Page 80 of Sweet Temptation (Men of Honor 2)
Having no words for what this man makes me feel, I press a kiss to his Navy Seal tattoo, right over his heart, before resting my cheek there. Once again, I close my eyes and soak in everything about what will most likely be the most perfect moment of my existence.
The beautiful lyrics wash over me as he softly sways us both in time to the slow rhythm. I absorb the feel of just him and me, skin to skin. Our scents mingling in the air between us. It’s as if we are in our own world, one no one can be a part of but us. It’s beautiful, safe and the most perfect thing I have ever felt. It’s one I want to stay in for the rest of my life. Because I know, without a doubt, that I will never feel for someone else the way I feel for Sawyer. I completely and unconditionally love every beautiful part of him.
The thought has my earlier turmoil resurfacing, and I become plagued again with anxiety at the unknown. Gatherin’ my strength, I keep my cheek against his steady heartbeat and ask the one question I fear the most: “What happens now, Sawyer?”
He stills at my whispered question. A second later his hands travel up my back and under my hair, until he’s cupping either side of my face, bringing my gaze to his. I can tell by his expression I don’t need to elaborate, that he understands what I’m askin’.
“What do you want to happen, Grace?”
Not knowing how to explain what I want, I decide to voice the one thing I am certain about. “I’m in love with you.”
His eyes widen with shock and the silence becomes deafening.
Oh God, what did I just do?
Knowing there’s no going back, I swallow nervously and just go for it, “I’m sorry if you don’t want to hear that, but I won’t take it back, because I mean it. I love everythin’ about you, Sawyer. I love how you can make me laugh, even if there’s nothing to smile about. I love the way you touch me, whether it’s slow and gentle or fast and desperate. Heck, I love you even when you’re arrogant and cocky. I never know if I want to slap or kiss that sexy face of yours.” His lips twitch after I say that. “But most of all… I love this,” I say thickly, placing another soft kiss directly over his heart. “I love how you make me feel when I’m with you… safe and important, like for the first time, since Mama maybe, I matter to someone again.”
My breath hitches from the truth of my words and tears begin to spill down my cheeks as I terrifyingly pour my heart out to him. “I love you with my whole heart, Sawyer, and nothin’ or no one will ever change that. And now that the danger is over, the thought of you not bein’ here anymore, of not feelin’ you against me as I sleep, it scares me to death. I don’t want to remember what that feels like.”
Emotion threatens to choke me, while his face blurs from my tears. My heart pounds with fear while I wait for his response.
Keeping his hands on either side of my face, he leans down and presses a kiss to my forehead. Then slowly drags his firm lips across my wet cheek until I feel his warm breath at my ear, “I have to tell you something, Cupcake, and I hope you’re going to be able to handle it…”
Oh no!
My fingers tighten on his strong back and I close my eyes as despair washes over me… “I loved you first.”
My eyes shoot open and I rear back in surprise. “Huh?” I accidentally blurt out before I can stop myself.
He brings his face back in front of me, wearing that panty droppin’ grin of his. “I said I loved you first.”
A small sob of relief escapes past my lips. Sawyer’s amusement vanishes, and his expression turns somber. “I don’t know the moment it happened, Grace, but I’m pretty fucking sure I loved you before I even met you. Because as soon as I got a trace of your sweet cupcake scent I knew you were fucking mine. So if there’s one thing you need to know it’s this: you don’t just matter to me, baby, you fucking belong to me, every sweet goddamn inch of you. So you better move your shit over and make room for mine, because I’m not fucking going anywhere. I’m staying right here, with you, where I belong.”
Warmth, happiness and love explode through my chest, and a huge smile takes over my face. Jumping up, I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss the ever- lovin’ hell out of him.
“I love you, I love you, I love you!” I mumble against his lips. Saying those words feels so freeing and so darn right.
Growling, he crushes me against his chest and takes control of the kiss. He claims my mouth in the best way, causing heat to ignite through my entire body.
“I love you too, baby… Fuck you taste so goddamn good!” His hands cup my ass and he lifts me just enough to bring his erection to rub against where I crave him most. My fingers winding tightly in his hair, I grind against him with greedy desperation.
He groans and rips his delicious mouth from mine, raining kisses down my neck. I take in deep lungfuls of much needed air, “God, Sawyer, I want you so bad, need you so bad.”
“Tell me what you want, Cupcake, and I’ll fucking give it to you.”
As soon as the words leave his mouth I push against his chest and drop to my knees in front of him, my face coming directly in line with his erection. As my fingers slip in the waistband of his underwear, I look up at him to see his eyes ablaze with fire.
“I want to know what you taste like.”
