Saving Sydney

Saving Sydney

Jenny Lyn

Breathless Press Calgary, Alberta www.breathlesspress.com

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Saving Sydney Copyright© 2012 Jenny Lyn ISBN: 978-1-77101-041-2 Cover Artist: Staci Perkins Editor: Spencer Freeman All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

A big hug and kiss to my family who not only encouraged me to take up writing, but also understood my need for quiet time and overlooked the occasional meltdown I had. To my editor, Spencer Freeman: A heartfelt thank you for your patience and guidance! You’ve undoubtedly spoiled me for all others. And finally to Breathless Press: Thanks for taking a shot on a newbie writer. Hopefully this won’t be the last time we work together.

Chapter One

There was simply no better way to start your night than with a lap full of sexy, warm woman. Her being practically naked certainly didn’t hurt much either. Reece let his hands drift down Sydney’s damp, bare, back, and around her slim hips to come to rest on the tops of her thighs. His tanned skin was a stark contrast to her creamy flesh. Her forehead rested on his shoulder, deep breaths skating across his chest, cooling the layer of perspiration. Exertion and beard abrasion tinted her lush breasts and graceful neck a soft pink. Her soft scent engulfed him, something that made Reece’s head swim when mixed with a generous helping of sex. It was a far cry from the run-of-the-mill bar smells she’d strolled through to get to his office not twenty minutes before. They’d managed to only partially undress one another. His shirt was open and pushed off one shoulder and his jeans and briefs were shoved down past his hips. Somehow he’d been able to get her top off 1

Saving Sydney and her bra unclasped, but her charcoal-gray skirt remained zipped and was bunched around her waist. The black lace thong she’d been wearing, however, didn’t survive. One sharp snap of his wrist had rendered it no longer wearable. As if she’d just noticed this little tidbit, she murmured, “You owe me a new pair of panties.” She lifted her head to look at him, reaching up with one hand to remove stray strands of her tousled auburn hair caught on his goatee, and cocked a perfectly arched eyebrow. Without speaking, Reece flipped the front of his shirt over, showing her the spots where several buttons were now missing. Not that he was complaining. He’d take hot, impatient sex over decorum any day of the week. One corner of her mouth quirked. “Oh, well then I guess we’re even.” “Hello, by the way,” Reece said, brushing her hair back from her flushed cheeks. “It would be nice to fuck in a bed sometime.” Lifting her hips, Sydney slid off of his semierect cock. Reece grimaced, immediately missing her snug heat. In fact, if she’d only stayed in place a few minutes more he would’ve been ready to go again. That was part of the problem with this little arrangement they had—he couldn’t seem to get enough of her. It also wasn’t lost on him that she hadn’t responded to his comment about taking their steamy encounters to someplace more personal and private than his office. Instead, she shimmied her skirt down her hips and began searching for her shirt while she stepped into her heels and snapped her bra closed. Reece peeled himself off the dark leather couch, disposed of the condom in the trash in his tiny, private bathroom, washed his hands, and tucked himself back into his jeans. He shrugged out of the button up and opened a drawer in his desk, grabbing a new black T-shirt with the bar’s logo on it and pulling it over his head. “Syd, can I take you to dinner one night?” She smoothed her hair back from her face and snapped a barrette in place, effectively taming her soft curls, while avoiding looking him in the face. “Where are my sunglasses?” she mumbled, eyes darting around his office. Disappointment swept through him. “I’m taking that as a ‘no’.”

2

Jenny Lyn “Ah, there they are,” she said, scooping them up off the floor near the door and dropping them into her purse. “Sydney, I’m starting to get a complex here.” She stopped moving and sighed, finally meeting his gaze. “Reece, I thought we talked about this. I don’t have the time or the brain capacity to handle a relationship right now.” “It’s just dinner.” Fuck, why did she make him feel like some needy chick? Shaking her head, she said, “It’s not just dinner and you know it. One dinner leads to two. Before you know it...it’s...well, I can’t.” What was so wrong with him wanting to explore their relationship a little further? Women like Sydney rarely came his way, if ever. He didn’t like that she’d drawn this invisible line between them that he wasn’t supposed to cross. Not one damn bit. A barrier with a woman was something he’d never had to face before. Usually he was the one building walls. “Don’t get pissed. It was only a suggestion. This feels....” He shrugged, at a loss for the right word. She shot him a questioning look over her shoulder and began digging through her purse for something. “Tawdry?” That was her highdollar word, not his. Reece raked his hand through his hair, struggling with his frustration. “It feels weird, damn it. You’re not some random chick from the bar who shoved her tits in my face and begged me to fuck her. I thought we liked each other, respected one another.” She stepped in front of him and pressed her palm to his chest. He covered her hand with his in a feeble attempt to keep her there for as long as he could. “I do like and respect you, Reece, otherwise I wouldn’t be here. You don’t owe me anything. I don’t feel cheap or used when I walk out your door.” Maybe I do. “Do you?” she asked. Shit, had he spoken out loud? He tried to keep his face impassive. “Do I what?” “Feel like I’m using you?” He captured her wrist and twisted her hands behind her back until she was pressed against him, from chest to thigh. She peered up at him with cautious eyes the color of whiskey. He’d already memorized

3

Saving Sydney every fleck of gold contained in their depths. “We’re both getting off, right?” “Very much so,” she replied, her voice going husky enough to send another shot of desire ricocheting through his body. “Then it’ll have to do.” He dropped a hard kiss on her lips. “For now.” He released her and she picked up her purse from the corner of his desk. “Next week?” “Or sooner,” he answered hopefully. She unlocked his office door and strode out. Reece sank down into the leather chair behind his desk and drew his hands down his face. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted her ripped thong half hidden under the bottom edge of the couch. He picked it up, twirling the scrap of silk around his fingers. The smell of Sydney’s arousal punched into his senses again, causing his dick to twitch responsively behind his fly. Damn, she got to him like no woman ever had, but then he’d always had a soft spot for Sydney Carson. Ever since their junior year of high school when she’d generously let him copy her homework in English class, despite the looks and comments she received from her snobbish, rich friends. It’d been twelve years since they’d seen each other. Then, by a stroke of good luck, he just happened to bump into her at the courthouse in downtown Pearson when he was there filing paperwork for the bar several weeks ago. He’d pegged her for a lawyer on sight, and he hadn’t been wrong. Turns out she’d studied corporate law but now used her degree to manage her family’s foundation and her father’s various business interests. He’d talked her into slowing down long enough for a cup of coffee and conversation so they could catch up. What they hadn’t counted on was the intense spark of sexual attraction between them. Body parts kept brushing against body parts until he was sure the two of them were going to set something on fire. The next night she’d strolled into his working-class bar in her expensive designer suit and every male head in the place had swiveled her direction. Strangely, her obliviousness to the way men reacted to her was part of what made her so attractive. Reece was used to women who put all their assets on display, advertising the wares, wanting men to drool and pant over them. But not Sydney.

4

Jenny Lyn She defined class but wore it tastefully, not pretentiously. There was no air of haughtiness about her, just one of confidence and determination. And that night she had predetermined they were going to have sex, and who was he to argue with that logic. She’d pinned him in his tracks with those incredible eyes and fifteen minutes later he’d had her pinned between him and the top of his desk. The sex was brain scrambling, but she’d made it crystal clear she wasn’t seeking a relationship for anything other than shared orgasms and tension relief. He’d gathered from the conversation in the coffee shop that she had her hands full with her job and family. Her parents were separated and Sydney was playing the role of mediator, in addition to all her other duties. Her younger brother, Jonah, led a negligent playboy lifestyle so she was constantly trying to keep him out of trouble too. She said she’d tried marriage once and it lasted all of about five minutes so she wasn’t sure she was cut out for the 2.5 kids, white picket fence scenario. He got that. In some respects they were a lot alike. Reece had his hands full running the bar. When he’d inherited Shots from his father, it’d been on the verge of going under. Rather than let that happen, he’d gone out on a huge limb by mortgaging the place and remodeling from the ground up. The investment had paid off handsomely. They were one of the most popular sports bars in town now and he’d cleared nearly a quarter of a million dollars in the last two years alone. A few more years like that and he’d have the loan paid off and enough in savings that he could hang a For Sale sign out front and walk away if he chose to. Contrary to what his father believed, Reece didn’t have whiskey in his veins like he once did. Relationships hadn’t exactly been his forte either. In his early twenties, it had been all about conquests. Quantity over quality. For the last five years his focus had been making the bar a success. Somehow that mindset had translated over into his taste in women of late. Gone were the days of a revolving door in his bedroom. Recently he’d been imagining what it would be like to wake up with the same woman every morning, and the one he had in mind had auburn hair and legs a mile long. Reece glanced at his watch, shoved Sydney’s panties in the top drawer of his desk, then stood and headed for the front of the bar. As soon as he stepped behind the counter his best friend and General Manager, Deke McIntyre, grinned widely at him and shook his head. “What?” Reece asked him. 5

Saving Sydney “Didn’t you have on a different shirt when you came in this afternoon?” Reece shrugged one shoulder and popped the top off of a beer. “I got hot.” “Don’t you mean Red got you hot?” “Bite me.” That drew a hearty laugh. “You seem a little tense, bro. I thought sex was supposed to help you relax. Maybe you’re not doing it right.” “What makes you so sure we had sex?” “I saw Sydney when she left. She had that freshly fucked glow about her.” Deke waved his arm around like he was eloquently quoting Shakespeare. Reece couldn’t help but smile at his buddy’s shrewd observation. “So I guess we are doing it right,” he said smugly. “Then why are you still tense?” Deke had been his best friend since elementary school. They’d grown up on the same street, four houses apart. He trusted him to run his bar and he trusted him with his life. Why not trust him with his budding feelings for Sydney? “I suggested dinner and she shot me down.” Deke smiled sympathetically and scrubbed his hand through his spiky blonde hair. “It doesn’t feel so good, being on the other side of that coin, huh?” Reece took a long pull from his beer. “Nope.” “Did she give you a reason?” He scraped at the label on the bottle with his thumbnail. “Says she doesn’t have time for a relationship. I guess I can understand that. Her family demands a lot of her like the bar demands a lot of me.” “Damn, dude. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this into a woman before. I thought you enjoyed the bachelor lifestyle, like me.” “I have, but shit, Deke, we’re thirty. Thirty-one is right around the corner. Next thing you know we’re staring down forty.” “We’ve still got a lot of hell raisin’ left in us.” With that, Deke twisted the top off of his own beer and clinked it against the neck of Reece’s bottle. “Look, if you’re really serious about pursuing something with Sydney you’re gonna have to be patient. Wear her defenses down a little at a time. Show her you’re there for her and she’ll come around eventually.” “When did you become Dr. Fucking Phil, handing out all this sage advice about women?” 6

Jenny Lyn “I live in a bar. I’ve got a PhD in bullshit,” Deke said, flashing him a toothy grin. “I don’t know about the degree, but you’re definitely full of shit.”

7

Chapter Two

Sydney was late for work. Not that she was concerned about getting in any trouble because she was the boss, but still, she prided herself on being prompt and conscientious of other people’s schedules as well as her own. It was Reece’s fault she was tardy. Great sex made her sleep like she’d been shot with a tranquilizer dart, so, except for the evenings she saw him, she was seriously sleep deprived. When she normally laid her head on her pillow, her mind simply refused to shut itself down. Last night though, she’d slept so heavily she’d somehow silenced her alarm when it screamed obnoxiously at 6:00 a.m. this morning and fell back asleep. As soon as she stepped off the elevator her assistant, Sophie, met her. She handed Sydney a steaming latte and fell in step beside her as she headed down the hallway toward her office. “Thanks,” Sydney said as she carefully sipped from the cup. “I needed that this morning.” 8

Jenny Lyn “You’re going to want a bottle of aspirin to go with it,” Sophie said. Tossing her briefcase onto her desk, Sydney faced her. “That bad already?” “Your father called about the contracts for the Anderson purchase. The two of you have a meeting with their lawyers at one thirty today. Your mother called to remind you about the Alzheimer’s benefit Friday night at the Thomas Center and to tell you she was wearing green so you couldn’t.” Sophie winked. “Anything else?” Sydney propped her bottom against the edge of her desk. “I need you to review the invoices on your desk and sign the checks once you do. There’s also some Foundation letters that require your signature. Frank Little called to inquire about the lease on the Murphy building and Jonah is in the office this morning, surprisingly, and he’s been looking for you.” She took a deep breath. “I think that about covers it for now.” “What does Jonah need?” Sydney asked with a frown. Her brother rarely ever made it into the office before noon, if he made it in at all. Come to think of it, she hadn’t seen him the entire week. “He didn’t say.” “So my mother doesn’t want me to wear green, huh?” Sydney tapped her chin with her forefinger, mentally flipping through the gowns in her closet. “Green is gorgeous with auburn hair,” Sophie mused. “Yes, it is tempting to spitefully ignore her directive, but I’d never hear the end of it and I wouldn’t put it past her to douse me with red wine if I showed up wearing her color.” A sly smile spread across Sophie’s face. “Which brings me to your color choice this morning.” Sydney glanced down at her black suit and frowned in confusion. “Seventy-five percent of my wardrobe is black, Sophie.” She pointed at Sydney’s top with her pen. “You’re wearing a red blouse underneath. Last Tuesday you wore a sapphire blue blouse and the Wednesday before that you wore an emerald green blouse.” Sophie narrowed her eyes at her. “Normally you wear white, gray, or cream.” “Since when did you start paying such close attention to my attire?” Sydney sat down behind her desk and opened her briefcase.

9

Saving Sydney “Since the day you hired me. I lust after your shoes, Syd. I’ve secretly considered drugging your coffee so I can steal those gold and diamond hoop earrings you’re so fond of. What can I say, I’m a fashion whore.” Sydney dubiously eyed the latte in her left hand then continued thumbing through her BlackBerry. “So I assume you have a theory behind my choice of blouse color?” she asked distractedly. “You’re having sex again.” Sydney’s head shot up in surprise. “You think I’m having sex because of my color choices?” “That, yes, but there are other signs too. You look sort of...glowy this morning, and less tense, even after I unloaded all the bad news on you.” Sydney’s eyebrows rose. “Glowy?” “Yes, glowy. You know, the look that says ‘I’ve recently had some fantastic sex.’ We’re friends and I’ve worked for you for five years so I pretty much have you figured out.” Sophie smirked. “I’m right, aren’t I?” “I still don’t get how you can tell I’m having sex from the color of my blouse.” Sophie clapped her hands like a little girl on Christmas morning while her face lit up like the lights on the tree. “I knew it! Do I know him? It’s not Lincoln Porter, is it? Because he has really small hands. Or your ex.” Her lip curled with distaste. “Please tell me it’s not Todd.” Sydney laughed and rolled her head on the back of her chair. “No, it’s not Lincoln and it’s definitely not Todd. The sex wasn’t very good when we were married. Why would I go back for seconds?” “Then who is it?” “You don’t know him. He’s an old friend. We bumped into each other several weeks ago and our libidos took over from there.” “And now other body parts are bumping into each other, about once a week if my observations are correct.” “Yes, once a week, Sophie. That’s all I have time for.” “Don’t you mean that’s all you allow time for?” “Are you analyzing me again? Because if you are I’m going to pull rank and remind you I’m the boss.” “But I’m so good at it,” she whined. “Come on, give me some more details. I don’t have a love life so I need to live vicariously through yours.” 10

Jenny Lyn “It’s not a love life, it’s just sex,” she said firmly, more for her own benefit than Sophie’s, “and this conversation is over. I have a lot of work to do before my meeting this afternoon.” “Okay, just give me one thing and I’ll drop the subject.” Then under her breath she added, “For now.” Crap, that was the same thing Reece had said when he let her off the hook about dinner last night. She shook off the pang of guilt and gave Sophie a smug smile. “He has nice big...hands. Now shoo.” With another girlie giggle, Sophie shut her office door on her way out. Sydney blew out a long breath. How long did she have before Reece’s interest in her petered out? Granted, the sex was off the charts, but if she wasn’t willing to move forward with the relationship, sooner or later he was going to give up. Her money was on sooner. And could she blame him? She’d never been able to give the men in her romantic life enough of her time or her mind to keep them satisfied. Todd had given up on her. Reece would too. It was inevitable. Pushing the thought away, she flipped open a file and focused on work until Sophie stuck her head in the door four hours later to tell her their lunch had been delivered and was waiting in the conference room. Sydney had no more sunk her teeth into her first bite of Caesar salad when Jonah sauntered in and flopped down in a chair across from her and Sophie. “What can I do for you, little brother?” He looked pointedly at her bloodred blouse, which Sydney had come to think of as the color of passion, corny as it sounded, and hoped like hell her brother didn’t arrive at the same conclusion Sophie had. “I like the red on you. Usually you dress like a lawyer.” “I am a lawyer,” she responded drily and shoved another fork full of romaine into her mouth. “That doesn’t mean you have to dress like one.” She rolled her eyes and swiped at her mouth with her napkin. “Is there some reason for this impromptu visit besides an unqualified critique of my attire?” He held up his hands defensively. “Easy there, Sis. Don’t go getting your panties in a twist.” That’s when Sydney noticed the white bandage spanning the palm of his left hand and the small one over his right eyebrow, partially covered by a lock of his shaggy brown hair. 11

Saving Sydney Instantly her annoyance was replaced by concern. “Jonah, what happened to you?” He ran his fingertips across the bandage on his forehead and smiled sheepishly at her. “I wrecked the Ferrari Sunday night.” Her concern quickly morphed into anger. Sydney dropped her fork, her appetite vanishing. “Wrecked or totaled?” “There’s a difference?” She ground her teeth together, not at all amused by his attempt at being glib. “Jonah?” “I’m pretty sure it’s totaled.” Sophie stood abruptly. “I’ll be at my desk.” “No. Stay, Sophie. I may need you to testify at my trial that killing my brother was justified.” Sophie sat back down, folded her hands primly in her lap, and swiveled her head back and forth between the two of them like she was watching a tennis match. Sydney could feel her blood pressure steadily rising, feel her face and ears turning hot and red with anger. Red as her damn blouse. So much for equating it with the color of passion. Murderous passion maybe. This would be the third car Jonah had wrecked in the last seven years and none of them were cheap. Her brother’s choice of vehicles had to be flashy, foreign sports cars that rang up in the six-figure category. “You do realize you’re virtually uninsurable now?” He nonchalantly waved his hand through the air. “Aw, Sis, there are ways around that.” Sydney shot to her feet and tossed her half-eaten lunch in the trash. “Guess what, Jonah? I’m done finding ways around your irresponsibility.” She turned on her heel and headed back to her office. Jonah followed her. “Sydney, I can’t get money out of my trust fund for another six months. I need something to drive,” he pleaded. “How did you get to the office today?” She stopped abruptly and glared at him. “And if you say a limo I swear to God I’ll punch you in the nose.” He took a step back. “I drove my motorcycle.” Sydney smiled, oozing false sweetness. “Well, there you go. Your new mode of transportation.” “But, Syd, what if it rains or I have a date?” 12

Jenny Lyn Her office door slammed shut in his face.

***

Sydney let herself into her condo, dropped her keys and mail on the foyer table, then kicked off her heels with a deep sigh of relief. Then she headed straight for the bar and poured herself two fingers worth of scotch in a tumbler. As she opened the French doors that led out onto the terrace, her cell rang. Regrettably, she didn’t bother to check the display, otherwise she wouldn’t have answered. “Hello, honey,” her mother sang. “Hi, Mom,” she said tiredly. “Did Sophie tell you I called this morning?” “Yes, ma’am, she did. The benefit is on my calendar. I won’t forget.” “Why were you late? You’re never late for work. Are you okay?” Her mother’s question about her out-of-character tardiness made Sydney instantly think of Reece. She could use some of his sexual therapy right now. It had a way of working wonders of her frazzled nerve endings. “Everything’s fine.” “Good. I called to tell you I have your date lined up for the benefit.” Sydney blanched. “My date? You...set me up with someone?” Her mother huffed on the other end of the line. “Well if I left it up to you you’d come solo.” Her ears were getting hot again. At the rate she was going she’d be in the hospital before Friday night, suffering from a stroke. “And the problem with that would be what?” “Darling, people are starting to talk,” her mother said, dropping her voice like she was telling a torrid secret in a crowded room. Digging her fingers into her throbbing eye sockets, Sydney sighed. “Oh, yeah? What are they saying, Mom?” “That you’re difficult to get along with. Or you’re a lesbian.” Sydney groaned. “Oh, good grief. I don’t have time for a personal life because I’m too busy running around behind the members of my family with a checkbook, a referee’s whistle, or a broom.” “That wasn’t nice, dear,” her mother responded tartly. “I already have a date for Friday night,” Sydney blurted, hoping to end this conversation and not thinking that she might open up a whole other can of worms. “You do?” 13

Saving Sydney “Yes, I do. So whoever you had picked out for me you’ll just have to apologize and tell him you were too late. It was a him, right?” “Very funny, young lady. It’s Peter Ford. The heart surgeon you met at the gala for the new hospital three weeks ago?” Oh, she remembered him—five-foot-something short, receding hairline, paunch, onion breath. Ugh. She made a face at the phone. “Mother, he’s a hundred years old.” “He’s in his mid-forties, Sydney. And a doctor. A heart surgeon. Did I mention that?” Like that mattered to Sydney. She drained her scotch in one gulp then headed back inside for a refill. “I really have to go. I’ve had a rough day and I’m tired. I’ll see you Friday night.” She pressed the disconnect button before her mother could say anything else and stared at her phone. What the hell had she just done? She didn’t have a date for the benefit and if she turned up solo her mother would only find some other hapless applicant to push on her. And she wouldn’t stop at just one. Sydney chewed her lip and thought about Reece. He’d asked her to dinner, but this was hardly the same thing. This would be torture for him, no two ways about it. The benefit was a thousand-dollar-aplate event—not exactly his crowd. Sometimes she wished it wasn’t hers. No, Reece was nothing like those people. He was warm and genuine, not at all concerned with being seen or social climbing. Would he be game anyway or would he throw her invitation back in her face because she’d turned him down last night on his offer of dinner? “There’s only one way to find out,” she mumbled as she dialed the bar. On the fourth ring, a deep male voice answered. “Shots. This is Deke.” “Hi, Deke, it’s Sydney. Is Reece around?” She would be willing to bet Deke was grinning on the other end of the line. Although they’d never been close friends, they could certainly be called acquaintances since they’d graduated high school together. Every time she left the bar after being with Reece, Deke flashed a knowing smile her way, making her flush with embarrassment. “Hey, Red. He’s here somewhere. Hold on and I’ll find him for you.”

14

Jenny Lyn After a few moments of being on hold, the phone clicked and Reece’s smooth, rich voice came over the line. “This is a nice surprise. How are you tonight, Syd?” “I’m okay, and you?” Sydney asked nervously. Such normal, mundane conversation when the sex between them last night had been anything but. “Better now. What’s on your mind, beautiful?” Damn, he was sweet. And oh so sexy. Focus, Sydney. Pacing her living room floor, she said, “I’d like to ask a favor.” Without any hesitation whatsoever, he answered, “Name it.” “Ha! You might not be so eager to help when I tell you what it is.” “Let’s hear it then.” “I have this Alzheimer’s benefit Friday night and I was wondering if you’d like to go, you know, as my date.” “I’d love to.” Again, no pause before he accepted. “Are you sure? It’s going to be really boring and there will be lots of fake people there. On the upside, the food is usually pretty good and there’s an open bar.” “Sydney, you’ll be there. That’s all I need to know. Tell me what to wear, where to pick you up, and what time.” She breathed a huge sigh of relief. “You’re a life saver. Really, you don’t know how much I appreciate it.” His voice dropped to a low, husky tone. “You can show me later.” God, he made her wet. Just a hint of sex was all it took. “It’ll be my pleasure to thank you any way you so choose.” And by pleasure she meant lots of shared, mind-melting orgasms. “Any way?” he asked teasingly. “Within certain parameters, of course.” Way to sound like a prude, Syd. “I look forward to exploring those parameters.” Did she have them? When it came to him and sex she was beginning to think she may not. “After this experience you may want to shoot me instead.” He chuckled in her ear, making goose bumps spread down her arms and her nipples pinch. Sydney suddenly wished she were there in his office, straddling his lap naked with his hard cock buried deep inside her, riding him toward sweet oblivion. She’d run out on him last night like her ass was on fire and it was terribly unfair. But she’d meant what she said and he’d be wise not to pursue an emotional relationship with her. She wasn’t worth it. 15

Saving Sydney “So is this formal? Semiformal?” he asked. “Suit and tie for men. You can meet me here, at my condo, at sixthirty.” Sydney rattled off her address for Reece, ignoring the spear of unease piercing her chest. There hadn’t been a man in her apartment since Todd left. Not even a repairman or her brother. That was two years ago. It was pretty pathetic actually. “Okay, sweetness. I’ll see you Friday night.” She smiled, suddenly finding herself looking forward to the stuffy benefit. “Thanks, Reece.”

16

Chapter Three

Sydney smiled approvingly at her reflection in the floor length mirror of her closet. She was wearing green whether her mother liked it or not. It was her form of petty revenge for the horrific matchmaking attempt. The dress was made of rich silk in a deep shade of emerald. Fashioned in a goddess design, it wrapped itself snugly around her waist and hips and crossed over her shoulders to fall away to her lower back. The hem grazed the floor and the front was slit to mid-thigh. She wore her hair up in a loose twisting knot with a few curling tendrils framing her face and neck, and for jewelry she kept it simple with only a pair of emerald and diamond drop earrings. On her feet was a new pair of strappy black stilettos. When she bought the shoes yesterday she’d also bought a gift for Reece—a new shirt to replace the one she’d popped the buttons off of in their haste to get each other naked. Hopefully she’d guessed the right size. 17

Saving Sydney She couldn’t wait to see Reece in a suit. See how it would set off his muscular body and rugged good looks. She secretly hoped he wore black. With his dark brown hair and sky blue eyes, that sexy goatee framing his delicious mouth, he would redefine handsome. On cue, her doorbell rang and Sydney grabbed her clutch from the island in the middle of her closet. Before she opened her front door, she took a deep, cleansing breath, willing her nerves to remain calm for the rest of the night. Reece was kind enough to agree to do this. She certainly didn’t want to project her anxieties on him. She pulled open the door and gasped softly. “Oh my,” she murmured as she stepped back for Reece to enter. “I’ll second that,” he replied, giving her the once-over from head to toe with an appreciative smile. “You look amazing, Sydney.” Sydney tried to swallow but her mouth had gone dry as cotton. “Thank you, and might I say, sir, you wear that suit quite nicely.” She’d gotten her wish. He’d chosen a black suit, and perfectly tailored for his impressive frame. The shirt underneath was a medium shade of gray and his tie was graphite with just a hint of a shine to it. On his feet were thick-soled black lace-ups, polished and clean, but his one concession to his bad boy nature. They openly eyed each other for a few more seconds. “How’d I do?” he asked, moving close enough that Sydney could feel the heat from his body and smell the subtle, spicy hint of his aftershave. She wanted to lick him all over. “You look good enough to eat,” she said, readily giving away her thoughts. He dipped his head until their lips were inches apart and their breaths mingled. “Then how about a taste?” Sydney wrapped one hand around the back of his neck, pulling him down to her eager mouth. Reece was a great kisser—firm pressure, gentle suction, exploring tongue. Not too wet, not too dry. Delicious. Unfortunately a quick taste would only whet her appetite for more. Need coiled rapidly in the pit of her stomach as his tongue slid over hers. She was aware of his warm hands coasting over her hips and down to the curve of her ass as well as his growing erection insistently pressing into her belly through the layers of their clothing. With a soft whimper of regret, she pulled away. “Will that hold you for a while?” she asked.

18

Jenny Lyn He shook his head ruefully. “No, but I don’t want to mess you up. You look too pretty and put together.” “It’s all an illusion. Inside I’m a big bundle of raw nerves.” Sydney’s cell phone rang and she answered before Reece could question her about that absentminded confession. It was the car service telling her they were waiting downstairs. “I hope you don’t mind riding. My dad insisted on sending a limousine to pick us up.” Reece shrugged. “Fine with me. I can grope you while we ride.” Laughing, she tucked her BlackBerry into her clutch along with her house key. “Thanks again for doing this,” she told him on the ride down in the elevator. He squeezed her waist. “You’re welcome. Will I be meeting your family tonight?” “Most likely, if you want to. I told you my parents are separated, but they’re being surprisingly civil toward one another. Hopefully they’ll come together, for appearances sake. I doubt my brother will show. He and I are kind of on the outs right now.” “Why?” The elevator doors slid apart and they walked through the opulent lobby of Sydney’s building, out to the waiting limo. “I’ll tell you on the way.” The driver nodded politely and opened the door for them. As soon as her butt hit the leather seat, Sydney glanced up to find Jonah sitting across from them. She frowned in confusion and instantly tensed, ready for an argument. “Jonah, what are you doing here?” “Thumbing a ride to the benefit since I don’t have any wheels,” he grumbled. “And whose fault is that?” she retorted tersely. Jonah rubbed his face with both hands and sighed. “Can we not do this tonight, Sydney?” “I would love nothing more than to not do this tonight.” Jonah looked pointedly at Reece then back at her. “Oh, Reece, I’m sorry. This is my brother Jonah. Jonah, this is Reece Myers.” The two men met across the wide space to shake hands while Sydney settled back for the short ride. Reece draped his arm along the back of the seat behind her head. So much for groping each other on the way to the Thomas Center. 19

Saving Sydney “Reece, would you like a drink? I don’t know about you but I’ve found the best way to get through these fucking things is by being slightly drunk,” Jonah drawled as he fumbled around in the limo’s liquor selection. “No, thanks,” Reece replied. Jonah glanced over at Sydney but she shook her head. It was on the tip of her tongue to remind him not to embarrass himself tonight by getting sloppy drunk and behaving like a jackass but she bit it back. She didn’t want to get into a confrontation with him in front of Reece and besides, what good would it do? He never listened anyway, and she would come off sounding like a preachy bitch. “So, how do you two know each other?” Jonah asked, loosening the knot in his tie slightly before tipping his glass to his lips. Her brother really was devastatingly handsome in a disheveled, wiseass sort of way. Females followed him around like he was the Pied Piper of sex. Sydney constantly cautioned him about his choice in women and using protection. After all, he came from wealth. That made him ripe pickings to be some money hungry girl’s sugar daddy. Especially since he went through those women like toilet paper. “We’re old friends,” Reece said and left it at that. “And what do you do, Reece?” “I own Shots over on Tenth.” Jonah raised his eyebrows and nodded. “I’ve been there a few times. Great pool room, man.” “Thanks. Look me up the next time you’re in. I’ll set you up with a prime table.” “Cool. I’ll be sure and do that.” Reece’s thumb brushed back and forth across Sydney’s bare shoulder, making her skin tingle like he was touching her with an electric wire. She longed to sink into him, to climb across his thighs and let him slide his hand under the split in her dress. If said hand decided to inch a little higher and stroke her clit until she came that would be fine too, but now that her brother was along for the ride that little fantasy went out the window. Sydney shifted on the seat, uncrossing and crossing her legs at the pulse of arousal between her thighs. Her dress fell open, revealing most of her bare legs, and she tugged it back over them while she shot a sideways glance at Reece, whose hip was firmly pressed against hers. A muscle in his jaw jumped as he smoothed his hand down his tie. 20

Jenny Lyn The limo veered out of traffic and into the long, curving driveway of the Thomas Center. When the driver opened the door, Jonah slid out first. Reece put his hand on her arm, stopping her from exiting. She looked back at him. Concern was etched into his masculine features. “Are you okay?” She kissed him reassuringly. “I’m glad you came.”

