Again

by Elizabeth Reyes

  “You gonna drink?”

  “Probably.”

  Livi started going into one of her big-sister lectures about being careful and not overdoing it. How even if she drank before, Livi herself was notorious for having a low tolerance for alcohol and Emi likely did too.

  “Then you should be glad it’s Sydney I’m going out with tonight. He’s one of the most responsible people I’ve ever met. I’ll be in good hands.”

  “Did you tell Sly that?”

  Emi laughed, staring at herself in the mirror. “No. I didn’t.”

  “What are you wearing?”

  “Khakis,” Emi said in a silly lowered voice, trying to sound like the guy on the insurance commercial.

  Her sister laughed. “Well, that sounds hideous!”

  They both laughed now, and Emi couldn’t get over how giddy she felt about tonight. She’d been in such a good mood all day. Her entire family and friends she hadn’t seen in a while were all coming down tomorrow—not to mention her superstar boyfriend she hardly got to see—and she’d be spending the day with all of them. As happy as that made her, it didn’t even compare to the excitement she was feeling about tonight.

  She surveyed her outfit again. Thankfully, she had access to a private bathroom in one of the execs office at the Staples Center. On Sydney’s suggestion, she’d taken the train that morning. The piano bar they’d be meeting at was just a few blocks away from the Staples Center. He was taking a cab even though he said he had no intention of getting drunk. As usual, he was being his ever-responsible self.

  Only now she was left with no choice but to wear her stuffy intern clothes. Though what she’d worn today wasn’t as stuffy as she normally dressed. Today she’d worn a pencil skirt she’d chosen especially because it accentuated her curves and a silk cream-colored long-sleeved button-up blouse, one Sydney had mentioned was pretty a few weeks ago.

  Not that she was trying to look good for him. But they were going out to a bar tonight, her first ever twenty-one-and-over bar. She wanted to appear as sophisticated as she imagined the older crowds being. This wasn’t some hip-hop place either. It was a swanky piano bar and restaurant Sydney said he’d frequented in the past with his exec friends.

  The description of her outfit to her sister was toned down considerably. Livi knew Emi all too well. She didn’t want her annoyingly perceptive sister to ask why she’d put so much thought into her outfit. Already Emi knew Liv was on to her. Like an idiot in the last couple of weeks, Emi had made some uncalled for catty remarks about Scarlet. But then her sister was the brat that instigated the remarks in the first place by pretending to admire Scarlet for being one of the few women in Hollywood who’d had zero work done to their bodies.

  Infuriatingly, Sydney had let it slip that two of Scarlet’s biggest assets were significantly enhanced. So Emi had been quick to scoff at her sister’s comments. Of course, her sister had called her on it, asking if maybe she wasn’t a little jealous of Scarlet, and as usual Emi had been all too transparent.

  Once off the phone she got her things together and rushed out. The nerves began to build as she crossed the street toward the area with all the trendy restaurants and bars. That’s when she saw him. He was walking toward her, still in his chief executive attire. He still wore his coat, and just as he did when she had to pretend every morning when they met at Foams that seeing him in his suits didn’t leave her winded, he looked amazing. The man was a walking wet dream, something straight out of a GQ magazine. It was such an odd thing to experience. She’d been in Chicago just over a month ago with her famous boyfriend—someone who was very nice on the eyes—yet not since she first met Sly when she was star struck had she felt anything remotely close to what she felt now.

  This was Sydney, someone whom she’d felt incredibly at ease around from the very beginning, the man she spent many a weekend lounging in his apartment with. Almost every night lately she’d been with him giggling, cooking, pigging out, and sharing some pretty embarrassing secrets. Why was she suddenly so breathless with anticipation? When she was close enough to smell him—smell the fragrance she’d been admiring for over a year—she thought she might melt into a puddle right there.

  “You look amazing,” he said, outstretching his hand to her.

