by Susanna Carr
She frowned as if she didn’t believe that was the full answer. “Is this a stepping stone for something else? Do you want something at the state level?”
“I have no interest in leaving Seedling,” Matthew explained. “My family and friends are here. My family’s business is here. This is my heritage and my future.”
Sydney leaned forward. “I don’t understand.”
He’d known she wouldn’t. Sydney was from the big city, where people craved money, power and influence. “I’m doing my civic duty. That’s it. If I wasn’t mayor, I would volunteer or participate in local government the same way I’ve done for years.”
Sydney glanced around before she lowered her voice. “You realize you’re going to win by a landslide.”
The suggestion of an easy victory didn’t mean that much to him. “That’s not why I’m running for office. I’m interested in protecting Seedling and watching it grow.”
“Is civic duty the only reason you work with local government?” she asked. “This isn’t jury duty.”
Matthew should have known that Sydney would sense he had a deeper motivation. “If I do a good job as mayor, I hope people will see me differently,” he admitted. “I’m thirty years old and half of the town is still convinced I’m a reckless Casanova.”
“And the other half calls you ‘Little Matty Stone,’” Sydney added, pressing her lips together as she tried to hide her smile.
“Exactly,” he said with a sigh. The moment someone had called him that at the first town meeting Sydney had attended, Matthew knew any chance he had of creating a sophisticated image of himself in her mind was shot. “They remember all of my mistakes and mischief from years ago. I admit, a lot of the stuff I did was stupid, like drag racing tractors on Main Street and crashing into the old bandstand in the town square, but I’ve changed. And this is my chance to show what I’m capable of.”
“You’ve already proven your leadership skills with your family’s orchard. It’s one of the most successful businesses in the region.”
“I can’t take credit for that. The orchard has been in my family for generations. My job was to bring it into this century.”
“I’m sure that was more difficult than you’re letting on. And what about the fact that the town loves you? Or how the council members look to you for direction? You have great ideas, and I believe you could be the future of Seedling.”
Matthew’s skin heated under her praise. He’d had no idea she thought that highly of him. Her opinion mattered a lot. “Thank you.”
“I have a feeling Seedling will keep reelecting you as mayor,” she said.
Despite her assurance of the town’s goodwill toward him, Matthew knew he couldn’t pursue Sydney while he was mayor. This town would not take kindly to the idea of a mayor who got involved with the local newspaper reporter. They would complain that it was a conflict of interest and would not let up unless either he or Sydney resigned.
Sydney’s phone vibrated on the table and made a loud chirp. She jumped and her elbow knocked the pile of notebooks to the floor. “Oh, shoot! I didn’t mean to keep you this long.”
He saw a notification on the phone’s screen. “You have another meeting?”
“At the medical clinic,” she said as she bent down and scooped up her notebooks. “They want to promote summer safety tips. I swear, I don’t know how Wendy did all this by herself.”
“Here, let me help.” He crouched down and grabbed the notebooks that were out of her reach. “Have you considered getting rid of these and taking notes on a laptop or tablet?”
“No, I tried. I work better this way,” she said as she collected the notebooks before getting up from her seat. “Thanks.”
“I’ll walk you to your car,” he offered as he rose to his full height.
“Oh, there’s no need.” Sydney suddenly became flustered as she shoved the notebooks into her bag. “I’m parked on a side street because I couldn’t find any spots out front.”
“I insist.” Matthew fell into step with her. He automatically placed his hand at the base of her spine as he led her out of the diner. She tensed under his touch but she didn’t pull away.
* * *
SYDNEY’S HEART THUDDED in her ears as they walked to the car. Her movements felt awkward and stiff. Awareness was thick and heavy around them. She suddenly couldn’t put words together.
It had to be her imagination. Matthew always flirted and teased her, but this was different. Every erotic scenario she’d dreamed up rushed through her mind. But suddenly she didn’t just want to imagine how his hand would feel against her breast—she wanted to know. She wanted to taste his mouth, experience his kiss and find out how to drive him wild.
She felt as if she was breathing hard by the time she reached her car. She had no idea if Matthew was conversing with her or if she’d replied. Sydney opened the driver’s door and tossed her backpack on the passenger seat. She cautiously turned around and found Matthew standing right beside her.
She saw the need in his eyes. The need for her. Pleasure darted inside her. She shouldn’t have talked about fantasies with him. Now she couldn’t get them out of her mind.
Dragging her gaze up his muscular chest, past his broad shoulders and to his handsome face, Sydney noticed the restraint sharpening his features. She’d never seen him like this. She sensed he was trying to hold back as much as she was.
“Thanks.” Her voice was hoarse and low.
He swallowed hard as he stared at her mouth. “Anytime.”
Anytime. The tip of her tongue swept along her bottom lip and his intent gaze followed the movement. She wished she could have him anytime. She wanted the right, the privilege, of touching him whenever she wanted.
