by Candace Shaw
* * *
During the following week, Sydney focused on her things to do list that she’d created in the beginning of the year. But because of her busy work schedule, nothing had been checked off. Now she was able to tackle the tasks even though she hated to admit it was just a tactic to block her mind from thinking about Bryce. Luckily, he’d been busy with preparations of opening his practice. He’d called to tell her he’d closed on the building. She was happy about that but a little sad because all of his time would be spent with setting up the practice that he’d tentatively named Monroe and Associates.
By the middle of the week, Sydney had accomplished majority of her chores and managed to do a little spring cleaning. She had closets full of stuff that she no longer needed. Some were useable and were going to a women’s shelter. Everything else would be discarded.
After a much needed break, Syd threw the last trash bag in the overstuffed garbage can in the garage and opened the door to drag it to the edge of the driveway for tomorrow’s pick up. While there, she checked her mail and flipped through a fitness magazine. A roaring engine boomed in her ear as she looked up and saw a motorcycle a few blocks down zooming her way. She tilted her head to the side as she recognized the helmet. He slowed down when he saw her and parked on the curb. It was a sleek motorcycle with two wheels in the back. She hadn’t noticed it in his garage. He took off his helmet and showcased a dashing smile on his flawless brown face, and his jet-black curls glistened in the afternoon sun.
“Hey, beautiful.” Bryce’s eyes perused over her jeans and purple tank top. “I tried calling you. I didn’t want to just drop over but the motorcycle dealership isn’t far from here.”
“No problem. I’ve been cleaning out closets and listening to music. I didn’t hear the phone. Shouldn’t you be somewhere working? Didn’t you just close on an office building?”
“I think you’ve forgotten I can afford to hire people to take care of tasks for me. Megan has one of her interior decorators picking out office furniture and decorating the entire building. My main concern is hiring a competent set of attorneys.”
The truth was she had forgotten about his wealthy background. She no longer saw him as the spoiled rich brat she had once thought he was. Instead, she was beginning to love everything about him and that scared her.
“How do you like my new motorcycle?”
She walked around it, giving a nod of approval. “I love it. When I can I drive it?”
“One day, but for now you can be the first passenger. Grab your helmet and lock your house up.”
Ten minutes later, she wrapped her hands around his waist and pressed her legs against his. She gave the go signal and off they went.
Riding the back of a motorcycle had never been as exciting and satisfying as it was with Bryce. He was already a man’s man, but he exuded even more power and control when on the motorcycle. She loved how he would speed up to tease her, and she’d pinched his waist to encourage him to slow down to a comfortable speed. He knew her limits and boundaries. She always had a sense of security with him. He wasn’t a dangerous driver so he didn’t weave in and out of cars, but if he saw a long stretch of road, he charged it.
Upon returning to her home, it began to rain so he thought it best to place the motorcycle in her garage to wait it out. He sat on it with his feet dangling over one side while she tossed some old paint cans and hard brushes into a garbage bag.
“What are all those bags lined up against the wall?” he asked.
“Clothes and some other things I’m donating to a women’s shelter. I’m going to drop them off tomorrow before my lunch outing.”
“Lunch outing?”
“Yes, with Megan and Tiffani. Megan is finally back in town but leaving again the day after tomorrow with Jade to shoot some scenes for their decorating show. Tiffani has a big announcement to make.”
“Okay. I was going to ask you to stop by my new office to check it out.”
“Tomorrow during the day won’t be good at all. How about the evening?”
“Um...I have a business dinner meeting around seven.” He stood up. “Seems like the rain has stopped.”
“Yep.” She hated hearing the tone in his voice that meant he was getting ready to leave, but she had to keep telling herself that they were just friends.
“I’m going to take this last bag to the street when you back out.” She turned around to tie it shut with the yellow handles when she sensed Bryce directly behind her.
“You know you really shouldn’t bend over like that, at least not in front of me.”
She stood all the way up but didn’t turn around. His hands moved along her waist and under her shirt, traveling up to her breasts, massaging them gently as his lips caressed along her neck. He removed one hand from under her shirt and slid the scrunchie from her hair, weaving his fingers in her tresses and as his kisses on her neck became more profound. The bulge on her backside throbbed against her, and she turned her head to kiss him erotically on his moist lips as ardent moans emerged from her mouth. After she turned around to him, he lifted her shirt over her head and unsnapped the front hook of her bra as her breasts bounced out. He took one hardened nipple in his mouth, sucking and tautening it as she ran her fingers through his curls.
His mouth moved to the other breast, sending heated pleasure through her veins and more amorous sounds from her. He trailed his hand to the button of her jeans and tugged her out of them, along with her tennis shoes. After picking her up, he set her on his bike, moving one of her hands to the handle and spread her legs as his tongue sank into her middle.
“Bryce...” she purred out as his tongue entered her. She laced her other hand in his hair so she wouldn’t fall, even though he held her firmly by her bottom.
“You’re too damn addictive,” he said, twirling his tongue around her rosy bud. “I literally can’t get enough of you.”
