Sweet Love (The Sweet Series Book 1) Page 6

  “Yes!” both Parker and Hope yell enthusiastically, oblivious to the tension.

  “All right, say good night to everyone and let’s go party.”

  They run to Grace first.

  “Y’all be good for Auntie now, ya hear?”

  “We will, Mama, promise.”

  I hug them next then stand and grab my sister, giving her one too since she seems so upset. “We’ll see you in the morning. You have my permission to tie them up if you need to.”

  She softly chuckles. “Thanks, but we’ll be fine.” She leaves the room without looking in my parents’ direction.

  After taking my seat again I look at my dad. “What’s going on?”

  He points at me, his jaw hard. “I don’t like him, boy. He’s bad for her but she won’t listen to a goddamn thing I say.”

  “What do you mean?” Grace asks. “And who is he.”

  “Grant Fleming.” He spits his name like it’s acid. “Some hotshot investor who thinks his shit don’t stink. And I’m not talking the same way you and I do,” he adds, making me smirk. “I’m talking about the bad kind, son. They’ve only been together a few months but I see the change. She’s not the same anymore. We never see her and if we do it’s brief. He calls her every five seconds. I’m surprised she’s even here now. One day, about a month ago, she came home crying and locked herself in her room for three days straight.”

  I tense, not liking the sound of that, and look over at my mom. “What do you think?”

  A worried sigh escapes her. “I don’t know. We’ve met him a few times and he’s definitely not someone I would expect her to be with. Your dad is right, something is different with her, but when I spoke to her she told me she really likes him. And this is Sam we’re talking about; she wouldn’t let anyone treat her badly. This change could be anything. She had a hard time when Jesse moved. And now that we are, maybe that’s what has her so upset. We’ve begged her to come with us. I don’t want to leave her. The thought of her here by herself breaks my heart.” She trails off as emotion clogs her throat.

  Grace gets up and moves next to her, rubbing her back. “Don’t worry about that. Sam is a strong, independent girl and she knows y’all love her and want her to come. That’s what’s important.”

  “She used to be a strong, independent girl,” my father bites out. “That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. He’s done something to her. I know it.”

  The certainty in his voice has me concerned, and I decide before I leave here I will find out for myself. If what my dad says is true, it will be the last mistake Grant ever makes.

  *

  “So what do you think about everything your dad said?” Grace asks me later that night as we lie in bed. She’s draped over me, her head on my chest as she delicately drags her nails across my stomach.

  “I don’t know. I agree with Mom. The Sam I know wouldn’t let some asshole push her around, but I haven’t been here so who knows. My dad seems damn certain this guy is no good, and usually he’s a good judge of character.”

  “Maybe he’s just bein’ really protective?”

  “No, I don’t think so. I mean, yeah, we’ve always been protective of my sisters, but this is different.”

  “Well I hope he’s wrong. Sam’s too sweet to be treated badly by anyone,” she says softly.

  “I tell you now, I’m going to find out one way or another, and if my dad is right that fucker is dead.”

  Her entire body tenses. “Oh lord, Sawyer, don’t be killin’ nobody. I need you.”

  I chuckle. “Don’t worry, Cupcake, I won’t kill him, but if he’s hurt her I’ll fuck him up good.”

  “I swear if you go to jail I’ll kill you.”

  I flip her to her back and come over top of her, pinning her arms over her head. “I promise, baby, I’m not going anywhere.” Leaning in, I bury my face in her slender neck, her sweet scent penetrating my senses.

  A scent I crave every fucking day.

  “Good, because I need you. Always,” she whispers, her voice sounding sad now.

  I look up, barely able to see the warmth of her eyes in the moonlit room. “I’ll always be by your side, Grace. Never doubt that.” I drop a long, leisurely kiss to her lips before making my way down the column of her throat, then eventually to her beaded nipple poking through the thin, tight tank top she wears. I grip it gently between my teeth, feeling it harden further.

  “Sawyer,” she moans and raises her hips to grind her pussy against my stomach.

