Stud (Four Bears Construction #5)

by K.M. Neuhold

See, that’s where they’re going wrong. What you want to do is embrace the loneliness, really lean into it until you’re so miserable that you repeatedly turn down offers from gorgeous, young construction workers who pant after you like a sweet little puppy.

Ugh, friends don’t sniff friends, West. Get that through your damn head already.

As Stone once said, “A cock in the hand is worth two in the ass.” I’m not sure what he meant or if it even applies here, but it makes me laugh, so we’ll go with that.

I wonder what it feels like to love someone that much, to be loved back that much.

One second Sawyer is telling me to drop it, and the next he’s scrambling onto my lap and plastering his lips to mine.

“Don’t,” I say softly. “It’s fine if this didn’t mean anything, if you want it to be a one-time thing, even if you never want us to speak of it again. But for the sake of my sanity, please don’t say it was a mistake.”

“We could be good together.” I take a chance, dipping my head lower until our foreheads are nearly touching. He doesn’t protest, leaning in and bumping his nose against mine. “We could be a disaster together,” he counters quietly, sounding a little helpless. A slow grin spreads over my lips. “Not knowing which is half the fun.”

How am I supposed to keep from falling in love with him when he’s going to kiss me like that? Like I matter, like he might already be in love with me.

Luckily, it’s not Sawyer on my doorstep, it’s Stone. “Hey, can I borrow some butter?” I arch an eyebrow at him. “No. I’ve heard what you two do with butter.”

But when it’s right, like really right, you won’t have to be anyone but you. The right person will love every stupid, obnoxious thing about you.”

Sawyer is my heart and my life, and I count my blessings every single day that he’s mine.