Chapter 4

Sawyer

I leanagainst the wooden fence, watching Nora laugh across the field, her hair catching the late afternoon sun like strands of gold. My chest tightens, a mix of pride and something darker, something hungry. She”s mine, and I intend to keep it that way.

”Hey, Sawyer!” Tommy Jenkins” voice cuts through my thoughts like a dull blade, and I straighten up, fixing him with a look that”s chilled more than one man to the bone.

”Tommy,” I say, my voice low and even. ”What can I do for you?”

He shuffles his feet, looking all of eighteen and too damn young to be messing with fire. I follow his gaze, and my jaw tightens. I’ve seen the way he’s been looking at Nora. I don’t give a fuck if he is one of my best ranch hands. ”Man, that Nora...”

There it is. The spark. It lights the fuse in me, jealousy coiling like barbed wire around my gut. All I can think about is wiping her name off his lips. I step closer, close enough for him to see the warning in my eyes, feel the threat rolling off me in waves.

”Listen here, boy,” I growl, my words deliberate and heavy with intent. ”Nora”s not the kind of girl you take out on some high school date. She”s...special.”

Tommy swallows hard, his Adam”s apple bobbing like a buoy at sea. ”Sawyer, I didn”t mean?—”

”Save it,” I cut him off, my glare unrelenting. ”Stay away from her, Tommy. This isn”t a request.”

He nods, taking a step back, and I know I”ve made my point clear. He”ll spread the word. Sawyer Blackwood”s got his sights set on Nora Davenport, and there”s not a damn thing anyone can do about it.

I watch him retreat, and unclench fists I didn’t even realize I’d made.

”Blackwood!” The voice behind me is like gravel, rough and grinding.

Edward Davenport, Nora’s father.

Shit-fire.

”Edward,” I reply without turning, already knowing this conversation is going to be as pleasant as a rattlesnake bite.

”You think I don”t see what”s going on?” Edward states, his tone accusing as he steps into my line of sight, brows furrowed with concern and something fiercer. ”You”re a grown man, Sawyer. What the hell are you doing with my daughter?”

”Easy, Edward,” I say, my voice calm but my insides churning. ”You”re reading it wrong.”

”Am I?” He”s practically spitting the words. ”She”s a kid, Sawyer. And you”re filling her head with ideas, showering her with attention. Don”t think I haven”t noticed.”

”Your daughter isn”t a child,” I say firmly, meeting his gaze without flinching. ”She”s a woman, and she knows her own mind.”

”Knows her own mind?” His laugh is bitter. ”You”re twice her age, and you”ve got experience she can”t even imagine. You could be using that, taking advantage...”

”Hey now,” I interject, feeling a flare of anger at the accusation. ”I respect Nora. Everything between us is mutual, believe me.”

”Mutual,” he repeats, skepticism written all over his face. ”I don’t care if you are my boss, Blackwood. If you hurt her?—”

”You won”t have to worry about that,” I assure him, but the edge in my voice makes it sound more like a threat than a promise.

Edward shakes his head, muttering under his breath as he stalks away. I watch him go, the weight of his words settling on my shoulders like a winter coat. But it doesn”t change anything.

Nora”s under my skin, in my blood, and I”ll do whatever it takes to make sure she stays mine.

The sun dips lower, casting long shadows on the ground, and I turn back to the fields. Tonight, Nora will be with me, and I”ll show her pleasures that will make her forget boys like Tommy ever existed. Because when it comes to Nora, I”m playing for keeps.

* * *

Nora

I”m leaning against the hood of Sawyer”s glossy black truck, the cool metal barely registering against my thighs through the thin fabric of my dress. The night sky is a blanket of stars, each one twinkling like a promise of something more—something wild and uncharted. I can”t help but feel caught between two worlds: the one where I”m Daddy”s little girl, and the one where I”m the object of Sawyer Blackwood”s burning desire.

”Beautiful, isn”t it?” Sawyer”s voice rumbles from behind me, warm breath tickling my ear. He”s close, too close, his body heat enveloping me in a way that makes my insides twist with a delicious tension.

”Yeah,” I whisper back, my gaze still fixed on the heavens above. ”It”s like nothing I”ve ever seen before.”

