Page 69

“You say that a lot, then.” Coy smirked, raising her face to Sawyer’s. The older woman smiled down at her, pressing a soft kiss to her lips.

“Perhaps.”

Things were silent for several minutes. Coy turned the game back on, content on cuddling with the woman she was absolutely crazy about. But one thing nagged at her, and she had to say it before it was all she thought about that afternoon.

“Sweetheart, if you’re willing, then there are ways to ease you into a clit orgasm.” She glanced up at Sawyer again, watching for any hint of rejection. “I could teach you how to pleasure yourself. Toys are amazing to use, too. You just let me know when and if you’re ready, okay?”

Sawyer pursed her lips. “I’m forty-three, McCoy. I’m too—”

“Don’t you dare say old,” Coy laughed, tickling her gently in the ribs.

Sawyer squeaked, falling back onto the sofa. Coy settled between her legs, kissing her again. Their eyes met, and Sawyer’s smile slowly faded as she gazed up at Coy. Feeling daring, Coy rocked her hips against Sawyer’s, not mistaking the slight hitch in her breathing.

“When you’re ready, there’s also this,” Coy whispered against Sawyer’s lips. “Good ol’ fashioned tribbing and penetration.”

Sawyer took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “Good to know, darling.”

“I wanna do it all with you, Sawyer. No one else.” Coy stroked the back of her hand over Sawyer’s scarred cheek, gazing at her with all the affection threatening to topple out.

Sawyer’s eyes closed, but she leaned into Coy’s touch. “You’ve never asked about them.”

“No.” Coy swallowed, thinking of the other scars she’d seen the night before. They were the same type of burns as her face, but the ones on her neck, breast, and ribs were fainter. It had been a shock to see during her exploration of Sawyer’s body, but the old wounds only made her more beautiful in Coy’s eyes. “You’ll tell me when you’re ready.”

Sawyer tensed underneath Coy. Had she said the wrong thing? Maybe she shouldn’t have touched the scar again, although Sawyer had warmed up to it last night when they were—

“It was a kitchen accident,” Sawyer spoke softly, opening her eyes to peer up at Coy. Turmoil had a front-row seat in her gaze, but she gritted her teeth, looking strong as ever. “I was deep frying potato chips and dumped a bowl of them too wet into the pot. The oil was too hot and exploded. That’s all I’ll say about it for now.”

“Okay.” Coy nodded, but inside, her heart was breaking for Sawyer. What a horrible thing for someone to go through. “Well …” She cleared her throat, flashing one of her disarming grins. “I don’t know what you looked like before, but it couldn’t possibly compete with how gorgeous you are now.”

Sawyer rolled her eyes. And then she laughed. Which was exactly what Coy had been going for.

“So, I’ve been thinking,” Coy said to Sawyer one night, two weeks later. They were cooking a late supper at Coy’s apartment, to which Sawyer had dubbed her their sous-chef for the occasion. It wasn’t a bad gig overall. So far, all Coy had to do was cut vegetables up and make a salad. Sawyer was just as efficient in the kitchen as Coy always suspected she was, and she got great satisfaction in watching her girlfriend expertly maneuver around the tiny space. Stuffed chicken breasts were baking in the oven, and there was a custard cooking for dessert on the stovetop.

“You’re always thinking.” Sawyer uncapped a bottle of lime sparkling water from the fridge, pouring half into two glasses. She held one out to Coy, a hint of a smile on her lips. “It’s actually one of your more endearing qualities.”

Coy’s eyebrows shot skyward in surprise. Sawyer openly expressing what she was feeling was new, and honestly, Coy couldn’t get enough of it. Her stomach swooped and dipped as nerves caught her in a chokehold, and she stammered, “Thanks, s-so like what if we went on a double date sometime, you know, with Lori and Cindy? I’ve only sort of met Lori once, but they seem important to you.”

Sawyer eyed her long enough that Coy grew uncomfortable and looked away. Then she heard her sigh. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, McCoy. Cindy is … she’ll make a big deal out of it all, and I want to enjoy what we have. Just you and I together, darling.”

What does that mean?

Coy frowned at the cryptic response. Did Sawyer think her friends wouldn’t like her? Was it the age gap she was worried about? Coy supposed that just because Lori had seemed fine with the idea of the relationship didn’t mean Cindy was.

Fuck, was Sawyerashamedof her?

The feel of Sawyer’s hand slipping into hers did little to soothe Coy’s mounting unease. Then Sawyer was pinning her against the counter so that their bodies were flush together. She held Coy’s gaze, reaching up to place a surprisingly strong hand along her neck.

“Is it so awful that I don’t want to share you?” Sawyer’s whisper was harsh, unforgiving, yet as she stroked the column of Coy’s throat, her eyes held a tinge of regret. “Cin is … a handful at times, and you and I are still getting to know one another. Why jinx it?”

Coy heard what she was saying and tried not to let her hang-ups bother her. Sawyer was right, after all. Regardless that their first kiss was almost two months ago, they’d only been officially dating for two weeks. Unfortunately, it wasn’t easy to put a timeline on her feelings or try to cram them into a box until Sawyer was ready to open them.

“It’s fine.” Coy forced a grin to her lips and pushed down the swell of disappointment.I’m being ridiculous,she thought.“We’re going at your pace. I haven’t forgotten.”

“Thank you,” Sawyer said, pressing a lingering kiss to Coy’s lips. Her fingers scratched the base of Coy’s hairline, managing to both entice and massage the tense muscles in Coy’s neck. Her eyes fluttered closed, a breathy sigh escaping when Sawyer’s lips found that little spot under her ear that drove her crazy. “Besides, ma chérie, haven’t you enjoyed having me all to yourself?”

Oomph. Sawyer sure knew how to play hardball. They’d been practically inseparable since Sawyer had shown up at Frankie’s. After work, they’d taken turns going to each other’s house, cooking or ordering takeout, watching a movie, and making out. Every part of it had been perfect, even the occasional awkward run-ins with Sloane. Who Sawyer was still wary of—and she was quick to remind Coy of that during their meal.

“You let your sister dip into your account whenever she feels like it?”