Chapter Five
Sabrina closed the door to the bedroom she would be using while stuck in this cabin. This room. Not Sawyer’s. What the hell had she been thinking? “Hey, sis. I’m fine. I didn’t understand how quickly the storm would get bad and I tried to run an errand before I went home.”
“Run an errand?” her sister asked. “On Sawyer’s mountain? There’s not much up there. Did you get lost? Did you forget the turnoff to Dad’s place?”
She knew exactly how to get to Mel and Cassidy’s. “No. It turns out Sawyer is my landlord.”
“He is? Huh. I thought Marie handled it for you.”
Her sister didn’t know everything about Bliss. “She’s only the agent and she’s out of town. I really wanted to get the electrical system looked at.”
“I told you Hale would do it. He’s not going to charge you,” Elisa insisted.
“He shouldn’t have to,” Sabrina countered. “My landlord should do it, and he should pay Hale if he does the work. It’s not fair. He’s agreed to let Hale look at it. They can sort it all out when the storm’s over.”
“Wyatt said you had an accident.” Elisa sounded concerned.
“It’s minor.” If she didn’t convince her sister, she would try to get up the mountain. “I wasn’t going very fast, but my tires slid and I ended up hitting a tree and getting stuck. I had to walk to get to Sawyer’s place. Though I didn’t know it was Sawyer’s place. I mean, I knew it was Sawyer. I just didn’t know Sawyer was Sawyer.”
“Oh, no. What did he do?” Elisa asked. “You’re talking like you did in high school when you had a crush but didn’t want Mom to know because she would inevitably talk you out of trying to date because all men are evil and no relationship ever works out.”
Did? What had Sawyer done? Well, he’d awoken her sleeping beast because she’d kind of thought she was done with sex. Even as she’d gone on her last date, her heart hadn’t been in it. Sex was awkward and so far not worth the embarrassment. She’d had exactly two lovers, and neither of them had been the stuff of romance novels. She wasn’t sure why she thought it would be different.
But she did.
“I’m flustered. It’s been a rough day, but I’m fine and the guys are nice. They said I can stay here until the storm passes. I need to call Del. She’s going to have to open the school on Monday. Sawyer told me we likely won’t be able to get off the mountain until Tuesday.”
“That’s what Nate told me, too,” Elisa admitted. “I can try to get up there on a snowmobile if you need me to.”
She wasn’t going to risk her sister’s life because she’d made a fool of herself. “I’m fine. Like I said, I’m safe and warm. I will admit it’s awkward to be here with two strangers.”
Elisa was quiet for a moment. “So I haven’t talked about this because I didn’t think anything would come of it. Sawyer’s not exactly your type.”
“Do I have a type? I kind of thought my type was only found in fiction.” It was what she feared.
“Fair,” Elisa conceded.
“What haven’t you told me?” She wasn’t sure she wanted to know.
“There are a couple of times I’ve heard people talk about what happened last year at the Christmas party,” Elisa began.
She knew this story well. “He was an asshole to me.”
“He behaved out of character,” her sister countered. “I don’t know the guy well, but he’s always calm. I’ve had to go out to Hell on Wheels and handle a few situations. Sawyer’s not exactly friendly but he’s a solid guy, and he’s not rude without provocation. Everyone in town still talks about how he reacted to you.”
She had no idea the people were still talking about that night. She’d thought only she and Nate and Callie had noticed. “He told me it’s because he’s attracted to me and he doesn’t want to be. So he’s not merely rude. He’s cruel.”
Now her sister seemed genuinely taken aback. “I’m surprised. He’s not known for lying. Quite the opposite. He’s brutally honest. What’s going on up there?”
She shouldn’t have said anything at all. Except she kind of needed advice. “He kissed me.”
“Sawyer did?” Elisa asked with a gasp, and Sabrina could hear her boyfriend Van say something in the background. “Van wants to know if Wyatt’s there, too.”
“He was in the kitchen.”
“Van thinks that was a dirty play on Sawyer’s part because Wyatt’s been following you for months,” Elisa said. “Really? And you didn’t mention that to me? Sabrina, according to Van, Wyatt makes puppy-dog eyes your way, and he got sad when he saw you out with the Creede boys. Hang on.”
