33. Sawyer

Chapter 33

Sawyer

I’m shaking from the intensity of my release, my breath stabbing almost painfully at my sides. Violet is clinging to me like a vine, her fingers digging into the back of my neck and her legs wrapped tightly around my hips.

It takes several seconds before I’m able to move, and my mind feels like it’s slowly coming back online as I rest my face against Violet’s neck. I hope like fuck we were quiet enough that no one heard us outside the elevator, although the fact that we stopped between floors should help with that.

When I finally draw back, I don’t pull out of her right away, even though I know every extra minute we spend in here is risky. But I need to make sure she’s alright first. That we’re alright.

Reaching up, I brush a stray lock of blonde hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear. “Do you get it now, heartbreaker? Do you believe me?”

Violet bites her lip, still breathless, and nods.

“Yes,” she whispers, then scrunches up her face. “I’m sorry for freaking out like that. I didn’t think it through.”

“It’s fine,” I tell her, trailing my fingers along her jaw.

If I’d walked in on some man standing that close to her, looking like he was about to kiss her, I’d probably react just as strongly. It would take everything I had not to beat him to a pulp, so I understand better than she thinks how she must have felt when she saw me with Desiree. I wouldn’t dream of lying to Violet or concealing anything from her, and I was telling the truth about Desiree and her agency wanting to represent me.

And honestly, there’s a part of me that likes the fact that Violet cared enough to get so jealous. I like knowing that I’m not the only one with a possessive streak.

“We said this thing between us, for however long it lasts, would be just between us,” I remind her, stroking her cheek with the back of my hand. “And I meant that, baby. For as long as you’re mine, you’re all mine. And I’m all yours. Okay?”

Violet grins, and despite the fact that her pussy is still wrapped around my cock, there’s something so bright and sweet about it that it makes my heart clench. “Okay.”

“Good.”

I kiss her again, then gently pull out. I help her clean up and get her clothes straightened out, then quickly tug my pants back up and tuck my softening cock away. When I disengage the emergency stop, the elevator lurches into motion again, and I hit the button for the first floor. There’s no security camera in this elevator, thank fuck, so as long as no one heard us, there should be no reason for anyone to guess what we’ve been doing in here.

It takes a few seconds for us to reach the ground floor, and as the doors slide open, a thought occurs to me.

“What brought you here, anyway?” I ask. Unable to hide my smirk, I glance back at the elevator as we step out. “I’m assuming it wasn’t for that?”

“No.” Violet flushes, squirming a little, and it heats my blood. I helped her clean up as best as I could, but I know her panties are soaked with her arousal and my cum. “That was… a surprise.” She laughs. “I actually just came to see if you wanted to get lunch. I knew you had to stay late after practice, so I figured you might be hungry.”

My hand twitches with the impulse to reach for her hand, but I resist it, smiling at her instead.

“I’m fucking starving. Let’s go.”

A few days later, I get a call from Modular Talent saying that they’d like to represent me. Thankfully, my meeting with Desiree was basically finished when Violet walked in on us, so I didn’t make a terrible impression when I excused myself quickly to go after Violet. And based on what Desiree said during our interview, I think she could do great things for my career.

I’m not the oldest guy on the ice, but I’m well aware that there will come a day when I won’t be able to play anymore, so I want to make sure my family is well set up for when that happens. I always want Jake to be provided for.

To celebrate the news, I insist on taking Violet and Jake out to dinner—not that there’s any resistance, since Jake loves going out to eat, even though he always orders the same thing off the kids’ menu: grilled cheese, if they have it.

We go to a place that’s upscale but still casual, and where they know me but don’t treat me like a local celebrity, which I like. The hostess seats us at a four-top, with Jake beside me and Violet across from us.

“Grilled cheese,” Jake declares without even bothering to pick up the menu, and Violet and I laugh.

“Decisive,” she teases. “I like that.”

The waitress comes to take our order, and I watch with pride as Jake asks her politely for a grilled cheese. He’s growing up so damn fast, and I find myself clinging to the little moments, determined to savor every one of them.

As we dig into our food, Violet glances across the table at me. “I’m glad Desiree decided to sign you with her agency. I was worried I… might’ve messed things up for you.”

“Nah.” I shake my head, heat stirring in my veins at the reminder of what we did that day. I haven’t been that fucking impulsive since I was in college—but as reckless as it was, I can’t regret it one bit. “You’re my good luck charm, remember? You couldn’t mess anything up.”

