Page 58 of Sinful as They Come (Sinful Trilogy #1)

Carter did as he was told, his eyes snapping open. Then he turned to me. “I’m sorry, Holly,” Carter said lowly.

“For?” prompted Sawyer.

Carter sucked in a sharp breath. “For… For…”

“For being a shitty boyfriend.” Sawyer suggested.

“For being a shitty boyfriend,” mumbled Carter, repeating the exact words.

“I didn’t deserve you. I’m sorry I fucked up so bad.”

“I… I didn’t deserve you. I’m sorry I fucked up so bad.”

“And now I’m gonna leave you alone, and never bother you again.”

“And now I’m gonna leave you alone, and… And never bother you again.”

Sawyer looked over at me, a small grin on his face. “You forgive him, Holly?”

I pressed my lips together, as if I was actually considering it. “Nope. But I appreciate the kind words.”

Sawyer laughed lowly before turning back to Carter, his eyes quickly darkening once again. He tightened his forearm against Carter’s neck, and I could have sworn I heard Carter let out a choked whine.

“Now, listen to what I’m about to tell you,” Sawyer began, his voice deadly serious.

“You stay away from Holly from here on out. If you’re really in need of a fight, you can come to me, and I’ll be happy to kick your ass.

But Holly?” That was when his voice lowered even more.

“You fucking stay away from her. You don’t look at her.

You don’t speak to her. You don’t even fucking think about her.

This is the last time you’ll ever get to talk to her, so fucking soak the moment in and understand that you lost the best thing that’s ever gonna happen to you.

From here on out, you look the other way when you see Holly, and you keep that big fucking mouth shut unless you want me to make it bleed. You got it?”

Carter said nothing. He just stared at the ground. I was so taken aback by his slumped over posture and the fear and shame in his eyes.

I was also in awe of Sawyer. Of how he was defending my honor. The sight of him standing there, looking as fierce and determined as ever, went straight to my heart. It was obvious he meant everything he was saying.

“I said, you got it?” Sawyer snapped.

“Yes! Fuck. I’ll leave her alone. Just get away from me.” Carter tried to shove Sawyer’s hands away to no avail. Sawyer was still stronger, and like he said earlier, so much quicker.

“Alright. Good talk.” Sawyer clicked his tongue and gave Carter a swift and sharp smack to the cheek.

Stifling a laugh, I watched as Sawyer finally took a step back from Carter. Carter rubbed his throat, coughing as he walked backwards, putting some distance between him and Sawyer. For a second, it looked like he was scurrying away. It was a sight I didn’t plan on forgetting anytime soon.

“Thanks for the help,” Carter muttered to Lucas.

“You deserved it, asshole,” was Lucas’ rapid, sharp response. He quickly turned around, back in the direction of the locker room.

“That asshole bothers you for even a second, you tell me, okay?” Sawyer turned around to look at me, pointing in the direction of where Carter and Lucas had just left.

There was a viciousness in his eyes. His protective nature had taken me over.

The way he had been talking, the way he had been shooting daggers Carter’s way.

Sawyer had literally scared him off, and it was all for me.

To keep me safe. To keep Carter’s harmful self away from me forever.

And I knew Carter was going to listen to him.

The fear and humiliation that had been on his face told me that.

So I couldn’t help myself when I pounced.

I threw my arms around Sawyer’s shoulders, pulling him down and into a heated kiss. He moaned quickly, his hands lowering to my hips as he guided me back and up against the wall. My hands went right to his hair, pulling at his locks as his tongue darted into my mouth.

As our tongues danced together all I could think about was much I trusted him.

I felt safe with Sawyer. In his arms I felt like no one and nothing could touch me.

It was exactly where I was meant to be. The fact just made me kiss him that much harder, so eager to feel him.

I wanted him as close as possible. I wanted him right next to me all night. I wanted him inside of me.

“Sawyer,” I whined, pulling away from his lips. My face felt so red, my breathing a little uneven as I stared up at him. Those green eyes pulled me right in. I had to have him. And I needed him to take me. I couldn’t wait any longer. Not one more night.

“You know I love it when you say my name like that,” groaned Sawyer.

I gave the side of his face a long, lingering kiss. My lips were right by his ear and my hands moved down to grab his own. I squeezed at them. They were so much bigger than mine and the fact made my heart race that little bit more.

“I need you,” I whispered to him.

“I’m right here, princess,” he said, chuckling lowly.

I squeezed at his hand a little tighter. “No. I need you. Really need you. I need to feel you, Sawyer. I need you to make love to me. Please. Please make love to me.”

He said nothing. He moved so he could look me in the eyes and I could have gasped at the sight of his. Sawyer was staring at me with what I could only describe as complete and total hunger. Was he feeling what I was?

“Is that what you want?” he murmured.

“That’s what I need .”

Sawyer just hissed in response.