21

Chapter Four

Reece wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting, but it wasn’t this. He’d been to the Thomas Center before, for a friend’s wedding a few years back, but tonight it had been transformed into a fucking indoor forest. There were huge, fake trees everywhere, dripping with sparkling crystals and lit up with pink, yellow, and green lights. Tiny, fake butterflies and birds of every color were suspended from the ceiling by invisible wires and pretty girls dressed as wood nymphs milled amongst the crowd, offering up crystal flutes of champagne. It didn’t quite tip over into tacky, but it hovered precariously close. Sydney kept her hand on his elbow and steered him toward a table where an older woman immediately offered a blinding smile and an envelope. “Hello, Sydney. You look beautiful tonight.” “Thank you, Evelyn, as do you. Have my parents arrived yet?” The woman glanced down at a sheet of paper and then shook her head. “Not yet.” 22

Jenny Lyn Sydney nodded. “Okay.” She turned to Reece and tucked the envelope into her clutch. “How about that drink now?” He placed his hand on her bare lower back and steered her toward one of the makeshift bars in the corner of the large room. “Lead the way.” It was going to be a long night and it had nothing to do with the event itself and everything to do with the way Sydney looked, the way her skin felt beneath his fingertips, how she affected him when he got within three feet of her. Hell, he only had to be in the same room with her and he was hard. Good thing his jacket covered the crotch of his pants. With her hair swept up, all he could think about was burying his face in the soft curve of her neck and breathing in her intoxicating scent. The dress she wore was tasteful yet still sexy as fuck. The neckline dipped just low enough to expose the soft swells of her breasts and a few inches of deep cleavage, and the back was...well, nonexistent. Every time she took a step, Reece got a glimpse of long, bare leg. He’d nearly groaned out loud in the car when she’d uncrossed her legs and the slit fell open to her upper thighs. If only her brother hadn’t been with them, he would’ve explored that expanse of silky skin a little further. She could certainly use it because tension was rolling off of her in waves and it had started the instant she found Jonah inside the limo. He could see it in the rigid way she held her shoulders and the firm set of her jaw. Drinks in hand—chardonnay for her and bourbon for him—she led them to the edge of the crowd but not without getting stopped by at least a half-dozen people along the way. He could tell Sydney was well-liked and respected, and in return she was warm and friendly. She politely made the necessary introductions, but he didn’t bother to commit names and faces to memory because he would likely never see these people ever again. Once they were alone and partially tucked behind one of the enormous trees, he broached the subject of her brother again. “Syd, what’s going on between you and Jonah?” Instead of answering right away, she posed a question of her own. “What was your first impression of my brother? And please, be honest.”

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Saving Sydney “All right. He strikes me as the type that doesn’t really give a shit about anything.” She gave him a tight smile, then sipped her wine. “You would be absolutely spot-on in your assessment. He doesn’t give a shit about anything, except himself of course. Jonah loves Jonah. Oh, and I almost forgot about money. He loves throwing money away. This past Sunday he totaled his Ferrari. Two years ago it was a Lamborghini, and three years before that a Porsche 911 Turbo. It’s no small miracle he’s still alive.” Anger and disappointment clouded her eyes. “Jesus Christ, Syd. That’s a half a million dollar’s worth of wrecked cars.” “Yep, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg where Jonah’s concerned. There’s the whoring around, the partying, not taking his job seriously.” She shook her head. “Honestly, I hate to be so negative about him. I do love him with all of my heart, but he sure makes it hard sometimes.” “What do your parents say about it?” “He avoids Dad like the plague because he’s even harder on him than me. My mother, on the other hand, is a big softie. That’s her baby. She chastises him with about as much conviction as she did when he was three and he’d spilled his Cheerios in the carpet. I guarantee you he’ll have a new car by this time next week. Jonah will work his charms on her, make her feel sorry for him and she’ll end up buying him whatever he wants. The price tag will be immaterial.” Reece slid his arm around her waist. “Why do you let it bother you so much? Why not wash your hands of it?” She nodded once and looked down at her glass. “I know I should, but right now I feel like I’m the glue holding our family together. It’s difficult enough dealing with my parent’s separation. I don’t need Jonah drawing any more unwanted public scrutiny.” Tears shone in her eyes and she blinked them away quickly, offering him a small smile. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to get so maudlin on you. It’ll ruin your evening.” “Hey, don’t sweat it.” He pulled her close. “I wish there was something I could do to help.” “You have.” Her eyes turned heavy-lidded, her irises a shade darker, and he knew exactly what she meant. “You do.” She ran her palm down the front of his shirt and Reece wished like hell they were alone so he could kiss her senseless, make her forget for a while.

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Jenny Lyn Everything was becoming clearer to him now, the reasons why she came to him for sex. Like him, she’d known their connection would be intense, and that was what she needed. To lose herself in pleasure and block out everything else, if only for the all-too-brief moments they were together. If anything, the knowledge only steeled his resolve. He’d give her all the orgasms she could stand, whenever she wanted them, and an ear to listen if or when she felt like talking. Sooner or later she’d come around and see that he was offering more, if she wanted it. Reece hoped like hell she did because it was becoming blindingly apparent he wanted a shot at everything from her, not just her body. Someone called her name and the private moment was lost. For the next thirty minutes, they were pulled back into the vortex of inane conversation, cloying perfume, and the hobbies of the rich and shallow. Reece hung back, smiled, and spoke politely when necessary while he watched Sydney work her irresistible charms on every man and woman she came in contact with. A tall, blond guy approached them and Sydney stiffened noticeably beside Reece, just when she’d finally begun to relax. The man had a petite brunette clinging to his arm, her huge fake tits practically spilling out of the low-cut neckline of her dress. “Hello, Todd,” Sydney said coolly. “Hello, Sydney. You look stunning, as usual.” Todd turned to Reece expectantly. “Reece, this is Todd Blanton. Todd, Reece Myers,” Sydney said, making the introductions quickly and with very little inflection in her voice. The two of them shook hands and Reece wondered if he was going to bother introducing his girlfriend. As soon as he realized he hadn’t, Todd barely acknowledged the woman. “Oh, this is Melissa.” Reece could tell by Todd’s disinterested tone that the woman was nothing more to him than arm candy. “Melissa, this is my ex-wife, Sydney.” Holy shit. So this was the ex. Reece’s interest was now piqued though he wasn’t sure why. Okay, that wasn’t exactly true. He wanted to know why they hadn’t worked out, what she saw in the guy, and if she still had any lingering feelings for him. Judging by the way Todd’s eyes devoured Sydney and how he was completely ignoring his date, it was obvious he still cared a lot about her, or at the very least still lusted after her.

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Saving Sydney “Were you involved in planning this little shindig again this year, Syd?” Todd asked. “My grandmother Carson suffered from Alzheimer’s so it’s a cause our foundation will always support. But no, I’m not on the committee this year.” “Ah, too much on your plate?” Reece’s jaw clenched at the sarcasm in Todd’s voice. He’d just met the man and already he didn’t like him. Sydney’s mouth tightened. “You could say that.” Todd cut his eyes to Reece. “She always has a full plate, doesn’t she? Doesn’t leave much time for anything else.” He turned his attention back to Sydney. “You know what they say about all work and no play.” Reece had the overwhelming urge to punch Todd Blanton in the face so he shoved his fists deep into his pockets. “Sydney is anything but dull,” Reece interjected as he let his eyes deliberately drift to the mute blow-up doll standing beside Todd, wide-eyed and poutylipped. “I think I saw my father come in, so if you’ll excuse us,” Sydney said, looping her arm through Reece’s and pulling him away. As soon as they were out of earshot, she leaned close and said, “Well, now you’ve met the ex-husband. Charming fellow, isn’t he?” “He seems just a tad bit bitter,” Reece replied, echoing her sarcasm while watching her face closely. “Todd wanted...things I couldn’t give him.” She shook her head like she was resetting her brain. “Oh, this night keeps getting better and better. Where did my dad go?” And just like that, she changed the subject, looking around in the crowd for her father while Reece was left wondering what Todd had wanted that Sydney couldn’t give him. A doting wife and a house full of kids perhaps, or a docile doormat? She’d told him the day they ran into each other in the coffee shop she didn’t think she was suited for the cookie-cutter marriage. The more he got to know her he could see Sydney wasn’t the type of woman to give up her career to be a stay-athome soccer mom. That wasn’t her. He liked the woman she was just fine. She was ambitious, smart, and even though her family was going through a crisis of sorts right now, he knew she thrived on the business side of things. She genuinely enjoyed what she did. She liked helping people and the community. Her heart was as big as the building they were in and so far 26

Jenny Lyn the only fault he’d found in her was that she couldn’t seem to say no. Sydney thought she had to fix everything, to take care of everyone, but who took care of her? Reece was going to show her he was the man for that job.

27

Chapter Five

Sydney was shocked Reece was still here. Truthfully, she wouldn’t blame him one bit if he disappeared into the throng of people and never returned. She’d dumped a lot on him tonight—her problems with Jonah, her charismatic ex-husband, being subjected to dozens of people who were dull as dirt—and those were just for starters. Wait until he met her parents. If he stuck around after that, still wanted her with all her ridiculous baggage and workaholic tendencies, maybe a relationship was worth a shot. Reece could have any woman he wanted. She’d seen the appreciative looks he drew from women tonight, young and old, single and attached. He was ridiculously handsome, such a man that he commanded attention just by breathing. His virility was so powerful Sydney missed his presence if they were two feet apart. She wanted his hands on her constantly, if only for the briefest of touches. He calmed her, drew her into his warmth and strength without even knowing 28

Jenny Lyn he’d done so. Yet if she allowed herself to fall for him it would hurt like nothing ever had when he walked away. And undoubtedly he would, just like Todd had. Sydney spotted her father in the crowd and froze, going ice cold from head to toe. Her mother wasn’t on his arm but a lithesome, young blonde was. The way she was pressed into his body and her father gazed down into her adoring face told Sydney everything she needed to know about their relationship. Devastation punched her in the chest, a little piece of her heart breaking off as a result of the jarring impact. “That bastard,” she whispered. “Syd, what’s wrong?” She couldn’t fall apart in front of Reece. Wouldn’t allow herself to. “Um, I need to....” Her throat closed up like someone had squeezed her windpipe with a pair of pliers, making it difficult to breathe, let alone talk. “Hey.” Reece caught her chin in his fingers, forcing her to look at him. She shook her head and closed her eyes briefly. He turned his head the direction she’d been looking and cursed under his breath. “Is that your father? Tall, early sixties, navy suit with the yellow tie?” Sydney nodded. “I’m guessing the blonde isn’t your mother,” he said grimly. “No.” She met his eyes, pleading for something. She didn’t know what. Her nails dug into his biceps. “I can’t do this right now, Reece. I need some air or a stiff drink or—” He cut her off. “I know what you need. Come on.” Reece pulled her through the crowd. Someone called her name, but he kept tugging her along behind him, his big hand firm and sure around her smaller one. Her heels tapped out a staccato rhythm on the stunning terrazzo floors and echoed off the walls of the building’s wide corridors. Sydney made two steps for every one of his long strides. In their haste to escape, the bottom of her dress became tangled around her ankles and she stumbled. He caught her around the waist and righted her while Sydney looked up at him, laughing self-consciously at her clumsiness. “God, you’re stunning,” Reece said, something fierce and dark burning in his sultry blue-eyed gaze. Surely the soles of her shoes had just melted to the floor. She wanted him to kiss her so badly at that moment, smother her mouth

29

Saving Sydney with his and force out the thoughts of her father with another woman, of Jonah and Todd and disappointment. But then he was pulling her behind him again, shoving open a heavy door and carefully ushering her up flights of stairs until they could go no higher. Reece opened a door marked Roof Access and she followed him out into the late-September night air. He wedged a scrap of wood between the door and the frame, apparently left there for that very reason, so they wouldn’t be locked out. Considerate and smart. She would’ve never thought of it and wouldn’t that have been terribly embarrassing, having to scream at someone on the ground to come up and let them back in. “You’ve been here before,” Sydney said, winded from exertion and vibrating with anticipation. “A buddy of mine got married here a few years ago during the spring. They did cocktails on the roof and dinner downstairs.” An ornate, waist-high concrete balustrade surrounded the entire perimeter of the building’s large, flat roof. The only source of light was what radiated up from the windows and grounds three stories below them and the stars overhead. It was fairly quiet, only the muffled strain of the music from inside and the drone of the city’s sounds. The swirling air was cool but not cold enough to make her shiver. No, that was Reece’s job and he did it amazingly well. Grasping Sydney’s hand again in his warm one, Reece led her away from the door. When they were on the opposite side of the building, he took her small clutch and tucked it into the back waistband of his pants then turned her around to face the banister. His hands gripped her hips firmly, his body so close behind her she could feel his warmth heating her exposed skin. “Put your hands on the banister and keep them there. Close your eyes,” he said into her ear. Sydney shuddered and did as he asked. “Are you cold?” “No,” she murmured. His warm hands enveloped her shoulders. Tenderly he kneaded away the knots in her neck then slowly slid them down her arms as he pressed his front to her back. Solid. Hot. Steady. That was Reece. When his hands found hers, he rubbed his fingertips into the grooves between her fingers. Sydney felt it in every erogenous zone on her body. Who knew such a simple act could be so erotic? It intimated one body part fitting into another. Sydney’s breath caught. In fact, she

30

Jenny Lyn didn’t think she was breathing at all until Reece spoke again, demanding a response. “Are you turned on?” His mouth brushed across the curve of her shoulder, the soft hair of his goatee making her skin prickle with building arousal. “Yes.” “Good,” he said softly. “I want you humming. I don’t want you to think about anything but my hands on you. Is that understood, Sydney?” Loud and clear. It was just what she wanted—not to think. His voice was low and husky in her ear, insistent yet gentle, hypnotic. He traced the rim with his tongue then trailed it down the side of her neck in a path of liquid heat. He nipped at her skin then soothed it with hot kisses. The sounds of the city faded away until all she could hear were their mingled breaths and her heart beating rapidly in her chest. “Mmm, yes.” Reece drew the tips of his fingers up the sensitive undersides of her arms before smoothing his hands down her ribcage, then he slowly eased them back up to cover her breasts. Her nipples were so hard they hurt, the soft silk of her dress abrading the pebbled tips like rough burlap. They strained toward his palms, seeking more of his touch. “I wish I had you naked right now so I could suck your nipples, nip at them with my teeth until you cry out. You like that, don’t you, Sydney? My mouth on your gorgeous tits, licking and sucking you?” Sydney swallowed hard, trying to force moisture into her mouth because it had gone dry as the Sahara. It all flooded south, between her legs. “Yes. Please touch me, Reece.” She wanted so badly to lift her hands and cover his, force him to knead the tender, achy flesh, but she kept them on the balustrade like he instructed, pressing her fingertips into the cold, rough concrete instead. Reece tunneled his left hand into the neckline of her dress, covering her breast with his palm. He wedged her nipple between two fingers and pinched just hard enough to make her groan. His right hand coasted over her stomach. Lower and lower it drifted until it stopped between her hipbones, his long fingers splayed wide, pinkie brushing the top of her mound. She was swollen and throbbing now, her sex so wet she could feel her juices dampening her inner thighs. He rocked his erection into the seam of her bottom while he pushed against her belly. “Do you feel how hard my cock is, Syd? 31

Saving Sydney You make me that way. All I have to do is look at you, smell you, and my dick gets hard as stone.” A strangled moan slipped from Sydney’s throat and she pressed closer, silently cursing the barrier of their clothes. “Your tight ass turns me on. When I get you home tonight, I’m going to bend you over and fuck you from behind. Would you like that? Me driving hard into your pussy until you scream for me?” Sydney whimpered, hovering close to an orgasm from only the mental images Reece created. “Yes, Reece...please.” His fingers strummed her nipple again while his other hand found the split in the front of her dress. Teasing her with only his fingertips, he zigzagged them up the tender flesh of her inner thigh. “Are you wet, sweetheart?” Sydney nodded weakly and looked down, wishing she didn’t have on the long dress because she couldn’t see his hand. She wanted to watch him touch her. But then the anticipation of not knowing when his fingers would reach her only added fuel to an already blazing fire. His hand stopped moving and he pressed his mouth to her ear. “Answer me, Sydney. Are you wet?” “Yes! I’m so wet, Reece. Touch me. Please, I want you to make me come.” She wasn’t above begging him for it. She’d never begged Todd to fuck her but Reece wasn’t Todd. Reece knew how to drive her mad with just his naughty whispered words in that sex-drenched voice of his. He made Sydney want to give up total control to him. Surrender her mind, body, and soul without thinking twice about doing it. “Spread your legs a little.” Sydney eagerly adjusted her stance, shifting her feet a few inches farther apart on the gravel surface. He touched her and both of them groaned at the same time. Reece chuckled against the side of her neck. “Surprise,” she said, her voice barely above a raspy whisper. “Damn. How am I going to function the rest of the night with a raging hard-on, knowing you’re not wearing any panties? You’re so hot, Syd. A wild little sex kitten beneath that put-together exterior.” He stroked her slit from front to back with the tips of his fingers and Sydney gasped, dropping her head back to rest on his shoulder. Gradually his strokes became firmer, more demanding. She was so close. It wouldn’t take much more to push her off that precipice. Standing on the edge of a roof, she was safe in Reece’s strong arms,

32

Jenny Lyn but she felt as though she were teetering on the edge of a cliff, hanging on by her fingernails. “Reece,” she said, “that feels so good.” “I know, baby. Let go. Just let it happen. I’d love to taste you right now. Lick your sweet, warm honey with my tongue. Suck your clit while you grind against my face.” Lord help her, no one had ever made her so hot with such dirty words. He slid one long finger inside her pussy while he circled her needy clit with the pad of his thumb. The rhythm was exquisite, the pressure in her pelvis building quick as a summer thunderstorm. He added another finger to her channel, filling her while he stretched her, pumping his hand harder and faster. “Come for me,” he demanded. With his left hand, he pinched her nipple hard and she went falling. A hoarse cry shot from her throat, sparks went off behind her eyelids and her pussy pulsed greedily around his fingers. Reece held her tight to keep her upright, murmuring words she couldn’t comprehend into her ear while she rode it out, rode his palm. Gradually her breathing calmed and Reece withdrew his hands from their hiding places in her dress. He turned her in his arms and tipped her chin up. Sydney wrapped her arms around his waist beneath his jacket, burrowing into the warmth of his body. “That was the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen and I couldn’t even see what I was touching. I think that’s what made it so fucking hot,” he said against her temple. “Can I have a kiss?” Sydney asked. “Baby, you can have whatever you want.” Reece covered her mouth, giving her a devastating kiss that curled her toes in her stilettos. Much to her dismay, he didn’t linger. Instead he lifted his head and brushed his thumb across her bottom lip. “Feel better?” She laughed. “Yes, as a matter of fact I do. Thank you.” “Glad I could be of assistance.” Sydney dropped her hand to the front of his pants, cupping his thick erection with her palm. He sucked in a sharp breath, pressed his forehead to hers. “I could help you too.” He grasped her wrist and eased her hand away. “Later, sweetness. We better get back before someone sends out a search party.” “I don’t care. In fact, after I speak to my parents we’re leaving.” 33

Saving Sydney His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “What about dinner? Aren’t you hungry?” “We’ll order a pizza or have a PB&J. I’m hungry for you more.” Reece groaned and squeezed her waist one more time, then took her hand and led her back downstairs. Sydney ducked into the bathroom to quickly check her reflection before they made their way to the dining room. Seating had begun for dinner. She scanned faces until she found her father and mother at tables on opposite ends of the room. Her mother waved and Sydney raised her hand in acknowledgment. Turning back to Reece, she asked, “Are you up for the introductions or would you rather do this another time?” “Given the circumstances, I better pass. Besides, I think you need to talk to your dad without an audience.” Sydney nodded, agreeing with him completely even as the thought of a confrontation with him tonight made her stomach roil. “You’re probably right.” “I’ll go find the limo driver and meet you in the front lobby.” Reece leaned in and softly kissed her forehead then turned and walked away, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. With a resolute sigh, Sydney debated about which direction to go. Her mother would undoubtedly question her about Reece. But she didn’t think she had the fortitude to face her father and his date either. She chose what she thought was the lesser of two evils, straightened her shoulders, and strode toward her mother.

34

Chapter Six

Reece loitered in the lobby of the Thomas Center while he waited for Sydney. Desire wound his body as tight as a piano wire. Yeah, it probably wasn’t a good idea to talk to her parents with the arousing smell of her clinging to his fingers and nothing else on his mind but getting their precious daughter naked and beneath him. “Hey, Reece!” He spun when he heard his name come from a male voice, thinking it was likely Jonah. It wasn’t. It was Todd Blanton. Fucking beautiful. “What can I do for you, Todd?” he asked impatiently. “I just wanted to chat some more.” Reece stuck his finger in the knot of his tie and loosened it enough that he could undo the top two buttons of his shirt. “Chat? Don’t you mean you’d like to drill me about Sydney?”

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Saving Sydney Todd shook his head, still somehow managing to maintain a smile, albeit a tight one. “Boy, you don’t pull any punches, do you?” “Nope.” But I’d like to throw a few at your face just for the hell of it. “How long have you two known each other?” He was getting a little sick of that question. What the fuck difference did it make how long they’d known each other? At least the answer was a good one. “About sixteen years, give or take a few days.” Todd’s eyebrows shot up. “Wow, that long? So you went to school together.” The douche can do math. “Uh huh. Look, Todd, is this conversation nearing a point, because I’m not comfortable talking to you about Sydney behind her back.” Todd finally succumbed to a frown at Reece’s clipped tone. “Um, yeah, well....” He shrugged one shoulder. “I wanted to make sure she was doing okay. She works too hard, takes on a lot of responsibilities. I was wondering if she’d slowed down at all.” “Missing her, are we?” Reece asked snidely. “Is that what the arm candy is for? To fill the lonely hours? Or do you prefer airheads because they can’t think for themselves, don’t talk back, and heel when called?” Todd held up his hands. “Hey, I still care about Sydney, that’s all. And yes, I do miss her sometimes. She’s a great girl. Things just didn’t work out for us.” Reece narrowed his eyes at her ex. “And why was that, Todd?” Did he really want to know the answer to that question? Perhaps he already did, but he was fairly certain Todd was going to lay the blame for the demise of their marriage squarely at Sydney’s feet. “She’s smart, successful, and rich. She didn’t need anything from me. There was nothing I could give her so I tried to change her, bend her to my will. I probably asked for too much. Who knows....” He shrugged again, looked down at his feet. Damn, the dude had surprised him and not many people did. Reece wondered what had happened in the time between when they’d met inside and now to change Todd’s attitude. Seeing her with someone else perhaps? “You can’t change a woman like Sydney. She’s perfect the way she is. All you can hope for is to be the lucky bastard she lets into her life.” “You really care about her a lot, don’t you?” 36

Jenny Lyn “I think it’s fairly obvious,” Reece admitted, though Todd was the last person on earth he wanted to hear that confession. Fuck it, maybe the knowledge would make him stay the hell away from her for good. Offering Reece his hand, Todd said, “Good luck, man.” Reece shook it while eyeing him warily. “Thanks.” At the sound of heels crossing the floor, Reece turned to see Sydney headed his way and was filled with a wave of relief. The desire to get out of this pretentious place was nearly as strong as the desire he had to fuck her senseless. Having a conversation with her ex-husband had dangerously strengthened that need. Plus, he wanted to obliterate any lingering attachment she may still have to Todd Blanton. He watched her face closely as she neared, trying to gauge her mood. She looked the same as when she left him so he guessed things had gone okay with her parents. As soon as she got within arms reach, he took her hand in his and ushered her toward the waiting limo. “Was that Todd talking to you?” “Yes,” he said sharply. “What did he want?” The driver opened the door for them and they climbed in. “Reece?” “Sydney, I don’t want to talk about your ex-husband any more tonight.” She laid her hand on his arm, worry shadowing her whiskey eyes. “Are you angry about something? Please tell me what he said to you.” Reece sighed. “He wanted to know how you were doing.” A frown pinched her brow. “Oh. Well that’s a new one.” “Are you over him?” “What?” She drew back like he’d slapped her. “Are you over him?” “Where’s this coming from, Reece?” Fuck, even he didn’t know. He softened his harsh tone. “Could you just answer me?” She stared at him for what seemed like an eternity and Reece’s heart sank to his gut. “Sydney, I can handle it.” “There’s nothing to handle. I don’t feel anything for Todd anymore. Nothing at all.” Reece let out the breath he was holding, the anger that had built inside of him subsiding. “I wasn’t good at being a wife. I wasn’t...attentive and nurturing, all the things a partner should be, what he needed me to be, I suppose. He had his faults too, but I accepted full responsibility for the failure of our marriage. That’s why 37

Saving Sydney I told you at the beginning of this, I don’t have anything to offer you other than my body.” He grabbed her by her upper arms and pulled her across his lap. “That’s where you’re wrong. I think you have a lot to offer but I’m not going to push you. Just know this. I’m not Todd Blanton. I would never ask of you the things he did.” Reece claimed her mouth, plunging his tongue into its warm, silken depths without pause. Her taste filled him—that unique, intoxicating sweetness that was only Sydney. She moaned softly and buried her hands in his hair, keeping him close. His cock hardened against her ass like a heat-seeking missile. She eased away and looked into his eyes. “I’ve never compared you to another man, Reece. This chemistry we have...it’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. And certainly no one has ever made me want the things I do like when I’m with you.” He smiled and gently touched her face. “Good. That’s all I need to hear for now.” “You keep saying that.” “It’s the truth. I’m a patient man, honey.” “I would have to agree,” she murmured, her voice sliding over his frayed nerve endings in a soothing caress. The limo pulled to a stop in front of Sydney’s building, and they scrambled out when the driver opened the door. Neither one of them said anything in the elevator on the ride up to her floor but sexual awareness hung in the air around them, thick as early morning fog. She pulled her key from her clutch and held it in her hand. When the doors slid apart, she stepped out and strode purposefully the few short steps to her door, inserted her key in the lock, and pushed it open. Reece hesitated in the threshold. Sydney dropped her clutch and key on the table in the foyer and turned, cocking one eyebrow at him in silent invitation. He loved that little bit of sass she had, loved that she wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted once she committed to it, whether it was sex or a city block of real estate. Reece stepped through the door and closed it behind him, then turned the deadbolt with a solid click, punctuating his answer. She took a few steps backward and pulled the pins from her hair. The thick, reddish-brown waves tumbled down around her shoulders. 38

Jenny Lyn Reece’s hands curled into tight fists with the overwhelming desire to wrap its silkiness around his fingers. She waited for him to make a move, the pale glow from a lamp in the living room illuminating her features. Reece shrugged out of his coat and tossed it toward a chair. He reached up and pulled his tie from its knot and slid it out of his collar. It joined his jacket. He began unbuttoning his shirt while he kept his eyes locked on her. Her arm snaked behind her back and the dress loosened from around her slim body. She brought her hands up to her shoulders and slid the straps down her arms. His hands froze on the fourth button when the dress silently hit the floor to form a shimmering pool of dark green silk around her feet. Feet that were still strapped into a pair of killer fuck-me heels. Oh, he intended to. Naked, she stepped toward him. Reece’s heart hammered against his ribcage. All the blood in his body seemed to rush straight to his cock, making him painfully hard and a touch lightheaded. Sydney was quite possibly the most beautiful creature he’d ever laid eyes on, live or in print, and he’d certainly seen his share of naked women. Delicate, pink nipples tipped her full, creamy breasts. Not too big, not too small, and real. Reece knew how soft and responsive they were, and how they tasted on his tongue. His mouth watered in response to his thoughts. A narrow waist flared out to the feminine curve of her hips and those long, long legs. The flat plane of her stomach and the shadowy cleft of her sex taunted him. He knew how sensitive she was there as well. How her muscles quivered beneath his fingertips, his tongue. The first time they’d had sex he’d left a love mark near her hip. He’d wanted to mark her, leave something of himself behind on her body, futile and temporary as it was, in case he never saw her again after that day. Luckily he had, but it still didn’t take away the craving, this insatiable desire to make her his. And to fuck her. He’d become a junkie. A taste of her only slaked his thirst temporarily before it quickly wore off and he was jonesing for another. As she sauntered toward him, something told Reece the addiction would never go away, even if she did. That thought alone made his heart ache.

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Chapter Seven

Reece reached for her but she stopped him, pressing the tips of her fingers to his chest. “Ah, ah, ah. It’s my turn now. Keep those hands at your sides or I’ll stop. Understood?” A teasing smile curved her luscious mouth. All right, turnabout was fair play. Trouble was, nothing about a naked Sydney less than an arm’s length away was fair. He swallowed hard. “But—” “I know what you need, Reece,” she said, bringing her hot mouth to his neck. “Let me take care of you.” Every muscle in his body tensed as her delicate hands moved over his chest. She pushed his shirt out of the way for her mouth to cover one of his nipples. When her tongue circled it, he groaned. “Mmm, you taste good too. I wonder if you’re as sensitive here as I am.” Her teeth closed over him and bit down just hard enough to cause a tinge of pain then she soothed him with her talented tongue.

