Title: Hydra

Author: Crimson Coin

Rating: T … not quite R but it's romance so things may get a little steamy

Pairing: Juliet/Sawyer

Disclaimer: I don't own Lost or these characters. I just like to borrow them to have a little fun.

Summary: Dharma time story about how Juliet and Sawyer became a couple.

Note: This story is based on a suggestion from tntlostfan for a one shot. It's going to be multiple chapters because, well the ideas just started coming! So I hope I'm forgiven, tntlostfan. But I promise, you'll have your idea in the story.

Sawyer sat in the infirmary on a cool metallic chair at Miles' bedside. He leaned back, legs outstretched and arms crossed over his chest as he watched the other man sleep. He grinned as Miles stirred on the bed and laughed when the small man squinted. "Bright huh?" Sawyer commented.

Miles groaned. "Yeah. And you're too damn loud."

"One a my better points." Sawyer taunted and chuckled. "So, short stack, how ya feelin'?"

Miles glared at Sawyer then closed his eyes with a heavy sigh. "Could be better. So I'm either alive. Or in Hell."

"Maybe a little of both. Yer alive, but still on this god damn island."

"Figures."

Sawyer chuckled and leaned forward, resting his forearms on his thighs. "You've been out for over a day. Juliet said yer just exhausted. I think yer lazy."

"Yeah well, screw you too."

Sawyer watched Miles a long moment as the smaller man shifted on his bed in an attempt to get more comfortable. "So I found somethin' out pretty interestin'. The cliff isn't on the patrol. Apparently ol' Phyllis Diller thought it'd be damn funny to have us scale that cliff for months when we didn't have to."

"We what?"

"Yeah, you heard me."

Miles scowled. "I'll kill him. Where's the bastard?" He struggled to sit up and even tossed the sheets off. He rolled to the side, swinging his legs off the bed.

Sawyer stood, holding Miles down. "What the hell are you doing?"

Miles growled and jerked his arms away from Sawyer. "Going to stalk down that slimy bastard and slam his face into a rock."

Sawyer pushed Miles back down onto the bed. "You can't do that."

"Why the hell not? And why aren't you out there pounding his head in?" Miles pointed to the door. "He tried to get us killed? And for what? Was he laughing? When we fell, was he laughing?"

"I got no idea. I mean damn it, Miles, I'm freakin' pissed about this too but right now, ya gotta chill out."

"I don't wanna chill out," Miles snapped and shoved at Sawyer's hands. "How can you be so damn calm?"

Sawyer smirked. "Juliet knocked him out."

Surprised, the scowl slipped from Miles face and he stopped struggling. "What?" He smiled. "Really?"

Sawyer laughed. "Yeah, really. Horace said, one punch. She floored him."

Miles chuckled. "Well now you know. Don't piss her off too much."

Sawyer nodded slowly and leaned back in the chair again. "I'm tempted to leave this god damn place but … thinkin' about it, what the hell would that do?"

"Nothing."

"Yeah, Nothin'." Sawyer agreed with a sigh then crouched forward again, rubbing his eyes with his hand. "Horace offered to let us go to the Hydra for a two week patrol. Said it's a cake walk. I think he's just tryin' to stop us from goin' off the island totally."

"So that means we're going to Hydra Island?"

Sawyer shrugged. "Figured I'd ask ya. Think on it. At least we'd get out of hippyville for a bit." Sawyer glanced to the door and then leaned forward to whisper. "I kissed her."

Miles closed his eyes. "Who?"

"The bearded lady. Who the hell do you think I'm talkin' about?"

Miles peeked out of a single eye at Sawyer. "I don't know it could be any set of legs around here. Rosie?"

Sawyer winced at the name. "I don't know how many more hints I can give her."

"Well … you're probably the only man who's said 'No'. Probably an ego blow."

"Hey … much as I like a good ride, I'm not one for the town bicycle. Especially here. Jeez … Radzinsky might have been there."

