When he bent at the waist, he was pulled up short by Kennedy’s hands fisting in his hair. Changing direction, he stood back up. “But I was gonna have dessert,” he told her innocently.
“I need you inside me. Right now.”
Sawyer’s dick twitched with anticipation. Her words, said in that sexy, seductive tone, had him rethinking his plans.
“Right here?” he asked, sliding one finger between her slick folds. “Is this where you want me?”
“Yes,” she moaned, leaning her head back on her shoulders. “And don’t be easy.”
His dick throbbed even more at the realization of what she was telling him.
“In that case,” he said, pulling her to the edge of the counter, “we’re gonna relocate.”
“Where?” Kennedy asked as she threw her arms around him and allowed him to lift her from the counter.
He didn’t respond as he made his way to the living room, lowering her to her feet at the end of the sofa. “Bend over.”
Kennedy did exactly as he instructed, giving him a sexy smile over her shoulder as she did.
“Beautiful,” he whispered as he pushed her legs open with his foot, gripping his cock in his fist as he guided himself to her entrance. “Not easy, right?”
“Right,” she replied. “Fuck me, Sawyer.”
“Don’t have to ask me twice,” he said as he lined up and slammed into her in one fluid motion.
“Oh, God, yes,” she groaned, leaning down onto her forearms as he gripped her hips, withdrawing slowly.
“So tight,” he growled between clenched teeth. “So fucking perfect.”
Without hesitation, Sawyer began fucking her hard and fast, never slowing as she moaned and pleaded. Hearing her beg was an aphrodisiac he hadn’t anticipated and his balls drew up against his body, the head of his dick supersensitive as his orgasm threatened. He wanted to send her over first, but he wasn’t sure he’d be able to hold out. He continued to pound into her, his hips slamming against her ass as he impaled her harder, faster.
“I’m gonna come, Kennedy,” he warned her. “It’s too fucking good.”
Her only reply was a moan and then her hand slipped between her legs. He couldn’t see what she was doing, but he had a good idea.
“Don’t stop, Sawyer,” she said a second later. “Fuck me harder. Don’t ever stop. Ever.”
Leaning forward, Sawyer reached beneath her, sliding his hands up her chest until he reached her shoulders. Gripping her tightly, he held her still as he continued to fuck her, slamming into her with hard, powerful strokes until he couldn’t hold back.
“Come with me, Kennedy. Fuck,” he growled. “I can’t hold back.”
Kennedy’s pussy gripped him, pulling him deeper, holding him tighter and a second later, she cried out, her body stilling in his arms, and Sawyer let go.
A few minutes later, after they made their way to her bedroom, Sawyer knew the night was just beginning. He needed a little time to recover, but he had other ways of keeping himself busy, and he explained to Kennedy in explicit detail all the things he wanted to do to her until she was begging him once again.
What he didn’t tell her was that he wasn’t just making up for lost time, he was making memories.
Because tomorrow, if all went as planned, the next time they made love, things would be a little different. Better different. But still . . . different.
chapter TWENTY-EIGHT
Kennedy had to admit that she was a little spoiled when it came to her morning routine. Because her office opened at eight, she didn’t have to get up too early, even though she usually did.
But this was ridiculous.
Granted, she’d been pleasantly awoken by Sawyer’s wickedly skilled tongue doing delicious things to her, but that little session had only exhausted her more. So when he insisted that she get out of bed at five, she was ready to throttle him.
He was trying to make up for it though. He stopped and picked up coffee on their way to the shelter, where he had some other things that he needed for the event. And when they arrived at the park where the festivities would take place, she was pleasantly surprised to see that so much had already been done.
“Well, look who decided to grace us with his presence,” Zane said with a grin when they approached Sawyer’s youngest brother, who was busy getting one of the bounce houses situated with Brendon’s help.
“Miss me much?” Sawyer asked his brother.
“Not even a little bit,” Zane answered with a sheepish smirk on his face.
“Glad to hear it. Now I don’t have to feel guilty,” Sawyer told him.
