Page 3 of Sawyer (The Maddox BRAVO Team #1)

Camille

I sip lemonade slowly, savoring the tart-sweet burst on my tongue, trying not to notice how my heartbeat hasn’t quite settled since Sawyer Maddox walked into my life with his rugged charm and bulletproof everything.

Sawyer’s presence fills the entire kitchen.

The man is a solid wall of muscle, dressed in dark tactical gear that outlines every broad, chiseled plane of his body.

He stands at the kitchen island, examining that cursed envelope he confiscated in the hallway.

His brow is furrowed in concentration, the deep lines emphasizing his seriousness.

I can't help but find his intensity fascinating, even if it represents everything I’ve fought to escape—control, limitations, rules.

“You’re staring,” he says without looking up, his voice smooth with just enough gravel to make my skin prickle.

“I’m observing,” I correct lightly. “There’s a difference.”

He lifts his gaze, and the intensity in his eyes momentarily steals my breath. “And what have you observed so far?”

“You don’t trust easily,” I answer, setting my glass down carefully. “And you take yourself very seriously.”

A slow smirk tilts his lips, transforming his stoic expression into something mischievous and surprisingly enticing. “Is that a bad thing?”

“Depends on the context,” I say, matching his playful tone. “Are you this serious all the time, or only when you’re saving damsels in distress?”

“You don’t strike me as a damsel,” he replies smoothly, his gaze dipping just a fraction, enough to send warmth skimming along my skin. “More like trouble wrapped in paint-splattered denim.”

I chuckle, leaning against the counter, my fingers tracing idle patterns through a scattering of spilled sugar granules. “Maybe you’re smarter than you look, Mr. Maddox.”

“Careful,” he warns, eyes sparkling. “Underestimating me would be a mistake.”

“I’d never.” I shake my head dramatically, enjoying our little banter more than I should. “Underestimating you sounds like a dangerous game.”

“Yet you don’t seem scared,” he points out softly, stepping closer, his voice lowering to an almost intimate level. The air between us grows heavy, electric, charged with possibilities I shouldn’t even be considering.

“I don’t scare easily,” I whisper, chin lifted defiantly.

He leans slightly closer, the scent of cedar and clean linen wrapping around me. “Maybe you should.”

Before I can reply, Edgar clears his throat loudly from the doorway, and I quickly straighten. Sawyer retreats to a respectful distance, though the intensity of his gaze never wavers.

“Miss Kingsley,” Edgar says, eyes darting between us. “Mr. Maddox, Detective Hartley is here.”

Sawyer straightens instantly, slipping back into professional mode. “Good. Let's get this envelope to him.”

I follow Sawyer out to the foyer, where Detective Hartley stands, looking grim and official as always. Middle-aged with a graying buzz cut, he nods politely at me.

“Camille, sorry we’re meeting under these circumstances again.”

“Again being the key word,” I reply dryly. “You must be tired of my drama by now.”

“Never tired of keeping people safe,” he says earnestly, taking the bagged envelope Sawyer hands him. “We’ll run prints, check for DNA. Hopefully, we'll catch a break.”

Sawyer crosses his arms, his biceps straining deliciously beneath the fabric. “Any progress on your end?”

Hartley shakes his head. “No solid leads yet, but we’re watching closely. Miss Kingsley, please remain vigilant.”

Sawyer glances at me sharply, clearly translating ‘remain vigilant’ as ‘follow Sawyer’s orders without question.’ I offer a small salute. “Vigilant is my new middle name.”

Hartley gives a small smile, handing Sawyer his card. “Call me if anything changes.”

Once the detective leaves, Sawyer turns to me, expression steely. “How often do these letters come?”

I shrug, uncomfortable with the direction this conversation is taking. “Every few days, I guess.”

“You guess?” His tone hardens. “You need to take this seriously, Cam. Whoever this is, they're escalating. They want something, and they're not going to stop until they get it.”

“I am serious,” I argue, a stubborn edge creeping into my voice. “But hiding away won’t solve anything.”

“Neither will pretending it’s not happening.” He steps closer again, crowding my space, his eyes locked fiercely onto mine. “I can’t protect you if you keep acting like you’re invincible.”

My heart races under the heat of his stare, my breath catching slightly. “Maybe I don’t want to feel like I need protection.”

“You do,” he says quietly, firmly. “And you have it, whether you want it or not.”

We stand there, locked in a silent standoff, neither willing to back down. Finally, I sigh, relenting slightly. “Okay, I’ll listen. But you have to understand—I won’t stop living my life.”

“Fair enough,” he agrees after a beat. “Then we compromise. You keep me informed, and I'll keep you safe.”

“Deal.” I hold out my hand, surprised by the strength and warmth of his grip as we shake.

I pull away, suddenly needing air, distance. “Well, Mr. Maddox, if you’re planning to shadow my every move, I suggest you become familiar with my home studio. We have a mural to paint Saturday.”

“Lead the way.” His eyes soften, the intensity replaced by gentle amusement. “And remember, it’s Sawyer.”

“Right,” I say, smiling despite myself. “Sawyer.”

I head toward the side exit, feeling his presence behind me like a comforting shadow. We walk out into the sunlight, the lush gardens blooming vibrantly around us, the sweet scent of honeysuckle heavy in the air.

“My studio’s back here,” I explain, navigating the familiar cobblestone path. “It’s my sanctuary.”

He makes a soft, approving sound as he steps into my brightly lit haven. Paintings cover every surface—landscapes, abstract shapes, vibrant portraits. Sawyer stops to examine one canvas closely, head tilted curiously.

“Wow,” he whispers softly.

I approach, heart fluttering strangely at the vulnerability of sharing this space with him. “What do you think?”

He looks at me, admiration mingling with something deeper, more intense. “Beautiful. Complicated. Like their creator.”

My cheeks heat, but I hold his gaze. “Flattery won't earn you points.”

“Not flattery,” he says quietly. “Honesty.”

The air between us thickens once more, pulling me closer to him until I can almost feel the warmth of his body through the small space between us. Sawyer’s eyes drop to my lips, and my pulse thunders in response.

Just as I think he might actually lean in and kiss me, a sudden sharp sound shatters the moment—glass breaking, coming from somewhere outside.

Sawyer’s stance shifts instantly, his body shielding mine protectively. “Stay here.”

Heart pounding wildly, I watch him stride swiftly toward the sound, hand already at his side, ready. I’m left standing there, breathless, terrified, and undeniably exhilarated by the protective force that is Sawyer Maddox.

I already know he's trouble. The best kind.