He walked over to the candles on the table, grabbed the matches, and lit them to set the ambience. He’d also marked the trail with lights. By the time Ford got there, the sun would just be starting to set.
He watched as the catering staff brought a bucket of champagne and ice and put it on the stand by the table, and he nodded with satisfaction. He was ready for Ford to arrive, which was going to be at any moment. He left the newly created dining area and went back through the building to the parking lot. He leaned back against the brick building and waited for the love of his life who was set to arrive at any moment. They had been through enough heartaches, and he just wanted Ford to know he loved him and appreciated everything he did for them.
Ford pulled into the newly paved parking lot of the resort property and parked in the space beside him. Sawyer moved so he could open the door for Ford. When Ford got out, he looked around the bare parking lot.
“Hey, love.” Ford kissed Sawyer in greeting. When he pulled back, he turned to look back at the parking lot. “Okay, so the opposite side of the site from the office? That’s my surprise?”
He had told the caterers to park in the back so Ford wouldn’t immediately catch on to what was going on. It obviously worked.
“Patience, babe.” Sawyer brushed another kiss on Ford’s lips.
Ford’s right brow shot up. “What are you planning, Mr. Lancaster?”
Sawyer slipped his hand in Ford’s and pulled him towards the entrance of the building.
“Come on.” Sawyer smiled at the confused look on Ford’s face. “You’ll understand in due time.”
They stepped back towards the building and then made their entrance. “My darling, Ford. This is your life,” Sawyer proceeded. He motioned around the lobby entrance, which would soon host guests that wanted to visit the lodge.
Ford tilted his head and continued to look at Sawyer. “I’m lost.”
Sawyer stopped walking and turned to face Ford. “Do you trust me?”
“With my life,” Ford said.
“Then trust me that it will soon all make sense,” Sawyer said.
When Ford nodded, they continued their path. “I imagine a big beautiful desk over there, where a concierge will welcome guests to the lodge. There will be not one, but two fireplaces over there, along with a huge room for people to relax when they don’t want to go back to their rooms. Through this door, there will be a massive library where people can borrow books to read as they curl up by the fireplace. When you exit here…” He stopped and turned to Ford. Ford looked at the blanket and table that was all set up.
“You did this for us?” Ford asked.
Sawyer nodded. “I thought we could discuss all the plans of the lodge, go over what each detail will mean to us, and even have some special alone time.”
Ford smiled and turned to Sawyer. “I say this all the time, but I will continue to say it until the day I die. You amaze me Sawyer.” Ford brushed his hand against Sawyer’s cheek. Sawyer closed his eyes and grabbed his hand, then kissed his knuckles. “But what about the children?” Ford asked.
Sawyer smiled. “I thought of everything,” he said. He continued to hold Ford’s hand as he laid it all out there for him. “Callum is with your parents. Savanna and Gavin are both with friends. They were excited to have this sleepover with their friends. It’s really all taken care of.”
“Sounds like it,” Ford said. “And this table setup. Holy cow. You went all out!”
Sawyer snickered. “I managed.” A waiter came out to get their attention.
“Dinner is served,” he said.
“Right on time.” Sawyer grinned. He walked Ford over to the table and pulled the chair out for him before taking his own seat. Sawyer and Ford locked eyes as the waiter brought them their food, then poured them each a glass of champagne.
“Would you care for anything else?” he asked, stepping backward as Ford and Sawyer broke their gaze to look at the food before them.
“We’re good, thank you,” The waiter nodded and then left them alone before Sawyer motioned to their plates. “Dig in.”
“I don’t even know where to begin,” Ford said, chuckling. Sawyer watched as he lifted the couscous to his mouth and then released a sigh.
“This is good,” Ford said before lifting another to his mouth.
Sawyer took a bite and nodded, smiling when he looked back.
“So, how was the call with Mark? I hope everything is okay,” Ford asked when he had swallowed.
Sawyer rolled his eyes, “I love Mark, but he sometimes can be the biggest drama queen.” He laughed, taking another bite. “He’s worried about one of our projects which is supposed to be completed next week. It’s on schedule, but Mark worries, of course, since we have tenants moving in almost immediately. I’m not worried, and I told him as much. He’ll be fine. He gets like this near the end of every project.”
