Sweet Destiny

by LYNN, K. C.

  “Yeah, kid. I know.” He drops a kiss on the top of my head before slinging an arm around my shoulders. “Come on. Let’s go have dinner.”

  He keeps me tucked close to his side as we head down the stairs, both of us laughing as he messes my hair over my face. It’s something he always did when I was younger and it would drive me mad. Now it warms my heart.

  That nostalgia settles deeper when we enter the kitchen and I find my whole family bustling about, talking and laughing with one another.

  My dad stands at the marble island, slicing the ham. Parker is next to him, getting lectured on how to make the perfect cut. Grace and Hope finish preparing whatever they have made for dessert, both wearing their matching aprons as Jesse finishes setting the table.

  Then there’s Jase. He stands next to my mother as she rambles on and on about how excited she is for the weekend, her hands moving as fast as her mouth. He listens to every word intently, nodding his head and never once straying from what she says.

  Until he senses my presence.

  Our eyes meet from across the kitchen, that irrevocable shift happening, where everyone else in the room just seems to fade away and it’s only the two of us.

  “I really fucking hate the way he looks at you,” my brother grumbles next to me. “Can’t I kick him in the balls just once?”

  A half laugh, half groan slips past my lips before I give him an elbow to the ribs. “Behave.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Releasing me, he walks over to his wife and daughter, kissing them both before stealing a bite of whatever they made.

  My attention reverts back to Jase to find him walking this way. Anticipation builds in my belly, skipping its way through my entire body as he pulls me in close.

  “Hey, Peaches.”

  My arms curl around his waist as I hug him back. “Hey yourself, Crawford.”

  “You have a good talk with your sister?”

  I nod, though I wouldn’t call it “good” but that’s something I will tell him about later. “Sorry it took so long.”

  “No big deal. Your mom kept me entertained.” A hint of a smile steals his sexy face. “She is very excited about our wedding.”

  I giggle, thinking about what I just walked in on.

  “And so am I.”

  The admission settles around my heart like a warm fire. “Me, too.”

  “Okay, everyone, take your seats,” my mom orders, walking over to the table with a hot dish. “Dinner is served.”

  As everyone settles at the table, I lead Jase over to my usual spot and frown at the small pink Barbie chair I find next to it. Looking up, I see Hope sitting between Sawyer and Grace and Parker on the other side of my brother.

  “Who is this for?” I ask.

  “For our guest,” Sawyer answers nonchalantly, as if Jase sitting in this makes complete sense. “Mom told me to grab a chair for him and it’s all I could find.”

  Jase glares at my brother, looking ready to beat the snot out of him, and I can’t blame him.

  “Don’t worry, Crawford, it’s made for preschool kids. You’ll be just fine.” His laughter echoes through the kitchen as he laughs his butt off.

  I’m not quite sure why he finds this so funny considering he and Jase are basically the same height.

  My mom walks up behind him, slapping him upside the head.

  “Ow!” Sawyer turns to look at her. “What the hell, Ma?”

  “Go get another chair,” she snaps.

  “I’ll go get one,” my father says, barely holding back his laughter as he stands from his seat.

  Sawyer meets my glare and has the audacity to look innocent. “Come on, it’s funny.”

  I cross my arms over my chest, letting him know just how funny I think it is.

  “It was before our talk, okay? No more. I promise. It’s all out of my system.”

  It better be or he won’t have to worry about Jase.

  My father returns moments later with another chair.

  Just as we take our seats, my brother opens his big mouth again. “At least get the guy a booster seat so he can see over the table.” He bursts into laughter again and all I can do is shake my head.

  This is going to be a long weekend.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Jase

  Hot water pounds down on my shoulders, washing away the long travel day and the frustration I’ve barely managed to keep locked inside.

  The asshole might have kept his insults to a minimum after that Barbie chair prank but he still found other ways to get under my skin. More subtle ways. Like offering to serve the pie his wife and daughter made for dessert only to give me a fucking crumb rather than the slice everyone else got.

  It looked like really good pie, too.

  Then as we gathered around the fireplace after dinner he made Sam sit next to him, his arm around her shoulders so he could act like the doting big brother when in fact he really just wanted to keep her from me. His constant smirks in my direction only proved it.

  I hate those fucking smirks as much as I hate his smug face. The only reason he is still standing is because I love his sister. However, if he doesn’t cut the shit soon not even that will be able to save him.

  Two days, Crawford. Just two fucking days. You can do this.

  After the internal pep talk, I finish washing then shut off the water and grab a towel, wrapping it around my waist before exiting the bathroom.

  A scowl forms on my face when I see the balcony doors open.

  If that asshole broke in to fuck with me he’s going over that damn ledge, consequences be damned.

  Striding forward, I step out onto the balcony, ready for battle, but don’t find the enemy. I find an angel.

  My angel.

  Dressed in a long, white silk nightgown, Sam leans back against the concrete railing, the Rocky Mountains spanning the distance behind her. The moonlight casts its glow, highlighting her long, wavy blonde hair and mouth-watering curves.

  Suddenly, all the pent-up hate I just had for her brother fades into nothing. None of it matters anymore. The only thing that matters is this. Her, right here. With me.