Miles laughed then winced as the movement strained his ribs. "You're such an ass. Don't make me laugh."

Sawyer grinned and rested his forearms on the bed. "I mean Juliet. I kissed her."

"Good. About damn time."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Miles sighed, exasperated. "It means, you've been tip toeing around this whole thing for months. And hate to say it, LaFleur, but I never pinned you as a guy for subtleties. So it's about damn time you did something about it."

"Yeah well I don't gotta force myself on a woman either. Never had to beg."

"Did she kiss you back?"

Frowning, Sawyer scowled. "Yeah."

"Then you didn't force it. Believe me, if Juliet didn't want you to kiss her, you'da been in the same club as Phil."

"Suppose so." Sawyer mumbled.

"Look, not like I'm anyone to give you advice. As much as I hate to admit that," Miles grumbled and watched Sawyer. "But you two have so many problems. And each time you both fix something or snuff out an insecurity, two more go bursting up. I mean it's painfully uncomfortable to watch sometimes. So you need to like start burning some bridges or something so you can actually get somewhere."

Sawyer blinked once then again and snapped. "You know. I have no idea what the hell you're talking about."

Miles grumbled and forced himself up in a sitting position. "All I mean is that instead of letting her rebuild whatever walls you managed to break through. Burn the damn bridge so she can't rebuild it again."

"Great plan, Fozzy. And how exactly do I do that?"

Miles quirked a brow. "I don't know. You're the expert on women. Not me."

"Yeah well I ain't exactly an expert on stable lasting relationships. Anyway, what makes you think I wanna burn bridges and bury hatchets or whatever. I mean so I kissed her, so what?"

Miles quirked a brow. "Apparently you wanted a stable lasting relationship when you told this whole freakin' place that you and Jules were together. And I don't think you go around just kissing a girl like Juliet. She's not one of those kind. Rosie is." He grinned.

Sawyer stared at the medical cabinet across the room, lost in thought. "Look … I'm a man for gods sake." He tossed a hand into the air, frustrated. "Living with a girl for six months and ya can't help thinkin' about sex."

"So you kissed Juliet just to get in her pants?" Miles asked. "Really? I mean are you really going to go down that route?"

Sawyer laughed and shook his head. "I don't know what route you're talking about. As far as all these tree huggers are concerned, she and I are together. So what's the harm in a little benefits." He stood and walked to the door, offering a wave without turning around. "Later, Tai chi."

"Hey," Miles sat up, wincing at the pull but glared at Sawyer's back. "She stayed for you, you know."

"No she didn't," he shot back over his shoulder, glancing back at the other man in disbelief. "She stayed because there's nothing out there …"

"Blah blah blah. No," Miles corrected intensely. "No that's not why she stayed. She stayed because you asked her to. I said the exact same damn thing to her a couple of hours before you did about there bein' nothing out there. And I begged her not to leave me alone here with you cuz I didn't piss off God that much for that fate. And she didn't listen to me. She listened. To you. Whatever you said to her, she listened to you. Both times. So you better damn well know what you're doing if you're gonna start pulling on her heart strings because maybe it's just me? But I don't think Juliet will be very forgiving if you piss all over the trust she placed in you just to get your rocks off." He flopped back on the mattress and sighed, closing his eyes. "Turn the light off when you leave."

Sawyer frowned staring at Miles' back for a long moment then slowly turned. He flicked off the light, slipping out of the infirmary with little noise. What was his intention with Juliet? Did he kiss her in the heat of the moment, just to satiate his lust? Was it something more? She deserved more. But could he offer that?

He grumbled to himself, eyes narrowed. He knew he had to figure something out before she came home or he could very well be out of a house and a friend.

Sawyer sat on the couch in his living room, leaning forward to study the two maps spread out on the coffee table. His fingers traced the outline of Hydra Island on the topographical map to the left, carefully evaluating the elevation lines, memorizing the small island. Using a pencil, he wrote some notes onto the edge of the map.