“For?”
“For not missin’ you, either.”
Zane laughed and Sawyer clapped him on the back. “I brought more coffee in case you’re interested.”
“I made him get it,” Kennedy said over her shoulder.
“She’s a keeper,” Zane hollered as they walked away.
“Yes, she certainly is,” Sawyer agreed, looking over at her.
Kennedy’s heart turned over at the words, but she didn’t say anything. She wasn’t even sure she could.
Without interrupting, Kennedy followed Sawyer around as he checked on all of the preparations. The sun had come up bright and the day was unseasonably warm as though it knew they needed a good turnout. By the time everything started at nine, the place was packed. They had face painters on hand, bounce houses, pony rides, and a couple of cowboys had even brought their horses. Those were the events for the kids. They also had plenty of activities for the dogs, who just happened to be the guests of honor.
The walk started at ten thirty, and while Kennedy and Sawyer kept a watch over everything, Brendon and Cheyenne took Buster and Scrap and joined the other walkers. Kennedy had noticed how surprised Sawyer was at seeing Brendon with Cheyenne, but honestly, she hadn’t been all that shocked to see the two of them together. If she had to guess, they’d be moving things forward before they knew it, even if Brendon still remained in whatever funk he was in.
Just after one o’clock, the park was full, most of the walkers had returned, and there were several booths selling food for those who were hungry.
Kennedy noticed Greyson before he saw her and she was just about to go talk to him when Sawyer returned from checking on something. Turning abruptly, she tried to block his view of Greyson, but even though she was tall, she just wasn’t that tall.
“What’s he doin’ here?” Sawyer asked.
Pretending not to know what he was talking about, she turned and looked around. “Who?”
“Greyson.”
“No idea,” she lied, hoping she didn’t sound as guilty as she thought she did.
“I need to talk to him.”
“Can it wait?” Kennedy asked. “I . . . uh . . . need you to . . .” Hell, she couldn’t even figure out what she needed him to do, so instead, she grabbed his shirt and pulled him to her, plastering her lips to his.
He was motionless for about two seconds, clearly surprised by her response, but then Sawyer’s arms came around her and he kissed her back.
And then the music started from a speaker that must’ve been close by.
Kennedy smiled against his lips and turned to look in the direction Greyson had been. That’s when she noticed people were beginning to move in closer together.
“What the hell is this?” Sawyer asked, his arm still around her waist. “Is that the song . . . ?”
“The one you tried to get me to dance to at Zane’s wedding? Yes.”
It was a fast-beat, popular song that made her smile every time she heard it, mainly because Sawyer had attempted to get her to dance to it at Zane and V’s reception. When she had refused, he had merely danced around her like a fool. She’d laughed more that night than she had in a long time. By choosing the song, Kennedy had been trying to let him know that it had meant something to her.
Kennedy couldn’t help but laugh as Sawyer’s brothers, most of them anyway, moved into the group and
joined in the dancing. It’d been her idea, maybe a corny one, but clearly everyone was enjoying themselves as they moved in somewhat of a choreographed rhythm right in front of her and Sawyer.
“Is that . . . Gage?”
“Yep,” Kennedy answered as she watched Gage laughing and dancing beside Kaleb, who was holding a giggling Mason, and Jared, who had Derrick hoisted up on his shoulders. Kylie and Zoey were beside them, Braydon and Jessie not far behind. Of course, Zane was near the front trying to get V to dance, but she was somehow managing to evade him, laughing as she did. Kennedy wasn’t surprised to see Ethan and Travis standing on the sidelines watching.
Those two men might be willing to do some things, but she certainly didn’t see them as dancers. Not far from them Kennedy noticed her father. He offered a small wave and Kennedy waved back, happy to see that he’d made it out there today.
