by Jewel E. Ann
“I should go pick up some shit and head home,” Lautner says as he covers a yawn with his fist.
“Don’t pick up the shit. It’s dark out and technically you won so let’s call it even. Okay?”
He stands and holds out his hand. “Okay.”
We walk upstairs to the front door. “Thanks for the pizza and beer.”
“Anytime.” He steps closer to me and brushes a few errant strands of hair away from my face. Leaning down, he places a soft kiss on my lips. I close my eyes while he rubs his nose against mine.
“I’m leaving in less than a month.” I breathe out, reminding myself as much as him that whatever this is, it’s temporary.
“I’m letting you go in less than a month. Even when you beg me not to because you are an evil little temptress.”
Fisting his shirt to hold him close, I kiss him. I’ve never tasted anything so addictive. Breathless, I pull back.
“I think it will be the other way around, buddy. Don’t forget, I come from the art world. I don’t have to possess something to enjoy it.”
He opens the door. “Fair enough. I’ll let you enjoy me until I let you go.”
“My sister is coming into town next Friday and staying for a week. So either you make yourself scarce while she’s here or find a friend to keep her entertained part of the time.”
He purses his lips to the side and squints his eyes. “What does your sister look like?”
“Me with blonde hair.”
“Consider it done. I’ll see you in the morning.” He bends to kiss me again, but I turn to dodge him.
“Um … about tomorrow. I sort of have plans, but I should be back by two.”
Lautner cocks his head to the side. “What sort of plans?”
My face wrinkles. “Brunch with Dr. Abbott.”
“Dr. Abbott?”
I nod. “Swarley’s vet. He asked me out.”
“And you said yes?”
I shrug. “Well, he’s good with Swarley and I’ve already needed his help once so—”
“So what? He’s a vet, that’s his job. I’m sure your aunt and uncle will pay the vet bills. You don’t have to barter.”
I step back and plant my hands on my hips. “It’s just a meal and he’s a really nice guy. I like making friends when I travel. It makes me feel less like a drifter.”
Lautner cups my face and gives me a sound kiss on the lips and steps out the door. “Dr. Abbott?”
“Yeah, why?”
“I’ll Google him when I get home.”
“Because …?”
“So I can size up my competition.”
Shaking my head, I shove him toward the porch stairs. “Get out of here, pool guy.”
“Two o’clock,” he hollers back as he swaggers to his 4Runner.
I shut the door and lean back against it. “Oh boy.”
CHAPTER FOUR
June 6th, 2010
Dr. Abbott picks me up precisely at 11:00 a.m. That’s when he knocks on the door anyway. However, I saw his metallic silver Lexus SUV parked outside at 10:45 when I glanced out the upstairs window while brushing my teeth.
“Good morning, Sydney.”
“Dr. Abbott.”
“Please, we’re going to brunch. Call me Dane.”
He leads the way down the porch stairs. Dane is a handsome guy. His faded jeans hang nicely from his tall, fit frame, not like some guys who are missing an ass altogether. The navy blue short-sleeve button-down shirt he’s wearing casually untucked hides the definition of his upper torso, but I know he has some because I’ve seen him in his running attire. He opens the door for me, and I’m reminded he has such an adorable, shy school boy smile and straight white teeth.
“Thank you.” I slide into the comfy leather seat and fasten my seat belt while he gets in. “Is your car new?”
“No, it’s five years old.” He starts the ignition.
His vehicle smells brand new and everything from the leather seats and floor mats to the dash and chrome accents looks immaculate. It hits me that I may be dealing with Dr. OCD. I’m now nervously aware of myself. Did I check the bottoms of my sandals before getting in? My floral skirt doesn’t reach my knees. Is the lotion from my legs rubbing off on his seats?
“I hope you don’t have Celiacs,” Dane announces without further explanation.
Do you like pancakes? Is there anything you don’t eat? Do you have any food allergies? But, “I hope you don’t have Celiacs?” Dane is one odd duck, but I find his quirkiness humorous. I prefer it to stuffy and pretentious.
