Layer by Layer (Riggins Brothers Book 1)
Page 19
“I want to fuck you, but this… this is the hottest fucking moment of my life. Don’t stop. Please, don’t stop,” he says with a desperate plea.
I don’t stop, just like he asks. I keep pace with him and refuse to take my eyes off his hand as he strokes himself. I agree that with him, this is the hottest moment of my life, but I can’t seem to find the words to tell him that. I’m too enthralled with watching him and giving myself the pleasure that my body seeks.
“Sawyer, I’m close, baby.”
I nod. I’m tilting on the edge of euphoria, but I can’t find my voice to tell him. All I can do is stare wide-eyed as his hand moves faster, his legs quivering. My hand shakes, but I don’t stop. I’m chasing the high that only this moment can give me.
“Fuck!” Royce growls as he finds his release. Watching him has me calling out his name as pleasure rocks my body. My eyes are closed as I slump back against the shower wall. The exhaustion from before the shower seeps in, and I’m ready for bed. “Come here.” His soft words have me opening my eyes in time to witness him sliding his hands under my body and lifting me into his arms, bridal style. “Let’s get you cleaned up.” Back under the spray, he sets me on my feet but makes sure to keep a hold of me. He takes over and cleans me up before shutting off the water and lifting me into his arms again.
“I can walk,” I tell him. I’m tired, but not so much so that my legs no longer work.
“Just let me do this.”
Not one to complain when a sexy man wants to take care of me, I keep my mouth shut and let him do his thing. Ten minutes later, we’re both dried off, my hair is brushed, and we’re climbing into bed. Royce pulls me close to him, and I rest my head on his chest, with his arms wrapped around me. It’s not long before I’m drifting off to sleep, and just before sleep claims me, I think I hear him whisper the words, “I love you,” but I’m not sure.
Chapter 22
Royce
It’s been four months today since I first laid eyes on the love of my life. I don’t know what I did to have her be on that flight next to me, but it turns out to be the best thing that ever happened. We are in sync at work, and my fears of dating my assistant have long since been squashed. She knows me. Sometimes I think better than I know myself. She can anticipate what I want or need at the office, and at home, that’s where I take over. I pamper her because she deserves nothing less.
She’s now a permanent fixture at my parents’ table for Sunday dinners, and if I have my way, it will never change. It took me meeting Sawyer to finally see through the clouds that my family claimed I was living in. I wasn’t living. I’ve smiled more since meeting her than I have in years. Even the years that I was married. I knew already that marrying Jennifer was a bad idea. It ended in disaster, but it wasn’t until Sawyer that I realized exactly how wrong we were for each other. Sawyer and I never argue, and we both have this need to always be with the other person. Not for fear of what might happen if either of us are away, but because that’s what makes us happy.
I’m going to marry her.
I just need to tell her that I love her first, and then buy the ring. Small details for a love like ours. I see it in the way she looks at me. She loves me. I can feel it in my bones. I’ve whispered it to her a few times when I knew she was asleep, but I wanted to give it time. To say that I was jaded by my divorce is an understatement. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t the newness of having a female companion that actually wanted me that was making me feel this way.
It’s not.
It’s all Sawyer and the way she makes my heart pound in my chest just by entering a room. She’s pretty much staying at my place all the time now. Her toiletries are on the counter in my bathroom, and her clothes hang beside mine in the closet. I don’t hate it. No, I love it, and I want it to be permanent. I have a plan. I just need to set it in motion.
“Hey,” she says from the doorway of my office. “Hadley and Derek invited us over to see their new place on Saturday.”
Shit. “I told Owen I’d help him at his place on Saturday.” I didn’t know about the invitation, but I did already make plans with my brother. “You should go, though. I know you’ve been wanting to see it.”
“Are you sure? I hate to go without you.”
Just another reason she’s nothing like my ex. Jennifer wouldn’t have even extended the invitation to me. She would have simply told me where she was going to be. Even then, I’m not certain she would have been telling the truth.
