by LYNN, K. C.
She shoots me a look. “Daddy,” she says slowly, as if I’m being the nuisance. “Just ’cause I’m goin’ to sleep doesn’t mean I can’t look my best. How do you think Sleepin’ Beauty found her Prince Charming?”
I rear back. Prince Charming, my ass.
Walking over, I sweep her legs out from under her and hang her upside down. Squealing and laughing, she tries pulling her nightgown down to cover up her princess undies.
“Listen up, little girl. There isn’t ever going to be any Prince Charming. You don’t need any guy but your dad. Got it?”
She’s laughing too hard to answer.
“Get your skinny little butt in bed,” I order, flipping her over and tossing her on the bed.
I take up residence beside her as she crawls under the covers, still giggling. “Wanna hear about the new pie I’ve been thinkin’ about inventing?”
Not really. I just want to be with my woman.
However, as I stare back at her excited green eyes I can’t help but nod.
“So I’ve been thinkin’ about creatin’ a pie just for Beckett, because even though he drives me crazy most days, I love him and Parker a whole lot. But don’t tell them I said that,” she says, shaking her finger at me.
“I won’t say a word,” I promise with a smirk.
She shrugs. “He…he was real nice to me when Mama was in the hospital. When he found me cryin’ at recess one day he sat with me and held my hand. He told me everythin’ was gonna be okay.”
I hate hearing she was crying, but I’m not sure I like what that kid is up to.
“Then he and Parker made sure they were with me every recess so I wouldn’t cry again. I feel like I should do somethin’ special for him, ya know?”
“Yeah, Shortcake, I get it,” I say, even though I don’t really like to think of her making special pies for any boys but me.
“I was thinking about callin’ it Beckett Is Sweet Pie. Do you think that’s a good name? Do you think he would like that?” she asks, her cheeks suddenly pink.
He would, I do not, but I try to rein in my opinion and decide to talk to Grace about this.
“Yeah, I’m sure he would.” Leaning down, I kiss her good night.
As I get up to leave, she stops me before I make it out the door. “Daddy?”
I turn back to her, trying not to let it show I’m in a hurry. “Yeah?”
She smiles. “One day I’m gonna find my Prince Charmin’ and I hope he’s as amazin’ as you.”
With a scowl I point down at her. “Shortcake, there ain’t nobody out there as good as me. You need to remember that and just stick with your dad,” I scold, though I can’t deny the shift in my chest.
She giggles. “Night, Daddy.”
“Night, baby.”
As soon as I close her door, I move like my ass is on fire and head straight for my woman, my dick roaring to life. However, I come to a dead hard stop when I reach the living room, seeing her sound asleep.
You have got to be shitting me.
I want to drop to my knees and weep like a fucking pussy. I glare over at the dog. “Why the hell did you let her fall asleep?”
He looks up at me, eyebrows raised.
“Whatever,” I mumble.
I consider waking her but seeing her face soft and peaceful with sleep reminds me of how early she was up today, so I decide to put my dick to the side. Bending down, I carefully scoop her up in my arms and carry her to bed. She doesn’t stir once, proving just how tired she is.
With a disappointed breath, and feeling sorry for myself, I strip down to my boxer briefs and crawl into bed. It’s impossible to find sleep because all I do is stare at Grace, remembering what she looks like over me, under me, on her hands and knees… Fuck!
I groan and look away, trying to think about anything else. The gym, the bakery…no, don’t think about the bakery. Cupcakes…no, don’t think about those either.
It’s no use. It’s impossible to erase her from my mind, but somehow, some way, I finally fall asleep and it’s the best fucking thing ever because I dream of her. It’s so real I’d swear I could feel her weight settle over me, her warm hands moving along my abs.
“Mmmm, Sexy Sawyer.”
Jesus, she even fucking sounds real.
My eyes suddenly snap open and I suck in a sharp breath to see Grace straddling me, her tank top gone. The moonlight casts a glow on her beautiful body, showcasing her long wavy hair that’s framing her perfect, ample tits.
