“I broke a glass and stepped on some of the broken pieces. Your dad cleaned up the mess for me.” How long is Carter going to stay in here asking questions?
Carter looked at them for a long moment. “I’m sorry about your foot. I’m hungry. I’m going to eat cereal.”
“That’s a good idea,” Blake told Carter. “We’ll be right behind you.”
Sydney waited until Carter left the room, then whispered, “I thought you locked the door.”
“I did but I must’ve forgotten when I checked on him later.” Blake ran his fingers through his hair. “I never wanted this to happen, but I couldn’t resist you.”
She touched his shoulder. “I mentioned leaving and going back to my place. You told me to stay.”
He sighed. “I didn’t want you to go. I should’ve warned you that I’m not good at following rules.”
“I think we broke several last night. I drank too much wine and—”
“You are way too sexy in that slip.”
“What about you? You didn’t look like a monk with your bare chest and your full boxers.”
He raised his eyebrows. “What do you mean?”
She rolled her eyes at him. “Your huge erection was practically popping out. I would’ve had to be blind not to notice the shape you were in.”
“Great. You just had to talk dirty. Now I’m hard again.”
“Hey, you had enough of me all night. We better throw clothes on and get out of here.”
“You think?” Blake gave her a small smile.
“I’m sorry Carter saw us together.” She bit her lower lip. “I hate to bring this up...but there’s another problem. I don’t remember you using any protection.”
He groaned. “I don’t think I was prepared for what happened. I’m sorry, Sydney.”
“It’s okay. I wasn’t either. But I guess I better not break anymore glasses.”
* * *
For two long weeks, Blake tried hard to forget about Sydney being in his bed. After Carter walked in on them, they decided to follow their stupid rules. They had almost lost it a week ago in the hot tub, but Libby’s phone call interrupted what might have been an interesting evening. The two women talked for hours about Libby’s wedding. Man, he wanted Sydney in bed again. Not just to have sex…although that had been incredible, but because he’d fallen in love with her. He had almost hoped she was pregnant from their lovemaking. He’d talk her into marrying him. But a week ago she’d been on her period. Did Sydney love him? He hadn’t told her his feelings because they’d just met seven weeks ago. He couldn’t rush it and end up losing her.
After work on Friday, he headed straight home. Sydney had picked Carter up after his summer program because she was in the area. He wondered if Carter could spend the night at Aaron’s sometime over the weekend. As soon as he got a chance, he’d discuss it with Sydney.
At the door, Carter ran to him, looking scared. “Daddy, Sydney’s crying. I think something bad happened.”
“Do you know who’s on the phone?” he asked Carter.
Carter shook his head. “I think someone got hurt.”
He heard her say, “Blake’s home now so he can watch Carter. I’ll be there soon. I love you, Mom.”
Then it hit him. It must be Zach. Someone must’ve shot her brother. Blake walked quickly to her. “Sydney, what is it? Did something happen to Zach?”
“It’s my dad. He lost consciousness and fell on the floor while talking to my mom. She thinks that maybe he had a heart attack. They're on their way to the hospital. I’m glad you’re home. I want to leave for the hospital.”
He hugged her. “I’ll drive you.”
“You don’t need to.” She picked up her purse. “I might be there for a long time.”
“It’s okay. I want to be there with you and your family.” He looked at Carter. “Hurry, son, grab a few things to do in the waiting room.”
“I’ll take paper and markers with me,” Carter said. “I want to make Mr. Smith a get well card.”
Sydney patted Carter’s shoulder. “That’s so thoughtful of you.”
After Carter left the kitchen, Sydney asked Blake, “Do you think we caused his heart attack? He joked about it but I know he didn’t approve of me buying a house with you. He said it was too complicated when we didn't know each other well enough.”
What if her dad had found out they slept together? Or maybe he suspected it. Sydney was an adult, but Marty Smith wouldn’t want his daughter to have a casual affair. Obviously, on his part, it would never be that. He adored her. “He helped us move so I think he accepted it okay. Maybe it’s work related.”
