“I won’t.”
“My brothers would find you.”
“No need.”
“Duchess will find you.”
“God help me.”
Sawyer took another step and then held out his hand. “I’m Sawyer Montgomery. Coffee enthusiast. Radio DJ. Occasionally dramatic. Still interested?”
I looked down at his hand then took it.
“Beckett Calder. Sports therapist. Terrible equestrian.Notan escort. Very interested.”
“Thank God you don’t date people for a living.”
“No.” I brushed my thumb over his knuckles. “But I’d like to date you.”
His fingers tightened around mine, and I needed so badly to kiss him right then, but I waited, not wanting to push him.
Sawyer noticed and tugged on my hand. “You can kiss me now, by the way. In case you’re waiting for permission.”
“I don’t want to push.”
“I know.” His gaze dropped to my mouth. “This is me pulling.”
I let go of his hand to wrap my arms around him, drawing him to me as I took his lips like they were the air I needed to breathe. He held my face, fingers curling into my hair, kissing me back just as fiercely.
Finally there was no lie between us, nothing left unsaid or hanging over my head. Just his lips on mine, our tongues slowly exploring like it was the first time.
Only this time I knew exactly what I had to lose, and there was no way I was letting this man go. I wanted to earn his trust.
And his love.
I didn’t know how long we stayed wrapped up in each other, me swallowing his soft moans, memorizing the feel of him against me, him fitting so perfectly that it was no wonder I’d felt empty without him.
When he pulled back, he looked up at me, those dark eyes softer, that hopeful spark back in them. It made my heart clench tightly in my chest.
“So, you free tonight?” he said. “I could use a date.”
“For you?” I said, reaching up to cup his jaw. “Always.”
His smile was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen, and when he stepped back, he took my hand. We hadn’t fixed everything, not yet, but we’d find our way.
We started back toward the music and the lights, and when Duchess snorted behind us, Sawyer glanced over his shoulder.
“Hey, don’t be jealous. You had your shot.”
For the first time all day, with the guilt I’d been feeling since we met finally easing, I laughed.
Sawyer grinned, linking our fingers, and as we walked toward the reception and whatever came next, I knew one thing for certain.
This time, Sawyer knew exactly whom he was choosing. And God help me, I was going to be worthy of him.
33
SAWYER