purse, and then throws her hat onto the booth next to her. She slides the hair tie out of her hair, shaking her head to let her long copper waves fall loose.
All I can do is stare at her and watch. She looks like a goddess. One that I can’t believe is mine.
“What?” she asks, her green eyes locking on mine.
“Nothing.” I shake my head.
“Tell me.” She reaches across the table, slapping my forearm. “Is there something on my face?” she asks, concerned.
“No, Sawyer.” I chuckle. “You’re just really fucking beautiful,” I say.
“Oh,” she says, a small smile forming on her face. “Well, you’re not so bad yourself.”
I laugh under my breath, turning to look around the bar. It’s small and has a newer feel to it, although it’s not nearly as nice as Carl’s, and the vibe is definitely different. The crowd here is younger, more of a college, frat boy crowd.
“So, what is this place?” I turn back to her.
“I used to work here,” she says, leaning back into the booth.
“You did?” I ask, surprised.
“Yeah, as a bartender.” She nods. “I actually got fired from this place the night I met you in Carl’s.”
“Now it makes sense.” I nod, a smirk on my face.
“What?” she asks.
“Why you were in such a bad mood that night,” I say. “You got fired.”
“You really want to get into what else put me in a bad mood that night?” She raises a brow at me, teasingly.
“Nope.” I shake my head.
“I thought so.” She laughs.
“So, why’d you get fired?” I ask her.
“Technically, I was late a few too many times,” she says. “Realistically, my twenty-year-old manager was a dick who got his ego crushed when I refused to fuck him.”
My eyes widen, and I fight to hold back the laughter. “Wow, okay.” I nod. “Did you report him?”
“No one gives a fuck in a place like this. But it’s fine, I handled it.” She shrugs. “It’s just been really rough, you know? Apparently, all my bosses are obsessed with me,” she jokes.
“Very funny.” I chuckle.
“You should be honored,” she says. “You’re the only one I’ve actually fucked.”
“Hmm. And is that all we’re doing?” I ask her. “Fucking?” I lean forward, resting my forearms on the table.
“You know it’s not.” She shakes her head, a small smile on her face. “That part is pretty great. But it’s a lot more than that,” she says genuinely.
“Good,” I say, right as a waitress walks up to our booth.
“Sawyer?” she asks.
She looks young, probably still in college, but her face is covered in bold makeup, probably to make her look older.
“Hey, Tammy.” Sawyer smiles. “How are you?” she asks.
“Uh, I’m good.” She looks around anxiously. “You know Josh is here tonight,” she says, her eyebrows raised.
“Aw, how is Joshy boy?” Sawyer asks, sounding like she really couldn’t care less.
“He’s actually still pretty mad about what happened,” she says nervously. “He’s always asking if any of us still talk to you and threatens our jobs if we do.”
“What the fuck?” Sawyer sits up straighter, looking surprised.
“Is this the manager?” I ask her, and she nods.
“Didn’t he fire you? Why’s he mad?” I ask.
Sawyer chews her lip between her teeth, looking like she’s trying to hold back laughter.
“What’d you do?” I ask her.
“I basically called him a small dick loser,” she says. “And then he wanted my company shirt back, so I took it off, threw it at him, grabbed a shirt from lost and found, and then had Tammy here pour me some tequila shots at the bar to celebrate my newfound freedom.”
“Of course you did.” I laugh under my breath. To anyone else, it might seem crazy, but all I can do is admire her. She’s fearless. I love that about her.
“Yeah, I don’t suggest firing me. I tend to make a scene.” She shrugs. “Speaking of, can you grab us some drinks, Tam?” she asks, her voice sugary sweet.
“Um. Okay.” She nods. “What can I get you guys?” she asks.
We give her our drink orders, and she quickly scurries away back to the bar. I watch Sawyer eye her as she does, as if she’s watching her for something.
“What is it?” I ask her.
“Hold on, I’m waiting for it,” she says, her eyes still glued to Tammy.
“Waiting for what?” I ask.
“That.” She laughs to herself, nodding over to where she’s looking.
I turn my head to see Tammy talking to a short, younger-looking guy. Whatever she says has his face turning bright red.
“Tammy’s a suck-up,” Sawyer says. “Pretty sure she was hired as my replacement before I was even fired. I knew she’d tell Josh that we’re here.” She shakes her head. “I’m sorry, I figured it would be crowded enough that we could blend in here.”