“Hey, Brina,” Van’s deep voice came over the line. “So when you come into Trio and Wyatt’s there, he always gets the server to change his table so he’s closer to you. However, when he saw you on your date, he sat at the bar and talked to me all night about this woman he’s interested in but hasn’t been able to approach yet. He didn’t say your name, but I knew who he was talking about.”
Everything her sister’s boyfriend said confirmed what Sawyer had told her. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Uh, I’m going to give you back to Elisa.”
Elisa huffed. “Coward. Okay, I did know Wyatt was interested, but he and Sawyer, well, they have complicated pasts.”
Like she didn’t know that. “He said he used to be a criminal.”
“From what I understand, he was in a rogue motorcycle club for a few years,” Elisa explained. “Do you know what a one percenter is?”
“I’ve seen Sons of Anarchy. Something like that?” She’d seen the previews at least.
“Pretty much but worse. The Colorado Horde is bad, Brina,” Elisa said, her tone grim. “But from what Nate told me, he went in to try to save his brother. He got out when his brother went to jail because he took things too far and got caught. You should know Wyatt’s older brother is the current president of the MC.”
“But they both got out.” It was all in the past.
“Yes, and Wyatt’s adorable,” Elisa agreed, “but you should know there’s another side to him.”
She wasn’t sure where her sister was going. “Everyone has a dark side.”
“You don’t.”
“Of course I do,” Sabrina said with a sigh. “I just don’t show it, and the violence I would do would likely always be to myself.”
“Sabrina.”
“No. I’m not saying I’m in a bad place, but I have been, and I managed to get out of it. I’ve had dark thoughts. Men who want to truly take advantage of a woman don’t lay out all the bad facts and then try to convince her to sleep with them. They pour on the charm.” Now she could clearly see what Sawyer had been trying to do. Warn her. Wave all his red flags. “He told me he wants to sleep with me while we’re stuck but he won’t date me afterward.”
“Wyatt said that?” Elisa asked.
“No, Sawyer.” What did Wyatt want from her? The situation was bizarre, but she couldn’t help but be tempted. “Elisa, tell me I’m na?ve for thinking about telling them yes.”
A pause came over the line before her sister spoke again. “Do you think you’re getting a love relationship out of this?”
She was being realistic this time around. “No. I think I’m going to get an orgasm, and I would really like an orgasm, sis. I’ve never had a real one before.”
“You can’t be… I suppose you can be serious,” Elisa said with a sigh. “I know it couldn’t have been easy trying to date when you were living with our mom. And then I needed you.”
She could hear her sister getting emotional. Elisa had gone through breast cancer with surgery and chemo and radiation. Sabrina had taken care of her. She couldn’t let her think anything but the truth. “I wouldn’t take any of it back. I was so grateful I could be there for you. Not a second, Elisa. I wouldn’t change anything.”
“But you don’t have anyone to take care of now. You deserve some wildness,” her sister said, sniffling. “You deserve some joy, and I won’t think any less of you if you take it. If you can take what he’s willing to offer and nothing more, then it’s not a bad idea as long as you’re careful.”
“Trust me. I have zero interest in Mr. Hathaway outside of his very hot body and what seems like his well-honed skills,” Sabrina admitted. “He’s not someone I would want to spend time with in the real world. I don’t know about Wyatt. The crime-family thing is a bit off-putting, but I also think he seems incredibly nice.”
“You don’t have to make any decision except whether you trust them enough to spend a weekend with them. If the sex is bad or you decide you don’t want them anymore, it could get awkward.”
Or if she was bad in bed. She had to assume Sawyer had a ton of experience. Wyatt, too, since he was stunningly beautiful. And they’d done this together before. Though apparently only a few times. They were still probably good at it. She wasn’t even sure she could have an orgasm.
A huff came over the line. “I know what you’re thinking and stop. You’re not bad at sex. You just haven’t had a lot of it. I think you’ll find most men have low bars when it comes to sex. If you’re willing and enthusiastic, they’ll be happy. I can’t believe we’re talking about this. Are you sure you don’t want me to set you up with someone…”
“More in my league?” Sabrina asked.