His proximity, his rough promise, was too much for her willpower. One kiss, that was all she’d give herself. She grabbed his flannel shirt and pulled him forward, slamming her mouth against his.
Matthew cupped her face with his hands and deepened the kiss. His mouth was rough and hard. She’d never been kissed like this and she found it addictive.
Sydney parted her legs and Matthew leaned into her. Being this close to him, surrounded by his heat, his scent and his body, was better than she’d imagined. She hadn’t expected his large and calloused hands to be so warm and gentle against her skin. His possessive touch made her feel protected. Cherished.
She wanted to climb his muscular body and explore. Slide her hands under his T-shirt, reveal his chest and lick her way down to the impressive arousal that was pressing against her.
Sydney heard the squeal of car tires in the distance and she went still. She broke away, gulping for air, and stared at Matthew. She wasn’t sure what to do or say. His touch shattered her carefully constructed facade.
“I...” Sydney dropped her hands abruptly and stared at the telltale creases on his shirt. She couldn’t believe she’d thrown herself at him. That wasn’t like her. She was more cautious than that. She didn’t allow her sexual side to rule her actions anymore.
“Don’t say you’re sorry,” he whispered as his mouth grazed her cheekbone.
She blushed. How could he predict her every move?
He leaned his forehead against hers. “And don’t say this was just a onetime thing.”
Sydney closed her eyes. He really did know what she was going to say next. It made her feel vulnerable, as if he was always one step ahead of her. “You’re the mayor,” she whispered. “I’m a journalist who reports ab
out you.”
“No one needs to know,” he said as he gently stroked his fingers along her jaw. “We can keep it just between us.”
She was sure Matthew believed what he just said, but she couldn’t go through that again. She needed to retreat into the safe little world she’d created in Seedling that was devoid of passion.
With that in mind, Sydney splayed her hands against his soft T-shirt and gave a little push. He didn’t move. The man was solid muscle. “I have to go.”
He reluctantly withdrew, as if he sensed retreating was his best option. “Okay, but this is not the end of this discussion. Tonight—no, I have to attend a meeting. What are you doing tomorrow night?”
“I’m reporting on the junior baseball game.”
“I’ll meet you there.”
“I’m not going on a date with you. The whole town is going to be there.”
“I’ll be on my best behavior. No one will think we’re together.”
She wanted to decline. She should decline, Sydney thought as she shivered with expectation. Instead she gave a quick nod. She didn’t trust herself to say anything. She wasn’t graceful when she got into her car and her hands fumbled as she started the engine. Sydney drove away, her gaze drawn to the mirror as Matthew watched her leave.
What had she done? Curiosity had gotten the better of her. She’d wanted one taste. Just one. But now that she’d experienced the explosive chemistry she shared with Matthew, she wanted so much more.
His kiss was better than she’d imagined. She brushed her fingertips along her reddened lips. It was better even than she had described in her fake erotic diary.
She should write down her experiences now so she could clear her mind and focus on her next work assignment. Sydney drove a few blocks and slid into an empty parking spot on the worn cobblestone street. Her hands were still jittery as she reached for her backpack. The pile of notebooks spilled onto the seat and she searched for the one that she’d reserved for her erotic diary.
It wasn’t there. She froze, her chest squeezing with panic.
No, no, no! She opened and shut the notebooks, one by one. Where was the diary? She’d just had it. She’d been writing in it at Dawson’s.
Sydney dipped her head and closed her eyes as the panic washed over her. Dawson’s Diner. She’d lost her erotic writing in the most populated place in Seedling.
Sydney leaped out of the car and raced down the blocks until she reached the diner. She barely noticed the curious stares she was receiving. It was nothing compared to the stares she would get if someone read her notebook! She bolted inside the diner and glanced around frantically.
“Hi, Sydney,” Laura greeted with a curious look. “Weren’t you just here?”
“I forgot something,” she said breathlessly as she hurried through the diner. She spotted the table where she’d been sitting and exhaled sharply with relief when she noticed it hadn’t been cleaned yet.
“Was it your purse?” Laura asked as she followed. “You don’t have to worry about that. It will still be there. This is Seedling.”
Sydney didn’t see the notebook on the table or on the seats. She crouched down and looked on the floor. Nothing. Her stomach twisted with dread. “Did anyone find a notebook?”
“No,” Laura replied.
It was gone. Her throat closed up with panic. This couldn’t be happening. Her erotic diary—the one that described every scandalous thought she’d ever had about Matthew Stone—was missing.
If anyone reads it...
Sydney dragged her hands over her face. No, she wouldn’t think about that. She just had to find it. Immediately.
3
THE NEXT MORNING Sydney rushed into Seedling Library. The moment she crossed the threshold, she braced herself against the chill of the air-conditioning and the scent of musty books. The outdated dark green carpeting muffled her footsteps as she searched around the circulation desk for the notebook.
