by Mari Carr
“And now you’re about to pledge your life to her.” Sawyer jerked his thumb toward the driveway. “You know, that Maserati Granturismo of yours would make a pretty good get-away car. Nobody would catch us in that thing. Hell, I’d even be willing to take one for the team and drive.”
Sam laughed. “Yeah. Why do I get the feeling your suggestion isn’t to save me as much as to get behind the wheel of my baby?”
Sawyer faked a disappointed face. “That hurts, man. Here I am offering to save you and you accuse me of car envy. Besides, we’d look pretty ridiculous huddling together on Jenn’s back.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” Sam spoke with conviction.
“I know. Cindi’s perfect for you. I’m glad you found someone to make you happy.”
Sam smiled. “I’ve been pretty preoccupied with the wedding and shit, but as soon as Cindi and I come home from the honeymoon I think you and I should have a talk about Leah. I’m not sure you’re seeing the big picture with her.”
Sawyer grinned. “Actually, I had my eyes opened for me last night.”
“Who do I have to thank for that?”
“JD and Leah. I’ve been acting like a fool.”
Sam placed a hand on his shoulder. “You can say that again. Although, the idea of you hooking up with a kindergarten teacher strikes me as pretty funny. You think she can do anything about your inability to spell? Better yet, she can tie your shoes for you.”
Sawyer reached up and mussed Sam’s hair.
“Dammit, Saw.” Sam tried to finger comb it in place. “Have a little respect for the groom.”
“Hey.” Seth came into the room. “Leah took her seat by the altar. Think the music’s getting ready to start.” He patted Sam on the shoulder. “How you holding up, man?”
“Fucking nervous. Why the hell did we let those women talk us into dancing down the aisle? I’m going to fall flat on my face. I know it.”
“You weren’t thinking with your brains on that one. That was definitely a cock call.” Silas laughed as he rejoined them.
Sawyer agreed. “You’re not kidding. You were the smart brother. Hooking up with a married couple to avoid all this wedding shit.”
Silas grinned. “Never thought of that, but now that you mention it, guess I was pretty fucking clever. I left Colby to tap the keg. Figured you jokers would be hiding out. Found something at the bar to help.” He pulled out a bottle of Crown Royal. Twisting off the cap, he passed it straight to Seth. Silas had quit drinking after his accident.
Sawyer looked at Si. “Don’t know why you’re laughing about the dancing. You have to do it too, you know?”
“Nobody’s gonna laugh at a cripple trying to boogie.”
Seth took a drink of the whiskey and handed it to Sam. “Jody’s going to kill me when she smells that on my breath.”
Sam tipped up the bottle. “If they insist on us doing that damn silly wedding march, they’re going to have to make some allowances for nerves.” Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he handed the bottle to Sawyer.
Sawyer took his turn, enjoying the heat of the liquor as it slid down his throat. “Damn. That’s good stuff.”
“Hell’s bells, boys. You gonna stand around yammering all day or you gonna get married?” JD shuffled into the room, leaning heavily on his walker. Sawyer heard Vicky say his father was determined not to use it for the wedding march and they were all a bit worried about him falling.
Sawyer tried to hide the liquor behind his back, but he wasn’t quick enough.
“What do you have there? Crown Royal? Thank God. I knew I raised you boys right. Pass that over.”
Sawyer grinned as his father lifted the whiskey to them. “To the Compass brothers. Long may they reign.”
JD took a drink before handing it to Silas. “Better cap that up before your mother catches us. Look sharp. It’s time.”
They all followed JD to the backyard.
Once they were in place at the back of the crowd, Sawyer caught Leah’s eye and winked. She was seated near the arbor that would serve as an altar. She smiled, and then played the opening chords of the song Jody and Cindi had selected for their wedding march. The bouncy rhythm of Colbie Callait’s I Do started. Leah’s singing was as sweet as the song.