“Not what I meant,” Elisa said quickly. “I meant a couple of guys who would maybe fit better into your life. I think if you give Marshall and Knox a chance, you’ll see how great they are. One date doesn’t mean a thing.”
She didn’t want to argue with her sister. She also didn’t need permission. Her sister thought she needed to move right into a permanent relationship, but Sabrina wanted to go a little wild for once in her life. There had been no spark with her sister’s coworkers. They were great guys, and maybe she would be able to have a more open mind once she’d settled in. But for now there was only one experience in the world she wanted to have.
Even if it was the worst mistake she’d ever make. “You’re right. I’m being silly.”
Her sister was quiet for a moment, and Sabrina knew she was thinking about how to handle her. “You’re not being silly. Sabrina, I’m worried you’re not built for an affair like this.”
Her sister didn’t think she could handle having sex. Probably didn’t think she had those urges. She loved her sister, but somehow in that moment her sister sounded more like their mom. It wasn’t fair or right, but as Elisa talked about how she needed a man who would enjoy her lifestyle all she heard was how boring she was. How in a box she’d become. She’d moved her whole life for a fresh start. Not all relationships had to be forever. She’d skipped the part where she had fun with no expectations, where she lived in the moment. “Thanks, sis. I’m sure you’re right. I’m going to get some work done. Maybe some reading.”
“I feel like I’m letting you down,” Elisa said.
“Not at all.” Could she blame her sister? She was trying to protect her. “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine and in my right mind. The truth is Sawyer himself told me it would be better to not indulge this insane impulse.”
“It’s not insane. It’s just… I think you’re risking your heart, and I would hate to see it broken.”
By Sawyer? No way. He was a walking vibrator in her head. But she was never going to tell her sister. This was going to be her secret. Something for her and no one else. “Not going to be a problem. Good night. I’ll see you on Tuesday.”
“I’ll call you before then.” Her sister’s voice had gone low, concern plain. “If there’s any way for me…”
She needed to shut that shit down now. If she was doing this, then she wanted all the time she could have. “Do not waste resources and put yourself in danger when I’m perfectly fine. I’m not joking, Elisa. I will see you on Tuesday. Good night.”
She hung up before her sister could argue with her. Elisa had been extremely nonhelpful. She’d basically mirrored Sabrina’s own emotional state, pinging back and forth between good idea and terrible idea. Somehow hearing it from someone else made her decision clear.
So maybe she had been helpful. If Elisa hadn’t flip-flopped and made her see how ridiculous she was being, Sabrina would still be questioning herself. Instead, she carried the phone back toward the living room. She’d expected to find them in the kitchen, expected to have to figure out what Wyatt had been so upset over since according to everyone this was exactly what Wyatt wanted.
Instead, they stood in the living room, side by side. A pair of absolutely delectable treats, the kind she’d never been offered before.
She wasn’t in their league, couldn’t even begin to keep up with them sexually.
But damn she was going to try.
“Sabrina, we would like very much to have an open and honest conversation with you,” Wyatt said, the expression on his gorgeous face so serious.
Had he been watching her? Waiting for a good time to ask this question? And Sawyer’s eyes went right to her breasts. If he wasn’t lying, then he wanted her. It felt like he wanted her.
An ache opened inside of Sabrina, one that could only be filled by them.
“I want you to understand if you say no, it’s one hundred percent cool. If you feel uncomfortable, I’ll find a way to make you comfortable. There’s no pressure,” Wyatt was saying.
“Uh, if she says no, it’s totally going to be awkward,” Sawyer muttered under his breath.
He was not an optimist. She was done with talking. Words didn’t do a damn thing for her right now. She’d overanalyzed everything her whole life. Now she wanted to feel.
Sabrina walked straight up to Wyatt and went on her toes and pressed her lips to his.
* * * *
Wyatt had been about to tell Sawyer to shut his mouth when Sabrina was suddenly all up in his space, her breasts pressing against his chest and his cock immediately at attention. He was so shocked he stood there for a moment, letting her soft lips brush over his.