She continued to catalog the people she knew, recognizing Lorrie and Curtis standing with Cheyenne and Brendon, who were in control of Buster and Scrap. Her gaze strayed back to the dancers and she saw Adrianne grinning back at her. The woman had shed the dog costume that Sawyer had convinced her to wear and was back to looking like her adorable self. She offered a smile of her own and then her attention was drawn to Greyson once again. He was . . . She chuckled to herself. He was dancing beside Olivia. Didn’t that just figure.
“Did you have somethin’ to do with this?” Sawyer asked, pressing his lips to her ear.
“Maybe.”
“I might just have to spank you for that later,” he said, his gruff words sending a chill racing down her spine.
“I might just have to hold you to that,” she retorted.
The music began to fade and everyone began to cheer, even those who hadn’t joined in. Kennedy was enjoying the scene, but as she looked out at the group, she realized everyone had grown quiet.
“Kennedy.”
She pivoted on her heel, expecting to see Sawyer standing next to her, but when she turned, he wasn’t exactly standing. And then it was her turn for a what-the-fuck moment because there in front of her was Sawyer Walker. On one knee.
“Oh, my God,” she whispered, tears forming in her eyes. “What are you doing?”
“It’s never been a secret that you didn’t particularly like me. Not that you didn’t have good reason. But, I’d like to think I finally wore you down . . . at least a little. I’ve got plenty to make up for, and I will. I will spend the rest of my life doing my best to make you happy. So, Kennedy . . .” When he reached behind him, she held her breath, wondering what he was going to produce.
Then he surprised her, making her laugh in the process when he held up a sign that read: Kennedy, will you be my wife?
She met his gaze, tears forming in her eyes and making everything blurry. Kennedy couldn’t breathe, couldn’t swallow past the lump of emotion that had formed in her throat. Here she was thinking she’d been about to say something very, very similar to him, but Sawyer had somehow beat her to the punch.
“Will you marry me, Kennedy, and make me the happiest man on the planet?”
Nodding her head, Kennedy couldn’t keep the tears from falling. They were happy tears, but they were still tears. “Yes,” she managed to force out. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
“She said yes!” Zane yelled and then the applause began, softly at first and then steadily growing louder, but Kennedy could hardly hear any of it over the pounding of her heart in her ears.
Sawyer took her hand and slipped something over her finger, but she didn’t even bother to look at it. Instead, she launched herself at him and he managed to get to his feet and catch her before they both went to the ground. She kissed him and she didn’t stop, not even when the whistling and catcalls began.
“I love you,” he whispered when they finally broke apart. “And I will love you for the rest of my life.”
“Hey,” she said, “that’s what I was gonna say.”
SAWYER WASN’T SURE he would’ve been able to pull it all off without Greyson’s help, but he had. When Greyson had shown up at the resort yesterday afternoon with a ready apology, Sawyer had been tongue-tied. What he had expected to be an altercation had ended far more amicably than he would’ve ever thought.
Then again, Sawyer had always been the one to look for the drama in everything. It wasn’t that he had a quick temper, but he was fiercely protective of those he loved, and after Greyson had accused Kennedy of trying to come between them, he’d been furious. Then again, Greyson had had his reasons as well, because Sawyer had all but accused him of doing something he knew, deep down, his friend would never do.
It hadn’t been until after Sawyer explained to Greyson his plan to ask Kennedy to marry him that Greyson had shared the favor Kennedy had asked of him. In the end, it had all worked out because as far as Sawyer was concerned, the only thing that really mattered was that she said yes.
And she had said yes.
EPILOGUE
Three months later—April
“Hey, Mack,” Sawyer greeted the bartender when he walked into Moonshiners.
“Beer?” Mack offered.
“Yep, and whatever that fruity crap is that my girl likes.” Funny how he’d been engaged to her for three months now and Sawyer still didn’t know what the secret was behind that damn drink Kennedy got when he came to Moonshiners.
“Comin’ right up,” Mack replied before heading down to the opposite end of the bar, a forced smile on his face.