“You’re like nothing I’ve even seen before,” he says as he wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me back against his solid chest, and I can feel that all-too-familiar thrill coursing through me. His touch is possessive, sure, but it”s also protective in a way that has my heart racing.

”I missed you today,” I admit, letting myself rest against him for just a moment longer before stepping away. There’s a part of me that’s screaming to stay right there, wrapped up in his strength. But then there’s another, quieter voice reminding me of the looks Dad’s been giving us—the suspicion in his eyes.

”Come here, darlin’,” Sawyer says, and before I know it, he”s sweeping me into his arms and walking towards the front porch. He sets me down gently on the top step and crouches in front of me. From his pocket, he pulls out a small velvet box and opens it to reveal a shimmering necklace, the diamonds catching the moonlight and throwing sparks into the darkness.

”Jesus, Sawyer...I can”t...” The protest dies on my lips as he fastens the necklace around my throat, his fingers brushing my skin in a way that sends shivers down my spine.

”Can”t what? Accept a gift from someone who cares about you?” His blue eyes are intense, drilling into mine with an emotion I can”t quite name. It”s more than lust. It”s almost like a plea.

”Isn”t it too much?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper.

”Nothing”s too much for you, Nora.” He stands, towering over me, and there”s that edge of possessiveness again. ”I want you to have everything. Anything you want, it”s yours.”

And damn if that doesn”t make me feel like the most important girl in the world. I want to tell him that he doesn”t need to buy me pretty things—that his smile, his touch, the way he looks at me like I”m the only woman on earth is more than enough.

But then he”s kissing me, hard and deep, and I”m lost in the taste of him, the feel of his body pressed against mine. It”s passionate and raw, and I can”t bring myself to pull away, not even when the rational part of my brain is reminding me that we should be careful. That my dad might see.

The truth is, Sawyer Blackwood has become the most addictive thing in my world, and as we stumble inside, hands roaming and lips locked, I can”t find it in me to care about anything else.

I know I”m playing with fire, but God, if this isn”t the hottest, most exhilarating burn I”ve ever felt.

And suddenly I want to try something. I want to make Sawyer feel how good he makes me feel.

So, I drop to my knees in front of him and look up at him shyly as I start to unbuckle his belt.

His breath hitches as he watches me.

”S-Sweetheart,” he stammers, his big, calloused hands reaching out to stop me. But I swat them away, my fingers fumbling for a moment as I push past his initial resistance.

It”s my first time doing anything like this, but there”s a fire inside me, an urgency that drowns out any uncertainty. I can”t ignore the way his breath catches in his throat when I touch him, or the way his body responds to my every move. It emboldens me, reassures me that I”m not alone in this.

”Relax, cowboy,” I say teasingly, looking up at him through my lashes as I work at the button on his jeans. His eyes never leave mine. They”re dark and filled with something intense—a mixture of desire and...vulnerability?

”Nora,” he says roughly, his hands tangling in my hair as he lets out a breathless laugh. ”You”re gonna be the death of me.”

But he doesn”t stop me. In fact, he leans back against the wall, watching me with a kind of awe that sends shivers down my spine.

I want to explore him, to learn every curve and angle of his body until I know it as well as my own.

There’s a bead of moisture on the swollen tip of his cock nad I lick it gently. His taste is intoxicating—a tantalizing blend of masculinity and sweat that leeches into my skin and leaves me wanting more.

His hands fist in my hair, and there’s a thump as his head falls back against the wall as I slide him all the way into my mouth—taking as much of him inside as I can. I feel the head of his cock hit the back of my throat, and I still don’t have him all the way inside my mouth.

”Nora...” His voice is trembling, his body rigid as he tries to control himself. It”s intoxicating, knowing I have this kind of power over a man like Sawyer Blackwood. He may be older, more experienced, but right now, he”s at my mercy.

I”m not sure I”m doing it right—hell, I”ve only ever seen this in movies—but he seems to be enjoying it. His grip on my hair tightens as I begin moving my head, the pull of his hands guiding me. The sensation is overwhelming—the taste of him, the feel of him pulsing against my tongue, and the throaty groans that escape him.

