Layer by Layer (Riggings Brothers 1)

“Yes, there are bears, but we’ve only seen them a few times on our property. I think we make too much noise for their liking.”

“We should go back,” I say, already worried.

“We’re here,” he says, holding me close, not letting me slip away from him and run back to the fire.

“Where’s here?” I ask, looking up at him.

“Here.” He points out in front of us, and I gasp at the beauty of it. There’s a long dock that leads to what appears to be a gazebo floating in the middle of the water. There are strings of lights all around lighting the gazebo.

“Is it floating?”

“Nah, appears that way, though. That’s how Dad planned it. It’s kind of like an island, I guess. More of a peninsula.”

“Wow.”

“Come on.” He drops his arm from my shoulders and laces our fingers together as we walk toward the gazebo.

“How are these lights working?” I ask, and then immediately apologize. “I’m sorry. I’m asking so many questions.”

“Don’t apologize. I’m glad. This place means a lot to me and my family. There’s a small solar panel on the top of the gazebo that powers the lights.”

“That’s so cool.” My eyes take in the beauty of the lights softly shimmering off the lake, and the peacefulness of the water. It’s breathtaking.

“I agree,” he says, pulling me into his chest. “Dance with me.”

“What?” I laugh. “There’s no music.”

“We don’t need it. Just our bodies aligned, and we can make our own music,” he says, surprising me but dipping me over his arm, placing a kiss on my lips. Sweet Royce has my heart pounding in my chest, and I know that tonight, this moment is one I will never forget.

“Oh, playful Royce,” I say, laughing as he lifts me upright.

“Your Royce,” he murmurs, his lips molding with mine.

My hands slide around his neck and I stand on my tiptoes to reach him, but he saves me the trouble when he lifts me in the air, and I wrap myself around him like a monkey. “So much better,” I say, placing a kiss on his neck.

“I’m not willing to leave this to chance, this connection we have. I know that talking is going to kill the mood, but my marriage ended because she hid truths from me, truths that would have prevented our nuptials altogether. I want us to always be open and honest with one another.”

“I’m listening,” I say, lifting my head. His mouth is so close to mine. I crave his lips on mine, but I know this is important to him.

“I don’t share, Sawyer. When I say you’re mine, and I’m yours, I mean that with all that I am. I know there are a lot of uncertainties, and you’re worried about the fact that you work for me, but we can figure that all out as we go. I’m committed to this, to you, whatever that might be.”

“We’re us,” I murmur, fighting back the tears that are welling in my eyes. Sweet Royce is almost too much for my poor heart to handle. His words cause my body to ache for his, while my heart swells in my chest.

“We’re us,” he agrees. His lips press softly to mine as he sways slightly with me still in his arms. His hands grip my ass, and my hands are buried in his hair. The kiss is slow, sensual, with nothing but the sounds of the night surrounding us. Gentle and slow, his lips tease mine. Stroke after stroke of his tongue against my own, and I’m on fire for him.

“I want you,” he murmurs, peppering kisses across my cheek and down my neck.

I tilt my head back, giving him more access. “Y-You have me,” I tell him, chills racing down my spine as his lips connect with my collarbone.

“Not here. Not the first time.”

“You love this place.”

He nods. “You deserve better.”

“No. I deserve the best of us. We get to decide what that looks like.”

“Tell me what you want, Sawyer.”

“I want this ache that you’ve caused to go away. It’s been there since the day we met.”

“We need to go,” he says, turning, but my words stop him.

“What do you want, Royce?”

“I want this ache that you’ve caused to go away.” He pulls me down against his hard length, and I can’t help but wiggle my hips. “It’s been there since the day we met.”

I look down at the hardwood of the gazebo. “Too bad we don’t have that blanket,” I muse.

“Wait.” He carries me to the built-in bench and sets me there. He walks to the other side and lifts the bench seat. “I’ve never used these, so I forgot they were here. Mom likes to have blankets out here for the chilly nights. She had Dad install the waterproof box so they would stay safe from the elements and the critters.” He pulls out a thick quilt and grins. “Don’t worry, she washes them frequently.” He shrugs before laying it out on the floor of the gazebo. He then reaches in and pulls out another blanket.