Sweet Haven (The Sweet Series Book 2) (10 page)

“Watch it, Crawford. No one calls my brother names but me…and his wife is entitled too since she has to live with him.”

“Ah yes, the famous Grace. I remember her.”

“I’ll bet you do since you flirted with her just to piss Sawyer off,” I grumble.

“Lies, it’s all lies.”

I give him a dubious look, telling him I know better. My brother may be to blame for some of their bad blood but definitely not all of it. It goes both ways.

He chuckles. “All right, subject change, Peaches.”

“Good idea. Let’s get back to you since I’m sure it’s your favorite subject.”

“I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite. Probably my second favorite,” he says, his sexy lips curling with amusement.

I have a feeling his
favorite
involves a lot of touching… Just the thought has my body flushing with desire.

I take a swig of my cold soda, hoping to cool down my raging hormones and decide to switch the subject to something safer. “How long have you been paragliding for?”

“Since the day I turned eighteen. My friends and I did it for my birthday. The first time I leaped off that mountain, I was hooked. There’s nothing like it.”

“You’re an adrenaline junkie,” I say, knowing it’s true. Probably another reason he loves firefighting so much.

“Yep and it drives my mother crazy,” he admits with a chuckle.

“I’ll bet it does, especially when it’s her only child.”

“Well, her and my dad got it right the first time around so they didn’t need to have more.”

I quirk a brow at his bold arrogance. “So what does that say about me being the third child?”

“They stopped at you because they finally got it right.”

My heart warms at the compliment, even if he is wrong. “Actually, I was…shall we say, a surprise. Although, if you ask my parents they’ll tell you it was fate.” A sad smile touches my lips as I think about them.

“You miss them a lot, don’t you?”

I nod. “Very much. It’s why I’ve decided to move.”

“Why didn’t you go with them in the first place?” There’s no judgment in his tone, only genuine curiosity.

Looking away, I focus on the fuchsia sky and let out a soft breath. “I don’t know. I guess I figured it was time to let go. Sawyer enlisted in the Navy when he turned eighteen and never came back except for holidays and the occasional visit. Jesse held out a bit longer, but I always knew she’d spread her wings eventually. She’s far too talented to be stuck here forever. So, when my parents decided to move closer to Sawyer and his family, I knew it was my turn, but my heart wasn’t ready. I mean, I know that’s what life is all about, growing up, moving on, standing on your own two feet, but it has always seemed so cruel to me.”

“Why do you say that?” he asks, his voice quieter than it was a moment ago.

I shrug but keep my gaze focused ahead. “I guess it hurts because while they’ve all found their place—their home—it’s one without me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for them. I really am. But…they are the only ones I’ve ever known. And if I’m being honest, I don’t want a new one. I want the one I had,” I whisper, my throat beginning to burn as I reveal to him what I’ve never voiced to anyone before.

“Just because we get older, Sam, and our lives change, it doesn’t mean we don’t still belong to the family we grew up with. Hell, if it was up to my mom I’d still live at home. And to be honest, I wouldn’t mind. My laundry would be done all the time and I’d be well fed but it would put a huge damper on my sex life so…”

I burst out laughing, my heavy heart feeling a bit lighter. His smile indicates that was his intention.

Staring back at him, I rest my head back on the truck. “Why did you choose this?”

“What do you mean?” he asks, confused by the sudden change of topic.

“Out of all the things we could have done today, why did you take me paragliding? Why bring me here?” I ask, gesturing to the incredible view before us.

I expect a cocky comeback but instead, he says something that I will remember for the rest of my life. “Because if anyone deserves to experience the beautiful things this world has to offer, it’s you.”

It’s probably the kindest thing anyone has ever said to me. I give him a watery smile, my eyes burning with emotion, but I do my damnedest to blink it back. “I must admit, Crawford, for a guy who never dates you sure do know how to show a girl a good time,” I tell him, hoping to lighten the moment.

He doesn’t let me.