“Fuck… darlin’…” Sawyer swears under his breath, hips bucking involuntarily. He’s fighting for control, his knuckles white where they’re gripping my hair. A part of me swells with pride. I’m doing this– driving Sawyer Blackwood to the brink with just my mouth.

But then he’s pulling me back gently, a string of curses tumbling from his lips as he gazes down at me with hooded eyes.

“No more, darling,” he pants out. “If you keep going… God.”

I blink up at him innocently, licking my lips clean. Just the sight of him—flustered and breathless because of me—it sends a thrill through me.

“I wanted to make you feel good,” I say softly.

He laughs breathlessly at that and hauls me up against him. “Oh sweetheart,” he murmurs against my lips. “You did. More than good.”

We stumble back towards his bedroom then—me

giggling and him grinning like a madman, both of us high on the taste of the other. His hands roam over me as he paws at my clothing, stripping me down with a primal need that leaves me breathless.

”You”re beautiful,” he whispers against my skin, his lips trailing a path down my neck and over my chest. The touch of his hands and mouth against my bare skin sends sparks of pleasure radiating through me.

He diverts to the side, tracing the line of diamonds hugging my neck, his eyes never leaving mine. ”Perfect,” he murmurs, fingers ghosting over the necklace he”d gifted me only moments ago. ”Just like you.”

I blush under his praise, heat flooding my cheeks. There”s something about Sawyer Blackwood that makes me feel seen—desired—in a way I”ve never known before.

”Do you trust me, Nora?” He asks suddenly, eyes locked on mine as we stand in the middle of his bedroom—me naked and him half-dressed.

I swallow hard at his serious tone but nod fervently. ”Yes.”

”Good,” he murmurs, pressing a soft kiss to my lips before slowly guiding me backwards onto his bed.

Clothes are shed with haste until we”re both bared to each other—a sight that sends blood rushing south in Sawyer”s body as he gazes at me with hungry eyes. But there”s more than just lust there—I can see it in his gaze—the care and the protectiveness that makes my heart flutter.

”Are you ready?” He asks as he settles himself between my thighs—a sight so erotic I can hardly stand it. I nod, unable to form words in my throat as anticipation swells within me.

His eyes never leave mine as he moves, slowly, steadily. He pushes inside of me with a cautious ease that has me gasping for air. The feeling of him—big and hard—stretching me is intoxicating.

”Holy shit,” he mutters, his head falling onto my shoulder as he grunts out his pleasure.

I laugh breathlessly, wrapping my legs around his waist to draw him closer.

”God, Nora...I want to give you everything, baby. You want anything, you just ask me, you hear me?” he pants against my neck, his hot breath sending shivers down my spine.

His thrusts are gentle at first, but soon increase in tempo as he finds his rhythm. I cling to him, nails digging into his broad shoulders as a wave of pleasure washes over me.

”Say my name,” he growls into my ear, his voice rough with need and possession. It”s a demand, one I”m only too happy to fulfill.

”Sawyer,” I moan out, arching my back against him as he drives into me with a powerful thrust.

He makes love to me like a man starved—hungry, desperate and filled with a fiery intensity that leaves me dizzy. His kisses are fervent and his touch demanding, staking a claim on my body that leaves no room for doubt—I am his and he is mine.

My heart races as Sawyer”s lips trail down my neck, teasingly nipping and sucking at my skin. His strong hands grip my hips fiercely, urging me to meet his passionate kisses with the same fervor. He groans against my lips, sending shivers of desire coursing through my veins.

”Sawyer,” I pant, my voice trembling with anticipation. He peppers soft bites along my jawline before capturing my bottom lip between his teeth and tugging gently. A moan escapes me as he does so, echoing his hungry growl.

His hand moves to cup my breast through my dress, squeezing gently, and then roughly pinching my nipple. I arch my back involuntarily, my breath catching. He grinds his hips against me, rubbing his erection against my clit, driving me wild.

”You were made for me, little girl. You know that? And I’m going to take care of you forever. You’re mine,” he whispers in my ear, his voice thick with lust. It sends a wave of heat coursing through my body, making me wetter for him.

He pulls back slightly, his gaze holding mine captive as he runs a finger over my swollen lips. Then, without warning, he thrusts two fingers deep inside me, filling me up and claiming me as his own.

