Chapter 24
SAWYER
T he next morning comes fast and hard and I’m not ready to leave Ivy. But I need to go to work and return to some type of normalcy. So does she.
I look at her sleeping body sprawled out in my bed, and it still doesn’t seem real. She sleeps like the fucking dead, and since I know she hasn’t slept well since she’s been gone, I’m sure it’s because she’s relaxed enough to let her body actually rest. I’m dressed in my work clothes—a pair of navy slacks and a white button-up shirt. I roll up my sleeves, put on my watch, and walk back over to her side of the bed. I kneel next to her and hate that I’m about to disturb her sleep, but can’t bring myself to leave her to wake up alone. I brush her silky black hair from her face before leaning down and peppering her forehead and cheeks with kisses.
“Mmm.” She starts to stir, turning over from her stomach to her back before cracking her eyes open. “What time is it?”
“Early, baby. I have to go to work and make sure Dallas hasn’t fired everyone and burned the place down.”
“Okay . . .” She starts to sit up, but I place my hand on the center of her chest to hold her down to the bed.
“Nope. Sleep. And then I want you to do whatever you want to do today.”
“I need to figure out what I’m going to do with my parents’ house and schedule a bunch of things,” she says, her voice groggy.
“You can do all of that from here. Let me know the plan and I’ll do whatever I can to help,”
“Thank you. You really don’t mind me staying here? I can go get stuff done at my parents’ house.”
My head rears back like she smacked me. Does she really not understand?
“Ivy, I don’t know how to make this any clearer, baby. I want you here for as long as you are willing to be. If it were up to me, you’d never leave. I just ask that for today, you be here when I get home. Please.”
I love the slow smile that creeps over her face.
“I can do that.”
“Good. I’m going to take the motorcycle, so the truck is here and you don’t feel trapped. We can go back and pick up your jeep tonight or tomorrow. I should be home around six, that work?”
“Thank you, Sawyer.”
She reaches out and places her hand on my cheek before rubbing her thumb back and forth across the scruff of my beard. I hold her eyes hostage for a few moments before giving her forehead one last lingering kiss and standing, smoothing out my shirt.
“See you tonight, Iv.”
“Tonight.”
I walk to the bedroom door before giving her one last look. She’s mid-cat stretch, and I groan out loud. It takes all my strength to walk away from her. But at least I’m leaving her in one of my T-shirts and in my bed.
She’ll be here when I get home. I feel it.
“Dallas, what the fuck are you doing in my office?”
He glances around, a puzzled look on his face.
“Who the fuck are you? This is my office now.”
“I don’t think so, dickhead, get out of my chair.”
I walk around my desk and Dallas scoots away from it in my office chair like a fifth grader.
“Dallas, what are you, ten? Get up and give me my chair. We’ve got shit to talk about.”
“This is my chair now, shithead. Who bought it anyway? This one is way better than the one in my office.”
“I did. Now get the fuck out of it and let me sit down.”
He pushes his feet to propel him further away. You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. The sight is laughable. My twin, a grown-ass man, who is slightly taller and has about thirty pounds of weight on me, is sliding around in an office chair like we’re in elementary school.
“Dallas. Give me my fucking chair. We aren’t kids anymore and I’ve got shit to do.”
“Come and get it, fucker. This is mine now.”
He scoots further and further away, white-knuckling the armrests. The moment he reaches for the door to open it wider, I launch myself at him, wrapping my arm around his neck in a chokehold, and dropping my weight forward into the ground, forcing him to bend with me. We fall to the hardwood floor, my expensive Herman Miller chair tipping over on top of us. Dallas punches wildly, connecting with my ribs. I tighten my hold around his neck and jerk us back straight, sending the chair scattering away, I throw a blow into his stomach that causes him to make a horrendous noise.
“If you puke on me, dickhead, I swear I’ll make you clean my office with your toothbrush!” I say through gritted teeth.
He reaches his free arm around to grab my shoulder and I lift and drop my elbow down onto his forearm. “Fuck! That fucking hurt!”
Using all of his weight, he turns us and I lose my hold around his neck. We shove each other, wrestling on the ground, trying to get the other to submit. I get him on his back, one of my knees on his chest, my hand pressing the side of his face into the ground. He continues to push me, throwing wild punches, and flips again, rolling us.
“What the fuck is going on in here?”
Dallas and I both freeze, he has my arm cinched behind my back, my fingers nearly touching the back of my head, and I’m throwing punches with my free hand into his ribs and stomach. We stare at Liam and Carter, neither of us wanting to be the one who lets go first.
“He started it,” Dallas says.
“Holy shit. Dad left these two in charge?” Carter says to Liam.
“Technically he left just me in charge,” I reply as Dallas yanks up further on my arm. It fucking hurts, but I’d rather he dislocate my shoulder than give him the satisfaction of besting me.
“We’ve got shit to talk about. Get the fuck up.”
