Where There's Smoke: A Texas Heat Novel (4 page)

Rowan suddenly let her go. His breath harsh and fast. He tried to cool his body down but he was having a heck of a time. It was the sweetest passion he’d ever known. Fine tremors went through him where her touch lingered. He wanted her so badly, it rattled him how much. He raked a hand through his hair. “Oh God Cricket, if I touch you again, I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop,” he confessed.

“We can take it slow,” Sawyer said with a trace of doubt. At this rate, the passion between them burned out of control. Rowan looked at her mussed hair, flushed cheeks and swollen lips. He wanted her in his bed every night, longed to bury himself deep inside her. Sawyer licked her lips. “Oh Rowan, I want you too!”

They felt shy with each other for the first time ever. “What are we going to do?” she whispered.

A rustle in the bushes answered that question. Sawyer turned as a flash blinded her. Rowan hauled the reporter off his feet. The man dangled in the air like a puppet.

“Wow, you’re strong!” the man marveled.

“Give me the camera,” Rowan growled.

He plucked it from around the reporter’s neck and yanked out the 35mm film. Rowan let go. The man crumpled to the ground. He leaped up and backed away.

“I took a few on my cell and I emailed them to myself.”

Rowan tensed. The reporter backed out of reach. “Care to comment on the passionate scene I just witness Pastor Camden?”

Rowan’s icy glare made the other man squeak. “I’m Bob North from
Celebrity Times
, either I get an exclusive or these photos go live. Say bye bye to your congregation, your ministries and your reputation.”

Sawyer leaped to Rowan’s defense. No way in hell was he going to lose all he worked so hard for. His ministries literally saved thousands of lives a day through feeding programs and orphanages. He even had safe houses in several countries for victims of sex trafficking. The media would demonize Rowan. He’d be another disgraced pastor. They’d forget all the good he did and label him a moral failure.

Sawyer felt men of the cloth were held to an impossibly high standard. It was pretty hypocritical of the rest of us to judge them so harshly. Hedging his bets, the reporter turned to Sawyer. “I can see the headlines now – Pastor Camden Resigns Fornicating with…what’s your name miss?”

“Don’t you dare speak to her or look in her direction,” Rowan said furiously.

Sawyer soothed his arm. She slipped her hand in his. “My name is Sawyer Landon, Pastor Camden’s fiancé.”

The reporter went bug eyed.

“We went to school together.”

Bob North whipped out a pad and took notes. “We’ve been friends for years but we recently re-connected.”

“When’s the wedding?”

“We haven’t set a date yet.”

“By the looks of that kiss you better,” he muttered, “Am I right?”

Rowan’s hand curled into a fist at his side. His fingers relaxed when she soothed his arm.

“I hope you don’t publish those photos, you caught us in a private moment, we would appreciate your discretion.”

Bob nodded. He looked like a rollie pollie with bad hair and a face only a mama could love. His wrinkled, mis-matched clothes screamed his single status. “Okay, but if I find out this engagement is a farce-”

“It’s not.”

“Fine,” he said to Sawyer, “But I want an exclusive interview with you one on one later on.”

He gave Rowan a wide berth and handed Sawyer his card. “I know a lot of women who’ll be sorry you’re off the market pastor, congrats.”

Rowan glared at him in stony silence. “Oookay then.” The reporter gleefully got his scoop. He ran for the hotel lobby when Rowan took a threatening step.

Sawyer curled herself in his arms. Rowan held her close.

“Fiancé hmm?” He kissed her hair.

“Yes, so I can have my wicked way with you.”

Rowan’s sexy laugh made her toes curl. She smiled at him adoringly.

“You have to stop rescuing me, Cricket, I’m a big boy.”

“How big” she asked with a twinkle in her eye.

“Why don’t you reach under the kilt and find out,” he laughed again, “I’m kidding, but one day,” he kissed her cheek, “You’re going to find out,” he kissed her other check. “Would you like that baby?”

She nodded. “I’ll take you deeper and deeper,” he whispered. “Till you scream my name.”

Sawyer closed her eyes. “Rowan,” she groaned. He dipped his head and licked and kissed the pulse at the base of her neck. He sucked soft, then hard.

Sawyer reached beneath his kilt. He had on underwear, darn it! She cupped his ass. She squeezed him to the wet heat of her and rubbed herself against him. A guttural sound escaped his throat. “Aw, you’re killing me woman.” She did another slow grind against him, “A short engagement!” Rowan groaned. It took every ounce of his self-control to step back. “Cricket, I can’t wait until you’re mine.”