  “Thank you,” she said, feeling her face heat and heart race as if this was their first ever meeting.

  Without giving it much thought, she slipped her hand into his. The entire area was crowded with a sea of bodies rushing in every direction. She could only assume that, like at the La Jolla food festival, he took her hand in his so that they could stay together. She’d held plenty of guys’ hands including Sly Sabian’s. Yet she’d never experienced the tingling all over her body she’d felt the first time Sydney held her hand and was feeling again now from his gripping her hand a little tighter.

  “I invited a few of my friends from the office to have a drink with us.” He glanced back at her as they walked. “I hope you don’t mind.”

  She did. It was a little disappointing. She’d looked forward to having him all to herself tonight. And, yes, she was well aware now she had some major issues when it came to sharing Sydney with anyone—even his co-workers. But she smiled, assuring him she didn’t mind.

  They carded her at the door, and it was a strange feeling to know she was actually legal to get into the place. The bar was as swanky as she expected. The guy at the piano was playing a catchy song she didn’t recognize, but it livened up the place. The overly accommodating waitress escorted them to their table, referring to Sydney as Mr. Maricopa the entire time. Emi caught the way the young blond waitress eyed her casually and how her eyes had dropped to look at their entwined hands.

  It wasn’t until they were sitting that Sydney let her hand go to peruse the menu. “They have appetizers if you’re hungry.”

  “I’m not really.”

  He looked over the menu at her, and she could hardly believe she’d never noticed just how incredibly sexy he was. She had, but not like this. She’d always thought him handsome. Good-looking. Impressively intimidating. Maybe it was her hand already missing the feel of his skin against hers, but she was caught in his smoldering eyes as he smiled. “I think you should have something, even if it’s just finger food. You’re not used to drinking, and you don’t want the alcohol to sneak up on you.”

  She nodded, feeling almost in a trance. “Okay.” The single word was practically a whisper.

  “Good girl,” he said with a smile, and again she felt like she was in the presence of an entirely different man from the one she’d gotten so close to this past year.

  A couple of guys dressed similarly to Sydney only not nearly as impressive as he was arrived, and Sydney introduced them as his coworkers. These were men she’d normally feel beneath simply because they, too, carried themselves with an air of elegance and sophistication beyond any of the boys she normally dated. They were men, the kind that ordered cognac and talked politics and stocks. Yet all of them appeared to be trying to get in Sydney’s good graces.

  Emi was introduced as his good friend and neighbor. “We’re celebrating her birthday too,” Sydney added each time, and they, of course, all wished her a happy birthday.

  As more of his co-workers arrived, Emi found herself scooting closer and closer to Sydney to make room for everyone. The women who arrived eyed her curiously but were courteous. The longer they were there Emi began to realize these weren’t just his co-workers. They were his subordinates. Emi had never known him to have or even talk about these many friends or acquaintances, but after hearing several of them refer to him as boss or chief, even sir, it made sense that, if he’d mentioned it, they’d all make an effort to show up to the bigwig’s birthday celebration.

  More than halfway through the evening, Emi was feeling quite tipsy and yet neither she nor Sydney had paid for a single drink. Everyone at their table seemed to be competing to order and pick up the next round. She was in complete awe of him now. This was a side of
him she suspected existed but was surreal to actually witness: the powerful side of Sydney. They were in a relaxed atmosphere having drinks, and yet he seemed in command of the group. When he spoke, they all listened intently. When he made a joke, though he was witty and she’d laughed just as genuinely, the entire table erupted into laughter, and yet he seemed completely in his element. Like being the center of attention in this otherwise refined group of people was the norm for him.

  Sydney would lean over every now and again, giving her goose bumps when she felt his mouth and warm breath so close to her ear. “How you feeling?”

  “Good.” She nodded as she had each time with a big smile.

  Each time she’d lean in to tell him something, her hand would touch his thigh until it finally stayed there. Their eyes had met, but neither said anything, and when she smiled a bit goofily, he’d just shake his head and smile.

