Always on My Mind (The Dawson Brothers, #1)

by Jessica Mills

  “I’ll try to be back when you get home.” He glanced my way and I reassured him with a nod.

  “I don’t think that will be a problem. We’ll meet with my boss Monday morning, and it shouldn’t take more than a few days to get things lined up. We’ll have some extended paperwork, but that shouldn’t take more than a week.” Mrs. Dawson’s thoughts seemed distant as she listened. “I am hoping to work things where David can live closer to home and still work. If he had his own place he could even build his own studio.” I hadn’t realized his dad had been listening until he turned to face us. He glanced at his wife and they shared some silent exchange.

  “My daddy’s cabin has been empty for about a year,” said Mrs. Dawson. “It needs a little work, and it’s not much closer, but if you wanted to you could make you a real nice place.”

  David’s eyes widened. “That would be amazing. I loved staying there as a kid.”

  “Well, we’re barely able to take time away from our home and anything we need to do to make this work for you, we’re willing.” She exchanged a smile with Mr. Dawson who leaned forward, looking David square in the eyes.

  “It’d make a fine home for a family as well.” He winked. The room filled with laughter as my cheeks pinked.

  Finally, a nurse entered the room and shooed us out. When we returned, we said a quick goodbye and went to dinner.

  Chapter 27

  Sarah

  Morning came before I was ready. Not that I wasn’t ready to go home, considering David was coming with me, but I was exhausted from the night before. It didn’t seem to matter how late these people stayed up, they always woke before dawn. I was lucky enough that David had let me sleep in a bit longer, but I had to admit, I’d rather wake up in his arms, than alone.

  We’d fallen asleep in a hurry after a long night of playing cards with his brothers and I was so thankful that he’d had that time to spend with them before going away. Those three were something else and I was already getting attached to them, especially Mason. If I ever had imagined having a brother, it would be him. He reminded me so much of David, with the dark hair and eyes, more similar to him than any of the other brothers, but I loved his easy-going spirit. Luke seemed closest to David, and the two had all their own personal jokes and strategies for helping each other cheat at cards. Ted wouldn’t even let them sit together.

  He was so angry all the time, but in a grumpy old man kind of way where, once you got used to him, you couldn’t help but love him. I couldn’t help but wonder if he suffered a great inner battle over Lauralee that made him that way, but I wouldn’t dare speak her name to him, that much I’d learned.

  They were all so different and yet you could see the influence they’d had on one another; true brothers through and through. I couldn’t wait to get to know them all better, and pushed away the wish that I’d have years and years to come with David to do so. One could only hope for such a relationship. I’d never been so lucky before.

  I wondered how long David had been up. I imagined he was out pitching in with his chores, the last effort to help out before going away, so I got to my feet to go down and see what I could do.

  As soon as I righted myself, and turned to make the bed, the door opened behind me. David came in with his hands full.

  “No, get back in bed,” he said. His voice was scolding and playful, as if I’d just ruined his surprise. He carried a tray with a plate of breakfast and had even taken the effort to go into the field and pick flowers for a bouquet. I noticed one of his mother’s roses was tucked amongst the wildflowers.

  “Those are beautiful.” I scrambled across the bed, tucking myself down into the blanket, as he waited.

  “I hoped you’d still be asleep. I wanted to wake you with a kiss.” He sat beside me and my mouth watered as I glanced at my plate: bacon and fresh, sliced peaches with a glass of juice.

  “This is perfect, you’re spoiling me.”

  “You can spoil me when we’re in Nashville. I’m afraid I’ve never been much of a city person.” He raked his hand through his hair and gave me his most playful smile. “You will have to show me around and help me find a place to stay.” He went still beside me as I shoved a piece of fruit in my mouth.

  My mouth went slack, and the fruit hung in my throat. I choked it down. I had just assumed he’d want to stay with me, that it was a given. I was such a fool that I hadn’t considered he might want his own space. “I’m sorry, I just thought you’d be staying with me.” I paused but didn’t wait for his response. “You’re welcome to, if you’d like, or I could find you a nice room alone.” I snatched a piece of bacon off my plate and bit it, ripping it in two. So what if he did want to stay somewhere else.

