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  My mom looked like she was going to cry. “Please give this a lot of thought, Maggie. I don’t want you to ruin your life.”

  “Ruin my life?” I practically yelled. “Sawyer is not going to ruin my life. He’s one of the best things in my life right now.”

  My mom looked like she was going to say more but she held her tongue.

  I inhaled a deep breath and tried to compose myself. “I have given this a lot of thought, Mom. I’ve done research on spinal cord injuries. I know what I’m getting into with Sawyer. I know there’ll be challenges but I still want to be with him. He means a lot to me. I wish you could understand that.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t understand at all. You have a perfect guy, the son of a judge for goodness sake, who wants to be with you and you choose a cripple instead. It doesn’t make any sense to me at all.”

  “Maybe you could meet Sawyer? Would that help?”

  My mom shook her head.

  “Would you at least think about it?” I asked.

  She looked up at me and her eyes were wet with tears. “If you’ll think about giving Jude a chance.”

  “I’ll think about it,” I lied through gritted teeth.

  My mom gave me a quick peek on the cheek and was out the door before either of us had a chance to say anything else.

  As the door closed, all of the happiness I had felt after reading Sawyer’s message drained from my body. If my own mother couldn’t even accept my being with Sawyer, what did that say about our relationships? Were other people going to be equally as mean? I guess I never realized how much prejudice there was toward people with disabilities. My mother seemed to imply that I was somehow better than Sawyer and he was not as deserving simply because he used a wheelchair. How messed up was that? It made me wonder how much Sawyer had to endure on a daily basis. Or even Summer for that matter because her disability was even more visible.

  ***

  Do you want to watch me play basketball? The text message said. We have a late afternoon game. Then we can have dinner at your place?

  I had only seen Sawyer play once, and I was so nervous and unsure of everything, I really wasn’t paying attention to the game. Not that I knew anything about basketball anyway. But the idea of watching muscular guys doing anything athletic, especially one very sexy muscular guy, was quite appealing.

  Sounds great, I texted back then thought about the few hours I had to get ready before the game.

  I wanted to look sexy and irresistible. I wanted Sawyer to not be able to take his eyes off of me. But I didn’t want to distract his basketball game.

  Okay, maybe I did want to just a little.

  After going through my closet numerous times and feeling completely disgusted with the majority of my comfortable and functional wardrobe, I decided I needed to splurge and buy something new.

  And I hoped that Mya would be able to help me.

  Less than an hour later, Mya and Grace met me at the mall. We started on a quest to find some clothing that said more than I’m practical. I needed something that said I want some action.

  Mya and I both stopped dead in our tracks outside Forever Young.

  “That’s it!” Mya exclaimed as we both stared at the short white skirt and matching silky flowered blouse.

  “Let’s just hope they have it in my size,” I replied as we headed into the store.

  Bingo! They had both pieces in my size and I headed into the dressing room. I had to admit, the skirt accentuated my curves and the color of the flowers on the delicate top brought out my coloring. But I needed a second opinion.

  When I walked out of the dressing room, Mya whistled at me and Grace joined in like we were playing a game.

  “Sawyer won’t be able to keep his hands off of you,” Mya said. “I promise.”

  “Thanks for your help.” I gave Mya a warm smile. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. Especially on such short notice.”

  “I really care about Sawyer. He’s like a second brother to Andy. I can’t wait to see the expression on his face when he sees you wearing this outfit. It’ll definitely be worth it.”

  “I hope you’re right,” I said as I snuck a peek at myself in the mirror.

  ***

  I arrived at the basketball game just a few minutes before it was scheduled to start. I wanted to surprise Sawyer and I didn’t want him to see me until after the game. I assumed he’d have his head in the game and I didn’t realize he’d be scanning all the spectators for me.

  When he finally spotted me sitting next to Mya, Sawyer came to a dead stop in the middle of the court. A few of his teammates started yelling at him but he just sat there staring at me.