“Of course, I’m sure. She’s your best friend. We can meet back at my place that night.” She nods, but I can tell she’s not thrilled with the idea. “Come here.” I move back from my desk, pushing my laptop back and patting for her to sit. She doesn’t hesitate to shut my office door and come to me. “Tell me,” I say once she’s perched on my desk.
“It’s silly.”
“No, it’s not. Not if it’s how you feel. Tell me.”
“I just— I wanted you to be there.”
“I’m sorry, babe. I don’t want to cancel on Owen.” It’s not a complete lie, but it’s not Owen’s plans I’d be canceling. I think about moving the date, but I don’t want to. I want to proceed with my plan. I don’t want to wait any longer. I’ll make it up to her. “I’ll make it up to you. Maybe we can invite them over next weekend?”
“But you won’t get to see their place.”
“Babe, she’s your best friend. That’s not going to change.” Reaching up, I palm her face with my hands.
“I know,” she sighs. “I’m being selfish, and I’ve just gotten used to it being us, you know?”
“I do know, and I’ll miss you,” I say, kissing her softly.
“Dinner at my place after,” I suggest. “Invite them,” I say, hoping that will make up for me missing lunch at their place.
“You sure?”
“Yes. In fact, why don’t you recruit them to help you move in?” I toss it out there.
“What?” she asks, surprised.
“I want you to move in with me. I want to be with you every second of every day.”
“I—” she starts, but closes her mouth, making me chuckle.
“Think about it, Sawyer. You don’t have to decide this minute.”
She nods just as there’s a knock at my door. “Come in,” I call out, not bothering to give Sawyer time to move. Anyone who is on this floor knows that this is more than likely what they’re going to find if she’s not at her desk.
“You decent?” Owen asks.
“Barely,” I say as Sawyer smacks my shoulder, causing Owen and I both to laugh.
“We still on for tomorrow?” he asks. His calm demeanor gives nothing away.
“Yes.” This couldn’t have worked out better.
He nods. “Sounds good. I’m heading out for the day. Jase has some numbers he wants me to look over.”
“Bye.” Sawyer waves at him.
“I guess I should get back to work,” she says.
“Let’s just head home. It’s four. We’ve worked enough hours this week.”
“Royce,” she sighs. This is a constant battle with us, me needing her to myself and leaving work early. I’ve cut my hours since she came into my life, yet the work is still getting done. I know that I would look over reports that I’d already analyzed just to avoid going home to an empty house. That’s no longer me. I can’t wait to wrap up what has to be done and go home with her. It’s all Sawyer.
“Go finish up whatever you need to. Let me know when you’re ready.” I kiss her one more time before she hops off my desk and walks out of my office. Grabbing my phone, I text Owen.
Me: That was close.
Owen: She doesn’t have a clue.
Me: I know. Thanks for going with me tomorrow.
Owen: I’ve got your back.
Tossing my phone back on my desk, I answer a few more emails before shutting down my laptop. I pack it up along with a contract I’ve been working on, just in case I get time over the weekend to revie
w it. I doubt it, but it’s better to be prepared than to have to come back to the office to get it. I’m ready to go drag Sawyer from her desk when my cell phone rings. Glancing, I see Jase’s name.
“What’s up?” I ask, leaning back in my chair.
“Just tried to call Owen and he didn’t answer.”
“He was in my office. What’s going on?”
“Nothing, there’s a hotel chain in Florida for sale. The place is beautiful, but they’re bleeding money. I was hoping Owen might be willing to take a look at the books before I take the leap and buy it.”
“You know he will. He’s a whiz at that shit.”
“That’s the truth. Hey, how are things with Sawyer?” he asks.
“Perfect.”
He whistles. “That’s a pretty big claim coming from you.”
“I get it now. I understand you and Sam. I didn’t before, but it all makes perfect sense to me.”