Coiling his tongue around her opening, he glanced up with a lazy, sexy gaze. “I need to bottle your ambrosia into a liqueur and sell it. Make more millions.” He dipped his tongue in and licked down the center of her lips. “But I don’t like to share.”
His possessive tone shook through her as she arched her back to consume more of his warmth.
“Stop talking,” she demanded roughly, raking her hand through his curls and pushing him farther into her. Bryce continued licking and darting in and out as sensations rushed all over her trembling body. His wicked tongue kissed her other lips so passionately her legs began to shake uncontrollably. She longed to have him inside her, but she didn’t want him to stop what he was doing, either.
Sydney let out a long groan as his tongue-action pace sped up, and her hips rose up and down while he tried to keep her still on the leather seat. An orgasm slammed through every inch of her as her body twisted, and he gathered her up in his arms and held her close to him. Once she calmed down, he lowered her back to the motorcycle and unzipped his pants, pulling them down along with his boxers. He grabbed the protection from his wallet and slipped it on before spreading her legs out again, this time resting one of them on the handle. He scooped up her butt a tad from the seat and entered her inch by magnificent inch until he was nestled deep inside her as he remained still.
“Don’t drop me on the cement,” she said seriously.
He leaned over and kissed her softly. “Trust me. I got you.”
Sydney reached her hands up to his face as he slowly moved in and out of her with long, sensual thrusts. She didn’t even know why she was concerned with him dropping her on the garage floor. She always felt completely safe with him.
His hands moved to her waist as he pulled her to him over and over, releasing earth-shattering sounds from her mouth. Sounds she didn’t recognize as her own, but she didn’t care as he continued stroking in and out, hitting her spot each time more and more aggressively. Pow
erful waves crashed through her, sending her on a blissful journey of freefalling. She no longer felt the firmness of the seat underneath. Just his strong hands guiding her back and forth to him.
“Who do you belong to?” he asked gruffly, lowering his head to hers.
“You, baby. Only you,” she panted out against his lips.
He stopped for a moment, lifting her off the motorcycle, turning her around and bending her over as her feet stayed on the ground and legs shoulder width apart. In one thrust, he was snug inside her once more, taking his time moving to a steady rhythm. He pulled her against him as her muscles clenched around him, sending trembles to rippling through her. The man was deep in her body and her spirit. Yes, all of her belonged to him. Her heart and mind included. She’d never been so in sync with a man in all aspects of her life, but for the first time she was. And for the first time she knew she wanted to be with only him.
Bryce’s vibrations began to speed up along with his thrusts as she held on to the handles of the motorcycle. His grunts and groans became more intense as did the orgasm that shook his body and then hers. He slumped over, being cautious not to smash her into the seat. He kissed the side of her neck and her cheek as he lifted her face to him.
“Who do you belong to again?” he asked, his eyes staring straight into her soul.
Sydney simply smiled.
She was falling in love with Bryce.
Chapter 12
“Wow, someone’s on time for lunch,” Megan said as Sydney and Tiffani arrived five minutes late at The Cheesecake Factory at Perimeter Mall for lunch. They’d scheduled a late lunch for three o’clock since Tiffani got off at 2:30 p.m. and worked at an elementary school around the corner from the restaurant. “You should take a vacation more often.”
“Ha. Not funny, sissy,” Sydney answered, giving her sister and cousin a hug.
The ladies sat down and skimmed through the menu. Once their orders were placed, they chatted about their day, with Sydney mostly listening or pretending to listen. Her thoughts tramped back to last night in the garage, afterward in front of the fireplace and this morning’s breakfast in bed she made before Bryce left to head home and prepare for his busy day. This time when he kissed her goodbye, she didn’t mention their Vegas agreement. She simply said, “I’ll see you later.”
“What do you think, Syd?” Megan asked.
Syd took a sip of her water. “About what?”
“What are you over there deep in thought about? I asked you about Tiffani’s assorted cupcakes from the party.” Megan stared at her with a weird expression, and Syd hoped her twin senses weren’t kicking in.
“Oh, I thought the cupcake tier was a wonderful idea. It was very classy and elegant.”
Tiffani’s face beamed with appreciation. “Thank you. What were your favorite cupcakes?”
“I especially liked the turtle one and the coconut cream,” she answered, deciding to rejoin the conversation. She was there to catch up with her family, not daydream about Bryce.
Megan gave her an odd looked with a swished lip. “I don’t remember you having a turtle one,” she announced. “I only packed up coconut cream cupcakes for you to take home.”
And you’re right, Syd thought. I didn’t, but Bryce did, and I could taste it when he kissed me in the bathroom.
“No, I had one. Just didn’t take any to go.” Syd turned to her to cousin, hoping to steer the conversation away from how many cupcakes she did or didn’t have. “So why did you call this special lunch, Tiffani?”
“Well,” Tiffani started, “I have an announcement to make.”
“We’re all ears,” Syd said, trying to avoid eye contact with Megan. She may not have been a profiler but because they had the same facial expressions and mannerisms, she could more often than not figure out what Syd was thinking.