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Jenny Lyn He tried to calm his breathing, focus and enjoy her lazy, tortuous exploration, and ignore the throbbing tightness in his balls, begging for relief. “I think I am.” “Your scent drives me wild. So sexy and male.” Reece curled his fingers into his palms so hard several of his knuckles cracked. “Sydney.” She inched her way down his body, nuzzling him with her nose, kissing and licking him with her sinful mouth, setting his skin on fire. Any minute now, he was going to burst into flames, or come in his pants like a horny teenager. Sydney pushed him backward until his back hit the wall with a dull thud. Good. He could use the solid support because his knees were going to give out the second she touched his cock. Then her hands were unbuckling his belt, carefully sliding down his zipper, pushing his pants off his hips. “Hm, more black. I love you in black.” Reece blinked. She liked the color of his underwear? She eased her hands into the waistband of his boxer briefs and pushed them down too. His cock sprang free and pointed directly at what it wanted. Sydney hit her knees, positioning herself in front of him. Captivated, he watched her beautiful face. Her jaw slackened and the pink tip of her tongue slipped out to wet her bottom lip. Any minute now, his heart was going to stop cold. Just quit on him right there in her living room before they even got to the good parts. “Holy shit. Are you trying to kill me?” Her palms coasted over his thighs and she looked up at him with those dark amber eyes, a seductive smirk on her face. “You won’t die. Trust me, I’ve been there.” As Sydney’s small, cool hand wrapped around his cock, Reece shuddered. He ground his teeth together and squeezed his eyes closed, trying to hold on to his fracturing control. “Look at me.” He dropped his chin to his chest and opened his eyes. Now he knew how she’d felt on the roof. This was some form of twisted revenge she had planned so he’d beg for relief like she had. His surrender was immediate. “Sydney, please. It won’t take much.” She nuzzled the base of his cock, her warm breath skating across his tight sac. “Tell me what you want. I need to hear you say it.”

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Saving Sydney “Suck me, baby,” he growled while his hand slid into her hair to cup the back of her head and ease her closer. “Take me into that sweet mouth of yours.” The flat of her tongue met the head of his dick, and Reece’s eyes rolled back in his head. He let out a low moan. Her mouth closed over him and she sucked him deep in one long, hot, wet stroke. When she pulled back, his shaft was slick and shiny with her saliva. While she began to work him with her decadent mouth, her hand gripped him, nice and tight. He admired Sydney’s technique. There was no teasing or playing around once she committed to the act, and holy hell, did she give it 110 percent. This elegant woman gave head like a goddamn porn star. Every once in a while she’d twist her wrist and tug on his balls with her free hand while her tongue swirled around the swollen head of his cock, flicking at the sensitive ridge of nerves underneath. It was a fullon assault on his senses and he momentarily forgot how to breathe. “Oh, fuck yeah.” He flexed his hips, easing deeper into the inviting heat of her mouth, while he resisted the intense urge to grab her face in his hands and surge toward the back of her throat. Watching Sydney suck his cock was better than any fantasy he’d ever had of the two of them. She was gorgeous on her feet but devastating on her knees. Why did she have to be so fucking perfect? He didn’t stand a chance. Reece’s balls tightened to his body, warning him he was close to coming. Pressure built at the base of his spine and clawed its way through his groin. She watched him, her eyes lazy pools of desire. Sydney was getting off on this as much as he was. “I’m close,” he said in warning, just in case she wasn’t the swallowing type. Part of him wanted to pull out, to see his cum shoot down her chest, roll over her breasts, and drip from her nipples. Another way he wanted to mark her, stake his claim. She sucked him deep while her nails scratched lightly across his sac and he lost it, groaning deep in his chest and pouring his hot seed in spurts across her tongue. Her throat worked, swallowing every drop he gave her, and wringing his orgasm from him. It was the best blowjob of his life, and that included his first. When he slumped against the wall, she released his softening dick with one last long lick across the head. Sydney sat back on her heels and smiled demurely up at him.

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Jenny Lyn “So fucking good,” he mumbled inanely while he tried to catch his breath. She tugged her shoes off then walked into the kitchen and ran a glass of water from the tap. Reece drew his hands down his face. Sweat coated his forehead and upper lip like he’d had a workout and he hadn’t done a damn thing but stand there and gladly receive. Sydney strolled back toward him, went up on her tiptoes, and kissed him, pressing her soft curves against his body. The musky taste of him still lingered on her red, swollen lips. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling the scent of her shampoo. “Thanks, I needed that.” She giggled and repeated what he’d told her on the roof. “Glad I could be of assistance.” He snatched off his shoes and socks, shrugged out of his dress shirt, and kicked off his pants and underwear. Wrapping one arm around her waist and the other under her ass, Reece lifted her off her feet. “Where’s your bedroom?” Sydney tensed briefly then shook off the last of her ridiculous reservations about having Reece in her bedroom. It was time and this felt right. “End of the hall.” He dropped her on the bed and she rolled to her knees while he pulled apart the heavy drapes, flooding the room with pale moonlight. She loved her bedroom even though she didn’t sleep much in it. It was her sanctuary and no work files ever breached the door. After Todd left, she’d completely redecorated it in soothing tones of dusky blue and silvery gray. It didn’t scream sex kitten, that was for sure, but it calmed her like the man standing in front of her, delightfully naked and looking like a hunk of heaven on earth. He was getting hard again, which aroused her even more and amazed her at the same time. He’d come not five minutes ago and already he was raring to go again. Eager, she pulled her bottom lip through her teeth and held out her hand to him. “Come up here and keep me company.” Reece threaded his fingers through hers, pushing her to her back, and stretched himself out on top of her while he pinned her hands to the mattress above her head. Sydney cradled him between her thighs and wrapped her calves around his. His cock nestled against her pussy, promising bliss with one hard thrust.

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Saving Sydney “I’m not too heavy?” he asked against her jaw. She shivered as his beard brushed across the sensitive skin beneath her ear. “No. I want to feel your weight on top of me.” His mouth explored her neck, her collarbone, the curve of her breast. Everywhere but her lips. “Reece, kiss me.” He did, stroking the tender recesses of her mouth with his tongue, plundering leisurely, nipping and sucking at her bottom lip until Sydney was lust-drunk and squirming restlessly beneath him. When he began a slow slide down her body, she stopped him. “Not now. I just want you inside me.” “God, honey, you undo me.” Was that good or bad? His eyes searched hers for a moment, his irises the color of worn denim, as if he needed to consider her request. Then with a sharp curse, he started to lift himself off her. She stopped him by tightening her legs around him. “Where are you going?” “Condoms. My pants are in the other room.” “I’m on the pill,” she blurted, then grimaced at her complete lack of tact. “Crap, I’m no good at this. I trust you, Reece, and I’m good— clean I mean. I haven’t been with anyone but you since....” Heat stung her cheeks and she pressed her face into her arm. “Sydney, look at me.” He waited until she turned her head. “You don’t know what that does to me to hear you say those things, to know you’d give yourself to me that way, but that’s a big step to take, for both of us really. I’m healthy too. I had a physical a few months ago, and I always use protection. You’re certain that’s what you want?” She nodded quickly. “Yes, I’m sure. But if you don’t want to I’ll und—” Reece cut her off with a punishing kiss that left her a gooey puddle of need. “Stop questioning things. Just let go and feel.” His palm slid up the inside of her thigh straight to her pussy where he circled her clit with his thumb, sending shock waves of intense pleasure rippling through her body. Her back arched off the bed and she moaned. He was so damn good at making her forget her name. The smell of sex hung in the air around them, an aphrodisiac in its own right, potent and heady. “Please, Reece.” “Those are my new favorite words.” Grasping his shaft in one hand, he pressed the thick head of his cock through her slit and with one hard thrust of his hips, he was sliding inside her. She gasped with 44

Jenny Lyn the exquisite pressure that filled her. “Damn, you feel incredible. So tight and hot and wet.” “Mmm, I love your big cock. How about those words?” She smiled despite her utter shock that she’d said them. He chuckled and thrust higher, eliciting another desperate gasp from Sydney. “Those are pretty nice too, especially to a man’s ears.” Reece hooked an arm under one of her knees, opening her wider. Then speech abandoned her as he began a rhythm of slow, steady glides in and out, hitting every receptive nerve ending along the way. Sydney’s hands clamped down on his ass and pulled him even closer, digging her nails into his flexing glutes. Reece dipped his head and sucked her nipple into his mouth. She felt the insistent tug in her womb, a spiraling tingle of ecstasy that ratcheted higher with each firm thrust of his hips. When he reached between their bodies to stroke her clit, Sydney broke apart. The noises she made sounded foreign to her ears, like they’d come from some other person, as her pussy squeezed his cock, milking every cresting wave. She forced her eyes open and watched Reece as he watched her come, a serene look on his face. Then he pushed deep one more glorious time and groaned, the tendons in his neck taut, the muscles of his arms and chest rippling with exertion as he came, setting off delightful aftershocks that made her sigh. Breathing hard, Reece lowered himself onto his forearms and kissed her shoulder, her chin and finally, her mouth. He withdrew from her body and rolled over onto his back beside her. They lay there quietly, watching the blades of Sydney’s ceiling fan make lazy circles above their heads, the sounds of their labored breathing gradually slowing together. Sydney climbed off the bed to make a trip to the bathroom and clean up. When she was done, she wrapped a short cotton robe around her body. Reece was sitting on the edge of the bed staring at the wall when she came out. She propped her hip against the mattress near his thigh. “Something wrong?” He picked up her hand and kissed her palm. “I should go. You’re probably tired.” Sydney chewed the inside of her lip and weighed what she was considering before she spoke. Oh, what the hell. It’s just one night,

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Saving Sydney right? What could it hurt? Plenty, but before she could overanalyze it to death.... “Stay.” His eyes snapped to hers then narrowed slightly, studying her face. He pulled her between his legs. “That’s another big step for you, isn’t it? Asking me to spend the night?” She shrugged but didn’t answer. For some reason Reece made her want to take those steps. Baby ones, anyway. It felt as though he were a giant safety net, waiting to catch her if she fell. Taking his hand, she said, “Come on, I’m hungry now for food.”

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Chapter Eight

Reece tugged his underwear on while Sydney hung up his clothes so they wouldn’t be wrinkled in the morning. She was so damn considerate and sweet he could hardly stand it, always worrying about everyone else. Just once he wanted to see her lose her temper, preferably not at him, but at something or someone. Let go and scream or pummel the hell out of something. Maybe he should suggest she take up boxing. He padded behind her into the kitchen. Up until this point, he hadn’t really noticed his surroundings because he’d been too focused on the woman that lived there. There was no ignoring the fact that Sydney was rich. Her condo was large and in one of the nicest areas of Pearson. Hell, her bedroom alone was bigger than his kitchen and living room combined. The kitchen boasted high-end, stainless steel appliances and dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, and colorful glass tile backsplash-

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Saving Sydney es. But when they peered into her enormous refrigerator together, he laughed out loud. It was practically empty. “Syd, where’s your food?” She snickered behind her hand, an adorable pink stain spreading across her cheeks. “That’s it I’m afraid. Milk, cheese, butter, orange juice, and Diet Coke, your basic dietary staples.” “I think you missed a few food groups,” he said drily. “Oh, and I have bread! Really good bread. I shop with good intentions, but I don’t always get around to actually using the stuff I buy so it winds up going to waste.” She looked up at him. “Do you cook?” He couldn’t help but laugh again at her wide-eyed expression, like cooking was akin to knowing how to fly the space shuttle. “Yeah, I like to cook when I have time. After my mom died my dad spent so much time at the bar it was either learn how or starve so I taught myself.” Sydney rubbed her hand down his back. “I’m sorry, Reece. I didn’t realize you were that young when your mom passed away.” “Thirteen.” “How did she die?” Reece swallowed past the unwelcome lump that suddenly rose in his throat. “Ovarian cancer. You said you had bread?” Smooth, Myers. But thankfully, Sydney let it go. “Yes. What do you have in mind?” Lots of things, he thought, as the short hem of her robe slid up the back of her toned thighs when she stretched to open a cabinet—and none of them involved food. She plunked a fresh loaf of bakery sourdough down on the countertop, snapping his thoughts back to his empty stomach. “Grilled cheese sounds good.” Sydney found him a pan and turned on her fancy stove that she never used while he gathered the ingredients from the fridge. “Pull up a stool, beautiful, and I’ll show you how I make grilled cheese sandwiches. Maybe you’ll learn something.” Instead of using the plastic-wrapped fake crap, Reece sliced off thick pieces from a block of sharp cheddar then melted an artery-clogging-size pat of butter in the pan. When he was satisfied that it was hot enough, he dropped two slices of bread into it, layered the cheese, and topped them with two more slices of sourdough. He turned the heat down so the cheese would have a chance to melt without their sandwiches burning. 48

Jenny Lyn He looked over at Sydney and she smiled, her eyes dancing with mischief. “Fascinating.” “Hey, don’t get sassy or I’ll burn yours, young lady.” She hopped off her stool and took down two plates then pulled glasses from a cabinet. “What would you like to drink? Diet Coke, OJ, or milk? I could open a bottle of wine, although I’m not sure what pairs well with grilled cheese.” “Water will be fine,” Reece replied as he lifted the sandwiches out of the pan, melted even more butter and flipped them over to grill the other side. Sydney sidled up next to him and hitched her chin in the direction of the pan. “How many calories do you think is in one of those?” “About five million. You have no need to count calories, sweetness. Besides, we’ve worked off quite a few tonight.” And he wasn’t done with her yet. He leaned down and dropped a kiss on her pretty mouth then scooped their sandwiches onto plates. They sat down at Sydney’s bar and Reece watched as she took her first bite. She made a little groaning noise in her throat and his dick twitched. “Oh my God, that’s good.” Satisfied that he’d done well, he grinned and sank his teeth into his. Reece wiped his mouth with a napkin. “How did your conversation go with your dad tonight?” “It didn’t. I decided it wasn’t the place and time, especially with that...woman there. I talked to my mother. She seemed to think his bringing another woman to the benefit was nothing more than a ploy to make her jealous so she’d go running back to him.” Reece’s stomach turned over. He’d seen the way her father touched the young blonde that clung to him like a briar. There was definitely something going on between them. From her strong reaction he had a feeling Sydney had sensed it too. “And what do you think?” “I don’t know what to think.” She dropped her eyes and picked at the crust on her sandwich. “When they first told Jonah and me they were separating I’d hoped it was just a rough patch they were going through. I was sure after a few weeks apart they’d start missing one another and reconcile. I guess that was wishful thinking on my part.” “How long ago was that?” Her shoulders drooped. “Three months.” “Perhaps they’re just being stubborn. Pride can be a hard thing to swallow.” 49

Saving Sydney She nodded but didn’t look convinced, and it was hard to miss the deep sadness in her eyes. “Where’s your dad?” she asked. “He’s living in Naples. My aunt Linda lives there too. It has more of a retirement vibe than Pearson. He’s always been a highly social person and he lives in one of those adult communities where they have something planned for you to do every waking hour of the day.” “Do you miss him not being here?” “Yeah, I do. We get along pretty well. He was never one of those pushy, preachy types of fathers. He let me make my mistakes and learn the lessons from them, but I always knew he’d be there if I needed him. When he decided to give up the bar, he didn’t assume that I’d want to take it over. It was more of a ‘take it and see what you can do with it or leave it and I’ll sell it’ kind of deal.” “Are you glad you did?” Reece nodded. “I am now. It was a lot of work at first, remodeling and changing the image from a duck-n-dive to a nice place where folks could hang after work with friends, watch a ballgame on Sunday, or play a few games of pool. Someplace I’m really proud of. I couldn’t have done it without Deke’s help.” “You two have always been close, haven’t you?” “I consider him a brother. We grew up together, almost literally, since we lived on the same street. When he wasn’t hanging out at my house, I was at his. I trust him with everything—my bar, my money, my life. He’s got a good heart under that all that tough, kiss-my-ass exterior.” Sydney tucked her hair behind her ear and shifted on the barstool, causing the neckline of her robe to gap open and give him a peek at one tempting, pink nipple. She was gloriously naked under that simple white cotton, soft and warm, which suddenly altered his line of thinking. Desire began to unfurl low in his belly. Would he ever get enough of her? Probably not. She slid off her perch and took their plates to the sink then returned. “Deke gives me this look every time I leave your office, like he knows exactly what we’ve been doing.” Color spread through her cheeks again and she ducked her head. Unable to resist any longer, Reece reached for her, wrapping his hands around her waist and lifting her onto the countertop in front of him. She gasped as the back of her thighs made contact with the cold slab of granite. “Does that bother you?” 50

Jenny Lyn She shook her head, sending the soft, fragrant waves of her hair falling across her face. “We’re not doing anything wrong.” “No, we’re not.” Remembering her earlier confession about him being the first man she’d been with since her divorce, he asked, “But it took a lot for you to come to me that first time, didn’t it?” She ran her hands through his hair, scraping the blunt tips of her nails across his scalp. “Yes,” she whispered. Reece swept his thumb across her bottom lip, watching them part in response. “Regrets?” Her eyelids drooped across those incredible eyes and she smiled softly. “None.” She swallowed. “You?” “Fuck no.” He drew her toward him so he could kiss her. He savored her mouth and all its dark secrets, tasting and tugging until she whimpered against his lips and her nails bit into his shoulders. Cradling one hand behind her neck, he stood and tipped her backward. “Lie back.” She gave him a wary look but complied. “Here? On my kitchen counter?” With one sweep of his hand, her robe fell open at her sides, leaving her laid out before him like a five-course gourmet meal. He grinned wickedly. “It’s the perfect location really. Isn’t that where you normally eat?” Her eyes stretched wider with realization as her mouth formed a little O. “Oh my. Too bad I don’t have any whipped cream in the fridge.” The taut muscles of her stomach jumped reflexively when his mouth touched down. “You’re sweet enough without it.” He kissed a path from hipbone to hipbone, loving the soft quiver of her flesh beneath his lips. The scent of her arousal filled his sinuses, making his head spin, his cock painfully hard, and his balls tighten with urgency. He’d wanted to taste her ever since he’d made her come on the roof with his fingers and his words. Now he had her right where he wanted her and he was going to take his time to enjoy it just as much as she would. His fingertips plucked at her nipples, rolling and pinching the tight buds until Sydney sighed and covered his hands with hers. She forced his palms flat, showing him what she wanted. Reece kneaded the soft globes as she arched into his hands with a soft whimper. He’d come to realize that she liked a little pain with her pleasure, not an un-

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Saving Sydney comfortable amount, just a touch of roughness to offset all the smooth edges. When he licked a path up the inside of her silky thigh, she rolled her hips. Reece reached into his water glass and scooped out a small cube of ice. Holding it above her, he watched a fat drop of icy liquid hit the supple skin of her lower belly. Sydney sucked in a sharp breath and lifted her head. “Hey! Warn a girl next time.” “Where’s the fun in that?” He sipped the wetness away and moved the ice across her skin, watching as it left a glistening trail of moisture and surprised steam didn’t rise from her hot flesh. She pressed her hands to the countertop while she canted her hips. “Reece.” “I know, baby.” Reece popped what was left of the ice in his mouth and held it on his tongue. When the cube was reduced to a sliver, he parted the folds of her pussy and licked her from her channel to her clit, giving it a sharp little flick before he lifted his head. “Oh my God,” she groaned. “Liked that, huh?” He did it again, tasting her honey-sweetness on his tongue. It buzzed through his system like a shot of 80-proof whiskey. But he wasn’t through teasing her just yet. He pulled away and refocused his attentions on the creamy flesh of her inner thighs, kissing and licking the over-heated expanse before drawing a patch of skin against his teeth and sucking. Pulling back, he admired the small hickey and felt the sharp needle of possessiveness pierce his chest. All playing aside, he trailed a fingertip through the creaminess of her sex. “Jesus, Sydney. You’re so pretty and pink and wet for me.” He slid his middle finger inside her, brushing the rough pad of it across her G-spot, and dropped his mouth to her clit. Sydney groaned and tilted her hips in an effort to get even closer. “Oh, I...yes, there.” Reece added another finger and her tight inner muscles clasped around it. The urge to drag her off the counter and impale her on his aching cock was nearly overwhelming but he resisted, intent on giving her an orgasm she wouldn’t soon forget. His tongue made steady circles around her clit, stroking the tight nub while his fingers plunged in and out of her in the same lazy rhythm. Her slick juices coated his lips and poured over his fingers. 52

Jenny Lyn She was close to coming. He could tell by the way her hands fisted the edges of her robe at her hips while she made little stuttered hitching noises deep in her throat. Reece loved that sound. “Harder, Reece. Please...more,” she rasped, rolling her head from side to side. He intensified his efforts, spreading her labia apart with his fingers while he firmly sucked her clit into his mouth. Sydney came hard, bucking against his face and screaming through the quiet of her kitchen. Her pussy convulsed around his fingers, holding them tight inside her body. That rigid little bit of flesh pulsed against his tongue, shooting electricity through his body straight to his dick. It wouldn’t take much for him to come too. While she was still vibrating with aftershocks, Reece slid her off the bar and turned her around so she was draped forward on the now warm surface. He held her up with one arm around her waist, protecting her hipbones from the blunt edge of the counter. Pushing his underwear down just enough to free his straining cock, he guided himself to her drenched opening and thrust deep in one smooth stroke. When Reece reached down to touch her clit again Sydney’s head jerked up. “I don’t think I—” She started before he applied insistent pressure and cut her off. “Yes, you can,” he said Reece pulled almost all the way out then slid back in with a sharp snap of his hips. Sydney began to rouse from her pleasure coma, pushing her bottom back to meet his urgent thrusts. She dropped her hand and covered his, silently demonstrating just how much pressure she needed. His balls drew closer to his body as his fingers dug into the tender flesh of her hip. “Sydney,” he warned, not wanting to leave her behind. He pushed deep until his sac bumped her silky, damp tissues. “Yes,” she murmured. “There...I’m...Oh!” And then they were both coming, her throbbing heat gripping him like a fist as he emptied himself inside her in drugging waves. The orgasm went on and on, wringing him from the soles of his feet to the nape of his neck. Reece dropped his face to her back while she slumped lifelessly over the countertop. His knees felt like rubber and he prayed they didn’t give out or they’d both go tumbling to the hard tile floor. Sweat trickled down his jaw to drip onto her robe. He raised his head and 53

Saving Sydney sucked in a deep breath then withdrew from her body and rubbed his hand tenderly down her spine. “You okay, babe?” “Mm-hmm,” she said into the crook of her arm. “I need a shower.” He chuckled and scratched his goatee. “I think we can arrange that.” Then he scooped her up and carried her to her bathroom.

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Chapter Nine

This was not the way she was accustomed to waking up—bright, obnoxious sunlight streaming through the open drapes of her bedroom window, a hot, naked man lying beside her, body parts deliciously sore and tender. They’d made love so many times last night she’d lost count. It all wavered close to sensory overload. Sydney rolled her head on her pillow to look at Reece. He was sprawled on his stomach, his head turned toward her, sound asleep. No doubt he was used to sleeping late with the long hours he kept at the bar. One side of his face was partially covered by a chunk of his dark hair. Not wanting to wake him, she resisted the urge to tenderly push it away. Or to roll over and smell his skin. The crisp, white sheet wrapped around his waist seemed to glow against the golden-brown hue of his lower back. He must spend a lot of time outdoors when he wasn’t working, she thought.

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Saving Sydney In the harsh light of a new day her doubts began to sneak back in. She didn’t regret anything she’d said or done with Reece last night, and she wasn’t sorry she’d asked him to stay, but now she needed some space. Some time to sort through thoughts that tumbled like Vegas dice. She eased out of the bed, wrapped her robe around her body, and tiptoed from the room. Using her second bathroom, she pulled her hair up into a clip then washed her face and brushed her teeth. The treadmill in her spare bedroom called to her, promising a good, cleansing sweat and time to think, but she decided to ignore it in favor of a cup of coffee and some quiet time on the terrace. The end result would be the same, minus the calorie burn. Precious cup of java in hand, Sydney opened her French doors wide and curled up on one of the chaise lounges outside. The air was damp and cool, the city lazily waking up around her. It was a Saturday, a nonworking day for most people. Not for her or Reece, though she supposed that was their crutch. Both of them didn’t have to commit to working today, they just did. For her it was a sickness. Sydney had plenty of things to do. There were documents to review for the Anderson deal, an entire downtown city block her father was buying that was expected to close sometime in the next two weeks. Her briefcase was full of files that needed her attention: more anticipated purchases and sales, rental and lease agreements to be renewed, foundation paperwork. The list was endless. Amongst all of that she needed to squeeze in some personal shopping, a trip to the dry cleaners, a mani-pedi and bikini wax, and laundry. Reece had Shots to run. Although he’d taken last night off, leaving Deke to handle things, Sydney knew he was a hands-on owner. The bar was his child and his desk was likely as cluttered as hers. Something felt off. She felt...strange. Confused even. After sharing the most intimate night of her life with Reece, they would spend the rest of the weekend apart. When would they see each other again? Would she just stroll back into his office and expect sex on the couch again? Wasn’t that like taking a step backward? But isn’t that how you wanted it? a voice in her head nagged. No strings, no commitments, no expectations. Had all of that changed with her invitation to spend the night? Sydney shook her head in self-disgust. She sucked at this relationship stuff.

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Jenny Lyn Reluctantly Sydney admitted to herself she was starting to have strong feelings for Reece. It was a sudden capitulation actually. Just as if standing on the edge of that roof last night had been a real near death experience and Reece had been her rescuer. Now she had some knight-in-shining-armor syndrome. No, that was selling them both short, him especially. It was real; she just didn’t quite know how to handle it. She should’ve known she wouldn’t be able to keep her heart out of it. That’s not what she was made of. As much as she’d tried to be the woman who could maintain a friends-with-benefits distance, she simply couldn’t. It was a bad idea in theory, the two of them together. Their backgrounds were so different, their lifestyles miles apart, but when they were together none of it seemed to matter. Reece touched her in ways no man ever had, both physically and emotionally. When she was with him, he made her feel beautiful, sexy, and cared for, safe and calm. She’d never had that with Todd. Honestly she wondered if she’d ever truly loved him. She’d thought so once, but now...she wasn’t so sure. Seeing him last night at the benefit hadn’t brought forth any pangs of jealousy or regret, only an unmistakable feeling of deep relief. Their courtship and marriage had been like a runaway train. Once the Carson-Blanton railcars had snapped together there’d been no stopping it until she’d found herself standing at an altar saying “I do” in front of five hundred wedding guests and a minister. It hadn’t taken long for Sydney to realize she’d made a monumental mistake, but she’d tried to make things work. Or at least she thought she had. Perhaps subconsciously she hadn’t cared enough to want to make it work. “Hey,” Reece said from behind her shoulder. Sydney jumped, nearly spilling her coffee down the front of her robe. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” She smiled up at him, squinting in the bright glare of the morning sun. “No, it’s okay. I was just...daydreaming. There’s fresh coffee in the kitchen.” Casually propped against the doorjamb, he wore his suit pants and his dress shirt unbuttoned, which made Sydney’s stomach flutter. Even tousled and sleepy-eyed he was so sexy her thighs tingled and her nipples hardened. His sun-kissed chest was broad, the muscles well defined. A narrow trail of dark hair left his belly button to disap-

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Saving Sydney pear into the waistband of his pants. She knew everything south of there was just as appetizing. When she met his gaze again she saw desire mixed with a sprinkling of humor at her hungrily eyeing him like a cheese danish. She patted the cushion of the chaise near her thigh. He sat down then leaned forward and kissed her softly. “Mmm, minty. I probably taste like coffee,” she said lightly. “I’m going to take off. I’ve got some things to do before work tonight and I’m sure you do too.” Well, okay then. Sydney nodded and looked down at the coffee going cold in her cup. “Reece, I....” She snapped her mouth closed, unsure of what she wanted to say. “I didn’t expect us to spend the whole weekend together, Syd. I know you need your space.” “Then why do I feel like such an ass about it?” He shook his head, brushed his thumb across her cheek. “Don’t. Last night was incredible. I think we’re both dealing with some unfamiliar emotions this morning. Am I right?” Sydney sighed and met his eyes. “Yes, but I don’t want you to feel like I’m deliberately pushing you away. Those emotions may be unfamiliar but they’re not unpleasant or unwelcome, just a little confusing.” “I know.” He leaned forward and kissed her mouth. “I’ll see you soon, okay?” “Okay.” With that somewhat unsatisfying mutual agreement out of the way, he stood and walked inside. After a few minutes Sydney heard the click of her front door as it closed behind him, leaving her alone again in her big, empty apartment. Alone. It had never bothered her to be alone before. She’d always enjoyed her solitary lifestyle, for the most part. She was used to it. Sought it out most times, couldn’t wait to come home in the evenings after work so she could just be alone. So why did she feel like all of that had changed with the closing of her front door?

***

Reece glanced up from the paperwork spread over his desk when Deke sprawled his large frame across the couch in his office.

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Jenny Lyn “What’s up?” Reece asked, going right back to flipping through the stack of invoices in his hand. “I was going to ask you the same thing.” “Just busy,” he mumbled distractedly. “Uh-huh. Well, at least that explains why you haven’t stuck your head out of that door in four goddamn days. That doesn’t explain why you look like walking death, though.” Reece tossed the bills down and leaned back in his chair, scrubbing his palms over his face. He knew he looked like hell. Didn’t need his buddy to tell him that. Fact of the matter was he hadn’t slept since Friday night. Oh, he’d went to bed, but when sleep wouldn’t come he’d tried the couch, tried watching boring shit on television, even tried drinking himself into a blind stupor two nights ago. All that did was leave him with a mother of a hangover the next day, adding insult to injury. He wouldn’t look Deke in the eye because his friend was already too perceptive as it was and Reece wasn’t ready to cop to what he knew Deke was going to say. “I’m having some trouble sleeping, that’s all.” “Damn it, Reece, you spent the night with her, didn’t you?” Pulling open his desk drawer, stalling, he pretended to look for something but it brought his hand in direct contact with the soft, lacy scrap of Sydney’s ripped thong he’d shoved there a week ago. Fuck, why hadn’t she been to see him or called? And why was he waiting for her to call or come see him? He knew how to use a damn telephone too, knew where she lived and worked. He slammed the drawer shut in aggravation. “Yes, I spent the night after the benefit,” he said resignedly. Deke had a rule about not spending the night with a woman. In his twisted, macho logic he thought that somehow letting your guard down while you slept allowed the blissful state of euphoria following an orgasm to settle into your psyche and trick your brain into thinking it was permanent, that you were in love. Reece wondered if for once the crazy fucker might actually be right. “Dude, what have I told you about that? It fucks with your mind.” He poked himself in the temple to reiterate his point and sat forward on the couch. “Now you’re a mess, aren’t you? You don’t have to answer that, it’s written all over you. So what’re you gonna do?” Reece finally looked over at him. “Nothing. I’m going to give her the space and the time she needs.” 59

Saving Sydney “You’re just going to sit here on your ass and mope like some lovesick loser? Fuck that. You gotta say something, dude.” “What happened to being patient, ‘o wise one?” “To hell with patience if it’s gonna kill you.” Reece laughed. He was a lost cause if four days away from Sydney hurt this much. All totaled, they hadn’t spent that much time together really. Six, seven weeks they’d been seeing each other? So why did it feel like she’d been in his life for months, years even? He missed her so bad his body ached. He needed to see her, breathe her scent into his lungs, feel her softness pressed against him, hear her sexy voice. He didn’t need to be greedy. Any one of those things would be enough at the moment. Frowning at his forgetfulness as he stared at the calendar on his office wall, Reece asked, “Don’t you have a birthday this week?” Deke grinned. “Friday.” “Let’s close the bar Sunday and have a party.” “What? No!” Then Deke pursed his lips thoughtfully. “Really, you’d do that?” “Damn right. Make a sign saying we’ll be closed all day Sunday. Invite whoever you want. We’ll have a big barbeque at my house.” Deke stood and stretched, the palms of his hands nearly brushing the ceiling. “Cool. Can I help with anything?” “Nope. But no strippers.” “Aw, man, that takes all the fun out of it.” “I have decent neighbors but they may not take kindly to naked women screaming and bouncing around in the backyard.” And he wanted Sydney to be there and feel comfortable, but Deke didn’t need to know that yet. His friend smacked him on the shoulder. “I’m just yankin’ your chain, bro. Something laid back sounds nice. Chillin’ with my buds, drinkin’ some suds.” “That’s what I had in mind,” Reece agreed. Deke stopped in the doorway and turned around, his expression going somber. “All kidding aside, dude, go see her. Nothing says you have to get down on one knee or act all sappy and shit. Just go.”