She grins, twin spots of color appearing high on her cheeks. “What kinds of stuff will the agency do for you?”

“Commercials, endorsement deals, maybe some speaking engagements. That kind of thing.”

“Are you gonna be on TV, Daddy?” Jake asks, his eyes widening.

“I’m already on TV,” I remind him with a chuckle, holding a hand to my chest as if wounded that he forgot. “Every time I play a game.”

“No, I mean on regular TV,” he clarifies, and I shoot a wry look at Violet.

“At least he keeps me humble.”

She grins, her smile brightening the entire restaurant. “Kids are good at that.”

The banter is easy and light as we continue eating, and Violet and I share small looks across the table from time to time. Ever since that day when I followed her into the elevator, something has shifted between us. The end date on this thing we’re doing hasn’t changed, but I meant what I told her in the elevator. As long as we’re doing this, I’m all hers, and she’s all mine.

And I really, really like that.

Maybe I’m being an idiot, letting myself jump in with both feet to something I know can’t last. Or maybe it’s because I know it can’t last that I let myself jump in this deep. When I think about it too hard, an ache starts to spread through my chest, so I try not to let myself think about it. Instead, I’m focusing on just enjoying what we have now.

Amazing conversations, fun nights out with Jake, and the kind of sex that could alter a man’s DNA.

As dinner starts to wind down, Jake looks at his plate, where his mostly eaten grilled cheese sandwich sits in front of him. He has a sleepy, full look, but there’s a determined set to his lips as he picks it up.

“You don’t have to finish it, you know,” I remind him. “We can always take the leftovers home with us.”

He looks torn. “But I want to. Cheese is probably my favorite food,” he explains to Violet, looking up at her.

She grins fondly. “Oh, you don’t have to tell me , bud. I’ve cooked you enough mac and cheese to know that.”

“What’s your favorite food?” he asks her, and she purses her lips thoughtfully.

“Hmm. That’s a tough one. I have a lot of favorites, but maybe… chocolate covered strawberries.” I make a noise, and she looks over at me, wearing a quizzical expression. “What?”

“Nothing.” I bite back a grin. “That’s just a shockingly conventional pairing for a mad food scientist like yourself.”

She rolls her eyes, throwing a roll at me from the basket on the table. I catch it easily and set it on my empty plate.

“Okay, wise guy.” She cocks her head at me. “What’s your favorite food?”

“Yeah, Daddy!” Jake chimes in. “What’s your favorite?”

“That’s easy.” I smile, holding Violet’s gaze. “Almonds. And cherries.”

Her eyes widen just a fraction, her chest rising with a soft inhale. Jake snorts.

“That’s two things,” he points out.

“I know.” I lift one shoulder in a shrug. “But they just go together so well. Almost as well as chocolate and strawberries. Or ice cream and cornflakes.”

The blush on Violet’s face deepens, but my mention of cornflakes launches us into a whole new conversation about our favorite breakfast cereals. By the time the waitress comes back to check on us, Jake has been too distracted to finish his sandwich, so we get it wrapped up to take with us.

When we get home, I give him the little box to put in the fridge, and he dutifully trots into the kitchen. He’s yawning when he emerges, and I glance down at my watch.

“Bedtime for you, little man.”

He doesn’t even protest, just yawns again.

“Want me to do it?” Violet offers, but I shake my head.

“Thanks, but I’ve got it tonight. You relax.”

She nods, and I scoop Jake up and carry him up the stairs. He chatters sleepily as he does his evening routine, brushing his teeth, washing his hands and face, and putting on his comfy pajamas.

After reading him one of our favorite stories, I pull the covers up to his chin and kiss him on the forehead, then slip out of his room, quietly closing the door behind me. I pause outside for a few seconds to make sure he’s fully asleep, then turn to make my way down the hall.

I tell myself that I’m heading to my room, but I can’t even believe my own lie—because without me even thinking about it, my footsteps lead me directly to Violet’s door. There’s soft light spilling out from the little crack beneath it, letting me know that she’s inside and awake.

Lifting my hand, I knock softly, and a moment later, the door swings open.

Violet is in one of her usual sleep shirts, standing like a fucking angel with the light from her bedside lamp illuminating her soft blonde hair. She looks rumpled and relaxed and perfect.

“I’m still hungry,” I murmur, my voice gruff. “Can I eat you out tonight, heartbreaker? I’m fucking starving.”

The smile that spreads across her face could fucking undo me.

Without a word, she reaches out to cup the back of my neck, pulling me inside.