Liam’s face leaves no room for misunderstanding. Dallas and I release each other, and I move to pick up my chair when he does the same.
I push him out of my way before moving it back to his rightful home behind my desk.
“I’ll give you the link, you moron. You can buy your own. Now sit down or fuck off.”
I look down at my now-wrinkled shirt and pants and do my best to comb my fingers through my hair. I take a seat and my brothers do the same.
“Alright. What have I missed?”
“Nothing. What have we missed?” Liam says, straight to the point. I should have known that they’d corner and force information out of me.
I shoot daggers at Dallas.
“Seriously? Is that why you stole my chair? Killin’ time?”
He shrugs his shoulders. What an asshole.
“We’re not leaving until you give us something.”
“Alright, let’s get this over with. What do you want to know?”
They look at each other before turning back to me.
“Everything. What is she doing back?”
“How did you find her?”
“What the fuck has been going on?”
“Is she back for good?”
“Where has she been?”
Their questions come in rapid fire, and I put up my hand to stop them.
“I’m not going to get into Ivy’s business with you. It’s her story to tell and I’m still getting to the bottom of it, but she left because her mom convinced her that I was controlling the outcome of where she’d go to college so that she’d stay with me. She told her that Dad paid off the admission board to get Ivy in and that I was all for it. She made it clear to Ivy that she needed to leave me and Aspen Ridge to guarantee she didn’t end up like her. Her mom really fucked with her head. There was some other stuff going on, but that’s between me and Iv.”
“Holy shit, man,” Liam says. “I’m so fucking sorry.”
“Yeah. She’s not doing so hot. I want to do whatever I can to help her feel better.”
“You don’t know why she’s back? What’s her plan?” Liam asks.
Carter sits back in his chair and rests his ankle on his knee, listening.
“So, some shit went down with an ex-boyfriend, and she found herself in a situation where she’s back here. Details aren’t important. She’s staying at my house, she’s safe, and we’re working through shit. That’s it right now.”
“What’s the endgame here Sawyer? You considering getting back together with her?” Carter asks, finally breaking his silence.
“It’s not even a question. You may not understand it because you guys were fourteen and sixteen when she left, but she is my endgame. She always has been. If she’s willing to stay and still wants me, which I think she does, then that’s what’s happening. Nothing, and I mean nothing will stand in my way this time, as long as she’ll have me.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“Excuse me?” I narrow my eyes at my brother.
“That’s bullshit. You talk like it’s all on her to decide what your fate is. She left you once and believe it or not big brother, I do fucking remember. I remember you not leaving your bed. I remember Mom crying because she was so worried about you and didn’t know what to do. Why the fuck is it all in her court? She’s the one who left you!”
I look at my youngest brother. He’s the most emotionally unavailable, stoic, easygoing one out of all of us. He loves women, but has never been in a relationship. I didn’t realize the effect my depressive episode after Ivy left had on him.
“Carter, I get it. I do. But I love her. I’ve never stopped, couldn’t if I tried. There is no me without her. I’m not saying you have to be her best friend, but you will accept her eventually. She is scared to death that no one in this town will accept her back into the fold, and I’ll be damned if it’s my own blood that makes her feel unwelcome. You don’t know what she’s been through, so don’t you dare fucking pass judgment on her.” My voice slowly rises and I notice Dallas brace himself in his seat, ready to get between us if needed. Probably smart, because I’m about two seconds from smacking the shit out of Carter.
“We got you, shithead. Right boys?” Dallas says, looking at our two brothers, trying to deflate the situation.
“We do,” Liam agrees.
“Carter?” Dallas says firmly.
Carter looks at me for a beat before nodding his head.
“Good. Now get out of my office and back to work.”
Liam and Carter rise and leave, but Dallas remains sitting with his phone in his hand.
“You got anything about our issue?” I ask as soon as the door shuts.
“Wes found his info. Wants to know if he should dig deeper or tail him. I wasn’t sure how deep you wanted to go. I know what I’d do if it were me.”
I rub my hands through my hair while I think it over. I don’t want to betray Ivy’s trust, but I need to know if this fucker means to cause more issues for her.
“What would you do?” I ask.
“It’s not a question. There’s no depth I wouldn’t go for my woman. When I settle down, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to ensure her safety. When she’s mine, she’s fucking mine.”
He’s not wrong. If there is even a small chance that I could prevent Ivy’s pain or fear, I need to take it.
“Make it happen. And send me the info you have.”
Dallas nods before leaving my office.
I spend the rest of the morning sifting through emails before attending a meeting with our CFO and Carter to go over numbers, growth, projections, and plans. While I was gone, Dallas surprisingly stayed out of Blaire’s way and allowed her to move forward with the installation of a bar downstairs. The company she chose creates custom pieces and the mock-ups look great. She’s got great ideas and will do good things here.
I walk back into my office and shut the door behind me before pulling out a protein shake from my mini fridge when it hits me.
