For Seven Nights Only - Sarah Ballance Page 0,6

Her sister had borrowed Kelsie’s perfect wedding day, and Kelsie would have to face it alone.

No, no you won’t. Because Sawyer had promised to help her, and she’d hold him to that.

Moments later, a knock sounded at the door. Marmaduke went nuts, which did nothing for Kelsie’s nerves. After a quick peek, she held back the dog and opened the door for Sawyer, who was holding two paper cups. He handed her one.

“Morning, sunshine,” he said cheerfully. “I brought you a… I don’t know what the hell it is, to be honest. White chocolate something that doesn’t sound much like coffee.”

She took a deep breath over the cup and stared up at him in surprise. “White chocolate mocha? How did you know?”

He grinned, although it was more of a self-satisfied smirk. “I asked the guy in the coffee shop downstairs if he remembered you. Old librarian glasses, wears tapestry.”

She cringed inwardly at his description of her and hoped the reaction didn’t extend to her facial expression. As if there was anything wrong with being a librarian. Or wearing vintage-style glasses. She stopped short of telling him they were a new pair and clearly not so awful if her ophthalmologist stocked them. She knew instinctively that letting Sawyer think he’d gotten under her skin would be a mistake.

Apparently oblivious to her inner turmoil, he continued, “I think you might have your date right there. I’m pretty sure he has you memorized for a reason.”

“I’m pretty sure he’s sixteen,” she said. A funny wiggle shot through her chest and annoyed her. Sawyer’s nice gesture didn’t change the fact that he was a player.

“He’s tall,” Sawyer said of the barista. As if that helped the whole underage thing.

“He’s jailbait.”

“Good point.” God, that sexy, flirty grin. Did he take anything seriously?

Of course he didn’t.

This was some big joke to him. “If you’re trying to get out of our…arrangement—”

“Not a chance, sweetheart.” His gaze tracked to Marmaduke, who eyeballed him right back, growling low under his breath. “The dog park it is.”

She hesitated, torn between her appreciation for his help and a need for boundaries. “I’m really not your sweetheart,” she said. “In fact, if not for your plumbing skills and your promise to save me from having to go solo to my sister’s wedding—”

“What? You wouldn’t be using me to get what you want?” He grinned.

She glared. “Fine. I have a goal, and I need your help. But at least you’re in on it, which is more than you can say for all those women you pick up.”

He snorted. “You actually think I’m out there mowing down virgins? Sorry to disappoint you, but there are a lot of very good, very bad girls out there who would do anything to be invited into my bedroom. And believe me, they do. Anything, that is.”

She gawked at him. Somewhere in the back of her mind, it registered that his eyes were nearly the same shade as her walls, only an insanely bright, vivid version thereof. Great. He’d hijacked her favorite color. When this was over, she’d have to paint. And somehow divert her brain from that ultra-sexy image of him, stripped down and soaking wet and…

“What are you thinking about?” The light in his eyes suggested he knew.

She glared. “You are a pig.”

“If you want me to leave…”

“No,” she admitted. “Unfortunately, that’s what makes you useful to me.”

While he laughed, she set her coffee on the table beside her front door, freeing her hands to fit the dog’s harness and attach the leash. When she stood, she found Sawyer’s eyes on her. Or, oddly enough, on her breasts. Stupid sweater. It was bulky, but large enough that, if not for the scarf, he probably would have been able to stare down her shirt the entire time. “While I appreciate your attention to my canine better half”—she stifled a laugh when Sawyer’s gaze shot up—“I have to wonder why you chose a dog park, of all places.”

“Pure logic,” he said without missing a beat. She doubted he was impressed by his reflexive glance at her chest. After her near peep show, he’d have a hard time finding them again under the bulk. “You have a mutual interest with pretty much any guy there with a mutt in tow. Low pressure and built-in conversation starter.”

She blinked. “I have no idea how I never thought of that.”

That cocky grin returned. “See? You’ve learned something already.”

Yeah, sure she had. Like that he looked almost as good in that long-sleeve button-up