The Naughty List Bundle - Kylie Adams [51]
He hadn’t wanted her to go.
He needed to get her out of his system so he could function normally again, instead of teetering between one extreme reaction and another. He didn’t like it. He wanted his calm reserve back. But how?
And then he saw the note and remembered. She’d written a note to explain why she felt it necessary to sneak away from him. His fists clenched, and every muscle pulled taut as he struggled with his fierce temper—a temper he hadn’t even known he had until he’d met Miss Honey Malone. Damn, but it filled him with rage. She didn’t trust him at all, on any level. Curiosity and resentment exploded inside him, and he took two long strides to the mattress and snatched up the sealed envelope. His name was written across the front in a very feminine scrawl. He started to tear it open, but caught himself in time and carefully loosened the seal instead.
She’d written on a cash receipt, probably the only paper she could find on his dresser. All stationery was kept in his office. He drew a deep breath, ready to witness her lame excuses for trying to sneak out—and what he read instead made his knees buckle. He dropped heavily to the side of the bed as his heart raced.
Sawyer,
I know you won’t be happy that I’m leaving this way, but it’s for the best. I’m finding I want you too much to stay. Since you made it clear you’d rather not get involved, and I know it wouldn’t be wise anyway, I have to leave. I can’t trust myself around you.
His eyes widened as he read the words, amazed that she’d written them and even more so that she’d had the audacity to put a smily face there, as well, as if poking fun at herself and her lack of restraint around him. The little drawing looked teasing and playful and made him hard as a stone. She wanted him? And she thought he should be amused by that?
He swallowed hard and finished the note.
To be honest, you’re just too tempting. Shameful of me to admit, but it’s true. And I’m afraid I’m not sure how to deal with it, since I’ve never had to before. I hope you understand.
Please forgive me for taking your car. I’ll leave it at the bus station with the keys inside, so bring a spare set to open it. When I get things resolved, I swear I’ll send you a check to pay for the damage to your fence, and your incredible hospitality. I won’t ever forget you,
Honey
He wanted to go grab her and put her over his knee, not only because she would have risked herself in what he now realized was very real danger, but because she’d have been leaving for all the wrong reasons. And she’d offered him a check. He wanted to howl. He didn’t want her money and he never had. How many times did he have to tell her that?
Morgan tapped on the door and stuck his head inside. “You found the note?”
Sawyer quickly folded it. Since he hadn’t put pants on yet he had nowhere to put it. “Yeah. It, uh, it said she’d leave the car at the bus station with the keys locked inside, just like she told us.”
Morgan crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame. He still wore only jeans, but he had at least put the gun away. “I don’t suppose you’d let me see the note?”
“Why?”
“Idle curiosity?”
Sawyer grunted. “Yeah, right. More like plain old nosiness.” Sawyer kept his back to his brother, more than a little aware of how obvious his erection was at this point.
His gaze met Morgan’s in the mirror over the dresser, and he saw Morgan was struggling to contain his grin. “I gather you got something to hide there?”
Opening a drawer and pulling out a casual pair of khakis, Sawyer mumbled negligently, “Don’t know why you’d think that.”
“The way you’re clutching that note? And acting so secretive and protective?” He laughed. “Don’t worry. I won’t say a word. Take your time getting dressed. I think I’ll just go round up something to eat.”
“Morgan?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t mention to her that I have the note.”
“Whatever you say, Sawyer.” Then he laughed again and walked away.
After carefully