She peers down at me, her smile seductive as she grinds against my hard-on. “Sorry I fell asleep.”
“It’s okay,” I manage; my voice sounding like it belongs to a squeaky fucking fourteen-year-old boy.
“Let me make it up to you,” she whispers before leaning down and pressing her warm lips to my stomach, making my abdominal muscles twitch.
My fingers thread through her hair with a groan, encouraging her as she moves lower. She frees me from the confines of my underwear, her hand fisting my shaft with a grip that has me pumping up with a growl. Her eyes meet mine as her lips hover enticingly over my throbbing cock. When her tongue darts out to take a long, leisurely lick, my jaw locks down so hard in restraint I worry it’s about to shatter.
“Don’t fuck with me, Grace. Suck it, baby. Take my dick in that hot mouth of yours.”
She smiles, her thumb swirling over my sensitive head. “I was plannin’ on it, Sexy Sawyer.”
As soon as the sassy words leave her mouth she wraps her lips around me, taking me all the way back to her throat.
“Fuck yes.” I jack my hips up, allowing me further into her hot, wet depth.
She hollows out her cheeks, sucking her way back up to swirl her tongue around the tip before taking me all the way in again.
“Good girl, fuck me with that hungry mouth of yours.”
With a fiery moan she releases me only to spit on it, then wraps both her hands around my soaking wet shaft, double fisting me, pumping my cock close to explosion.
“Jesus, you want it bad,” I grit.
“So bad,” she admits breathlessly. Desire lights her warm eyes, making them almost glow in the dark shadows of our room.
“Then come and sit on it.”
She doesn’t hesitate. Quickly moving into position she drops down on me, her snug heat gripping me like a tight vise, making my eyes roll back in my fucking head.
“Oh god,” she cries out, her head falling back in ecstasy. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“Not as much as I’ve missed you, baby,” I groan, my hands digging into her hips but I make sure to be mindful of her scar. “How’re you feeling, Grace?” I ask, my teeth grinding in restraint. “You good?”
“Yes, I’m perfect.”
“Damn straight you are.”
She smiles. “I meant I’m well enough to fuck you,” she says, knowing what it does to me to hear her talk like that.
“Then by all means, fuck away, Cupcake.”
With a giggle that trails into a moan, she starts riding me, her hands braced on my stomach while she finds perfect rhythm. I make sure to be careful, keeping my thrusts to her pace, rather than fucking her hard and fast like I want to. My hands move to her breasts, my fingers tugging on her hard, sweet, pink nipples.
Her hands cover mine, back arching, looking like the angel she is. I swear I’ll never tire of this woman or her body. I would die without her.
Sitting up I take her mouth, wanting to taste and feel every part of her. My hands move to her firm round ass and I turn us until my feet are planted firmly on the ground, bringing me deeper inside of her. Our mouths never sever from one another’s, her sweet taste fueling my need. My finger slips along the smooth crevice of her ass, getting soaked from where she impales my cock.
A pleading moan slips from her, her pace increasing, begging me to give her more.
“Want my finger in your ass, baby?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
“Yes, I want you to fill every part of my
body.”
Jesus, I’ve never seen her so fucking wild.
I spread her slick juices all the way to her puckered entrance then slowly slip my finger inside the snug hole, remembering what it feels like when my cock is in it.
“Yes,” she wails, her fingers digging into my shoulders.
“Damn, Grace, you’re on fucking fire,” I groan, feeling close to destruction.
“Sawyer, please,” she begs.
“Feed me your tits, baby, my hands are a little full at the moment,” I say, giving her a smirk.
When she brings them to my mouth I suck on each one, my finger never faltering. Knowing I’m about to lose control, I bite down on one hard enough that it sends her flying. Her pussy locks down on my cock, bringing me over the edge with her.
I swear I come harder than I ever have before.
