by LYNN, K. C.
Shivers rack my body but I fight against the temptation and pry myself from his arms, fleeing from bed.
“Get back here, woman, I’m not done with you.”
I look back at him with a smile, my heart skipping at how ridiculously handsome he is. “Hold that thought. I’m going to get your Christmas presents. Be right back.”
“I want you as my present!”
His words follow me out the door, making me laugh as I descend the stairs of our new house. I walk into the living room where my beautiful tree is and grab Chuckie’s stocking then Sawyer’s presents. Surprise fills me when I still see no gifts under the tree for me.
Where is he hiding it?
Shoving the thought aside, I walk up the stairs with my arms full, feeling nervous for him to open what I got him. I wasn’t able to afford much because I still don’t have a job, which is mostly Sawyer’s fault. He made me promise I wouldn’t work until after the holidays, since we were so busy with finding a new house and moving. As much as I loved and appreciated Mac letting me stay in his rental, I couldn’t live there anymore, not after everything that happened there that fateful night.
Detective Ramirez called a week ago with the news that Miguel has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole. He was not only convicted for my mother’s death, but also for the part he played in the forensic scientist’s murder. The judge who let him out confessed about the blackmail; he is also facing charges of his own now.
It was the closure I so desperately needed to put this all behind me. Now I can move forward with the one man who has stolen my heart like no other. The thought has me walking back into our room with a smile on my face.
Sawyer is sitting up in bed, his arms crossed over his strong chest and a scowl on his face. “Why aren’t you naked yet?”
Smiling, I ignore his poutin’ and kneel on the floor to give Chuckie his stocking. “Merry Christmas, my sweet, precious boy. This is for bein’ the best dog a girl could ever have.”
He licks my cheek with his big sloppy tongue then chows down on all the treats I have stashed inside.
Standing, I find Sawyer still glaring at me. “Don’t worry, I got somethin’ for my other special guy, too.” I climb onto the bed next to him and lay the biggest present on his lap first. “Hurry up and open it.”
“I told you not to get me anything,” he grumbles.
“And I told you I was going to anyway, so quit your fussin’ and open it already.”
He grunts but begins unwrapping it. My teeth sink into my bottom lip, butterflies flocking in my tummy, but they fade when he gets the biggest smile on his face. “No way. This is awesome.” He holds up his hockey jersey that I had framed.
“Really?”
“Yeah. How did you get it?”
“I had your mom mail it. I did a pretty good job at hidin’ it from you, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, baby, really good. I had no idea.”
“Open this one next.” I pass him the second present, keeping the small one for last.
He tears apart the wrapping paper, revealing the black scrapbook. He opens the book, flipping through all the pages of his hockey years. Every picture that was ever taken, to all the newspaper clippings his dad kept. When he reaches the very last page, he reads the words I had scripted on it.
Silver Creek’s Hockey Legend
#11 Sawyer Evans
His eyes lift to mine, a sexy smirk curling his lips.
“Do ya like it?” I ask.
“Yeah, baby. I love it. Thank you.”
He leans over to kiss me but I stop him, putting my hand over his mouth. “Hold that thought, lover boy. I got one more I need you to open before distracting me with your sexy kisses.”
He grunts but accepts the gift I hand him.
Heat creeps up my neck and into my cheeks as he reaches into the gift bag that’s stuffed with tissue paper. This present is probably the boldest thing I’ve ever done but havin’ Julia and Kayla with me made it a little easier.
When he pulls out the framed photo, he sucks in a sharp breath, his eyes turning to liquid fire.
My blush deepens as he stares fixated at the 8 x 10 boudoir photo of me in his hockey jersey. “Hope you don’t mind I wore your jersey before framin’ it,” I say lamely.
A strained laugh rumbles from his chest. “I don’t mind one fucking bit. Hell, I say we take it out of the frame and make that your choice of pajamas from now on.”