  A whistle blew and a referee said something to Sawyer that I couldn’t make out. Then Sawyer made his way to the sideline.

  “I guess the dress really worked,” Mya quipped. “Sawyer isn’t the type of player to ever get distracted from the game.”

  I wasn’t sure whether to smile or feel embarrassed.

  I watched as the guys knocked the ball around the court and knocked into each other. I didn’t know anything about basketball other than the object was to get the ball into the basket. The only problem was I couldn’t really figure out which team was trying to get the ball into which basket. And everything was happening so fast, it was hard to keep up.

  The action was swift and when I saw Sawyer wheel back out again, I was glad that he wasn’t looking in my direction. I didn’t want to distract his game again.

  As time went by, Mya really got into the game. She kept jumping up and yelling at the guys as they played.

  When she finally sat down again, I leaned over and asked, “Are they winning?”

  “It’s tied right now,” she replied without taking her eyes off the game. “With only two minutes left.”

  I held my breath as Sawyer made his way down the court with the ball. He took a shot and the ball went right through the basket. The spectators jumped to their feet and everyone went wild with applause and cheers.

  I noticed Sawyer look over in my direction. I wondered if he had made the basket just for me.

  After the game ended, family members and friends gathered around the players. Mya gave Andy a kiss and when he tried to grab her, she laughed and playfully pushed him away. “You’re all sweaty.”

  He grinned. “I thought you liked it when I was sweaty.”

  Sawyer rolled right up to me and grabbed my hand. “I’m glad you came to watch the game.”

  “I thought maybe for a minute I was completely distracting you.”

  He looked me up and down and I could see his eyes flare with desire. “It was the dress that was distracting me.”

  “You like?” I teased as I did a little spin around.

  He slowly nodded. “I like a lot.”

  Mya leaned over to me and said, “We’re going to get going.”

  “Have fun kids,” Andy said as he and Mya headed out.

  Sawyer was still looking at me, his eyes filled with desire.

  “You still want to come over for dinner?” I teased.

  “I’ve been thinking about it all day. But maybe I need to stop by my place and take a shower first.”

  “You could take a shower at my place,” I said without thinking.

  Sawyer just stared at me for a moment. “I’m not sure that’s going to work.”

  I couldn’t believe I had forgotten about his wheelchair. “I’m sorry. I mean—I don’t know what I mean.”

  He smiled. “It’s okay. Not a big deal.”

  “I kind of forgot for a minute that you were in a wheelchair. Is that bad?”

  He shook his head. “I like that you’re seeing me and not always just seeing the chair.”

  “Do you want me to follow you to your house or do you just want to come by when you’re done?”

  “I’m sure my mom would love to see you again. She actually hasn’t stopped talking about you.”

  I wasn’t sure if that was good or
bad.

  ***

  I sat in the living room while Sawyer took his shower. I was sort of getting used to the room. It had a homey feel, not like my parents’ house, which always felt stuffy and uncomfortable.

  Mrs. Reed came in with a tray of tea and cookies which she placed on the coffee table. Then she sat in the chair next to me.

  “Has Sawyer told you about his big plans?” she asked as she poured tea into her fine China cups.

  I shook my head.

  “He wants to get his own place. I think he’s finally ready to get back out on his own. And I’m sure it has a lot to do with the two of you getting together. Who wants to bring their girlfriend back to mom and dad’s place?”

  Girlfriend. That was the first time anyone had called me someone’s girlfriend. Was I actually Sawyer Reed’s girlfriend? Six years ago, if you would have told me I’d be Sawyer Reed’s girlfriend, I would have told you that you were nuts. Now it was a reality.

  Mrs. Reed got an odd expression on her face as she sipped her tea. “I hope I didn’t steel his thunder by telling you. Maybe it can be our little secret.”

  “Okay,” I said not wanting her to feel bad.