“Told you, man. Once you find the right woman, everything changes.”
“Like magic.”
“Exactly. Just like fucking magic. Hey, there’s Owen. I’ll catch you later.”
Ending the call, I slide my phone in my pocket, pick up my bag of work to take home that I hope I don’t touch, and go find my girl.
“I should be home by five or so,” I tell Sawyer as we’re getting ready for the day. “Did you talk to Hadley to see if they wanted to come over?”
“I mentioned it, but I’m not sure if she’s going to or not. I’d say they just want to be in their new home.”
“Maybe. Either way, make plans for whenever. This is the only day that I had something not on my calendar.” On purpose, but I leave that information to myself.
“Okay,” she says, sitting on the bed to pull her boots on.
My girl was excited for the fall weather to wear her boots. I don’t understand it, but I don’t question it either. It makes her happy, and that’s all that matters to me. I make a mental note to get with Sam to order her a couple of pairs for Christmas.
“I’ll see you later.” She stands and places a kiss on my lips.
“I’m right behind you. I just need to finish getting dressed. My sexy girlfriend distracted me,” I say, pulling her into another kiss.
“See you tonight.” Her green eyes are sparkling with happiness, and I fight the urge to pound on my chest. I did that.
I wait until I hear the front door close before dropping my towel and quickly getting dressed. Making sure I have my keys, wallet, and phone, I’m out the door to pick up Owen.
Pulling up to his house, I beep, letting him know I’m here, but there’s no need because he’s stepping out onto his front porch at the same time.
“Hey, man,” I say when he climbs into the passenger seat.
“You ready for this?” he asks me.
“Yes.”
“I admit. This time around, I couldn’t be happier for you.”
“Thanks, O,” I say, swallowing the lump in my throat. It means the world to me that my family loves Sawyer as much as I do. That’s just another contrast from her and my ex. I should have listened to my family, opened my eyes, but I can’t change the past. All I can do is focus on my future. Focus on Sawyer.
“So, what does she think that we’re doing today?”
“I was vague. I told her I was helping you. She’s over at Hadley and Derek’s new place. Wanted me to go with her.”
“She’ll forgive that little white lie.” He laughs.
“Yeah,” I agree. When she finds out that I couldn’t go with her today because I was buying her an engagement ring, she’ll understand. Owen and I talk shop on the drive to the jeweler. It’s in the heart of downtown Nashville, and I’m relieved that Hadley and Derek live on the outskirts and on the other side of town. There should be no reason I would bump into Sawyer today. That would be difficult to explain.
“You know the others are going to give you shit because they didn’t get to come with you,” Owen says as we climb out of the car.
“Too risky,” I tell him. “If everyone knew, there is a higher probability of her thinking, something is up. You know Marsh and Con can’t keep a secret to save their lives.”
“At least not other people’s.” Owen laughs.
“Exactly.” I pull open the door and motion for Owen to go ahead of me. “Time to look toward the future.” Owen nods, a small smile playing on his lips as he smacks me on the shoulder and enters the store.
“You didn’t even need me,” Owen says as we’re walking out of the jewelry store twenty minutes later.
“Moral support.” I laugh as I hear my name called.
“Royce!” I turn to look over my shoulder and walking toward me is my ex-wife, Jennifer. I haven’t laid eyes on her since the day we walked out of the courtroom for our divorce hearing. “How are you?” She leans in for a hug, but I take a step back out of her reach. “Aw, don’t be like that,” she coos.
“Jennifer,” I greet her. I wait for the pain, and the anger to take root, but I don’t feel anything. Nothing for the woman I once claimed to love, and who claimed to love me. A slow smile crosses my face that I couldn’t stop even if I tried. She no longer has a hold on me. The anger I’ve been carrying around is gone, washed away with the love that I have for Sawyer. If I hadn’t just dropped a pretty penny on an engagement ring, it would be the next thing on my list. I love her, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with her. I knew that, but this run-in confirms it for me.