“You don’t have to apologize, the guy sounds like an asshole,” I say. “You think he’ll come over here?” I ask.
“Oh, definitely.” She sighs.
“Okay.” I nod to myself, standing from my side of the booth and moving to slide in next to her. “So, let’s give him something to actually be jealous of,” I whisper in her ear, her body shivering against mine.
“Yeah?” She raises a brow at me, a daring look in her eyes.
In all my life, I’ve never been the kind of guy to mess around in public. I’m a father. I have responsibilities. Even in college, I was always the guy who kept it together and looked out for everyone else.
But now, with Sawyer, I feel like I finally get to let go a little bit. To give up the reins of control a little and live life in a way that I never have.
“Yeah.” I reach under the table, my hand gently brushing up the inside of her knee. She’s wearing a short black skirt with thin black tights underneath it.
I rub my hand over her tights, up her thigh until I get to the very top of her inner thigh. I dig my fingers into the thin material and pull until I hear a rip.
Her eyes meet mine as I press my fingers through the new hole, her pupils blown with desire. I rub two fingers up and down over her underwear, feeling how wet the fabric is.
“You’re soaked,” I whisper as I push the material to the side, slipping a single digit inside of her.
She gasps at the feeling, immediately clenching around me. She reaches out, grabbing onto my thigh, her nails digging into me as if she needs it to keep still.
“Sawyer.” A whiny voice grabs my attention, and I turn my head to see Josh, her old manager, standing on the other side of the booth. He sets our drinks down in front of us and then crosses his arms in front of him, scrutinizing us.
Considering how dim the lighting is and that he’s about a foot or so away from us, there’s no way he can see what’s going on beneath the table.
“Josh,” she says, her voice only sounding slightly unsteady as I continue to move my finger in and out of her, coating it in her wetness.
“Didn’t think I’d ever see you back here,” he says, sounding annoyed. “Who’s your friend?” he asks, looking at me.
I barely acknowledge him, instead adding a second finger, slowly moving them in tandem.
“Yeah, well, I was thirsty,” she says, her voice sounding like she’s out of breath. “This is Damien King.” She pushes her hips into me slightly, biting down on her lip to hold back the moan I can tell she’s dying to let out.
“So, you didn’t come here with your boy toy to try and make me jealous?” he asks. “Because I’m not, Sawyer. I’m very happy with Tammy now,” he says smugly.
“Fuck,” she gasps as I press my thumb to her clit, her eyes rolling to the back of her head for just a second before she forces herself to look at Josh again. “Poor girl.” She shakes her head, and his face turns red in anger.
“Don’t you have some managing to go do?” I ask, sounding bored.
“You should probably finish your drinks and go,” he grits out through clenched teeth. Then he looks at me. “You should get out while you can, she’s not worth it.”
“You don’t know shit about her worth,” I say through gritted teeth.
“He just wishes he did,” Sawyer adds, a forced smile on her face. “Run along, Joshy boy.”
He scoffs, his jaw clenching like he wants to say something else, but instead turns around and walks away.
Sawyer faces me, gripping my hand to stop the movement the second he does.
“Bathroom,” she says, her voice sounding like she’s been holding her breath. “Now. Let’s go.” She nudges me, and I chuckle at the urgency.
I don’t hesitate, pulling my fingers out of her and sliding out of the booth. She slips out after me, grabbing my hand in hers and dragging me to the single-stall bathroom that says employees only in the back of the bar.
“Good thing they’re idiots here,” she says, lifting up the mat on the ground in front of the closed door. She takes a key out from under it and unlocks it.
She pulls me inside, closing and locking the door behind her. Then she yanks me toward her, slamming her lips to mine.
I don’t hesitate to kiss her back, her tongue immediately finding mine. She kisses me like she’s starving for more, like she needs it.
I know I do.
I slide a hand under her ass, easily lifting her, and she wraps her legs around me. I push her against the door, her back banging against it, but she doesn’t even seem to notice.
I slide the hand not holding her up between us, my fingers finding her drenched pussy again. I slip two digits inside, curling them to hit the spot I know she loves, and she throws her head back against the door, crying out.
“Fuck, don’t stop,” she begs. “I’m so close,” she moans, her clit practically throbbing under my thumb.