Once her tremors subside I slip my finger out and wrap my arms around her before dropping down to my back. She tucks her face in my neck as my hands run up her slender, sweat-dampened back, our hearts pounding against one another.
“I love you,” she whispers into the dark.
“Not as much as I love you.”
She looks up at me with a satisfied smile. “Do you forgive me for fallin’ asleep?”
“You’re more than forgiven, baby,” I say, giving her a light slap on the ass, making her giggle. Something crosses my mind as I stare back at her. “You know you didn’t have to wake me, right?”
“Mmm,” she muses, kissing my chest. “Yes, I do, but I needed you as badly as you needed me. Besides, you’ve been so patient,” she adds, her finger tracing my lips.
“I’d wait forever, Grace, when it comes to you.”
She chuckles, thinking I’m kidding but I’m not. When she realizes that, her lips soften into a smile and she reaches up to kiss my lips. “I’d never survive that long without you.”
“Well thankfully, we’ll be fuckin’ until we’re so damn old we’ll need hip replacements often.”
Her giggle trails into a groan. “I have a feeling that could be true.”
It will if I have anything to say about it.
We clean up quickly then make it back in bed. Grace puts her tank top and panties back on, much to my dismay, then drapes her warm body across mine, her sweet cupcake scent penetrating my senses. It suddenly makes me think about my conversation with Hope earlier.
“We need to talk, Cupcake,” I say, slipping my fingers under her shirt to touch her smooth skin.
“What about?”
“Hope told me tonight she wants to make a special pie for Beckett. Her cheeks turned pink. Like…she was embarrassed or some shit. She was also talking about finding her Prince Charming one day. What the fuck is up with that?”
Grace shrugs. “She’s six.”
“Exactly! She shouldn’t know what Prince Charming is.”
She laughs, like it’s funny. “Sawyer, she’s the perfect age to learn about him. It’s a fairy tale.”
“Fairy tale, my ass. She shouldn’t be thinking about meeting her Prince Charming or baking pies for any boys but her dad or her brother.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Beckett is just as much her friend as he is Parker’s, even though he picks on her most of the time. Although, Kayla thinks he has a crush on her.”
I tense. “What crush? I thought we just established they’re fucking six.”
“Take it easy. We’re not talkin’ about inappropriate behavior. He watches out for her, Sawyer, which is exactly what you and Cooper expect him to do. She loves him for that. Let her bake him a pie, just like she has for many of her other friends.”
I grunt, still not liking it. I don’t want my Shortcake loving anyone but me.
“Do you ever wonder what our kids will be when they grow up?” she asks softly, breaking me of my thoughts. “Will Hope still have a love for baking and want to be at the bakery with me forever? Will Parker be an athlete like he talks about all the time?”
“I already know what Hope is going to be.”
“What’s that?”
“A nun.”
She belts out a giggle. “I doubt that since we aren’t even Catholic.”
“I think it’s time we convert.”
She shakes her head, thinking I’m ridiculous when in fact it’s perfectly logical. “Well, I’ll admit I’m prayin’ Hope wants to stay with me at the bakery. I also see Parker doing something big. Something that makes a difference. He’s so fierce and protective…” She shrugs. “I don’t know, but I hope whatever they choose to do they’re happy. That’s all I ever want for them.”
“They will be. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Mmm,” she muses tiredly. “I don’t doubt it for a second, because you’ve made me happier than I could have ever imagined.”
I pull her in closer and drop a kiss on the top of her head.
“Piper is going to bring Lucy by tomorrow afternoon. She’s been feeling a lot stronger since settling in at home. I invited them to have supper with us.”
“Sounds good to me, Cupcake.”
The sound of our door opening breaks our conversation. Looking up, I see Parker and Hope peek their heads in. I glance at the clock to see it’s two in the morning.
“Hey, is everything okay?” Grace asks, sitting up.
“Yeah, but can we sleep with y’all tonight?” Hope whispers.