She nodded. “He’s been under more stress. With the school cuts, he’s been forced to terminate several positions.”
* * *
A few hours later, Blake, Sydney, and Carter were back home.
“It’s been a long night,” Blake said to Sydney after he tucked a tired Carter into bed. “I’m glad your dad’s going to be okay.” Marty Smith had several tests. They decided his new blood pressure medication caused his fainting by making his pressure go too low.
“It’s such a relief that it wasn’t anything serious. I do still have a problem, though.” She stuck her hands in her jean pockets. “Have you read my columns lately?”
“Yes, I’ve read your columns.” He didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but Sydney’s articles hadn’t been as good recently. Actually boring would be the word to describe them. He didn’t want to lie either and say they had been great.
“I feel like I’ve lost my edge. It’s gotten so hard to create. I’m afraid I’ll lose my job.”
“We can’t have that.” He pulled her into his arms. “Maybe I can give you some help.”
She grinned. “I was hoping you’d suggest that. I think your work has been suffering too.”
He nodded, feeling his need for her growing by the second. “Whose bed? Yours or mine? And make it fast.”
“Mine.” She grasped his hand, pulling him quickly to her bedroom. “Do you think Carter will sleep a long time? I might need his daddy for an all nighter.”
“I think he might.”
The phone rang on the nightstand. “I better answer that. It might be Mom.”
While Sydney chatted, Blake went back to his bedroom for condoms. Knowing she hadn’t gotten pregnant the other time was a good reason to be careful now. After he bought them, he’d hid them under his boxers. Pulling the chest drawer open, he thought how much Sydney meant to him. He'd loved Caroline, but never felt this deep, burning passion for his wife. From the moment Sydney had mistaken him for the realtor, he’d felt something wonderful for her. Blake also grabbed the monitor so he could hear Carter in case he woke up during the night.
He waved the package of protection at her when he returned to her room. Sydney put her free thumb up with the receiver still against her ear. He sighed, hoping it wasn’t Libby on the phone. Sydney would have a hard time getting away from her talkative friend. He’d looked forward to Sydney removing his clothes, but heck he’d save her the time. He eyed her cute behind while he stripped.
He was getting ready to grab the phone from her when the conversation was finally over.
“It was Mom. She said Dad’s fine and thanked us for going to the hospital.” She shimmied out of her jeans. “I was naughty and told her that I couldn’t talk because you were butt naked.” She gave him a wicked wink.
“You better be kidding.” He helped her out of her lacy little panties. He wrapped his arms around her, his hands sliding down to her smooth buttocks. Gently, he squeezed them. Once her T-shirt was off, he pressed his body against hers. Her skin felt silky. The light fragrance she wore was perfect to his senses—lovely, like Sydney. He lifted her onto the bed and unhooked her lacy bra. The sight of her perky breasts sent his heart racing. An ache spread throughout his body.
He cupped one of her luscious breasts and sucked on it. His pulse quickened with excitement, remembering the first time he f
elt her breasts against him. She looked so adorable after falling off the treadmill into his arms. His temperature went up a few degrees that time.
Covering her mouth, he kissed her hard as hot currents of passion sizzled through his body. He quivered from her warm skin touching his. There couldn't be anything better than this; he wanted Sydney to soar with him to greater heights.
When he stroked her inside, her body tensed. His thumb pressed harder, wanting her to come apart in his hands. He yearned to hear her shriek his name and he got his wish.
In an agonized voice, she said, “Blake, I need you. Now!”
She touched the core of his spirit. “Oh baby, I need you too.”
He pulled his finger out to grab a condom. He covered his erection, and in one thrust drove into her.
“I love you,” she said in a throaty voice.
His heart jumped at her words. Her breath was warm and moist against his face. He whispered into her hair, “I love you, Sydney.”