“That’s good,” Ford took another bite of his food. “I don’t know how you guys juggle everything. Just this one we have here shows me how much work it is.”
Sawyer took Ford’s hand that was on the table. “It's because we have amazing people working for us. If you hadn’t taken over this project it would be one more thing on my plate, so thank you. I don’t think there’s anyone I trust with this as much as you.”
Ford looked down at his food. Sawyer saw on his face that he had something on his mind.
“Is everything alright, babe?” Sawyer asked. “You look like you are worried about something.” Sawyer lifted his glass and took a sip of champagne.
Please let everything be okay.
“Something is weighing on my mind.” Ford looked down, and Sawyer’s heart sank.
“Okay…” Sawyer dropped his fork down to his plate. “You can talk to me. You know that, right?”
Ford nodded, but still didn’t look up. That didn’t make him feel any better.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
When Ford finally met his gaze, he was wearing a smile, one that stretched from ear to ear.
“That was so not cool, babe You had me worried.” He leaned back in his seat. Man, their lives had been chaos after chaos. Who could blame him for being worried?
“Not exactly bad news.” Ford blew out his cheeks. “I just hope you’re not upset about the news that leads up to it.”
“I’m sure you’re good, babe, just start at the beginning.”
Ford dropped his fork. When their eyes met, his were a little guarded. “You know I trust you. I trust how you handle everything,” Ford bit his lip, “I want us to be equals in this relationship.”
Sawyer was quick to stop Ford, “Babe, we are. Trust me we are.”
Affection glowed in Ford’s eyes at his words, but Sawyer could see he wasn’t done.
“We have three kids here that depend on not just you, but me too. They need us both as a united front, and I know I said we need to worry less, but I couldn’t sleep last night.”
Sawyer frowned. “What’d you do?”
“I called the lawyer that is prosecuting Cynthia and Larry.”
Sawyer wasn’t sure where Ford was going with this. He knew Ford wouldn’t do anything to hurt their case. “Okay, and…?”
Ford bit his lips again. “I just don’t want you to worry that I don’t think you’re handling everything well. I know you are. I know you’ll do everything to protect our family, but I don’t know...” Ford gave a half shrug. “After the dream”—he closed his eyes—“It felt so real.” Sawyer covered Ford’s hand with his, and squeezed. “I just wanted to hear him tell me what was going on. I’m sorry I went behind your back.”
Sawyer's body sagged in relief like a balloon that had the air let out. “Look at me, babe. I don’t mind if you call him. The kids are just as much your responsibility as they are mine. I get that. I don’t want you to feel like you’re less than in this family or something. That’s not the case at all. I can promise you that. I meant it when I said we’re partners. It’
s me and you and the kids.”
Sawyer heard Ford heave a sigh, and he saw the tension leave his body. God, he hated that Ford felt that way, felt like checking up on their family wasn’t his right. He had to fix that. Sawyer picked up his fork and took another bite, then motioned with his fork for Ford to do the same.
“What’d they say?” He lifted his glass and took another sip.
“Well, that’s where the conversation got interesting.” Ford’s demeanor changed, and Sawyer could tell it was good news.
“Oh yeah?”
Ford nodded. “He said that he was going to call you today anyway. I guess there were some changes since you spoke yesterday.”
“Changes? Like what?” Sawyer cut into the asparagus on his plate.
“Apparently, both Cynthia and Larry have prior convictions that would have meant way more jail time. So, they took a deal. Cynthia was flown back to New York, and Larry was jailed here in Colorado. They will be in jail, and we don’t have to go through a trial.”
Sawyer’s eyes widened. “Seriously?”
Ford nodded. “Absolutely. It’s over, Sawyer. There’s no more looking over our shoulders to see if anyone is after us or the kids.”
Sawyer lifted his glass. “Then, apparently, we have more to celebrate than I originally thought.”
“We certainly do.” Ford lifted his glass, and raised it. “To our family.”