Colby stepped forward first. To the delight of everyone in the crowd he danced Vicky down the aisle, twirling her twice before he led her to her seat in the front row. The ranch hands clapped, hooted and hollered when Lucy and Silas followed, Lucy doing some fancy footwork, while Silas added a bit more bounce to his limp and spun his cane like a baton.
Sawyer stood next to Paul, Jody’s unusual choice for her maid of honor. Sawyer tipped his hat at Leah before making his way to the altar. He was pretty proud of his fancy Texas two-step until the New Yorker, Paul, dropped down on the ground and break-danced. The crowd went wild when Sawyer helped Paul to his feet and they took their places.
Sawyer laughed as Seth and Sam did a crazy do-si-do together. They stood together by the altar as the crowd strained for a glimpse of Thomas jitterbugging his daughter Jody to the front.
Sawyer glanced at Seth and grinned at the look of pure joy on his brother’s face. Seth met them at the altar as Thomas spun Jody into his brother’s arms. Everyone cheered, then turned around for the last pairing.
Leah slowed the song down when JD stepped forward with Cindi on his arm, looking prouder than Sawyer had ever seen him. Cindi had come to Compass ranch, a lonely young woman looking for a home. JD and Vicky had taken her into their fold and loved her as much as they would have had she been their true daughter.
Sawyer caught Vicky wiping her eyes as JD waltzed with Cindi. JD made it with grace and for the first time in his life, Sawyer knew what true strength was.
When they reached the front, JD put her hand in Sam’s, covering their grasp with his own. “Be good to each other,” he said loud enough for all of them standing by the altar to hear. Sawyer suspected JD meant his encouragement for the entire wedding party.
Sawyer tried to swallow the lump in his throat as he memorized his father’s face at that moment—certain he’d never seen JD look happier.
JD took his seat next to Vicky and the vows were exchanged. When the minister told his brothers to kiss their brides, Sawyer snuck a peek at Leah.
She was smiling, though there were tears streaming down her face. He caught her gaze and held it.
“I love you,” Sawyer mouthed.
She blinked and twisted her head. He’d shocked her. Her forehead crinkled as she tried to figure out if he’d really said what she thought.
Unfortunately, the minister stopped him from repeating the sentiment, announcing the two new Mr. and Mrs. Comptons. Leah quickly repositioned her guitar on her lap and began playing the recessional music. Sawyer was quickly shanghaied by his mother for pictures.
It was nearly an hour before he managed to catch up to Leah again. Jody and Cindi—bless their souls—had seated them next to each other at one of the front tables.
“Hey,” she said as he took his chair. “That wedding was amazing.”
He agreed. “You nailed the song. Perfect.”
She smiled. “Yeah, well, it was pretty easy to sing considering no one was looking at me. You should have seen your face when Paul started spinning on his head. Priceless.”
Sawyer laughed. “Didn’t realize the guy was so damn competitive. We made a little wager over dinner last night. I mentioned the fact I did a pretty mean Texas two-step. He said my country-bumpkin moves would pale in comparison to the skills he had. Next thing you know, we’re trash-talking and making a damn bet on who’d be the best.”
“Ouch. What was the wager?”
Sawyer glanced at his watch. “In about three hours, I’m going to be out there in the middle of that dance floor break-dancing to Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean. If I’d won, we would have been treated to Paul two-stepping to Friends in Low Places. Might still make the son of a bitch do that anyway.”
He leaned closer and kissed her, taking a deep whiff of her floral perfume. She smelled like roses.
Before he could repeat the words he’d mouthed during the service, Silas, Lucy and Colby joined them. The caterers began delivering their food. JD and Vicky sat with them as well, while Jody, Seth, Cindi and Sam shared a smaller table nearby at the front of the makeshift dance floor.
“Damn, that was a great wedding,” JD said.
“It was,” Vicky concurred, her smile so big Sawyer wondered if it hurt her face.