I can’t help but laugh. “No, I don’t have Celiacs. Why? Are we going to IHOP?”
With a quick sideways glance he smiles. “No … but uh … we could. I mean if you—”
“Dane? Wherever you take me is fine.”
His perfect posture relaxes a fraction. “I’m taking you to a café just off campus. The food is incredible.”
We arrive fifteen minutes later and the parking lot is full, so we park along the street a few blocks down.
Dane rushes out to open my door.
“Thank you.” I sling my purse over my shoulder and straighten my pale yellow sleeveless blouse.
As we walk toward the café, Dane fidgets with his keys. He shoves them down into his pocket then wrings his hands together. Surprising me, he reaches down and takes my hand in his without looking at me. His nervousness is palpable. I repress a smile because he makes me feel like we’re in junior high, and it’s so damn cute. My conscience questions the intimate gesture, but it’s too innocent to worry about right now.
There’s a crowd waiting out front. Some people are standing in small groups, others are sitting on benches scattered around the flowerbeds that line the walkway to the entrance.
“Don’t worry, I have reservations,” Dane assures me.
We worm our way through the crowd.
“Sydney?”
I twist my head to the right and then to the left. Dane’s grip on my hand tightens as the crowd gets more congested near the door.
“Sydney?”
Dane hears my name too, because he stops and looks as well. I take another backwards glance and spy Lautner standing next to an older couple. I retreat a few steps with Dane in tow.
“Hi, uh … what are you doing here?” I ask with a nervous smile.
Lautner’s gaze is fixed on my hand clasped in Dane’s.
“Lautner?”
His eyes meet mine. “I’m having brunch with my parents.” He gestures to the couple next to him. “Mom, Dad, this is Sydney Montgomery. We met unexpectedly the other day. She’s housesitting in Palo Alto this month. Sydney these are my parents, James and Rebecca.”
A warm inviting smile creeps up my face. I’m not sure why I’m so pleased to meet Lautner’s parents, but I am. “Nice to meet you. This is Dr. Abbott, my … friend. He’s Swarley’s vet. Swarley is the dog I’m watching as well.” This isn’t awkward at all!
Dane releases my hand and shakes their hands.
Lautner gives Dane a one-word greeting as he shakes his hand. “Lautner.”
Dane smiles but his eyes are tense. He looks confused.
James and Rebecca smile and offer friendly greetings to both of us. I’m mesmerized by his parents. Lautner shares his dad’s build, but his dad is nearly bald and what little hair he has is gray. His dad’s eyes are brown, so it’s possible his hair was originally dark as well. Rebecca is very petite. Her pixy cut golden blonde hair matches Lautner’s color and her eyes are blue, but not quite as brilliant and mesmerizing as his.
“Well, we’d better get inside before they give away our table.” Dane grabs my hand and gives it a gentle tug.
“Lovely to have met you. Enjoy your brunch.” I hold my hand up in a friendly gesture.
“You too,” both James and Rebecca reply in unison.
Taking a few steps toward the door, I glance back at Lautner. His face is unreadable. I smile, but his mouth is set in a firm line.
The
place is packed. We’re seated at a small table near the window overlooking the street. The waitress hands us menus and asks us if we’d like to start with something to drink. Dane orders orange juice and a decaf. I get an unsweetened iced tea with lemon.
“How did you and Lautner meet?” Dane’s tone is even and casual as he looks over his menu.
Thinking for a moment, I decide to go with the sugarcoated version. “He showed up at Elizabeth and Trevor’s by mistake. We shared some casual conversation before he left, then one thing led to another and we ended up going surfing the next day.”
Dane raises his eyes to mine over his menu. “Really? Do you know who he is?”
“Uh … what do you mean? I know he just finished medical school and he’s getting ready to start his residency.”
Dane nods, looking at his menu. “Do you follow football?”
“I followed it a little in college but not obsessively. Why?”
His eyes peek at me over the top of the menu again. “Lautner Sullivan played wide receiver for Stanford.”
I shrug. “Hmm, makes sense. He looks like a wide receiver.” My outward reaction is controlled, but inwardly I’m reeling. Why wouldn’t Lautner mention that? I shared all my high school and college activities with him.