  “You want my cock again, baby?”

  “Yes,” she breathes. “I always want you.”

  Groaning, I grab her hips and flip us around so she’s straddling me. “Show me how bad you want it.”

  She reaches for the bottom of her tank top and pulls it over her head, baring herself to me. It’s the prettiest sight I’ve ever seen.

  And it’s all fucking mine.

  She scoots down just enough to reach her soft hand into my underwear and grabs my throbbing, hard cock, stroking it from base to tip. With a hiss between my teeth, I pump my hips, fucking her fist.

  With urgent hands I reach for the side of her tiny shorts and rip them from her body. “Come here, baby, and feed me that sweet pussy of yours.”

  She crawls further up my body until her legs are on either side of my head, situating herself over my mouth. Palming her lush ass in my hands, I lean up and bury my tongue in all her sweetness.

  “Ah, god!” she cries out, grabbing onto the headboard for balance.

  I swirl my tongue around her firm clit before moving lower to spear it in her tight depth, loving the taste of her. I swear I could eat this girl all fucking day long.

  “Yes!” Her fingers grip my hair as she begins fucking my mouth with a greediness that damn near pushes me over the edge. Bringing my attention back to her throbbing little bud, I rear a hand back at the same time and lay a hard smack across her ass, which has her detonating.

  I drink every ounce of pleasure that spills from her as she trembles from the orgasm. Once her tremors subside she moves back down my body. “God, Evans, I really do love that filthy mouth of yours,” she says breathlessly, making me chuckle. She aligns herself over me then drops down, taking me in one smooth glide.

  “Fuck!” I groan and drive up into her, burying myself as deep as I can go.

  Her head falls back on a cry, back arching as she takes all of me. Her long blonde hair is tangled around her face, her mouth slightly parted in ecstasy.

  She looks every bit of the goddess I know she is.

  My hands go to the heavy weight of her tits and I grip her tight little nipples, tugging them until she’s moaning, riding my cock with her hungry little pussy. “That a girl, Grace, ride me hard.”

  She braces her hands on my stomach to find more momentum. “You feel so good inside of me.”

  “You always feel so fucking perfect, baby. Now lean down so I can suck your pretty nipples.”

  With a fiery moan she does as I say, bringing her tits in my face. As I take one tip between my teeth I move my hand down and around, laying another sharp slap to her ass.

  A cry of pleasure spills past her lips and I feel her pussy lock around me, as she shatters for a second time. I grip her hips and pump up inside of her hard and fast, fucking her through her orgasm, and it isn’t long after that I find my own release.

  She collapses on top of me, her perfect, sweat-slicked body melding to mine, just like it’s always meant to be.

  “How can it still feel like this?” she whispers. “How can it still be so amazing, even after all this time?”

  “Because it’s us,” I answer with the truth.

  I know it will always be like this, because there’s no doubt in my mind that this girl was made just for me.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Grace

  I sit in the player’s box with an ice-cold nose and the biggest smile on my face as I watch my family skate. Although I’m feeling lighter than I have in days, Lucy
still weighs heavily in the back of my mind. But Sawyer was right; our family needed this little getaway. I needed it. No matter the results of the test, I know the day will come soon when things will be heartbreaking and difficult again, but for now I’m going to enjoy this time with my family and try not to worry about the outcome that awaits me.

  “Yay, Parker!” I jump up and yell when he shoots the puck and gets it in the net.

  Sawyer fist bumps him and John looks over at me, a proud smile on his face. “You see this kid, Grace? A damn natural, just like my boy was. I’m tellin’ ya, he’s going to be somethin’.”

  I return his smile; his adoration for his children and grandchildren always astounds me. He may share the same name as my father but he is nothing like him.

  “He’s going to be somethin’, all right,” I respond back, looking at Sawyer. Anything Parker chooses to do he will be incredible at. I know this because he’s his father’s son and no matter what he chooses to do, I know he will be fiercely honorable while doing it.