Tiffani cleared her throat and smiled as her dimples indented. “As you know, I’ve baked a lot of different cupcakes for birthday parties, weddings and other events for the past few years for extra money since Keith died. I have a little of the insurance money left, and I’ve been saving in order to open a cupcake shop.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful!” Megan exclaimed, clapping. “Are you still going to teach?”
“No. I didn’t sign my contract for the next school year. I hope to have the shop set up and running by this summer. I’ve found a few places not far from where I live, and KJ can still go to the same school where I teach since it’s his home school. I’ve received so many orders lately, but it’s time-consuming, especially with teaching and all of KJ’s extracurricular activities. I have two orders this weekend for some of KJ’s friends who are having birthday parties, and report cards go home next.”
“Well, you’ve discussed this before when Keith was alive,” Megan reminded her. “I supported you then and I support you now.”
“Yes, but he didn’t want me to start my own business, considering KJ was just a toddler. He preferred me to be a stay-at-home mother.” Tiffani sighed with a wistful expression. “If it doesn’t work out, I can always go back to teaching.”
“That’s wonderful you’re following your dreams. Syd and I are very proud of you.”
Syd chimed in. “Yes, we certainly are. If you need our help, just let us know.”
“Oh, I will.” Tiffani paused as the waitress arrived with their lunch. “And KJ is so excited. He’s volunteered to be my accountant. I was, like, not yet, sweetie. He’s so much like his father when it comes to money. I swear that little boy has more money under his bed in a shoe box than I do in my purse.” Tiffani pulled her waist-length hair back into a ponytail before digging into her salad. “But I’m excited and Bryce has offered his real-estate agent to me so I’m really grateful for that.”
“Oh, Bryce is helping you?” Megan asked with a lit-up face.
Sydney gulped. Was Megan still trying to set them up?
“I told him briefly about it at one of the tutorial sessions when I brought cupcakes for the children. He called the agent that helped him find an office building for his practice. I’m meeting with her to look at properties during Spring Break. I already have some in mind, though.”
“But no sparks?” Megan questioned with a hopeful smile.
Sydney quietly continued to eat her grilled chicken salad as Tiffani laughed.
“He’s definitely not my type. He’s more your speed, Syd.”
Syd nearly choked on a piece of lettuce. She grabbed her water and took a sip, followed by a gulp. “Goodness, no.”
“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t do that to either of you.” Megan leaned back in her chair, sipping her tea. “Besides, you think Bryce is an ass, though he really isn’t. But if he rubs you the wrong way, then I completely understand.”
Syd’s mind tramped back to all the times Bryce’s hands rubbed her the right way. Tender. Rough. In between.
“Megan, why are you trying to set people up now? We tried setting you up, and you found your own man, a senator at that. I’m sure in due time Tiffani and I and even Bryce will be just as happy as you and Steven.”
Megan twirled a shrimp around in her Alfredo sauce with a melancholy expression. “Oh, I know. I suppose you’re right, but I overheard Steven and Bryce playing pool in the game room the night before last. Bryce said that he thinks he’s in love and that it’s someone he has known for a long time. He wouldn’t tell Steven who. In fact, he said we would all be surprised. We suspect that it’s Bryce’s ex Linda, who lives in Savannah. She’s been back and forth in town taking care of some family business, and I know he’s seen her on one of her trips because he referred her mother to me. She’s contemplating remodeling her kitchen and dining area. I met with them at the mother’s fabulous home and while there, Bryce called Linda. You should’ve seen the way her face lit up, and she left the room for about twenty minutes. Mmm.
..maybe that’s why he didn’t ask Stephanie out. Who knows? Y’all are right. I just want everyone to be happy like me and Steven.”
Sydney sat numbly pretending to eat her salad as if she was uninterested in anything going on in Bryce’s life. Except that wasn’t the case. Was he trying to get back with his ex? She’d seen and spoken to him quite often since their return from Vegas. Even broken their agreement. Maybe she was getting her feelings caught up in something that wasn’t real. Maybe she was wrong about her instinct with him, but she rarely was when it came to people. She was a profiler. She knew body language, reflections in voices and facial expressions. Nothing had seemed out of place, but she’d been wrong about him before. Was she still wrong but on a different level?
Tiffani left early to pick up KJ from his grandparents’ and take him to swim lessons while Megan convinced her to window-shop in the mall.
“Syd?” Megan asked in a concerned tone.
Oh, boy. I know that tone.
“Yes?”
“There’s something going on with you, but I can’t pinpoint it.” She stopped walking to gaze at a chair through the window before shaking her head and they continued past the store. “However, you’ve been different since you returned from Vegas...maybe even a little bit before.”
“I just needed a vacation. I’d been working around the clock, but I think I know how to balance that now. A lot of the extra hours was me wanting to work overtime. I miss work, but it’s good to not be there all the time, especially when I don’t have to be.”
“What about taking the bar? Is that something you’re still considering?”
“I haven’t thought about it anymore or even studied for it lately. At the end of the day, I love my career as a criminal profiler.”