Page 15 of Reconcile
Her golden eyes are filled with something that sends a shiver through me.
I know what it is.
Don’t, Piper.
“It was amazing.” She smiles and kisses me softly, her eyes closing as she whispers, “I love you, Sawyer.”
God. Damn. It.
My heart races in my chest, and my palms are sweating as I wipe them on my sheets. I can’t say it back.
I won’t do that to her.
I should tell her that she doesn’t love me. That it’s puppy love. Or an illusion. Instead, I do something just as stupid as saying the words. I close my eyes and pull her into a deep kiss that she instantly returns.
I cling to her bare hips as I kiss her, saying things with that kiss I can’t and shouldn’t voice.
And I know I have to do something desperate to end this.
I kiss her softly as her hands rest on my chest over my heart that’s surely completely black at this point. It’s going to be hard to let her go.
But that’s exactly what has to happen.
11
SAWYER
Afoot nudges me awake, and I hear, “How fucked up are you right now?”
I glare at Asher as I look up from the lounge chair in my backyard. I’m sure what he sees looks bad with an empty whiskey bottle and a half-smoked joint next to me.
Okay, maybe it is a little bad. Fuck, my head hurts.
But it’s not like the bottle was full when I started drinking last night.
Still, Ash is looking a little blurry as I pry my eyes open, cursing the sun.
“I’m fine.”
“Right.” Asher takes the seat next to me. “Your message was weird.”
I turn to look at him. “What message?”
He chuckles and leans back in his chair. “You left me a message, asking whether I know a good lawyer. And saying that Piper lives in a shithole.”
Christ, I don’t remember that.
“What time is it?”
“Six. I have to get to school soon.”
I look at him, dressed in his preppy uniform for the private school where he teaches. “Ah, that’s the reason for the douche outfit.”
“What’s up, Sawyer?”
I don’t dare move because I don’t remember the last time I was this hungover. “Piper has a kid.”
I hear him shift in his chair but don’t turn my head to look at him. “With who?”