  “Daddy, can you skate with me one more time?” Hope asks, from where she holds Catherine’s hand, skating along with her.

  “You bet, Shortcake. One more then we’ll pack it in for lunch.” He kneels down, letting her crawl on his back, then he power skates around the rink, making her squeal and laugh. The sight warms my heart and I completely get her excitement ’cause it’s one of my most favorite things he’s ever done with me.

  As if hearing my thoughts his eyes connect with mine, making my stomach do a flip. After a few more circles he calls everyone in for the dressing room. I watch him say something to his mom that has her nodding and taking Hope. John, Catherine, and the kids exit out on the other side of the rink as Sawyer comes skating over to me, his hand out in offering.

  “Come on, Cupcake. Your turn.”

  Another smile takes over my face, my belly dancing with excitement. “I was hoping you were gonna say that.”

  Taking his hand, he pulls me in close then leans down and scoops me up. I wrap my legs around his lean hips and my arms around his neck. After giving me a soul-touching kiss, he starts our journey. His long, quick strides eat up the distance as I revel in the brisk air against my back. I have no idea what’s behind me but I don’t care. I only care about the person in front of me.

  Right when I think things can’t get any better he switches directions, beginning to skate backward so the breeze is in my face, and that’s when I let go. Letting my arms out at the side and closing my eyes, I bask in the freedom I feel at this moment. It’s as if I’m flying, my heart soaring to a special place no one can take me to but him. Though I can’t see a thing, I know everything around me is safe because I’m in the arms of a man who will never let me fall.

  *

  We’re sitting in Sawyer’s parents’ living room with a cup of hot cocoa, playin’ a board game. Girls against boys, and although there have been moments when I want to punch Sawyer, we’re having a blast. Even Sam has been laughin’ and looking happier than I’ve seen her since we got here.

  I spoke with her after lunch, trying to see what I could get from her about this new guy Grant, but she didn’t give me much. Just said that things were good, but she was lacking that glow. The one people get when they’re in a start of a beautiful relationship. Heck, I still get that with Sawyer from time to time and I’ve been with him for years. Even when he drives me crazy, I want to kiss his face.

  The sound of my cell phone ringing cuts through the air. Reaching over, I grab it from the floor where it sits next to me and look at the caller ID. My stomach drops. I don’t recognize the number but it’s from Charleston, and I have a pretty good idea who it could be.

  “Cupcake, you gonna answer that?” Sawyer asks, watching me as I just stare at the screen.

  I smile, though it’s a pathetic one. I can feel my lips trembling. “Yeah. Excuse me for a moment, I think it’s Mac.” I get up from my spot on the floor and walk into the kitchen. “Hello?” I answer quietly.

  I expect it to be Barbara, or even Lucy possibly, but it turns out to not be either of them. Surprisingly, it’s Dr. Schaefer.

  “Dr. Schaefer, hi.”

  “I hope I’m not bothering you right now?”

  “No. It’s fine. What can I do for you?”

  “I’m calling because the test results have come back.”

  “Already?” I say, shock clear in my voice. “I thought you said a week?”

  “I was hoping no more than a week, but considering the urgency of the situation the lab made it top priority. I just received them five minutes ago.”

  My heart pounds like a drum, cold fear clawing at my chest. Things fall silent, my throat too clogged with fear to ask the question I should be askin’.

  “It came back a positive match, Grace. If you’re willing, you are a candidate who can possibly help save Lucy’s life.”

  Even though it was the outcome I hoped for, it still hits me like a ton of bricks. “When?” I clear my throat when I hear how rough it sounds. “When do you need me? I’m out of town at the moment until Sunday.”

  “That’s okay. I would have you come in Monday, if you’re willing. There are still a couple more things we need to discuss. I can go over the procedure and answer any questions you or your family may have. I will not share these results with the family…unless you want me to?”

  “No. Please don’t. I’d like to be the one to tell them. I need time to absorb this and I still need to speak with my husband.”

  Oh god, just the thought has my hand shaking violently and tears building behind my eyes.