  Sawyer’s shower was quick. I hadn’t even finished my tea by the time he rolled into the living room. I was glad to see him, though, because I was getting a little tired of talking about Evolutionary Biology with Mrs. Reed smiling and nodding like she actually cared about what I was saying. She had to be one of the sweetest people on the planet. Even my own mom and dad didn’t ask me questions about my major. I knew it was because it completely bored them.

  Sawyer looked amazing, freshly showered and clean shaven. He had changed into khaki pants and a tight fitting pale blue polo shirt that really accentuated his muscular arms and chest.

  As he got closer, I caught a scent of his aftershave, clean with a hint of spice. When he gave me my special smile, I could feel tingling straight down to my toes.

  “Ready to go?” Sawyer asked.

  I didn’t want to be rude to his mom but I was anxious to be alone with Sawyer. She must have sensed the energy being exchanged between us because Mrs. Reed hopped to her feet and said, “I’d better get dinner started for your father and Summer.”

  I rose and Mrs. Reed pulled me into a hug. “It was great to see you again, Maggie. Don’t be a stranger.”

  “Thank you for the tea and cookies,” I replied as Mrs. Reed started to clear the cups away.

  I followed Sawyer out and we stood there for a moment looking at the two cars.

  “I guess we didn’t plan this very well,” Sawyer said. “It would have been better if I had picked you up for the game.”

  “It’s okay. It’s not like my apartment is that far away.”

  I had to admit, though, as we got into our cars, I felt a pang of disappointment that we weren’t driving together.

  As soon as we got to my place, I parked while Sawyer parked right next to me. After he assembled and got back into his chair, he said, “I never thought five miles would seem so long.”

  I had to laugh because I felt the same way.

  “So what culinary delights do you have in store for us this evening?” Sawyer asked as he entered my apartment. “Nice place, by the way.”

  “It’s small but affordable. Good enough for one person.”

  He looked around. “It’s kind of like what I imagined. It suits you.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “It’s practical but still with a bit of adventure and spice, just like you.”

  I closed the distance between us and before I knew it, Sawyer had pulled me onto his lap. He was getting really good at that move. “I heard there was a possibility of you getting your own place,” I put out there.

  He grinned. “And just where would you hear a thing like that?”

  I played with the collar of his shirt. “Around,” I teased.

  “I’ve started looking but I’m not going to rush into anything right now just in case.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “In case of what?”

  His eyes grew serious. “In case there’s any possibility I may have someone to live with.”

  Now my eyes were wide. “And who would that be?”

  “Who do you think?”

  I ran my thumb down his cheek and he took in a sharp breath. “Aren’t you taking things a little fast?”

  “I already told you I want to be with you.”

  “We haven’t even—you know—don’t you want to see if we’re good together first?”

  When he tensed, I thought maybe I had said something wrong. “Are you worried I won’t be able to perform?” His voice sounded strained.

  I gulped. All the awkwardness of my past relationships came crashing back to me. The few guys I’d been with telling me I wasn’t passionate enough. That I didn’t do enough to turn them on.

  “That was actually the last thing on my mind,” I admitted. I tried really hard to blink back the tears I could feel welling up in my eyes.

  I looked away but Sawyer grabbed my chin and gently moved my head so that I was looking at him again. “What’s wrong?”

  I didn’t want to admit that I was scared to death that he would change his mind once we were together and that he would decide he didn’t want to be with me. That I truly wouldn’t be good enough. I knew he had been with plenty of other girls. Girls who were a lot prettier and more experienced than I was. What if I didn’t measure up?

  “I’m scared,” I confessed. I could feel a tear drop escape down my cheek and Sawyer gently brushed it away with his finger.

  “What are you afraid of?” he asked softly as he continued to brush his hand down the side of my face.

  “Let’s just say I don’t have the very best track record when it comes to men and sex.”

  “You’re not a virgin, are you?”