  He released a long breath. “I’d love to stay with you, but I didn’t want to be rude and assume I would be.”

  I lifted a shoulder, feeling down that maybe I’d misjudged what we were. “I thought that was a given. You’re welcome to stay with me as long as you like. I have a very comfy sofa.”

  I met his eyes as the corners of his mouth turned down. “Finish up your breakfast. I’m going to make sure we have everything. We’ll leave as soon as you’re ready.”

  “I won’t be long.” I took another slice of bacon and pushed the tray aside. As he left the room, I headed into the bathroom for a quick shower, still annoyed about where this was leading. Was the romance over? Would he dive into life on his own and leave me to be his agent and nothing more? What if he got there and met new people and decided he didn’t want me? He’d have plenty of women falling all over him, no doubt. I finished up my shower and got ready, stewing the entire time about what his idea of us might be. We’d have to get to the bottom of it, because I wasn’t wasting my time, if he didn’t feel the same or want the same things. His dad had given him the cabin now, so maybe he had second thoughts about us and wanted to be on his own so he could return and build that into his new home. Just because his dad thought it was perfect for a family, didn’t mean David wanted all of that anytime soon. He was finally getting away from family-life, so why would he?

  *

  Saying goodbye to his brothers was harder than I’d imagined it would be for me. I had let things build up inside me about our future and I wondered if it would be the last time that I got to see them.

  In the car, I sat quiet gazing out the window but never focusing on anything in particular as the miles of blurry scenery passed by. David’s voice brought me around.

  He turned off the radio that was already so low I couldn’t make out the words. “Are you okay? You haven’t said two words to me since you got in the car.”

  “Nothing, I’m fine.” I shrugged and shifted in my seat to sit up straighter and set my chin upward with confidence.

  “I already told you about me and bullshit, Sarah. I know there’s something on your mind, so why don’t we talk about it.” He glanced in the side mirror and changed lanes, taking his foot off the gas as if to show me he wasn’t in a hurry and had all day to listen.

  “If you don’t want to stay with me, don’t feel obligated.”

  “I do want to, even if you’re sticking me on the couch.”

  “I’m not sticking you on the couch. I thought you’d prefer—”

  “Prefer the damned couch? Why in the hell would I prefer that? I didn’t stick your little ass on the couch.” He glanced to find me with my mouth hanging slack. “Well, I didn’t. If you don’t want this, speak now. It’s going to suck, but I’ll do it even if you don’t want to be with me.”

  “Of course I want to be with you!” My voice was louder than I’d intended, and his eyes widened.

  “Well, then why are we fighting?” he shouted, matching my tone. He glanced to the road, but met my eyes again. We stayed that way a moment until he had to glance at the road and then we broke out into laughter, the sound filling my tiny car.

  “I’m freaking out because I want us to be together, more than anything I’ve wanted in a long time and then you talked li
ke you weren’t sure you wanted to stay with me or get your own place. I guess I’m just being silly.”

  “It’s not silly and I’m sorry I made it awkward. I didn’t want to assume that you’d want me to stay more than a few nights here and there. I didn’t want it to be too much if I move in. That’s what I’ll be doing, right? Though, I didn’t think you’d want to stick me on the couch.” His tone was as if that last part wounded. His brows pinched so tight they nearly touched and he let out a huff as he turned his eyes toward me in a sideward glance.

  “I’m not sticking you on the couch. I want you in my bed. I’ve waited to get you alone again for some time now. It was torture being so quiet in your room.” I leaned toward him, my hand resting on his thigh. His muscles pushed against his jeans, bulging beneath the faded blue denim.

  “I’ve wanted that too.” His tone was low, rough, and his breath hitched as I rubbed his thigh, my fingers doing little circles there, sliding toward him with deliberate grazes against his zipper. “I want to make you scream out again. I love that little moan you make.”

