"Having a problem back there?" she asked wryly. "Do you need help?"
"I got it. I got it," I grumbled as I finally got the tiny clasp hooked together. She turned back to face me.
"How does it look?" she asked with a smile. I stared at the pendant, nestled just above her breasts.
"It's gorgeous." My eyes wandered down her body. "You're gorgeous."
"Will you take a shower with me?" she asked. I glanced up at her eyes and saw desire in them.
"It's your birthday, baby," I told her with a nod as I took her hand and helped her off the bed. "You get whatever you want today."
"Good, because right now I want you, and then I want to go out for breakfast."
I nodded and followed her to the bathroom, wanting to live in denial with her for a little longer, but that damn letter was still sitting downstairs waiting for us. I wasn't looking forward to how she'd react to it again. I wished the fucking thing didn't even exist at all.
I pulled her into the shower with me and spent a while doing whatever she wanted me to, until she was satiated and clean. We got ready for the day in the bathroom together. I caught her admiring her necklace in the mirror several times, and it made me happy. Now if I could just convince her to move in with me, I'd have everything I wanted. I wanted to tell her that every morning could be like this, but she was under so much stress and pressure right now that I didn't want to add to it today.
When we both were dressed, I followed her downstairs feeling tense about her seeing that goddamn letter again. I watched her pause by the coffee table and look at it, her face expressionless. She reached out and picked it up slowly, then sat down on the couch, staring at it intently.
"It says I can bring someone with me," she said quietly then looked up at me. "Will you come with me?" Her eyes were pleading and desperate.
I rushed over and knelt in front of her, framing her face in my hands. "Of course, I will. I'm not letting you go without me."
"Okay." She nodded as relief filled her eyes.
Just then her phone started ringing inside her purse. I reached behind me and grabbed the bag, handing it to her. She pulled out her phone. I saw Lauren's name on the screen. She looked up at me with such sad eyes that it made me hurt inside.
"She must have seen the other letter they sent her," she whispered as she answered the call. I could immediately hear Lauren's frantic voice as she began speaking. She reassured Lauren that she was okay, and that I was with her. I moved to sit next to her, and I put an arm around her shoulders as she continued talking with her sister.
I was starting to feel anxious about what I had just agreed to do. I was going to have to be her rock for this, and I was anything but solid right now. I had almost lost it after her breakdown last night. How was I supposed to be there for her, if I couldn't fucking hold it together? I hadn't realized how dependent I was on her strength until her moment of weakness last night. I didn't think I was strong enough for this. I needed to talk to David, and I needed to get my shit together before this hearing.
Sydney ended the call and let out a deep sigh. "She's really worried about me," she said as she leaned against me, her voice subdued.
"So am I," I whispered into her hair.
"I never told you how they died because I didn't want you to feel pressured to talk about what happened to you," she told me.
"I called David last night while you were sleeping," I said. "He told me what happened. You don't have to talk about it right now if you don't want to."
"Good," she replied with a firm nod. "It's my birthday, and I don't want to deal with it today. We're going to go out and have fun, and no sad stuff allowed. Okay?"
"Okay, baby," I answered with a wan smile. I didn't know how she was holding it together right now. Her strength astounded me and it made me feel a little pathetic.
"Are you taking me out tonight?" she asked hopefully.
"We have reservations at The Glass House," I answered, my smile widening.
"Really?"
"Nothing but the best for you, baby." I said and kissed her temple softly.
"We need to go shopping then," she said with a nod.
"We do?" I asked reluctantly.
"I need a new dress, and you need a new shirt," she announced firmly.
"Why can't we wear what we did last time we were there?"
"You said I could have whatever I wanted today." She looked up at me with a glare.
"Alright, alright," I conceded. "We'll go shopping, but after dinner, you have to do what I want."
"That's not right," she said, glaring at me some more. "It'll still be my birthday."
"Let's just say that giving me what I want is one of your presents," I told her, my voice lowering seductively. I watched her eyes light up in realization and then darken with arousal.