Sighing, he looked to the second map, a detailed blueprint of the hydra station and all of the buildings associated with it. "This info woulda been useful a few months ago …" he frowned. "Years from now?" He shook his head. "Time travel's a bitch."

Rocking the pencil between forefinger and thumb, he studied the different dimensions and connections between the various buildings on the Hydra Island.

The front door opened slowly and Juliet stepped inside, sweaty and filthy from her day. Grease stains streaked across her cheeks and the only clean part of her face appeared to be around her eyes, likely where the goggles rested.

He glanced up at her and offered a crooked smile. "Hey."

"Hey," she answered softly and crouched down to untie her boots, head ducked to focus on her task. "Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah," he said simply, eyes still on her. He leaned back on the couch, resting his hands in his lap. "What a hot mess you are." He teased.

She peered up at him and smirked at his jesting eyes and bright grin. "I really need a shower."

"Need a hand?"

She set her boots neatly by the door. "I think I can handle it." She chuckled and rolled her eyes at his suggestion. Heading up the stairs, she unbuttoned the top button of her jumper, then the second.

His eyes darkened at the sight and he shifted in his seat. Averting his eyes, he stared at the blue prints again, unable to stop his mind from wandering to the first time he caught of glimpse of a mostly unclothed Juliet.

*Flashback*

Sawyer squinted, wincing at the sunlight streaming into the living room window. He moaned and his arm flopped over his eyes to block the offending light. He sighed and shifted his weight on the lumpy sofa before groaning in protest. He rubbed his face, wiping the sleep from his eyes and with an elongated hum, sat up.

He blinked a few times, adjusting to the light and glanced down at the floor, the sheet he fell asleep with long ago discarded in a rumpled pile. He slowly stood, then stretched, reaching high over his head to ease the tense and knotted muscles of his back. He glared at the couch then walked to the window to peer outside. Just after dawn, the commune slept and he thought nothing of standing by the window in his boxers. He peered one way then the next and noticed the only person awake; Rosie walked from her house to the infirmary, offering Sawyer an appraising glance then a flirtatious grin. He quirked a brow but ignored her.

Turning from the window, he walked quietly up the stairs. He stared at the closed door to the bedroom and smirked. Lazy. She was still asleep. Barefoot, he padded silently along the hall, unwilling to bear the brunt of the dragon lady when awoken too soon from her slumber. Fisting the doorknob to the bathroom, he turned the knob and opened the door.

He froze.

Juliet sat on the edge of the tub in only a towel, her hair tied up sloppily on the top of her head. One foot rested high on the closed toilet seat and shaving cream lathered her leg from ankle to thigh. Half shaved, she gripped the razor in a single hand, using her free hand to help balance herself on the tub's edge. She looked up, shocked and startled at his entrance. "James."

He stared, lips parted just slightly and his eyes focused on the creamy skin of her exposed body. Though the towel obscured his view of her most personal space, he saw every curve of her legs, the tight hourglass figure, the swell of her breasts. "Uh … Mornin'." He grinned and his eyes slid slowly up her body to her face.

The hand on the tub's edge abandoned its place to instead grip at the towel around her, holding it closed at her chest and she flushed a pretty shade of pink. Looking away from him and to her leg she quickly put her foot on the bathmat then stood, facing him.

Two months under the current living arrangements and Sawyer never managed to steal a glance so tantalizing of her. Desire flooded his senses but he long ago mastered that control. He quirked a brow and eyed her appreciatively. "So …" he drawled and a sexy grin tugged at his lips. "Need a hand?"

She bit her lower lip, eyes amused and she laughed, shaking her head. "I think I've got this under control." The previous sexual tension released with his casual and teasing words; she sighed in relief. "So can I finish? I already did one, I can't not do the other."

"Can I watch?" He took a step inside and his eyes slowly raked down her body again then up. "Ya know just to make sure you don't miss a spot."

She rolled her eyes. "I've been shaving my legs for quite a few years now. I think I can manage, thanks."