Instead, he reaches out his hand to me, his intense eyes pinning me in place. “Come here, Sam.” His voice is suddenly darker—smoother. It has a commanding undertone to it that does so many amazing things to my insides.

I place my hand in his, that deep feeling of trust invading my soul as I allow him to pull me over. My knees straddle either side of his hips, and I have to bite back a moan at the feel of his impressive erection between my thighs.

His fingers dig into my hips while his gaze holds mine in the quiet dark. “I want to see you again.”

Surprise flares inside of me but disappointment quickly follows. “I’m not so sure that’s a good idea,” I whisper, even though my heart leaps at the thought of spending more time with him.

“Why?”

“Because I’m leaving soon and it might be hard to do if I start to like you,” I tell him honestly.

His lips kick up in a sexy smirk, sending a tingling sensation throughout my entire body. “Are you saying you don’t like me now?”

I shrug. “Maybe a little.”

He chuckles at my admission but quickly sobers. “I’d never ask you to stay. I know how much it means to you to be with your family but I want you before you go,” he says, surprising me once more. His hand skims up my arm to curl around my neck and pull me in close, the warmth of his breath dancing across my lips. “No strings, no promises, and no commitments…except one.”

“What’s that?” I ask, my voice breathless.

“You’re mine. You belong to me and only me. I don’t share—ever.” His voice is firmer, more possessive, sending a shiver of pleasure down my spine.

“And what about you, Jase? Will you be mine? Because I don’t share either.”

I’ll never be second best again.

“Why the hell would I want anyone else if I have you?”

My heart swells in my chest, my cheeks hurting from smiling so big. “Good answer.”

“Is that a yes?”

I nod. “Yes.”

Without another word, he closes the distance between us, taking my mouth in a searing kiss that sets my body ablaze within seconds. My arms lock around his neck as I succumb to all the feelings this man evokes in me.

He cups my bottom possessively, his growl vibrating against my lips as I grind down on his erection. His hands move to the hem of my tank top and he begins sliding the material up my body. I pull back only enough to lift my arms and let him slip the shirt over my head.

His eyes darken further as they lock on the bright red push-up bra with the jeweled clasp resting between my breasts. “This is a really nice fucking bra.” His voice is husky, his hands molding to the lace while he leans in to trail his lips down the column of my throat.

I grip his shoulders with a sigh, my head tilting to the side, offering him more. “I’m glad you approve. I bought it with you in mind,” I tell him, desire thick in my voice. “It’s fire engine red.”

“It’s my new favorite color… Actually, I take that back. Peach is still my favorite but this is my second.”

My giggle is cut off when he curves an arm around my waist and takes me to my back, coming over top of me. The hard ridge of his jeans nudging me where I want him most. I arch up with a moan, thankful for the soft blanket beneath me.

Gripping the fabric of his shirt, I begin dragging it up his sculpted back. Once it clears his head, a subtle gasp leaves me at the feel of his warm, bare skin against mine. The connection steals my breath, sending an army of sensations to implode across my body.

“Tonight, I’m taking my time with you. I’m going to learn every inch of your body and fucking own it.”

One piece at a time, he removes the remainder of my clothes. With every inch of skin exposed, his eyes grow heavier, filling with the intense need that always pulls me in. His warm lips not only taste and explore but they worship and cherish every piece of me before latching onto my aching center.

I cry out, my fingers curling in his hair, hips bucking up against his skilled mouth as the most exquisite pleasure explodes through me.

“Goddamn, you have the sweetest pussy I’ve ever tasted, baby.” The dirty words only add to the sensations taking over my body.

My heated moans and cries of pleasure fill the night air as he devours me. It isn’t long before he finds that perfect spot, the one that pushes me into divine oblivion. His name pours from my lips, bouncing with a soft echo off the mountains surrounding us.

As I float down from the high, he crawls back up, dropping a kiss on my tummy, my hip, between my breasts, before capturing my mouth in a fiery kiss and sliding into me in one smooth motion.

The connection slams into me with the same ferocity as last time.