  “So you want to make me moan?” He nodded and sucked air between his teeth as I rubbed him through his pants. “What else do you want to make me do?” My eyes shifted to the hard length of him pushing against his pants. I gripped him tightly, thankful for loose jeans. My thumb and fingers pinched together around the thick width of him.

  “I love that little moan, you do it when you come and I like to think it’s all for me, my special reward for your pleasure.” He reached his hand to caress my leg, nudging my skirt up to expose my thigh where his hand slipped, gripping and giving a little squeeze before he rubbed it. Heat blossomed throughout my body, building into a tender ache between my legs. I moaned and he chuckled. “That’s right, that’s close.” His rough finger grazed along my panties, and thanks to my small car, he had perfect access if he wanted more.

  I adjusted closer to him, and worked to undo his jeans, making quick work of his button and zipper. I slipped my soft hand inside, brushing against the silky flesh of his erection, and sprung it free. My gaze slid over his lap to the broad head crowning his thick shaft. I wrapped my hand around it and stroked as he glared at the road and slipped his finger into my panties.

  As much as I wanted him to ease my ache, I wanted to ease his more. I bucked my hips forward as his finger found the tight bud of my clit and stroked, sending waves of pleasure through me that sent me squirming and nudging closer.

  I licked my lips, my eyes still focused on his broad head as I stroked his shaft, milking a creamy pearl to his tip. I spread it around with my thumb and then as he stole a quick glance, I took the glistening digit into my mouth, sucking it clean. His taste made my mouth water, and I wasted no time leaning over to steal another taste.

  He moaned, his hand slipping away from my folds to caress my hair as I licked his tiny slit. I took his head into my mouth closing my lips around his rim. I sucked it hard, greedily pulling another pearl into my mouth before taking the length of his shaft in deeper.

  I loved the way his breathing quickened, the way he nudged his hips so slightly against me. His hand slip back into my panties, cupping my mound, spreading me open. I worked him with my mouth as he parted me and slipped a finger inside of me, pushing with a hungry motion. I rocked against him and palmed his balls, milking them, stroking them with his base, as I relaxed my throat and took him deeper.

  I surprised myself, but I wanted to make it perfect for him. I felt his bulbous head slapping the back of my throat as I tried to take more. My eyes began watering as I bounced my head into his lap, wondering if the cars around us knew what was up. I didn’t care.

  He worked me faster, his finger brushing past my spot with each motion, and then he pulled it free to work my clit, his wet finger spreading my own juices around my tiny pleasure bud.

  He slipped in another one and I felt my body tightening, ready to explode around his expert fingers. I moaned on his cock, feeling the vibration of the flesh in my mouth as my release soaked his fingers. He twitched in my mouth and I felt his heavy sac tighten and shift in my hand. He was almost ready himself. I pushed down farther, taking him to the depths of my throat again, bouncing faster and rolling my tongue along the veins of his shaft.

  “Mmm, Sarah,” he moaned, sounding his warning, but I didn’t want to stop. The feel of him in my mouth was amazing, the fact that I could have that effect on him made me hungry. The fact that he hadn’t let up from working me, made me greedy. I tightened my lips on his shaft and took it as close to the base as possible, then I slowly pulled upward toward his head to rest my lips around his rim, milking it. When I felt the pulse from his vein I pushed myself back deep, feeling the explosion of his reward splashing my throat. I pulled off and swallowed, meeting his eyes which were full of amazement.

  His fingers stilled and left my panties. “You could have pulled away,” he said. “I would have understood.”

  I moaned lazily with pride and satisfaction. “I wanted my reward,” I whispered against his neck.

  His hand slipped up and cupped my cheek pulling me up to meet my eyes, his still battling between me and the road. “And to think you wanted to put me on the couch.” He tried to remain serious, but laughter escaped as he pulled me in for a kiss.