"You have a deal, sir," she said as her lips twisted salaciously.
I growled unconsciously at her use of the word "sir". I tilted her chin up, and I kissed her fiercely until she put her palms on my chest and pushed me away. This time I growled with frustration.
"Nice try, buddy," she said, breathless from my kiss. "But you're not getting out of taking me shopping."
I let out a deep dramatic sigh. "Fine," I huffed and rolled my eyes. "Let's do all the things that you wanna do."
She smiled smugly as she stood and pulled me to my feet. I followed her out to my truck, staring at her sweet ass and happy to live in denial for a little while longer. Harsh reality was going to punch us in the face soon enough tomorrow.
**********
Sydney was completely surprised when we arrived at The Glass House. Her eyes lit up as she saw David, Lauren, Adam, Andy, and Lydia all waiting for us at our table. She looked at me in astonishment, and I gave her a smug grin.
"You are amazing," she told me as she kissed my cheek softly.
"I know," I said as I cocked my head and winked at her. I let my eyes glide down her body appreciatively. She was a fucking knockout tonight, the short pink wrap dress that I bought her hugging all her curves to perfection. She had taken most of the day to find it, but she looked so fucking hot in it, that it was worth the torture I'd endured at the mall.
"I love you," she said breathlessly as she placed a hand on my chest, rubbing it across the soft fabric of the light-gray dress shirt she had picked out for me.
"I love you too," I whispered back and kissed her lips gently. "Happy birthday, baby."
"Quit making out and sit down," Andy announced with a smirk. "We're starving here."
"Fuck off," Sydney told him with a smile before I could say anything. His smile widened as he met my eyes.
"You guys are the same person now," he said with a laugh.
"No." I shrugged and smiled at him. "She's just figured out how full of shit you are." I pulled back Sydney's chair, so she could sit down next to David.
"That is very very true," Lydia added as she smiled at Andy. I sat between Andy and Sydney, grinning over at Lydia with amusement.
"Why am I getting ganged up on?" he asked in mock indignation as he looked around the table. "Dave," he said as his eyes landed on David. "You've got my back don't you?"
"Sorry, Andrew," he said with a wide grin, his hands up in surrender. "I plead the fifth."
"Adam?" Andy asked as he moved his gaze across the table to Adam, whose eyebrows rose in surprise.
"I am Switzerland," he said as he smiled. "I am neutral."
"The truth hurts, doesn't it, brother?" I said to him with a nod. He narrowed his eyes at me with another smirk.
"You're a real dick, you know that?" he asked me. I flipped him off with a grin. Fortunately, the waiter showed up and interrupted our escalating stupidity.
The meal was fantastic, the company even better. It was the first time in a very long time that I had felt comfortable in a group of people and didn't count the seconds until I could leave. The conversation was lively and carefree, and I was actually enjoying myself. Sydney was so happy she was glo
wing, and I knew it was because of me. I needed to do this. I'd caused her so much pain and anguish already that I never wanted to do that to her again.
The girls all took off for the bathroom before dessert showed up. Andy and Adam were embroiled in a conversation about something gaming related which to my shock Adam was just as enthusiastic about. The guy worked at some software company, so I guess it made sense. I was starting to feel like I was the only one in the world who didn't give a shit.
"How's she doing?" David asked quietly as he leaned across Sydney's empty chair toward me, his eyes filled with concern.
"Much better than last night," I told him. "Once she calmed down she was okay. I've been trying to keep her occupied today."
"Good," he said with a relieved nod.
"I have a problem though," I admitted with a sigh, and his eyes focused on me again with concern. "She asked me to go to the hearing with her, and I don't know if I can handle it."
"Ah," he said. "You're afraid of losing control at the hearing."
"She needs me," I told him as tension clenched inside my stomach. "And I only have two weeks to get my head on straight. Can you help me?" I couldn't hide the desperate tone of my voice. I wanted to be the man she needed and deserved. I couldn't fuck this up.