While he thrust deeper into her, Sydney tightly wrapped her legs around his body. She clutched him with her arms, her fingers pressing into his flesh. She writhed beneath him as he exploded in a downpour of fiery sensation.
After coming inside her, he exhaled a long sigh of contentment. He craved this woman and never planned to let her out of his life. Basking in the warmth of this moment, he kissed her tenderly. His heart would never be the same. Every inch of Sydney had been his.
“I don’t think I ever wanted a platonic relationship. I wanted you, but was afraid of losing you if we rushed everything.”
She arched her eyebrows. “We didn't lose any time in buying a house together.”
He loved living near Sydney and seeing her daily. He hoped that she wasn't regretting their big purchase. “Buying this place with you was the wisest thing I've ever done. I've never done anything on impulse before. I surprised myself─”
Sydney's cell phone rang before he could finish his sentence. She glanced at the phone on his side of the bed. “Sorry, but I forgot to call Libby to tell her about my dad. I bet it’ll be her.”
He grabbed the phone and handed it to her. “You better answer it.”
Sitting up in bed, she looked at the screen. “It's Libby, all right.”
“I'll stick something in the oven for us to eat while you talk.”
He left the bedroom to get two glasses of wine and put a prepared pasta dish in the oven. He remembered Sydney mentioned earlier she made it for them. Carter ate a sandwich in the hospital cafeteria, but they had never eaten anything.
After walking into the bedroom, Blake handed Sydney her wine. “The pasta will be ready in thirty minutes.”
“Thanks.” Her eyes widened. “Do you always walk around the house naked?”
He grinned. “No, but it feels great. It might become a habit.”
“Libby wanted to know if I could go with her tomorrow to pick up her wedding gown. She's afraid it won't fit.”
* * *
Was she glad they bought the duplex house together? Sydney wondered while she absentmindedly watched Libby twirl in front of her. If she hadn't, they probably would've dated for a few months before getting so serious.
Libby touched her ivory colored bridal gown. “You hate my dress now. You liked it when I ordered it. Do you think I should've ordered it in white instead? Or is it the style you don't like on me?”
Sydney focused on Libby. “I'm sorry. I was thinking about something else. You look beautiful in it. And it fits like a glove. You won't need any alternations.”
Libby glanced in the full-length mirror. “I love it.” She turned away from her image, giving Sydney a serious look. “I bet Blake's on your mind. Is everything okay in the Smith household?”
She gave a small shrug. “I can't believe I bought the house with Blake. What was I thinking? I wanted to get out of my dinky apartment so much, but felt guilty about buying the house myself when Blake and Carter liked it too.”
“I thought it was going great between you two.” Libby took another look at her gown. Then she stood with her back toward Sydney. “Unzip me, please.”
While carefully easing the zipper down, she sighed. “Things are moving so quickly. After we had sex last night, I told him that I loved him. And he said that he loves me too.”
Libby stepped out of her gown. “What's the problem then?”
“I'm thinking we should've fallen in love first and then had sex. What if what we think we have isn't real? Maybe it isn't really love but just a wonderful physical...lust we feel for each other.”
Outside the dressing room, a young woman asked, “Does the gown fit okay? Or do you need alternations?”
Libby answered, “It's a perfect fit. Thank you. I'll be out in a minute to pay the balance.”
“I think I need some space to think, but that's impossible since we live so close together. I guess that's bothering me too. All of a sudden I went from a single life to a family life with a seven-year-old. I'm not Carter's stepmother but feel like I'm in that position.”
Libby nodded. “And you and Blake haven't gone out often without Carter. You two need some alone time.”
Sydney said, “Maybe then I can wrap myself around this whole idea of being in love. If that's what it is.”
After she ate lunch with Libby, Sydney went home and was greeted by Carter. “Guess what? We're going to Florida. Grandma and Grandpa want to see me. Daddy said you could go too. Please come with us.”
