Page 72 of Sinful as They Come (Sinful Trilogy #1)

HOLLY

“Watch your step, doll. Almost there, almost there.”

“Don’t let me fall!” I laughed.

“I’d never let you fall, Holly. Ever.”

I was grinning ear to ear as Sawyer covered my eyes with one of his hands.

The other was on my waist, guiding me forward.

We were in the library, and Sawyer was going to show me his completed painting.

He had been so busy with the project the last couple of weeks, and he had been keeping me away from it, not letting me even catch a glimpse of it until he was done.

I couldn’t wait to see the finished product.

“Alright. Open your eyes.”

Sawyer moved his hand away from my face and I quickly snapped my eyes open. And then a gasp left my mouth at the pure beauty I was seeing.

The painting was huge . I spotted a gorgeous combination of pinks and purples that took over the top of the painting, creating the most perfect of all sunsets.

Then came the dark purple mountains. The bottom of the painting made room for a sea of purple and yellow flowers, all dancing in what seemed like a calming wind.

And off in the corner was a house. A small one.

An old, classic looking one. My head tilted as I stared at the building.

At the white picket fence that surrounded it.

It all looked so wonderfully peaceful.

“I wanna crawl into this painting.” I spun around to look at Sawyer, smiling at him. “It’s so beautiful. From top to bottom. I love it. I’m so glad the library picked you to create their new art piece. No one else could have pulled this off.”

“You’re making me blush.” He rubbed at the back of his neck.

“You’re cute when you blush.” I stepped forward, throwing my arms around his shoulders.

“Nah, that’s you. But lemme show you something else.”

Sawyer spun me around with ease and gently pushed me forward, back over to his painting. I laughed softly, one of his hands on my waist while the other pointed at one of the many flowers on the canvas.

“That’s the one you painted,” he said with a whisper.

“Wait, what?”

“You don’t remember the flower you painted?”

“I definitely remember that. I’m just… I’m surprised you didn’t paint over it or something,” I told him.

My eyes stayed stuck on the flower Sawyer was pointing out.

The one I had done. It was my only contribution to his work, but I felt my heart skip a beat knowing he had kept it in there.

That day I painted it had been the first time we kissed.

“You kept it. Sawyer, that’s so sweet. Thank you. ”

“Pretty, little flower,” he mumbled into my neck. “Just like you.”

“It’s the messiest one.”

“It’s my favorite one.”

“You’re tickling me.” I giggled, his soft lips brushing over my neck. “But thank you for keeping my flower in your painting. I guess I’m officially an artist now.”

“Mm, what are you gonna paint next, huh?”

I hummed. “Well, I’d love to paint you. Maybe an artsy, nude painting.”

Sawyer snorted at that. “We definitely have to get you into my bed one day, in nothing but that little cheer skirt. And I mean nothing but that little cheer skirt. I’d have so much fun getting you to pose for me while I painted you.” He hummed, both arms wrapped around me as he squeezed me tight.

My eyes shut, getting lost in the thought of pure pleasure that would have brought both of us.

I was about to suggest to Sawyer that we make that happen instantly, but we had a date to get to.

The best part was that there was going to be no more hiding.

Sawyer was going to take me to one of his favorite spots out in the countryside, and we’d spend the afternoon together. Just us two.

“Hm, maybe tomorrow,” I suggested with a low voice, turning around to face him. “Because right now you promised me a romantic picnic in the countryside.”

His eyebrows rose. “Mm, yeah. You ready to go?”

“Yup!” I smiled, grabbing Sawyer’s hand as he guided me to the exit. “I’m so happy we don’t have to keep this a secret now. And I’m even more happy that my dad approved of us. It wouldn’t have stopped me, but lying to my parents was exhausting .”

“I know, princess. But we got through that, huh? And the other five hundred arguments we had in the past,” he said with a low chuckle. “Ain’t it funny how far we’ve come?”