“I’ve been told you might like me,” she whispered.
Okay, so now he wasn’t so pissed at Sawyer, who’d almost surely told her his secret since he’d been excellent at hiding it. “I think you’re gorgeous, Sabrina.”
Her hands found the tops of his shoulders and her eyes came up, staring at him with an innocent lust that damn near flattened him. “I think you’re gorgeous, Wyatt. I don’t want to admit it because it’s going to go straight to his already big head, but Sawyer’s not bad himself.”
Sawyer snorted.
This felt more intimate than anything he’d had before. “He’s not as egotistical as he seems. He’s hiding a bunch of unprocessed childhood trauma. And adult trauma.”
“I processed it all,” Sawyer argued. “I don’t need to write a double album about it.”
He felt his lips tick up as he stared down at Sabrina. She was beautiful, with lush lips and wide eyes and a nose he wanted to drop a kiss on. It felt right to be here with both of them, safe and warm in this cabin. “He’s talking about my musical preferences. When I lived with my family, it was all screaming rock songs. Turns out I like Taylor Swift.”
“I do, too,” she said with a grin. “So you mentioned we should have a talk. How about we skip it and I say yes?”
All he needed was a yes, but he found himself deeply enjoying talking to her. Flirting with her, his hands finding the curves of her hips. “How about I take your yes and run with it? If we talk, Sawyer will go into all the ways he’s damaged and can’t possibly have any kind of a human relationship outside this cabin.”
She turned her head slightly, and Sawyer shrugged.
“He’s not wrong,” Sawyer said.
She winked his way. “I promise I won’t ask for a ring unless it fits around your neck and I can strangle you with it. After, of course.”
“After,” Sawyer said, moving in beside them. “Did I mention how mean you are?”
It seemed like every time Sawyer managed to get the super-sweet woman to take a swipe at him, his interest went through the roof.
“You bring out the bad in me,” she said and then looked back to Wyatt. “How does this work? I’ve never… I mean I have…”
“You’ve never had this kind of sex,” Wyatt concluded. “It’s pretty much the same except with four hands on your body.”
“And there are two dicks,” Sawyer added as though she wouldn’t be able to figure it out.
“No, there’s one dick and then there’s Wyatt,” she shot back and went on her toes.
She was fucking perfect. He lowered his head, letting his mouth find hers as Sawyer groaned and moved in behind her. Wyatt kissed her for real this time, allowing himself to take control. He moved one hand up to cup the back of her neck while the other wrapped around her waist, pressing her against him. He let his tongue run over her plump bottom lip and then inside when she flowered open for him.
“I was only trying to make her understand we’ll both want her,” Sawyer said, his voice deep and thick with arousal. “I didn’t want her to think we would like whisk her off to one of our bedrooms and she’d only be with one of us. We’re not switching off. If we’re doing this, we’ll all stay in the big bedroom for the weekend.”
Her eyes looked a bit glazed when Wyatt let go of her mouth. “Yeah, I got that part. My sister’s boyfriends don’t pass her off to each other on a nightly basis. They’re all in one big bed. I have to say, it sounds nice.”
“It is nice.” He intended to make it so nice for her she would overlook the fact that Sawyer was an ass who was going to fight this tooth and nail for a long time. Eventually he would come around. At some point, Sawyer would think it was nice, too. “But you know what’s going to make it even nicer?”
Sawyer was already turning her his way, getting his mouth on hers so she couldn’t answer.
“Getting you naked.” It was time to take charge. This was where he felt the most in control. When he was with a woman, giving her pleasure and affection, taking care of her needs.
This was everything he’d wanted since the day he knew he was going to find a way to leave the club. By any means necessary.
She made the sweetest mewling sound as Sawyer seemed to try to inhale her. No matter what the asshole said, he was so into Sabrina. Wyatt had known him a long time, and he’d never seen Sawyer react to a woman the way he was now. Wyatt watched as Sawyer turned her fully toward himself, his hands cupping that luscious ass of hers.
They looked good together. She was small and curvy to Sawyer’s blatant masculinity.