  I shook my head. “No, I’ve been with a few guys. But the experiences were not the most passionate. The guys always blamed me. And maybe they were right. Maybe I’m just not that good.”

  “Well, if your kisses are any indication, I don’t think we have anything to worry about in the passion department. You’re a great kisser.”

  I smiled. “It helps to have someone who knows what they’re doing on the other end of the kiss.”

  “I have years of practice,” he boasted. “But I could use a little more, I think.”

  He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on my lips. My entire body responded to his mouth pressing on mine. I parted my lips as his tongue made its way into my mouth.

  As Sawyer deepened the kiss, his hands made their way to my breasts and he played with my nipples which were now standing at attention under my blouse. I let out a moan as Sawyer made his way down my neck with little nips and butterfly kisses. A flood of shivers overcame me when Sawyer sucked on my earlobe.

  “I don’t think you were the problem Maggs,” Sawyer whispered into my ear. “I don’t think those other guys knew what they were doing and they blamed it on you. You’re incredibly hot and so responsive. I can’t get enough.”

  He kissed me again. Time seemed to halt as the two of us melted into each other.

  “Do you want to go into my bedroom?” I said breathlessly when we took a break for air.

  Desire flashed in his eyes. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  I hopped off of his lap and crooked my finger suggestively so he’d follow me into my bedroom.

  When we passed by my bathroom, Sawyer pointed toward the room and said, “I’ll meet you in the bedroom in a minute.”

  I was glad I had followed my mom’s advice and opted for a Queen sized bed, although when she suggested it, having a man in my room wasn’t something I gave much serious thought to. I quickly removed two scented candles and a lighter I had stored in my bottom dresser drawer and placed them on top of the dresser. I lit them and then started my small alarm clock radio. I wasn’t able to get too many stations on the thing but luckily I was able to find a cool jazz sta
tion.

  Kind of romantic, I thought. I could feel my heart start beating a little bit faster as I thought about getting intimate with Sawyer.

  I was going to have sex with Sawyer Reed! It was unreal.

  Once Sawyer joined me in my room, I was overcome with panic. I wasn’t sure exactly what to do, with Sawyer in the wheelchair. I was used to guys being the aggressors and taking the lead. I soon found out that Sawyer wasn’t too much different he just had to go about it in a different way.

  Sawyer was looking at me with so much hunger in his eyes it made my heart pound even harder in my chest. “Take off your shirt,” he said.

  For once, I actually did as I was told. I slowly unbutton my blouse and let it fall to the floor. “And your bra,” he directed.

  I unhooked my bra and slowly pulled the straps from my shoulders, letting my bra fall to the floor with the blouse.

  I waited as Sawyer took in my breasts. “You’re beautiful.”

  I swallowed in anticipation of what he was going to say next. “Now take off your skirt.”

  I unzipped my skirt and let it fall to the floor. I felt so vulnerable standing in front of him in just my white lace underwear.

  Sawyer bit his bottom lip as he looked me up and down. “Now come closer,” he instructed.

  I slowly took a few steps closer to him.

  “Closer,” he said.

  I continued to move until I was touching his knees.

  “That’s better,” he said as he looked up at me. His beautiful green eyes were now gleaming.

  He took his index finger and placed it between my breasts then slowly ran it down the length of my body until he reached the edge of my panties. As he made his way along the edge of my panties, I took in a sharp breath as electricity surged through my body.

  When I glanced down, Sawyer was grinning up at me. Then he grabbed my ass and pulled me even closer. He moved his rough hands lightly over my breasts and teased my nipples with his thumbs until they were erect. He followed up with his mouth on my nipples, licking and sucking on each one until I let out a moan.

  He made his way down my body with his fingers, lightly stroking and brushing my ribs and stomach, sending another wave of shivers through me.

  This time, when he reached my underwear, he placed his thumbs on the edges and pulled my panties down. When they got down to my knees, I kicked them off and stood completely naked in front of Sawyer.