Chapter Fourteen

Sawyer

I can’t breathe.

I’m not talking about the strenuous exercise that makes you want to hurl your guts up and steals the very breath you breathe. I’m talking about the sheer magnitude of this moment. This woman. She takes my breath and my sanity in a way that has never happened before. Even with my ex.

My lips seem to always want to touch her skin, which is exactly what I’m doing right now. Trailing gentle kisses up and down her neck before I make my way to her lips. My hands caress her hips and outer thighs, her legs are still wrapped firmly around my body. If I could stay right here, just like this with her legs around me and my cock buried inside her sweet pussy, I’d be the happiest motherfucker in the world.

I was rough. Much rougher than I’ve ever been before, especially with someone I take to bed (or the floor) for the first time. But she didn’t seem to mind. In fact, it seemed to light her fire. I think my sexy little math teacher likes it rough and dirty.

Nuzzling my nose along her ear, I slide to my back, landing on something sharp. “Ouch,” I bite out, turning to see what I’ve landed on.

“Holy shit,” AJ says, drawing my attention to her face. She’s staring wide-eyed at my living room, her mouth hanging open. It makes me want to do naughty things to that sexy little mouth.

I finally glance at what she’s looking at.

And that’s when I see it.

My living room is trashed.

Like a tornado swept through my house, tearing apart my belongings and discarding them haphazardly.

“What the hell?” I mumble, taking in the upturned coffee table and the scattered magazines.

“Did we do this?” she gasps, her eyes settling on the broken picture that used to be hanging on my wall.

Carefully, I hop up and absorb the full impact of the living room destruction. My television is on the floor, clearly no longer positioned on the entertainment center. The few knick-knacky things I brought from my old house lay smashed and broken in pieces. My lamp won’t be shedding light on the room anymore.

It looks like I’ve been robbed or survived some sort of natural disaster.

Tornado AJ.

Hurricane Ali.

That thought makes me smile.

Sex with this woman was so intense and passionate that we tore apart my fucking living room and didn’t even have a clue that it was happening.

Suddenly, I’m laughing. AJ glances at me as if I’ve lost my mind, and maybe I have. Anyone else would probably freak at the financial loss, but I don’t give a shit. It was worth it.

“Looks like I’m calling a cleaning service in the morning,” I chuckle, wrapping my arm around her shoulder, pulling her back to my front, and nuzzling her neck.

“I can’t believe we did this,” she mumbles before leaning back into my embrace.

“I can. I knew our first time would be explosive.”

“Explosive, yes. Destructive, no.”

“It’s kinda funny, actually,” I tell her, leaning down and kissing the sensitive skin behind her ear. A shutter sweeps through her naked body, her sweet ass pressing into my cock, causing it to stir to life once more.

“Your TV,” she complains, taking in the cracked screen and the odd angle it leans against the stand and the floor.

“I can buy a new one,” I insist. In one swift motion, I bend down, slide one arm behind her back and the other beneath her knees, and pick her up. She’s in my arms (where she suddenly feels like she has always belonged) as I carefully step out of the room.

“You don’t have to carry me,” she says as I approach the stairs.

“I like carrying you,” I tell her honestly as I make my way into the bathroom.

AJ wraps her arms tighter around my neck, her sweet tits pressing firmly against my chest. “Well, if I’m being honest, I happen to like it when you carry me.”

“Duly noted.” Depositing her in my large bathroom off my bedroom, I crank on the hot water and turn on the multiple water jets in the shower. I also quickly dispose of the used rubber from earlier.

“Holy shitballs, look at this tub,” she coos, walking over and sliding her hand along the rim of the impressive jetted tub. I’ll be honest, I didn’t buy the house for this thing, but as a former pro athlete, who is accustomed to aches and pains, this baby has already come in very handy after a strenuous workout.

“Nice, isn’t it? Maybe we’ll use it later,” I tell her, running my hands down her sides and cupping her firm little ass.

“I could throw a bath bomb in that thing, grab a book and glass of wine, and not come out for days,” she mumbles.

“That could be arranged,” I confess, my cock throbbing and moving between her ass cheeks. I’m all too familiar with the sudden desire to be somewhere and not come out for days.

“Do you have bath bombs?” she purrs like a kitten getting her belly rubbed.

“I have Epsom Salt,” I offer. “Definitely no bath bombs.”

“I’ll make you some tomorrow night,” she suggests breathlessly. “This way, when you take your next bath, you’ll smell like lavender or jasmine.”