Wyatt sat down on the couch, willing to watch the show now that he understood he wasn’t being left out of it. He’d let all those old voices play with his head, and he wasn’t going to do it again. He was in a good place now, and he was going to enjoy it.
Damn, but he was going to enjoy her.
Sawyer finally let her breathe, turning her around so she faced Wyatt. “He wants to see you naked. I want to see you naked, too. I want to be naked with you most of the next couple of days, so you should be aware.”
“It’s cold,” she said but with a breathy laugh that went straight to Wyatt’s dick.
“We’ll keep you warm,” Wyatt promised. “Now let me see you. Do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted to see you stripped down and naked for me?”
“Apparently since the first time you saw me.” She seemed to stop and lose a bit of the confidence she’d walked into the room with. “I heard a rumor, but it might not be true.”
“You were sitting in the park with your sister and you were drinking coffee. Black with two sugars. I had been walking back to my bike. I had some errands to run.” He’d had to see Doc Burke to check on the burn wounds he’d taken. He’d been aching, and then he’d seen her. “You were sitting there and you laughed. I love the way you laugh. And then I saw you and I thought you were the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.”
She took a moment before she replied. “I know I shouldn’t believe you.”
“He’s not smart enough to lie,” Sawyer snarked.
Sabrina turned and frowned at him. “You need to stop teasing him. He’s obviously smart. You said he grew up rough, and he’s managed to make something of himself. He got out. That makes him smart.”
He wasn’t sure about how smart he was, but he deeply enjoyed the way she defended him. He knew she was going into this whole encounter with Sawyer’s words in her head. She thought she could spend the weekend with two bad boys and get out with a smile on her face and the town none the wiser.
He was going to make sure she couldn’t walk away.
“I sat down on the bench across from you and you never noticed me. You were far too busy talking to every kid who walked by,” Wyatt continued. “Your eyes would light up and then you would talk to them and give the kid a high five or a hug. You seemed to know exactly how to handle them all.”
“I was new in town, and someone clearly had called around and said I was in the park. And the moms and dads brought out all their kids to meet me,” she said wistfully. “It was a lovely way to start to get to know everyone.”
“I had also just moved here, and seeing you sitting there made me sure I’d done the right thing,” he said. “But I’m sure Sawyer would say I’m going too fast, so let’s concentrate on getting you naked because I assure you I wanted to see you that day, too. Whatever you’ve heard it’s true. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. So be brave and hand Sawyer your shirt. Though you should know I like seeing you in my clothes. I’ll be sad when you’re back in your own.”
“Your disappointment will have to wait, because like I said, we’re keeping her naked.” Sawyer’s hands went to the hem of her shirt. “Let’s go, baby. Wyatt’s right. We’re taking too long.”
Wyatt had wanted to have a long discussion, but it was clear something the deputy had said to her sister had done the trick. It was good to know her sister didn’t have a problem with him. Sawyer was wrong. The people of the town seemed to like them both, though they did think Sawyer was kind of a dick most of the time.
Sabrina’s arms went up as she allowed Sawyer to drag the shirt over her head, and she wasn’t wearing a bra. Wyatt’s dick tightened again, almost painfully, but he was ignoring it because watching her blush under his gaze was everything. Her breasts were round and full and tipped with pink and brown nipples that hardened as she stood there. She was far more beautiful than he’d imagined. And he’d imagined a lot.
Sawyer’s big hands came from behind and cupped those lush breasts. She gasped and then her eyes closed and she leaned back into him, biting her bottom lip.
How long had it been since she’d been adored the way they were going to adore her tonight?
He’d watched her, carefully listened to how people spoke about her, had gotten to know what they thought about her in town. Sidney Carmichael adored her on every level. She worked at Hell on Wheels and her kid was in one of Sabrina’s classes. Sidney practically worshipped the ground she walked on.
So he’d known she was smart and kind.
Watching her handle Sawyer was a revelation, though.
Watching how she melted against him made Wyatt want to join them. But he had a point to make. He was perfectly willing to go with the flow, to put others’ needs in front of his own. There was one place he needed control.
“Off with the pants, Sabrina.”