“I don’t think so,” I say, giggling. Though, I can’t deny how much I love sleeping in his clothes, especially his shirts.
“Turn it over,” I tell him gently.
He does so and reads the words I wrote for him.
Sexy Sawyer,
You may be a legend in Silver Creek, but you will always be a hero to me.
I love you more than words can express.
Love, your Cupcake
He looks up at me, his fierce eyes making my heart dance in my chest. “I love it, Grace, almost as much as I love you.”
Smiling, I crawl over and straddle him, his erection straining beneath my bottom. “Good, because I mean every word.” I lean in, pressing my lips gently against his.
He hooks a hand behind my neck and yanks me in for a crushing kiss that sets my soul on fire. My tongue slides against his as I give myself to him and this beautiful moment.
“Sawyer?” I breathe, my lungs craving oxygen but my heart craving his touch more.
His mouth never misses a beat, continuing its delicious assault. “Yeah, baby?”
“Where’s my present?”
The kiss comes to a stop as he pulls back to look at me, his mouth splitting into a huge grin before he busts into laughter. I join in, having no shame. I wanna know where he’s hidin’ my dang present.
He slaps himself in the forehead, feigning ignorance. “Damn, Cupcake, I knew I forgot something.”
I shake my head, knowin’ he’s full of it.
His smile never falters. “Get dressed and I’ll take you to it.”
“It’s not here?” I ask, my curiosity piquing.
“Nope.”
“Scared you weren’t goin’ to be able to hide it from me, Sexy Sawyer?”
“Yeah, something like that,” he says evasively. “Now go on and get dressed, time’s wasting.”
I leap off the bed and dash into my closet.
“Nothing fancy,” he says. “Just throw on something comfortable.”
I slide on a pair of the softest leggings I own and choose my long sage green sweater that drapes off my shoulder. A Christmas gift from Julia and Kayla. It’s my favorite sweater and reminds me of the color of Sawyer’s eyes.
By the time I walk out of the closet, Sawyer is dressed too, wearing black athletic pants and a white T-shirt that looks anything but plain on him. How the man can make sweats look so damn hot is beyond me.
“Keep looking at me like that, Grace, and we won’t be going anywhere.”
My eyes shoot up to his face, cheeks heating for getting busted once again. I swear, I can never catch a break with him.
He flashes me a wink, his lips kicking up in a sly smirk.
Sexy son of a gun.
I leave Chuckie chewing on one of the smoked bones and follow Sawyer out the door. Anticipation dances through my belly as we pull out of my driveway.
“How long is the drive?” I ask, practically bouncing in my seat.
“Not long.”
“Give me a hint.”
“No.”
I glare back at him, my lips puckering in a pout. “You’re mean.”
“You’re hot,” he fires back, making me laugh.
I decide to give up and look out my window, my excitement palpable. It quickly fades though when I realize we are headed toward main street and my heart plummets straight to my stomach. I haven’t been down here since the fire, unable to bear seeing the diner as nothing but ash. Sawyer knows this; surely he wouldn’t take me this way?
It seems he
would. The moment we turn down the street, I close my eyes and keep my head turned away. Dread twists my stomach when I feel the truck come to a stop.
“Why are you stopping here?” I whisper, hurt edging my voice. I don’t have to open my eyes to know exactly where he has parked.
He reaches across the truck, his hand wrapping around my cold fingers. “Grace, baby, look at me.”
I shake my head, suddenly feeling like I swallowed razor blades. “I don’t want to be here, Sawyer. I’m not ready. I want to leave.”
I hear him release a pained breath seconds before his door opens and he steps out. My aching heart bangs against my rib cage as he comes around and opens my door. He takes my hand once again, forcing me out of the truck.
I finally open my eyes but look only at him, knowing the destruction is at my back. “Why are you doin’ this?”
He gazes down at me, guilt flashing in his eyes. “Don’t you trust me, Grace?”