Leading her to the shower, I confess, “I’d rather smell like AJ,” as my hand cups her pussy. “And what’s this about making bath bombs tomorrow night?” I ask, grazing my teeth across her shoulder and following it back with my tongue.

“It’s sisters’ night. We get together the first Saturday of the month, but had to reschedule last week. We always do something together. We’ve been keeping it close to home since Lexi is getting close to her due date, and she’s been on partial bed rest. But she convinced Linkin to let her go out tomorrow night. It’s probably going to be her last hoorah before the babies come.” AJ’s chest is heaving as I slide my fingers through her pussy, pushing two fingers deep inside of her.

“And you’re making bath bombs?”

“What?”

“Bath bombs. You’re making bath bombs?” I wrap my arm around her abdomen and tease her hard little nipples.

“Yes. God, yes. That.”

“Are you still talking about the bath bombs?”

“What?”

“Never mind,” I say, wide smile on my face, as I lead her into the big tile and glass shower.

The water is hot as it shoots from jets on three sides of the shower. I use my larger body and pin AJ to the wall. She gasps when her body hits the cool tile, a sound that shoots straight to my dick.

Water glistens as it slides down her curves, my hands following as I drop to my knees. “Turn around,” I instruct hoarsely.

Her eyes are already half-lidded as she spins and faces me. She looks like a fucking angel, wet hair hanging in her face and water cascading over her body. This vision of her is so much better than the one I conjured up in my dirty mind. That image has kept me comfy many nights since we first met. This view, however, will replace every dirty fantasy I’ve ever had.

Lifting her leg, I set it on my shoulder. “What are you doing?” she asks, her wide green eyes following my every move.

“Something I’ve been wanting to do since I met you in July.” Her pussy is on full display right in front of my face, trimmed brown curls atop bare lips. My mouth waters.

“I want you inside me again.”

“I didn’t bring any protection in here.” Even though I want that too, I’m determined to have my fill–a taste–of her.

Gripping her ass, I pull her forward, meeting her halfway. The moment my tongue touches her sweetness, we both moan in pleasure. Her scent and her taste wrap around me, holding me hostage and demanding more. I lick and suck on her clit, savoring her as I slowly work her into a heated frenzy.

Only when I can hear her breathing becoming labored do I slide my fingers in to play. I keep my tongue moving, flicking and sucking on her hard clit, as I maneuver two fingers into her pussy. She grips me tightly with each thrust of my hand. I glance up to see one hand flush against the tiled wall above her head, as if grasping for a lifeline to keep her upright, while the other hand drops to my head. When she pulls my hair, I growl and feast even more.

My pace quickens, my fingers working faster as her inner muscles grip me so fucking tight I swear they numb from blood loss. “Sawyer,” she begs repeatedly, my scalp burning beneath her fingers.

She flies over the edge, her body convulsing around my fingers, my tongue not slowing its assault. I feel her weight start to drop as she rides out her release. Quickly pulling my fingers from her body, I wrap my arms around her, bringing her body against mine. Her eyes are half-lidded and hazy as she tries to focus on my cocky grin.

“That was fucking incredible,” I tell her before claiming her lips with my own. Her fingers tighten around my shoulders, the slight bite of her nails a welcomed pain.

“I want more,” she whispers against my mouth.

I move quickly. The shower is off and she’s in my arms as we head to the vanity. Surely it’s sturdy enough for what I have planned, right? I guess we’re about to find out because my need for her is too great to ignore. It’s too great to cart her off to an actual bed, like she deserves. Instead, every animal instinct I have takes control as I reach into the cabinet and pull out a condom. It’s secured on my aching cock as I take my place between her legs. And yeah, it’s probably wrong and makes me sound like a caveman, but whatever; between her legs feels like my place. No one else’s.

Mine.

So I go ahead and tell her that as I claim her, pushing myself inside her warm and welcoming body. That one word comes out a growl as I bury myself balls deep.

“Yes. Yours,” she huffs, greedily taking everything I give her.

My hands find her ass once more as I help hold her in position. She leans back against the mirror, opening her body up even more for me. The sight of her is my undoing. The passion and trust I see swirling in those deep green eyes completely shatters me like those glass decorative things in the living room.

I know, in this moment, I’ll never be the same.

It’s more than great sex. I can already tell. I’ve had enough sex in my life to know the difference. Great sex is around every corner, on every block. But this? This is magic.

It’s also not exactly the right time to start dissecting what this means. Instead, I focus on the look of passion written on her beautiful face–a look that I put there, and will continue to put there for as long as she’ll let me.