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Chapter Ten

Sophie dropped the newspaper on the desk in front of Sydney and sat down in the chair across from her. “I’ve seen it already,” she grumbled, pushing it away. “I figured as much, what with all your connections at the newspaper. Have you talked to him?” “Not yet, but after this....” She waved her hand toward the picture of her father with the young blonde at the benefit and shook her head in disgust. The phone calls and e-mails had started early this morning—investors concerned about her father’s priorities, the bank worried the Anderson purchase was about to blow up in their faces, her mother’s attorney absolutely furious and threatening a nasty, costly divorce. “What a clusterfuck of epic proportions.” Sophie’s eyes grew as round as silver dollars. “Oh my God, I’ve never heard you talk like that.” Sydney cast an apologetic glance her way. “Sorry, did I offend you?” 61

Saving Sydney “Hell no! I love it when you get pissy. Honestly, I wish you’d do it more often. Not with me, of course, but you take way too much crap from your family. Really, honey, you’re like a wheelbarrow they keep shoveling it into. You need to unload before you blow a tire.” Sydney couldn’t help but huff out a laugh. “Nice analogy.” “Thanks, I’ve been saving it until the time was right to use it.” Sophie flipped the paper over and tapped another picture. “This is a very sexy couple though. Telling, don’t you think?” Looking at the photograph of her and Reece brought some solace to her ragged nerves. And yes, it didn’t take a body language expert to decode the unspoken messages they were conveying to each other. Sydney’s face was tipped up to Reece’s, a small, satisfied smile on her mouth. Reece’s hand rested on the curve of her neck, his thumb brushing her chin as he looked down at her. They’d been in their own little lust-filled world, lost to everything and everyone else around them. She knew just when the photographer had snapped the shot—right after they’d come down from the roof. Talk about your analogies. Seeing the photo though, also brought forth a crashing wave of guilt. Sydney hadn’t spoken to Reece since Saturday morning because she’d been too wrapped up in what was going on with her parents. Most of her Sunday was spent with her mother, trying to talk her down off a figurative ledge. Her father was carefully avoiding her, coming into the office only sparsely the past two days, selfishly leaving her to handle all of the day-to-day operations of the company. Then there was the part of her avoiding Reece because of the strong emotions he was stirring up inside of her. Emotions she’d never felt before and wasn’t quite sure how to handle. “So does tall, dark, and delicious have a name?” Sophie asked, coaxing her with a sly smile. Sydney chewed at her thumbnail. “Reece Myers.” “He’s the ‘old friend,’ isn’t he?” “Yes.” Sophie sighed and gave her a sympathetic look. “Well, I can see you don’t feel like girl talk. Buzz me if you need anything.” Once Sophie walked out of her office and closed the door, Sydney buried her face in her hands and almost willed tears to spring from her eyes. Damn it, why couldn’t she have a good cry? She never cried. Ever. Oh, she’d mist up occasionally, but never break down. There were times she wondered if she was missing whatever female trait it was that allowed you to have a good crying jag 62

Jenny Lyn because she’d never been able to succumb to one. To just give in and let the tears overtake her. Her mother always seemed to feel better after she’d shed a bucket full. She’d seen Sophie sob for days over a bad breakup with a boyfriend. Sydney hadn’t even cried on her wedding day, or the day Todd packed his things and moved out. What was wrong with her? If anyone deserved a geyser of an eruption right now, it was her. The Life & Style section of the newspaper this week was splashed full of pictures from the Alzheimer’s benefit and plastered front and center was the one of her father with the “other woman” on his arm. A friend at the newspaper had e-mailed her the photo Monday morning so she could brace herself for the backlash. By the time she’d recovered from the shock and tried to talk the editor out of publishing the photo, it was too late; they’d already gone to print. Her mother was a basket case. She’d always been a tad bit melodramatic, but under the circumstances Sydney felt like it was warranted. She had every right to overreact to the way her husband was behaving. It was thoughtless, self-centered, stupid, and frankly, Sydney found it tacky as hell. Not to mention just plain mean. Her mother didn’t deserve to be treated this way. True, she had her faults, but her father was just as culpable for their marital troubles as she was, maybe more so given the way he was behaving right now. It’d been coming for a long time, the rift between her parents drifting further and further apart as the years went on. Sydney had seen it but was helpless to do anything about it. She couldn’t force the two of them to spend time together, to go to counseling, work their problems out, and settle their differences. As heartbroken as she was over the split, it hadn’t come as a complete surprise. Now they had this huge shitstorm to weather in the wake of his insensitivity. Sydney glared at the newspaper as she worked up the nerve to confront her father, then swiped it up and strode purposefully down the hall toward his office. His secretary, Glenda, looked up as she approached, noticed the paper clenched in her fist and gave her a grim smile, her eyes saying she didn’t envy Sydney the task. “Is he in?” Sydney asked a little too tersely. Glenda nodded solemnly. Without knocking, Sydney swung open his door then closed it firmly behind her. Her father lifted his head and smiled, but it quickly disappeared when he saw the look on her face and what she held in her hand. She took three long strides and stopped in front of his desk, 63

Saving Sydney dropping the paper in front of him. Leaning slowly back in his chair, he steepled his fingers together in front of his mouth and raised his eyes to hers. “Do you have any idea what a mess you’ve created by pulling this little stunt?” The respectful, obedient daughter inside of her balked at her bold confrontation. It wasn’t natural for Sydney to behave this way. She’d always admired her father, looked to him for guidance. Hell, she’d worshipped him at times in her life. Now wasn’t one of those times. She refused to feel guilty for calling him out on his thoughtless behavior and for sticking up for her mother. “It wasn’t a stunt, Sydney,” he replied calmly, which only made her angrier. Damn it, she’d braced for an argument and, oddly enough, wanted that satisfaction. “Dad, you and Mom are still married. Separated, legally or otherwise, does not equal divorced. Have you forgotten that important fact?” Sydney crossed her arms over her chest defiantly and continued. “Everett Shaw called me this morning. He’s moving forward with the divorce. I hope you’re prepared because it’s going to cost you a hell of a lot more than it would’ve had you thought this through before you acted so callously.” He waved his hand through the air dismissively. “Everett Shaw doesn’t scare me.” Sydney took a deep breath. “Maybe not, but his wasn’t the only phone call I received today. The bank and the investors on the Anderson purchase are getting nervous. Matt Sherman’s exact words to me were ‘your father’s priorities are questionable of late, Sydney, and quite frankly that makes us second-guess our decision to back this deal.’ What am I supposed to say to that when I happen to agree?” Her father pushed back from his desk and walked to the wall of windows overlooking downtown, shoving his hands deep into his pockets while he stared through the tinted glass. “All right, I admit bringing Ronnie to the benefit was perhaps not the wisest of ideas, but sooner or later it was going to come out that we’re seeing each other and I thought what better way to go ahead and get it out in the open.” Sydney’s throat constricted as fury threatened to choke her. “Ronnie? Seeing each other? You can’t be serious. Dad, she’s...she’s my age.” He turned and nailed her with a look that said he was dead serious. 64

Jenny Lyn For a moment she could only stare at him, stunned, her mouth hanging open while her stomach churned like an angry sea. “So you and Mom are really over.” Her head moved from side to side in disbelief as the heavy words left her tongue. He crossed the room and took Sydney’s hand in his then urged her down into a chair. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to her that her father would attract a much younger woman. Even though Elliott Carson was sixty-one, he looked a good ten years younger. He took excellent care of himself and dressed impeccably, exuded an air of quiet sophistication. Yet beneath that distinguished exterior lay a powerful, wealthy man who was accustomed to getting what he wanted, when he wanted it. “Sydney, I didn’t mean for it to happen this way, it just did. Ronnie is a great girl. She’s smart, beautiful, and I enjoy her company. She reminds me of you in a lot of ways.” Sydney raised her hand, feeling bile rise in her throat. “Stop. I can’t do this. I won’t listen to you talk about the other woman this way, as if my mother was none of those things. Like she’s a forgone conclusion. How could you treat her so unfairly, embarrass her in front of her friends and peers by flaunting an affair with someone half your age?” He shook his head. “I’m only trying to move forward. I can’t help that the timing is off.” Sydney surged to her feet, needing to put some distance between them. “You’re being incredibly selfish. Jonah is most assuredly your son.” He didn’t respond. She spun around at his door, clenching her hands at her sides. Her heart beat so erratically in her chest she was afraid it might explode and rip her to shreds. “If you intend to salvage the Anderson purchase I strongly urge you to start making phone calls and stop parading this...this person around like a trophy.” “I’ll fix things with the investors and the bank but I’m not going to hide my relationship with Ronnie. Your mother and I are through, Sydney. We have been for quite some time.” Straightening her shoulders against the pain of his blunt statement, she glared at him. “Then I suggest one of those phone calls you make is to a really good divorce attorney.” As she walked back to her office, the weight of her conversation with her father made her body feel as if it were made of solid lead. It

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Saving Sydney took a tremendous amount of effort to simply put one foot in front of the other. She was so tired. Tired of making excuses for her father and brother’s behavior, tired of worrying about her mother’s well being and the reputation of this company, tired of putting her own needs and wants behind everyone else’s. Why was she always the one who had to bear that cross? Because you have a conscience, Sydney, that’s why. You care too much. You let them do this to you. But how does one turn that off? Back in her office, Sydney stared at the framed photographs of her family that lined the credenza on the wall behind her desk. She picked up one of her and her grandmother Phillips. The photo was taken when Sydney was around ten, a few years before her grandmother died. To this day, she still missed her terribly. Missed her ready, musical laugh, her amazing pecan pie, and the way she always smelled like fresh Magnolia blossoms. When she was small, Gemma, as Sydney had dubbed her, called her a “little lady.” She’d said that Sydney was the most selfless child she’d ever seen, always concerned about everyone around her, always so well behaved. And it was true. She was a pleaser, a pacifier, a goddamn peacekeeper, but she was nearing her limit. Setting the first photo aside, she reached for one of her mother and father in happier times and felt the sting of angry tears burn the back of her eyes. But they never spilled over her lids and down her cheeks. Needing to vent that anger somehow, Sydney reared her arm back and flung the frame at her office wall as hard as she could, feeling an unexpected surge of satisfaction when the glass rectangle shattered into a thousand glittering pieces.

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Chapter Eleven

Reece questioned if this was a wise idea as he rode the elevator up to Sydney’s office. He hadn’t called ahead. She may be in a meeting or out of the office, or it might make her angry, him showing up unannounced. But the truth was he didn’t care. He wanted—no, needed—to see her and he was tired of waiting. And maybe he was a little angry as well, whether he had a right to be or not. He stepped from the elevator and followed the signs leading to her office. Once he found it, he was met with a bright smile from the adorable little pixie who sat at a large desk outside Sydney’s office door. A riot of pale blonde curls framed her face and brushed her shoulders. The biggest brown eyes he’d ever seen dominated her small, heart-shaped visage. They held a sharp intelligence, despite her resemblance to a Kewpie doll. “Hello. You’re Reece, aren’t you?”

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Saving Sydney She had a nice voice too. Friendly and warm. He’d halfway been expecting her to squeak when she opened her mouth. Wait, she knew who he was? That was interesting. “Uh, yeah, I’m Reece.” She rose and offered her hand. “I’m Sophie, Sydney’s executive assistant. And friend,” she added with a wink “It’s nice to meet you, Sophie. Is she in?” She studied him carefully and Reece wondered how much she knew about his and Sydney’s relationship. If they were good friends, then probably as much as Deke. “She is but I’ll forewarn you, it hasn’t been a good day, or week for that matter.” Reece nodded in understanding. “Okay.” Sophie held up one finger. “Wait right there and I’ll let her know you’re here.” Rather than buzz Sydney, she knocked once on her office door, opened it, and stuck her head through. He heard her say something about a visitor then motioned him over with a wave of her hand. She stepped back and closed the door behind him. Sydney was standing in front of a floor-to-ceiling wall of glass that ran the entire right side of her office. Her hair was loose around her shoulders and when she turned, the afternoon sun illuminated her from behind, setting the rich auburn waves on fire. She always dressed well and today was no exception. In a slim, dark gray skirt that hugged her hips and thighs and a silky white sleeveless top, she was drop-dead sexy yet still utterly professional. When his eyes roamed over her face though, he saw disturbing shadows under her eyes and tight lines of tension around her mouth. Her arms hugged her chest tightly, like she was attempting to hold herself together. “Hey,” he said while shoving his hands in his back pockets. Without speaking, she crossed the room and wrapped her arms around his waist, the impact of her body and her action stunning him motionless for a brief second before he reciprocated. Sydney burrowed her face in his chest, squeezing her eyes closed, and took a deep breath while he did the same to her hair. For a long, quiet moment, they stood that way, breathing each other in while he rubbed her back soothingly, trying to offer the comfort she seemed to seek in his embrace. He didn’t need to ask to know she was upset and all traces of the anger he’d been feeling earlier vanished. As he held her, his gaze drifted around her office. It was much like her condo—large, neat, contemporary, and tasteful. A sparkle of light 68

Jenny Lyn on the carpet behind her desk caught his eye and he frowned. Broken glass? Then he saw the picture frame nearby. Reece’s heart squeezed painfully in his chest. “Sydney,” he murmured next to her ear. “Are you okay, sweetheart?” She rubbed her nose back and forth on the soft cotton of his Tshirt. “I am now,” she whispered, her warm breath penetrating the thin cloth. He couldn’t help but feel a surge of happiness at hearing her say those three simple words, despite the thick cloak of heartbreak she wore. “Why didn’t you call me? I would’ve come sooner.” “I hate to keep dragging you into my problems. Any day now you’re going to realize I’m not worth the trouble.” He forced her chin up. “That’s not going to happen. And when are you going to realize they’re not your problems?” She nodded solemnly. “I’m starting to.” “I hope so. I know it’s hard, stepping back, but you can’t fix everything, Syd. Some things are beyond your control.” She pressed her cheek back to his chest and tightened her arms around his waist. “God, I’m so glad you came by. I needed this. You always know how to make me feel better just by being you.” That surge of happiness he’d felt earlier morphed into full-on euphoria. He chuckled. “Most of the time that mood improvement involves sex.” She pulled back sharply and touched his face while she tried her best to look stern. “No. Well, sometimes, but I don’t want you to think that’s all you give me because it’s not.” Reece ducked his head and captured her lips. He emptied his soul into the kiss he gave Sydney, hoping to convey the depth of emotion he felt for her. She kissed him back with as much passion as she’d ever blessed him with, even in the course of making love. His body reacted the way it always did when he touched her this way—his dick hardened behind his fly, his heart threatened to break a rib, and his thoughts immediately flew to getting inside her sweet, welcoming body. But when his hand slid over her ass on the way to the hem of her skirt she broke away from the onslaught of his mouth, breathing a bit ragged, and caught his wrist. “No,” she said, moving his hand back up to her waist. He frowned. “No?” 69

Saving Sydney “No,” she repeated. “I’m proving a point.” Reece rolled his eyes. “I was afraid you were gonna say that. Look, I get what you’re trying to do and what you said earlier blew me away.” As an added exclamation point, he kissed her hard. “But—” Her palm flew to his mouth, shutting him up. “No buts. We are not going to have sex in my office. At least not today anyway,” she added wryly. He grinned mischievously when she removed her hand, loving the petulant pout on her damp lips, and he let his hands slide over her hips to cup her bottom and pull her tightly against his single-minded cock. “I bet I could persuade you,” he teased. Fighting back a smile, she shook her head. “No, you can’t. We’ve managed to wait four days. A few more hours won’t kill us.” “A few more hours?” Reece asked hopefully. “Yep. You can meet me at my place at seven, if you can get away from the bar. And it would sure be nice if you’d demonstrate more of those incredible cooking skills you have for me.” She coyly batted her eyelashes at him. Reece swatted her on the ass, which earned him a surprised squeal, and then he rubbed the firm, round cheek soothingly. “I’m the boss, remember? Getting away from the bar is not a problem. And me cooking dinner is gonna cost you.” Sydney pecked him on the chin and set herself away from him. “I’m counting on it.”

***

When Sydney’s doorbell rang at six thirty sharp, she practically skipped to the door, thinking Reece was early. The smile on her face faded when she flung it open to find Jonah standing on the other side, looking like he’d lost his only friend. “Jonah. This is a surprise.” He smiled weakly. “Can I come in?” She stepped back. “Of course.” Jonah helped himself to a drink from her bar then sank down onto the couch. Sydney sat in a leather chair opposite him. His hair stuck out at odd angles, like he’d plowed his fingers through it a hundred times, and his sallow cheeks were covered in two days worth of dark beard stubble. “You look awful,” she said bluntly.

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Jenny Lyn He sat forward, propping his elbows on his knees as he swirled the liquor in his glass, and looked over at her. Tears shone in his deep brown eyes, making Sydney’s heart suddenly ache. Her brother rarely ever got upset, and if he did he didn’t show that side of himself to anyone. “Syd, this thing with Mom and Dad...it’s killing me. Have you talked to him?” Compassion filled her, dissolving any past disagreements she’d had with her brother into dust. After all, he was her only sibling. They were in this together. “Yes, earlier today. It’s not looking good.” “That’s the impression I got from Mom. She’s gone from being really sad to angry and bitter in a matter of days.” “Next will come resolve. She’ll be okay, Jonah. It’s just going to take time.” “So there really is another woman? This young chick he brought to the benefit?” Sydney sighed heavily. The bite of bitterness she’d felt earlier today rose like bile in her throat again, leaving a bad taste in her mouth. “I’m afraid so. Her name is Ronnie,” she said, grimacing at even the mention of her name. “It was pretty tough to listen to him talk about her like she was the greatest thing since the invention of paper money. He made it sound as though it was more than a casual fling.” Jonah shot to his feet and began pacing her living room. She recognized herself in his reaction. Perhaps they weren’t so different after all. “I can’t believe he’s doing this to her. It’s so cruel and thoughtless.” “I told him as much this morning.” He glanced over at her. “You did?” Sydney nodded. “I called him selfish and I urged him to hire a good divorce lawyer because he’s going to need it when Everett Shaw gets through with him.” “I hope she gets every fucking thing she asks for—the house, cash, stocks, all of it,” Jonah said harshly. “She will. Truthfully, I don’t think he cares. Dad can afford to give her whatever she demands and still come out smelling like a rose on the other side.” “He’s being such a heartless bastard,” Jonah muttered under his breath. “Jonah, I was upset this morning too. Since then I’ve had time to cool off and think. In the next few months, it’s going to be hard for the both of us to stay out of it, to not choose sides. But I think it’s impor71

Saving Sydney tant that we remain neutral, no matter how difficult that is. They’re still our parents and they both love us. That won’t ever change.” He gave her a rueful smile. “You’re right, I know. But it hurts so much right now.” Sydney rose from the couch and hugged him. “Think of what they’re going through. As much as Dad wants us to believe he’s put it all behind him already, I know deep down he’s hurting too. Men handle things so differently than women.” He pulled back and looked down into her face. “Speaking of being a man, I haven’t been acting like much of one lately. I’m sorry for behaving like such a selfish asshole, Syd.” When she could lift her jaw off the floor, she narrowed her eyes at him. “This isn’t a ploy so I’ll help you buy an expensive new car, is it?” He laughed out loud. “Nah, that’s handled.” “Jonah?” she asked suspiciously. “Relax, Sis. I’m driving Mom’s old Cadillac.” Sydney succumbed to a fit of welcome giggles. “What? It’s a cool car,” Jonah said. “It’s a boat and it looks like something a pimp would drive.” “Appropriate, don’t you think?” He gave her a big wink and a playful shove. “Come on, it’s a classic. You know you’re jealous.” “Well, one good thing about an old Cadillac—they’re built like a tank. With your driving record, that’s what you need.” “Har har. So, why were you grinning from ear to ear when you opened the door? Expecting a certain someone who owns a bar?” “As a matter of fact, I am,” she answered smugly. “Ooh, look at my big sister, finally letting her freak flag fly. It’s about time you loosened up. I like him, Syd, and if he makes you smile like that, he must be doing something right.” Sydney wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. “Oh, he does a lot of things right.” Jonah faked a gag. “Gross! TMI, Sis.” Sydney laughed again as the doorbell rang. “Hey, you started it with the freak flag comment.” As soon as she opened the door for Reece, he swooped in for a hearty kiss. Sydney blushed and glanced back at Jonah. “Oh, hey, Jonah,” Reece said as he jostled the bags he was holding so he could shake Jonah’s hand. Sydney took one from him and headed for the kitchen. “Good to see you again, Reece.” 72

Jenny Lyn Reece dropped the other bag on the bar and eyed her strangely, probably because she wore a bright smile and Jonah was present. “Well, I guess I better get going and leave you lovebirds alone.” Sydney hugged his neck again at her front door. “Try not to let what’s going on with Mom and Dad bother you too much, Jonah. It’s only going to get worse before it gets better. But I’m always here for you if you need to talk.” “I know.” He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “I love ya, Sis.” They didn’t say that to each other near enough. “Love you too.” Sydney locked her front door behind him and turned to Reece with a wicked grin, rubbing her palms together. “You’re all mine now, Mister.”

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Chapter Twelve

Sydney launched herself on Reece, wrapping her limbs around him like a monkey climbing a tall tree. He made an “oomph” noise that she caught with her mouth. When she’d kissed him thoroughly, she slid down his body until her feet touched the floor. “I’m guessing by your great mood you had a conflict-free visit with Jonah,” he said, framing her face in his palms while he smiled down at her. That smile made her toes curl and her panties wet. “He was upset about my parent’s divorce,” Sydney said absently in explanation, her brother’s visit practically forgotten, although she wasn’t discounting that a major fissure between them had closed. She shoved her hands under Reece’s T-shirt in search of warm, bare skin. “So they’re moving forward with it?” Her palms skimmed back around his waist until she found the buttons of his jeans. “Yes, but we can talk about that later. I’m riding an endorphin high at the moment and I’d like to have sex with the 74

Jenny Lyn hottest man on the planet.” She worked free another button and went treasure hunting. Reece’s chuckle turned into a groan when her hand closed around his swelling cock. Sydney sighed at the contact, her sex already growing warm and tingly. The feel of satiny smooth skin over hardening muscle never ceased to amaze her, the juxtaposition between the two. He let her stroke him for a moment, pressing his forehead to hers. “Syd, as much as I want to jump your sexy bones right this second, I need to get our dinner started.” Surprised, she leaned back to look at him. “What are you cooking that’ll take that much time?” He carefully extracted her hand from his pants. “Spaghetti.” “Don’t you just heat up sauce from a jar and boil some noodles?” Reece burst out laughing and Sydney smacked him on the arm. “No, I make the sauce from scratch, sweetheart. Normally I would cook it for a few hours, but tonight we’ll have to improvise. Help me get it going and then we’ll play.” He slid his hand over the curve of her ass and kissed the tip of her nose. “Oh, all right. What would you like me to do?” Reece gave her a few quick instructions on what he needed and when she’d done everything he’d asked, she pulled a bottle of red wine from the rack and opened it. Sydney poured them each a glass and sat down on a barstool to watch him work. Seeing him so relaxed in her home sent contentment seeping into the very marrow of her bones. He’d pulled off his boots and socks so, like her, he was barefoot and comfortable. He wore a faded navy blue T-shirt with the bar’s logo on the back. The soft cotton molded to his chest and biceps. His well-worn jeans hung low on his hips and cupped his sex the way she wanted to. It was so cute the way he’d casually slung a dishtowel over his shoulder. What would it be like to share this kind of quiet intimacy with him all the time? Share a private space and spend time with him every day? Oddly, she found the idea quite appealing. There was no awkwardness between them, just a lazy ease that she’d never had with any other man, even Todd. Most of the meals they’d sat down to share had been at a restaurant table, and even then they’d remained mostly silent. Usually both of their noses were glued to a BlackBerry screen or stuck in a file folder. Sad really, but that pretty much summed up their marriage.

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Saving Sydney Reece tapped the label on the bottle of wine with the tip of his knife and scowled, shaking her abruptly from her pensive thoughts. “Sydney, that’s an eighty-dollar bottle of wine.” Pursing her lips, she picked it up. “It is?” She sat it back down and shrugged her shoulders. “Dad buys it by the case and I swipe a bottle occasionally.” Reece continued to frown. “What, you don’t like Cabernet?” “Never mind,” he said, turning his back to her as he added more ingredients to the pot of sauce. “It’s not about the wine, is it?” she asked, unease settling over her at his sudden downshift in mood. He didn’t answer. Sydney hopped off the stool to move closer to him. He still wouldn’t look at her. “Reece, does it bother you that I have money?” His nostrils flared as he sucked in a slow, deep breath, then took his time releasing it. “Not usually, but seeing you open that ridiculously expensive bottle of wine like it’s tap water did for some reason.” She touched his arm, and he finally turned to look at her. “Don’t do that. I won’t make apologies for my financial status. I work very hard, pay my taxes on time, donate generously to charities. I know how blessed I am and I’m incredibly thankful for it, but I don’t want it to come between us. Please, don’t let it.” “It won’t. It does take some getting used to though.” “I understand. For the record, I don’t open eighty-dollar bottles of wine every night. Hardly ever, actually. This is a special occasion, having you here, cooking for me like this.” She smiled at him. “Don’t you like the wine?” His lips twitched. “The wine is very good.” “And what about my choices in lingerie? You like those too, don’t you?” she persisted, stepping even closer. “Mmm, I see where this is going.” He crossed his arms over his chest imperiously and propped his hip against the counter. Sydney walked her fingers up his bicep and slowly pulled her bottom lip through her teeth, determined to shatter his resolve. “Because if there’s one thing I do like to spoil myself with, it’s pretty bras and panties. In fact, I happen to have on a nice pair of tiny, lacy panties right now.” She let out an Oscar-worthy sigh. “If only you were through slaving over that hot stove.” With one hand, she eased the hem of her short, strapless sundress further up her thigh. “Want a sneak peek?” 76

Jenny Lyn A growl rumbled deep in Reece’s chest as he trapped her between his long arms and the edge of the sink. He lowered his face to within inches of hers. “Didn’t I tell you in your office today you were gonna pay for me cooking you dinner tonight?” A shiver of arousal raced up her spine. “Yes.” “Well, since you like being such a little tease, the price just doubled.” Sydney swallowed and gaped at him. “Uh-oh.” A dangerous smile spread across his face as he reached over and turned down the heat under the pot of sauce to a simmer. At the same time, the heat level in her veins shot to boiling. Moisture flooded those expensive panties she’d tempted him with in anticipation of the naughty things he might do to her. Reece picked up her glass of wine and placed it in her hand then turned her around and gave her a push toward the French doors leading out onto the terrace of her apartment. Sydney cast him a questioning glance over her shoulder, but he only prodded her along silently with his fingertips. Outside the sun was setting, shooting the sky full of breathtaking colors that could never be found on an artist’s palette. Muted shades of blues, purples, oranges, and pinks combined to paint a stunning, natural masterpiece. For a moment, they both stood in awed silence, Reece gently nuzzling the side of her face while they watched the giant flaming orb sink closer to the horizon. Cool air slid around them, bringing with it the blended scents of freshly mown grass from the park across the street and burning charcoal from a grill nearby. Reece sat down on the edge of one of the two plush chaises that occupied her terrace. He took her wine glass from her hand and placed it on the small end table next to it. Then he grasped her hips and pulled her forward until she was standing between his widespread thighs. He leaned back on his hands, cocking his head to one side. Cerulean eyes met hers. “Take off those pricey panties, hot stuff.” Anxiously Sydney glanced around at her surroundings as if they’d suddenly become unfamiliar. Her apartment was on the corner of the building and the terrace had walls on both sides and a roof overhead so her neighbors couldn’t see her. She supposed someone in a building nearby could if they used binoculars or a telescope.... “Sydney, it’s dark enough, no one will see you,” Reece said reassuringly, reading her thoughts. 77

Saving Sydney Reaching beneath her dress, she tugged her panties down her legs and held them out on the tip of her index finger. Reece shoved them in the back pocket of his jeans. Sydney smirked. Yeah, he liked her expensive lingerie, all right. Reece threw one long leg over the chaise so that he was straddling it, facing the backrest, both feet planted on the floor. “Come here.” He patted the cushion in front of him. “Face me.” Sydney’s breathing picked up. She’d occasionally wondered what it would be like to have sex outdoors. Looked as though she was about to find out. Of course, it wasn’t exactly a public beach in broad daylight, but still, it was an erotically charged yet slightly unsettling experience. She did as he asked, holding the short hem of the dress over her bare sex self-consciously as she settled herself in front of him on the chaise. Reece lifted her knees over his muscled thighs and gently pushed her back until she was reclining on the cushioned backrest. “Comfy?” he asked. His hands smoothed up her shins and over her knees but stopped at the top of her thighs. The controlled heat in his blue eyes both unnerved her and turned her on equally. “Yes.” “Nervous?” The terry fabric of her dress was sponging the dampness from her palms so yes, she was nervous. Taking the Bar exam hadn’t frazzled her as much as this man could. “A little,” she answered honestly. Leaning forward, Reece placed feathery kisses on the corners of her mouth. “Why would this make you nervous, Sydney?” He continued to brush her jaw with his lips, lighting tiny fires. “It’s the fear of the unknown I suppose. Being unsure of what’ll happen between us.” “Put your hand on my chest,” he ordered. Sydney flattened her palm over his heart. “Feel my heart racing?” She did. His beat at a slightly accelerated rate, matching the pace of hers. “I’m nervous too, but it’s from excitement. Do you trust me, honey?” His question sent a rush of emotion through her. She couldn’t resist touching his face. “You know I do.” Reece turned his head, kissing her palm. “Then you know I would never do anything to embarrass you or make you feel uncomfortable.” In the back of her mind, Sydney knew one day she’d look back on this moment as the first time she realized she was falling in love 78

