Page 20

20

SAWYER

W hen Jamie collects me from the dorm, his mood isn’t exactly upbeat. He takes the overnight bag from my shoulder, so chivalry is not dead, but there’s no kiss.

As we settle in the Porsche, I glance at him as I click my seatbelt. “How are you?”

“Well enough. You?”

For some reason his response casts me into the role of an Allendale. My tone is cool and pitch perfect. “I’m well. Thank you.”

Our seven-minute drive to the waterfront house is silent. I stare out the windshield, waiting for the other shoe to drop. If he’s angry Ash and I attended the Tronex event, why is he bringing me to his house?

In the guys’ parking lot, there’s a Honda compact next to War’s SUV.

“Whose car is that?”

“War’s got company.” Jamie leads me into the house through the main door.

As soon as we enter, we face the onslaught of music blaring down from above at an ear-splitting volume.

“Guess he’s not planning to have a conversation with him or her.” I glance toward the stairs to the second floor apartment. “Jesus, that’s loud. How are their ears not bleeding?”

Persistently silent, Jamie guides me toward the hall that leads to the guest room we used last time I was over.

Between tracks, a girl’s wail pierces the quiet just before screaming guitars resume. The female’s distress brings me a up short and causes my head to jerk so I’m staring at the rafters.

“Is—do you think everything’s all right up there?”

“It is, yeah.” Carrying my bag, Jamie takes my arm and guides me the rest of the way down the hall.

In the guest room, a collection of sex toys sits atop the nightstand, and black leather restraints with silver chains rest on the mattress.

I stare at the chains, my body suddenly on high alert. “Umm…”

Jamie drops my bag unceremoniously in the corner. “I’ve got a question for you, Sauce.”

Licking my lips, I drag my gaze from the bed to his face. “Yes?”

“Did Ashling tell you I sent her a text saying you guys weren’t to attend the party last night?”

My body goes rigid but my voice remains steady. “She was a little vague on details, but yes.”

Jamie leans back against the dresser, his muscles flexing. “So, you ignored what I said.” His tone is calm, but his cool eyes rake over me in an unfriendly way. “If you ever follow her lead in breaking an instruction I’ve given again, you and I will be done.”

His “matter of fact” tone sets my teeth on edge, even as my heart thumps with heavy beats. With fingers clenching into fists, I fight my natural urge to lash out.

For years, powerful people have tried to dictate how I live my life. And the more I’ve thought about Brad trying to intimidate me—and the way Ash flipped him off—the more I’ve realized how sick I am of walking on egg shells. Of being the one who always has to bend to others’ wills.

The wash-in magenta color was the first thing I’ve done to defy Allendale expectations. I knew my grandparents would consider it trashy, but it was popular with the girls in my prep school and was—as Dad pointed out—only temporary, so I got away with it. Which gave me an intoxicating taste of freedom. I’m hoping for more of that once I get into the Briar Club and cement my own future.

Playing a slave girl in bed is fun, but the last thing I want is some guy trying to control every moment of my life. I get more than enough of that already.

“Jamie, I need to clarify something.”

“What’s that?” From his tone, I can tell he doesn’t intend to meet me halfway.

Stiffening, I shake my head. “You know what? Never mind.”

Jamie folds his arms across his chest and studies me. “You sure?”

“Look, if you expect to dictate what I do when I’m not with you, you’re going to be disappointed.”

“It’s not about controlling you around the clock. But there were things in play last night that you know nothing about. And wouldn’t want to. So, next time, I expect you to listen.”

“Look, I’ve been a Tronex fan for a long time. Also, my roommate was going, and I would not have wanted her to go alone.”

His grim expression hits me like a blow. “Remind me, are you the one who protected Ashling when she got in trouble? Or were you the cause of it? And needing to be rescued as well?”

My jaw drops. “That’s so unfair!”

“Agreed. I needed to concentrate and keep the peace. Instead, I wanted to tear your brother’s fucking head off.”

“You didn’t?—”

“Don’t say it,” he snaps. “Do not fucking tell me I didn’t need to follow you down dark hallways or knock your brother to the ground to stop him from doing whatever the fuck he was trying to do by unmasking you.” His eyes narrow angrily. “And when I see your tits bouncing under a dress so thin I could tear it off with my goddamned teeth, all I want to do is shove you against a wall and fuck you. You’re the worst kind of distraction, Sawyer. You’re the one I can’t resist.” His breathing is harsh.

My brows rise, and I put my hand on his chest, trying to calm him, even though my own heart’s beating wildly. No one’s ever felt this strongly about me, and that is hard for me to resist.

He lowers his voice. “Don’t push me to end things early. That’s not what either of us wants.”

“You’re right. I don’t want it to end. Next time, I’ll do my best to get Ash to change gears.”

“Don’t worry about handling Ashling. My cousin is playing games, and you’re not going to be able to stop her. You just keep yourself away and safe when I ask.” Jamie pushes off the dresser to stand straighter, bringing our bodies close.

“It’s hard not to worry about Ash, Jamie. Most girls know to be careful. But she’s so?—”

“Never concern yourself when she’ll be with me. Years ago, that girl was the only one who got through to me when I needed it most. She could blow up a government building, and I’d have her back.”

The tension in my shoulders eases. “Sure, of course.” Licking my lips, I nod. “All right. I can’t promise to always go along with everything you say, but I won’t just ignore it. I’m willing to talk about anything that comes up.”

One brow cocks skeptically. “There won’t be anything to talk about, Sawyer. If I tell you to do something and you refuse, we’ll be done.”

I stiffen once again, but before I can say anything else, his thumb strokes my jaw and then presses against my lower lip.

“Now,” he says. “If you’re staying, get your clothes off.”

Glaring at him does nothing to erase his smug expression.

“The Briar Club formal is next weekend.”

Before I jump into bed for what promises to be a wild night, I need to know where we stand. The event organizer sent me a confirmation that she’d gotten the addition of my plus-one. Which was something Jamie apparently initiated on his own. When I heard, I’d been happy about it. I want to be sure he’s not planning to bail at the last minute.

“I know about the club formal,” he says. “I’ve already let them know I’m your escort.”

“So, you’re still planning to take me?”

“Of course. You’ve done what you promised. I’ll do the same.”

With a slow breath, I nod.

His intense focus moves from my eyes to my mouth. “Now strip, because I’m gonna use your body the way I wanted to use it last night.”

Every one of my nerves screams at once. But instead of running, as I probably should, my fingers drop to the hem of my sweater so I can pull it over my head.