His brows rose as he held her hand tight in his. “What’s funny?”
“A year ago, could you have pictured yourself watching me marry someone else?”
He chuckled softly, spinning her out again before pulling her back in. “Hell, no.”
She drew in a long breath, realizing her younger years belonged to Josh. But now she was a woman, and that woman belonged to Sawyer. As the slow song ended, she released Josh’s hand and then hugged him. “Thanks again for being here.”
He returned the hug. “I’m happy for you, Chloe.”
When she drew away, she was misty-eyed, and she noticed he was, too. She reached up to wipe her tears just as a stern voice cut through the air. “You better not be stealing my bride away.”
She jerked her head to the left, finding Sawyer grinning at them. There was no awkwardness as Josh offered his hand. “I couldn’t even if I tried. I’m Josh Hamm. It’s great to finally meet you.”
Sawyer shook his hand, inclining his head. “It’s my pleasure. Chloe speaks highly of you.”
Josh’s eyes twinkled. “She’s lying, I promise you.”
Sawyer laughed, turning to Chloe. “I’d like you to join me for a little while, if that’s all right.”
Chloe glanced around, spotting her mother and father talking to Josh’s family. Most of Sawyer’s friends were on the dance floor, now dancing to the upbeat tempo. She turned to him and nodded. “If it’s quick, no one will notice we’ve left.”
His warm chuckle brushed across her as he held her hand tight in his, leading her away from the crowd. The sounds of the celebration and the music became quieter as they headed up the back stairs of the house.
Chloe was curious to see where they were headed, but when Sawyer brought her inside the house and to a bedroom, then locked the door behind them, she knew what he had in mind. “We cannot do this in here.”
“Who says?” His grin was pure sin, and classic Sawyer. “Don’t we have to consummate our marriage?”
“Not now!” she exclaimed. “Our family and friends are down there.”
“So?” He moved to her, backing her against the wall.
She said sternly, “Sawyer.”
“Chloe.” He removed his jacket, and then off came his bow tie.
She gulped, licking her lips as he began to unbutton his shirt.
“I want my wife.” He pushed his shirt off his shoulders, letting it fall to the ground, exposing the mascu
line body that belonged to her. “And I want her now. Turn around.”
While hesitant, she began to realize that nothing she could say would stop him. When Sawyer wanted something, he took it. And as she inhaled his citrusy scent, she decided she liked that about him.
She turned so that her back was facing him, realizing as she did that they were standing in front of a long mirror hanging on the wall. Her mouth went dry as he stepped behind her and began untying the corseted back of her dress. An instant burn rushed into her as she watched him work the way he did when he bound her. Careful. Slow. Determined.
Only when her dress fell to the floor did she realize he’d pulled the ribbon from the corset and placed it between his teeth. Her insides quivered as he took both her hands and bound them behind her back. She looked at herself in the mirror, wearing a lacy see-through bra that showed her taut nipples, with matching panties.
“Very pretty,” he murmured.
She lifted her eyes to him as he began kissing her shoulder and moved down her spine. She shivered as he hooked his fingers into her panties, helping her step out of them. Heat blasted down to her toes as he kissed his way back up and nudged her legs, spreading her.
“I want to tell you something,” he murmured.
She fought off the desire to tell him to stop talking and take her. “Which is?”
“Remember when I drew something on your hip all those months ago?”
“Yes.”