“To us.” Sawyer added.
Ford’s expression softened, “To us,” he repeated, and then clinked their glasses together, each taking a drink. The news was only going to make the evening that much brighter.
Sawyer and Ford finished off the bottle of champagne, and Sawyer heaved a sigh. Ford looked at him, the light shining in his eyes. “This evening is perfect.”
“And there’s still more to come,” Sawyer winked, and that got a chuckle out of Ford. “While the caterer prepares dessert, would you walk with me?”
Ford groaned. “If there’s dessert, then I’d better so I can walk off some of the pounds from that exquisite meal.”
Sawyer snickered, and they got to their feet. Sawyer still had so much he wanted to share with Ford. He couldn’t wait to get started. Their hands slipped into each other, and they started along the lit path he’d set up.
Ford shook his head as they made their way along the path. “You really put a lot of thought into tonight, didn’t you?”
“You deserve this and more, babe.” Sawyer pulled Ford into his side. The path led them along the stores and shops and the two restaurants that were going to be inside the resort.
“This feels like our first baby,” Sawyer said.
Ford chuckled. “Who knew we would have three more soon after.”
“Right?” Sawyer wasn’t sure what he’d imagined his future with Ford would look like, but he would take whatever came. “But this is way better.
“This is where we’re going to get the children’s input. I can see a massive play area, and maybe something for older kids. You know, I never thought of adding a kid’s area to former properties.” Sawyer pointed to the edge. “Over there at Christmastime, I can see a Santa’s workshop with elves and all.” Sawyer stepped behind Ford and put his arms around his waist.
Ford turned around and stared at him but didn’t say a word. Sawyer worried he’d said more than he should have.
Ford wore a lopsided smile and then said, “You see all that?”
Sawyer nodded. “What do you see?”
Ford looked around the area. “I see our family. Our future.”
“Me too.” Sawyer cupped Ford’s cheek and wiped away a tear rolling down his cheek.
Sawyer wrapped his hand around the side of Ford’s neck and brought him in for a kiss.
35
Ford
Ford and Sawyer walked hand in hand back to their table. The waiter stood at their table, unmoving as they arrived and seated themselves. Once they were settled, he smiled at them and asked, “Ready for dessert?”
Sawyer looked over to Ford and arched an eyebrow. Ford nodded, and the waiter left. Ford then turned back to Sawyer. “You really thought of everything, and when I look at the layout you described for me, I can really see it. You’re building this for us and for the kids. We’re building this for our future.”
Sawyer grinned. “Our future…”
They sat up in their seats as the waiter walked over with two pieces of chocolate cake, a dash of ice cream on top. “My favorite dessert too,” Ford singsonged. “A man could be spoiled this way.”
“I’d spoil you every night given the chance,” Sawyer said. He took a bite of his dessert at the same time as Ford. Ford groaned. It was amazing. He wiped his mouth as it continued to water, demanding more. They finished off the dessert in silence. Ford kept looking around, just picturing everything that was in store for the new resort. When he looked back to Sawyer, he saw a silly smirk on his lips.
Ford blushed, wiping his mouth off for a final time, and let out a sigh that almost sounded disappointed. “And just like that… all good things must come to an end.”
“Yeah… I suppose you’re right,” Sawyer agreed.
Ford nodded, albeit reluctantly. “After all, we have to get home and get Callum. We should spend the evening with at least one of the kids.”
Sawyer dropped his napkin down on his plate. “You know that your parents would gladly keep Callum overnight. In fact, they’re already planning to.” He laughed. “It’s getting late, and he’s probably already asleep as well. I’d say that there’s really no rush to get home.”
“Hmmmmm…” Ford murmured. “But where would we sleep?” he asked, then smirked, splaying a half-crooked smile on his lips.
“Who’s talking about sleep?” Sawyer teased. His gaze traveled up toward the night sky. “It’s a beautiful night. There are a thousand stars above us. To me, it’s the perfect setting to camp out. The unseasonably warm weather for fall just pulls it all together. Don’t you agree?”