Dane sets his menu down and starts fiddling with his napkin. “Interesting.”
“What is?” I furrow my brow. Dane is acting weird, even for Dane.
“It’s just odd Lautner didn’t mention his college football years.”
“Maybe. It’s not like he’s playing in the NFL.”
Dane’s eyes widen. “He could have. He was a candidate for the Heisman Trophy his sophomore year and was predicted to be a first-round draft pick.”
Hello!
“What? Seriously?” I’m starting to understand Dane’s surprise to my lack of knowledge about a guy who, around here, was or still may be considered a celebrity. “So he didn’t get drafted?”
“He chose not to enter. Rumor has it he was spooked by a knee injury his senior year. The doctors cleared him to play after rehab, but when interviewed he said he wanted to pursue a career in medicine instead. It was quite a news story at the time. You just don’t turn down an opportunity to get drafted in the NFL.”
“Are you ready to order?” the waitress interrupts as she sets our drinks on the table.
“Yes.” Dane nods at me to go first.
“I’ll have the Italian veggie omelet with Nutella wheat toast.”
Dane points to his menu. “I’ll have the sausage breakfast burrito with a side of fruit and a blueberry scone.”
“Okay, I’ll get your order placed right away.” The waitress smiles as she takes our menus.
Dane adds cream and sugar to his coffee. “If you don’t have plans later, you and Swarley could meet us at the dog park.”
“Us?”
“Salt and Pepper, my black and white Jack Russell Terriers.”
“I’m sure Swarley would love it, but I do have plans later.” I squeeze lemon into my tea.
After Lautner’s conservative response to meeting Dane, I’m not sure if I do still have plans later.
“No problem, maybe some other time.”
“Sure.” I smile.
Brunch is great. I see why there is such a huge crowd waiting outside. Our conversation is polite and easy. Dane is very attentive and I find his company relaxing. The Lautner revelations make it hard for me to stay fully focused on Dane, but I don’t think he notices.
He pays the bill and we decide not to linger since there are so many people waiting for a table. Just as we’re exiting, I see Lautner and his parents seated at the opposite end of the café. He and his dad are talking but his mom sees us leaving. She smiles and gives a polite wave. I return her gesture as Lautner glances in our direction. His lips pull into a small, forced smile then his eyes drop to his plate.
The ride back is quiet, as if we’ve run out of things to talk about. I keep hoping Dane will turn on the radio to ease the awkward silence, but he doesn’t. When he stops in the drive, I’m relieved that he stays in his seat.
“Thank you for brunch. It was really good.”
“I’m glad you liked it. Um … should we exchange numbers or something, in case you decide you want to meet up at the dog park sometime?”
I bite the corner of my bottom lip. “Mmm, okay. Swarley would like that. Actually, I have your number from the visit to your office.”
He nods and I see the disappointment on his face as his eyes drop and his smile fades. I’m sure he’d like for me to like it too and had a certain pool guy not shown up at my door I would have been more enthused about hanging with Dane.
“Hey, my sister is coming to visit next weekend. We’ll probably end up having a pool party. Maybe you could come by.” Once again my mouth works quicker than my brain. Why does Dane make me feel so sorry for him? And why do I keep falling for his pouty looks?
“That sounds great. So … I’ll wait for your call?”
I nod as I open the door.
“Bye, Sydney.”
I close the door and wave.
Stupid, stupid, stu … pid, Sydney!
*
I’m not holding out hope that Lautner will be coming by today. My contingency plan is a no-brainer—pool. By 2:00 p.m., it’s eighty degrees under a sunny but hazy smog-filled sky. Swarley and I have taken our customary spots in the lounge chairs by the pool. Flo Rider serenades me through the speakers, and I have a blended strawberry margarita next to me with condensation dripping down the sides. Life. Is. Good!
Swarley startles me with his quick leap from the chair. He races toward the deck. Lautner is coming down the steps. He bends down and gives Swarley a few firm pats on his side. Content with Lautner’s acknowledgement, he trots back over to his chair next to mine.