Chapter 6

The wait lasted forty eight hours. Rowan and Sawyer were married by a stunned pastor friend who flew in for the blessed occasion. A smug Deena Camden sat between her children.

Caleb – who inherited his mother’s blond hair and blue eyes and her adopted daughter Felicity – who inherited her parent’s chocolate skin and stunning beauty.

Both siblings were surprised by the quick turn of events. “I didn’t even know he was thinking about that,” Caleb said.

Felicity snorted, she flipped her natural long hair. The sister locks rippled to her mid back. “It’s a little sudden but Ro’s loved her for years.”

“Hey, any girl who can quote
The Star Wars
Canon is a keeper.”

“You’re such a dork.”

Caleb tugged her hair playfully. “Ow!”

“Children behave,” Deena said. She flashed them both an indulgent smile. Felicity held her mother’s hand. “You’re on cloud nine.”

“I simply helped nature take its course now, all I need is for you to get married.”

Felicity rolled her big brown eyes. “I’d rather swallow nails, thanks.”

Deena squeezed her hand. “I’m going to Aberdeen for a few weeks to scout locations in Cedar Park, Georgetown and Pflugerville. I want you to come with me, I need your killer instincts.”

Felicity gaped. “Mom, I’m busy in London.”

“You’ve done a wonderful job honey, thanks to you, The Jane Austen is one of our most successful ventures. But our managers can take it from here, I need you in Aberdeen.”

Felicity made a face. “Yes ma’am.”

When Donavan McClain, Dylan Chambers and Seth McClain walked in the penthouse suite, side by side the trio made an arresting sight. Caleb nudged his mother. “Who’s the eye candy?’   

Felicity turned, saw who was coming down the aisle and spun around. Her breath came hard and fast. She trembled uncontrollably and lowered herself in the seat.

“What is he doing here?” she whispered in panic.

“Who?” her mother asked.

Felicity covered her face with her hands. “Make him go away Lord.”

Seth stopped beside their row of chairs. Dressed in tailored navy, he looked devastatingly handsome.

“Felicity? Felicity Camden is that you?”

She lowered her hands but refused to meet his blistering gaze. Caleb and Deena looked between them as if to say – what’s going on?

The strained silence between Felicity and Seth was palpable. “This isn’t awkward at all,” Caleb muttered. “Hi, I’m Caleb and you are?”

“Seth McClain, Felicity’s ex-husband.”

Had Seth sprouted horns he couldn’t have shocked them more. He grinned, satisfied the damage was done and walked away.

Deena and Caleb glared. They both spoke at the same time.

“What the hell is he talking about?” Deena hissed.

“A secret husband? Do tell!” Caleb said.

Felicity bit her lip hard enough for it to bleed, grateful for the interruption of the ceremony.

Sawyer hardly recognized herself. The Vera Wang Chantilly lace wedding gown felt luxurious against her skin. Harper placed the delicate veil in her mahogany curls. Emerson clasped her own emerald bracelet on Sawyer’s wrist for something borrowed. Still frail from his treatment, Booker Landon endured the plane ride to walk his only child down the aisle.

“You okay daddy?” she asked anxiously.

He rasped, “Never been better!” He beamed with pride. His home health aide, Clinton hovered nearby. Sawyer wanted to wait until her dad was stronger to have the wedding. Booker insisted he was fit and dandy. He took the next plane out to Vegas.

“If only your mother could see you now,” he said with tear bright eyes.

“Oh daddy!” she hugged him tight.

“You are the best,” he said squeezing her, “Best daughter a man could ever have.”

Sawyer sold most of her prized possessions to help pay for his cancer treatments. The insurance company declined the lifesaving medication as experimental and medically unnecessary. Sawyer refused to let her dad die without a fight. She organized a calendar full of hunky firefighters and police officers. She raised nearly $75,000 with calendar sales alone. The hospital received an anonymous donation of $250,000, enough for his treatment. Sawyer had no idea who his wealthy guardian angel was. Her heart overflowed with gratitude. Had it not been for the mystery donor and the support of her friends, her dad wouldn’t be here today.

There were so many nights when she sat by his bedside, crying silently near his skeletal remains. His skin ashen, bloodless. His hands, thin to the bone and white at the knuckles. He asked for Rowan when death seemed imminent. He wanted prayer and peace near the end. Sawyer had never cried so much or so hard in her life. Rowan would take her in his arms and just hold her until the storm of tears subsided. He’d whisper things in her ear, words of comfort and strength.

