by Emma Nichole
He doesn’t answer me so I swing my legs around to the edge of the bed and stand, stepping slowly toward the bathroom.
When I peek inside, I see he is running a bath, adding bubbles and everything. The scent of sweet fruit is in the air and it makes my heart twist and tighten.
“You didn’t have to do that for me, Isaac.”
He stands upright after testing the temperature of the water. “You said it sounded nice, so why not utilize the giant tub at your disposal.”
I take a few steps into the bathroom when he steps toward me, so we are face-to-face, only a foot or two apart. It’s obvious neither one of us knows how to traverse whatever path it is we have decided to take. My heart is beating out of my chest as my slightly intoxicated state takes the reins.
I spin around until my back is facing him and pull my hair out of the way and over one shoulder. “Unzip me?”
I glance to my right to see his reflection in one of the many mirrors on the walls of this room. I feel his warmth when he steps closer, and I shiver when his breath hits my shoulder and when his fingers glide over my skin with each inch he lowers the dress.
As the dress falls to pool at my feet, I’m thankful I decided on my favorite bra and panties today. I peek over my shoulder at him before reaching back and unhooking my strapless bra, letting it fall to the floor along with the dress.
“Sawyer,” he says softly. I can’t tell if it’s an involuntary response or if it’s a warning, and at this point, I don’t care what it is. My name on his lips is foreplay of the best variety.
I exhale a breath and spin around to face him, to let him see me.
His eyes are dark and full of so many things: desire, hunger, intrigue, curiosity.
“Tell me what you’re thinking right now,” I say, as I slip my thumbs into the waistband of my lace panties.
“I’m thinking how fucking lucky I am you are standing in front of me right now.”
“Is that it?” I shimmy my legs back and forth, lowering my panties down and down until I can step out of them, leaving myself completely bare in front of him.
Thank God for vodka and wine.
I watch his Adam’s apple bob up and down with a swallow. “I am thinking you are so fucking beautiful it hurts.”
My lips turn up in a smile and I reach out to place my hand on his chest. “Thank you.”
I push up on my toes and close the distance between us with a kiss. I can feel the growl form in his throat and vibrate against my mouth. He’s coming undone all because of me, and fuck if that isn’t a powerful feeling.
When I break the kiss and lower back to my normal height, he’s looking down at me with heat in his eyes. “Get in that bath before I fuck you right here against the bathroom counter.”
I shrug playfully as I step up and into the deep tub, “Who has a problem with that?” I tease him with a grin, lowering into the hot water, shielding my body with the massive amount of bubbles covering me. “Oh my God,” I moan and lean back against the side of the tub. “This is amazing.”
He walks over and perches on the edge, staring down at me, “Close your eyes and relax.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice.”
I drop my lids and sink down into the water until it touches my chin. I let the warm water loosen my muscles and soothe the ache in my feet.
I even think I doze off for a moment before the sensation of a washcloth sliding over my arm pulls me out of my trance and I open my eyes.
“Shh. It’s just me,” Isaac says, showing me the washcloth in his hands. “Eyes closed,” he commands, and I comply instantly.
My tongue darts out and slides over my dry lips when the washcloth connects with my chest, slowly moving from one side to the other. I can feel his powerful fingers behind the material, and that makes it even more heady and hot.
Down to my stomach and around my belly button he moves the washcloth, causing my very ticklish belly to pull in and I giggle.
“That tickles,” I whisper, eyes still closed, and I hear him laugh softly in response.
But he doesn’t stop. He continues down to my hips and across my thighs, avoiding the space between them that is aching, craving some kind of attention.
This continues for what feels like an eternity. I think he has touched every part of my body, except the ones that have since developed their own heartbeats. I’ve started moving my hips without even realizing, trying to chase any kind of sensation. I think that’s when he takes pity on my and the rough sensation of the cloth slides directly over my left nipple.
“Oh God,” I moan quietly, and he does it again with the right nipple. “Mmm.”
I push my head back into the porcelain tub and arch my chest out. My nipples must barely peek out of the water because the cool air makes them tingle and harden even further.
I curl my hands into fists when I feel him drag the cloth over my thigh and to my pussy. He barely slides it against my flesh and I already feel like I’m on fire.
“More,” I mewl. “Please.”
And more he gives me. With the washcloth draped over my pussy, I can feel his fingers on either side of my clit, pinching slightly then rubbing in a circle and applying gentle pressure. My chest begins to rapidly rise and fall, and I swear the people next door can hear my heart currently pounding in my ears.
“Tell me how it feels,” he utters softly.
“It feels fucking incredible. Don’t stop.”
“Not until you come.”
“Oh my God.” His words are nearly enough to send me there.
It doesn’t take much more. I arch my hips and roll them once, twice, against his hand and I shatter into oblivion. I can feel it from the tips of my toes to the roots of my hair.
“Ahhhh, Isaac,” I moan under my breath, trying not to be too loud, clamping my thighs closed around his forearm and digging my nails into his wrist.