I flip my sunglasses up on my head and raise the back of my lounge chair.
“Hey.” My voice is reserved as I try to gauge his mood.
“Hey.” He straddles my chair facing me. I pull my knees to my chest.
“I didn’t know if you’d come.” I take a sip of my drink.
“Why wouldn’t I?” He wraps his hand around mine and pulls the glass to his mouth. “Mmm, good.” He licks his top lip.
I set the glass down. “You seemed quiet, maybe even jealous this morning.”
“Why would I be jealous?” He traces his finger from my knee to my ankle leaving a wake of goose bumps tingling my skin. “You’re not mine.”
I can’t hold in my laugh. “Jesus, Lautner, It’s 2010. I’m pretty sure women are no longer considered possessions.”
His full lips pull up to a smile as I melt into blue irises. What is my obsession with his eyes?
“You have the most amazing eyes.”
He looks down, like I’ve embarrassed him. I duck my head to follow his gaze. He lets me catch it again.
“You do. I’m serious, they’re … stunning. This can’t be the first time you’ve heard it.”
I readjust myself, now kneeling on the chair so I’m at eye level with him. He’s letting me free-fall into the blue abyss. I rest my palm on his cheek and brush my thumb over the gradual curve of his thick brows. He wraps his fingers around my forearm and presses his lips to the inside of my wrist. Lautner is a large, strong man; yet his strength is magnified most by his soft, soothing gaze and the restraint in his gentle touch.
“If you must know, I get more compliments from women about some of my other body parts.” There are a thousand notes of sexual innuendo in his voice. He’s an irresistible flirt.
Time to change the subject.
I tug at the leg of his cargo shorts. “You didn’t come dressed for the pool.”
“Didn’t stop me before.” He wiggles his eyebrows.
I cross my arms over my chest and squint my eyes. “Not today, big guy.”
“Oh, so you do know what part of my body gets the most compliments.”
“Ugh! You’re incorrigibl
e.” I huff, shoving his solid chest.
He chuckles and reaches in his front pocket. Pulling out his wallet, phone, and keys he sets them under the lounge chair. This scene is too familiar. The realization of what he’s doing hits me.
“No! Don’t you dare,” I warn.
The playful smile on his face grows as he shrugs off his shirt. Then he stands and unfastens his shorts.
My hands fly to my face, covering my eyes. “Stop stripping in front of me!”
“Once again, not something a girl has ever said to me before.”
I have to confess. Two of my fingers are spread just far enough to see him. His shorts fall to the ground and he’s left wearing black boxer briefs. He leans down and hooks his arm around my waist and snags me from my chair.
“Stop!”
We’re midair. Splash!
I scramble to the surface and move to the shallow end. Lautner has me in his arms before I can get away. “Let go!” I plead with my eyes closed tight.
“Sydney, open your eyes.” He’s laughing … again … at me.
I open them but look anywhere but at him.
“Why won’t you look at me? I’m not naked and anyway you’ve already seen—”
“I didn’t look—”
“Oh, you looked—”
“No, I didn’t and now you’re only wearing your underwear and I can see your … or the outline of your …”
“Penis? Cock? Dick? Wood? Schlong? Womb broom? Clam hammer? Yogurt slinger?”
“Stop!” I meet his eyes.
He’s loving this. His eyes dance and his grin is confident and yes … cocky. Any attempt to escape his hold will be futile. I know what I have to do. It’s a little risky, but I have no other choice. With unwavering determination and a firm tenacious grip, I grab his package, an admittedly large package.
His eyes bulge open and he sucks in such a quick breath he comes close to swallowing his tongue.
“Okay, big guy. You’ve made your point. Now let your clam hammer know he’s swimming in restricted waters.”
Lautner’s hold on me vanishes. I climb out of the pool before his body and mind become coherent again.
With an exaggerated swing to my hips, I mosey over to my chair without looking back. My whole body teems with exhilaration because I’ve never done anything like that before. I feel confident, strong, sassy, giddy, and oddly … turned on.