Harper made sure she slept, threatening to knock her out if need be. Emerson militantly forced her to eat despite a total lack of appetite. Rowan kept Sawyer alive in mind, heart and spirit. He wouldn’t give up, give in or let go.

Sawyer, Harper and Emerson had a group hug.

“This is déjà vu,” Emerson said, smiling. “I got married two weeks ago, Harper got hitched two days ago and now we’ve come full circle.” Her pixie face flushed with unshed tears. “I love you Sawyer.”

“Me too,” Harper said.

“Me three,” Booker yelled.

The women laughed. “You’re seriously the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,” Harper said wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

Chapter 7

The sight of his bride nearly brought Rowan to his knees. He clenched his jaw. His breathing altered. His chest felt tight as Sawyer walked beside her dad, who looked strong, despite all he’d been through. Rowan’s green eyes glittered over her. Dear God, what did he do to deserve this girl? Sawyer took his hand. Her hazel eyes luminous.

Deena’s chin trembled with the effort not to display emotion in public. Felicity and Caleb cried openly in happiness for their brother.

Seth glared at Felicity with mockery and something she couldn’t identify. She held his searing gaze as the vows were said and done. His expression grew fierce, every inch the former Navy Seal. Felicity gulped and looked away.

Rowan held Sawyer’s chin in his hand, he leaned down and kissed her tenderly. The guests clapped as they were pronounced husband and wife.

The reception was a blur of hugs, dancing, cake and more hugs. Rowan had Sawyer laughing throughout their first dance. The father daughter dance was so emotional there wasn’t a dry eye in the penthouse suite. The dance made all the more memorable since neither Sawyer or Booker thought he would live to see it. The silky voice of Luther Vandross
Dance with My Father
surrounded them. Sawyer and her dad embraced long after the song ended. In a poignant moment, Rowan joined them, holding his bride and his father in law close.

“Please,” Booker whispered tearfully, “Please take care of my little girl.”

Rowan swallowed convulsively, “I will.”

They walked Booker to his suite. Clinton took over his care and bid them congratulations. Rowan and Sawyer walked with their arms around each other’s waist. Sawyer never imagined such happiness.

“Thank you,” she said.

“For what?”

“Everything.”

Rowan kissed her forehead. “Mrs. Camden,” he whispered.

Sawyer blushed, thrilled by her name change. They were given the honeymoon suite – Zombie Land. It had massive windows with stunning mountain views. A four poster black canopy bed and blood red walls.

Rowan steered her into the sunken living room. There was a huge flat screen TV on mute with Star Wars playing and a box of fresh pizza. He had recreated their prom night. Sawyer laughed, delighted and jumped into his arms. Rowan held her close.

“I wasn’t sure if you’d rather-” he stammered, “If you’re not comfortable-”

Sawyer kissed him with all the passion she felt. She pushed his tuxedo jacket off. He fumbled with the tiny buttons and delicate lace of her dress. In seconds they were both naked. Rowan’s green eyes blazed. “God, you’re so beautiful, Cricket.” Her entire body blushed in response to his admiring gaze. She looked wide eyed at his muscular body, broad chest, six pack and let’s just say he was very well endowed. He was delicious from head to toe and he belonged to her.

Sawyer took him by the hand. She led him to the shower. Hot jets of water sprayed from overhead and the walls down his ripped body. She lathered her hands with soap. Slowly, she explored his hard body. She knew it had been years since he’d been intimate. Sawyer took her time, loving him with her hands. Rowan stopped breathing. A strangled groan escaped him when she backed him up against the wall, jumped in his arms, wrapped her legs around his waist and rode him deep. He growled as dark pleasure took him under. Rowan gripped her ass with one hand thrusting into her wet heat. He palmed one of her breasts and sucked the nipple, licked it, rubbed it until she threw her head back and moaned his name. He plunged inside her as hot water fell on them like rain.

Their bodies still joined, he spun her around and pinned her to the wall. He thrust slow and deep, slow and deep until her body clenched around him. As she screamed his name, the orgasm roared through him in pulse after violent pulse of pleasure.

Rowan took his sweet time, caressing her body with soap, scraping her skin with his teeth, kissing her as they rinsed off. He pat her dry, swept her up in his arms and took her to the big canopy bed.