“Yeah.” I elbow Sawyer in the side. I find it endearing how she is fawning all over us. She helps to ease the ache in my heart my own mother caused.
“You’re already going to be mauled by cameras tonight,” Sawyer says, worrying over me.
He’s not wrong, but I would stand here for hours to keep that smile on his mom's face. Each hour that passes brings us closer to leaving for the movie premier and causes Sawyer to grow more tense. I get that he’s worked up, but I relish in it too. It’s nice having people worry about me for no other reason than they love me.
It’s been over a week since the day Sawyer came back home and told me the stalker was taken care of. That I no longer needed to worry about it. I didn’t ask many questions because I know whatever he did was to ensure my safety.
We made love that night, and I told him that I loved him. He returned the words and pretty much said I would be living with him. Since I agreed, he’s been a bit more laid back. Then again, I’ve been staying locked away in his house.
There have been no threats that could get to me even if they wanted to. It’s been a mini vacation that I have no plan to end anytime soon. Except for tonight. That’s the one exception I’m willing to make, and that’s only because I’d already committed to doing this premier.
I didn’t want to go back on my word. Even though I plan on leaving the spotlight, I want to go out after I’ve fulfilled all of my commitments. I feel a sense of relief, knowing that Sawyer will be with me through it all.
“This will likely be the last red carpet I walk down.” I smile up at him. “I’m happy I get to do it with you by my side, but if you don’t want—” He cuts me off with a kiss.
“I always want to be by your side.” I melt into him. Some of the tension leaves him until he breaks the kiss suddenly. “Fuck,” he says, getting adorably flustered again. “I wanted to do this later, but I’m sure Mom would love for me to do it now, and maybe I’ll calm down some.” He suddenly drops to one knee in front of me.
“Sawyer,” I gasp.
“I know it’s sudden, but you told me the other night you want a new life. I want you to have that life with me.”
“Yes!” I scream, not really letting him ask me fully. I throw myself at him after he slips the giant ring on my finger.
“You don’t have to wear it tonight if you don’t want to,” he offers, knowing the paparazzi will be all over it. I know Sawyer. He’s a possessive man when it comes to me, but he tries to fight it. It’s one of the reasons I love him. I’m actually getting off on that possessiveness coming from him.
“I’m wearing it.”
“So a late fall wedding and then maybe a spring baby.” Marie beams.
“Mom!” Sawyer shakes his head at her again.
“That does sound nice.” I shrug.
Sawyer turns his heated eyes on me. “We need to leave, or I’m not going to let you out of here. First you put on that sexy dress and now you are talking about me knocking you up.” I don’t point out that for all we know I could be knocked up already. I’ve never been on birth control. There was no need before. When I’d pointed that out to Sawyer, he merely shrugged and said he didn’t have any condoms in the house. I didn’t ask him to pick any up. I think we both knew what we were doing. Both of us wanted that connection to tie us together.
“All right, out.” Marie ushers us out the door and into the waiting car, letting me know she’ll be back tomorrow to start planning the wedding.
“I love your mom.” I rest my head on Sawyer's shoulder.
“She loves you.” I’m not sure Sawyer truly realizes all that he’s giving me. He’s such a good man. Has been from the moment he walked into my life. He saved me when I needed him most.
“Think Blake is going to bother me tonight?”
“Not if he knows what’s good for him.” I peek up at Sawyer, not even trying to fight my smile. My protective beast holds nothing back. Especially when I throw my hands up and let him do as he wants. I’m sure he more than handled Blake.
Sawyer is more powerful than a lot of people realize. He may have taken me on as a client as a favor, but when I talked to him about some of his work, I quickly realized that his company protects some of the wealthiest people in the world. The people that cut my checks. And a lot of them owe him favors. He’s good at his job, and those people like to have him in their good graces.