“You did good, darlin’,” JD added, lifting his mother’s hand and kissing it.
“Oh, shoot. I didn’t do that much. Those girls knew what they wanted.”
Lucy pointed her fork at Vicky. “And you made it happen. Don’t you dare try to downplay your role in this party.”
JD nodded approvingly. “You tell her, sweet Lu.”
Lucy, a nurse, had taken over most of the care JD required, keeping tabs on his medicine and helping him through the rough spells. She’d been a godsend, and Sawyer made a mental note to draw her aside tonight and tell her so.
The conversation during dinner was light and fun as everyone recalled their favorite part of the ceremony. Leah blushed when Colby told her he preferred her version of the wedding-march song to the one played on the radio.
After the dishes were cleared, the deejay started the music, playing the special songs Jody and Cindi had selected for the dances with the parents. Vicky got two as she danced first with Seth and then with Sam.
When the deejay finally invited everyone to the floor, Sawyer grasped Leah’s hand. “Dance with me.”
She accepted his invitation and he dragged her close as they swayed to the soft strains of Garth Brooks singing To Make You Feel My Love. The instant Sawyer heard Leah humming along, he knew they’d found their song.
She pressed her face against his. “Sawyer, at the end of the ceremony, you said something—”
He grinned. “I love you.”
She looked at him. “You do?”
“Very much. You left last night before I could tell you. I’ve been an idiot, Leah.”
She shook her head. “No, you haven’t. Everything’s happening so fast.”
“I know that. Hell, I’m struggling to see anything clearly, but when I go to bed every night, the only thing I know for certain is that when I wake up, I need you there.”
“I want to be there.”
Sawyer picked her up and twirled her around. “Good. And so I’m sure we’ve got this straight, you’re my girlfriend. You’re not my fuck-buddy, my friend with benefits, my distraction. You’re my future, my love, my rose.”
“I love you too, Sawyer.”
“What do you say we get out of here and do a little private celebrating?”
“Now?” she asked, giving him an exasperated look.
He glanced around. The dance floor was packed as his entire family settled in, ready to enjoy themselves until the wee hours. “No one will even notice we’re gone.”
She rolled her eyes. “Everyone will miss you. You have a toast to propose, Mr. Best Man.”
“Damn. I forgot about that.”
“No, you didn’t. Besides I know what you’re really trying to do, and I’m not going to help you.”
“What’s that?”
“You are not reneging on your break-dancing bet.”
He groaned. “Please?”
She kissed him softly. “No way. I’m living for it. There’s no rush, Saw. We have all the time in the world.”
She was right. They did.
Chapter Ten
It was so late, it was early when Leah finally escaped the wedding reception with Sawyer.
“What time is it?” she asked.
Sawyer glanced at his watch. “After two a.m.”
“Wow. That was an amazing party.”
He grinned over his shoulder, but continued to lead her away from the house and deeper into the woods.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.” He took the path slowly so she wouldn’t trip. Sawyer had disappeared with Jake and a few of the ranch hands around midnight. They’d been gone nearly half an hour. Sawyer said they’d smoked cigars behind the barn. Problem was Leah had noticed a distinct lack of cigar smell on his clothing and breath.
She heard the trickle of the creek that ran through Compass ranch. She, Sawyer and Sam had come here more than a few times when they were young to fish, skip rocks and generally wallow away a lazy summer afternoon.
As they approached, a soft light appeared. “What’s that?”
“We’re here,” Sawyer said.
Leah stepped into the clearing by the creek and gasped.
A canopy bed was set up, complete with sheets, a comforter and pillows. Off to the side a camp lantern burned, casting the entire area in romantic lighting. It was the most beautiful thing Leah had ever seen.
“I used a net instead of the real canopy. Figured that would keep the bugs away. And that’s a thick quilt, so even if it gets chilly, I think we’ll be okay.”
“You did this? For me?”
Sawyer grasped her hand tighter. “Leah, I would do anything for you.”