Jenny Lyn with Reece Myers. Behind his dark head, the last blazing tendrils of the sinking sun matched the fire she saw in his eyes. A heat that was miraculously all for her. Twilight was settling over them as the weight of her silent admission pressed over her. She waited for panic to rise in her throat, for fear to twist her stomach into knots, but they never came. Instead the unqualified rightness of it stunned her. “Syd, you okay?” She blinked, then channeled her feelings into a searing kiss. Sydney could feel him stiffen in surprise for only a nanosecond under the sudden, pressing assault of her lips but then he grasped her face, tilting her head so he could deepen their connection. Reece sank his tongue inside her mouth, probing and sliding against hers. Pleasure coursed through her like low-voltage electricity, leaving a lovely buzz in its wake. He lifted his head, staring intently at her from beneath desireheavy lids, both of them panting for breath. “I know I tell you this all the time but you’re so beautiful.” “Reece,” she whispered hoarsely. “I need you to touch me.” “Lean back.” As she reclined she noticed the wicked gleam crawling back into his eyes. She’d forgotten she still had to take her retribution for teasing him inside and if she knew Reece at all, it would be a sweet, welcome atonement, no matter what the cost. He grasped the edges of her dress beneath her armpits and tugged it down to her waist, exposing her breasts to him and the evening air. Her nipples puckered tightly in response to both. Reece reached for her wineglass and tipped it to her lips so she could take a sip. When her tongue darted out to swipe over her damp bottom lip, he groaned and followed it with his own, sucking away the last traces of the spicy Cabernet. Reece dipped his finger into the glass then held it above her nipple, letting the wine drip onto the puckered flesh. It ran around the tip, pooling in the tiny creases, tinting it a darker shade of pink. Reece leaned forward and sucked it clean, releasing her with a soft, wet pop. Then he repeated the action on the right one. He sat back with a satisfied nod. “Now that’s the way to enjoy an eighty-dollar bottle of wine.” She giggled. “Think they’d use that as a tag line? Pairs well with nipples?” Reece threw back his head and laughed, a husky, rich sound that made her insides melt like chocolate on hot asphalt. 79

Saving Sydney He painted her repeatedly with the Cabernet, taking his time to lick and suck and tug at the turgid peaks until Sydney was pushing her chest forward for more of his warm mouth. Each time he’d pull away and admire her darkened, slippery skin as Sydney whimpered at the loss of his skilled lips and tongue. He finally set the glass down and looked at her. “Tell me what you like, Sydney.” “Wh-what?” she stammered through her lust haze. “You have gorgeous breasts.” His palms cupped her, pushing the weight of her breasts up while his thumbs brushed back and forth across the hypersensitive tips. “One of these days I’m going to fuck that sweet spot between them,” he mused. Oh, God, there were those hot, naughty words again. Sydney gasped softly at the erotic visual he’d created in her mind. “Tell me what feels good to you, baby.” “Everything you do feels good.” His eyes challenged her. “Be specific or I’ll stop.” She made a noise of frustration. “I love it when you use your goatee. Squeeze me harder. I want it a little rough sometimes.” He leaned over her again, brushing the soft hair of his beard across the swell of each breast while he kneaded her pliant flesh firmly. Sydney groaned raggedly when he pinched her nipples, the sensation shooting straight to her core. “Yes, that feels amazing.” She dropped her chin and watched as her pale skin gradually turned pink under Reece’s ministrations. When the crotch of his jeans drew her eye, she sucked in a sharp breath. The rigid line of his erection lay along the inside of his thigh, straining beneath soft, faded denim. Just the thought of him pushing his thick cock inside her made her squirm on the seat as a fresh rush of moisture soaked her pussy. “That doesn’t hurt, Reece?” He lifted his head, his brow pinched in a frown. “Does what hurt?” “Your...hard-on.” He looked down at it then back up at her with a pained smile. “Yeah, but it’s a good hurt.” “Will you take off your shirt? It’s only fair, since I’m bare-chested and all.” Reece reached behind his neck and stripped the T-shirt over his head. Her hungry hands immediately sought his warm, tanned skin. 80

Jenny Lyn She smoothed her palms over his wide shoulders, down his solid biceps. Using her fingertips, she traced the delineated lines of his abdomen, his ribcage and the indentation below his pectoral muscles. Sydney thought him beautiful as well. A perfect specimen of maleness. She desperately wanted to feel him pressed against her, skin to skin, heartbeat to heartbeat, but he had other ideas. “Sydney.” He caught her roving hands and moved them to her thighs. “Slide your dress up. Show me that delicious pussy.” Heat flamed her cheeks while his blunt words burned her with arousal. “Reece....” “Don’t be shy.” Locking her eyes with his, Sydney eased the hem of her dress up until she was bare and open for him, fully exposed to his hot gaze. Her chest rose and fell as her breathing grew shallow and erratic. He slowly raised his eyes back to hers, the pupils nearly swallowing his beautiful blue irises. “Touch yourself.” She licked her lips nervously. “I don’t think I can do that.” It’s one thing to masturbate alone in the privacy of your bedroom, but quite another to have someone watch you do it, even someone you’ve been incredibly intimate with, she thought to herself. If her cheeks got any hotter, her skin was going to melt off. Reece scooted them both down on the chaise so that Sydney was reclined further back, her hips tilted up at an angle. “Yes you can.” He gave her a long, hungry kiss while pinning her hands between her spread thighs. “There’s no reason to be embarrassed. It’s just you and me here.” “Take your....” She hitched her chin toward his crotch and ran her tongue across her bottom lip. Funny how she kept doing that every time she pictured his dick. It made sense, though, because she knew how good he tasted. Amusement flickered through his darkened eyes. “My what? Use your dirty words, Sydney.” “Take your cock out of your jeans,” she blurted. Without a second’s hesitation, Reece leaned back on his elbows and carefully unbuttoned his jeans. He reached into his boxer briefs and, wincing slightly, eased his cock free. Sydney feasted on the sight of it. Smooth, dark pink skin stretched over the thick head. Long, rigid muscle in the shaft. A drop of moisture glistening on the ripe tip. As he slowly stroked himself once from root to tip, she swallowed back 81

Saving Sydney the saliva that pooled in her mouth and clenched her hands into tight fists. Oh, she was a lucky girl. Reece was nicely hung. “God, Reece,” she practically whined. “I want to taste you.” Almost imperceptibly, he moved his head from side to side, denying her fervent request. The man had the fortitude of a monk. “Touch yourself, sweetheart.” “This is torment, pure and simple,” she quipped, sounding vaguely like an obstinate child. “It’ll be worth it, you’ll see. Do it.” Until she met Reece, Sydney had never considered herself an overtly sexual person, although she enjoyed a good orgasm as much as the next. She’d had a few lovers before him so she wasn’t a prude, but sometimes Reece’s potent sexuality made her feel downright chaste. There was something in the way he looked at her though, like she was the sexiest, most desirable woman in the world, that pulled it out of her, broke through her barriers, made her want to give him everything. Readily comply with whatever intimate demand he made of her. Steeling herself against the rush of embarrassment that was surely about to overtake her, she slowly drew her damp palms up her thighs, hesitating only a moment before she brought her middle finger to her pussy. She pushed it down through her slick folds then brought it back up to brush her clit. She was so wet her finger glided effortlessly. The initial burst of intense sensation rocketed through her pelvis, forcing a deep, broken sigh from her throat. Giving in, she tilted her head back, gripping the cushion tightly beside her hip with her free hand. Up and down she moved her fingers, all vestiges of shyness disappearing as rising bliss took its place. “Open those gorgeous eyes, baby.” Reece’s voice sounded different, hoarse and thick. She pried open her eyelids to look at him. The amount of raw desire on his face shocked her. His hand fisted his shaft tightly, pumping slowly, following her tempo. Suddenly she understood why he’d asked her to do this for him. The sight of him gripping his cock in a familiar rhythm sent her own arousal to levels she’d never experienced before. More wetness flooded her fingers and she began to focus on the needy bundle of nerve endings. “Christ, that is so fucking sexy to watch. Are you close?” She bobbed her head furiously as the sharp, early licks of an orgasm crept through her pelvis. “Yes,” she hissed.

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Jenny Lyn “Come here. When you come it’s going to be around my cock.” Sydney scrambled on top of him while Reece repositioned them both so that he could lean back on the chaise. Shifting her weight to her knees, she held the hem of her dress up so she could watch herself take Reece into her body. “Oh, you feel good,” she said, sighing when he filled her. “So good it almost hurts.” “Sydney.” The way Reece said her name caressed her like a physical touch. The depth of emotion his voice carried matched what was caught in her throat. It threatened to spill off her tongue in a nonsensical rush so she clenched her teeth, trapping the words. Reece cupped the cheeks of her ass in his palms, helping to lift and lower her steadily. He traced where their bodies were joined with one fingertip, dipping into her slippery folds, then pushed his wet digit toward the tight ring of her back entrance. Sydney’s muscles automatically tensed in alarm at the unfamiliar feeling. She fluttered her eyes open, searching his face. “Relax, honey. I won’t hurt you. Have you ever done it before?” It didn’t take a degree in rocket science to know “it” meant anal sex. Hopefully her fierce blush went unseen in her already flushed cheeks. “No.” He brushed her hair back from her face with one hand and smiled reassuringly. “Don’t panic. I was gonna let you try something. A little sample that’ll blow your mind.” He nodded. “Want to?” Sydney brushed her tongue over her top lip, catching beads of salty perspiration. “Yes.” She shifted impatiently on his lap, her orgasm hovering just out of reach yet so close. “Reece, please. I need to come.” Reece’s cock pulsed hotly inside of her, echoing her desperate plea. Sydney raised her hips and slid down again, pushing a small grunt of delight from her chest. He sat forward and sucked her nipple into his mouth. “Oh God, yes!” Her pussy clenched as Reece traced the tightly puckered hole, adding a whole different rush of sensation to the already powerful mix. “Breath out, baby, and relax your muscles.” His finger breached the taut rosette up to his first knuckle. It didn’t hurt so much as it felt foreign, but amazingly the added pressure multiplied in her sex. “That’s it. You’re so tight, Syd. So fucking hot,” he ground out.

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Saving Sydney With a surge of his hips, he pressed his finger deeper at the same time, stretching and filling her completely. The slight burn was quickly forgotten as her orgasm slammed into her, forcing a scream from her throat. Her body felt like it turned itself inside out as extreme ecstasy poured into every cell. She was vaguely aware of Reece’s deep, drawn out groan as he joined her. Fireworks. She literally saw stars, something she’d always thought was a foolish myth. Slowly everything righted itself and she sucked in a harsh breath, needing to force air into her lungs before she passed out. Sydney collapsed onto his chest. The band of Reece’s arms tightened briefly around her then he was soothing her with the soft brush of his palms down her back and tender kisses to the crown of her head. “How was that?” “If you cook like you make love that ought to be some damn good spaghetti sauce.” The rumble of Reece’s laughter vibrated through her cheek, eliciting a smile from her as well. She pushed up into a sitting position and stretched her legs. When she looked down at him, the expression on his face made her heart flip. Then he cocked one dark eyebrow as if to say, “I told you so”. “Okay, smarty. You were right. You’re a sex god.” Sydney covered her face with her hands when she remembered how hard she came, how loud she’d screamed. “Lord all mighty, I hope the neighbors don’t think I was being murdered and call the cops.”

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Chapter Thirteen

Sophie looked at her reflection in the visor mirror for the third time in as many minutes it seemed. “Stop fidgeting. You look amazing,” Sydney scolded. And she did. She wore a pair of snug white Capri pants, white wedge-heeled espadrilles, and a bright pink blouse that hung off her shoulders. The color of the top made her golden skin glow and her eyes stand out even more than they normally did. Sitting next to her, Sydney felt downright drab in a baby blue cotton halter dress, but she could never wear the colors Sophie got away with. Not with her auburn hair. She tried to avoid any shades that could be found in a bag of Skittles or a sleeve of Starburst. Tugging at her top, Sophie frowned at Sydney. “I can’t believe I agreed to do this. I hate blind dates.” “It’s not a blind date. You’re going to a birthday party at Reece’s with me. If you happen to hit it off with the birthday boy himself, well, then all the better,” Sydney said smugly. 85

Saving Sydney “Whatever,” she mumbled sullenly. “It feels like a blind date. I knew I shouldn’t have been so nice to your boyfriend.” Sydney didn’t bother to argue Sophie’s point because it was true. The impression she’d made on Reece the afternoon he’d visited her office made him suggest bringing her to the party. He seemed to think she was going to knock Deke off his feet. Sydney was a little more skeptical of the match-up. Deke wasn’t exactly Sophie’s type, but then again she would’ve never thought Reece hers either. And Reece knew him better than anyone else. Sophie’s comment about Reece being her boyfriend hadn’t drawn the rebuttal that she’d probably expected. Boyfriend sounded a bit juvenile but lover was certainly inadequate too. No, he was becoming so much more than that but she chose to hold those cards close to the vest. Between the hot sex, the fantastic food, and the deep conversation they’d shared, his visit Wednesday night had been unforgettable. The two of them had lain in bed touching and talking until exhaustion finally claimed them. Sydney was late for work again the next morning. And she certainly hadn’t complained when he’d called her Friday at midnight to say he was standing outside her front door. Nope, hadn’t bothered her one little bit. Excitement coursed through her now, driving to his house for Deke’s party. Not only was she anxious to see him, but she also wanted to see this other side of him. How he was around his friends, in his own element instead of hers. She practically vibrated in the seat of her car. “So tell me about this Deke. What’s he like? Is he cute, nice, funny? Does he have big hands?” Sophie asked with a snicker, despite the nervous jitters. “All of the above. He and Reece are built the same—tall, broadshouldered, fit. Deke may be a little bigger. He’s got dark blond, spiky hair, a devastating smile, and he could charm a nun out of her habit so be prepared for that.” Sydney glanced over at her. “What makes you think he’ll even want to charm me? He’ll probably take one look at me and run the other direction.” Her self-deprecation unnerved Sydney. “Sophie, why would anyone run from you? You’re intelligent, beautiful, and fairly normal. Don’t let a few bad apples spoil the whole bunch. And besides, if you and Deke don’t hit it off perhaps one of the other guys there will interest you.” 86

Jenny Lyn “Exactly how many people are going to be at this party?” she asked skeptically. Sydney shrugged. “I’m not sure. Reece said they’d invited a bunch of their friends. He’s barbequing and their plan was to play some poker, drink beer, and hang out.” “Aren’t you nervous? I mean, it’s been a hell of a long time since I’ve been to a kegger.” Sydney cracked up laughing at her friend. “Yes, I’m a little nervous but we’ll be fine. Reece wouldn’t allow anything to happen that would make us uncomfortable.” “So there won’t be big-breasted college girls wrestling naked in pools filled with bacon grease?” “God, I hope not.” “Man’s two favorite things: boobs and bacon,” she quipped drily. Sophie pointed toward the back seat. “Why two gifts?” Sydney glanced in the rearview mirror at the black and silver gift bags. “The small one is for Deke and the big one is for Reece. Don’t worry; your name’s on the card for Deke’s gift too.” “I wasn’t worried. Spill it, what’s in the bags?” “I bought Deke a bracelet.” At Sophie’s quizzical expression, she continued. “It’s made of titanium with black inserts and it has skulls on it. Very macho, tough-guy chic. Trust me, it’s him.” “What did you get Reece?” Sydney shook her head. “That one’s too personal.” Sophie looked over at her, a hint of a smile on her lips. “You’ve fallen for him, haven’t you?” “There is a great deal of mutual admiration going on between us.” “Don’t be coy with me, woman. I’ve seen the way you look at each other. Like someone who hasn’t eaten protein in a year and they’ve suddenly been handed a juicy slab of rare prime rib. The heat between the two of you nearly singed my eyebrows off.” Sydney laughed again. How could anyone not fall in love with Sophie? From the moment she’d stepped foot in her office for an interview, Sydney knew she was going to hire the little bundle of dynamite. She was astute to a fault, extremely professional when she needed to be, and always Sydney’s biggest cheerleader. If Sophie were to come to her on Monday and say she was quitting Sydney would literally grovel at her tiny feet. “Heat is one thing. Staying power is another, and I’m not referring to the bedroom.” 87

Saving Sydney “Syd, I’ve met the man once and I could see—feel—that he’s nothing at all like Todd. There are men out there who are comfortable with a confident, self-sufficient woman.” “But what about the difference in our lifestyles? I work from sunup to sundown and his hours are just the opposite. When would we spend any time together?” “Aren’t you making it work now?” “Making it work? We go days without seeing each other. Our only date was when I dragged him to that boring charity benefit. He cooked at my place Wednesday night. He cooked because I can barely boil water.” The steering wheel bit into her palms. Sydney glanced down to see that her knuckles were pale. She flexed her fingers, releasing the punishing death grip she had on the supple, dark leather. Sophie turned to face her on the seat. “You know, I think I’ve figured out what your problem is. You’ve got this preconceived notion in your head about what a relationship, or a marriage, is supposed to be like. It doesn’t have to be perfect, Syd, or even ‘normal,’ whatever the definition of that is. As long as the two of you are happy and hot for one another, glad to see the other whenever they walk through the door, then isn’t that what really matters?” She had a point. Maybe Sydney was trying to scale walls that weren’t there while the ones she’d built around her heart crumbled. “Yes, but how long would he be willing to live with that? Six months, a year, two years?” “Have you tried asking?” “No.” “I think you should.” Sydney sighed as the Volvo’s GPS lady told her they were nearing Reece’s house. “I’m afraid,” she finally admitted. Sophie’s blond head whipped around so fast it was a wonder she didn’t sprain her neck. “You? Afraid of what, Syd?” “Of what his answer might be.” “Why should you be afraid if he’s willing to make those compromises so the two of you could be together?” “Sophie, I can’t explain how Reece makes me feel. It’s as if I’m a different person when I’m with him. He’s almost too good to be true. I want to jump in with both feet, wholeheartedly, really I do. Perhaps what’s holding me back is my parent’s divorce, not just my own. I look at them, married for thirty-five years, and now they can’t stand to

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Jenny Lyn be in the same room with each other for more than five minutes. How does that happen? I don’t ever want to be in that position.” “Oh, honey, nothing in life is guaranteed. You know that. You can’t let what’s going on with them or your misstep with Todd keep you from finding your own happily ever after. And you can’t be afraid to take that step again, even if you trip and fall.” “And what if he’s not willing? What then?” “Then you have to decide how badly you want it to work. Judging by what you’ve told me, I’d say he’d be worth making some changes for.” “Changes?” “Yes. Like learning how to delegate, for instance. I want you to look that word up in the dictionary sometime. It means to assign responsibilities to another.” Sydney shook her head. “I know what it means.” “Then learn to do it. I’m plenty capable of handling more than you give me and I’m willing. And pass off some of your more tedious and time-consuming work to Jonah. Make him earn that ridiculous paycheck he draws every week.” Sydney snorted. “You were a cheerleader in high school, weren’t you?” Sophie flashed her a blinding smile. “I still have the pom-poms to prove it.” Arriving at destination on left, the GPS announced. “We’re here!” Sydney said. Sophie’s smile died a quick death. “Oh, will you relax? You’re not being marched to the gallows, for Pete’s sake.” Easing her car next to the curb behind a long row of parked cars, Sydney took in their surroundings. Reece lived in an older neighborhood a few miles outside the city limits of Pearson. The houses were a mish-mash of sizes and styles, some new, some older. His was a one-story, ranch-style home, with dark wood siding, and a nicely manicured yard. It looked as though a tall, board fence ran the sides and back of his property line, separating him from the neighbors. His concrete driveway was packed with vehicles, mostly trucks and a few motorcycles, and they spilled out onto the street. Sydney plucked her keys from the ignition and dropped them in her purse. Reaching into the back seat, she grabbed the gift bags and turned to Sophie with a devilish grin. “Let’s go meet your new beau.” “Kiss my grits, boss lady.” 89

Chapter Fourteen

Rather than ring the front doorbell, Sydney and Sophie decided to head straight for the backyard because that was likely where everyone would be anyway. They could smell grill smoke and hear rock music and laughter flowing from that direction. As soon as they rounded the corner both of them halted to an apprehensive stop. At least two dozen curious pairs of eyes swung their direction and the conversation ceased like someone had pressed the “mute” button on the remote control. “Awkward,” Sophie mumbled under her breath. Sydney immediately sought out Reece. He was climbing down the steps of the enormous wooden deck that ran the length of the back of his house. He wore khaki cargo shorts, a black T-shirt, and flipflops. She began moving again, meeting him halfway, and still aware they were being watched. “Hey, beautiful,” he said, snaking his arms around her waist and pulling her in for a quick but thorough kiss. 90

Jenny Lyn “Hi,” she said as the heat of a fierce blush crept up her neck and into her cheeks. God, would she ever be able to kiss the man in public without turning ten shades of red? “Hello, Sophie. Glad you decided to come.” Sophie shot Sydney a look before she smiled at Reece. “Thanks for inviting me, Reece.” Reece took Sydney’s hand in his and gave her a gentle tug. “Come on, you two. Nobody will bite...not at first anyway.” He winked at Sydney then glanced down at the bags in her other hand. “I thought I said you didn’t need to buy Deke anything, Syd.” “I know you said I didn’t need to but I wanted to, so lighten up.” He laughed. “I should know better by now.” Reece led them up onto the deck and through the back door of his house. Sydney tried to take it all in at once but there was a distracting group of guys playing video games on an enormous flat-screen television in his living room, laughing and calling each other some interesting names she was fairly certain were not on their birth certificates. “I’ll give you a tour later. Let’s put your things away.” He took Sydney’s and Sophie’s purses and tucked them in a closet while Sydney stashed the gift bags in the one empty corner of the crowded kitchen counter. What she could see of Reece’s home was nice, warm. The flooring and cabinetry were dark wood but the walls were painted a neutral cream color. His furniture was all butter-soft brown leather and large. No denying it was a bachelor pad but it was welcoming, comfortable, and clean. A warm hand slid across Sydney’s lower back and Reece kissed her on the temple. “I’m so glad you’re here,” he whispered into her ear. “I’ve finally got you where I want you, in my domain for a change. You look delicious by the way.” Sydney sighed and pressed her body closer against his side. “Okay, I’m starting to feel like a third wheel here,” Sophie said sternly from behind them. Reece chuckled. “Sorry, Tinkerbell. Let’s head back outside.” “Tinkerbell?” Sophie repeated in an incredulous tone. “Yeah, you look like a fairy sprite. All that’s missing are your wings and a wand.” “Don’t make me regret being nice to you,” Sophie grumbled as they stepped outside.

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Saving Sydney On one end of the covered deck was Reece’s huge, stainless steel grill, built into an L-shaped counter. A large, round patio table sat nearby with six thickly padded chairs while a wide, wooden porch swing hung at the opposite end. Three evenly spaced ceiling fans spun overhead, stirring the tepid air. There were a few couples, but mostly everywhere she looked there were men. In addition to the gamers inside, a group sat at the patio table playing cards. Several more were scattered across the grass of Reece’s backyard playing a game of horseshoes. Sydney saw Deke look up and smile, his eyes moving from her to land on Sophie. His trademark grin faltered briefly but she recognized the look in his eye as interest. She glanced down at Sophie who was returning his frank appraisal. He trotted over. “Hey, Red,” he said, pulling Sydney in for a quick hug. “Happy birthday, Deke.” “Thanks. Glad you could make it to the party.” He turned his full attention to Sophie. “And who might you be?” “Deke, this is my friend Sophie Deveraux. Sophie, this is Deke McIntyre.” Sophie stuck out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Deke. Happy birthday.” Sydney watched in fascination as Deke’s big hand swamped Sophie’s much smaller one. “Thank you, and the pleasure is all mine, Sophie Deveraux.” Oh, that smile. That irresistible charm. If he kissed her on the back of the hand Sydney was going to smack him. Sophie was a goner if she wasn’t very, very careful. Reece squeezed her hip—hard—and Sydney snapped out of it. “Do you play horseshoes, sunshine?” Deke asked Sophie. And like the moniker Deke had just anointed her with, Sophie beamed up at him brightly. “It’s been a while but I could probably still kick your butt.” Miraculously, Deke’s smile grew even bigger and he held out his arm for Sophie. “Let’s go find out, shall we? Perhaps you’d care to wager a bet.” Before Sydney could hear Sophie’s response, they were out of earshot. Reece fit the front of his body to Sydney’s back, nuzzling the side of her face. A small shiver traced up her spine. “She’s a big girl, Syd, and Deke is not an ogre. He doesn’t eat little pixies for breakfast and pick his teeth with their bones.”

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Jenny Lyn Sydney laughed and relaxed into him. “I know. It’s just that... well, if this goes badly I’ll feel responsible because I introduced them.” “How old is Sophie?” “Old enough,” she said resignedly. “Hungry?” Reece murmured in her ear. His warm breath on her sensitive skin sent a shot of arousal coursing through her bloodstream. Whenever they were together she was always hungry for him. Food was usually an afterthought, except for when he cooked. “I think you know the answer to that question before it’s ever asked.” He nipped her earlobe and she squeaked. “I meant for food.” “I didn’t. But if you cooked, I know it’ll be amazingly good.” Reece groaned and squeezed her tighter. “Let me show you off a little then I’ll fix you a plate.”

***

He was in love with her. Truly, madly, deeply, and all that sappyass shit because it was true. From his seat at the poker table, Reece watched Sydney over the top of his cards. She was sitting in the swing at the other end if his deck, one leg tucked beneath her, the other bare foot on the floor. Rita, his friend Brian’s wife, was seated beside her and they were carrying on an animated conversation, both of them laughing and nodding in agreement occasionally. It shouldn’t have surprised him she’d fit in so well with his friends. Sydney could mingle with anyone from the President to a man on death row and make them feel equally as special and they’d both be better off for having met her. He’d fallen fast and hard. The realization washed over him like a cool breeze on a hot summer day, welcome and wanted. It had probably happened the moment she stepped into his bar that first night. Hadn’t his heart lurched in his chest when he spotted her hovering there in the doorway? It had because it recognized her as being his long before his brain ever did. She looked his way, gave him a soft smile and a subtle wink. Reece lifted his chin in private acknowledgment. He could imagine the two of them sitting in that very same spot fifty years from now, wrinkled, gray, and still holding hands. God, yes, he loved her, more than he’d ever thought possible. “Reece!” someone at the table said sharply. 93

Saving Sydney He shook his head. “Sorry. What did I miss?” Carlos, his buddy to his right, punched him lightly on the shoulder and laughed. “Dude, you’re so gone.” Fuck, was he blushing? His face was damn sure getting hot. He looked down at his hand of cards. “Kiss my ass. What are we up to?” “A dollar.” Reece slid four quarters into the middle of the table and the game continued. After another thirty minutes of playing and barely breaking even, he looked up to find Sydney missing. “I fold,” he muttered and tossed his cards down. Ignoring his friends’ protests, he went in search of her. It was getting dark but the party was still in full swing, only a few people having left. Out on the lawn, the game of horseshoes was back on after a brief break and Sophie and Deke were now on the same team. Sophie had kicked off her shoes at some point and was laughing up into Deke’s grinning face, her hands braced against his wide chest while his big hands rested on her waist. She was so petite he could probably touch his fingertips together. Reece couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen his best friend so quickly bewitched by a woman. Inside, the spirited game of Madden football on the PlayStation was still going strong as well. His buddies were sprawled across his sectional sofa and the two other chairs, eyes focused intently on his big-screen. He found Sydney in the kitchen, pulling a bottle of water from the fridge. Her eyes softened when he approached, her lids dipping a fraction as her lips parted temptingly, an action Reece recognized in her now as barely concealed desire. She pulled her bottom lip through her teeth and his cock roused behind his fly. He pinned her between his body and the countertop. “Everything okay?” he asked. “Yes.” He kissed her forehead and she nuzzled his goatee. “You’re not bored, are you?” “No, I’m having a great time but I was missing you a little.” She placed her palm flat on his chest and Reece covered it with his own. It dawned on him every time he drew near to her she physically touched him, whether it was something as simple as a light caress or as potent as her jumping him like she’d done in her kitchen a few days ago. Far be it for him to complain.