  “Very well, I understand. I’ll see you Monday then?”

  I swallow thickly, feeling a tear slip down my cheek. “Yes. I’ll see you Monday.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Sawyer

  I heard her wake up and get out of bed a while ago. I thought about stopping her and forcing her to tell me what the fuck is wrong, but I let her go. Ever since that phone call she got earlier something has changed. She’s back to looking shattered and I don’t fucking like it.

  I’ve had enough. Whatever the hell is going on, she’s going to tell me so I can fix it. Getting out of bed I throw on a pair of jeans and go in search of her, thinking I’ll find her in the kitchen, but the house remains dark. I notice the front door cracked open and the porch light on. With determined strides I swing it open, and what I see through the screen door stops me cold. My wife—my Cupcake—sitting on the top step, her body folded in half as she sobs in her knees. The sight of her looking so broken rips my fucking guts out.

  I push open the door and sit behind her on the stairs, my legs caging her in and arms wrapping around her delicate body. Leaning down, I press a kiss to her bare shoulder, feeling her body shake with misery.

  “Talk to me, baby. Tell me what the hell is going on so I can fix it. It’s killing me to see you like this.”

  She mumbles something through her sobs but I can’t make out what she said.

  “What?”

  “You’re gonna hate me.”

  “There’s nothing in the world that could make me hate you, Grace.” It’s the damn truth. Angry—yes, destroy me—yes, but I could never hate her. However, I’m feeling pretty fucking nervous now about whatever is bothering her.

  She finally lifts her head and turns to me, staring up at me with the most heartbreaking expression I’ve ever seen from her. It brings me back to a time when I first met her and reminds me of the sad, lonely girl she once was. Something I vowed she would never feel again, yet here we sit.

  “Tell me you love me and that you will never stop,” she whispers.

  I grab her face, my jaw locking down in frustration that I even have to say this to her. “I love you, Grace. Nothing will ever fucking change that.” She begins crying harder and every tear that spills destroys another part of my soul. I kiss her wet lips before dropping my forehead on hers. “Tell me what the hell is going on. You’re scaring me.”

&nbs
p; Her eyes open, locking with mine. “I got tested to see if I’m a match.”

  Every part of my body freezes as I stare back at her. She doesn’t elaborate on what tests but she doesn’t need to. Betrayal ignites through my veins hot and fast “When?”

  “On Wednesday afternoon,” she whispers.

  “Jesus, Grace!” I jump to my feet and start pacing furiously. “How the fuck could you keep this from me?”

  “I’m sorry, so sorry for not telling you, but you were so angry. You wouldn’t even talk about it and I knew you would try to stop me from going.”

  “Exactly! So what does that tell you?”

  “It told me I was on my own. That I didn’t have you by my side!”

  “That’s bullshit and you know it.”

  “No, it’s not,” she screams back, rising to her feet. “I hated keeping this from you but you left me no choice.” She pauses, trying to compose herself. “Please understand. I had to do it or I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”

  I stare back at her, feeling enraged. At her…at myself. I hate that she kept this from me but hate even more that I made her do it. Made her feel like she couldn’t come to me.

  “I met her.”

  My eyes snap to hers at the whispered confession.

  “I didn’t intend to. I just went to see if I could even be an option for her, and if I were, then we would talk about it. But then Barbara, her mother, asked if I wanted to meet her, so I did. She’s so beautiful, Sawyer,” she chokes out, her breath hitching. “She’s everything I could hope to have in a sister. She’s kind, witty, and smart, but most of all she’s selfless. Out of everyone who has been begging me to do this, she’s the only one who told me not to.” A series of sobs erupt from her once more, cracking my fucking heart in half. “A seventeen-year-old girl is dying and right now I’m her only hope for survival.”

  “And what about me? What about our family? Huh, Grace?” I grind out through the pain in my chest. “What about our kids? We aren’t talking about giving this girl a fucking sweater; this is a goddamn organ! An organ that my wife needs! Have you thought once about that?”