"I can, but it's going to brutal," David answered.
"I don't fucking care," I said vehemently, my emotions welling up inside me. "I'll do whatever it takes. I can't let her down again; I just can't."
"I can come over tomorrow afternoon," he said with a nod. He glanced away, and I followed his gaze to see the girls returning.
"Thank you, brother," I whispered sincerely. He nodded in acknowledgment as Sydney sat back down between us. My eyes locked onto Sydney's face, her radiant smile piercing into me. I was helplessly enthralled by this woman, and I couldn't stop staring at her.
"What?" she asked with furrowed brows.
"I...I just love you so much," I whispered and leaned toward her to brush my lips across her cheek. I breathed in her scent and sighed. "You smell so good," I whispered in her ear. "I want to fuck you." I watched as she shivered in reaction to my bold words. I laid my hand high up on her thigh under the table, and squeezed gently. "I can't wait to rip that dress off of you."
"Stop it," she whispered back. "Quit torturing me."
"Baby, I haven't even gotten started torturing you yet," I growled quietly in her ear. She put her hand on top of mine, and I thought she was going to remove it from her thigh, but she slid it up higher instead. I felt myself getting uncomfortably hard, and I had to pull my hand away from her leg to calm down.
"What was that you were saying about torture?" she whispered with a triumphant smile.
"Just remember, we made a deal," I answered her with an evil twist of my lips. "After dinner, I'm in charge, and I might decide to punish you for teasing me." Her face flushed pink, and I noticed with satisfaction that the necklace was indeed the same color as her blush.
**********
I had my hand up Sydney's dress all the way home. I had driven the truck, so I didn't have to worry about shifting. I teased her clit mercilessly, bringing her to the edge of release repeatedly, stopping just before she came each time. By the time we got home, she was squirming in her seat, her pussy swollen and soaking her panties with arousal. When she had begged me to let her come, I reminded her of our deal and told her it was her punishment for teasing me earlier. I could tell by her half-crazed expression that she fucking loved it. I pulled into the driveway and shut off the truck. I looked over to see that her face and chest were flushed, her eyes wild with wanton need.
"You look so fucking beautiful right now," I growled out in a low tone. "I want you so much." I had just about reached my limit of control. I was so fucking hard it was almost painful. I needed a break to calm down for what else I had planned for her tonight, or I'd end up fucking her on the damn stairs. I pulled my hand out from under her dress and stared into her eyes as I sucked my fingers into my mouth, moaning at the sweet taste of her. Fuck, now I was torturing myself.
Sydney surged toward me. I stopped her with a glare as I pulled my fingers away from my lips. I had to take back control now before I lost it completely. She eased backward into her seat with a sigh, her eyes rampant with desire. Fuck. I closed my eyes for a second then climbed out of the vehicle without looking at her again. I walked slowly around until I reached the passenger door and opened it. I reached out to her, and she took my hand, so I could help her down out of her seat. As her feet touched the ground, she pressed her body against mine. I ended up staring down at her cleavage helplessly, the rise and fall of her chest mesmerizing me for a moment.
I raised my eyes to scold her for teasing me again, but stilled my tongue as I saw how mindless with lust her eyes were. She bit her lip as she stared at me, and I couldn't help myself as I leaned in to kiss her. The fire that was smoldering inside me instantly turned into scorching heat, and I wondered if anyone would notice if I fucked her up against the truck right now. I kissed her hard and deep, my teeth biting into her lower lip until she gasped, and she thrust her body against me. Her hands clawed at my chest like she was trying to tear her way inside me. I had to grab her wrists and take a step back before I followed her down the rabbit hole into chaos. She whined in frustration and fought against me.
"That's enough," I growled at her. She stilled as her eyes flew up to mine.
"Please..." she whimpered in desperation.
"Shh," I reassured her. "Patience. You'll get what you need, baby." I released her wrists, shut the passenger door, and lead her by the hand to the front door. I let go of her long enough to unlock the door then opened it for her.
