Leave Me Breathless: The Ivy Collection

by KL Donn

  Upstairs I get him in his crib and then I turn to my bed a freeze. There’s a gift bag sitting on my bed. I move toward it and look at the tag. It says,

  To: My girl,

  Merry Christmas, Sawyer.

  Inside the bag are several different wrapped packages. The first one I grab is a picture frame and the picture inside is one I haven’t ever seen. Sawyer and I looked to be about fourteen or fifteen—I was on his back with my arms around his neck.

  The sun bounced off both of our braces because our smiles were huge. I have no idea when that picture was taken, but we looked like such babies back then. I set it on my nightstand and grab the next wrapped package.

  Sawyer got me a Chicago Hawk jersey and of course it’s his name and number on the back. I hug it to my chest and want to giggle like a schoolgirl. I set it to the side and grab the last box.

  I open it and gasp. It’s a silver necklace with a little heart with Henry’s birthstone in the middle of it.

  Taking it out of the box, I unlatch it and then put it around my neck. It sits perfectly, a little bit past where my collarbone sits. The bed moves and Sawyer’s climbing in bed with me. “Did I do good?”

  I push him to his back and crawl on top of him, laying my head on his chest. “You did really great. Thank you so much.”

  Sawyer rolls to his side, taking me with him, so we’re lying chest to chest. The warmth of his body lulls me into a deep sleep.

  The New Year is here and things have been amazing and sometimes I pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. Henry and I have been staying with Sawyer a lot. The sex has been phenomenal and we’ve been clicking on so many levels, but there is just one thing that has been weighing heavily on my mind.

  We haven’t talked about our future, I know it’s too soon, but we have a history and we share a child. We also haven’t really been on a date. We’re playing house, but I don’t know if it actually means anything.

  I focus back on the book I’m editing. This story reads a lot like my life story; it’s about a girl who is in love with her best friend, but he doesn’t feel the same way about her.

  One night while they’d been drunk, they slept together and she got pregnant, but in this story, she left town after he rejected her. When she returned five years later with the daughter he turned his back on, he realizes his mistake.

  He has to fight extremely hard for them, but he becomes so worthy of them that I actually cried when I read the scene when it happened. Talk about a swoon-worthy hero.

  My eyes feel heavy, but I fight it.

  “MeMe?” I feel fingers touch my face and open my eyes. Sawyer is sitting on the bed next to my hip. “Hey baby.”

  “Hi. Sorry I fell asleep. How was practice?”

  Sawyer brushes the hair out of my face. “It was good.” I don’t know what’s going to happen when he goes to spring training because he’ll be gone for around six weeks. “How was Henry tonight?”

  “He was cranky tonight and clingy. I was honestly relieved when he went to bed.” I rest my forehead against his neck. Sawyer smells like he just got done showering. “You smell good.”

  “I’m glad I showered,” he jokes.

  I save my document while he strips out of his clothes. When I close my laptop and stuff it in my computer bag, I get up and go into the bathroom to brush my teeth.

  Sawyer comes in and wraps his arms around me. When I look at us in the mirror, it isn’t lost on me that we fit well together—like we were made for each other. I, of course, leave that thought to myself.

  When I’m finished, I rinse and then turn around to hug him. “Sawyer?” I tilt my head back to look at him. “What are we doing?”

  “What do you mean?”

  I take a deep breath. “We’ve never really discussed what we are. Are we just friends with benefits, boyfriend/girlfriend, are we just co-parents that have sex? I’m sorry I’m not asking because I’m pushing for anything because I’m not. I-I guess I… I don’t know. Just forget I said anything.” I try to move around him so I can shrivel up and die in peace, but he won’t let me pass.

  “Now it’s my turn to talk.” Sawyer grabs my chin, tipping my head back so we’re looking at each other. “We don’t need labels, but what I will tell you is that you and Henry mean everything to me. What does our future hold? I don’t know, but if I was ever going to get married, I can’t imagine it being with anyone but you.”