Before she could follow his orders, Sawyer’s hands were moving, thumbs hooking onto the waist band of the too big for her pajama bottoms and tugging.
“No underwear,” Sawyer said with a low chuckle. “I’m surprised.”
“It’s in the wash,” she replied, flushing beautifully. “You didn’t give me any.”
“Don’t have any panties laying around, Teach,” Sawyer admitted. “And I might throw yours out altogether. You won’t need them.”
Her chin came up, and she turned on Sawyer, pointing a finger his way. “Don’t you dare. I will need them. Do you understand what I will do to you if you leave me pantiless come Tuesday morning?”
“He’s baiting you, sweetheart. He likes it when you get mean.” Wyatt liked the view of her gorgeous ass. “I’ll save your undies. Now come here and sit on my lap and I’ll explain to you how the rest of the night is going to go.”
Sawyer’s lips curled up. “You should do what he says. He’s kind of bossy when he’s horny. The good news is he’s totally chill the other ninety percent of the time. Now kiss me before he makes you pay him all the attention.”
Sawyer dragged her close, his hands going straight to her ass, cupping her cheeks while he inhaled her. Their mouths moved as they kissed, bodies tight against each other.
Then Sawyer pulled back, and one hand went around her torso as the other scooped her knees up. He lifted her easily, cradling her against his chest.
Sabrina’s eyes had gone wide. “You picked me up.”
“Don’t say it,” Wyatt warned.
“I’m too heavy. You could hurt your back.” She said it.
“Now you’ve done it,” Sawyer said with a wince. He walked with her, not showing a single sign her sweet weight bothered him at all. Because it wouldn’t.
Sawyer deposited her onto Wyatt’s lap, and he suddenly had a bundle of soft, sweet femininity in his arms. He wanted to roll her over on the couch and cover her with his body. But he had a point to make.
“Sabrina, I won’t listen to you talk badly about yourself. I won’t allow anyone else to either, but definitely not you. You are gorgeous and made of curves I find so fucking sexy. I assure you Sawyer and I could carry you around all day and never feel your weight.”
“You’re sweet,” she said with a shy smile.
“Here’s the not sweet part,” he offered. “I’ll give you this one. You didn’t know the rules. Now you do. Say it again and I’ll spank that sweet ass of yours.”
Her mouth came open but her eyes had gone soft.
Score one for him. He’d known damn well she would be sexually submissive. She probably needed it. She seemed like the kind of woman who put everyone else in front of herself, who deep down worried any kind of pleasure was selfish. So he would give her a place where it wasn’t until she could understand how much she deserved a man’s adoration. “Spank me?”
He felt his lips curl up as he smoothed back her hair. “Yes. I’ll turn you over my knee and I’ll stroke my hand over your cheeks, and then when you’re not quite sure what I’m going to do, I’ll smack your sweet flesh until it’s pink and you’re hot and your pussy is dripping with arousal.”
She bit her bottom lip. “See, now it doesn’t sound like a threat.”
“Oh, it is,” Wyatt promised. “But the best kind because I think you’ll like it. If you don’t, then it’s off the table. But, baby, I don’t want to hear you talk badly about yourself. Call Sawyer an asshole all you like. Tell him he’s a rude prick, but don’t say anything about yourself.”
“That’s fair,” Sawyer agreed because he was pretty self-aware.
“You’re like some of the other guys in Bliss, aren’t you?” Sabrina asked.
“If you’re talking about whether I’m into the D/s lifestyle, not in any formal way. It’s for fun, baby. If you’re asking if I need to be in control during sex, pretty much, yes. I have some things I went through as a younger man, and I’m still processing them, but I don’t know if I’ll ever be willing to do certain things. Even things I would like to do to you, so I know it’s not fair.”
Her gaze softened, and she put a hand to his cheek. “What things, Wyatt?”
He shook his head. “Not tonight. I want tonight to be about you.”
He didn’t want to tell her his secrets—would never tell her all of them. Not tonight. Not until she knew him better. He had to prove he wasn’t the man his father and brother had tried to make him be. And it started with pleasure.
When he leaned toward her, her arms went around him and he knew he’d won.
For now.