Ford’s eyes drifted upward. He had to admit that it wasn’t exactly a stupid idea. The blanket was already laid out, so it was clear that he’d already had it in mind. He glanced back at Sawyer. “Are you asking me if I’ll get dirty with you in the outdoors?” Ford asked. He winked at him, and Sawyer’s face lit up.
“I wasn’t going to put it quite like that, but since you did, then hell yeah.”
Ford laughed. He tossed a look over to the blanket, then back to Sawyer, and finally got up from where he was sitting and walked over to where Sawyer was. Sawyer scooted his chair back, staring up at Ford.
“What you gonna do?” Sawyer asked.
Ford placed his hands on Sawyer’s legs, then spread them apart. He wrapped his own legs around him as he sat down on his lap, and once he was seated comfortably, Sawyer wrapped his arms around him and they kissed.
Sawyer gently laid Ford down on the blanket over a sleeping bag he must have set up earlier. He wasn’t sure how they’d gotten undressed so quickly. It was like they were both on fire and clothes had gone flying. Once Ford was on his back, Sawyer straddled him, their cocks touching, and Ford released a pent-up groan from the contact.
Placing his fingers against Ford’s chest, Sawyer leaned in so their lips were pressed tightly together as their hips slowly began to gyrate against one another. Ford opened his mouth, and Sawyer slipped his tongue in, claiming Ford’s moan while their tongues slowly danced with one another’s.
Their kiss was passionate, and they hungrily embraced one another, the stars their only light. Sawyer trailed his hands across Ford’s muscles as the kiss deepened, shooting an electric current straight to Ford’s cock. He gripped Sawyer’s back never wanting to let go.
Ford and Sawyer’s cocks slid easily together as the precum was spread with each pass. Sawyer’s erection burned against his skin, filling Ford’s mind with images of what was still to come. God, would he ever not need Sawyer like the very air that kept him alive? Ford pulled back from the kiss and stared up
into Sawyer’s eyes as they shared a smile.
“I love you more each and every day,” Ford whispered, not wanting to break the magic of the night around them. He laced his fingers around the back of Sawyer’s neck, pulling him back down so they could kiss again, this time softly, before Sawyer pulled his lips away and moved them to Ford’s jaw, then to just behind his ear. Ford gasped as Sawyer sucked and nibbled on the sensitive flesh, his cock still being tortured by the slow pace of their grinding.
There was no need for Sawyer to reply because Ford knew he felt the same and was expressing that when he began to trail licks and kisses down his body. Ford closed his eyes and let his legs fall open, waiting for whatever his lover would do to him. When a hand cupped and then began to massage his balls, Ford whimpered and let out a moan as he felt Sawyer’s lips place a kiss on the head of his cock before swiping his tongue through the precum leaking down the side.
Sawyer’s tongue slid along Ford’s shaft and then he took his cock between his lips. He started to suck, then pulled his mouth back to the crown, swirling his tongue around the ridge.
“Oh God,” Ford moaned and reached up to grab onto Sawyer’s head as Sawyer plunged back down on his cock, taking him all the way to the back of his throat.
Ford’s groans echoed through the night as Sawyer’s movements grew more frantic. He didn’t let up in his intensity as he hollowed his cheeks and sucked Ford’s cock deeper into his throat. When his cock swelled, Ford released a cry. He felt his orgasm building and his balls tighten and was ready to plunge over the edge and fill Sawyer’s mouth with his load. With a final grunt and every muscle stiffening, Ford exploded into Sawyer’s mouth, who greedily accepted everything Ford pumped into him. Growling against Ford’s now softening cock, Sawyer continued to suck, not letting one drop escape until he’d made his way up and twirled his tongue around Ford’s overly sensitive head.
Ford could hear the pop as Sawyer released his cock and then stalked his way back up his body until he was back over Ford, face to face, and then leaned down to kiss him. Sawyer’s tongue slowly slid into his mouth, and they just reveled in enjoying one another. Sawyer’s hands found their way to every part of his body until he reached down and cupped Ford’s ass. As they lay there, Ford could feel Sawyer’s hardness pulsing against his leg.
Forever With His Boss Page 29