  My tears flow freely down my cheeks at his words. Was it a declaration of love, no, but it means that he’s been thinking about us being an us permanently.

  “Hey, no tears.” He picks me up and places me on the bathroom counter. “Now spread your legs for me.”

  I do as he says and grabs my panties, tearing them from my body and making me gasp. He grabs my ankles and places my feet on the counter. I try to cover myself, but he stops me. “Nope, don’t do that. Every time I look at you, I want to kick teenage me’s ass for never touching and worshipping this body.”

  My heart beats rapidly in my chest as I watch him sink to his knees. Sawyer’s tall enough that his mouth is lined up right at my pussy. I moan as I feel his breath against my wet flesh.

  I hear him inhale. “Mmmm… you smell amazing,” he whispers against me. Goose bumps pop up all over my body. With his eyes on me, Sawyer licks my pussy, nice and slow. He reaches my clit and gives it a suck. I grip his hair in my fist and whimper as he begins to eat me out—ugh I hate that phrase, but that is literally what he’s doing.

  Sawyer reaches up one hand, pinching my nipple as he eases two fingers inside me. “Oh god, you’re going to make me come.” I moan, my grip tightening in his hair. He taps my G-spot and I come with a shout.

  He stands up and kisses my lips. I moan into his mouth as I taste my cum on his lips. I hear him open the medicine cabinet and then the unmistakable sound of him ripping open a condom.

  The moment he rubs his dick through my arousal, I do a full body shudder. He enters me with ease, thanks to how wet I am. Sawyer groans as he buries himself to the hilt.

  He pulls me until my ass is practically falling off the counter. Sawyer holds on to my hips in a punishing grip as he begins to fuck me. I grip the edge of the counter as he pounds into me.

  I let go with one arm and wrap it around his neck, pulling him down to me and kissing him hard. Our lips stay locked as I begin to come, whimpering into his mouth as my pussy ripples around his cock. When he plants himself to the root and begins to come, he grunts against mine.

  We both pant against each other’s lips—our eyes holding each other captive. I want to tell him I am in love with him, but his possible rejection keeps me from doing it.

  I whimper when he finally pulls his softening cock. He kisses me before helping me off the counter. “Go get in bed and I’ll be right in.” As I go to walk past him, I feel his hand slap my ass.

  “Hey.” I turn around to glare at him, shaking my head as I rub my ass cheek. In his room, I grab one of his t-shirts and slip it on. Across the hall, I peek in on Henry and find him passed out.

  I head back into Sawyer’s room. “Is he still out?”

  I nod. “Yeah.” I climb into bed and curl up on my side. Sawyer has always been a cuddler with me, even before all of this stuff started. I’m glad that hasn’t changed. He wraps his arm around my waist and practically lies on top of me, but I find it oddly comforting.

  16

  Sawyer

  I leave for spring training in a week and I’m not looking forward to leaving MeMe and Henry. We’ve basically been together since Christmas and I’ve loved every minute I’ve spent with them.

  MeMe doesn’t know that I’ve fallen in love with her. I just haven’t told her yet. I’ve wanted to make it special. I’ve asked my mom to keep Henry overnight so I can take my girl to the city. I want to take her for a romantic dinner, maybe go have drinks. The night will end with a marathon fuck fest—at least I hope it does.

  My phone rings as I pull into my parking garage. I see
it’s Kevin, my agent. “What’s up, Kevin?”

  “Sawyer, my man, are you ready for Mesa?”

  I climb out of my SUV. “I am, although I’m not looking forward to leaving my family for that long.” Kevin knows all about MeMe and Henry and thankfully for me, he never suggested I get a paternity test. He just trusted that I knew what I was doing.

  “You can always fly them down for a long weekend or a week. Lots of families do that. Let me know if I can help make arrangements. I’ll be flying down toward the end to meet with you.”

  “That sounds great and can’t wait to see you.”

  We disconnect and I head upstairs. The minute I step off the elevator, I can hear Henry screaming his head off. I run to my door and the minute I step inside, I find MeMe sitting on the floor holding a towel to Henry’s head.

