Page 50 of Sweet Temptation (Men of Honor 2)
Sawyer grins at me arrogantly, “See, baby, I’m telling you. Just wait till you see me in action. I’m a damn legend around here.”
I’m about to take Sawyer down a notch, but John cuts in with a loud grunt, one that has Sawyer tensin’ and the table falling silent.
Sawyer stares over at his dad angrily. I reach for his hand under the table and try my best to smooth his anger over before things become even more awkward.
Thankfully Jesse breaks in, “Grace, we can get ready together after supper. I’d love to show you some of the clothes I’ve designed.”
Smiling, I’m just about to respond when Sawyer interrupts, “You got something you want to say, Dad?”
The anger in Sawyer’s voice has my heart speedin’ up with anxiety. It beats even faster when John looks up at Sawyer now, just as angrily.
“John,” Catherine says warningly.
“No, Mom, let him say whatever the fuck it is he needs to say. Maybe if he gets it off his fucking chest we can all finally move the fuck on.”
“Sawyer, watch your mouth!” Catherine scolds. “C’mon, old man, just spit it out.”
“You want to know what my damn problem is?” Oh gosh this is going to be so bad.
“Daddy, you promised,” Sam cuts in, upset. “Yes, I really want to fucking know.”
“Sawyer!” Catherine scolds his language again.
“I’ll tell you what my goddamn problem is. My problem is you’re right; you were really good. ‘Were’ is the operative word, boy. You are not a legend, you could have been but you went and threw it all away. All to be… to be…”
“To be a hero,” the words fly out of my mouth before I can stop them. The table falls silent and all eyes snap to me.
Oh lord, Grace, what have you done?
Well crap, I can’t stop now. Clearing my throat softly I stare down at my plate, “I don’t know about any of you, but for me, bein’ a man who fights for his country and saves lives is a lot more noble and important than bein’ a legend.”
When I feel brave enough to look up I see everyone still starin’ at me. Catherine looks at me with an almost wistful smile on her face, both his sisters sport the same ones. Sawyer watches me with an expression I can’t decipher, and John… well I’m a little frightened to look over at him so I don’t.
When no one still says anything I shift nervously. “Uh, no disrespect to any legends or hockey players. I’m sure they all mean well too.”
Sawyer breaks the silence by chuckling. He kisses me on the cheek then slings his arm around me, “Did you hear that, old man? I’m a fucking hero.”
“Sawyer Evans, I swear to God if the F-Bomb falls from your mouth one more time I’m going to shove an entire bar of soap down your throat.”
I try so incredibly hard not to laugh but the image that pops into my head has it slippin’ free. Thankfully his sisters do too. Sawyer mumbles an apology then conversation awkwardly picks up again, everyone ignorin’ the big elephant in the room.
Our fingers are still linked under the table, when Sawyer squeezes my hand I look over at him, and the way he’s lookin’ at me has my breath catchin’ in my throat. Again I can’t decipher his expression, but it makes my heart beat faster. And when he mixes it with a genuine heartfelt smile, I know I would do anything to have him keep lookin’ at me like that.
I am in some very, very serious trouble when it comes to this man.
After supper I follow Jesse upstairs to where she has a design room she uses to work on her clothes. I notice the made-up couch and realize this must be where she’s sleeping, since she gave up her guesthouse. Which makes me feel guilty again. The racks and racks of clothing are astounding. I feel like I’m in a store rather than a room.
“Wow, Jesse. These are really amazin’. I can’t believe you designed them yourself,” I say, going through every item that’s hanging up.
She beams at my praise. “Thanks. I really love doing it. I’ve always been into fashion… So, want to be my doll for the night and let me dress you up?”
Sam walks in now and groans, “Oh no! If I were you, Grace, I’d run now.” Jesse slugs her playfully.
“Well we’re just goin’ to a hockey game. I don’t need to dress too fancy… I don’t think.”
Jesse laughs, “I’m not going to dress you up as if you’re going to the ball. It will be something warm and trendy, totally laid back, I promise.”
I shrug, “All right then, if you’re sure ya don’t mind.”
“Not at all. It will be fun. I will give you something new to show off.” She winks at me then starts grabbing clothes off the racks.
I turn to Sam now and see her watchin’ me with an amused smile. “My brother likes you a lot,” she says, catching me off guard.
“Oh, well, I like him a lot too.”
She shakes her head, “No I mean he really, really likes you. I can tell. I mean I had already figured he did since you’re the first girl he has ever brought home. But I didn’t realize how head over heels he was.”
“Sawyer has never brought another girlfriend home?” I ask in shock.
Jesse snorts, “Girlfriend? He’s never had one before, so how could he bring one home? My brother wasn’t the relationship type, if you get my drift.”
Oh I got her drift. And I wasn’t sure if I was ecstatic over the fact or bothered. It makes me wonder if maybe I’ve been reading too much into things with us. Maybe he isn’t lookin’ for a relationship still and this is only temporary for him? The thought has my stomach sinking with dread.
“Here put these on, they will look great,” Jesse hands me a pair of thick fleece- lined black leggings and a beautiful cherry red, long-sleeved, cashmere sweater that has a shimmer in the material.