“I’m going to come,” she whispers, hanging on to my arms for dear life.

“I want you to come on me, Alison. Fuck, I need it, baby.” I don’t even know this man who is talking. He’s dominating and possessive. He’s completely enthralled and consumed. He’s smitten. And it feels so fucking amazing right now. These crazy feelings are slamming together in a tsunami of emotions, reminding me that I’m completely at her mercy.

Alison.

When she comes, I feel it rip through my soul and spiral down to my toes. My balls tighten up, almost painfully, as my own release grabs hold, refusing to let go. We come together, wild and alive, until we’re both boneless and spent.

After a few moments of getting our breathing under control, she throws me a bit of that sass I enjoy so much. “Well, at least we didn’t break the sink.”

Her comment makes me laugh, especially in light of the fact I was concerned about the stability of the vanity earlier. Laughter seems to come so easily when I’m with her, which is another pleasant change from my previous relationships.

My lips press against hers, slow and steady, as I wrap my arms around her back. “Let’s go to bed,” I suggest.

Grabbing a hand towel, I make quick work of getting rid of the condom and cleaning up our bodies as best as I can. Honestly, I should probabl suggest another shower, but exhaustion is settling in her droopy green eyes. Right now, I just want to hold her against me while she falls asleep. There’ll be time for another shower in the morning.

With her hand in mine, AJ hops off the vanity and follows me back into my bedroom. The large bed is made (something I did this morning because I was pretty sure she was coming home with me tonight) so I pull the covers back and wait for her to slip inside. The sight of her brown hair against my charcoal sheets makes my heartbeat gallop in my chest, so strong I feel it in every limb.

Ignoring the bedside lamp, I climb in and pull her body close. The room is dark as her head settles on my arm, her naked back pressed firmly against my chest. Even with the slight height difference, we fit together like puzzle pieces. She exhales deeply, her body relaxing in my arms.

“Good night, Sawyer,” she whispers in the moonlight.

“Night, Alison,” I murmur, placing a gentle kiss on her neck, before settling in for the night.

Sleep comes quickly for AJ. With my arms wrapped around her, I relax fully, probably better than I ever have. I’m not tormented with the what-ifs that have plagued my sleep since that fateful game that ruined my career. Visions of those final days with Carrie are nowhere to be found. Instead, I find solace with the sexy little brunette in my arms.

If I’m being brutally honest, it’s that contentment that allows my brain to venture into new what-if territory. This one has me looking forward, instead of back.

And for the first time in a long-ass time, I really like that fucking view.

* * *

“Rumor has it you took our sister-in-law on a date last night.” I recognize the voice instantly as I slide onto the barstool at Lucky’s Bar. Looking over, I come face-to-face with the very serious glare of Linkin Stone, though I think the tough-guy routine is just an act.

At least I hope it is.

“Lexi got a text message from Grandma,” he confirms, taking a drink of something that resembles water.

“Jaime too,” Ryan adds.

“Abby didn’t respond to the text quick enough, so Grandma called my phone to make sure she was still alive,” Levi contributes.

“Plus, I guess there were pictures,” Ryan says before popping some popcorn into his mouth.

“Pictures?”

“Online.” This from Linkin.

“Online?” That comment stops me in my tracks.

“Yeah, some trashy rag had pictures. You didn’t know?”

“No,” I whisper, my mind spinning. Were they quick photos taken with someone’s cell phone and posted online or am I being tailed by paparazzi? I haven’t felt their all-knowing, far-reaching telephoto lenses following my every move since I relocated to Jupiter Bay.

“I didn’t see the pictures, but Lexi said they were taken at the football game last night.”

“Well, shit,” I mumble, glancing over my shoulder for the first time since I arrived at my new town.

“I don’t think they were cell phone photos either, if that’s what you’re thinking. They weren’t posted on Facebook or Instagram by some high schooler at the game. According to Lexi, these were professional and taken from across the field with a good lens. I’m guessing they found out where you moved to after leaving Texas,” Linkin adds.

“It wasn’t a big secret, but I didn’t exactly broadcast it either,” I mumble, glancing at the guys.

Linkin’s completely distracted, glancing repeatedly out the window at the building lit up across the street. It’s also the first time I realize Dean is missing. “Aren’t you missing someone?”

“Brielle was sick, so Dean stayed home,” Ryan says.

“Ahh.”

I observe quietly for several moments as Linkin turns back around and watches the building across the street. “You okay?”

Linkin glances my way as the other two guys chuckle. “Fine. Why wouldn’t I be fine? It’s not like the love of my life has discarded my request to stay home and in bed where she’s safe until the babies come.”