  “Baby, what happened?”

  “I was m-making dinner, and I heard t-the most sickening thud. H-He had fallen and hit the corner of the wall. I think he needs stitches.” It’s hard to hear her over Henry’s screams.

  I pull the towel away and see he’s got a nasty little gash on his head. I help them off of the floor and take Henry from her arms. “Make sure you shut everything off from dinner.”

  MeMe runs into the kitchen, shuts everything off and then throws her shoes on. Instead of trying to wrestle Henry into his coat, she just grabs a blanket and we wrap it around him.

  I drive while MeMe sits in back with Henry. His cries make my stomach hurt because I can’t do anything to help him. When we get to the hospital, I let them out at the ER doors. “I’m going to go park, but get him checked in. I’ll be right there.”

  She wraps the blanket around him and then they disappear inside. I quickly find a parking spot and then sprint toward the doors. As soon as I step inside, I don’t spot them in the waiting room.

  I stop at the counter. “My girlfriend just brought our son in, Henry Eklund.”

  “Yes, they got them right back—just step through the double doors and he’s in the first room.”

  As soon as the doors open, I hear Henry’s cries. I step inside the room and the nurse is in with them. She looks at me with wide eyes and I know she recognizes me, but she quickly goes back to taking care of our son.

  MeMe rubs her hand over his head and talks quietly to him. Once the nurse has him cleaned up and tapes some gauze to his head, she excuses herself to get the doctor.

  I take Henry from MeMe and hug him tightly. “It’s okay, buddy. You’re so brave, such a tough guy.”

  I sit down next to MeMe and can tell she’s barely holding it together—leaning in, I kiss her forehead. “He’s okay. It was an accident, they happen.”

  When the doctor comes in, he decides to do sutures because the gash was pretty deep. They bring in a contraption that will hold Henry and his arms down while they stitch him up.

  MeMe rests her hand on his stomach when they get started. Luckily the doctor is able to stitch him quickly. The goose egg on his forehead is already a deep angry purple. It makes me hurt just looking at it.

  By the time we get home, we’re both exhausted. Henry is passed out, and I think we’re both paranoid so we decide to put him in bed with us. We take turns in the bathroom and then crawl into bed with our son.

  It’s a long time before either of us falls asleep.

  My mom and MeMe’s just came and picked Henry up for a grandmas spoil their grandson weekend. It’s been two days since he got hurt and we were going to cancel our weekend out, but our boy is tough and was already acting like nothing had happened.

  His bruise is still pretty purple, but the swelling is gone. Henry hasn’t been messing with his sutures, thankfully and in five days, we’ll take him to get them removed.

  I head back upstairs where I left MeMe getting ready to go. She doesn’t know, but I booked us the romance package at the Radisson Blu Aqua hotel downtown. We’ll have champagne when we arrive, then I’ll take her out for dinner. In the morning they’re bringing us breakfast in bed and then they’ll have a couples massage for us.

  I step inside and in the bedroom, I find MeMe in a form-fitting black long-sleeved dress that hits her right at the knees. She’s got her hair in loose waves that hang down past her bra strap.

  “Wow. You look so beautiful.”

  Her cheeks turn pink. “Are you sure?” MeMe nervously runs her hands down her dress. “This is Elsa’s dress.”

  I hold my hand out to her. “Come here.” When she places her hand in mine, I pull her toward me. “You look absolutely stunning.”

  “You’re looking pretty handsome yourself.” I’m wearing tailored black slacks, a white dress shirt, and a black fitted jacket. My hair is in need of a cut and I basically just styled it to keep it out of my face.

  We make our way downstairs and then make the trek downtown. Once we get to the hotel, the valet takes my keys and I come around helping MeMe out. It’s so cold right now, but luckily the restaurant we’re eating at is right next to the hotel.

  I check us in and we head up to our room. It’s gorgeous and we have a wonderful view of Lakeshore East Park. They bring our bottle of champagne and pour us each a glass. “To an amazing night.” She clinks her glass to mine and we both drink it down.