I trust him with my whole heart but I’m not ready for this. Not today.
He reaches out, his fingers skimming across my cheek. “Please. Just give me a chance.”
I find myself unable to refuse him. Leaning into his touch, I nod.
He takes my hand in his and pulls me around the front of the truck. I keep my head down, eyes on my boots as we start across the street; coming to a stop just before the one place I’ve dreaded seeing. My heart thunders, roaring in my ears.
“Merry Christmas, Cupcake. I hope you like it.”
A frown pinches my face as I wonder what on earth he’s talkin’ about. My head lifts, lips parting on a gasp as all the air gets sucked out of my lungs. I stand motionless, riveted to the sight before me. The beautiful soft pink Victorian-styled building with white scalloped trim is something I’ve seen a thousand times before but only in my dreams. Across the large windows, in white script reads:
A Slice of Hope with a Sprinkle of Grace
“Sawyer,” his name falls on a choked whisper. “What have you done?”
Instead of answering, he lifts my hand to his mouth, brushing his lips across my fingers. “Come on. Let me show you inside.”
My feet move mechanically as he leads me to the door, my mind scrambling to catch up with my heart. Every step that brings me closer to a dream I’ve had for so long has more tears beginning to fall.
Once he has the door unlocked, he opens it and pulls me inside. My hand flies to my mouth, heart melting. It’s the exact replica of my drawing, from the soft yellow walls to the baby pink tables and chairs. I tug from his hand to explore further inside.
My fingers dance along one of the tables, a watery laugh escaping me at the cupcake that’s been painted on the top. I look over at him, his face blurry but I don’t miss his dashing smile.
“I know this is your thing, but I had to add a little something of me in here.”
I shake my head, unbelieving any of this. “How?” I ask. “How on earth did you do this? Only eight weeks ago the diner was here.”
“My dad.”
My eyes widen. “Your father?”
He nods. “After the fire I told him about your drawing. I asked if he could get it done by Christmas and he said he’d make it happen. He called in every favor he had owed to him and brought a crew down here. We busted our asses but we pulled it off.”
I gape back at him in utter disbelief. “This is where you have been disappearing to? Not the gym?”
His response is a sly smile.
“This had to have cost a fortune, Sawyer,” I say, guilt mixing with the warmth in my heart.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It does.”
“The hell it does! It’s my Christmas gift, and I can spend however much I want on it.”
My chin drops to my chest, my flowing tears falling faster. A war battles within me, wondering how I am supposed to accept the most beautiful gift anyone has ever given to me.
Sawyer comes to stand before me, his hands cupping my wet cheeks as he lifts my gaze to his. “This is something you’ve wanted your whole life, Grace, and I get to be lucky enough to give it to you. Take it and live it.”
“I don’t deserve this.”
“You more than deserve it, baby, and so does your mother.” Before I can register the last part of his sentence, he turns me to the side and there I find my favorite picture of her, beautiful and smiling.
In Loving Memory Of Hope Morgan
The image is enlarged, taking up half the wall and is so crystal clear it looks like she’s really here, sharing in this moment with me. My feet move on their own accord, my tearful eyes riveted on my beautiful mother. The woman who taught me how to love, how to bake…my best friend. Upon reaching the wall, my hand lifts, fingers touching her face as I recall how soft her skin was, her sugary scent even invading my senses.
The sob I’ve been holding in pours out of me, shattering my chest and echoing through the bakery. I drop my forehead on her shoulder and cry out at the unfairness of it all. That she doesn’t get to be here to live our dream like we always wanted.
Sawyer walks up behind me, his large body covering my back as his arms come around me.
“I miss her so much,” I cry.
“I know, baby.” His lips press against my neck, arms pulling me back closer to him. “But now her memory will be kept alive through this bakery and a piece of her will be shared with everyone who comes in here and eats the pies that the two of you created. You’re still going to share this with her, Grace, just in a different way.” His words wrap around my heavy heart, creating a blanket of peace that I so desperately needed.