When the convulsing subsides, I blink my eyes open and find him staring down at me.
“Hi,” I say simply.
“Hi,” he replies before leaning down and kissing my lips softly, then pushing my wet hair from my sweaty forehead.
“My mouth is so dry,” I giggle. “I’m sorry. I think it was all the heavy breathing.”
“I’ll go down to the front desk and get us a couple of waters.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. Finish your bath. I’ll be right back.”
He kisses my forehead then stands, giving me a full view of exactly what touching me did to him. I can see his cock pressed hard against his thigh in his slacks.
“You’re going to be the death of me,” he jokes, adjusting himself a bit before heading back out into the main room and out the door.
I take the moment of privacy to relish in what just happened, and I cover my face and laugh. It’s the happiest, most genuine laugh I’ve had in a long time. And in the spirit of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, I say, to no one in particular, “Holy shit” and slide down under the bubbles and water.
Chapter 14
Isaac
It took massive amounts of supreme effort to keep myself from fucking her right there in the bathtub. The only thing I wanted to do was climb in there with her, clothes and all, and finally give in to what we are both craving.
But there was something so incredible about taking care of her like that. I wanted to have a front-row seat when I made her come for the very first time. I didn’t want to be worried about anything else except making sure she felt good, and fucking hell, it was worth it.
It took a lap around the property and downing a half of a bottle of water before I finally felt like I could go back to the room without ravaging her as soon as I walked in the door.
Seeing her body without a scrap of clothing covering her was something I didn’t expect to affect me the way that it did, considering I’ve seen many naked bodies in my time, but Sawyer’s is... wow. She has curves in all the right places and she’s dotted here and there with freckles I wa
nt to take the time to trace with my tongue one day.
I pause outside our room door, with our bottles of water in hand, and rest my forehead on the cold wood.
I’m not sure what I’m going to see when I open that door.
Will she regret what happened and want to leave? Will she be angry we took it that far? Or will she be waiting for me so we can pick up where we left off? Or the worst of all… what if she decided it was too much and she had to leave?
That’s not what I find though, when I finally step inside.
Instead, I find the lights off, and the television on to some trashy reality show, and Sawyer, curled in a fluffy bathrobe on top of the covers, snoring softly. I shake my head and chuckle under my breath before placing a water on the nightstand beside her, and carefully extract the covers from under her body and pull them up and over her. She moves for a moment, grumbling something in her sleepy state, but when I settle her back on her pillow, she sinks in and once again begins to snore.
I take a shower shortly after making sure she’s settled. With both hands on the wall, I let the hot water wash over my neck while thoughts swirl through my head like the steam all around me. I’ve never had this... feeling... before. It’s a longing deep in my chest that makes my heart ache when she’s not around and makes it sing when she is.
I feel like I’m crazy. I haven’t known her very long, but I can’t stay away anymore. I don’t want to even try. There is no point. I’m a lost cause when it comes to this woman.
Freshly showered with still jumbled thoughts, I climb into bed beside her and pull her closer, resting my chin on her head.
She doesn’t move at first then she gives me the smallest smile and nuzzles closer into my chest.
“I think I’m falling for you, Sawyer,” I whisper. I’m sure she didn’t even hear me because she is out cold, but I need to say the words. My body needs to put them into the air because I need her to know, even if only subconsciously, how I feel.
Chapter 15
Isaac
“Are you nervous?” I ask Christopher, as his father helps him with his tie. It’s not that he doesn’t know how to do it, it’s just his old man really wants to help in any way possible.
“For the ceremony, yes. Nervous to marry Danielle? Not even a little.”
“Good, because I think she’d have your balls if you tried to back out now.”
“On that, you’d be right.”
“They are already in her purse. What’s the difference?” Finn chimes in.
“Man, fuck off with all that shit.” Christopher waves him off when we all laugh.
I’m trying to be present. My friend deserves that on his wedding day, but I can’t help that part of my mind is on a certain brunette beauty I haven’t seen all day long.
Groomsmen duties pulled me away early and I likely won’t see her until I’m walking down the aisle for the ceremony. I left her still sleeping, with a note letting her know where I was, but I haven’t heard from her yet today.
I’m pouring a glass of Jack Daniel’s for Christopher’s father when my phone vibrates against my chest.
When I pull it free from the inner pocket of my suit coat, I see her name on the screen, indicating a text.
Sawyer: How’s it going down there?
Me: Drinks are flowing, ties are being tied, discussions of balls are being had. All in all, I’d say it’s going well.
Sawyer: Sounds like a blast.
Me: I’m sorry I had to leave so early.
Sawyer: Don’t you dare apologize. You have obligations. I’m a big girl. Besides, it gives me plenty of time to get all pretty.
Me: You woke up pretty.
Sawyer: You didn’t see my pillow marks and bed head.
I smile at the image that instantly pops in my head of what Sawyer will look like when she’s sleep rumpled and thoroughly fucked.