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Jenny Lyn “Ah, Sydney. I miss you every minute of the day. How about that tour now?” He noticed her swallow then nod. “I’d love it,” she replied softly. Had his admission gotten to her that much? He took her hand and led her down the hall, away from the main living area of the house. Opening doors, he explained, “Guest bathroom, guest bedroom, another bedroom which serves as an office and gym of sorts. My bedroom.” Reece swung open the door and ushered Sydney inside. Earlier today he’d meticulously cleaned his house, especially his bedroom, in hopes he’d have her right here later tonight. She clasped her hands behind her back like she was afraid to touch anything and peered at him shyly over her bare shoulder, which only turned him on that much more. He locked the door and slowly stalked her further into the room. For every step he made toward her, she took a step back. “What’s the matter, little girl, haven’t you ever been in a boy’s bedroom before?” She brought one finger to her mouth, fluttering her eyelashes coquettishly and twirling her hips so her dress swirled around her silky, smooth thighs. “Only to study after school but we weren’t allowed to sit on the bed and the door had to remain open at all times.” “Aw, now that doesn’t sound like much fun to me.” He grabbed for her, but she giggled and darted away from him to the other side of the bed. “I bet you were one of those boys, the kind fathers warned their precious daughters to stay away from lest their reputations be sullied,” she drawled, syrupy sweet. Snickering, he sauntered around to her side of the room and she climbed onto the bed, scooting to the middle of his king-sized mattress. She rose to her knees, gathering the hem of her dress up to midthigh in her fists. “Oh, I’ve definitely sullied a few reputations over the years.” Sydney leaned forward, giving him an amazing view of deep, inviting cleavage down the front of her dress. “I don’t doubt that for one second. It’s probably a good thing you and I were never study buddies.” He swung one knee onto the bed and reached for her again, this time catching a handful of soft curls in his fingers and winding them around his palm. Bringing the other knee up, he drew closer. “And why is that?” 95

Saving Sydney “Because the only thing the two of us would’ve studied is anatomy, reputation be damned,” she murmured in a low, sultry tone. Reece tugged on her hair, just hard enough to tip her off balance and bring her crashing into his chest with a soft gasp. “It’s never too late to brush up on your anatomy.” He let go of her hair and untied the bow at the nape of her neck that held the bodice of her dress up. It slackened and slid down her chest, leaving her naked from the waist up. “Then by all means, let’s get to brushing.” They were on their knees, pressed pelvis to pelvis, breaths mingling in sharp little pants, as Sydney watched Reece cup the weight of one creamy breast in his palm. His other hand slid around to her ass as he raised his eyes to hers. “Sydney. I can’t touch you enough.” He kissed her, slowly taking his time to savor her taste. “Can’t kiss you enough either.” Her exploring hands slid under the bottom of his T-shirt to smooth over his ribcage. “I know,” she murmured. “Even after we’ve just had sex I still want to feel you everywhere, inside and out.” Reece ducked his head to capture a peaked nipple in his mouth. Sydney’s raspy moan was music to his ears as he rolled his tongue around the tip, tugged at it firmly with his lips. He released the rosy bud and brushed his chin back and forth across the opaque, satiny skin of her breast then moved to the other and gave it the same attention until he felt the sting of her nails biting into his shoulder blades. “God, it drives me crazy when you do that,” she said. He raised his head and pushed her backward across the mattress. Bracing himself above her body with one arm, he slid the hem of her dress up her thighs so it bunched at her waist. For a moment, Reece could only stare down at Sydney in wonder. Her exquisite, ivory skin against the dark backdrop of his comforter, the richness of her hair fanned out around her head, the soft, inviting smile on her plump, wet lips. His gaze traveled down her body, over the flushed skin of her breasts and stomach to the cream-colored, lacy panties that barely covered her sex. Sydney loved lace. Reece now loved lace. Lowering his head, he ran his tongue around her belly button then brought his mouth back to the dip below it and sucked the tender flesh against his teeth. The muscles beneath his mouth jumped and her hand lowered to the back of his head, slender fingers winding through his hair. He drew back and admired the small patch of reddened skin, smiling at his handiwork. 96

Jenny Lyn “You like giving me hickeys, don’t you?” He settled himself between her thighs as the sweet scent of her arousal seeped into his senses and erotically charged every neuron in his body with need. His cock hardened greedily. “We’re studying, remember? Didn’t any of your teenage boyfriends ever give you a love mark?” She shook her head. “I wouldn’t let them. Boys only know one place to give a girl a hickey and that’s on her neck. Hard to cover those up. But I like when you do it because they’re always in a spot that only you and I can see. When I look at it a day or two later before it fades away, it reminds me of what we were doing when you put it there and I get turned on all over again.” He raised his eyebrows. “Really?” “Mmm, very much so.” “Good to know. You’ll be getting them more often then.” “Scoot up here and kiss me, Reece.” Reece brushed his lips back and forth across the front of her panties, blowing warm breath through the whisper-thin silk. “I was thinking I’d stay down here and kiss you.” Thunderous laughter from the living room popped the sensual bubble they’d been cocooned in. Reece could see a trace of panic skip across Sydney’s beautiful features when he looked up at her. “Think we should rejoin the party?” she asked hesitantly. He slid up her body and nudged the juncture of her thighs with his iron-stiff cock. Her eyes drifted closed and she sighed softly. “Do you want to rejoin the party or stay here and study a little while longer?” She giggled but said, “What if Sophie starts looking for me?” Reece buried his face in the fragrant curve of her neck, nipping at her delicate collarbone. Sydney shifted her hips beneath him restlessly, her body’s wants overriding her worrisome brain. “Sophie’s having too much fun with Deke to wonder where you are.” “You’re probably right.” Sydney framed his face with her hands and made him look at her. The playful gleam was thankfully back in her deep amber eyes. Her lips curved into a wickedly seductive smile as the fantasy took hold once again. “Maybe we could have a quickie before my parents get home from work.” Reece kissed her fast and hard. “How long do we have?” “Ten minutes,” she said with a quick nod as they both tried to push her panties down her legs and undo his shorts at the same time. 97

Saving Sydney After a few seconds of awkward fumbling, Sydney kicked her underwear off her feet. “Hurry, Reece.” “Open your legs a little wider, baby.” Grasping his shaft in his fist, Reece drug the swollen tip of his cock across her slit, anointing himself with her warm juices. “Fuck, I love how wet you get for me.” Sydney reached for him. He nudged the thick crown inside the entrance to her pussy then, resting his weight on his forearms so he could look down at her, he slowly pushed deep while he held her gaze. “Oh, that’s my favorite part,” she purred. “What about when you come?” “That’s pretty great too, but the first delicious stretch is incredible.” Yeah, he understood completely. Feeling Sydney’s hot channel envelope him tightly did it for him too. Seeing ecstasy build in her beautiful features was a close second. Reece pulled back until the tip of his cock was all that remained inside of her then eased back in while he watched her eyes drift closed, her lips part on a long sigh of pleasure. He picked up a steady rhythm, loosing himself in the winding tightness of his body and the almost frantic build up of Sydney’s orgasm. She rocked her hips to meet each of his thrusts as her thighs tightened around his waist. Tiny whimpers of need slipped from her throat. “Harder, Reece. Please, I’m so close.” Wrapping one arm around her waist, he sat back on his heels, grabbed a pillow and shoved it under her bottom to raise her higher. Gripping her hips, he plunged into her while drinking in the unbelievably erotic sight of his cock sliding in and out of her slick pussy. Tension coiled at his tailbone, warning him he was about to lose it. Reece clenched his jaw, ignored the call of his body and focused on Sydney. He used the pad of his thumb to circle her clit. “Come for me, sweetheart.” “Oh! Reece,” she said then clamped her hand over her mouth to stifle her cries as she came. Her pussy drew him in tighter as she throbbed hotly around his shaft. He thrust almost savagely deep once more and the grip of his own orgasm claimed him. Intense pleasure washed through his body, leaving him temporarily spent but completely and hopelessly head over heels in love.

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Chapter Fifteen

Sydney flung her arms over her head and opened her eyes. Reece released the tight grip he had on her hips and slid from her body. Leaning forward, he kissed his way up the center of her stomach and chest until he got to her mouth where he placed a tender peck. She yanked the pillow out from under her bottom and tossed it off the bed. “Wow,” she said, still drawing deep breaths. “You deserve an Aplus.” Laughing, Reece flopped over onto his side next to her. “Damn, that was fun.” “Everyone’s going to know exactly what we’ve been doing. I don’t hide it well.” Propping himself up on an elbow, Reece studied her with mock seriousness. “I’m afraid you’re right, Syd. You look like you’ve been thoroughly fucked.” Then he grinned and tried to kiss her while she attempted to shove him away and not laugh. 99

Saving Sydney “Pull up your pants, smarty. I need you to do me a favor.” He scooted off the bed, tugging his underwear and shorts up. “I thought I just did us both a favor.” Sydney groaned at his manly boasting and went in search of her panties. “Keep it up and I won’t give you your present.” Narrowing his eyes as the teasing look on his face vanished, Reece said, “Sydney.” She pushed him toward the door. “It’s the bigger bag on the back of the kitchen counter. Go get it while I use your bathroom.” With a shake of his head, he stomped from the room. When Sydney exited the bathroom, he was perched on the side of the bed, a blank look on his face and the bag sitting next to him. She grabbed a handful of hair at the back of his head and tugged until he tipped his chin up to her. “Don’t be mad, Reece. It’s not anything outrageously expensive, I promise.” She kissed him until he lost the frown. Sydney hopped onto the bed beside him, a little giddy with excitement. Giving gifts was something she’d always enjoyed. Christmas and birthdays were her favorite occasions because she loved to see the look on someone’s face when they opened a present. She pushed the black and silver bag closer. “Take out the first thing your hand touches.” Reece sighed and rifled through the tufts of tissue paper she’d shoved in the top. He pulled out the rectangular box and popped the tape holding it shut. He glanced up at her one more time and Sydney nodded her head encouragingly. When he lifted the lid, she held her breath, anxious to see how he reacted. A slow smile spread across his face when he saw the black dress shirt nestled inside. “It’s to replace the one I popped the buttons off of. Do you like it?” “I love it. I still wish you hadn’t done this.” His smile morphed into a scowl when he noticed the label in the collar. “Wait, does that say Armani?” Sydney winced. “Damn it—” “Reece!” Feigning anger, she poked him in the chest. “Don’t spoil it. There’s something else so stick your hand back in the damn bag.” Reece pressed his lips together tightly and plunged his hand back through the sea of tissue paper. Withdrawing her other gift, he ripped the paper away and sucked in a sharp breath. “Oh, Syd....”

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Jenny Lyn “It was taken at the benefit. I know someone at the paper so I asked if they could make me a few prints. Do you remember when this photo was taken?” He ran his fingertips across the glass and Sydney’s heart felt his touch. Tears burned in her eyes and she blinked rapidly before he looked up and caught her. Too late, his gaze swung up to hers. Reece’s hand snaked behind her neck and he pulled her to him for a lengthy, soul-stirring kiss. When he let her up for air, Sydney touched his mouth. “I guess you like it.” “It’s so thoughtful and perfect. That moment was incredibly special and the photo captures it.” “I thought so too. It was a very bright spot after what had happened earlier with my dad.” He set the simple black and gold frame on the nightstand beside his bed and pulled her to him again for a long, warm hug. Something seemed to pass between them, unspoken but powerful. She’d thought she might be falling in love with Reece the night they’d made love on her terrace. Now she was sure of it. And she suspected he might feel the same way but uncertainty kept her cautiously mute. “Reece! Sydney! Where the hell are you guys?” Deke yelled from the kitchen. “Be right there!” Reece answered before he gave her another tender kiss. “Thank you.” She nodded, unable to make her frozen vocal chords work, and pulled away. He followed her to the kitchen. Deke gave them both the look he gave Sydney every time she’d left Reece’s office at the bar—a cocked eyebrow, a smug smile, the one that said he knew exactly what they’d been doing. Her cheeks went hot with embarrassment. Sophie sidled up beside her and winked broadly, a bottle of beer in her hand. “Are you drunk?” Sydney whispered in her ear. “No! Just thirsty. Deke and I kicked some serious booty.” The two of them high fived one another as Deke automatically gravitated closer to her side. Reece was right; they were obviously into each other. “Who’s ready for cake and ice cream?” Brian asked loudly. A chorus of “me” went up and dessert was served once Deke blew out a handful of colorful candles. Shortly thereafter, a concerted effort was made to clean up and everyone said their goodbyes. When the four of them were alone at last, Deke and Sophie sat in the porch swing and Reece sank into a chair beside them. Before 101

Saving Sydney he could tug Sydney onto his lap, she dashed back inside for Deke’s gift. When she returned she handed the small bag to him and settled herself across Reece’s legs. He brushed her hair back off her shoulder and whispered in her ear, “No squirming or you’ll have a present to unwrap.” Sydney tried to squelch another giggle but it was hopeless. Reece made her behave like a teenager. “That’s from me and Sophie, Deke.” “Sydney, there were strict instructions not—” She rolled her eyes. “Oh, for Heaven’s sake.” “It would be in your best interest to open the gift and not argue, Deke,” Reece said. “You don’t like presents?” Sophie asked with a curious frown. “Sure I do, sunshine. I just didn’t expect you guys to get me anything.” “Sydney does great gifts,” she said with an exuberant nod. “Yes, she does,” Reece murmured just loud enough for Sydney to hear and squeezed her waist. “Okay, enough with the chit-chat. Get to it already before you’re another year older!” Sydney said impatiently. Unlike Reece, Deke dove into the bag, tossing tissue paper everywhere before he pulled out the square, black box. Reece tensed and dug his fingers into her hip, whether he realized it or not. She leaned down and murmured, “It’s not a Rolex, in case you were starting to sweat.” He pinched her on the ass. “Ow!” Deke lifted the top off the matte, black box and pulled out another smaller box made of tarnished metal. He pushed open the lid. From the expression on his face, she could tell he liked the gift. “Guys, that is bad ass.” “Try it on,” Sophie gushed. “I hope it fits. You have such big arms and...hands.” A fierce blush tinted her cheeks as Deke laughed down at her like he was in on the joke. “Do you mind helping?” Deke asked, offering the bracelet and his arm to Sophie. She snapped it around his wrist and held his arm out so everyone could see. “I love it, you two. Reece, what do think?” Reece nodded. “Very cool.” “Thanks, Red.” He stood and hugged Sydney then sat down and pulled Sophie into the crook of his arm and gave her a peck on the forehead. “You too, Sophie. It’s an awesome gift.” “So, did you enjoy your party?” Reece asked him. “I had a blast. I think everyone did. Thanks for hosting, buddy.” 102

Jenny Lyn “You bet.” Sophie ran her palms down her thighs and glanced up at Sydney. “Syd, can I talk to you inside for a sec?” “Sure. Excuse us, gentlemen,” Sydney said as she scooted off Reece’s lap. “We know you’re going to talk about us, girls,” Deke called out to their backs. “We’re going to braid each other’s hair,” Sophie tossed back. Once they were inside and the door was closed, Sophie grabbed Sydney’s arm. “Deke wants to take me home. To my house, not his. Not for sex or anything. Just a ride. Home,” she blathered nervously. Seeing Sophie flustered was a first for Sydney. She was usually the definition of composed. “Sophie, take a deep breath.” Bobbing her head in agreement, she inhaled and exhaled once. “Oh, damn, I’m a little freaked. I like him a lot but he’s so different from the other men I’ve dated. I’m used to safe and harmless. Deke isn’t safe and harmless, Sydney. He’s walking, talking sex. When he looks at me, I get all flushed and my insides turn to warm goo. That can’t be good, can it?” Sydney shrugged. “You’re attracted to him, and judging by the way he looks at you, I’d say the feeling is mutual. Just take it a step at a time. I know Deke well enough that above all else, he’s a gentleman.” “He may be but he makes me have very unladylike thoughts. I’m not sure I trust myself to be alone with him. I might do something really stupid like stick myself to him like Velcro. Obviously it’s been way too long since I’ve had sex; otherwise I wouldn’t be responding to him so...so primally.” “Would you like me to take you home? I’ll tell them you’re not feeling well or—” “No! I want him to take me home. It’s just that if he kisses me I might not be responsible for my actions afterward.” Those enormous brown eyes of hers pleaded for guidance from Sydney. “Sophie, don’t look to me for help. I had sex with Reece the day after we bumped into each other.” Her face fell. “God, I am so screwed. If you can’t keep your knees together I don’t stand a chance in hell. It’s all that testosterone,” she said fiercely. “The shit practically oozes from Deke and Reece’s pores.” Sydney laughed and pulled Sophie in for a hug. “Girl, you’re a mess.” She looked down at her cute face. “In all seriousness, do what-

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Saving Sydney ever feels natural for you and don’t think for a second I’m going to judge you. I’m your biggest fan.” Sophie kissed her cheek. “Ditto, kiddo.”

***

“This is a beautiful deck, Reece. Did you build it yourself?” He and Sydney were alone, Deke having taken Sophie home, and they were sitting in the dark on the porch swing. Sydney’s head was in his lap and he was pushing them slowly back and forth with his toes while his fingers played in her hair. “Yep, with some help from Deke and the guys.” “Wow, you’re a fantastic cook, you have a highly successful business, you can build things like this, and you’re amazing in bed. Is there anything you can’t do, Mr. Myers?” Reece snorted. “I probably couldn’t negotiate a multimillion dollar real estate contract or decipher the legal clauses in a commercial lease agreement.” Sydney smiled up at him. “Not nearly as fun as your talents, trust me on that.” “You must enjoy it though,” he said solemnly. “There’s a certain amount of satisfaction that comes with finalizing a big deal and seeing everyone happy with the end results,” she admitted. “I always knew you were a force to be reckoned with when you talked the principal into letting us have franchise pizza in the cafeteria.” Sydney chucked him on his chin playfully. “Funny. I was a good class president, thank you very much.” “And a hot one at that.” After a few quiet moments he said, “Deke is really into Sophie.” “She likes him too. It was strange, seeing her so affected by him. I still have concerns though.” “Why?” Sydney sat up and crawled across his lap, laying her head on his chest. “Well, like you, Deke is pretty potent stuff. It’s hard to resist that pull. I don’t want her to lose her head and get hurt if he’s not in it for the same things.” Reece tipped her chin so she looked at him. “Are you sorry you gave in, Sydney?”

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Jenny Lyn “Have I?” she teased. When he quirked a challenging eyebrow, she caved and said, “No, I’m not sorry.” “Good. I think it’s great that you care so much about her, but can we stop worrying about Deke and Sophie? They’re both adults, past the age of consent.” “Yes.” She pressed her face into his neck and nipped his throat while his hand smoothed over her thigh beneath her dress. “Would you like to spend the night? I’ve got a brand new spare toothbrush and I can set the alarm so you have time to go home in the morning and get dressed at your apartment.” Sydney lifted her head and nodded. “Okay.” “Hm, I like the one-word answers. Let’s take this inside and see how long you can last, shall we? You up for the challenge?” His eyes sparkled with the dare. She melted a little at the heat she saw there as well. “Yes.” Sydney followed him to his bedroom. Reece pushed her down onto the bed and turned off the lights except for one lamp. Then he stood there, staring down at her for a thoughtful moment as if he were trying to decide how he could make her lose her composure. Or her mind. “Don’t move a muscle. I’ll be right back.”

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Chapter Sixteen

The sound of Reece rummaging around in the kitchen made Sydney nervous. Drawers opened and closed. A door was opened then shut. And he was whistling. What on earth would he come back with? Hopefully not a plastic spatula and that nasty squirt cheese in the can. “Crap.” There’s a one-word sentence. Still, she was turned on by her rampant imagination. It took a lot of willpower not to touch herself. But if Reece caught her doing that, they’d skip right over whatever he had in store for her. She squeezed her thighs together while she waited. Reece shuffled back down the hallway and into the bedroom, his hands tucked behind his back. He set whatever the item was on the floor beside the bed and shook his head when she tried to look. “Ah, no peeking.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a length of white nylon rope. Sydney’s eyes grew wide and she bit her lip while Reece watched her. 106

Jenny Lyn He’d showered right after Deke and Sophie left and his hair was still damp, curling around the base of his neck. She wanted to bury her face in it, inhale his rich, masculine scent, feel its silkiness slide through her fingers, and he wasn’t going to let her touch him. “Scoot up to the headboard,” he gently ordered. She rose up on her elbows and shifted her gaze nervously from the piece of rope to his face. Reece wanted to tie her up. Well, this was new one. But she was intrigued, aroused beyond belief, and ultimately she trusted him. Silently she scooted on her backside up to the headboard of his bed and lay back. “That a girl.” The mattress dipped under his added weight as Reece straddled her waist. “It’s a soft rope so it won’t chafe your wrists. You know I’d never hurt you, right?” “Yes,” she said quietly, more than a little intimidated. “Arms up.” She complied, raising her arms above her head while she watched Reece’s studious face as he carefully wound the rope around her wrists, first tying them together then securing her to the headboard of his bed. Sydney couldn’t help but wonder if he’d tied any of his other girlfriends up. It was an annoying, intrusive thought. Jealousy was foreign to her. She’d never felt it with Todd, just one more indication he hadn’t meant as much to her as he should’ve. She pushed the unpleasant thought away, refusing to let it sit and take root. Reece didn’t strike her as the particularly dominant type, at least not in a sadomasochistic way. Usually he took charge when they had sex, and she loved that about him, but he wasn’t averse to Sydney having her way with him once in awhile either. That’s part of what made their sex life so fantastic—the give and take, the thrill of the unknown, the open passion, the complete trust. And, if she was being completely honest, his incredible cock, which was straining noticeably behind the fly of his jeans not six inches from her face. “That’s not too tight, is it?” He looked down and caught her staring longingly at his crotch. When he smirked, she blushed and tugged on the ropes then shook her head no instead of speaking. Big mistake. Reece narrowed his eyes a fraction. “Let’s make this even more interesting. The longer you can go without talking, the more I’ll make you come. If you talk, I’ll back off just to torment you. Deal?” Boy, did he love to push her boundaries. Sydney opened her mouth then remembered the rule. She licked her lips and nodded. 107

Saving Sydney “Good. This is gonna be fun,” he said with a devilish smile. She quirked her mouth as if to say, “For you maybe.” “Baby, this will be as much a test of my control as it is of yours.” He did have a point. “Now let’s get you naked.” Let’s get you naked. Reece untied the bow at her neck and lowered the zipper on the side of her dress then tugged it over her hips and down her legs without taking her panties with it. He quickly climbed off the bed and thoughtfully draped it over a chair in the corner. Then he was back on the bed, straddling her thighs with a plastic bowl in his hand. Sydney eyed it suspiciously and he chuckled. “You have such beautiful eyes, Syd, but they give your thoughts away so easily. I can almost read your mind. Wondering what’s in the bowl?” She nodded. He tipped it so she could see and she frowned. Birthday cake? “I didn’t want any earlier but now I do. The frosting’s the best part, don’t you think?” Oh God. First he’d devoured her on her kitchen counter, and now she was dessert in his bed. Oh, and there’d been the wine and nipple tasting on her terrace. She was beginning to think Mr. Myers had a serious food fetish. Sydney squirmed and pouted. Why wasn’t he taking off his clothes? He should be naked too. She looked pointedly at his shirt and jeans, trying to convey her message. “How about just the shirt for now?” She shook her head no and scowled. He set the bowl beside her hip and peeled his T-shirt over his head. Her eyes ate him up like he was made of pure chocolate, from the bunching in his wide shoulders to the ripple in his tight abs. A bite of him would be nice, with or without frosting. When he picked the bowl up again, her heart shifted into overdrive while her pussy pulsed with every hard beat. A rush of wetness soaked the tiny scrap of silk between her legs. Reece’s strong thighs pinned hers in place, restricting any movement in her lower body. After dragging one long digit through the thick, white and blue buttercream, Reece began to paint her body with it. Her breasts and nipples got the bulk, but he also streaked it down her stomach, stopping just shy of the edge of her panties. When it was almost gone, 108

Jenny Lyn he brought his index finger to her mouth and brushed it across her bottom lip. Her nostrils flared, dragging the buttery, sweet scent into her sinuses while her tongue instinctively darted out to touch his finger. When Reece pushed it inside her mouth, she sucked it clean, taking way longer than necessary to lick and stroke him with her tongue while she watched his irises dilate a degree. It had the desired effect, forcing him to groan and replace his finger with his lips. Reece sucked her bottom lip into his mouth. His flavor alone was enough to give her a sugar rush. Mixed with the sweet icing it was like a shot of pure adrenaline, punching through her body and putting every sensory receptor on high alert. Even the soles of her feet tingled. A tiny moan slipped out and he pulled away, hovering mere centimeters from her face. “Sweet Sydney. You know why I wanted to tie you up, don’t you?” She had a pretty good idea but she shook her head no, needing to hear his explanation. “Because when you touch me with those wonderful, greedy hands of yours I lose my fucking mind. This way I can touch and taste and tease to my heart’s content and you can’t do a damn thing about it.” She gave him her best evil smile and narrowed her eyes. Wanna bet? Payback can be a bitch. “I can handle the repercussions,” he said, as if reading her thoughts. Tilting her chin to the side with his fingers, he worked his mouth down her neck, swirling his tongue into the hollow at the base of her throat. The woodsy smell of his shampoo teased her nose, mixed with the clean, male scent that was his alone. Sydney felt the first pangs of genuine frustration at not being able to grab fistfuls of his hair and push his face to where she needed him. But that’s what this was about, wasn’t it? Her ceding all control to him. Her nipples tightened almost painfully at the thought of the hot, wet cavern of his mouth sucking her deep. God, it was seriously shocking to her how much Reece made her want him. He’d awakened something inside of her she never knew existed, this wanton sex fiend that couldn’t look at him without wanting to touch, without getting hot and wet. Arching her back off the bed, Sydney whimpered and pushed against the clamp of his hand on her jaw. “Shh.... Patience, baby.” Patience? Was he out of his mind?

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Saving Sydney When he released her chin, Sydney watched in anticipation as his dark head moved down her chest. The tip of his tongue snaked out to lick at the muted blue and white streak of frosting on her sternum. The more he licked at her, the more his tongue turned a vibrant shade of turquoise. Her mouth watered with the desire to suck it into her mouth until it turned pink again. She supposed he was satisfied with that area of her body because he sat back on his heels and considered her again. He drew his fingertips down the tender, sensitive undersides of her arms and her skin prickled under his feather-light stroke. Continuing across her ribcage, he stopped at the edge of her panties, trailing his thumbs beneath the lace where thigh met hip. Back and forth he stroked, so close to her wet, needy sex but not quite close enough. Sydney tried to push her legs apart but his weight kept them tightly in place. “You’re being so good, Sydney. It’s got to be hard for a lawyer to keep quiet for this long.” She stuck her tongue out at him. “I think you deserve a reward. Let’s take these off.” She sighed with relief when he lifted his hips and tugged her panties down her legs. A real reward would be him taking off those damn jeans so she could see his hard cock; to know he was as aroused and eager to fuck as she was. His calm demeanor unnerved her to the point of biting back a scream of irritation. At least when he straddled her thighs again he spread his knees wide so she could release some of the tension coiled in her hips. Reece leaned forward and unceremoniously sucked her nipple into his mouth, swallowing the glob of frosting from the tip. He made a loud slurping sound and smacked his lips appreciatively. “Yum.” Then he went back for seconds, running his tongue around the hard nub, down the curving slope of the bottom of her breast and back up again. He locked his eyes with hers as he bared his teeth and bit down. Sydney watched as long as she could, until the delicious jolt of pain forced her lids closed and a tiny cry from her lips. Her pussy throbbed and tightened in sympathetic unison. While he lavishly soothed the sting away, his hand drifted up the inside of her thigh. She pushed her legs apart as far as his knees would allow, pleading silently for him to touch her. Another harsh whine broke the silence of his bedroom and the rope bit into her wrist when she strained against the ties. “It drives me wild that you’ve got such a brilliant brain yet there’s also a naughty side to you, willing to explore and try new things for me outside of your comfort zone. That’s such an unbelievable turn110

Jenny Lyn on, Syd.” He coasted a single fingertip through her slit and Sydney stilled, anticipating another heavenly stroke. “I’m a lucky man,” he said thickly. Tears stung the back of her eyes and she blinked quickly, not wanting him to see and think he was hurting her in any way. No, I’m a lucky woman that you’ve awakened this side of me. Reece touched her again, pressing the pad of his thumb to her achy clit. He sucked in a harsh breath but didn’t move his finger. Instead he firmly held it there while he captured her remaining frosted nipple in his mouth. When he sucked hard, he began to stroke her in small circles. The scattered sensations shimmering in every nerve ending began to coalesce in her pussy, swirling tighter and tighter until she came in a sharp, sudden burst. Powerful tremors rippled through her body. Reece continued to work her clit relentlessly, drawing the orgasm out and forcing a deep shuddering moan from her throat. “I love watching you come for me, baby.” She forced her eyelids open. The look of barely contained lust on Reece’s face made her heart do a stutter step in her chest. Licking her dry lips, her eyes begged him for a kiss. Having gotten the message, he graced her with a long, wet, carnal melding of mouths and tongues and tastes. When he lifted his head hers followed, reluctant to break the sublime connection. Cupping her shoulder blades in his hands, he massaged the tight muscles. “Are you getting sore, Syd?” Truthfully, her arms were aching a bit, entirely her fault for straining against the ropes, but she forced herself to relax and shook her head then hitched her chin toward his jeans. Reece rolled over onto his back beside her and stripped his jeans and underwear off. Sydney stared at his thick, fully erect cock with unconcealed want. Shameless words bubbled up in her throat—words like please and fuck me and now!—but Sydney swallowed them in favor of unknown pleasure for a while longer. “There are still a few spots to be licked,” Reece said matter-offactly, while his hand skimmed over her belly. “Think you can stand it? Because I’m not sure I can,” he mused aloud. As he straddled her a second time and leaned forward, the head of his dick brushed the inside of her thigh and she bucked her hips reflexively. “I want to fuck you too, sweetheart. Soon. Let’s finish cleaning you up and make you come again.” Another needy whimper slipped out. 111

Saving Sydney The smear of icing on her stomach was drying. Sydney could feel it pulling at her skin like a Band-Aid, needing to be ripped off. Instead of licking it away, Reece sucked the fractured, brittle pieces of sugar into his mouth. If one stuck, he used his teeth to nibble and scrape it loose. It was erotic opposites, the grazing nip of his sharp teeth and the satiny caress of his warm cock against her leg. She could feel the moisture from its tip marking her in damp streaks and smell the thick, musky scents of their combined arousal heavy in the cool air of his bedroom. When Reece settled himself between her spread thighs Sydney sucked in a deep, steeling breath, willing herself not to plead. It was on the tip of her tongue, close as his mouth was to her needy sex, threatening to halt everything in one uttered syllable. “You have a delicious pussy.” He cocked one wicked eyebrow. “Tasty and sweet. Sweeter than any icing could ever be.” Damn. How did he manage to be complimentary and dirty in the same sentence, and make her even hotter? Much more and she’d set the bed on fire. Then he touched her with his sinful tongue and she melted into the mattress. There was nothing quite like Reece’s mouth fucking her. Fingers were nice, his cock was the end-all-be-all, but he knew just how to stroke and suck and nibble until she was teetering on the brink of madness. Oh my God, please! One firm hand held her still while he stabbed at her clit with the tip of his tongue. He slipped his middle finger inside her and stroked deftly. Sydney moaned and yanked on the ropes. She only needed him to focus that mouth of his on one spot. He added another finger to her channel and pumped his hand. When he fastened his lips around her clit and sucked hard Sydney lost her control along with the ability to keep quiet any longer. “Ah, yes!” she cried out as she bucked against Reece’s mouth, the orgasm so strong she saw stars, threatening to separate the bones in her wrists with her tugging. The desire to touch him was overwhelming. So much so that those damnable tears returned, blurring her vision and burning the back of her throat. Her fingers were going numb from pulling at the ropes. “Reece, please. I need to touch you.” The words tumbled out in a whispered, broken sob. Embarrassed at breaking down, Sydney twisted her face into her bicep.

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Jenny Lyn “Easy,” he murmured. His weight shifted off her then the ropes loosened. Reece brought her bound hands forward, releasing the tension in her shoulders as he untied her wrists. “It’s okay to give in. I wasn’t trying to make this torture for you,” he said as he massaged her reddened, numbed skin back to life. Sydney shook his hands off and reached for his face, drawing his mouth down to hers. “I know.” She continued to kiss him greedily in between assuring him she was okay. “It wasn’t torture, it was hot, a total turn-on. I guess I’d just reached my limit of not being able to put my hands on you. And being able to keep my big mouth shut,” she added with a feeble smile. “Sydney. Touch me all you want.” And she did. Her hands went everywhere. She pushed him over onto his back and climbed astride him, careful not to touch his cock until he was ready to slide inside her body. Sydney’s mouth and hands consumed him like a raging wildfire through dry brush. The inability to touch him for the past half-hour had sent her past rational need. Now she wanted to climb inside his skin with him. Giving herself a mental slap across the face, she lifted her torso to look down at him. His beautiful blue eyes were heavy-lidded and dark, his mouth parted, lips wet from her lush, feverish kisses. “I’m all yours, honey.” For a moment she couldn’t move, stunned into sudden immobility by Reece’s honest words. Her heart seemed to swell in her chest to a fullness she’d never experienced before. He was giving up his control to her now, giving her everything it seemed, allowing her to show him how she felt with her body and not her vocabulary. She took him inside her in a slow, sweet glide and began to do just that.