"I want you to go up to our room, baby," I told her, purposely calling it our room, wanting her to realize that this was her home now and everything that was mine was hers. "Sit on our bed and wait for me." I watched as she nodded, and I looked at her expectantly.
"Y...yes, sir," she stammered. I had gotten her so worked up that she could barely speak. The thought made a dark smile twist across my lips.
"Go on," I said with a nod toward the stairs as I schooled my face into a stern expression. As she walked past me, I trailed my hand across the small of her back, then watched her hips swaying up the steps. Her stiletto heels made her legs look fucking amazing. I couldn't breath until she disappeared through the doorway at the top of the staircase.
"Fuck me," I breathed out with a shake of my head. I needed to get it together if I wanted this to last a while. I locked the door behind me and took my time climbing the stairs. I went to the hall closet to get the rest of Sydney's birthday presents then walked into the living room. My libido was on fucking overdrive, so I sat on the couch for a few minutes to chill out. Once I calmed down a little; I opened the bag, smiling maniacally as I stared at the items inside. My eyes flicked up toward the top of the stairs to my room, and I growled in anticipation. I'd made her wait long enough.
I rose and climbed the stairs with measured steps, knowing she could hear me coming. When I walked into my room, she was sitting quietly on the side of the bed like I told her. Her eyes rose to meet mine with a smile that I couldn't help but return. I held up the bag and waggled my eyebrows at her suggestively. She looked at the bag dubiously.
"What's in the bag?" she asked suspiciously.
"I didn't say you could speak," I growled at her as I dropped the bag and stalked across the room to her. I grabbed her chin in my hand and turned her face up toward me. "Did I?" I asked with narrowed eyes. Her body softened at my touch as her eyes hazed over with desire again. She shook her head slightly. "Stand up," I commanded as I released her chin. She stood slowly, and I took her hand and led her forward a few feet. I let her hand drop to her side, then I circled behind her unhurriedly. I ran my fingers along the back of her neck, making her shiver. "Do you know how fucking hot you look tonight? I've been hard since you put this damn dress on, and that makes you a very bad girl."
I stop
ped in front of her again. I reached up and caressed my thumb across her lower lip then pushed it inside her mouth. She sucked on it immediately, her mouth warm and wet. A tremor ran through me, and I pulled my hand away from her. I leaned forward and grabbed the hem of her dress and abruptly pulled it up over her head, tossing it aside. She was left standing in a pink lace bra and thong panties. I reached around and unclasped the bra, letting her breasts free. Holy fuck, they were perfect. I cupped them in my palms and thumbed her nipples as I watched her eyes hood over from my attention.
"I want you to lay on your back on the bed," I said as I licked my lips, thinking about tasting her. She turned and climbed up on the bed giving me a delightful view of her ass as she crawled across the comforter. She rolled on to her back, her head on my pillow and looked up expectantly at me. I turned and retrieved the bag from the floor by the door. I locked my gaze on hers as I approached the bed, reached into the bag, and pulled out one of the items inside. Her eyes widened when they focused on the black leather cuff in my hand. I laid it on the bed and pulled four more out of the bag, then finally pulled a blindfold out and showed it to her. Sydney's eyes darkened with arousal as her eyes met mine again, but I could see trepidation in them as well.
"Baby," I whispered softly as I leaned forward and placed my hand on her cheek. "Do you trust me?"
"Yes," she whispered back with a slow nod.
"You know I'd never do anything you didn't want to do or hurt you."
"I know."
"Do you want this?" I asked. "We can stop if you're freaked out."
"I don't want to stop," she assured me. "I want this. I want to let go, and give everything over to you. I know you'll take care of me."
"I'll make you forget about everything but me, Sydney," I promised her. "I'll make everything else go away."
She nodded, her lower lip trembling for a moment. I climbed onto the bed and hovered over her. I pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, her breasts brushing against my shirt. I pulled back and met her eyes again. She reached up and tangled her fingers in my hair.
Let Me Heal You: Beautifully Broken Book 3 Page 7