"Damn," He shrugged casually. "Well if you need a second pair a eyes … or hands. Ya know where to find me."

She laughed at him, eased as he backed out of the room. "I know where to find you. I won't be much longer." She slowly closed the door behind him.

He released a long breath, one he did not realize he held, as the door closed and his eyes darkened with unmasked lust. He resisted every urge to burst back inside upon the realization she left the door unlocked. He turned from the bathroom to walk back downstairs and struggled internally to stop his body from reacting to the sight behind the closed door. And what he wanted to do about it.

*Flashback End*

Sawyer rested his head in his hands, staring absently at the blue prints on the coffee table, mind wandering to far more erotic visions than the mathematical layout of an aquarium. He envisioned long, perfectly muscled legs. Slender waistlines and perfectly proportioned hips. He imagined the parts he did not see that day and closed his eyes, groaning as the thoughts overwhelmed him. He shook his head, trying to clear the visions away.

"You ok?"

Sawyer raked his hands through his hair, sitting back on the couch as he looked to his right towards the stairs. Juliet stood at the foot wearing loose cotton pants and a tank top. She raked a brush through her long wet hair, combing the day's tangles away. He licked his lips and forced a smile. "Yeah … Yeah sorry was just thinking."

"Good thoughts, I hope." She responded with a small smile then walked to the couch to sit beside him.

"Very good thoughts." He chuckled and smiled. "Ya smell good."

She quirked a brow at him and grinned. "I'd hope so. I did just shower."

"Naw, I mean … well not just now." He chuckled then turned his attention back to the maps on the table. "Horace dropped these off today."

Flushed both from the warm shower and his flirtations, she looked at the maps. "Oh. That's Hydra Island. Why would he bring you maps of Hydra Island?"

"Cuz he wants us to go there." He answered simply. "I think he just doesn't want us to leave the island. So he's givin' us some run around shtick to keep us occupied while this thing blows over."

She nodded slowly, examining the details of the blueprints. "Will you go?"

"I dunno. Depends on if Miles and Jin want to go." He tilted his head slightly to watch her. "And if you wanna go."

"Me?"

"Yeah."

She frowned and shook her head. "I'm not security, James. I don't think they'd let me go even if I could."

"I think he will. Cuz I told him I wouldn't go without ya. Hey," He leaned over slightly to nudge her shoulder with his. "You got my back?"

Thoughtful, she turned her head to meet his gaze, eyes searching. "Absolutely. You got mine?"

He grinned. "Oh yeah."

Sawyer resumed his usual evening position, sitting at one end of the couch with book in hand. Distracted, he stretched his legs out, crossing at the ankles to rest his feet on the coffee table. Juliet lounged across the cushions, feet curled partially under her body as she lay half on her side. She read with vivid interest, focused intensely on the book, engrossed in the story. Sawyer, however, reread the same paragraph for the fifth time. Eyes glanced to his left, watching Juliet.

He released a slow controlled breath then focused on the book again. His ears twitched as Juliet turned a page and the muscles of her legs contracted then released as she stretched out a little further, her toes absently touching his thighs. He closed his eyes, one hand resting on the arm of the couch as he tapped his finger rhythmically.

He thought of simple and ridiculous ideas. Like baseball and cold showers. He thought of anything that bored him. He thought of chick flicks – like 16 candles. Hey, that hadn't been made yet. He curiously wondered if he could stop production somehow and save the word and every straight man the horror of sitting through the snooze fest.

He smirked at his little joke and glanced to the side again. Juliet bit gently on her lower lip as she read. He looked away quickly. How about golf. Or paint drying. More desperate for relief, he needed to think of something to completely shake the erotic images in his head. He tried to focus on anything that turned him off. He focused on women he found repulsive. But his tactics failed. His mind would always twist each wretched thought into something beautiful.