“You look good,” she says, raking her eyes over my body.
“Where’s your wife?” I ask, even though I couldn’t care less.
“Oh, Sandra and I separated. She was a phase, and I realized that I missed you.”
“What-the-fuck-ever,” Owen says from his spot next to me.
“Owen,” Jennifer greets him.
She never liked him, or any of my brothers for that matter.
“Satan,” he says, and I don’t hide my chuckle.
“Is that any way to talk to your sister-in-law?” she asks, her voice sugary sweet.
“In the eyes of the law, you aren’t shit to me or anyone in my family,” Owen says, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Royce, I’ve missed you. I think we should get together and talk.”
“I have nothing to say to you.” I cross my arms over my chest, matching Owen’s stance, and her eyes focus in on the bag from the jeweler.
“Oh, is it your mom's birthday?” she asks.
Bitch. We were together all through college and married for four years. She should know when my mom's birthday is. “Nope.”
“Whatcha got there?”
“None of your damn business,” I snap. I can’t believe I gave so many years of my life to a woman who is nothing like me.
“I don’t see a wedding ring,” she says sweetly. “Then again, I’m sure I would have heard by now if one of the most eligible bachelors in Nashville was off the market.”
“There are five Riggins brothers that are off the market when it comes to you,” Owen seethes. “Haven’t you done enough damage?”
“I was confused.”
“Confused?” Owen asks. “You don’t know the difference between your girlfriend’s pussy and your husband’s dick?”
She blanches at his crudeness. “Your brother worked all the time,” she fires back. “He never wanted me.”
“Enough!” I snap. “We’re not doing this. Not now, not ever. We’re over. You’re nothing to me but a memory. If you’ll excuse us.” I turn to walk away, not bothering to see if Owen is following. I know he is. My brothers, all four of them, are loyal to a fault, and he has zero tolerance for the woman who is my ex-wife and took me away from them for far too long.
“That woman is vile.” Owen is still seething on the way back to his place.
“I can’t believe I was married to her,” I say, fighting a shudder.
“Tried to warn you,” he mumbles under his breath.
“I know
. I didn’t want to see it.” I glance over at him. “Any concerns about Sawyer?” I ask, even though I doubt I’d listen. I thought I loved Jennifer. What I used to feel for her doesn’t even compare to how I feel about Sawyer.
“Nah, Sawyer’s one of the good ones. One day I want to find me a Sawyer.”
“Yeah? You ready to settle down?”
“Been ready, but watching what you went through makes a man question every woman who comes his way. I’ll find her,” he assures me.
“When you do, you let me know. You have my support, and when you’re ready to buy a ring, I’m there.”
I see him nod out of the corner of my eye. “Do you know when you’re going to ask her?”
“No. Not yet. I know where I want it to be, but I don’t have a plan. I have a few ideas. I just need to get them together.”
“Well, count me in for whatever you need,” he says as we pull into his place.
“Thanks for coming with me today.”
“You didn’t need me.”
“Yeah, but it’s nice to have my brother there. This time things are different.”
He nods. “Let me know what I can do.”
“Will do. Thanks, O.”
It’s just after three. Hopefully, I beat Sawyer back to my place so I can slip her ring into the safe, and if time is on my side, start planning how I’m going to ask her to spend forever with me.
“Sawyer’s home. I’ll see what she’s thinking and let you know,” I tell Jase. He called and invited us over to visit and see the baby.
“Later,” he says, ending the call.
Standing, I make my way to the front door. I pull it open just as she’s about to reach for the handle. “I missed you,” I say, grabbing her and pulling her into a hug. I want to drop to my knees right now and tell her how much I love her and beg her to spend the rest of her life with me.
She laughs. “It was a few hours at best.”
“Too long,” I murmur as I place a kiss on her neck.