Sydney hiked herself up on him and hugged him.
She knew he wasn't going to agree with her right away and she wouldn’t press to make him see it her way. That wasn't how Jake worked. It was a guilt he’d carried for a lot of years, but at least now someone else's voice was in his head telling him differently.
“Do you want to know anything else?” she asked, hoping he would say yes and she could finally tell him.
He shook his head against her. “No.” He kissed her shoulder and laid his head on it.
An uncomfortable pain went through Sydney’s stomach that had nothing to do with the sadness she felt for Jake.
“I can finish that massage for you, if you want.”
As she slid off of him she hoped that was code for something a little more intimate. He went right back to massaging her thighs taking his special time around her scar until she forgot it was even there. She was glad when his hands reached her panties and he didn't stop. As she was enjoying his touch, sliding beneath the lace, her body was growing hot and not in a good sensual way.
His lips kissed her throat, working their way down the front of her dress. His hands travelled under her dress and over her bare upset stomach.
She felt sick to her stomach.
He must have felt her stiffen or read her face because he stopped and leaned above her. “Is something wrong?” Concern stared down at her overriding the passion. Bring the passion back, tear the mask of concern away!
Wanting him to continue, it was their last night on vacation, she smiled at him. “A little upset stomach. Probably from the wine.” What the two sips? Maybe it was too much sun during Haylee’s cram a week into four days.
The answer pleased him and he kissed her lips.
Her stomach lurched.
Calm down. Do not ruin this over a little bit of sun.
But she was glad when his lips kissed the side of her face then her ear. A tightening started in her chest and hotness in her mouth.
I'm going to vomit.
His mouth was moving back to hers. She shoved his chest. “Get up. I need the bathroom.”
Chapter Seventeen
JAKE LAID THE wet cold washcloth across Joan's sweating forehead and stood back as she groaned and rolled away.
He was damn glad he hadn't eaten those oysters now.
He had never seen her look so helpless and memories of when he was little and their positions were switched flashed into his head. One in particular. He had been around seven, fussing with a high temperature and the only person he wanted was his mother. But she wasn’t there. Beth was always away. Joan had settled him down with a soothing song, rocking him in her arms. She’d been different back then. So had he and there were times in his life even now that he missed that bond they’d shared before she married his dad.
“There's a bucket on the floor beside you and water on the table. Do you need anything else?”
She groaned and he took that as a no and moved to the next cabin. It was empty. He knocked on the bathroom door. “Haylee?”
“I'm dying,” her voice strained through the door miserably.
“You have food poisoning. I have a washcloth here to cool you down.”
“I don't want it.” Her snarky remark made him chuckle.
“Can I come in? Are you decent?”
“If you want to see what death looks like...” Her moans hadn’t stopped since Jake and Sydney arrived back at the boat to find the two women as sick as Sydney.
“Is death dressed?”
“Yes, but I can't guarantee there's not puke on my clothes.”
He was willing to take the chance.
He found Haylee curled up around the toilet with her head resting on her arm against the bowl. Her eyes only moved to him. “See.” She pointed to the bottom of her dress with the wiggle of one little finger. “There's puke on my dress.” There was in fact a stain on the bottom edge of her dress.
Jake laid the washcloth across her face and grabbed a new one wiping the material of her dress and trying to control his gagging reflexes. There were a lot of things Jake could handle: blood, punches...but not vomit. His stomach was worse than a rollercoaster after eating at just the sight of vomit and the smell. He shivered. Gross.
He tossed the washcloth on the floor in a pile of towels for Sydney to deal with later and sat down on the floor. It was small and he had to bend his knees against his body.
“Do you need anything?”
She shook her head and closed her eyes. “I’m going to sleep here.”
“I put a bucket beside your bed.”
“No,” she snapped.
Jake had discovered something this evening (besides his decision to not eat the seafood). He learned Joan was a whiny sick person, Haylee was a cranky sick person and Sydney was a quiet sick person.
Jake wasn't going to leave Haylee on the floor, so he sat with her while she brought up more of that slimy seafood fest they'd enjoyed earlier, holding her hair, flushing it away, covering his nose, and cringing at the sound. When she finally decided to lie in bed, he carried her exhausted limp body and put her to bed, rewetting the washcloth and setting the bottle of water beside her.
“I will come back and check on you in a bit,” he told her while standing at the door.
“Jake?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks.”
He grinned. Cranky but grateful. “No problem Haylee.”
He stopped in the kitchen and took a few sips of his beer before heading to cabin number three where the woman who had spoiled the private cottage he'd rented for them was sprawled on her back across the bed exposing her gorgeous bare legs as her dress, unnoticed to her, was up to her thighs. One arm was flared out beside her while the other lay over her eyes. She was sleeping. The three of them were starting to wind down, thank goodness. He wondered what time it was now.
Not wanting to interrupt Sydney when she was finally sleeping he tugged her skirt down gently and pulled the blanket over her. He set the water on the night table and turned to leave.
“Jake?” Her voice was exhausted.
“Yes.”
“I ruined our night.”
