Page 119 of Almost Ravaged

Probably to prevent himself from reaching for her again.

I strike the curmudgeonly thought from my mind, too caught up in observing the intricacies of their interaction to focus on my own reaction to whatever I’m witnessing.

“They’re doing really well,” he tells her. “I let the queen out of her clip and I haven’t seen any signs of robbing or aggression between the colonies.”

The bees.

They’re talking about his fucking bees.

How the hell does Sawyer even know about the bees?

I cross my arms over my chest and rock back on my heels. I’m undoubtedly giving off a vibe right now, which Noah is usually excellent at perceiving. Sawyer is impressively attuned to me as well. However, they’re so wrapped up in each other that neither senses my ire. Hell, maybe they’ve forgotten I’m here altogether.

“Here,” Noah insists, taking Sawyer’s bag off her shoulder.

She startles, but she regains her bearings quickly and lets him take it from her.

“I was just heading down there,” he says, his words rushed. “To the apiary, I mean. It’s going to be cold tonight. Most of the hives will be fine, but I’m going to wrap the new one in tar paper, just in case.”

Sawyer’s eyes widen and she stands a little straighter. “Can I help?”

My best friend lifts that damn hat off his head again, a clear tell. “No. I mean, you don’t have to—”

“I want to,” Sawyer insists. “I don’t have any other plans tonight. Just being here. With you.” She reaches toward him but pulls back quickly, her eyes darting to me. “And with Mercer.”

She mentioned me like an afterthought, but at least she has the decency to look embarrassed. I raise one eyebrow at the woman who’s monopolized my every waking nonacademic thought for weeks.

“By all means, Ms. Davvies. Don’t let me spoil your fun. If you want to spend the evening in the apiary with my friend, then that’s what you should do.”

She huffs, finally,finallysensing my mood. With a quick sidestep across the porch, she closes the distance between us.

Once she’s close enough for her sweet vanilla and warm apple pie scent to register, my anxiety wanes. Though a heartbeat later, my nerves start sparking to life and intrusive urges about touching and taking and claiming replace all my lucid, reasonable thoughts. Apparently, being physically close to this woman isn’t enough for my lizard brain. I want more, and I don’t care how it looks or what either of them thinks of my show of possession.

With a sharp intake of breath, I pull her closer and dig my fingers into the soft curve of her hip.

“Possessive asshole,” she huffs, the accusation so quiet I’m sure Noah doesn’t hear it, as she tries to shift away. She sweeps her hair to one side, peering up at me with narrowed eyes.

I snicker, my grip only tightening. “I’m as surprised as you are, Little Nuisance.”

Behind her, my best friend watches us, his attention laser-focused on the spot where I’m holding her tight.

“Okay. So…” Sawyer looks from me to Noah.

We’re too busy glaring at each other to ease her very warranted concerns.

“I, um, need to set up the camera for the time-lapse. I better get going. Otherwise I’ll miss sunset.”

This time when she pulls away, I let her go. I miss the warmth of her immediately.

“I just need—” She points awkwardly toward the bag Noah now has slung over his shoulder.

“Right. Sorry. Here.” He holds the bag out and opens his mouth, like he has more to say, but snaps it closed again, giving an imperceptible shake of his head.

“I’ll just be a few minutes.” She eyes me, then assesses him again. “Will you wait until I’m finished to check on the bees?”

Once he’s given her a nod and a low grunt, she turns on her heel and flounces down the steps, her supple ass bouncing with each stride.

I track the sway of her hips as she advances to the barn.