Page 56 of Branded

“Good,” she says, as she slides her hands up my chest and then straightens my tie. “You clean up really nicely, Mr. Black.”

“Don’t get used to it. I’m not a fan of ties.”

“And I’m not a fan of heels.” She angles her leg out of the thigh-high slit in her dress to show me her shoes. “But here we are.”

“Jesus Christ,” I say under my breath. “I didn’t know you were hiding fuck-me shoes under there.”

“I guess I was hoping to surprise you with them later.” She brushes herself up against me very, very purposefully then takes my hand. “Darn.”

I don’t get to respond to her before we are called to take our places inside the reception area, but my cock isn’t so lucky. His reaction is stiff and obvious.

So that’s the game we are going to play tonight, is it?

Game on then.

The next two hours pass with soft caresses to the bare skin of her back while we are eating dinner and in a stolen kiss when the lights dim for the first dance. It’s as if what happened between us last night has opened a floodgate of need between us that is so apparent; it’s basically glowing. She places her hand on my thigh while she talks to Caleb about something happening at their school, and I do the same in turn, but a little higher and squeeze. She seems to like that. Every time I do it, she clears her throat, and I laugh.

The party is in full swing as the sun sets on the hills of Napa Valley. Music is blaring and guests are dancing. Alcohol is flowing and everyone is smiling... happy. But that’s not where my focus is. I haven’t been able to take my eyes off of Sawyer.

Not as she took Finn up on his offer of a dance or when she was chatting it up with Danielle when she and Christopher came around to mingle with each table. And not now, as she checks her makeup in a small compact mirror she pulled from the shockingly tiny bag on her wrist.

She spots me in the mirror and smiles. “What?”

“Nothing. I’m just watching you.”

“Creep.” She smiles and puts the compact away. “You know, you haven’t asked me to dance yet.”

“Your time seems to have been monopolized by my friends. I was simply waiting my turn.”

I take her hand just as the song changes to a slow, sensual beat.

“Dance with me?” I ask, as I stand then pull her in so I can whisper in her ear. “I want to feel you against me.”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

I lead her toward the dance floor, which is just an open area on the patio lined with lights and flowers, and we slowly begin to move.

“You’re good at this,” she tells me.

“My Grams made me take lessons when I was a kid. She said any decent man would be able to sweep a woman off her feet in a dance. I always pushed back, never wanted to go, but I learned over the years that it comes in handy.”

“You use your dancing prowess on other girls often?” She arches her brow with the question.

“Not often, but it’s come in clutch a time or two, yes.”

She giggles, “Well, remind me to thank her one day.” Her eyes immediately widen and she shakes her head. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to assume you’d even want to properly introduce me to her.”

I pull her in closer to stop her talking. “Sawyer. Stop. It’s okay.” I chuckle. “You’ve met my Grams already, right?”

“Not because you wanted me to. It was an accidental meeting.”

“I would gladly take you to see her again, and I’ll gladly introduce you to her again whenyouare ready.”

“Where did you come from?”

“What do you mean?”

“How are you so... perfect? You’re an anomaly to me, Isaac. I’ve never met a man like you before.”

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