Chapter 35
Sawyer
Is it always this easy?
It doesn’t take us long to fall into an easy routine. I’m back in the kitchen on Fridays and Saturdays, at the ranch the rest of the week.
But nearly every night I have her wrapped up in my arms.
It’s supposed to be harder than this, right?
Maybe not all the time.
Now that the shift has been made, it’s as if it’s always been us.
I don’t want to think of a time without her.
Every morning as I get dressed to leave, I dread it.
“Long day planned?” she asks from where she’s curled up on the recliner.
The early sun highlights the maroon tints in her dark hair.
“With all this snow, I’ll be on the tractor all day moving it.” Ducking low enough to look out the window, I steal the chance to kiss the top of her head.
But then I waffle on rushing out the door. “Have you decided on Christmas yet?”
After the tension over Thanksgiving, I’m not sure if I’m ready to throw her to the wolves of my family yet.
It might go smoother, though. They already know about her.
“I was thinking I’d get you hard and tie a ribbon around it.” She smiles, rolling her tongue over her lip. “Then it’s the gift that keeps on giving.”
Fuck. Blood rushes to my groin.
“I like that idea, but my grandma will be there too.” I grab my coat before I’m tempted to strip down and give her what she’s wishing for.
It’s barely been an hour since we crawled out of bed, breathless and spent.
“Eh, semantics.” She sets down her coffee and stands, sliding her palms around my waist under my thick jacket. “Coming back here tonight?”
Damn it. “I’ll try. I told Scotty I’d be online tonight with him.” I let out a sigh. “Although, I’d rather be with you.” My palms cup her ass, snugging her against my body.
“Maybe—” She walks her fingers down my chest. “—you should bring your stuff here? Then you can game with him while I play with you.”
Now I’m hard as a rock.
But the weight of her words hits me. “Like, stay here every night?” I ask quietly, inwardly screaming that I hope it’s what she means.
She raises her chin, propping it on my sternum so I can feel her voice vibrating against me. “Yes, Sawyer. I like having you in my bed when I wake up.”
I duck low enough to look in her eyes. “Do you love it like I do?” I fight the grin trying to pull up my cheeks.
It seems that she’s trying to do the same. “Yes, little boy.” Her fingers dive into my hair, knotting it to pull me close enough to kiss me. “I do love it,” she exhales, pushing her tongue between my lips.
Riding on the high of her, I nearly tumble down the stairs.
My day flies by in a whirl of loads and loads of heavy packed snow. The biggest goal was clearing the parking lot and the long lane for everyone coming this weekend for Christmas.
I’m not sure why I’m more excited about this one than the past ones.
Probably because I have something to celebrate.
A beautiful woman who wants me.
After I’m all done, I toss my thick coat in my pick-up and head inside.
“What’s the hurry, son?” Grandpa’s sitting on the couch with his feet propped up by the fire and a book set on his thick belly. If he had a white beard he’d be perfect for the role of Santa, especially as he tilts his nose down to look at me over the rims of his bifocals.
“Just grabbing a few things to head to Val’s.” I kick off my snow-covered boots and start to pass behind him.
“Come here.” He pats the cushion next to him. “I haven’t seen much of you lately.”
I’m torn. I want to hurry back to her.
But I bite my lip and jump over the arm to flop next to him. “I’m here everyday, Grandpa. Besides, I thought you were here for the babies?”
“You’re my oldest grandson, yet also just as important.” He leans in, squinting behind the thick lenses. “When do I get to meet this gal?” Then he tilts away, raising his bushy silver brows. “Or is it not quite that serious?”
“I think it is. I’m gonna marry her someday.” I can’t wait.
I’m starting to understand it. The need to tell the world that I belong to her feels like a static noise in my body.
He chuckles, smacking my knee. “I hope she feels the same?”
I nod, staring into the fire. “Yea, I think so. She asked me to stay.”
“I thought you have been? Did your father teach you about the birds and the bees? You’ll be adding to the pack of kiddos before long.” His belly jiggles with another laugh. “That’d make me a great-grandpa, ya know?”
“Aww, Grandpa. Let’s not talk about that?” I groan.
“Bring her tomorrow, huh? I want to meet her. So does your grandma.” He winks one amber eye and pulls his book back up.
“I’ll see what I can do. She’s the boss.” I grin at him as I unfold myself from the couch.
“That’s the way it should be,” he grunts. He doesn’t look at me, focusing instead on the page.
It takes me two trips to load up my games and system, plus a full duffle of odds and ends.
This feels weird, like I’m moving out.
I’m slamming the passenger side shut when I see Dad walking out of the barn.
“Off and runnin’?” he yells across the yard.
I throw him a thumb’s up. “Yea, I’m gonna be staying at Val’s tonight.”
He gives me a knowing smile. “I figured. Will we see you tomorrow?”
“I think so. I’ll promise to stop by.” I shrug and climb behind the steering wheel.
The tip of his broad-brimmed hat dips in a nod as I leave.
He knows how it goes.
I know he’d do anything for Lori.
At first I thought he was nuts.
But I get it now. I’d walk back and forth to Val’s if I had to.
It’s like I can’t breathe without her.
She’s busy taking an order when I push inside with the first bag, so I beeline for the stairs.
I’ll just set this near the couch to set up when I have everything inside. There’s a giddy energy running through my limbs, like this is the next level for us.
When I start back down, she’s waiting halfway up the steps.
“Welcome home, little boy.” Her emerald eyes practically glow in the dim light. “I got you a little something. Sit.”
Obediently, I drop my butt to the hard wood.
I love it when she takes charge.
Reaching into the snug pocket of her pants, she pulls out a long silver chain. “I’ve been thinking about this since that day.” Uncoiling it, she lets it dangle from her finger. “Do you want to show the world you’re mine? We can add the rings later.” Her full, red lips lift in a seductive smirk.
Tugging off my hat, I eagerly nod. “Please?”
She threads it into a loop and drapes it over my head.
Then she grabs the end and cinches it tightly around my throat, pulling me closer. “Now kiss me, lover boy.”
I crash my lips against hers, heat spreading through my body to pool with liquid fire in my loins.
My palms wrap her thighs, pulling her to straddle me on the narrow stairs.
It’s all I’ve ever wanted, to be hers.
She pulls away, wiping her lipstick from my mouth with her thumb. “I’m closing up in an hour.” Reaching down, she rubs over my bulging crotch. “Hold that thought.”
As she saunters away from me, I have to readjust my zipper to stand.
The silver chain is cool against my skin, and I can’t help fidget with it as I head outside.
But then I pause when I see a man walking towards me.
What is he doing here? “Dad? Did you order something? I can go grab it for you—” My thumb jerks over my shoulder and freezes.
Except.
It’s not him.
When he looks up at me, his face pales.
Half of it.
The other half is scarred and puckered, pulling at the corner of his mouth and tightening around his eyes.
What the fuck?
“No.” His quiet word hangs in mist before he turns abruptly and strides back to his black SUV.
“Wait!” I rush after him, but he’s too fast, slamming his door shut.
My arm drops to my side watching the car peel out of the parking lot.
Who was that? Why did he look so much like—
Was that Uncle Cade?