She smiled, vaguely remembering how Blake had mentioned something about Florida while they'd been at the hospital. She hadn't paid too much attention at the time. She'd been too worried about her dad. “Florida? You're a lucky boy.”
Carter grabbed her hand. “Will you go with us? They have a pool in their backyard. We can go swimming.”
“When are you leaving?”
“Two weeks.”
Bending down, she kissed Carter's forehead. “I'm having a bridal shower for Libby in two weeks.”
An unhappy expression crossed Carter's face. “Dad's more fun when you're around. I like it when you're with us.”
“You two can have some great guy time together. And you'll have your grandparents to fuss over you. You won't even miss me. But you better call me a lot.”
Blake came up behind Carter and ruffled his son's hair. “Hey, I'm fun. I told you bridal showers are important to women.”
She laughed. “Not as much fun as the bachelor parties are to men.”
“Carter and I'll go to the grocery store. I'll grill tonight. It's too nice to eat inside the house. Is that okay with you?” Blake asked Sydney.
“Sounds like a plan.”
Chapter Seven
After eating two hamburgers Blake grilled and lots of Sydney's potato salad, Carter went to sleep early on Saturday night. “What movie do you want to go to?” Sydney asked.
Pulling her closer to him, he planted a kiss on her lips. “Are you sure about the movie idea? I thought we could spend some quality time in bed together.”
She rolled her eyes. “We need to have a date night once a week. Zach said he didn't mind swinging by here after work to stay with Carter. Lindsay and the kids are at her sister's.”
“You're right. I do want to take you to a movie. It's just you look pretty sexy in your tight top, so I started thinking how nice it'd be to watch a movie at home instead.”
She placed her hands on his shoulders, giving him a little push. “It's not tight. I was thinking I should've gotten a size smaller because it's a little too loose on me.”
“Hey, let’s get a drink after the movie. The Quarter Bistro is next door to the cinema.”
“That sounds romantic. I love it. I’m going to change into something more special.” She left the room quickly to change out of her jeans and top.
After a few moments of looking in her closet, she stopped at a black, strapless dress. I’ll wear my pearl necklace with it. Sure, it might be a bit much for the movie but I want to dress up for a
change. Once she was dressed, she grabbed an orange scarf for a bit of color.
Blake whistled as she entered the living room. “You look gorgeous.”
“Thank you. You changed too.” She liked seeing Blake in dress pants and a shirt.
When Sydney heard Zach in the driveway, she opened the door and turned to look at Blake. “This will be fun going out.”
As soon as Zach walked in, she gave him a hug. “Blake and I appreciate this so much. We'll plan farther ahead the next time and get a babysitter.”
“No problem.” Zach's brown eyes twinkled. “I want my little sis to have a date night. Hey Syd, how many guys have you dated?”
“Me. How about you? You weren't exactly sitting at home before you met Lindsay.” She glanced at her watch, realizing they better leave or they'd miss the previews. She loved seeing the upcoming movies. “We should go so we get there in time. You have our cell phone numbers if you need to call.”
“Thanks, man. We won't be too late,” Blake said on his way out the door.
During the short car ride, Sydney said, “Living close to the cinema was another reason I wanted the house.”
Blake, turning into the parking lot, said, “Here I thought living in the same duplex with me was the main reason in buying it.”
After they got their popcorn and drinks, Blake found two seats in the middle of the theatre. “See, I remembered what kind of pop you like with your popcorn and where you prefer to sit. You hate being too close to the screen and you don't like sitting at the top.”
She put her glass in the drink holder. “Okay, I get your point. We've gone to the movies a few times, so you haven't completely neglected our dating relationship.”
“Maybe after the shower, you can fly to Florida. We can go out while Carter spends time with Caroline's parents.”
She took a handful of popcorn. “Do they know you bought the house with me?”
“I didn't want to tell them on the phone, but I did mention that we're seeing each other—”
“I hope you didn't mention how much we've actually seen,” she said in a low voice. “The whole thing about naked bodies and sleeping together.”
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