  By the time the whole place was singing along with the piano guy, Emi had slipped her hand back into Sydney’s. He hadn’t protested, only squeezed her hand every now and again before leaning into to ask her again how she was feeling and if she was enjoying herself.

  Toward the end of the evening she noticed she was sipping water. Somehow Sydney had managed to switch their drinks to water without her noticing.

  “Hey!” she said, lifting her glass of water. “This isn’t booze.”

  He squeezed her hand, laughing, and then leaned in until their foreheads were touching. “We’re drinking water in between drinks now so you’re not hurting tomorrow.”

  “But it’s my birthday. Yours too,” she said, mindful of not slurring though it didn’t feel like she was doing a great job.

  Pulling away from her forehead, he smiled. “I know, sweetheart,” he said, and she felt her eyes widen and heart swell at his use of the term of endearment. Then they dropped down to his perfect lips. “We’ll get you another drink when you finish your water.”

  “You have very suckable lips.” The moment she said it she brought her hand over her mouth but then pulled it away. “No, I’m not taking it back. You do and there’s nothing wrong with me telling you that, right? It’s the truth.”

  “Thank you,” he said with a smile. “And, no, there’s nothing wrong with you saying so. But maybe when you finish your water we can get going? You have to be up early tomorrow.”

  “Did I just blow it?” she asked, feeling a mountain of regret.

  “No”—he shook his head adamantly—“not at all, but it’s getting late.” He looked around, and it wasn’t until that moment that she realized half the people who’d been sitting with them were gone. “And you have a busy day tomorrow.”

  “But I’m not done celebrating.” She did her best not to whine, but she really wasn’t ready for this night to be over.

  “We can finish celebrating back home.”

  Emi couldn’t help but smile. Home. As in their place. The place they’d been hanging out at so comfortably for over a year. “Okay.” She smiled once again, falling into a trance in his gaze.

  He wasted no time asking for their final check. The waitress smiling and chatting with him while she took his final payment was irritating as fuck, and Emi was glad they were out of there quickly or the liquid courage she was feeling might’ve had her saying something rude and completely uncalled for.

  ~*~

  Sydney

  The cab ride back to their building was easier than Sydney had expected. Emi started to knock out against his shoulder. She was so sweet; it wasn’t like what he’d thought it might be. The entire night at the bar was a challenge. He’d never been so exasperatingly unable to control his out-of-control cock, not even back in middle school. Every touch, every graze of her hand against his thigh, even when they’d just held hands, had been torture. Luckily, the place was loud, packed, and he’d had a table to block the tent in his pants.

  Sydney cursed at the car that cut off their cab, making the cab driver brake suddenly, and Emi’s head lifted from his shoulder. “Are we home yet?’

  “Almost,” he whispered, willing her to go back to sleep.

  If she did, there was less danger of her wanting to continue celebrating. Her “suckable lips” comment still lingered. He was certain she’d likely forget all about it by tomorrow, but he wouldn’t, and damn it if it wouldn’t just add to the growing fantasies he’d been having of her lately. Blocking out the visual of her sucking his lips would be nearly impossible now.

  They reached their building, and by the time he was finished paying the cab driver, Emi seemed to pick up a second wind. She swayed where she stood, smiling big. “I have something I wanna show you,” she said as her beautiful eyes twinkled. “Ooh!” she said as if she’d just remembered something. “I bought champagne the other day. It’s chilling in my refrigerator. We’ll hang out at my place for once.”

  Sydney took a deep breath, knowing this was not a good idea. “Emi, it’s past midnight.”

  She pouted, giving him those big puppy dog eyes as she did often when she always got her way and they’d end up watching some chick flick instead of the sci-fi one he’d proposed. Of course, he couldn’t say no.