She closed her eyes to ward of the happy tears threatening to fall. “How—”
“Recruited Jake and a few of the hands. Remembered the old bed was in the storage building behind the barn. Only took us a couple trips to get it all here and assembled. Vicky snuck out after we left to put on the sheets and such.”
Leah blushed. “Your mother helped?”
Sawyer laughed. “She actually yelled at me for not giving her more notice. She said she could’ve had the place looking really nice if she’d known what I was up to ahead of time.”
Leah took in the scene. “There’s no way to make this any nicer. It’s perfect.”
Sawyer led her to the bed. “I figured neither one of us was in any condition to drive to your place after all the champagne we drank. And given how you scream down the rafters in bed, I wouldn’t have been able to do everything I planned to do to you without keeping everyone awake.”
Leah punched him lightly. “I don’t scream.”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “You would have tonight.”
“Cocky ass.”
Sawyer shook his head and gave her a mischievous grin. “You’re mistaking confidence for cockiness.”
She snorted. “No. I’m not.”
Sawyer kissed her hard, his lips devouring hers. “I love you, Leah.”
After that, they didn’t speak. Instead, they conveyed their feelings with touches, kisses, caresses. They undressed each other leisurely, taking their time as they unveiled each bit of bare flesh.
Sawyer played with her breasts for so long, she thought she might climax from that alone. When she pushed his tuxedo pants down, she followed the material, worshipping Sawyer’s erection with her mouth, licking, nipping, sucking on the hard flesh. Once she’d had her fill, she moved to his back, tracing every line of his tattoo with her tongue.
“Wait a minute. Your tattoo.”
“What about it?”
“There’s a rose growing out of the ranch brand.”
Sawyer glanced over his shoulder at her and smiled. “Wondered when you’d notice that. Put you there when I was eighteen. I might have been going west, but I knew where my true home was.”
A tear ran down her cheek, amazement and joy radiating from her face. “The rose is for me?”
“You’ve always been special, different. Unfortunately, I had a lot of growing up to do.”
“Oh, don’t be silly. You still have a lot of growing up to do,” she teased.
Sawyer laughed. “Oh, baby, you’re going to pay for that one.”
“You can punish me later,” she whispered.
Dropping to her knees, she bit his ass cheeks, soothing away the sting with soft kisses. Sawyer groaned.
“God dammit, rose,” he said, through gritted teeth when she sucked one of her fingers into her mouth, wetting it before toying with his anus. He jolted like he’d been struck by lightning, but he didn’t move away.
“Don’t get too fond of that game,” he warned.
She laughed and pressed in to the second knuckle. She wiggled it a bit as Sawyer clenched his fists by his sides.
“More?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Christ. Not tonight, Leah. I’m going to need some time to decide if I love or hate that.”
She withdrew her finger slowly, grinning at his response. He was trying to make the evening special for her, stepping out of his comfort zone along the way. “Thank you for letting me play.” Her dominant lover was showing great restraint. She appreciated his efforts in the face of her unbelievable happiness. She wanted to touch every inch of him, mark him as hers. He seemed to understand, and he gave her free rein to satisfy the need.
When Sawyer separated the canopy net, Leah climbed onto the plush comforter, her hand brushing something soft. Rose petals. The entire bed was covered in beautiful red petals.
She looked at Sawyer, smiling widely.
“That was my idea.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. No one had ever gone to such lengths for her. Given her such an incredible gift. She was moved beyond words.
She lifted her arms, inviting Sawyer to join her. He crawled onto the bed, gripping her waist and pulling her beneath him on the center of the mattress.
Their kisses seemed to last for hours, neither of them willing to give up the comfort, the beauty of this moment.
Sawyer slid slowly along her body, planting kisses on her neck, her breasts, her stomach. He touched every inch of her sensitive skin. When his lips grazed her clit, she opened her legs, crying out at his much-more-intimate kiss.
