Free The Hookup Hoax by Heather Thurmeier Page B

probably realized. More than he expected.
    She smiled and it was the best thing he’d seen all evening. “That I can do.” Her tongue darted out to give her lips a quick lick and he was overcome with the desire to kiss her, right there, right then. Not because someone was watching and they were performing, but because he wanted to.
    “I hope you’re not acting like that on my account.” Aidan took his seat across the table. “Actually, I hope you are acting because if this is a real moment I’m witnessing, then you leave me no choice but to take you outside to kick your ass.”
    Her gaze flickered down to his lips. Sawyer sank into his chair, leaving his hand on the back of her neck for another moment, not wanting to stop touching her.
    “Relax. We’re chatting about work.” Sawyer sighed and gripped his cold glass instead of Olivia, already missing the feel of her warm, soft skin under his fingertips.
    “I don’t know, from my angle it looked like you two were getting awfully cozy. Don’t tell me I’ve made a huge mistake letting this arrangement happen.”
    “Last time I checked, you weren’t involved in the arrangement between us.” She raised her chin.
    “Is that right?”
    “The lady has spoken.” Sawyer smirked. He liked having her on his side. Not that he was against Aidan in any way, but having her defend their agreement felt surprisingly good. For once, he wasn’t alone in trying to reach his goals.
    Olivia covered her mouth as she yawned. “I know you guys are used to working but I’m not and my first day was exhausting. I don’t want to argue. I want to sit here, have a drink and a bite to eat, possibly some good conversation—although with you two, you’ll probably have me bored to tears—and then you’re taking me home to bed.”
    The beer hit the back of Sawyer’s throat when he inhaled quickly at her unexpected words. He coughed and covered his mouth with his napkin. Her cheeks turned bright red.
    “That’s not what I meant,” she said. “I meant he drove us here so after dinner, technically, he’d be the one taking me home. And then I intend to go straight between the sheets.”
    Sawyer arched an eyebrow and couldn’t hold back a smirk.
    “Really?” Aidan asked, chuckling.
    “Alone. I’m going to bed alone . So I’m not tired for work tomorrow.” She scoffed at both of them in turn. “You two have your minds in the gutter. And gross. You’re my brother, he’s your best friend. You should kick his ass right now for being a part of this conversation.”
    They laughed while she rolled her eyes.
    They dug into their meals, eating in silence for a few minutes. Sawyer’s steak was tender and juicy and exactly the taste he’d been looking for, but he had to admit, Olivia’s pasta looked delicious. Or maybe it was the way she licked her plump, pink lips after every bite.
    “I know you haven’t been on a regular schedule in a while, but getting up today couldn’t have been that hard,” Aidan said.
    “I’ll get used to it. After this morning’s incident, I’m not about to risk being overtired again. Tonight I’m going to bed at a decent hour and tomorrow my alarm will be set for fifteen minutes earlier so I can sufficiently wake up before it’s my turn to in the bathroom.” Olivia glanced around the room before continuing. “Speaking of the bathroom, I’m going to find the Ladies.”
    Remembering the incident made him wish the tables had been turned that morning. He’d love to walk in on her getting out of the shower, her body slick with water, her hair messy and hanging free over her naked shoulders.
    “What happened this morning?” Aidan asked, grinning like he was about to hear a juicy story. Sawyer was pretty sure he’d feel differently in about thirty seconds.
    “Your sister may have walked in on me getting out of the shower, but I was covered by a towel. Mostly.” He laughed as Aidan’s grin slid into a sneer. “Don’t worry. Her virtue is still