That makes the guys laugh. “Dude, you can’t control that woman,” Levi says. “Not when she sets her mind to something.”

“No shit,” Linkin grumbles. “I’m not trying to control her, but she’s supposed to be taking it easy. Making bath bombs isn’t at home resting, where I can keep an eye on her.”

“Is she supposed to be up and walking around?” Ryan asks.

“Her doc says it’s fine, but I think she needs to stay put. Why does she need to get up? I can get her anything she needs.”

He sounds a tad overprotective to me, but what the hell do I know about pregnancy and babies? Absolutely nothing, that’s what.

Linkin glances over his shoulder once again.

“How long are you waiting until you go over there?” Levi asks with a wide grin.

“Five minutes,” he states plainly. “It’s been thirty already. How long does it take to make little balls that explode in your bath water anyway?”

“I’m sure she’s fine,” I add, recalling how excited AJ was earlier today when she told me about tonight’s sisters’ night. They were meeting at the local homemade bath and body product shop to make their own bath bombs and soap. It sounds a little weird to me, but she was all sorts of thrilled. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I told her she could use one tonight in my big tub.

Of course, I’d be joining her.

It was also discussed this afternoon that she’d be coming home with me again tonight. We woke up and took a shower, which turned into getting each other dirty again before we could wash each other up. I made eggs and toast while she fixed herself a big mug of coffee with some fancy coffee creamer I found. It’s not a caramel latte, but I think it’ll do on the weekends.

After breakfast, I tried to call my cleaning lady, but AJ insisted on helping clean up the mess. It didn’t take too long to sweep up the broken glass and throw out the television, but the hole in the wall from where one of the corners of the end tables pierced the drywall will have to be fixed. I thought about asking Ryan tonight, but I’m not sure it’ll be worth the razzing.

It was when we went to the electronics store to buy a new TV that we discussed this evening. She explained how her sisters got together every month and how the guys always crash it. She even went as far as to invite me to hang out with the guys while she gathered with her sisters. I didn’t want to just assume she would stay afterward. No, I needed to hear that she would come back home with me, and she needed to hear how much I wanted her to. I am not even close to having reached my fill of this woman.

She’s under my skin.

And later tonight, she’ll be in my bed once again.

“Is the nursery done?” Levi asks the dad-to-be.

“Done. Ryan finished building the shelving system in the closet and everything is pretty much washed and ready to go.”

“And you don’t know what you’re having?” I confirm.

“Nope. This is gonna be the best surprise ever,” he boasts proudly.

“How long?” I ask, enjoying getting to know these guys more.

“Doc says they’ll take the babies at thirty-five to thirty-six weeks. We have an appointment Monday and they’ll book the OR then. She’ll be thirty-four weeks Monday.”

“Holy shit, you’re gonna be a dad in like a week or two,” Levi reminds Linkin. There’s a weird mix of anxiety and anticipation reflecting in his eyes. It’s like he’s really excited, yet terrified at the same time.

I imagine that’s how any new parent probably feels. Though, I have no firsthand experience with any of that. Carrie didn’t want kids for a while because of the impact it would have on her career. She was one of the faces of Victoria’s Secret and not showing any signs of slowing down her modeling and traveling.

I knew I wanted kids someday. Even when I was young and wild, fresh out of college and heading to the majors, I saw kids in my future one day. It got bad three years ago when I hit my thirtieth birthday, but every time I’d bring it up to Carrie, I’d get her song and dance about not being ready yet.

At least now I don’t have to worry about her promise of someday. God knows she can’t keep a fucking promise anyway.

“I’m going over there,” Linkin says, tossing a few bills on the bar and standing up. “I can’t take it.”

“You’re just gonna bust in there, throw her over your shoulder, and carry her home?” Ryan asks, his voice laced with humor.

“This I gotta see,” Levi says, throwing more cash on the bar.

Ryan and I follow suit, leaving healthy tips for the old man who owns the bar, before heading out into the September evening. There’s barely any traffic so we only have to wait for a few cars before we cross the street. As soon as we reach the door of the business, the happy sounds of female laughter float outside. I swear I can pick AJ’s laugh out of all of them, a thought that makes me wonder if I need to turn in my man card.

Linkin pulls open the door and marches inside like a Stormtrooper ready for battle. We head to the back, the noise of female cackles getting louder with each step we take. I can’t decide if AJ is going to be upset or surprised at our intrusion, and there’s no time to wage a guess. We’re outside the room.

This could get interesting.