Me: I have no doubt it’s an image I want to see one day.
“Let’s toast, gentlemen,” Caleb calls out from the other side of the room we have taken over to get ready in.
I glance back down at my phone to see the blinking dots that tell me she is typing a reply, but I lock the screen and slide the phone back into my pocket to join everyone as we toast a happy marriage to our friend.
Sawyer
I stare at myself in the mirror and take a deep breath while I make sure I’m happy with how I look. I chose a long emerald green dress with cami straps, a plunging neckline, an open back with crossing straps, and a sheer lace overlay. I feel sexy in it. I feel powerful in it.
I’ve paired it with simple nude pumps and minimal jewelry; just a single, small diamond that hangs deep in the plunging neckline.
Add in my beach-waved hair and smoky makeup, and I’m wedding ready.
I wanted to feel sexy today, especially after last night... especially after hearing Isaac tell me he is falling for me. He thought I was sleeping and just... blurted it out. I can’t believe I didn’t react, but I didn’t want him to know I heard. I don’t know why. I just wanted to process that information on my own first because... I feel the same way.
It doesn’t make any sense. I shouldn’t feel this strongly this quickly about someone, but here it is, loud and in full HD. I’m falling for him and he’s falling for me.
I sit on the edge of the bed with my phone in my hand and stare down at the last text message I sent him that has gone unread.
Me: Last night was amazing, btw. Not a single regret. I just want to make sure you know that.
And it’s true. Last night was probably one of the most erotic moments of my life and we didn’t even have sex. I didn’t think it was possible, but then again, so many things I never expected are happening at the hands of Isaac Black.
My life has taken me on a journey that I wish I could circle back and try again. There are things I simply want to experience again, things I would change, and things I would never change.
I want my brother back, and the hardest thing I’ve done in my life is accept the fact he’s gone. There are even days I still have a hard time with that fact, but ever since Isaac came into my life, it’s been a little easier every day. He makes me happy with the here and now instead of living in what could have been.
My phone vibrates in my hand and I look down, expecting a reply from him, but instead it’s an incoming video call from my mother.
I hold the phone up in front of my face and press accept, her face then fills my screen.
“Whoa, look at you. Where are you heading off to?” she asks me.
“I’m in Napa for a wedding. I told you that before I left.”
“Oh, yes that’s right. With a man.” She smiles wide. “I’m just glad you’ll be with someone tomorrow. I hate when you deal with it alone.”
I had tried to forget tomorrow is Jason’s birthday, what would have been his twenty-second. I had successfully done that until this very moment.
“I’m trying not to think about it, Mom.”
“Why? We need to still celebrate him, Sawyer,” she scolds me.
“You’re torturing yourself. He wouldn’t want that for any of us. Remembering him is fine, but making a whole day and spending it in tears isn’t good for any of us. That’s not how we are supposed to move forward.”
“I didn’t call to argue.”
“It doesn’t have to be an argument. I’m just telling you I can’t be sad like this anymore. He’d kick my ass for that and you know it.”
She just sighs, “I know, I know. Look, I just wanted to call and check on you, but I can let you go enjoy your time. You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. I feel beautiful. You should see this dress in person. It’s kind of everything.” I smile.
“I’m sure it’s perfect. I want pictures, and when you get the chance, I want you to tell me all about this man who has you so smiley and happy.”
I grin, just as she says that. “He does, and I’ll make sure to snap some pictures for you.”
“Good. I love
you, sweetie.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
***
I am able to put everything else away mentally when I step into the area where the ceremony is going to take place. It was completely transformed last night and is now covered with beautiful white flowers and twinkle lights with soft chairs arranged to create an aisle in the center. They will be married in front of a large window with a view of the grounds behind them.
It’s stunningly beautiful.
There is soft music, a single violin I believe, playing overhead while the guests take their seats. Once I’m settled, I find myself glancing around, looking for Isaac; trying to sneak a peek of him in his suit before he comes out, but it’s impossible.
I don’t have to wait long though, because the officiant takes her place at the end of the aisle and Christopher walks down with his mother, and kisses her cheek when she sits. From what I’ve learned of him over the past day, he’s a wonderful man, and it shows.
Once he takes his place, I can see a nervous breath leave his chest and I smile. It’s sweet. I turn my head when the groomsmen make their way down the aisle next, and my body physically responds to the sight of Isaac in a suit.
I’ve seen this man in jeans, tees, and his uniform, but those are nothing compared to what is before my eyes right now. He’s in a charcoal suit with a black shirt underneath and a pale pink tie. It’s tailored and fits him like a damn glove. His hair looks like it’s been trimmed today, and it very well may have been. It’s shorter on the sides and longer on the top, styled back in somewhat of a pompadour style. It’s delicious.
I’m sitting toward the front, so I can see his eyes as he gets closer. They are moving from row to row, looking for me, and when they finally lock on me, the smile on his face grows so big there is no way no one else notices. As he passes by, he gives me a wink then takes his place beside the rest of the men.
***