Fuck. I wonder if there’s food in the house for Ivy to eat lunch.
I sit down in my chair before pulling my phone from my pocket and opening up my texts with Liam.
Me: Hey man, Can you find out if Hannah has that teenager working deliveries right now?”
Liam: Give me a min
I toss back my shake while waiting for a reply. I hope she’s having a good day. I hope she’s relaxed while alone in my space. I wanted to stay with her. The last few days it’s been so easy to give her all of my focus.
Liam: Yeah what do you need?
Awesome. Hope she likes breakfast for lunch.
Me: A dozen apple cinnamon muffins, coffee with milk, sugar, and a sprinkle of cinnamon and a cake pop.
Liam: A cake pop? Really? She’s not three.
Me: Everyone likes cake pops, fucker. Who doesn’t like cake pops?
Liam: Whatever. Han’s taking care of it.
Me: Thanks
Lunch handled, I redirect my focus on work.
About thirty minutes later my phone chimes with incoming text messages. Ivy’s gorgeous face stares back at me as she holds a muffin to her mouth mid-bite. Her face is bare of makeup and her hair is piled on the top of her head in some type of twisty, messy bun.
I rub my fingers over her pretty face.
Ivy: Was a dozen necessary? Thank you. I missed these.
Me: More than you missed me?
Fuck. I know I’m playing with fire here. But damn if I don’t want to hear it.
Ivy: Maybe? They’re delicious and they make me so happy.
Me: I made you pretty happy last night
Touching her like I did last night was mind-blowing. So much so I almost blew in my pants again, not needing her to touch me at all. Having her relax completely and allowing me to worship her body was such a gift. Damn if I don’t crave her.
Ivy: You mean after boxing when you fed me pizza and beer and we sat outside with the fire? That did make me happy.
Oh she thinks she’s cute.
Me: Nope. When I had you spread open in my lap and I worked your pussy over until you came all over my fingers. I know that made you happy.
Ivy: Oh. That. That was good too. Very. Very. Good.
Me: I had your cum all over my fingers, baby. I know it was good.
Me: I miss you.
Three little dots appear and then disappear several times, leaving me nervous and on the edge of my seat. I bounce my leg while I wait her out. I knew saying that I missed her was pushing it, but I can’t filter myself. She knows where my head is at.
Ivy: Then hurry home.
Home. Holy shit she called it home. I know she didn’t mean it the way she said it, but fuck if I don’t wish she thought of my house as her home. Of me as her home.
I bust my ass to get the rest of my work done for the day and I’m hopping back on my bike at five-thirty to race home to my girl. I park it out front before walking across the gravel driveway and taking the stairs of my porch two at a time. The smell of garlic, onions, and tomatoes immediately consumes me and my mouth waters. I remove my jacket, hanging it on the mudroom hall tree, and kick off my boots. I walk through the narrow entryway and stop in my tracks at the sight before me.
Ivy is standing in my kitchen, hair still piled on the top of her head, dressed in a tight tank top and a pair of denim jeans with bare feet. She’s got music on and her hips sway side to side as she stirs something at the stove. It smells delicious, almost as good as she does.
I walk as silently as possible before I sneak up behind her, sliding my hand across her side and around to her stomach before pulling her lightly into me. She doesn’t jump and instead leans into me, unable to resist. I kiss her temple lightly.
“Hi, butterfly.” I nuzzle into her hair, breathing in her cherry scent.
“Hi.” She wiggles a bit in my arms.
“I could get used to this.”
“Mmm. Yeah? I hope you like it. I remember you used to love Italian. I haven’t cooked in weeks and I’ve missed it so much. This is therapeutic for me.”
“Baby, you can cook for us as often and as much as you want. Tell me what you need and I’ll get it.”
I lean down and kiss her neck twice before releasing her and turning to lean against the counter.
“What are you making? It smells incredible.”
“Lasagna with bechamel sauce and a garden salad.”
“I can’t wait. Do I have time to shower and wash the day off of me?” I ask her.
“Absolutely. Go.”
I smack her ass and she whips around to face me.
“Sawyer!” she yells.
I grasp her face between my hands before taking her mouth in a deep kiss. Our tongues meet in the middle in a caress. The kiss is deep and passionate, I can’t get enough. I drop my hand down to her hip and trail my fingers along the bit of exposed skin between her tank top and jeans. She’s so soft and I love how her body melts into mine.
She’s perfect. So fucking perfect for me.
I slow the kiss and pull her bottom lip into my mouth as I pull away, releasing it with a little pop.
She looks up at me, her eyes dreamy and lust-filled, and my chest swells with pride at how quickly I can turn her on, how good I know I can make her feel. I rub my thumb over her swollen lip before turning and heading straight to my bathroom for a quick cold shower. Withholding sex until I know I’m it for her is harder than I thought it’d be.
It’ll be worth it in the end.
I hope.