  She drinks one more glass, but I stop after the first. When it’s time to head to the restaurant, I help her with her coat and then slip mine on. I grab her hand in mine and we make our way downstairs.

  We make our way outside and over to Sizzle. I reserved a private table, away from prying eyes. I’m recognized when we step inside and I sign a couple of autographs and pose for a couple of pictures.

  I excuse myself as we follow the hostess to our table. She takes our coats and then I pull out MeMe’s chair for her. “This place is amazing.” She says while looking around.

  Our waiter comes and takes our drink order and then disappears. I grab MeMe’s hand. “I’m glad we’re doing this. Have I told you how bad I’m going to miss you and Henry while I’m gone?”

  “I’m going to miss you too.”

  I kiss her knuckles. “I know you plan on going home while I’m gone, but you know you can always stay at the apartment. You’re practically living with me anyway. I’ll make sure you have a set of keys and just leave your car in my parking garage and use my SUV.” I’d feel better with her driving our son around in my 4Runner just because winter is not over yet and we could still get dumped on.

  “Okay, yeah. Whatever you think.”

  Our waiter brings our drinks and then takes our orders. He disappears and MeMe takes a drink of her wine. “Are you nervous about Henry starting daycare next week?” I know it’s too hard for her to work when little man is getting into everything.

  “Not really, he’s only starting out at two days a week, but your mom has expressed her desire to watch him when I need to work. We’ll just play it by ear.”

  “I’m sure she’d love having him.” I lace my fingers with her. “Mom said your mom and her have been hanging out a lot and it’s made her really happy.”

  “It makes me sad that the decisions I made hurt a lot of people.”

  I squeeze MeMe’s hand. “Stop. I didn’t bring it up to hurt you. I just think it’s great that they’ve picked up right where they left off. No frowning, we’re going to have an amazing night and then I’m going to give you your dessert back at the hotel.” I wink at her and love the sound of her laugh.

  After dinner, I pay the tab even though the manager tried to comp us our meal. I told him it wasn’t necessary and that they deserved every dollar they got. He did send us back to the hotel with a couple of desserts.

  I’m ready to get the night started.

  17

  MeMe

  Sawyer lets my feet drop to the floor, but he keeps his arms around me. That’s a good thing because I probably would’ve just dropped to the floor.

  After dinner earlier, we came back to the hotel and stopped to have drinks in the hotel bar. He even pulled me up to slow
dance to a song I didn’t recognize. There was no dance floor and no one else dancing, but that didn’t stop him from holding me close and surprising the hell out of me.

  I rested my head on his shoulder and whispered. “You know I’m in love with you, right? I’ve loved you since we were fourteen and I don’t think I could ever stop.” I closed my eyes and prayed to be sucked into a hole—nothing like putting myself out there.

  He didn’t say anything, just kept dancing with me while I was freaking out. I couldn’t decide if I should run or what.

  I couldn’t take his silence anymore. “I’m sorry. Please, just forget I send anything.”

  He finally spoke. “Nope, you said, you can’t take it back. I thought I was falling in love with you, but I was wrong.” I freeze in his hold. “I was wrong because I’m in love with you. Do you know how lucky I feel falling in love with my best friend? I feel really fucking lucky.”

  My eyes burned and I kept trying to swallow the lump in my throat. Who knew that Sawyer Beckett could be so sweet and romantic. I pulled back and pulled his mouth down to mine, putting everything I felt into the kiss.

  This time he pulled back. “Let’s go upstairs.” I went to reach for the desserts, but he tugged on my arm. “Just leave it.”

  Sexual tension crackled between us on the elevator ride upstairs. We stood in the back of the full elevator and I almost moaned when his hand slid over my ass.

  When we reached our floor, we were immediately on each other. How he found our room with his mouth fused to mine, I’ll never know. Once he had us in our room, I was against the door with my legs around his waist.

  It all happened so fast and before I knew it he was inside of me. It was hard and fast but so fucking glorious, and that leads us to now.

  “I didn’t hurt you, did I?” Sawyer whispers.