”Fuck,” he groans, watching my face contort in pleasure. ”You love this, don”t you?” His voice is rough and demanding, but there”s a hint of vulnerability there too.

”Yes,” I moan, my body begging for more. I can feel myself growing wetter for him with each passing second.

He releases my nipple, only to wrap his hand around my throat and pull me closer. I gasp, feeling a flood of emotions rush through me. This is exactly what I want—to be taken, possessed, and owned by him.

”Do you want me to fuck you?” he asks, his voice low and menacing. I nod frantically, my eyes never leaving his. ”Say it.”

”Please, Sawyer,” I whisper, my heart racing in anticipation. ”Fuck me hard.”

He grins wickedly at that, his eyes glinting with a dangerous promise. ”As you wish, darlin’.” Without any further delay, he aligns himself with my entrance and pushes in swiftly. The sudden intrusion has me gasping in surprise and pleasure.

”Shit, Nora,” he hisses through clenched teeth as he starts to move. His thrusts are rough and possessive, matching the demanding tone of his voice from earlier. It”s all so intoxicating—the feel of him inside me, the lust in his eyes, the sound of our bodies slapping together in a frantic rhythm.

His fingers dig into my hips as he sets a brutal pace, driving into me over and over again. The room fills with the sounds of our desperate moans and heavy breaths.

”I want to hear you scream my name,” Sawyer growls, leaning down to capture my mouth in a searing kiss. His tongue explores my mouth with the same fervor he”s displaying physically.

A low moan escapes my lips as he thrusts even harder, hitting that sweet spot inside me that has my vision blurring from pleasure. He growls in response, nipping at my bottom lip before pulling away to gaze down at me with lust-filled eyes.

”You”re so damn wet for me,” he pants out, sounding shocked and pleased at the same time.

The rawness in his voice is enough to push me over the edge. My climax hits me like a freight train, leaving me writhing and gasping beneath him as wave after wave of pleasure crashes over me.

”Sawyer!”

“Yes, that’s in, darlin’. Come on your man’s big dick. Let me feel it, baby.”

His words, as rough and coarse as they are, act as a catalyst. My climax rushes over me, leaving me in a state of dazed euphoria. I moan his name over and over again, my voice echoing through the room.

”Fucking hell,” he groans, his pace quickening as he chases his own release. Grunts and heavy breaths mix with our desperate moans.

My body tightens around him as I ride out my orgasm, the sensation sending tremors down Sawyer”s spine. His grip on my hips tightens to the brink of pain, grounding me in this moment—in this deliciously raw tangle of limbs and whispered confessions.

”Fuck, baby,” he pants against my neck, shuddering as he buries himself deep within me one last time. I can feel the warmth of his release filling me up, marking me as his in a way no one else can ever hope to.

As he collapses onto me, chest heaving with exertion and satisfaction, I can”t help but wrap my arms around him. He”s mine just as much as I am his—a fact that neither of us can deny now.

”I need you.” He murmurs against my shoulder, pressing soft kisses to my skin. ”I don”t want anyone else to touch you.”

His possessive words send shivers down my spine even after the haze of our climax has faded away. There”s a sense of rightness to it all, like this is where I”m supposed to be, wrapped up in his arms and claimed by his touch.

My fingers trace the hard lines of his muscular back. His possessiveness sends a thrill of anticipation through my veins. I want him in every possible way, just as much as he wants me. ”I”m all yours.”

He lifts his head to look at me, his deep blue eyes filled with a multitude of emotions—lust and love, possession and vulnerability. His hand comes up to gently caress my face, his thumb brushing over my bottom lip in a barely-there touch that sends shivers down my spine.

”Swear it,” he demands, his voice rough yet filled with a desperate need that tugs at my heartstrings. He wants reassurance, confirmation that I belong to him as much as he belongs to me.

”I swear,” I promise him earnestly, meeting his gaze without any hesitation. ”I”m yours, Sawyer. Only yours.”

That seems to satisfy him because he grins down at me before leaning in to kiss me deeply. His tongue slips past my lips, exploring my mouth with a fervor that leaves no room for doubt—I am his and he is mine.