“Oh sur—”
“Why?” I ask, cutting Grace off, selfishly wanting another round with her.
“Because we love you,” Hope responds, making me smile.
She’s as good as her brother.
“All right, come on.”
They both crawl up the middle, Hope plastering herself against my chest and Parker staying close to Grace, like he has since she’s been out of the hospital. I tuck Hope in close and kiss her head like I did to Grace a few minutes ago, then ruffle Parker’s hair.
“Night,” Parker says.
“Night,” the rest of us all say in unison.
Once the kids fall asleep a couple of minutes later, a soft hand reaches out across their little bodies and grabs mine. I take hold of it, linking my fingers with my wife’s, a strong feeling of contentment settling over me.
The people in this room are everything I live and breathe for. I will love, honor, and protect them until the day I die. I will never let anything happen to them for as long as I live.
Little did Sawyer know, fourteen years later, there would come a day when he couldn’t protect his daughter.
Turn the page for a letter from the author and a sneak peek of Sweet Haven, book two in the Sweet Series.
Dear reader,
I hope you loved reading Sawyer and Grace’s story as much as I did writing it. This family holds a special place in my heart and always will which is why I started this spin off series. If you didn’t already know, the Men of Honor children will eventually be getting stories of their own, which is where we will learn all about that last little line. ;)
More information on that series and future stories can be found on my website www.authorkclynn.com under what’s to come?
Continue reading for a sneak peek of Samantha and Jase’s story, book two in the Sweet Series which is available now.
Much love,
K.C. Lynn
Recipe
Two cups of an arrogant, dirty talkin’ firefighter who has an obsession with peaches and the forbidden girl who smells like them.
One tablespoon of a sweet schoolteacher trying to find her place in the world while attempting to resist her brother’s sworn enemy.
A slice of fate that has their hearts questioning the past and the consuming need they have for one another.
A dash of desire.
A pinch of rivalry.
A sprinkle of déjà vu.
Mix together in a large bowl to create a combustible passion and a future that neither of them could have ever predicted.
Bake at 350° for a rich serving of destiny and a love that
could burn for eternity.
A timeless recipe that is sure to fill your heart with a generous helping of Sweet Haven.
Sam
Music vibrates beneath my feet as I head up to the bar with my tray in hand. “I need three Coronas, two Jack and Cokes, and a screwdriver for table seven,” I tell my friend, Zoey, who’s behind the counter.
“Got it.” Lining up three glasses she begins filling the order. “I can’t thank you enough, Sam, for bailing me out once again. Finding reliable help nowadays seems impossible, especially on a Friday night.”
I smile back at her, feeling bad about how much trouble she’s had finding good servers. Zoey is one of my best friends and owns Overtime, a successful sports bar here in Silver Creek. Anytime I can help her out I do, especially since the hours don’t conflict with my day job. It also keeps me busy and my mind off of things. Things I don’t like to think about.
“You know I’m happy to help whenever I can. It’s not like my Friday nights are ever eventful.”
She chuckles, knowing it’s true. “Well, thank God for that or I would have been in one hell of a bind tonight. It’s going to be hard to find backup when you leave me for good,” she adds, speaking of my upcoming move to Charleston. Her smile dims as she places the first two drinks on my tray. “You know I’m going to miss the hell out of you, right?”
“I’ll miss you, too,” I confess, my throat beginning to feel tight. “But we still have three more months together. I promise to come visit and you can come see me, too.”
“I know, but it won’t be the same.” She pops the caps off three Coronas before putting them down in front of me and reaching for the limes nearby. “The first thing I want you to do when you get there is go to your brother’s gym and find yourself a sexy fighter. If you find two then send one my way.”
“Yeah right, you know how Sawyer is. The last place I’ll ever find a date will be at his gym.”
“Well, he’s going to have to get over the whole protective big brother thing. It’s time you got back on the dating train, Sam. Now that the two-timing asshole is out of the picture.”