He thought of Janet Reno. Shoulder pads, box hips, nun shoes and whatever that hair cut was. He saw the beast standing at a podium, droning on and on and on about what, he didn't know. The words blended and faded to the back of his mind. Janet Reno pulled the microphone from the podium and turned to the left, walking out from behind it.

Long, slender smooth and naked legs came into view. Delicate bare feet. His eyes raked up the legs at the delicious curve of calf and then thigh, the highest point of the leg covered by a white towel. His eyes quickly flashed up to the face of the woman he thought was Janet Reno. Juliet's vivid blue eyes held his, thick blonde hair tied back tightly on her head. Beautiful feminine curves obscured by only the shortest white towel and her hand reached up to unpin her hair. The hair fell around her shoulders and she raked that hand through the waves, fluffing it. She flashed him a seductive grin and dropped the towel.

A groan rumbled deep in his throat and he glanced quickly to Juliet, seeing if she noticed his day dream. How the hell did Janet Reno turn into Juliet Burke! Thankfully, his lustful thoughts and reactions went unnoticed by the blonde to his left. His eyes scanned Juliet's body a long moment focusing first on legs, hips, waist, breasts. His eyes stopped there and his stomach clenched. He shook his head and released the breath he held. "Damn it," he slammed his book closed and tossed it on the table.

Juliet glanced to him at the sound, her finger holding her page in the book. "You ok?"

"Just perfect," he husked and turned towards her, eyes intense and darkened with passion. He held her surprised gaze as he crawled across the couch, hovered over her. His hand knocked the book from her grasp before he clasped that same hand, entwining his fingers with hers. He closed the distance between them and kissed her.

Shocked, she tensed at his actions and her hand tightened on his. He pressed closer, head tilting as soft lips coaxed her and he hummed softly, gripping her hand in return, matching her strength. He guided that hand to his back then slipped his fingers from hers to reach up and splay his large palm over her cheek, thick fingers sliding through her hair.

She sighed and sunk into the couch; her hand slid up his back to grip the muscles between his shoulders and with the slightest surrender, she relaxed into him. As he stretched over her, she squirmed to accommodate him and her opposite hand abandoned the couch instead to rest on the back of his head through the kiss.

Expertly, he manipulated her with subtle movements, hands and mouth coaxing. His right hand on her cheek slid under her neck to hold her into him, that same forearm balancing on the cushions of the couch as his left hand snaked down her body and over her thigh, shifting her against him. She hummed softly, squirming and then shifting to the direction of his hand, sliding that leg along his, wrapping around his thigh to keep him close.

He sighed at the compliance, deepening the kiss and his body surged at the primal victory of her submission.

Knock Knock Knock

He ignored the incessant tapping and his lips traveled from her mouth along her jaw to her throat, exploring the sweet tasting skin of her neck. She gasped beneath him, lips parted in delicate pant. Her head lulled to the side, hazy eyes focused on the front door.

Knock Knock Knock

She swallowed hard, the moment broken and her hands pressed into his chest and shoulders. "James," she whispered. When he didn't stop, she blinked and released a shaky sigh. His lips sealed to the delicate tendon connecting her shoulder to her throat and she shivered sharply, moaning at the unexpected content as her leg clamped around his thigh, tensing. He growled triumphantly and focused there.

"James," she panted and pushed more forcefully at his shoulders. "James, the door."

He swallowed her protests in a searing and passionate kiss, his tongue dueling with hers. She caved to him, fingers tightening in his shirt, pulling him closer.

"Jim? It's Horace. Juliet?"

Juliet half groaned – half growled in frustration and pushed Sawyer back. His lips snapped from hers and she closed her eyes, panting.

Sawyer searched her expression after the interruption and ducked down to kiss her again. At the touch, she shook her head and murmured. "It's Horace," She whimpered as his tongue teased her lips. "What if … it's Miles." Sawyer grunted and lifted up slightly to search her eyes then sighed and rolled off the couch with great reticence. He muttered a few choice curses as he stood then tugged on his shirt, trying to pull it a little lower to hide any inappropriate reaction from their unexpected and unwanted visitor. He raked a hand through his hair to calm it from her hand and then opened the door with more force than he intended.