“Funny indeed. Let’s get outta here. I’ll email Mrs. Tomlinson about the painting being finished! Expect your cheque in the mail soon,” I told Sawyer proudly as we walked down the library steps. “You definitely earned it.”

“And I plan on spoiling you with that money. Be prepared.”

We stopped in front of Sawyer’s truck, my eyes narrowing at him a little. “You don’t have to do that. Plus we have to get Brodie a housewarming gift!”

Sawyer rolled his eyes. “Don’t worry. I already got him a toaster. And a bunch of trivia games. Good luck to Lucas.”

“I still can’t believe they’re gonna be rooming together at college,” I let out with laugh.

I was glad all the people I cared about were getting what they wanted and deserved.

Brodie would be heading off to Boston College soon – he had received what he liked to call his “poor people scholarship”, and Annie got into CalArts after all her hard work.

“I can. Those two can’t get enough of each other. Anyway, I meant what I said. I do have to spoil you.” He held the door open for me. “You’re my girl. And I’ve gotta spoil my girl.”

“You’re already spoiling me with this picnic! You know it’s my dream date. ”

“What, I can only spoil you with one thing?” Sawyer smiled.

“Nah, sweetheart. I’ve got a few more jobs lined up after this one too.

Marve told me to get lost when I told him about all these new art projects I’m gonna be busy with, so all my time is gonna be spent on that.

That’ll keep me busy right through the summer until we move. So expect some pampering.”

My heart soared a little, beyond excited for Sawyer’s future. He had more painting gigs lined up thanks to more and more people finding out about his library project. So many people loved his work.

“You’re too sweet.” I gave him a slow kiss to the lips. “I’ll be sure to reward you for that this afternoon. You said this place is gonna be pretty much empty, right?”

A wide grin crossed Sawyer’s face, a little twinkle in his eyes. “Yup. This spot is pretty off the map. It’ll just be me and you…”

“Hm. Perfect.”

I kissed Sawyer again, moving my lips against his softly as he held me at my waist. It was funny how quickly things had changed.

But with all those changes came so many good things – with Sawyer being right at the top of the list. He was in my life in a way he had never been before, and I was so grateful that I got to see him every day without any sneaking around now.

New York was going to be even better. He’d have his art, I’d have my studies; but most of all, we’d have each other.

No more secrets, no more lies, no more hating each other.

Sawyer was it for me. He was the one I was supposed to be with, and I knew he’d spend the rest of our days making every last moment perfect.

In his own way, in his own time. And that was so, so fine with me, because I had every intention of doing the same thing.

All I wanted was for Sawyer to feel loved. Just as loved as he made me feel.

Holly and Sawyer’s story continues in Infatuated as They Come. Pre-order Book 2 here!

Holly Sutton has never been more in love. Picnics in the sun. Romantic dinner dates. And… a foul mouthed, rule breaking boyfriend that still climbs into her bedroom window every night just so he can kiss her goodnight.

Sawyer Westbrook’s not just the dangerous bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks to her.

Not just the guy with bruised knuckles, a crooked grin, and lips that always whisper the most sinful of things to her when he should be anywhere but in her bedroom.

He’s so much more than that now. He’s the one who owns her heart, love, innocence. All of it.

Things are perfect, and while she still can’t believe the boy she argued with every two seconds is the one who spends all his free time painting her, she couldn’t be happier—whether her dad approves or not.

But then the move happens. New York happens.

Holly is trying to chase her dreams, and Sawyer’s right there next to her…

until he isn’t. He starts missing dates.

Coming home far too late. Leaving before she even gets to tell him good morning.

Loneliness quickly becomes her best friend, and suddenly, it’s like their relationship is in crisis mode, and she’s never felt so alone.

Loving Sawyer is the easiest thing in the world.

Holding on to him, though? That’s the hard part.

Moving to New York City was meant to bring them closer together. But it might just be the thing that tears their love apart.

Out June 30.