For the last few months, the guy had looked like someone stole his best friend. Now that Sawyer thought about it, that could be an easier way to explain what had happened with Mack and Jeff. The two men still weren’t talking much. At least not that Sawyer had seen. However, Mack’s son, Daniel, was making his presence known in Coyote Ridge more often. Although Sawyer wasn’t thrilled with how he’d come in and practically forced his father to be someone he wasn’t, Sawyer did like Daniel. He was a good guy beneath all that hurt exterior.
Sawyer leaned against the wooden bar, turning to scan the room to see who else had arrived. It was already eight o’clock on a Friday, so the place was filling up nicely. He was meeting Kennedy and his brothers, but it looked as though she hadn’t arrived yet.
“Hey, bro,” Travis greeted him, clapping Sawyer on the back.
“What’s up?” Sawyer asked in turn. “Hey, Gage. You keepin’ this one in line?”
“Hell, I think that’s an impossible feat,” Gage answered, grinning at Travis.
“Won’t disagree with you there. Where’s Kylie?” Sawyer asked, peering around the two men toward the back of the bar.
Gage turned and motioned with his chin. “She’s back there talkin’ to Zoey and V.”
“Zane and Kaleb here?” Sawyer questioned.
“Yep. You see Brendon yet?” It was Travis’s turn to ask a question.
“Nope.” In fact, Sawyer was hoping to get an opportunity to talk to Brendon tonight. He’d heard that Cheyenne was officially moving into her house in the next couple of weeks. Although Sawyer knew it wasn’t any of his business and Brendon had brushed off all of his attempts to talk, he still wanted to check on him. It’s what he did.
The door opened, the rumble of thunder and the sound of rain following the newcomers. A spring thunderstorm had blown in, threatening severe weather, so of course, his brothers had wanted to venture into town and get a beer. Not that Sawyer minded a little bad weather, but he wouldn’t have minded hanging out at home with Kennedy for the night. Just the two of them.
As of a month and a half ago, Kennedy had sold her house and moved in with him. They’d discussed at length what the best option was and since Sawyer’s place was paid for and they had a little more room to roam with Buster, they’d opted for his place. Needless to say, once she had started putting her special touch on everything, it wasn’t quite as bland as it had been before her. And he happened to like going home these days.
“Hey.”
Sawyer glanced over to
see Braydon and Jessie strolling their way, shaking the water off of them.
“Hey,” Sawyer said, leaning over and giving Jessie a hug. “Glad y’all could make it.”
For the last few months, it seemed that there was a little tension between Braydon and Jessie. Although the pair were engaged, Braydon wasn’t living with Jessie at this point. Not that living together was a requirement, but Sawyer happened to know that Braydon wished he was living with her and Jessie felt the same. Unfortunately, Braydon’s loyalty to Brendon had kept him in place, still living with his twin although he stayed with Jessie a lot of the time. Sawyer wouldn’t deny that his staying wasn’t a bad idea, at least until Brendon figured his shit out, but he hated that Braydon was putting his life on hold because Brendon was in a funk.
“I’m gonna head back with Kylie,” Jessie announced.
“Okay, babe. You want somethin’ to drink?” Braydon asked.
“The usual,” she replied.
“I’ll bring it to you in a minute.”
Jessie nodded and Braydon kissed her on the forehead before she sauntered toward the back.
Sawyer happened to know that Jessie’s usual was Belvedere and Sprite, so he turned and nodded to Mack, hollering the order when the bartender looked his way.
While he leaned against the bar, surrounded by Travis, Gage, and Braydon, they chatted for a minute before they were joined by Ethan and Beau. Not long after that Greyson arrived, and Kaleb and Zane made their way over. The only one missing was Brendon, and his absence was noticeable as they talked.
“Where’s Kennedy?” Zane questioned, glancing around the bar before pinning his stare on Sawyer once more.
Sawyer had been wondering the same thing and was just about to text her when the door opened and she walked in. As with every time he saw her, his mouth went dry. Once again, she was rocking a pair of jeans and boots, a red-and-black-plaid button-down shirt open over a black tank top that showcased her magnificent cleavage. She made her way over to him and he held out his hands, taking hers when she was within reach.
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