He chuckled at her whine. “We have plenty of nights ahead of us.” He reached down and kissed her forehead. “I brought you a washcloth.” He placed it on her forehead.
The three women looked like complete crap but they looked better then when the sickness started.
She pulled his arm. “Lie with me.” She was wiggling her body toward him.
Jake glanced at the open door. “What about Haylee and Joan?” Not that he really envisioned them going too far unless it was to their own bathroom.
“I don’t mind.”
Jake climbed into her bed and she cuddled her backside against his front, spooning. Her head of hair landed on his arm and she held his hand. With his free hand he repositioned the washcloth then ran his hand over the smoothness of her arm.
She groaned. “Stop it. You’re reminding me of what we can't do.” She took his hand and pulled it around her. “I'm never eating sea food again.”
Another chuckle. He laid his head on the pillow, his lips against her hair. “Do you need anything else?”
“Just you.” He liked the sound of that.
You're all I need too. Forever.
***
THE SCHEDULE HAD been to head back to Willow Valley following lunch. After a night of running back and forth, checking on the three women, then snuggling up beside Sydney for a few hours and then repeating the whole process, Jake was exhausted and fell into a deep sleep with the rest of them. They didn't pull back into Joan's dock until the sun was beginning to set that evening.
The girls rushed onto the dock so quickly, more than ready to get off the bobbing boat, that it added to the turn of their upset stomachs.
Jake was left carrying their luggage as they climbed into Sydney’s car like little sleepless zombies. By the time he finished loading the bags he realized Sydney had fa
llen asleep on the passenger’s side.
Jake left his bike in Joan’s garage and drove the two women home. He carried the luggage in behind them.
“I'm skipping boat trips for the rest of the summer,” Haylee said, slugging her way up the stairs. He was sure that notion would pass.
They looked better. Well their skin had color again and the sweating had passed. They all looked like they needed a shower and a good night’s rest.
Jake found Sydney drinking a glass of water in the kitchen. She smiled at him but it didn't reach her eyes. “What a beginning and ending we had this weekend.” She looked exhausted.
It was interesting.
“I want to check on the Cliff House. Did you need anything before I go?”
She shook her head. “No, I'm good. You go.”
“Do you need me to bring you anything back?”
Sydney hugged him. “I stink,” she said. She did smell a little bit. She pulled away. “It’s late. I need a bath. You need to check on the Cliff House and I am sure Devon has a list of things for you. Don’t worry about me. Go. I will see you tomorrow, or text.”
He didn’t text. “Or I can stop by.”
“Okay.”
Jake reached out, pulled her stinky body back into his, and kissed her forehead. She tried to object but her weakness lost the battle and she hugged him back. “Then maybe we can start off where we left off in the cottage.”
“Mmm. I like that idea.”
“It’s a date.”
“I like the sound of that, but can we just keep this between the two of us for right now?”
He wanted to tell everyone, but it wasn’t only his decision. They’d had a rough start getting to where they were so he definitely respected her wishes.
“Alright.”
She smiled. “Thanks, I just want to get through Haylee’s birthday first. You know, let her have her day before we drop the bomb and steal her thunder.”
Sydney was always thinking of someone else, their feelings always came before her own.
“You don’t mind, do you?”
He must have not answered right away. It wasn’t because he minded, because he didn’t, it was because he was noting what an amazing woman she was.
He shook his head. “You’re the most thoughtful woman I know. I will wait until you are ready.”
Chapter Eighteen
THE THUNDEROUS HARMONY of happy birthday filled Sydney’s small back yard so loudly she was sure they were disrupting the neighbors evening. The rain was holding off and the cool breeze from the threatening weather felt wonderful, brushing the hot sun away from their skin whenever it peeked through the clouds.
Sydney’s stomach was twisted in knots, but for a good reason and not because she’d had food poisoning. This was the first time she’d seen Jake since they got back. She’d been so busy at the shop all week during the day and he’d been busy at the Cliff House during the evenings. She’d thought about stopping by but time wouldn’t allow it.
As the song came to an end her daughter smiled shyly from the opposite end of the picnic table. Completely surrounded by family, Haylee shook her head like an embarrassed teenager.
The song may have finished but the backyard exploded into light teasing directed at the birthday girl.
“Come on!” Abby shouted loudly, reaching over to squeeze the lace on her niece’s shoulder. “Blow those candles out. We don’t have all night,” Abby continued to tease, while her hand stopped by the side of her cake to scoop a finger-full of icing that she stuck in her mouth. She grinned around the table.
“Abby!” everyone bellowed, not at all surprised and followed by laughter.
Abby mouthed, “What” innocently contradicting the wicked knowing-look her eyes sent them, laced in thick black eyeliner and glue-on eye lashes.
“Don’t leave any burning,” Peyton continued the teasing banter.
Sydney had a feeling this teasing was going to go right around the table.
“Each candle equals each boyfriend you have.” Peyton’s protruding stomach pressed against a white strapless dress and her chocolate locks fell around her bare shoulders like sprinkles on a cake.