“Good morning, Sydney,” Doris Brown said. Sydney stopped and saw the older woman seated at the end of a scarred wooden table. Doris’s glasses were perched low on her nose as she flipped through a magazine.
Sydney halted her search and gave a polite smile. She had been in a panic for the past twenty-four hours as she’d searched everywhere for her notebook, hoping she had left it at home or at the office. But she didn’t want to show her concern and have people start asking questions. “Hello, Miss Doris. How are you doing today?”
“Finished reading a scorcher and now I’m trying to find something else to read.”
Sydney frowned. “A scorcher? Really? That doesn’t sound like something from the reading circle’s book list.”
“It’s not. Just something I...picked up.” Miss Doris’s eyes twinkled.
“You’ll have to tell me about it sometime. Right now I’m looking for Isabel and Laura. Have you seen them?”
Miss Doris nodded. “They went upstairs.”
“Thanks.” Sydney hurried to the stairs but paused on the first step when she had the odd sensation she was being watched. Studied. Evaluated. She was all too familiar with that feeling. She glanced around the library but no one was paying attention to her. Sydney gave herself a mental shake. Losing the notebook had made her paranoid.
She went to the second floor of the library. The high ceilings and large windows made the building seem larger than it was. As Sydney walked past the rows of bookshelves, she noticed very few patrons today.
She spotted Laura in the last row wearing a bold purple top and black miniskirt. It took a moment to notice Isabel next to Laura, wearing a white sheath dress. Sydney sagged with relief at the sight of them. She had to confide in someone and her two friends were the only ones who would understand.
“There you guys are,” Sydney said in a fierce whisper as she approached them. “I really need your help.”
Laura paused in the act of shelving a book. “What’s going on?”
Sydney glanced around to make sure no one could eavesdrop. “I lost my fake diary. I have looked everywhere and I can’t find it.”
“Is that what you were so upset about at the diner yesterday?” Laura asked as she continued her task of shelving books. “It’s no big deal. The diary was just a challenge.”
“No, no.” Sydney waved her hands around. “You don’t understand. The diary sounded very real.”
Isabel scoffed at that proclamation. “Sure it did.”
“And I didn’t write it in Victorian times,” Sydney explained. “I took your advice and wrote it as if it was happening in today’s world...in Seedling—” her voice got softer “—with someone from Seedling.”
“You didn’t.” Isabel’s eyes widened with dismay.
Laura leaned forward, her arms resting on the book cart. “Did you name names?”
“No.” But that decision wouldn’t be enough to hide Matthew’s identity. “I called him X but it’s not going to take much to figure out who it is. I described him in detail.”
“Is it Matthew Stone?” Laura asked.
Sydney gasped as her heart gave a jolt. “How did you know that?”
“I see how the two of you are when you’re together,” Laura said. “You light up when he’s around. And he kind of gravitates toward you. It’s more than the fact you are hot for each other. You and Matthew enjoy each other’s company.”
“Oh, then everyone who reads the diary is automatically going to assume that Matthew is my lover.” Sydney sh
oved her hands in her hair as the panic fluttered inside her. “The rumors are going to fly. I’ll lose my job.”
Isabel placed her hand on Sydney’s arm to comfort her. “Matthew isn’t going to be upset,” the librarian insisted. “He’s used to these kinds of rumors. He’s a good guy but he has earned his reputation as the local lothario.”
Sydney winced. That made it even worse. Matthew wasn’t a playboy and he was trying to prove it. After the last mayor’s sex scandal, Matthew didn’t need rumors circulating about him before he went into an election. She didn’t want to ruin his hard work because of some fantasies she’d written down.
“So what is in this erotic diary of yours?” Laura asked, propping her chin against her hand. “Neither of us got to read it.”
“Uh...well...you see...” Sydney found herself stumbling over her words and felt her face turn bright red.
“Really?” Isabel drew out the word. “I hope I get a chance to read it. Although I may never look at you the same way again.”
Sydney motioned at Isabel. “That’s my problem! You two know this diary is fiction, but everyone else will believe I’m having a red-hot affair with the mayor. My professional reputation will be ruined. I can’t go through that again.”
“Again?” Isabel prompted.
Sydney squeezed her eyes shut. She hadn’t meant to let that information slip. “It’s kind of the reason why I moved to Seedling.”
There was a beat of silence before Isabel spoke. “You have to give us more than that.”
Sydney looked around again. She still hadn’t forgiven herself for getting into that situation. But these women were her friends and she knew they wouldn’t judge her.
“About a year ago I was dating a political aide. We kept our relationship secret. I thought it was to protect what we had from our colleagues.” She shook her head at her naivety. For ignoring her intuition. “It turned out he was using me for his own agenda. It blew up in my face and my reputation as a reporter was seriously damaged. No one but Wendy would hire me.”