I turn to face him, wrapping my arms around his waist as I peer up at him with all the love I feel in my heart. “You have no idea what you’ve given me. Not just this bakery but so much more.” My hands slide under the back of his shirt, his hot skin warming my soul further. “The day you came into the diner to walk me home, that huge gaping hole in my heart got a little smaller, and now, it barely exists. I love her and miss her every day but since you came into my life, it doesn’t hurt as much. You make it better…you make everything better.”
His hand lifts to my cheek, the familiar gesture saying so much more than words could. “I have a confession, Cupcake.”
I remain silent, a little nervous for what he’s about to say.
“That day when I came in to walk you home, remember when I said I just wanted to get to know you because our friends were married.”
“Yeah…”
“Well I lied. I planned the whole time to get you in my bed and never let you go.”
I burst into laughter; shaking my head at the fact he can make me laugh even at a time like this. “You’re incorrigible, Sawyer Evans.”
“Yeah, but you love me.”
I peer up at him, my smile fading. “I do. So much.”
“Good, then I need you to do something for me.”
“Name it,” I say without hesitation. There isn’t one thing I wouldn’t do for this man.
He drops to one knee before me, making my breath stall in my lungs. “Marry me.”
My jaw drops, hands going on either side of my face as I stare down at him in shock. “Are you serious right now? Because if this is a joke and you’re messin’ with me, I’m going to hurt you.”
He rears back, shocked by my outburst. “Of course I’m serious. Look.” He reaches in a pocket and pulls out a small black velvet box. The moment he flips it open the entire world falls away except for what rests inside. A pink diamond sits on a platinum band, accented by smaller yellow stones on either side of it. It’s the most stunning piece of jewelry I have ever seen.
“Grace? Are you listening to me?”
My eyes shift from the ring to Sawyer, and I quickly realize he’s been talking to me but I haven’t heard a word of it.
“What the hell could you possibly be thinking about at a time like this?” he asks, sounding thoroughly amused.
Sniffling, I wipe my wet cheeks with the bac
k of my hand. “That my Christmas presents to you suck.”
Laughter barrels out of him, the husky sound of it washing over me and feeding my happy soul. He climbs to his feet, pulling me into his arms once again. “Your gifts were perfect, baby. But the best one you will give me today is if you say yes right now.” He leans his forehead against mine, adding to the moment. “You once told me that everyone should belong to someone. I’m asking you, Grace, to belong to me for the rest of your life.”
The beautiful words feed a part of me, a part that has only and will only ever belong to him.
He brushes his lips against mine, my tears mingling with the touch. “Say yes.”
“Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He slides the ring on my finger, making me the happiest girl in the whole world.
“It’s perfect,” I whisper.
“I tried to get them to make the diamond into a cupcake but they told me they couldn’t do it. Can you fucking believe that? Who can’t make a diamond look like a cupcake?”
The ridiculous statement has me bursting into laughter but it’s cut off when he lifts me off my feet and steals my lips in a searing kiss. Moaning, I match him stroke for stroke and lose myself in this perfect world we create together.
His hands cup my bottom, hoisting me up higher. “I need you, Grace. Right fucking now.”
“Yes!” The permission flows freely past my lips, my need mirroring his.
My legs wrap around his waist as he blows through the set of doors that lead into the kitchen. He sets me down on the stainless steel island, the cold metal a shock to my heated blood.
“This is so unsanitary,” I say, not caring nearly as much as I should.
“Fuck sanitary. Nothing matters right now but the two of us.”
He’s right. Nothing else will ever matter more than our love for one another.
Our mouths barely miss a beat as we remove our clothes in record time. The moment he enters me, my entire world tilts on its axis.
Every single time.
My head falls back on a cry, pleasure whipping through my senses. “God, Sawyer,” I whimper, wishing I could put into words how he completes me, body and soul.