  In the elevator, she leaned against him, and he hoped that meant she was getting tired again. “Thank you so much for staying home tonight, Sydney,” she said, running her hand over his arm. “I know you could’ve chosen to spend this weekend with her. So it means a lot to me that you decided to stay and spend your birthday with me instead.”

  As if the choice hadn’t been a given. “No need to thank me, Em. I had a blast. I’m glad I stayed.”

  She gazed up at him, and their eyes locked for a long moment, making Sydney’s breath catch, until the elevator stopped and the doors opened. “Let’s go,” he said.

  They walked down the hallway to her apartment with Emi’s arms locked in his. The moment they were in her apartment Emi’s second wind was in full swing. She rushed to her kitchen, first connecting her phone to the speakers and then turning on the music. Sydney winced at the loud music. She did have neighbors next door, above and below. Thankfully, she turned it down a bit before opening her cabinets. “Not only did I buy my first ever bottle of champagne but my first set of champagne glassware,” she announced happily.

  She brought out the glasses first. To Sydney’s relief, she hadn’t gotten the flute-style long kind that held a lot more. She’d gone for a trendier, smaller-than-normal saucer style. Even still, one thing he’d noticed about Emi not just tonight but when they’d shared a few glasses of wine in the past was she was a lightweight. After just a few glasses of the bubbly, she began to hiccup, which, in turn, made her giggle.

  Sydney smiled as she pinched her nose and took a deep breath, holding it until she leaned into him. “You okay?”

  She exhaled with a burst then waited for a moment and smiled. “All gone,” she said, pouring herself and Sydney some more champagne.

  The song changed to something more upbeat, and she began dancing. “Oh my God, this is my jam!” She danced over to the speakers and upped the volume.

  Sydney sipped his champagne, trying to not get too caught up in her beautiful ass swaying back and forth as she spun around in her kitchen. “C’mon, birthday boy, dance with me.”

  Tugging on his tie, she pulled him away from the counter where he’d been leaning. Sydney smiled in relief when she put her glass down, but the relief was fleeting because she brought her arms over her head and danced seductively for him, closing in and moving her body slowly against his. Her fiery eyes stared into his as she began to undo his tie. “Loosen up, Sydney. It’s your birthday!”

  The music stopped suddenly when her phone rang. She rushed over and pushed a button on the phone. The ringing stopped, but the music didn’t start up, and Sydney watched her confused expression as she held her hand over it to try and figure out what she’d done. He was about to walk over and help her figure it out when the voice came through the speaker.

  “Emi?”

  Sydney froze in p
lace as her face jerked to look at him, wide-eyed. Before he could motion for her to just hit “end,” she brought her finger to her lips. “Hey, Sly.”

  “Are you home now or still out?” he asked.

  “I’m home.” Sydney took a long deep breath as he watched her close her eyes. “Just got home a few minutes ago.”

  “How was it?”

  “Good. But I’m really tired.”

  “I won’t keep you long then. You can tell me about it tomorrow. I just needed to hear your voice before I went to bed. Jesus, I can’t wait until tomorrow. I know with your family there we can’t do anything, but we have to plan another weekend, babe.” He made a noise that sounded like a groan, and Emi’s eyes widened again as she fumbled to pick up the phone, but infuriatingly, Sabian went on. “Just thinking about Chicago gets me all—”

  The music came back on as Emi continued to tap at the screen, stalling before she had to look up at Sydney. He was actually thankful for that. He needed a moment himself to calm the uncharacteristic fury that swarmed his insides. This shouldn’t surprise him. The guy was her boyfriend, and she’d spent the weekend with him. But hearing what he’d suspected all along made him worry he might say something stupid—demand something which he had absolutely no right to do—or worse. Give into the into the utter temptation of going along with what was beginning to happen before that call came through. Take advantage of Emi’s inebriated playful mood to seduce her and take her right there in her kitchen. Claim her because, God damn it, every moment he was around her now it was what she felt like to him. His.