I pick up my pace, rubbing circles over her clit as I move my fingers inside her, and it’s no time at all before she’s exploding all over my fingers.
“Damien,” she cries out, loud enough that people outside the bathroom could probably hear.
She clenches around me as she soaks my fingers. Her head is tilted back, her eyes are falling closed, and her breath catches. It’s a fucking sight to see.
I slow my movements as she comes down, her body slumping against mine. I gently let her legs fall, placing her down on the ground. I reach my fingers to my lips, sucking them clean and groaning at the sweet taste.
“You think the whole bar just heard me?” she asks, a small laugh falling from her lips.
“Kind of hope they did.” I smirk. “Let them know you’re all mine.”
“Hmm.” She smirks, reaching down and unbuttoning my jeans. “That I am.” She looks up at me as she drops to her knees, pulling my jeans and briefs down as she does.
She reaches up, taking my length in her hand, rubbing me up and down a few times. Then she leans forward, licking me from base to tip, before wrapping her lips tightly around me.
“Fuck, Sawyer,” I groan, my hips subconsciously jerking into her.
“Mmm.” She moans around my cock, suctioning her lips tighter as she moves up and down my length.
Her eyes flutter up, watching me as I hit the back of her throat. She relaxes, taking me even deeper, and I fist my hand in her hair to hold myself steady for a second before she makes her way back to my tip.
She circles her tongue around my tip in a circle before gliding it back down the underside of my cock. Reaching up, she lets her hand take over as she sucks on my balls.
I groan, my balls heavy and throbbing in her mouth.
She rubs her thumb over my tip, smearing the precum that’s accumulated there, before she works her way back up, sucking me deep into her mouth again.
I grip the strands of her hair tightly, struggling to let her keep control.
“Stop fighting it,” she says as she pulls away, seemingly knowing what I’m thinking. “I’m yours, right?” she asks.
“Yes.”
“Then prove it.” She dares.
“You want me to fuck that pretty mouth of yours, sweetheart?” I press my cock against her pouty lips.
“Yes,” she says, her voice confident. “Fuck my mouth, Damien.”
I don’t hesitate, pulling her face toward me and shoving my cock between her lips. She wraps them around it, greedily sucking me into her. I pick up my pace, fucking her mouth like my life depends on it. She takes it expertly, moaning around my cock as I slip it in and out of her lips.
“Such a good girl.” I groan, pressing myself to the back of her throat and holding. “Look at you choking on my cock,” I say, and she does, saliva dripping down her chin, tears bursting from the corners of her eyes. “So fucking beautiful.”
I pump into her a few more times before I feel my balls tighten.
“Sawyer,” I call out as I come into her mouth. She swallows everything I have to give, licking her lips as she pulls away.
I pull her up and press my lips to hers in a bruising kiss. She kisses me back until we’re both out of breath, my forehead resting against hers as we pull away.
“Now they all heard that you’re just as much mine as I am yours,” she says, a satisfied smile on her face, and I laugh.
“You ready to get out of here?” she asks. “Maybe go back to my place for a little and finish what we started?”
“Absolutely.” I nod, zipping my pants back up and straightening out my shirt.
She doesn’t bother to fix her messy hair or try to hide what we were just doing in here, instead, she confidently walks out of the bathroom with no shame. She interlaces her fingers with mine as we walk back into the crowded bar.
Josh is standing by our table, his eyes wide as he watches us walk back over. He doesn’t say anything as we stop in front of the table, his eyes glancing back and forth between the two of us in confusion.
I reach into my pocket, pulling out my wallet and taking out a hundred dollar bill. I set it down on the table, my eyes locked on his.
“Keep the change,” I tell him. “You definitely need it more than me,” I say, a condescending tone in my voice.
“It’s been great seeing you, Joshy.” Sawyer smirks at him, her lips still red and swollen from having my cock between them. “Oh, I almost forgot.” She pauses, reaching her hand into the waistband of her skirt and pulling out the key to the bathroom. “Here you go.” She presses it to his chest, a wide smile on her face.
He grips the key, his eyes widening even more as he stares at it in the palm of his hand. His face turns nearly purple, and it looks like he’s trying to speak but can’t get any words out.
Sawyer throws her head back, laughing loudly as she pulls me with her toward the front of the bar and out the door. I follow her easily, unable to help the laugh that bursts out of me too.
All I can think is that I want to laugh like this with her forever.