Colt teasingly squeezed his wife’s side. “I can’t wait until your birthday and we will see how many candles you leave lit on your cake.” He turned towards the family. “How many candles will that be this year?” He taunted about her age, causing a roar of laughter.
Peyton lightly hit his middle. “Stop it! And I can’t wait to see how many candles are left on your cake.” She poked a finger against his chest and Sydney knew she was referring to his false reputation as the ladies man rather than his age.
Colt wrapped his arms around Peyton’s waist and pulled her tightly against him...as tight as one could with her middle. “Oh baby, there will only be one candle lit for you,” he told her in a smouldering tone that caused an uproar of take it to your room comments.
A delighted feeling washed through Sydney knowing her sister was fortunate to find a man who loved her so genuinely.
She looked up at Jake who was standing beside her. She was fortunate to find a man who loved her so genuinely too. Once they told everyone that is. Then they could be open about their relationship and hold hands like hers itched to do. First they needed time to themselves and even though it was Haylee’s birthday, she wanted this evening to rush by a little quicker so it was just Jake and her.
Colt simply kissed the tip of Peyton’s nose before turning to the fussing table, disregarding all the remarks. “And for the record we are celebrating Peyton’s birthday this year,” he announced.
The fussing turned to cheering because everyone knew Peyton was taking a difficult first step celebrating the day she had not acknowledged since the death of their mother on the very day Peyton had turned sixteen.
Peyton flushed, not an ordinary occurrence for the outspoken brunette with a flare of the tongue. No blush for her husband’s playful teasing right out in the open in front of all of them, but there was a flush for her past. Typical Peyton.
If it were Jake touching and talking to Sydney in such seductive tones in front of everyone, she would melt under the table from embarrassment. As it was she was finding it hard enough not to stand there and smirk like a child on Christmas Eve, anticipating what the late hour would bring them.
Peyton rubbed her middle. “Let’s just hope these twins are not late and end up being born on the same day.”
“Awe. That would be adorable,” Kate said.
“Then you would have some explaining to do,” Kent said, turning his attentions back to his granddaughter. He ruffled Haylee’s hair.
“Grandpa!” Haylee swatted his hand away before smoothing down her locks. “I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“Kent leave her be.” Elaine sent him a look.
“Don’t believe her,” Abby said. “I think his name is Damien.”
Haylee shot her aunt a glare.
Hmm, Sydney had heard this name thrown around. The two had been walking to and from school together but it would seem she was sharing more details with Aunt Abby. It was probably easier to talk to Abby who sometimes acted her age than to get any into out of Haylee. Whether Haylee confided in Sydney about this little crush or not she trusted her daughter...but boys still scared the bejesus out of her. Sixteen and pregnant always flashed in the same thought as Haylee and boys.
Sydney felt a warm, rough hand engulf her own and didn’t have to look over to know it was Jake, quietly telling her to wipe that look of fear away from her face. That wasn’t the only thing she had to wipe away from her face as she enjoyed his tender touch.
Sydney sent him an exaggerated smile. No one was paying any attention to the two of them.
He arched an eyebrow as though to say a little much and her smile turned to a glare
Jake shrugged in comical defeat and winked at her sending a whole new set of feelings through her. Was this party ever going to end?
Sydney heard Haylee ta
ke an over-exaggerated inhale in preparation for distinguishing the thirteen candles wrapped around the cake.
“Ohh,” Jake shouted in Sydney’s ear and she found herself staring at him...again.
“What is this?” Haylee asked staring around the still lit cake.
Everyone played innocent, poorly, with stifled grins and amused eyes, insisting she try again.
Haylee eyed them suspiciously. She wasn’t an unobservant regular teenager but enlightened the older crowd by once again attempting to blow out the candles that burned even higher.
“Are you all kidding me?” She laughed. “Do you think I’m five?”
Five...Sydney recalled her fifth birthday. She’d been a super shy adorable sweetness and they’d celebrated at the beach. Jake had been there too. She remembered him also, setting up a game of ring toss with pop bottles and rings he made out of rope. All day she was able to drag Jake into her thoughts. She wanted to drag him into her bedroom.
“Does this mean we don’t get cake?” Rosemary asked her parents.
Kate was laughing and snapping pictures but Marc assured the brunette darling snuggled on his hip that she would get a slice of cake.
Rosemary smiled, relieved and lay her head back on his shoulder to look at Haylee, but really she was eying up the cake.
“You have a lot of explaining to do,” Kent roared and Sydney found herself smiling along with him.
Haylee elbowed his stomach playfully. “Grandpa!”
“Blow again!” Abby encouraged, reaching over for another dip in the icing. Elaine slapped her hand away before it made contact. Seriously she was worse than Rosemary...a five-year-old child.
Haylee shook her head. “I’m not trying it again.”
“Do it,” Abby said.
“You do it.”
Sydney could indeed picture her sister leaning over to do just that but Joan scooped the cake away and carried it and the blow-less candles away.
Helping Joan, Sydney passed out the slices of cake.
Lakeshore Love: The McAdams Sisters (By The Lake Book 3) Page 12