  Chapter 28

  David

  We made good time on our way home and I was still beaming from the way she worked that pretty mouth of hers. She had a good grip, and I didn’t mean her hands.

  She led me inside, our arms full of our bags and I was thankful I’d packed light. She dropped her stuff by the door and bee-lined for the bathroom to freshen up. I looked around, taking her advice to make myself at home after checking out the view where the sun was already setting. I put my guitar case down beside the sofa. I studied its size against me. Sleep here? I’d never fit on such a short sofa. I chuckled as she walked back into the room.

  “What’s so funny?” She came around and joined me as I sat down.

  I patted the cushions. “I was just admiring your miniature sofa.”

  “I guess it’s a good thing you’re so tall. On second thought, for argument’s sake, let’s lay you out and see how you measure against it.” She leaned up against me and I laid back, pulling her up on my chest, her hair spilling down around us as I captured her lips with mine. Her lips parted, allowing my tongue access and I obliged the same as she melted against me.

  I pulled away as she glanced down to our feet, hers on the couch, mine still planted on the floor. “I guess this wouldn’t work for you. Let’s take you to my room and we’ll see how you measure against my bed.”

  “You don’t waste any time, do you?” I laughed as she narrowed her eyes wickedly and smiled. “Sounds good to me.”

  No sooner than we got to the room and she pushed me back to her bed, crawling up on me like a cat, the phone rang. She huffed and got to her feet. “That’s Rowena’s ringtone.” She hurried to the other room for her phone and slowly made her way back in as she greeted her boss.

  “Yes, I’m home,” she said sitting down on the bed next to me.

  I turned over and adjusted one of her pillows beneath my head and then traced little circles on her back. Despite my earlier release, I was ready to go again and I wanted to make my first minutes in Nashville, in her bed, count.

  “Yes, David is with me. We just walked in the door.” She glanced down and smiled. “I didn’t stop in at the office, because we’ve been on the road for ten hours and I figured you were gone for the day.”

  I slipped my arm around her waist and pulled her to me. As soon as she hung up that phone I was going to undress her slowly, with my teeth. I tugged at her collar playfully with my mouth and breathed hot breath against her neck loving the reaction she gave me. Her back arched and she bit her lip as if holding back one of those delicious moans.

  “Tonight?” Her voice was strained. I hated the way that woman pressured her and I wished she didn’t have to work for someone like
that. “Fine, we’ll start getting ready now, I guess. I’ll see you at eight.” She ended the call and tossed her phone to the bed.

  “Where are we going?” I rubbed her shoulders kissing her neck to sooth her.

  “Rowena wants to see us for dinner. She’s upset that we didn’t stop by the office and said she hopes I’m keeping things on a professional level.”

  “I’m here, what does it matter if we’re together.”

  “It doesn’t. It’s just how she is, so you’ll just have to keep your hands off me while she’s around.” She smiled wide, but part of me wondered if she was serious.

  “I refuse. I’m keeping my hands all over you. I might even sweep the table clean and take you right on top of it.”

  “That would sure shock her.” She giggled and then relaxed in my arms. “I swear she’s such a hard ass. She’s always particular and bitchy. I think she’s had it out for me from day one. And the only reason she gave me a chance is because my last boss asked her to.”

  I hated to see Sarah so down. She was talented and such a good girl with a big heart. Rowena was a bully. She let Sarah do all the work, and she’d probably try to take all of the credit. “You ever think of breaking away from her and going out on your own?”

  She gave me a level stare. “You sound like Ted. He said the same thing.”

  “Well, for once in his life I’ll agree with him.” She was already shaking her head as if it were impossible.

  “It doesn’t work that way unfortunately, besides, Elder Tree is the top agency in Nashville. You’d be crazy not to want to work with them. When I say this is your big chance, I mean it. People would give their right arms to be where you are.” She slumped against me and I wrapped my arms around her.

  “Thank you.” I realized I hadn’t said that to her. For all that she was doing for me, for all that she’d done. I wanted her to know how much I appreciated her.