Free For Seven Nights Only (Chase Brothers) by Sarah Ballance Page A

ponytail, and all he could think about was letting those strands loose to fall on his pillow. Try as he fucking might, he couldn’t see another woman in his bed. Every face was hers.
    Which would only last until he’d finally had her. He didn’t do relationships. He’d long ago made a habit of not analyzing why—too much internal drama to stomach on a regular basis. It was just something he knew about himself, like he knew he had green eyes and seven percent body fat.
    Looking up, he caught sight of a friend. One he trusted…probably even enough to be her date for the thing. Before he could talk himself out of it, he waved the guy over. “Hey, man. Do me a favor and spot her for a minute.”
    “Sure thing.”
    The last thing Sawyer saw was the bewildered look on Kelsie’s face as he made tracks away from her. He wanted air, but he didn’t want to completely bail, especially not with Brock likely circling for the kill. Sawyer had probably put a big ol’ target on Kelsie’s back by acting territorial. He imagined the only thing Brock would like better than getting her into his bed was doing it knowing Sawyer had staked a claim.
    And for what ? Now he genuinely liked her, so he probably couldn’t have sex with her even if she actually did beg. Not when he knew she wanted more than he’d ever have to give.
    Not when he had no idea what it would do to him. He was in uncharted territory.
    Drowning.
    Avoiding.
    He hit the men’s room and threw water on his face, then stared at himself in the mirror, wondering what kind of person he’d become. Or maybe it wasn’t him. Maybe he just wasn’t used to being around a woman who wanted something more than a night. Had to be it.
    Back in the hallway, he headed in the direction opposite the open gym. There was a training room in the back, but he opted for the employee lounge, knowing it would probably be empty this time of day. He dropped onto the leather sofa, cracked open a water bottle, and stared mindlessly at some outdoor adventure channel while he calculated how long he should wait before going back out there to Kelsie.
    He didn’t have to calculate long, because the door flew open. It was her.
    “Employees only,” he said. How the hell had she found him in there? Clearly his buddy had told her. That was the problem with a decent guy… They were usually too decent.
    Her eyes flashed with irritation. More than that. She was pissed . “What the hell was that? Why did you leave me out there?”
    “To meet men,” Sawyer said, feigning nonchalance and fighting his own irritation. His reasons may have been a bit skewed, but ultimately he’d given her what she wanted. So what was her problem? “He was nice, right?”
    “Yeah, he was nice.” It sounded like sarcasm, but it couldn’t have been. The guy really was nice. He probably owned a basketful of kittens. At minimum, he’d be able to remember her damned dog’s name. He’d probably even choke down her food. He was just straight-up fucking nice . Just like she wanted.
    Nothing like Sawyer.
    “You here to thank me?” he asked.
    She crossed her arms. “What exactly do you have against forming any kind of non-sexual connection with another human being?”
    “Mostly conversations like these,” he said dryly.
    Unrelenting, she asked, “What is that supposed to mean?”
    He blew out a frustrated breath. “I’m doing what you wanted, okay? I saw that guy, and I know he’s decent. I know you’re looking to meet a decent guy—one who can look at your ass and not want to tear off your clothes right there on the dirty fucking sidewalk.”
    She frowned. “That’s pretty much what every woman wants. To be wanted, I mean. But most of us want to be wanted exclusively and not just until the next woman passes by.”
    “Yeah, and we’ve already established that’s not me.” But the words felt like a lie, because he couldn’t imagine wanting anyone but her. Probably because he hadn’t had her. The notion made