  “Looks like I just missed your shower,” she says in a voice that has my cock hardening beneath the thin towel.

  “I can get back in and pretend I didn’t come out.”

  She laughs that sweet laugh of hers, the harmonic sound floating through the air like my favorite melody. “Tempting, but I think we’re fine right where we are.”

  Pushing from the railing, she saunters closer, every step making my heart hammer so fucking hard I swear it’s about to pound right out of my damn chest.

  That feeling only magnifies when she wraps her arms around my neck, bringing her silk-covered body against my bare skin.

  “Do you know why I chose this room for you, Crawford?”

  “No, but I really want you to tell me.” My tone is rough, thick with the lust that simmers beneath my skin.

  “Because it not only has an incredible view but it’s the only one with a balcony on this side of the house, which means complete privacy.”

  As soon as the words leave her mouth, she drops to her knees before me, sending my already heated blood erupting like a fucking tsunami.

  She slips a single finger into the knot of my towel, tugging the terrycloth free. “Now what do we have here?” Pure innocence coats her tone as she grips my long, hard shaft in her delicate hand. “Happy to see me?”

  That sass taunts the animal that resides within—a beast that only she can satiate.

  My hand glides through her silky hair, fingers gripping as I tug her head back. “Careful how much you push, Sam. I’ve been wound tight all fucking day.”

  The knowledge only seems to amuse her. “Well, let me see if I can help you with that.” Leaning in, she takes my entire length into the heat of her mouth, banishing all coherent thoughts.

  “Fuck me.” My head falls back on my shoulders, a harsh groan ripping from my chest as I feel all the tension leave my
body on a rush.

  She sucks me from base to tip, her hand gripping the part she can’t reach. I bathe in the heat of her mouth and the softness of her touch, every stroke of her tongue pushing me closer to the edge.

  “You look so pretty with my cock in your mouth, Sam.”

  Her green eyes spark with heat as she sucks her way back to the top again, swirling her tongue around the tip to give me a show.

  I slide my other hand into her hair, both hands controlling her head as I thrust deep, hitting the back of her throat.

  Moaning, she shifts on her knees and relaxes her throat, relinquishing all control.

  “That’s it, baby, take me deep,” I groan, thrusting further. “You like it when I fuck this hungry mouth of yours, don’t you?”

  She hums her response around my cock, stoking the fire that burns in my blood. Pleasure begins to build at the base of my spine, threatening to propel me over the edge. As bad as I want to come down her throat, nothing is better than coming inside of her.

  The thought has me pulling from her mouth and lifting her to her feet. Before she can utter one word I claim her lips with my own, possessing them like I plan to do to the rest of her body.

  Her fingers drive in my hair as she matches me with a hunger that rivals my own. When she bites my lip hard enough to taste blood, I lose all control.

  Growling, I pick her up off the ground and pin her against the wall. “Want to play rough, baby. I’ll play rough.” The slit of her nightgown splits as I spread her legs wide, lining myself up to her bare pussy.

  Our eyes connect for a carnal moment, heated breaths colliding in the span of a second.

  “Do it,” she whispers, begging for it.

  Without wasting another second I drive right into heaven, burying myself so fucking deep I’m not sure I will ever find my way out.

  My groan and her gasp race through the night like a blaze of heat, the explosive sound seeping into every pore of my fucking body.

  “Jesus, Sam.” I drop my head on her shoulder, trying to rein in this blinding need. It doesn’t matter how many times I take her or how often, every time feels like the first.

  Her fingers curl around my neck as she holds me close, mouth dipping toward my ear. “Don’t hold back, Jase. I can handle it. Just…take me.”

  She doesn’t need to ask twice. My hips slam upright as I fuck her hard and fast.

  Her cry of pleasure shatters the air, nails biting into my shoulder, and it only fuels the beast inside.

  “This what you want, Sam?” I all but practically snarl. “For me to lose control like this?”

  Her head falls back on the stone wall behind her, a euphoric smile spreading across her pretty face. “Yes. Don’t stop!”

  “Never. I’m never going to stop. Until my dying breath this will always be mine. Then I’m taking you into eternity with me.”

  Her lashes sweep open, eyes colliding directly with mine. Our undeniable history from another time emerges, connecting us further in this moment. Memories I’ve yet to admit to her because I don’t want to acknowledge them. Not with the kind of ending that haunts my dreams.

  My forehead rests on hers. “Forever. Say it, Sam.”

  “Forever,” she whispers.

  My hand lifts to her face, thumb swiping over her swollen lip. Her gaze never leaves mine as she takes the tip of it into her mouth, sucking it as good as she did my cock, and it sends me firing off like a loaded gun.

  Growling, I fuck her through the orgasm, bringing her over with me. Watching her fall apart in my arms is more satisfying than my own pleasure.

  After gathering some semblance of composure, I carry her back into the room and fall onto the bed with her in my arms. She curls around my body, fitting like the most perfect puzzle piece. Like she was made just for me.

  “Am I forgiven for the separate rooms yet?” Amusement dances in her voice as she fights to catch her breath.