Horace startled as the door swung open and met Sawyer's gaze with trepidation. "Hi Jim," he gauged the situation, looking between the frustrated Sawyer and Juliet – the latter refused to look at him. The woman sat on the couch, head ducked into her hand and blushing brightly. Horace cleared his throat. "I … interrupted something."

"Yeah, kinda," Sawyer answered shortly and crossed his arms over his chest. "What do ya need? And make it quick."

"I just wanted to return this." Horace handed Sawyer a record album. "Thanks for letting me borrow it. I know it's their new album and all and it's your favorite band. So thanks."

Sawyer took the Lynyrd Skynyrd album and glanced at it then nodded. "No problem."

Horace smiled, embarrassed. "It was a good album. Glad you decided to buy it."

"Yeah well, the first album was great. So I figured 'Second Helping' would be good too."

Horace rocked his head slowly in agreement then adjusted the glasses on his nose. "You were totally right. Well … uhm … I'll see you both tomorrow. Twelve O'clock, Jim. Good night. Night, Juliet."

"Good night, Horace," Juliet called from the couch and stood to smile, completely under control.

Horace smiled brightly, more at ease and waved before stepping off the porch. Sawyer closed the door then sighed, resting his head against the smooth wood a moment before turning to face her. He grinned boyishly. "Perfect timing, eh?"

She nodded quietly and crouched down to pick up her book, flipping through the pages to find her spot then plucked the bookmark from the table to place between the pages.

Sawyer crossed the living room and opened the book case lower cupboard to slide the album back into place. When he faced Juliet again, she averted her eyes from him, looking to the window, arms crossed defensively over her chest. "Hey …" he stepped closer to her. "Jules."

She held his eyes, her own confused and uncertain, a little hurt. "I can't do this, James."

He frowned, confused as well. "Do what?"

She swallowed hard, lips parted in a sigh as she looked away from him, gathered herself then met his gaze again. "I can't be the other woman again. I thought I could but I can't. I can't do it. I'm sorry." She turned from him towards the stairs.

"Hey," he crossed the room quickly, reaching out to touch her shoulder as she rested one foot on the first stair. "What are you talkin' about?"

Her back to him, she strengthened any protective walls before answering. "I've only ever been 'the other woman'. I can't do it again." She glanced back over her shoulder at him. "I won't."

His hand grazed down her shoulder, her arm before he gripped her hand, turning her to face him. "Alright. I get that. Why you runnin' then?"

Incredulously, she searched his eyes before answering. "Because I still am. I'm still the other woman, James."

He shook his head. "No … ya ain't."

She sighed and pulled her hand from his. "Yes, I am. You still dream of her. I heard you say her name. I don't hold that against you but I can't be a replacement. I couldn't handle that. Do you understand?"

"Dream of her? You mean Kate?" Sawyer chuckled. "Darlin' I haven't dreamt of Kate in months."

She frowned. "You don't have to lie. I heard you say her name the other night."

"Fine. I haven't had a good dream about Kate in months. Look," he reached up to cup her cheek and when she tried to turn away, he refused to release her, forcing her eyes up to his. "Look … It's been seven months. They ain't comin' back. And I'm ok with that." He grinned. "Still not ok with the 1975 thing. But … haven't figured out how to change that yet."

She smirked slightly at his comment and a small chuckle slipped passed her lips. "What were you dreaming last night then?"

"I don't know. I don't remember. I usually don't remember my dreams."

"You don't remember any of them?"

He smirked flirtatiously. "Alright, I don't remember most of them. The ones I do remember, I don't wanna tell ya."

She pulled back from him, slowly extracting herself from his gaze.

"Oh no ya don't," he stepped forward again. "I ain't tellin' ya because if I told ya, I think ya'd turn as red as those pants ya got on." He ducked his head a little to try and meet her eyes.