My gasp and his groan mingle in the same breath as he completes a part of me I never knew I had. One that feels like it’s been reserved only for him, but how can that be? How can someone I barely know make me feel this way? It’s more than two bodies coming together; it’s the joining of two souls.

Unlike last time, there’s nothing rushed about it. Instead, he moves inside of me with slow precision, each stroke deeper than the last, his muscles straining beneath my fingertips. I open my eyes, the sky littered with a million stars sparkling above us and again that niggling feeling pulls at me. One so strong I could swear I’ve done this before, with him. It feels right. And for the the first time in a long time, I finally feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

I pray, when it comes time to say good-bye, I will be able to walk away with my heart still intact. Because as of right now, he is stealing it from me. One moment at a time.

Jase

S
itting around the kitchen table, we chow down on a steak dinner that the captain was forced to buy since he lost in poker last week. Don Gyepesi, or whom we call Captain Gypsy, can be a cynical, grumpy bastard. He’s put in many years and is close to his retirement but I don’t see him going anywhere any time soon. Other than my father, I respect no man more than him. He’s dedicated his life to this profession and he’s trained some of the best. He’s taught us all we know.

Tonight, we also have Mikey sharing our meal with us. He’s a special needs boy who has been coming to this station as long as I have worked here. He helps out where he can and we accept him as one of our own. Whenever we get a call he closes up behind us and waits by the radio until we get back.

“How’s your steak, Mikey?” Austin asks.

Since his mouth is full, his response is a thumbs-up.

“Mikey likes it,” Cam mocks, sending a collection of chuckles around the table.

Feeling my cell phone vibrate in my pocket, I reach in and pull it out to see a text from Sam. When I open the message, a picture of a basket of peaches pops up that says,
got peaches?

Chuckling, I’m just about to reply when another message from her comes up.

Sam:
Serious question, Crawford. Do you really like peaches?

I bite back a groan as I think about how much.

Me:
Yeah, baby, as long as they come from you, I like them. Why?

Sam:
Because I’m going to make something when you come over for supper on Friday, but I won’t bother if you really don’t like them.

Me:
Just spread your legs when I get there and I’ll fucking love them.

Thinking about the taste of her pussy has my cock hardening. I’ve come to learn everything about this girl is sweet. Her scent, her laugh, the sexy fucking noises she makes when I’m eating her out…

The ding of another text snaps me out of my perverted thoughts.

Sam:
I’m rolling my eyes right now…and maybe blushing at the image that just popped in my head.

Me fucking, too. The heat rushing through my veins right now is not something I care to be experiencing while I’m sitting at a table with a bunch of dudes.

Me:
Can we pick this up later? The guys and I are eating supper right now, and I really don’t want to explain why I’m sporting a hard-on.

Sam:
LOL! Yes, tell the boys I said hi and if there is any peach dessert left on Friday I’ll send some their way.

Me:
We’ve talked about this. No one gets your peaches but me.

Sam:
*eye roll* Bye, Crawford, see you soon.

Not soon enough.

I crave this girl every second of every day. For the past two weeks I’ve been with her every chance I get. When I’m not here, I’m buried in her, losing myself not only in her body but everything else about her. I don’t know how the hell I’m going to be able to say good-bye when the time comes.

I quickly shove the thought aside, not wanting to think about it. Slipping my phone back into my pocket, I look up to see everyone at the table staring at me. “What?”

“You have it so fucking bad,” Cam says, shaking his head with a chuckle.

A collection of agreements follow from everyone else around the table.

“You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about,” I grumble.

“No? Are you telling me the stupid grin that was just on your face has nothing to do with a certain blonde haired, green eyed bombshell that, might I add, just so happens to be Sawyer Evans’s baby sister?”

I tense, cutting a glare his way. “Watch it, Phillips. That asshole has nothing to do with Sam and me.”

“Then what does it have to do with, Crawford?” Jake asks, his accusing tone instantly pissing me off.

“What’s it to you,
Ryan
?”

“Sam is cool regardless of how you feel about her brother. If this is some sort of fucking vendetta against him then—”