  “You were already forgiven, Sam, but I’ll take that kind of apology any day. Hell, let’s have another fight tomorrow so we can make up like this again.”

  Laughter barrels past her delicate throat, floating through the room before it fades into nothing more than a whisper. “We don’t need to fight for these moments, Jase. We never needed to, it’s always been there for us to take, even when we didn’t know it.”

  It’s true. Even back when we loved to fight. Somehow, someway, I knew we would always end up here.

  She rolls onto her stomach, situating the top half of her body on my chest and propping her chin up on a fist. “Jesse told me something today that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about.”

  My interest piques. “Yeah? What did she say?”

  “That Matt cheated on her.”

  Shock rocks me before disbelief takes its place. “No way.”

  “I know, I had a hard time believing it myself.”

  “Is she sure?”

  She nods. “Apparently, she caught them in the act.”

  I let that information sink in, having a hard time wrapping my head around it. I don’t know the guy well but enough that I didn’t think he’d ever do that. He never came off as the type.

  “My heart breaks for her,” she continues softly, tracing an indiscernible pattern on my chest with the tip of her finger. “I can’t even begin to fathom what she is going through. Grant betrayed me but I never loved him. Not even close to how she loves Matt or how I love you.” Her hand stops, eyes slanting. “If you ever cheat on me, Crawford, I’ll cut your dick off. Got it?”

  “Trust me, baby, my dick only gets hard for one girl and there is no one else like her in the world.”

  That radiant smile I hoped for appears. “Good answer.”

  It’s the only answer…

  Her expression falters with what she says next. “I’m worried what my dad and brother are going to do when they find out. They always react first and think later.”

  I grunt. “Your brother always reacts without thinking. It’s his fucking trademark.”

  She shrugs. “He’s protective.”

  He’s an asshole.

  I manage to keep the insult to myself but it doesn’t matter, she can see exactly where my thoughts are.

  “Speaking of my brother…”

  By the way she trails off, I can already tell I’m not going to like where this is going.

  “Do you think you could try a little harder to get along with him this weekend?”

  The anger I’ve fought to bury all day emerges. “I’m not the one starting shit with him, Sam.”

  “I know, which is why I had a talk with him earlier, but you’re also not helping the situation either.”

  “What the hell did I do?” I ask, affronted.

  “Well, for starters, using his daughter to piss him off was not a great move.”

  “Why not? He uses you against me all the damn time.”

  She lifts her chin. “That’s not true. I would never allow that.”

  “Come on, Sam. You are not that naive. Why do you think he wanted you to sit by him tonight?”

  “Because he loves me,” she responds, as if the answer is completely obvious.

  “Bullshit.”

  She rears back, looking a little pissed now. “My brother doesn’t love me?”

  “No! I mean, yes. That’s not what I’m saying.”

  “Then what are you saying?” she asks, hurt edging her voice.

  “He only wanted you to sit with him because he wants to keep you from me.”

  She scoffs. “That’s absurd!”

  “No, it’s not. I’m telling you, he uses you against me all the fucking time and you play right into his hand.”

  “And you don’t use me against him?” She counters.

  “Hell no!”

  She quirks a brow. “Really? So you don’t tell him that you are going to knock me up just to piss him off?”

  Why that fucking snitch.

  I remain silent, since I can’t deny that I’ve sai
d that.

  “You’re both guilty, Jase.”

  “Whatever. He has never wanted this wedding to happen, Sam, and you know it.”

  “At one time yes, but not anymore. He knows how happy I am with you and that’s what matters to him the most.”

  I grunt, unable to believe how naive she is being about this.

  “I thought that mattered to you too but maybe I was wrong.” She pushes off my chest but not before I see the hurt in her eyes.

  “Wait.” I grab her around the waist before she can escape.

  “Let go,” she protests, fighting against me. “I refuse to argue with you about this any longer.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t want to fight. I’m just pissed off. He’s been pushing my buttons all fucking day but I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”

  Her struggle ceases, body relaxing against me. “I know this is mostly him, believe me I do, but I spoke with him and he promised to try harder. Now I am asking the same from you.” She turns toward me, pinning me where I sit with those startling green eyes of hers. “I just want this weekend to be perfect and I’m terrified these stupid feuds are going to ruin it all before we even get there.”

  “That’s not going to happen,” I tell her firmly. “Nothing or no one is going to ruin this, Sam. I swear to you.”

  “Does that mean you’ll try harder to get along with my brother?”

  I swallow hard, my pride going down my throat like a jagged razor blade. “Yeah, I’ll try harder.”

  A grateful smile takes over her face. “Thank you.”

  “But I’m telling you now, if he does anything to jeopardize this wedding all bets are off.”

  “He won’t do that because he knows if he did he would lose me forever.”

  I’d be lying if I said that didn’t surprise me. I know she loves me but I also know how much her family means to her. It’s why I never asked her to choose and why I never will.

  She reaches up, laying her hand along the side of my face. “I love you, Jase Crawford, and nothing or no one will ever change that. Not even my brother.”

  This is how I know I can last two more days with the asshole. How I know I can I last a lifetime putting up with him. For every moment spent with her is worth a thousand sacrifices.