She tilted her head slightly to match his gaze, appraising and debating.

He kissed her mouth softly, slowly, lingering. When he finally pulled back, just enough to speak, he smiled. "It's late. Why don't ya head on up for bed."

She sighed softly, eyes still closed. "The ones you do remember," she whispered. "Are they good?"

"Oh yeah."

"Is Kate in them?"

"Not the way you think."

She eased back, a little confused and then nodded slowly. "And what do I think?"

"I think …" he leaned forward a little to whisper suggestively. "Let's just say she ain't the reason I wake up every mornin' in the condition I'm in."

She glanced down his body then up again. "The one you're in now?"

"That'd be the one. So unless we want to explore this new development … I think ya should head on up."

She smirked, teasingly at that and bit her lip, glancing down again. He cleared his throat and shifted his weight and her eyes shot up towards his with a victorious glimmer. She turned then and walked up stairs.

Sawyer turned from the stairs, stalking across the room to the decorative mirror, raking both hands through his hair as he stared at his reflection. His hands tightened in his hair, tugging slightly as he breathed deeply, calming the raging desire burning at his core.

Options: Cold shower, jump in the ocean, deal with it himself, let Juliet deal with it for him.

He shook his head. The latter likely completely out of the question, he walked up the stairs and into the bathroom. Stripping nude, he turned on the water as cold as he could manage and carefully stepped into the tub. He gasped at the cold well water and released a few heavy breaths as the water pounded against his chest and down his hips.

He shivered, his body fully distracted at the moment and he rested his head against the tiles as he let the cold water chill any heat still smoldering.

Juliet lay on her side in the bed, lights off. She stared at the opposite wall, brow furrowed at the sound of the shower. Realization dawning, she blushed slightly though her muscles remained tense as she waited for him. Her mind swirled with his kisses, his words, the sensations of him. How long had it been since she felt the touch of a man? Was she so starved for affection?

She reflected carefully on her previous relationships, her experiences with men. The good and the bad. Mostly the bad because the little good she remembered drowned amidst the bad and the painful. Why would she risk anything again to try and find something she wasn't meant to have? Maybe some people were just meant to be alone?

The door to the bedroom opened and she frowned. He was early.

"I know yer awake," Sawyer announced with a smirk. "Ya always are."

She rolled onto her back. "How do you know?"

He tugged off his t shirt, slipping into the bed in his boxers. "Cuz ya lay there stiff as a corpse every night until I get into the bed and turn my back on ya." He grinned and lay on his side, facing her.

"Yeah well … I just want to make sure you come up and all." She defended and then turned away from him again, tucking her hands under her head. Her eyes closed.

Reaching out, he slid a warm hand along her waist then stomach; she tensed and her eyes widened at the touch. Sawyer licked his lips and coaxed her backwards before pressing a kiss to the back of her neck. "Come here. No sense pretendin' like this ain't what happens anyway." He tugged her back, ignoring the tension as he spooned against her, closing his eyes. He sighed contently, his arm draped heavily over her, completely relaxed.

The tension slowly oozed from her and she sighed as well, squirming back against him to settle for the night.

He chuckled, voice deep. "Don't move too much there. Cuz I ain't gonna be held accountable for what happens when ya do."

She blushed and bit her lip then laughed softly. "Sorry."

"Don't be sorry." He soothed and his hand splayed on her stomach, daring to slide under the tank top to touch the warm flesh of her abdomen. "Just don't be surprised."

She shifted slightly again and at his soft groan of frustration and subtle tensing, she grinned. Stilling, she closed her eyes and released a heavy sigh, pleased at the sensation of his body behind her.

Author's Note: And back from vacation, and I thought I'd give all my readers a post on both stories. Of course Reload is a bit darker than this. I thought this sexy awesomeness makes up for that. Please review, let me know what you like, and if you can stand the heat in the kitchen. Because depending on response, things could get steamier.