Chapter 20
Hollis blew out a breath, leaned down, and felt the stretch.
God, she felt good. The sun was shining, the waves were lapping the shore, and she was doing yoga by the pool.
It had been three weeks since Reuben had been arrested. She and Sawyer had stayed in San Francisco until they’d had confirmation that the contract on her life had been rescinded.
Apparently, hitmen didn’t like doing jobs where they didn’t get paid.
Still holding her downward dog, she glanced at her watch. Sawyer would be home from work soon. Tonight, she was finally cooking him her world-famous pepper steak stir fry.
She rose and stretched her arms up to the sky, and moved into the eagle pose. They’d mostly stayed here at Archer’s place, and only spent the odd night at Sawyer’s cottage. She was keeping busy reading the scripts that Tavion sent her. Tave had been ecstatic when she’d finally called him to let him know she was safe.
She eyed the script resting on the nearby pool lounger. It was the Lehman script. The Western saga. She really liked this one. She wanted to do it. Nerves took flight in her belly.
It was going to suck to leave Sawyer.
She’d gotten used to cooking with him, lying on the couch snuggling together, sleeping beside him.
Loving him.
Every night now, he slept soundly beside her.
Her balance wobbled. She lowered her arms and legs. She wanted to do the job that she loved, but she also wanted Sawyer.
She heard the sliding door open and spun. She watched him step out of the house.
He was in his uniform. A hot shiver ran through her. She loved him in uniform. A couple of times in the bedroom, they’d played deputy and misbehaving criminal, much to her delight.
Her deputy liked to spank her when she was naughty.
“Hey there,” she said.
He smiled. “Hi.” His gaze ran appreciatively over her yoga leggings and top.
“Did you have a good day?” she asked.
“Yes, but it’s better now.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her.
A sense of rightness filled her. She was where she was supposed to be.
So how was she going to leave him?
He glanced down at the script. “How’s this one?”
“Good. Really good.”
“You want me to read it?”
She nodded. He’d been reading her scripts, and offering excellent feedback. She liked bouncing ideas off him.
He slid his hand into her hair. “You’re awfully tense for someone doing yoga.”
“I’m fine.” She dredged up a smile. “I’m going to make you my pepper steak stir fry.”
“Hollis.” He paused, his gaze on her face. “You want to take this role.”
“Yes.” She pulled away. “But there will be shoots on the mainland, and at several locations in Europe. I’ll be gone for months.” Tears welled in her eyes. “We’ll barely see each other.”
She’d found her happy. She’d found the man she loved and who loved her back. And he didn’t just say the words, he showed her with his actions.
Why did she have to choose between the two things that fed her soul, that completed her?
“Hey.” He gripped her shoulders. “I told you that we’d work this out.”
“I know, but your home and job are here.”
“It’s your home now, too.”
Maui had become home. She loved the ocean, she loved Paia, and adored his friends and family. They treated her like a normal person.
Yes, this was home. Mostly thanks to this man.
“But I love my work as well.” Her face crumpled.
He pulled her against his chest. “No crying. I have a solution. I’m coming with you on your shoot. As your security.”
Her head shot up. “What?”
“I’m coming with you. There is no way we’re spending months apart.”
“But Sawyer, your work?—”
“I already have a plan. I’ve been talking with Jesse. He’d like to spend more time with his grandkids, and help his son in his restaurant. But he’s not quite ready to retire yet.”
Her brow creased. “I don’t understand.”
“We’re going to share the job. We’ll both work part-time, around your schedule.”
Her mouth dropped open.
He rubbed his thumb over her lip. “I’ve got money saved up. I didn’t spend much when I was in the military, and I invested well. So, it won’t be a financial hit. I don’t spend a lot anyway.”
Her pulse pounded in her ears, excitement growing in her belly. “And as my private security, I’ll pay for flights and accommodation while we’re away.”
“Deal.”
Happiness swamped her. “Oh my God, you’re coming with me!” She leaped on him, clamping her legs around his waist. “And in between movies, we’ll come back here to Maui. To Paia. To home.”
“Sounds perfect,” he said, his hands sliding under her ass.
She smacked a kiss to his lips. “More than perfect. Sawyer, I had no idea that I could be this happy.”