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Chapter Seventeen

It was an unbelievably beautiful early fall day. The birds were singing, the sky was a crisp, cloudless blue, and the blessedly cooler air smelled clean and pure despite the downtown traffic as Sydney made her way back to her office after having met Reece for a late lunch Wednesday afternoon. Sydney was happy and in love. Perhaps truly for the first time. She’d even decided to take Sophie’s advice and delegate some of her duties to her and Jonah so she could begin leaving the office at a reasonable time and not take so much work home with her. And it felt great, freeing, not nearly as scary and worrisome as she’d anticipated. Jonah had seemingly turned over a new leaf too, though how long it would last remained to be seen. He’d been in the office every day reasonably on time, he was curbing back on the reckless lifestyle, and content to be driving the Cadillac for now. Even her mother was in a better place. She’d calmed down and was no longer an emotional, needy mess. Instead she was channel114

Jenny Lyn ing her negative energy into remodeling her house, purging Sydney’s father by erasing all physical traces of him while she spent his money lavishly. Whatever worked for her worked for Sydney. If there was still one dark spot, it was him. Sydney hadn’t spoken to her father since their confrontation in his office about his new girlfriend. Hopefully the disconnect between them would work itself out, but if not, then she refused to obsess about it any longer. Like Reece said, it was beyond her control and she had to learn to let some things go. That newfound attitude still didn’t stop her from being surprised when her father knocked on her office door later that afternoon. “Got a minute?” he asked as he poked his head in. “Sure.” He leaned down and placed a perfunctory kiss on her cheek before he settled into a chair in front of her desk. “What’s up?” she asked anxiously. He studied her for a moment, as if he hadn’t seen her in years. “You look beautiful, Sydney. Or perhaps I should say radiant.” Her hand drifted to her throat self-consciously. It wasn’t unusual for her father to say something nice to her like that but her intuition told her there was more to his compliment than just being casually kind. “Um, thank you.” “There’s a new man in your life, isn’t there?” Sydney paused to consider her response. Normally she kept her personal relationships private, not sharing information with her parents until it felt tangible. This budding relationship she had with Reece felt very real so she saw no reason to be evasive. “Yes, there is.” “I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting him yet. Is it the gentleman who accompanied you to the benefit?” There was a touch of hurt in his tone but she quickly shook off the twinge of guilt, remembering he was the cause of her not making that introduction. “Yes. I had planned to introduce you but....” “You were too upset with me that night.” She nodded. “Are you still upset with me?” “No.” “But you are disappointed.” She swallowed and carefully weighed her words, not in the mood for another confrontation. “Yes, Dad, I’m disappointed. But I do un115

Saving Sydney derstand your desire to move forward. I have to respect that, despite the hurt it’s caused.” One side of his mouth quirked into a half-smile. “Fair enough. I hope I get to meet this man of yours soon. Now speaking of moving forward, I’ve patched things up on the Anderson purchase.” Leave it to her father not to linger on personal issues for too long. Business always took precedence over everything else. She hoped his girlfriend was accepting of that trait; otherwise she was in for a lifetime of disappointment. Or however long their romance lasted. “Okay,” Sydney replied, sitting forward in her chair attentively. “Matt Sherman is out as an investor. Frankly I never cared for that sniveling little bastard anyway. I’ve found someone else to take his place.” “Who?” “Lincoln Porter.” “Lincoln Porter,” she repeated like an obliging parrot. “I thought he had liquidity issues. That was the reason he backed out originally.” “I’ve agreed to help him out with those issues.” Alarm bells began to ring in the back of Sydney’s brain. “How so?” “I’m going to purchase some commercial mortgages he holds for cash.” “Not ill-performing mortgages I hope,” she said cautiously. “Of course not. The properties are in less desirable areas of town so the land is not as valuable as the Anderson piece. I’ve agreed to take them off of his hands in exchange for his investment in this deal.” “I see. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.” “Exactly. He’s bringing his father on board as well.” “I thought they weren’t on good terms.” “He seems to think this will patch things up between them. Get him back in the old man’s good graces.” Knowing her father like she did, Sydney’s suspicious mind spun. “Is there another reason you’re working so hard to bring the Porter’s into this deal?” “Ah, nothing gets past my perceptive daughter, does it?” “Dad?” “The old man owns an eighty-acre tract of undeveloped land on Highway 14. I happen to have a friend at a major corporation that’s considering the parcel for a central warehouse to be built within the next two years, but Porter senior doesn’t know that. If I can soften him 116

Jenny Lyn up with the Anderson deal perhaps I can convince him to sell me that piece in a few months.” Frustrated, Sydney shook her head. “I need a flowchart to keep up with you. What are your plans for the commercial mortgages you’re buying, hold on to them or resell?” “I’m going to sit on them until the balloons come due then call the notes. All of them mature within the next two years.” The chasm that opened up between them last week, the one she thought could grow no wider or deeper, suddenly yawned like the Grand Canyon. Her father was a shrewd businessman but she’d never thought him ruthless. A cold chill settled over her while an acute pain brutally sliced its way through her chest cavity. “What? Why would you do that, Dad? Just because there’s a balloon clause in a commercial mortgage doesn’t mean you have to take advantage of the mortgagor that way. Most of them fully expect the mortgage holder to be willing to renew the note. What if they can’t pay the remaining balance when that time comes?” “They’re aware it can happen when they sign, Sydney. It’s all in the course of doing business. They’ll either pay the balance off, refinance with someone else, or I’ll foreclose. I don’t want to be stuck sitting on these notes for years. It’s not my thing. You know I only like to invest in real estate when I can turn a profit fairly quickly.” Who was this man sitting in front of her and when had he become so soulless? She wondered if Ronnie knew this side of him and if so, did she find it appealing? Did it make him seem all the more powerful in her eyes or was she too stupid to notice, or worse, did she even care? At her astonished silence he continued. “It’s a done deal, Sydney. Lincoln’s office is faxing over the documents for you to review. I need you to make the necessary arrangements to have the money wired into his account by noon tomorrow.” Her throat was tight and she’d instantly developed a massive headache. “How much?” she asked out of ingrained habit. “Around four million. All the pieces are finally in place and the Anderson deal will close Friday at three o’clock. I’ve already made a call to Phil Newsome, their lead attorney, and he’s on board.” Sydney could only nod mutely as her father rose and walked out of her office, leaving her stunned and disgusted by his indifferent attitude. Again.

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Saving Sydney A few moments later, Sophie breezed in with the faxed documents from Lincoln Porter in her hands, her cheerful expression waning when she saw the sickened look on Sydney’s face. “What’s the matter? When you came back from your lunch date with Reece you were practically skipping down the hallway.” “Have a seat.” As Sydney recapped her conversation with her father Sophie visibly wilted in the chair, mimicking what she felt like was her own response. “Sydney, I don’t know what to think about that man anymore. I used to admire him, respect him, but now.... I won’t let my personal opinion affect the way I treat him in the office though.” “I never thought you would,” she muttered as her eyes skimmed over the list of mortgages her father was purchasing. One address jumped out at her: 441 NE Tenth Street. “Oh no. No, no, no,” she fretted as she scrambled to find her phone book in her desk drawer. “Syd, what’s wrong?” Sophie asked. “What’s the address of the bar?” “I’m not sure. Let me think...it’s in the northeast section of town. Ninth? No, Tenth I think?” Quickly Sydney flipped through the whisper-thin pages of the phone book to the S’s then ran her fingertip down the names until she got to Shots. The blood drained from her face. “Damn it!” “Shots is on the list,” Sophie said. “What’re you going to do?” Pressing her fingers into her throbbing temples, she squeezed her eyes shut. How could everything go from sunshine to shit in a matter of minutes? Sydney surged to her feet and began pacing her office. “Get me Tom Donnelly on the phone,” she said, then winced at her clipped tone. “Sorry, please get me Tom Donnelly on the phone.” “Your money manager?” Sophie asked hesitantly as she stood. “Syd, shouldn’t you talk to Reece about this first?” “I don’t have time, Sophie! I have to take care of this right now. My dad cannot buy Reece’s mortgage then call the note in—” Sydney rushed back to her desk and madly flipped through the stack of faxed pages until she found a copy of Reece’s note. “In six months.” Seeing his scrawled signature at the bottom of the page made her want to scream at the unfairness of the situation. Sophie buzzed her as soon as she connected the call to Tom Donnelly. Sydney snatched up the handset. “Hi, Tom.” “Sydney, this is a pleasant surprise. How are you?” 118

Jenny Lyn “Fine. Listen, I need to have some money wired out of my trust fund.” “Okay. That won’t be a problem. How much are we talking about?” Sydney scanned the page in front of her until she found the total at the bottom. “Three million, six hundred fifty-three thousand.” Even as the enormous number rolled so easily off her tongue, belying her racing heart, sweat beaded on her upper lip and her knees went a little weak. It wasn’t uncommon for her to deal with large dollar amounts where her father’s interests were concerned. The Anderson deal alone was almost fifty million, his part being half since he was the primary purchaser. But this was by far the largest amount she’d ever personally spent at one time. Hell, ever. Tom was silent. “Tom, did you hear me?” He cleared his throat. “Yes, I heard you. I’m sorry. It’s just that.... Well, you haven’t touched your trust since you bought your condo four years ago. To hear you say such a large number took me a little off guard. Do we need to discuss this at all? Is this an investment opportunity?” Sydney couldn’t help but bristle at his cautious words, even though Tom was only doing his job. “No, we don’t need to discuss it and yes, it is an investment I’m making. An important one. This is a personal matter and I trust it will stay between us, Tom,” she stressed, effectively ending the discussion of her motives. His professional demeanor was back. “Of course. Our conversations are always kept strictly confidential. When do you need this done and where are the funds going?” “The wire needs to be sent first thing tomorrow morning unless you hear otherwise from me. I’ll have Sophie fax you the instructions as soon as we hang up.” She glanced up through her open door at Sophie who rose from behind her desk and hurried back into Sydney’s office. “I’ll take care of it, Sydney.” “Thanks, Tom,” she replied and disconnected while Sophie flipped through the stack of documents until she found Lincoln Porter’s bank’s wiring instructions. Her delicious lunch of grilled salmon from Palomino’s across the street was steadily turning sour in her stomach. She ran her damp palms down her skirt and dialed Lincoln Porter. 119

Saving Sydney “Lincoln, hi. It’s Sydney,” she said when his assistant connected them. “Hello, beautiful,” he replied. She bit back a groan. The last thing she needed was him attempting to be charming. She was so not in the mood, not that she’d ever been where Lincoln was concerned. Any time she’d been around him, the man had worn an air of entitlement like a neon sign. “There’s been a slight change with the mortgages my father agreed to buy from you.” “Oh?” he asked. Even through the phone, Sydney could almost hear his body tighten nervously as she would imagine hers would too, given the circumstances. There was a very good possibility if you were to shove a lump of coal up his ass at this very moment, you’d have a diamond in less than an hour. The thought made her swallow back a hysterical laugh born of her own unease with the situation. “Yes. I’m going to assume them, not Dad. Can you have the assumption agreement changed to reflect that? I’ve already ordered the wire transfer. You’ll have the money in your account by noon tomorrow.” He literally sighed into the phone with relief. “I can do that, Syd, but I’m not sure I understand what’s going on.” “It doesn’t matter. You’ll get your money just the same and you can move forward with your plans to invest in the Anderson parcel without a hiccup,” she said tersely. “All right,” he replied levelly. “I’ll call my lawyer and have the document redrawn. Sydney Carson?” “Sydney Carson and Jonah Carson, as Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship.” “Got it.” Lincoln paused while he was apparently writing down her instructions, judging by the scratching noises she heard, then asked warily, “Is there something wrong between you and your father, Syd?” You have no idea. “Absolutely not. I made the decision to invest some of my money for a change, that’s all. Lincoln, I have an appointment so I have to go. Have your attorney fax me the revised docs so I can review them as soon as possible. If either of you have any more questions contact me or Sophie, otherwise I’ll see you at closing on Friday.” Sydney hung up the phone before he could sense she was about to splinter into a million jagged bits. She slumped back in her chair and 120

Jenny Lyn stared out the window blankly, not seeing anything beyond the thick sheet of glass. Those two small hurdles were cleared rather smoothly but the next one was as tall as the Empire State Building. Sophie returned and began organizing the scattered papers into a file folder. “What do you think your father will say when he finds out what you’ve done, Syd?” “I don’t know and honestly, I don’t care anymore.” “Well, for what it’s worth I’m incredibly proud of you for doing this.” “Don’t be. I may have solved one problem but I’ve created another.” Sophie sat down on the edge of the chair, her pretty eyes round and filled with concern. “Reece?” “Reece.”

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Chapter Eighteen

Somewhere in the back of Reece’s mind, shoved into a tight, dark corner, there lingered the sickening thought that one of these days Sydney would dump him cold. That day may have finally arrived. She’d called him earlier this afternoon and asked him to come over tonight, saying she had something important to tell him, something that couldn’t be said over the phone. Her voice had been shaky and tight, her tone guarded and humorless, even when he’d tried to tease the information out of her. She was dumping him. And just when he’d decided to tell her he’d fallen in love with her. What a kick in the balls this was going to be. He shouldn’t be surprised really. After all, she was way out of his league. Sydney was filet mignon and he was hamburger. She was top shelf and he was call brand. Although she’d never made him feel like there was the slightest bit of social difference between them, he knew he didn’t fit into her world, even if he liked to think she had fit into his. None of it had stopped him from foolishly diving in headfirst, and 122

Jenny Lyn now he was about to hit the concrete bottom of the pool. It was going to hurt like a motherfucker too. Dread wound his stomach into a tight ball of pain as he parked his Dodge Charger next to her Volvo S60 in the parking garage of her building, flashed his identification to the bellman so he’d be allowed up, and rode the elevator to the ninth floor. Wouldn’t you know, the first woman he’d let down his guard with and allowed himself to fall for, the first woman he’d wanted to fall for, was about to rip his heart out. Reece stood outside her door for five long minutes, staring at the elegant gold 9A tacked to the dark wood before he finally raised his fist and knocked. The locks turned and she pulled open the door, greeting him with a warm hug and a tender kiss. It assuaged his ragged nerves some but the hesitant look in her eyes still worried him a lot. “Would you like a drink? I’ve got bourbon and scotch or I could open a bottle of wine. Regular fifteen-dollar-a-bottle wine,” she said with a nervous smile. He deserved a kick in the ass for making the ridiculous comment about the wine she’d opened that night. It had been a harmless, heartfelt gesture on her part, simple as popping the tab on a can of Coke, and he’d made her feel guilty for it. He’d wished a thousand times since he could take it back. “No thanks. Come sit down and tell me what’s going on.” She was wearing jeans, something he’d never seen her in before, and a plain white tee. He wasn’t sure if it was the color of her shirt that made her face look ghostly pale or a genuine lack of color in her cheeks. Either way things weren’t looking good. As she sat down on the couch next to him, he noticed her wipe her palms down her denim-covered thighs. “I don’t know where to start,” she said with a shaky laugh. Reece kept his mouth shut in hopes of prolonging the inevitable. She took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “Okay. Do you remember I mentioned once my father was buying a block of real estate downtown?” Huh? “I remember.” “Well, rather than cover the entire fifty million dollar purchase price himself, there are other investors who chip in a percentage, and he secures a loan for a portion of it too. Then when the piece is sold everyone earns a generous return on their investment.” She paused and Reece nodded once to let her know he was following. “Every123

Saving Sydney thing was clicking along smoothly until my dad escorted the young woman to the benefit and had his picture splashed in the newspaper. Coupled with the gossip and the looming threat of a nasty divorce, the investors on the deal started to get nervous, afraid that his priorities weren’t in order, blah, blah, blah. My dad is like a cat though; he always manages to somehow land on his feet. One of the investors did bow out but he found someone else to take his place rather quickly.” She stood and began to pace in front of her fireplace. “That replacement was Lincoln Porter.” Sydney stopped and looked at him expectantly. “Does the name ring any bells for you, Reece?” “It sounds vaguely familiar,” he replied. Truthfully, his mind was clouded with too much relief to think straight at the moment. But apparently what she was explaining involved him personally in some way. “Why?” She started pacing again. “In order for Lincoln to be liquid enough to invest in the downtown deal, my dad agreed to purchase some mortgages he held from him. The name is still foreign to you?” she asked. A light bulb finally came on in his head. “Lincoln Porter. Porter Investments. He holds my mortgage.” Reece frowned. “Used to. Your father...is now my mortgage holder?” Sydney licked her lips nervously and wrung her hands. Reece began to worry again but he wasn’t sure why. “My dad told me all of this today, Reece. Right after our lunch date. Only once he bought those mortgages he had no intention of renewing the notes when the balloon payments came due. I had to do something so I purchased the mortgages with my own money, to keep him from getting his hands on them.” Reece stood abruptly and Sydney took a step backward. “So correct me if I’m wrong here. You now own my mortgage?” “Yes.” She swallowed. “Reece, I had to do it. He was going to call the notes when they came due. I couldn’t let him do that to you, to those other people. It’s not right.” She touched his arm, her eyes imploring him to understand. “When your note came due in six months you would’ve had to pay him off or be foreclosed upon. I couldn’t stand the thought of you possibly losing the bar.” Anger rose hotly in his chest and Reece worked to tamp it down. “So you assumed I wouldn’t have the money to pay him off then, or that I couldn’t go to a bank and borrow the money?”

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Jenny Lyn Sydney visibly recoiled from his sharp tone. “Well, I suppose I did, but not in the way you’re making it sound. I was trying to protect you.” “Did it ever occur to you to simply pick up the phone and ask me?” “There was no time to negotiate! It was all or nothing and the decision had to be made by this afternoon.” His head was going to explode, it spun so fast. Some other part of her admission floated back to the surface. “Wait, you said you bought them all, not just mine. My balance alone is close to four-hundred thousand.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “How much are we talking here, Syd?” She seemed to shrink inside her clothes. “Reece, I—” “How much?” he ground out. Wrapping her arms across her middle, she mumbled, “Three point six million.” Reece laughed bitterly then rubbed his hands down his face and walked to the French doors leading out onto the terrace. “Three point six million,” he repeated numbly. He’d known Sydney was wealthy but he would’ve never guessed she’d have that much expendable cash at her disposal. “You have that kind of money just sitting in an account somewhere.” It wasn’t a question but she responded anyway. “I have a trust fund from my grandfather Carson,” she said flatly. He pivoted around and shoved his hands in his pockets, feeling strangely insecure in her presence all of a sudden. “Exactly how much are you worth?” Her lips parted then snapped shut. She turned away from him. “That’s not.... Why does it matter?” Yeah, why did it matter? He should be happy right now, relieved and overjoyed she wasn’t dumping him like he’d feared, and instead he was berating her for her wealth again. Only now we aren’t exactly talking about an eighty-dollar bottle of wine or a three-hundred dollar shirt, are we? Was he jealous of her golden spoon? She had every right to tell him it was none of his fucking business what she was worth. He knew she wouldn’t. She didn’t have it in her to be spiteful no matter how bad he was making her feel right now. But the demon inside of him kept pushing. “It just does.” She shook her head and stared at the floor. “Please, Reece, don’t do this.” 125

Saving Sydney “It’s a hell of a lot, isn’t it?” Finally she spun around and threw her hands out at her sides in defeat. Tears shone in her liquid amber eyes, making him feel like absolute shit. “The last statement I received said I’m worth forty-seven million,” she said bitterly. “Fuck me,” he grumbled, propping his hands on his hips. “You said....” Her voice cracked and she paused, struggling to get her emotions under control. “You stood right in that kitchen and said you wouldn’t let this come between us.” “That was before I knew you could pay cash for an island in the South Pacific.” Sydney made a choked sound of pain. The broken look in her eyes sliced through his heart like a dull razor. “What do you want me to say? That I’m sorry my grandfather loved me enough to make sure I’d never want for anything? That he knew if my father ever got his hands on his children’s money he’d find some way to use it to his advantage? And how can you stand there now and look at me like you suddenly don’t know who I am?” “Because the reality of this,” he motioned around her luxurious condo, “of us together, just punched me in the face.” Sydney swiped at her wet cheeks then looked at her hands as if the tears she was shedding were made of blood instead of salt water. She slumped into a chair and buried her face in her palms. “You’re not being fair.” He thought about what her ex-husband, Todd, had said to him the night of the benefit. “She’s smart, successful, and rich. She didn’t need anything from me.” Maybe he understood where Todd was coming from now. Sydney would never need him for anything. There was nothing Reece could give her that she couldn’t give herself. If they stayed together, her money would be a constant source of friction between them. Just like now. “Think about it, Syd. If we wanted to plan a vacation, I might be able to afford a week in Hawaii at a nice hotel, but you could rent a house there on the beach for a month without batting an eye at the cost. If I wanted to buy you something for your birthday, say a diamond necklace or a pair of earrings, it would always be in the back of my mind that you could buy yourself something ten times as big.” She shot to her feet and got right in his face. “Do you honestly think I’m that shallow? That I would give a damn about how much a gift from you or a trip with you would cost? Did it ever occur to you 126

Jenny Lyn I might treasure anything you gave me simply because it came from you?” She heaved a deep, broken sigh. “If that’s all you see when you look at me, we’ve got more issues than the dollar amounts in my bank accounts.” She drew her shoulders back and bit into her bottom lip in an apparent attempt to stop its violent trembling. Meanwhile Reece’s vile tongue stuck stubbornly to the roof of his mouth. “I think you should go,” she whispered. Reece dropped his chin to his chest and squeezed his eyes shut. As bad as it was going to hurt him to walk out Sydney’s door, he did need to go before they both said something they couldn’t take back. They’d done a damn good job of hurting the other’s feelings and right now the pain was raw and sharp. He needed time to absorb and think through everything she’d told him and he couldn’t do that looking into her anguished eyes, knowing he was the one who put that hurt there. Without saying another word, he let himself out her front door.

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Chapter Nineteen

Sydney pushed her grilled chicken around her plate with her fork. It tasted like Styrofoam, what few bites she’d taken, and normally it was one of her favorite entrees at Palomino’s. Outside the front window of the restaurant people passed by on the busy sidewalk, making full use of their all-too-brief lunch hour. It was like watching a black and white movie. Even the tablecloth she knew to be red and white checked and the gerbera daisy resting in a vase in the center of the table had no color. Everything felt lifeless, including her. “Unless you’ve suddenly become a vegetarian and you’re trying to poke it back to life, that chicken is not going to fly into your mouth, Syd,” Sophie said, trying to make light of Sydney’s sullen mood. “I’m not hungry,” she mumbled and dropped her fork. “You need to eat, honey, or you’re going to collapse from lack of nourishment.”

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Jenny Lyn Sydney nodded in an attempt to appease Sophie but didn’t pick her fork back up. She barely had the energy to breathe. In the last two days, she’d subsisted on coffee and...coffee. She’d gotten very little work done because she couldn’t concentrate. Her eyes were puffy and raw from crying so much. When the dam in her tear ducts had finally burst, there’d been no holding them back. Her head throbbed relentlessly from thinking too much and sleeping too little, and there was enough pain in her heart to stagger an elephant. “Deke said Reece is behaving like a miserable beast. Says he’s been sleeping on the couch in his office, growling at whoever dares to open his door. Why don’t you call him?” “There’s nothing for me to say, Sophie. I was completely honest about everything and look where it got me.” She laughed humorlessly. “You know what’s funny? I’ve always been overly cautious with men because I was afraid they would only want me for my money. Then I finally find someone who I could actually see myself with forever, someone I trusted and I could lean on, who liked me for me, and he doesn’t want me now because of it.” “He wants you. He’s only being stubborn and prideful. What he needs is a good, swift kick in the ass,” Sophie said fiercely. “I’ve tried to talk Deke into doing it but he keeps saying Reece just needs time to let things sink in and he’ll come around eventually.” “Sounds like the two of you are talking a lot.” It didn’t bother Sydney that Sophie and Deke were discussing her and Reece’s relationship because she knew how much they both genuinely cared for their respective friend. It was likely Deke was prodding at Reece too, despite his comments about his ill temperament. Sophie smiled wryly and shrugged her shoulders. “Deke wants to take things slow. It’s a little unnerving because of the chemistry between us, but I’m willing to try it his way for a while. Maybe that’s been my problem in the past. I’ve jumped in too quickly before I really got to know the person. We have a date this weekend so we’ll see how it goes.” “You might want to show him a financial statement before you get in too deep,” Sydney said sarcastically then regretted the bitter words as soon as they left her mouth. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to put a damper on your relationship with Deke.” Sophie patted the back of her hand. “You forget. I don’t have your money, Syd.” She sat back in her chair, her face twisting into a deep frown, eyes no longer focused on Sydney. “Oh, damn. I think we’re 129

Saving Sydney about to have company and you’re not going to like who it is,” she said, and nodded over Sydney’s shoulder. Twisting her head around, Sydney saw Todd making his way to their table. She groaned and sat up straighter in her chair, bracing for an ill-timed, unwanted visit from her ex-husband. “Hello, Sophie,” Todd said with a fake smile before he turned his attention to Sydney. “Hello, Syd.” “Todd,” Sydney replied flatly. Sophie picked up her purse and stood. “I’ll meet you outside,” she said to Sydney, not bothering to hide her intense dislike of Todd Blanton. Sydney wanted to kill Sophie for abandoning her. When she nodded, Todd unfortunately slid into Sophie’s vacated seat. His eyes skimmed over her. “Who died?” “What?” she asked curtly. “What’s with all the black?” She frowned down at her suit and blouse. “Oh.” She shrugged one shoulder and looked away. “Just one of those days I suppose.” Her subconscious mind must’ve been grieving the loss of Reece right along with her heart this morning when she’d pulled her clothing from the closet. It hadn’t dawned on her until Todd so graciously pointed it out; she wore black from head to toe. Even the blouse underneath her suit was black. Geez, she seriously needed a wardrobe makeover. Or a psychologist to explain why her moods dictated her color choices so heavily. “Trouble in paradise?” Her head whipped back up to Todd. “That’s a little facetious, don’t you think?” He swiped his hand across his mouth as if he were wiping away his words. “I’m sorry, Sydney. Honestly, I don’t know what comes over me when I try to talk to you. It won’t happen again. Can we start over with the conversation?” “I should go, Todd. Sophie is probably standing outside in the heat, waiting for me.” He held out his hand. “Give me five minutes.” Her BlackBerry vibrated on the table with a text from Sophie. “Going back to the office. Good luck with the asshole.” Well, there went her excuse. Todd didn’t know that but she was a terrible liar. “All right, five minutes, then I really do have to get back for a meeting.”

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Jenny Lyn “I genuinely would like to see you happy, Syd. From the brief conversation I had with Reece at the benefit I could tell he cared for you a lot. Did something happen between the two of you?” Sydney sighed resignedly and decided to stop with the charades. Even though her personal life was no longer any of his business, she had been married to the man. He’d always had the uncanny ability to read her like a book. “When we were married...did it...were you intimidated by me, by my wealth?” “Did Reece tell you what I said the night of the benefit?” “He said you wanted to make sure I was doing okay. Why? What else did you say to him?” she asked suspiciously. He toyed with the butter knife lying in front of him. “Don’t fall out of your chair, but I accepted the blame for our breakup because I asked for too much. You didn’t need me for anything so I tried to get you to become what I needed, what I wanted. I expected you to give up who you are for me.” Her heart thawed slightly at his unexpected admission. “It wouldn’t have worked anyway, Todd. We weren’t deeply in love with each other. Not really. If we had been, we would’ve found a way to make it work. We would’ve been willing to make whatever sacrifices we had to in order to be together. To be happy.” He nodded. “You’re right. I realize that now, but back then I felt differently. I was too damn stubborn. As far as you’re first question goes, yes, I suppose I was intimidated by your money. Who wouldn’t be? Face it, since the days of the caveman we’ve been bred to be the provider. Men want to be needed for something, otherwise we feel useless and inadequate. We can spew that bullshit about being comfortable with a strong, self-sufficient woman all we want. When it comes right down to it we have to feel like we contribute something tangible to the relationship.” Sydney was suddenly glad she hadn’t eaten her lunch because she felt like she’d been punched in the gut. Reece thought she didn’t need him, that he didn’t have anything to offer her. Oh God, he was so wrong. She needed him like she needed her next breath. The past two days of being utterly miserable, thinking she’d lost him, had only reaffirmed that. Reece made her happy, happier than she’d ever been in her life. When they were together she didn’t think about work or family problems. She came alive in his presence. He made her laugh, feel, want.

