Page 90 of Make it a Double

“I think this is a first,” she mused, going sleepily.

“What is?”

She pointed to the plate on the nightstand. “You give me one orgasm, and I stop eating my feelings.”

Pulling back the covers, I helped her into bed and followed after. My arms wrapped around her waist, supporting her belly as she fell back into me and sighed. With everything outside of these four walls forgotten, I couldn’t help but acknowledge the fact that I didn’t just like Sawyer Sutton.

I was irrevocably in love with her.

BECKETT

Date: Monday, April 12th

(33 Weeks)

Sawyer’s Cravings:

- Spaghetti Bolognese with Parmesan cheese

- Sliced tomatoes with salt

“Mr. Montgomery! Always good to hear from you. How’re you doing today?” Richard’s voice filtered through the speakers of my car as I drove down the dusty dirt road. Lukas had texted me over the weekend to let me know he’d found the perfect property and asked if I could stop by. I told him I’d be there first thing.

Though I was regretting that just a little bit when I had to peel myself away from Sawyer’s warmth. Neither of us left my bed all weekend, save for bathroom and food breaks. She’d made me redo our snack plate from Friday night since we’d both had other things on our minds at the time.

We still hadn’t fully crossed the line yet, but that was alright. I was still somewhat nervous, and we were both having the time of our lives exploring each other’s bodies, since we’d never had the chance before.

“I’m great, Richard. Thanks for asking. How’re you?”

In a surprising turn of events, I found out that the man I thought I would end up hating was actually a decent guy. All I had to do was get past all the bullshit he pretended to be. We’d traded texts here and there over the past few weeks about my impending fatherhood.

“All’s good here. My daughter actually texted over the weekend. Asked if I wanted to grab lunch next week while she’s in town.” His chuckle was warm and hearty. If I’d learned anything, it was that Richard was a total softie when it came to her.

“That’s great news! I’m glad to hear it.”

“Me too,” he said. “It’s been a long time since her side of the conversation consisted of anything other than an obligatory happy birthday. Maybe there’s some hope there after all.”

His excitement was palpable, so I couldn’t help but smile. “There’s always some hope, so long as we keep what matters front and center,” I said, glancing at my GPS. I wasn’t far out now. “What can I do for you today?”

Richard sighed. “Well, I had a pretty nasty voicemail from your father this morning. I don’t really know where to go from here, if I’m honest.”

I’d been worried about my father since our last phone call. He seemed different somehow. Much more suspicious than I would’ve predicted. The fact that he had agreed to my terms so easily was out of character for him. “I’m sorry to hear that. What seems to be the issue?”

“Look, I’m going to shoot you straight here because you seem like a good and reasonable man. When it comes to the Bennetts, my hands are tied here. They’ve done everything by the book, clearing any obstacles we’ve thrown their way. The environmental review passed, and I just heard from the TABC this morning. They’re going to renew their license and approve the revised business plan. I don’t know what more I can do.”

“I see your predicament,” I said, trying like hell to keep my excitement at bay. This was the best news we could’ve asked for. With the TABC and environmental survey out of the way, my father truly didn’t have a leg to stand on. “What is your plan from here?”

Richard was quiet for a moment before blowing out a heavy breath. “The Bennetts will be notified today that their building permits are approved. They’re free to begin construction as early as next week, should they wish.”

“My father won’t be happy about that,” I warned. As much as I wished I could save the man from himself, Richard had made his bed. Now it was time to lie in it. There was no telling what my father would do when he found out. The least I could offer was my warning.

“I know,” Richard breathed. “Believe me, I thought long and hard about this decision over the weekend. My wife, too. But I can’t, in good conscience, move forward with my partnership with him. Not if it means denying good, hard-working people their dreams, and what they can bring to Pinecrest’s economy.” I heard the creaking of his chair when he paused, and wondered if he’d turned to stare at the picture of his family. “Even if it costs me everything, I need to be able to lay my head down at night knowing I did the right thing in the end.”

The GPS alerted me I was almost to my destination, and I looked up as the wooden driveway arch came into view. Lukas said the home sat on about five acres, but he failed to mention just how beautiful it was. There was a fenced pasture on each side of the road leading up to the house, empty save for tall grass swaying in the breeze.

And then there was the house.

I’d looked at pictures online, but seeing it in person was a shock. It was a two-story, white farmhouse that’d been built in the 1940s, complete with a covered porch that wrapped all the way around, and a cluster of oak trees standing tall in the front yard. One of them even had an old swing attached. Though we would probably have Lukas replace it because I wasn’t sure I trusted the integrity of the wooden plank attached to fraying ropes.