“Believe it, gorgeous. I’m planning to work hard to make you happy for the rest of our lives.”
Several months later
Sawyer opened the limousine door, ignoring the flashes from the cameras and screams from the crowd. He eyed the bystanders behind the barricades, and saw that the security team was doing a good job with crowd control.
He held out a hand to Hollis. She put her hand in his and stepped out of the limousine.
Damn, she looked amazing. She wore a long column of midnight-blue silk that skimmed her body lovingly. Her red hair was out and in loose waves.
He leaned down. “You take my breath away.”
She smiled and there were more camera flashes. “You say that when I’m on the couch wearing my sweatpants.”
“It’s true then as well.”
“I love you.” She straightened his bow tie. “And I cannot believe how hot you look in a tuxedo.” She went up on her toes and pressed a quick kiss to his mouth that set the crowd of fans off. “I’m very excited to take it off you later.”
His cock twitched and he fought for some control. The last thing he needed in front of this crowd was a hard on. He resisted the urge to swat her ass. “Later. Come on, we have a movie premiere to attend.”
She slid her arm through his and they started down the red carpet toward the iconic Grauman’s Chinese Theater.
She stopped for a second and waved to the fans, a huge, glamorous smile on her face.
She was his.
This Hollis—the glossy movie star—and the real Hollis underneath—the one who’d been battered by life, but never gave up—were both his.
She turned her smile on him, and they continued down the red carpet.
“About time you two arrived.” Tavion appeared, looking sharp in his burgundy tuxedo jacket. Hollis’s agent had his dark hair cut short and his goatee trimmed to perfection.
“Tave,” Sawyer said.
“Sawyer.”
Much to Hollis’s delight, he and her agent had become fast friends. They both loved football and had been to several games together.
“Red, you look gorgeous.” Tave kissed her cheek.
“You look devastatingly handsome. As always.”
He flashed her a smile. “I think your lawman gives you a certain glow.”
She beamed up at Sawyer. “He does.”
“I read today that you’re pregnant with triplets,” Tave said.
She rolled her eyes. “It was twins last week.”
Tave smiled. “As long as when you two really do reproduce, I get to be the baby’s very stylish godfather.” He squeezed her arm. “I’ll see you both inside.”
As he strode off, Hollis turned back to Sawyer.
“God, you’re handsome,” she said.
He snorted. “I am never wearing a burgundy jacket.”
“All right.” She glanced around. “Tave didn’t notice. Think anyone has?” She nodded at her hand.
An ice-white diamond rested on her finger. The oval-shaped diamond he’d picked for her rested on a platinum band.
“Not yet.” The screams would be deafening if anyone had noticed.
He’d proposed on the last day filming in Budapest. He’d rented a boat for a night cruise on the Danube. They’d eaten, laughed, watched the sights of the city float past. When he’d gotten down on one knee, she’d cried, laughed, and said yes. Very enthusiastically.
It had been the best moment of his life. Well, maybe tied with rescuing a gorgeous, redheaded actress in the act of trying to turn a smoke alarm off.
They’d had a good time over the months they’d traveled for the filming of her movie. He’d never realized how grueling the work could be, or how much fun they’d have. Quickies in her trailer were a special favorite of his.
Hollis had joked about setting a goal to make love in every country around the world. As much as he loved the idea, he’d been to some countries that he’d never take her to.
But in the rest of them, he was more than happy to get naked for her.
During the filming, they’d snuck off whenever they could for romantic dinners and sightseeing strolls. Best of all, he’d slept beside her every night. His nightmares weren’t completely gone, but they didn’t come as frequently anymore.
There had been a stalker for him to deal with in Paris. The man was now behind bars, but Sawyer was certain that the little chat he’d had with the man before the police had taken him away had set him straight.
Sawyer would always be there for her, protecting and loving her. They were making their life together, their way. After this premiere, they would fly back to Maui for some much needed downtime.
She leaned into him. “There is nowhere else I’d rather be, Deputy Lane, than with you. Thank you for being mine.”
“That’s one thing you never need to thank me for.”
Love shone in her blue eyes.
As long as he was by Hollis’s side, he was happy. He knew that he was exactly where he was meant to be.
He tucked his fiancée closer to his side and they walked inside.
I hope you enjoyed Sawyer and Hollis’ story!