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Saving Sydney In finding him, she’d found herself. She was going to fight for that, for them, no matter what she had to do to get it. Sydney pulled some cash from her wallet and tossed it on top of the check before standing abruptly. Todd followed suit, frowning at her hasty exit. “I have to go.” She touched his arm briefly. “Thanks for your honesty.” “Sure thing. Call me and we’ll have lunch sometime,” he said to her back as she walked away. Sydney didn’t answer because she had no interest in spending an hour with Todd. He’d been forthcoming with her for a pleasant change and she appreciated it, but their time had passed. There was nothing else left to say. Sydney hurried across the street, pulling her phone from her purse as she went. As soon as she entered the building, she dialed Reece’s number. It rang five times then went to voice mail. “Reece, it’s me. I need to see you. It’s important. Please call me.” She hung up and stepped into the elevator, disappointed he hadn’t answered. Sophie hurried from behind her desk as soon as she saw Sydney. “The meeting on the Anderson parcel has been moved up to two o’clock. Lincoln Porter is waiting in the conference room with those assignment papers for you to sign beforehand. I buzzed Jonah and told him he needed to meet you there.” “Okay.” She took the file Sophie offered. “Can I ask a favor, Sophie?” “Anything.” “Would you mind calling Deke and asking him where Reece is? I just tried him and it went to his voice mail. I’d like to talk to him before I get stuck in this meeting for God knows how long.” “I’ll call him now and meet you in a few minutes to notarize those documents for you and Lincoln.” Twenty minutes later, the documents were signed and notarized. Jonah headed back to his office and Sydney and Sophie left Lincoln in the conference room to wait for the meeting to begin. “Deke said Reece had left to take a deposit to the bank but he didn’t understand why he’s not answering his phone, especially for you.” “I see,” Sydney said dejectedly. She’d been so anxious to talk to him when she left the restaurant. The things she wanted to say were fresh in her mind and she’d felt a surge of hope. It was probably for the best anyway. What she needed to tell him would be better said in

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Jenny Lyn person. As soon as this meeting was over she’d find him if it took her all night long. An hour later, the conference room table was surrounded by suits, heads bowed, reviewing and signing important legal documents. Sydney had seen everything beforehand so she glanced over the paperwork as it was passed to her, signed where she needed to, and pushed it toward her father for his signature. The low hum of conversation was like white noise in her head until she overheard her father ask Lincoln Porter where the documents were for him to sign on the mortgages he thought he was assuming. Crap, with everything going on between her and Reece, Sydney had forgotten to tell him what she’d done. Lincoln looked like a deer caught in the headlight of an oncoming freight train. “Dad, can we talk about that after the meeting?” she whispered, leaning closer to him so no one would overhear. “I’d rather handle it now, Sydney, and get it over with.” “Dad, please. This isn’t the place,” she said impatiently. The corners of his mouth curved downward and his cheeks flushed. She’d pissed him off. Fine, she’d deal with him later. The two of them needed to have a serious talk anyway. There were a lot of things that had to change, starting with his callous professional and personal attitude of late. She simply didn’t have the stomach for it any longer. Perhaps it was time for her to step out on her own. With her reputation, it wouldn’t be hard for her to quickly build a client base. Maybe the threat of her leaving would push him to make some changes. Perhaps not. Either way, something had to give or their relationship was going to suffer permanent damage. Her BlackBerry vibrated in her lap and she looked down at the display, hoping it was Reece returning her call, despite the inappropriate timing. She didn’t recognize the number so she ignored it, letting it go to voice mail instead. It immediately vibrated again with the same number popping up on the screen. Sydney frowned and considered leaving the meeting to take the call but decided against it for decorum’s sake. Minutes later, she got a text from Sophie. “911. Excuse yourself from the meeting! Important!” The hair on the back of her neck rose. “Excuse me for a moment,” she muttered and stepped out into the hallway where Sophie was waiting, a stricken look on her pale face. 133

Saving Sydney She rushed forward, taking Sydney by the arms. “Syd, Reece is in the hospital. He’s been stabbed. Deke said some crack head attacked him behind the bar for the deposit.” Her hands flew to her mouth in shock while her heart dropped into her toes. “Oh God.” Blinking back the sudden burn of tears, Sydney slumped against the wall, afraid her knees would give way. “When?” “Deke found him about an hour and a half ago and called 911. He’s at the hospital now. They’re taking Reece in for emergency surgery.” Sydney’s throat was so clogged with emotion she was surprised she could speak at all. “Where....” She took a deep breath and tried again. “Where was he stabbed?” Sophie looked as though she would burst into tears at any moment too. “In the chest. Deke said it missed his heart, thankfully.” Numb, Sydney nodded. “Can you go back in the meeting and get my phone? I think I left it on the table.” “Were you finished?” She shook her head absently. “I’m not sure. I’m going to my office to get my purse,” Sydney said over her shoulder as she rushed down the hallway. Sophie returned with her phone, both Jonah and her father on her heels. “You can’t just leave, Sydney. I need you in that meeting,” her father said sternly. “I can and I am. I’ve already reviewed everything so there should be no surprises. Someone I care about very much needs me more than you do, Dad.” She slung her purse over her shoulder and started for the elevator. “What’s going on, Syd?” Jonah asked. “Reece has been stabbed. He’s in surgery right now. I have to go,” she replied, her voice shaking with every word. They followed her to the elevator where Sophie was waiting. “I’m going with you. Glenda said she’d handle the office.” Sydney stepped into the elevator and punched the button for the lobby. “Call me when you know something,” Jonah said. Her father still wore his frown. She nodded as the doors slid closed.

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Chapter Twenty

Sydney hated hospitals, but then who didn’t. The cold sterility, the odd smells, the aura of depression and sorrow that seemed to linger in their long, empty hallways. She still harbored sad childhood memories of her grandfather Carson lying in a hospital bed, dying from liver cancer, his body hooked to a myriad of machines trying to keep him alive when all he wanted was to be left alone to die in peace. No! No thoughts about dying! “Deke said he’d be waiting for us in the lobby,” Sophie said as they hurried through the glass atrium outside the main entrance of Pearson Memorial Hospital. As soon as they cleared the automatic sliding doors, he was rushing to meet them, a look of worry clouding his masculine features. He hugged Sophie then Sydney. “Reece is still in surgery. Come on, I’ll show you where we can wait.” He took Sophie’s hand and Sydney followed.

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Saving Sydney The small surgical waiting room Deke led them to was practically empty, save for one older couple sitting on the other side of the room. He and Sophie sank into chairs while Sydney, of course, paced. “Tell me what happened, Deke. Was he conscious when you found him? Did he say anything?” “He was in and out of it, Syd. I think he may have had a punctured lung because he was having some trouble breathing.” Deke smiled despite his obvious concern for his best friend. “Reece said he got a piece of the guy though. Thinks he might’ve broken his nose.” “Good,” Sydney said. “Hopefully he can give a good description of the bastard and the police will be able to find him.” “One of the officers said they’d be by later to take his statement.” Deke stood. “I’m having a hard time sitting still. Can I get you two anything? Coffee, soda, water?” “I would love some coffee. Cream and sugar please,” Sophie replied. “No thanks, Deke,” Sydney said. She was afraid if she put anything into her roiling stomach it wouldn’t stay down. Deke left and she and Sophie waited in tense silence, Sydney wearing a path in the ugly rust-colored carpet while Sophie stared blankly at the scarred cream walls. Inside of her, Sydney’s emotions battled. Anger at the creep that had done this warred with fear Reece would experience some kind of surgical complication. All the while, her love for him grew stronger by the minute. Finally after an hour and a half of waiting in the cold, quiet room, a nurse stuck her head in the door. “Myers family?” All three of them surged toward her, speaking at the same time. “Yes?” She smiled reassuringly which Sydney took as a good sign. “Mr. Myers came through surgery just fine. He’s in recovery now and he’ll probably be there for another hour or so then we’ll get him into a private room.” “When can we see him?” Sydney asked. “As soon as he wakes up but only immediate family can go in,” she replied, a question in her tired, gray eyes. Sydney raised her chin. “I’m his wife and this is his brother,” she said, placing her right hand on Deke’s forearm while she casually hid her ring-less left.

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Jenny Lyn The nurse nodded. “Okay. I’ll come get you as soon as the doctor says it’s all right for him to have visitors.” She left them alone and Sydney sagged into a chair, relief flooding her tight muscles and anxious mind. “His wife?” Deke questioned, arching one eyebrow playfully. Warmth crept into her cheeks. “You heard her. Only immediate family can go in.” “Oh, I’m not complaining. That was quick thinking; otherwise we’d be sitting on our asses for hours until they got him moved into a private room. But you could’ve said you were his sister, Syd.” Deke glanced over at her, a sly smile on his lips. “Don’t be ridiculous. No one would ever believe you and I are related.” Deke laughed out loud. “Plus it would certainly raise some eyebrows if they caught the two of you making out later in his hospital bed.” Sydney smacked him on the arm but laughed along with him. “You’re incorrigible, you know that?” “Yeah, I do.” He winked at Sophie who promptly turned bright pink. “Should we call Reece’s father?” Deke shook his head. “Let’s wait until we talk to Reece. His dad may need to hear his voice to believe he’s really all right.” “Okay, that makes sense.” Now that her mind wasn’t consumed with worry over Reece’s injury, it began to wander to what his reaction would be when she walked into his room. With the anesthesia he’d been given he would likely be groggy for a while, maybe even a little incoherent. As long as he didn’t ask her to leave, she could handle anything else. Thirty minutes later the friendly nurse was back, motioning for Sydney and Deke to follow her. Sophie said she was fine with waiting, and that she’d check in with Glenda to make sure everything was going smoothly back at the office. Nothing could’ve prepared her for the sight of Reece in that recovery room bed, a thin tube in his nose, his face as pale as the pillowcase beneath his head, wires attached to his chest and an IV in his arm. A light blue hospital gown with a faint pattern on it concealed his bandages and a thick, white blanket was drawn up to his waist. Sydney swallowed back a sob of pure relief at seeing him blink open his eyes when Deke gently placed his hand on his shoulder. 137

Saving Sydney “Hey, brother,” Deke said solemnly. “Enjoying the drugs?” “Mm-hmm,” he murmured softly, lifting his languid blue eyes to Sydney’s face. She leaned over him and kissed his forehead, keeping her lips pressed to his skin long enough to absorb his reassuring warmth and blink back the fresh tears threatening to spill out of her eyelids. Reece caught her hand in his and squeezed weakly. She took the chair the nurse offered, scooting it close to the bed without breaking the connection of their hands. She gave him a tender smile. “How do you feel?” “Numb,” he said hoarsely. “The police said they’d send a detective by later to take your statement. Can you remember anything about the asshole that stabbed you?” Deke asked. “Some,” he replied. His eyes kept drifting closed from the lingering effects of the anesthesia but he managed to keep a firm grip on Sydney’s hand. The nurse popped in every ten minutes, rousing Reece from his surgical stupor with her annoyingly cheerful demeanor and pats on the leg while she checked his vitals. Sydney understood the need for her to do that but she wished they could fast forward time several days. Reece would be resting comfortably at home, the worst of his recovery behind him, and their talk would be over with. Hopefully everything would be right again between them. The curtain was flung back and the surgeon stepped to the foot of Reece’s bed. “Hi, folks. I’m Dr. Gibson,” he said, quickly turning his attention to his patient. “Any pain, Mr. Myers?” Reece shook his head slowly and said, “Not much.” “Scale of one to ten?” “Three.” Sydney suspected that number was higher but she knew how much Reece hated lying helpless in a hospital bed. Admitting he was in pain would only increase the level of narcotics they pushed into his system, making it harder for him to function. “That’s good to hear,” the doctor said. “The surgery went well. You suffered a punctured lung, as we suspected, but we got you fixed up without any trouble. We’re pumping you full of antibiotics to stave off any infection so you should be good as new in a few weeks. If you don’t develop any complications tonight, we’ll probably let you go home tomorrow afternoon, as long as you have help.” 138

Jenny Lyn “He will,” Deke offered. “More than he wants, I imagine.” “All right then. We’ll get him moved to a room and I’ll see you folks tomorrow.” “Thanks, Doc,” Deke said. When the doctor left them alone again Deke looked over at Sydney, wide-eyed. “It amazes me how fast they get people in and out these days. Brian’s dad had heart bypass surgery and he only stayed in the hospital four days. That’s crazy.” “I’m sure it has a lot to do with the insurance companies, but I don’t think Reece will argue if they kick him out tomorrow afternoon,” Sydney said, smiling at his sleepy face. “Nope. The sooner the better,” Reece mumbled, finally putting a short sentence together. Sydney wanted to touch him, lay her head on his chest and hear his heart beating strongly. It was instinctual really; a way to reassure her worried brain he was truly okay beneath his clammy skin. She reached out and placed her palm on his cheek. Reece turned his face into the caress and pressed a weak kiss to the heel of her hand, his gaze locking with hers. A hot tear slid down her cheek before she could swipe it away. The last thing she wanted to do was upset him with her blubbering. “I’m okay, sweetheart,” he said, barely above a whisper. All she could do was nod. There was a knot of emotion stuck in her throat, too thick to get words past. Two nurses swept in, ready to move Reece to a private room. They rattled off the room number and asked Sydney and Deke to give them an hour or so to get him situated then they could stay as long as they liked. Deke patted Reece on his shoulder. “We’ll be back soon, buddy.” Sydney reluctantly let go of his hand and kissed his cheek. “See you in a bit.” He brushed his fingertips across her jaw. “Promise?” “I promise.”

***

The elephant sitting on Reece’s chest had shrunk to a small bear. He tentatively took a slow, deep breath, relieved that it didn’t feel like he was being stabbed again. It still stung like a bitch and ached, but the pain was tolerable, certainly manageable without pain medication. He was tired of being groggy and fuzzyheaded. The last trip

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Saving Sydney the nurse had made to his bedside with needle in hand, he’d sent her away frowning with the syringe still full. When his grainy eyes focused, he rolled his head on the flat pillow. Sydney was sitting next to him, her head resting on the back of the chair, eyes closed in sleep. While they were moving him to a room, she’d gone home and changed into jeans and a black sweater. Her exquisite face was still slightly pale with worry, even at rest. Deke had stayed until almost 11:00 p.m. before Reece made him leave, telling him the bar needed him worse than he did. Sydney had refused to go like he knew she would but he was ever so grateful for her stubbornness. He wouldn’t admit it out loud but he’d selfishly wanted her to stay. Looking at her now had his chest aching for an entirely different reason than being stuck with a knife. It was a sweet ache that made his heart swell to near bursting. She’d come to him despite their bitter disagreement. He’d been going crazy since then, regret filling him up like poison. Two days of absolute misery had made him realize what he’d only suspected before: he couldn’t live without her in his life, no matter what the difference in their financial status was. Pride could be a bitch of a thing to swallow. He’d heard that saying many times, used it himself with Sydney when they were discussing the problems in her parent’s marriage. For her, though—for them, he would learn to compromise. Yes, she’d overstepped her bounds, but Sydney was simply being Sydney, looking out for the people she cared about. It was the only way she knew how to be. It was the only way Reece wanted her to be. He tilted his head back to peer at the clock above his bed. It was still a few hours before daylight. He should let her sleep but the fog in his brain had lifted and he wanted to talk to her, touch her somehow, feel her warm skin beneath his fingertips. Reece scooted up in the bed, sipped from a cup of water to coat his dry, scratchy throat, and softly said, “Sydney.” She stirred and slowly opened her eyes, blinking away the confusion of where she was. He smiled to reassure her he was okay so she wouldn’t panic but she still tossed off the blanket she’d been wrapped in and stood abruptly. “Are you hurting? Do you need more pain medicine?” she asked, her beautiful eyes shadowed with deep concern.

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Jenny Lyn Like he expected, her anxious hands reached out to touch him and he caught them in his. He brushed his mouth over the back of her knuckles then pulled her closer. “I’m fine, sweetheart. Come sit beside me.” “Reece, it’s the middle of the night. You need your rest,” she gently protested. “I’ve slept for ten hours straight.” He carefully shifted sideways and patted the bed near his hip. “What I need is to look at you.” She made a scoffing noise but tentatively sat down on the mattress facing him and curled her leg under her opposite knee. He could tell she was nervous by the way she fussed with his IV and the nurse’s call button. He captured her busy hands again, holding them close to his bandaged chest. “I love you, Sydney,” he blurted before he could second-guess his decision to spill his guts. She went completely still, her gaze snapping up to his. He watched her eyes fill with tears before twin crystalline drops slid down her smooth cheeks. Then she leaned forward and buried her face in his neck, sniffing loudly. Reece threaded his fingers through her glorious tumble of auburn curls, breathing in her scent deeply, oblivious to the twinges of pain in his chest. “Talk to me,” he said into her ear. “I thought I’d lost you,” she finally whispered after several long seconds. Sydney lifted her head and touched his face. Reece frowned. “When? Yesterday?” “No. After we argued. I thought we were over.” He swept the tears from her face with his thumbs. “I’m so sorry about that. I acted like an insecure ass. I was unfair and harsh. Can you please forgive me?” She nodded as tears continued to coarse down her cheeks. “Don’t cry, honey. It’s ripping me apart.” “They’re happy tears. I love you too, Reece. And you had it all wrong. I do need you, more than anything. You’ve changed my life, made me want to change my life. It took me being with you to finally realize there’s more to that life than work. To know I deserve to be happy too. You make me happy. If the money bothers you that much, I’ll give it all away. I’d do that for you, for us.” He leaned forward and kissed her tenderly, moved beyond measure by her words. “I know you would, and that’s part of what makes you such an incredible person, but I’m not going to let you do that. I promise I won’t allow it to intimidate me if you promise to talk to 141

Saving Sydney me before you spend any of it on anything that involves me or us as a couple. Deal?” Sydney pursed her lips thoughtfully. “With the exception of birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, special occasions, Memorial—” “Sydney,” he said, futilely trying to add some measure of conviction to his voice. She kissed him soundly. “Deal.” “Besides, our spoiled-rotten kids will need tuition money and God knows what else,” he teased. Her eyebrows shot up but he noticed the unmistakable spark of interest in her eyes. “Kids, huh?” “Are you freaked out by the idea?” Smiling softly, she shook her head. “Not at all. Actually, I’m quite intrigued by the idea, but in a few years.” “Oh, of course.” He faked stoicism. “We have to practice more first.” “Lots and lots of practice,” she heartily agreed. Reece laughed for the first time in what felt like forever. “Snuggle in here beside me, baby.” “Are you sure that’s a good idea? I could pull out your IV or the nurses might not like it. That last one was kinda scary.” “I don’t care about either. I want you near me.” Sydney grabbed her blanket and curled up on Reece’s uninjured side. He tucked her warm body under his arm and closed his eyes, as content as he’d ever been. If he had his way, they’d never spend another night apart. “Say it again,” she said softly. He didn’t need to ask to know what she meant. Reece squeezed her tight and kissed the crown of her head. “I love you, Sydney.”

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Epilogue

Three months later

“I think it’s time for more sunscreen.” Sydney laughed and lifted her sunglasses to peek at Reece, stretched out on the padded, two-person chaise next to her. “It’s only been thirty minutes and I haven’t even been in the water yet.” He grabbed her left hand, lacing his fingers through hers, and tucking it to his chest. “I don’t want that pristine skin of yours to burn.” She dropped her head back on the cushion, closing her eyes. The sun felt amazing on her bare skin with nothing but the sound of the Pacific Ocean as a soundtrack. “Oh, is that the reason?” “Well, maybe not the only reason,” he said. “I admit it’s very hard for me to keep my hands off of you when you’re lying next to me nearly naked. But we wouldn’t want those pretty nipples to get sunburned either.” “Mmm, that would be unpleasant.” Sydney felt Reece shift next to her on the chaise then his palm was coasting across her slick belly, 143

Saving Sydney fingertips grazing the edge of her bikini bottoms. She rolled her head to look at him. “This place is incredible. You’re not sorry we didn’t go to Hawaii or someplace else, are you?” “Are you kidding? Look at that.” He made a sweeping motion with his arm toward the vivid turquoise water that stretched out in front of them as far as the eye could see. “Have you ever seen water that color before?” They’d decided on Fiji for their honeymoon. Ten days in a secluded bungalow at an exclusive resort that catered to couples. Their private residence opened onto a large wooden deck with a small, built-in freshwater pool. A set of steps led down to an isolated whitesand beach and more lounge chairs, shaded by giant green and white striped umbrellas. Lush green vegetation and the heady scent of tropical flowers enveloped them, making it seem as if they were the only two people on the entire island. But with the press of one button, they could have gourmet meals or whatever else struck their fancy delivered in mere minutes. It was so peaceful, she thought. Leaving would be extremely difficult. “Certainly not off the coast of Florida. The Keys are pretty close, but it’s not nearly as stunning.” Reece brought her fingers to his lips and kissed her wedding ring, a simple platinum band inlaid with a single row of diamonds. He wore its thicker, more masculine twin. Sydney’s throat got a little tight with emotion, like it did every time he performed the loving gesture. “How many times have you checked your BlackBerry today?” “None,” she said a tad too fast. “Sydney,” he chided. “Okay, twice.” “And?” She sighed. “Nothing.” He laughed. “See, I told you everything would be fine. Sophie has things under control.” “It’s a hard habit to break.” His fingers absently spun the band around her finger. “Do you regret not having a big wedding?” “Nope,” he answered without hesitation. “All the important people were there. That’s all that mattered to me. I would’ve gladly married you in front of the Justice of the Peace the day we got our license, though.”

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Jenny Lyn Sydney smiled. “I’m happy with the way we did it. It felt very intimate.” It had been a simple affair on the terrace of her condo at sunset last Friday afternoon. Sophie had served as maid of honor and Deke was Reece’s best man. The only other attendees were immediate family, a judge friend who performed the ceremony, and a photographer. Her parents were civil toward each other, but her father had only stayed about an hour, probably not wanting to press his luck. He and Sydney were getting along better but it had taken the threat of her leaving to make him take a step back and reevaluate his priorities and his attitude. Lately he seemed to be spending more time on the golf course than in the office and Jonah had efficiently picked up the slack. Reece’s father and his Aunt Linda drove up from Naples for the ceremony. Sydney had first met him when he’d come to stay a few days after Reece had been stabbed and she’d fallen instantly in love with him. He was so sweet and easygoing. Her new husband had definitely inherited his father’s temperament. “I think Deke wants to buy the house.” Surprised, Sydney turned onto her side to face him. “Are you sure you’re ready to sell it?” “Why not? We spend all our time at the condo anyway.” She’d listened closely to his response but heard no regret in his tone, thankfully. “You know how much I love our kitchen.” “Ha! That’s your kitchen. My duties are strictly incidental.” “That reminds me, I think I want to remodel the terrace. Install a grill and a small fridge, maybe a sound system and a flat screen.” Sydney went warm inside to match her outside. She loved that he regarded the condo as just as much his as it was hers. “Remodel away. My only request is one of these,” she said, patting the chaise between their hips. “I think that can be arranged.” Reece leaned closer and kissed the sensitive spot beneath her ear. Sydney shivered. His palm cupped her bare breast, thumb brushing across her nipple. “Have I brought out the exhibitionist in my sexy wife?” “Among other things.” Sydney pushed Reece over onto his back and climbed astride him. His cock immediately began to harden beneath her. “I thank my lucky stars all the time that I ran into you at the courthouse that day.”

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Saving Sydney He pulled her down to his mouth for a long, deep kiss. Desire flared inside of her, hot as the sun on her back. “I love you, Sydney.” “I love you too,” she said thickly as she tenderly traced the fading scar on his golden-brown chest. Just as she dropped her head for another kiss the door buzzer sounded, letting her know the order she’d quietly placed earlier had arrived. Reece frowned and raised himself up on his elbows. “Are you expecting someone?” Sydney gave him a demure smile and slid off his lap, reaching for her robe to cover her semi-nudity. “It’s a surprise. Don’t move.” Reece watched Sydney saunter away from him, her hips softly swaying beneath navy-blue satin as she went to answer the bell. He reached down and adjusted his swelling cock in his swim trunks. He hated getting a hard-on in the damn things. The skin of his dick would probably have a permanent netting pattern imbedded in it since he’d stayed hard practically their entire honeymoon. He grinned at the sky, his heart so full of love he thought it would burst open in his chest. She was everything he could ever ask for in a mate. They made each other laugh daily and groan nightly, sometimes the other way around and sometimes at the same time. He hadn’t realized what had been missing from his life until he met Sydney. Now he couldn’t imagine his life without her in it. Sure, they could’ve lived together for a while longer, but marrying her was what he’d wanted to do. Sliding that ring on Sydney’s finger had been the happiest moment of his life, making her officially his. Well, short of the day she’d said yes to his proposal. True to her word, she’d consulted with him before she made any financial decisions that affected them as a couple. He wouldn’t allow her to forgive the balance owed on his mortgage but, in typical Sydney fashion, she’d had it quietly transferred into Sophie’s name, saying it was part of her “profit sharing plan.” Reece knew better. There was no telling how much money little Miss Sophie had sitting in an account somewhere, unbeknownst to her, and steadily accruing interest. Things between Sophie and Deke had cooled a bit of late, which bothered Reece and Sydney. They’d had something good together, or so he thought. Reece had a feeling it was all Deke’s doing. He’d admitted to Reece he was crazy about Sophie but it had scared him too, enough to make him want to take a step back. Deke’s bachelorhood had always been sacred to him. Letting go of it wasn’t something he’d 146

Jenny Lyn warm to overnight. Reece had cautioned him not to push Sophie too far away or he might lose the best thing that had ever happened to him. He wouldn’t meddle more than that. The rest was up to him. “Reece.” Sydney’s sweet, tempting voice coming from somewhere inside drew him back to where he was, on his honeymoon. “Can you come here for a second?” He rolled to his feet and went in search of her. The villa was built in a curving shape, hugging the deck and the small pool. All the rooms opened up to the outside, either through glass sliders or folding doors, making it feel as though you were living in a giant tree house, albeit the most luxurious one Reece had ever seen. The floors were rich, dark wood, the curtains and furniture soft, creamy beiges and whites. The décor was simple, soothing, and tranquil. He had to admit, money had its advantages, although he’d insisted on paying half the bill. Gradually he’d gotten used to Sydney’s wealth but his pride still wouldn’t allow him to become a kept man. “Where are you, babe?” he asked when he didn’t find her in the living area or the kitchen. “Keep looking,” she called out. He followed her voice, through the bedroom and into the bath. His chest tightened when he found her. Every single time he looked at Sydney, she stole his breath. Reece could only hope they still had this kind of chemistry when they were eighty. It would sure be nice if his dick would get this hard then, too, but he wasn’t delusional. She was perched on the flat edge of the bathroom’s large sunken tub, feet resting on a submerged ledge. Red rose petals floated in the clear, calm water. Her reddish-brown curls were piled on top of her head, a few long tendrils escaping to caress her cheeks and neck. Sydney’s body was perfection, curvy and feminine in the right places, lean and strong in others. Reece could imagine her smooth, flat belly round with his child, her breasts swollen and lush. Someday. Sydney crooked her finger and he went, bewitched by the wicked promise he saw in her whiskey eyes. She tapped an ice bucket with her fingernail, nodding toward the bottle of champagne nestled inside. “Will you open that please?” “Of course.” Reece went through the motions on autopilot, twisting off the wire cap and popping the cork beneath a hand towel. She offered up two crystal flutes which he filled then sank the bottle back into the ice. 147

Saving Sydney Carefully setting the glasses down first, Sydney then turned and sank into the water past her hips. He watched her lips curve into a sultry smile. “Strip for me,” she said. Not a question, a command. Reece’s cock twitched. As their relationship had deepened even further over the past three months, the sex had only gotten hotter. Familiarity aided that process, yes, but so had contentedness, happiness. Sydney had never been shy about touching him, but she had learned to ask for what she wanted now. Nothing turned him on more than to hear dirty words roll off that talented tongue. In public she still defined class. In private, though, her newfound openness with her sexuality melted his brain. Reece untied the string in his swim trunks, pushed them over his erection and down his hips. He kicked them aside absently, waiting for her to tell him what she wanted next. Her gaze slid over him in a caress so potent he felt it in his eyelashes. Her lips pursed thoughtfully. She patted the space she’d vacated on the edge of the tub. “Come sit.” He did as she asked, letting his calves slip into the water. He’d expected it to be warm but it was actually cool. Given the hot, humid air that swirled through the villa, that wasn’t a bad thing. She pressed his thighs apart and stepped between them. When he reached for her shoulders, she shook her head. “No, you don’t get to touch just yet.” He smiled and dropped his hands to the rim of the tub. “Anything you say.” “Lean back a little.” Reece complied, anticipation coiling his muscles tight. Whatever she wanted to do to him would be pure, undiluted pleasure, but the thought of Sydney’s hot mouth on his cock made him fight to suppress a fierce shudder. Of course his dick had a mind of its own, jerking anxiously against his belly. Sydney picked up a short-stemmed rose from a tray near the tub. She twirled it under her nose, across her lips, then ever so slowly drew it down his stomach. His skin burned in its wake, just as sure as if she’d touched him herself. When the flower reached his groin, she slid it across his balls and up his stiff shaft. He hissed in through his teeth. The petals were as soft as her tongue, though cool instead of hot, dry instead of wet. No contest which one Reece preferred on his cock, but God knew he’d tortured her enough in his own twisted ways during sex. He could sit back, grit his teeth, and take it like a man. 148

Jenny Lyn She reached for the glasses of champagne, placing one into his outstretched hand. “Are we toasting to something?” She smirked. “To a lifetime of love, compromise, and amazingly hot sex.” Reece chuckled as they touched glasses. “Cheers.” He took a deep swallow and set his glass down. Sydney took a sip and set her glass beside his. She leaned over his groin and took his aching cock in her hand, lowering her mouth over the swollen, sensitive tip. Cool liquid dribbled down his length, making him jerk in shock and suck in a sharp breath. The chilly champagne ran down his shaft, over his balls, to drip onto the ledge of the tub. Then Sydney’s warm tongue was licking him clean while she purred deep in her throat. “Jesus Christ, honey.” Reece brought a hand up to cradle the back of her head. He felt her smile around his length, amber eyes lifting to meet his. It wouldn’t take much attention for him to come. He’d been aroused all afternoon, lying beside her near-naked body, dirty fantasies running through his mind like a perverted schoolboy. A few more deep strokes and hot licks and he’d be a goner. That wasn’t what he was after during this sexy encounter. “Stop.” Her head sprung up. Reece winced at the sudden loss. She frowned. “Why?” He grinned sheepishly. “I know you think I’ve lost my mind, but I don’t want to come that way.” He slid off the ledge and into the water with her. “Come here.” She smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck and plastering her damp, delicious body against his. “If you say so.” “I say so.” Reece sat down on the submerged ledge, scooting his ass forward. “Climb on.” Sydney eagerly complied, sliding her legs around his waist while he supported her back. Reece reached beneath the water and angled his cockhead to the entrance of her pussy. Using his thumb, he made tight circles around her clit, making sure she was slick and ready, until she arched her back and instinctively pressed her hips down. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her forward, impaling her on his shaft. They groaned in unison. “Oh, you feel amazing,” she purred. “Fuck me, Reece.” 149

Saving Sydney God, how he loved to hear her say that, words he never thought would tumble from Sydney’s sweet, refined mouth. They’d come a long way, the two of them, in a short time. Both of them had grown in their own ways. Reece had learned that it was okay to have pride but at times, it had to be swallowed in favor of humility. Sydney had learned that she couldn’t shoulder everyone’s burdens, and that she had to put herself first sometimes. They’d both learned that there were more important things in life than work. Friends and family were up there near the top. But this, each other and what they had, was what mattered most. Sydney’s laugh made his heart swell in his chest. He kissed her mouth, slow and deep. “We’re making a mess,” she said, nodding at the waves of water and rose petals sloshing over the rim of the tub onto the floor. “Totally worth it.” Just like her.

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Biography

Jenny Lyn read her first romance novel at the tender age of fifteen, a chaste Harlequin entitled Philomena’s Miracle by Betty Neels, and was ruined, er, hooked forever. Over the years, her tastes have evolved into something a little more...lusty. She writes books that she would want to read, stories with a lot of heart, heat, and always a happy ending. Her writing career began only quite recently, based on a dare from her family. After penning a short story for a Writer’s Digest annual competition and placing seventh in the literary category, she thought writing full-length novels may be worth a shot. Alas, the staid literary world didn’t hold her interest so she decided to try erotic romance. After all, a blank page and a dirty mind are terrible things to waste. A dyed-in-the-wool southerner and native Floridian, Jenny spends her non-working hours lovingly pandering to a supportive husband, a college-age son, and three needy fur babies. In addition to

writing and taking care of her family, Jenny is a rabid college football fan, loves to read, cook, and do anything outdoorsy. She’d love to hear what you have to say about her books. You can find her online at www.authorjennylyn.com; on Twitter as @JennyLynwrites; and on Facebook at Jenny Lyn, Author.