Meant to Be: Southern Heat Series (16 page)

Hank looked at Mitch with a goofy grin. “I’m a grandpa.”

Mitch poked his tongue into the side of his mouth. “Yes. Congratulations.”

Sydney turned her attention to Mitch. “I need to take care of a few things. It’s going to be a little while longer.”

“I’ll wait.”

“I’ll let you know when I’m ready.”

Mitch watched her as she walked away.

“So you and the doc, huh?” Hank patted Mitch on the back.

Mitch’s first instinct was to tell Hank it wasn’t like that, except, if Mitch got another chance, that was exactly what it would be.

T
hey made
idle conversation on the drive back to Mitch’s. In some ways, Sydney was glad. Delivering a baby was exhilarating, but in the hours afterward, she was often tired. Partly because so many babies came after regular work hours. And partly, it took a lot of energy to be “on” and ready for anything. As routine as having a baby was, things could go wrong in a hurry.

“You okay?”

She turned to Mitch’s question. He cast her a quick glance before returning his gaze to the road.

“Yes.”

“Everything went okay with the delivery?”

“Yes. Why?”

“You’re quiet.”

“It’s been a long day.”

He drove in silence. “I’m sorry… about earlier.”

She was about to say it was okay but decided to tell him what she really thought. “Maybe before you kiss me again, you can sort out your feelings, because I’m getting whiplash from your hot and cold behavior.”

His jaw tensed, and he looked out the side window for a moment. “I’m sorry. This situation is complicated.”

“It’s not, Mitch. You either forgive me and we can friends, with or without the benefits, or you don’t and we stay away from each other. It’s actually simple.”

He gnashed his teeth. “I’m trying to do what’s right.”

“For who? Not for me, you’re not. In fact, based on your reputation, your constant rejection of me is insulting.”

“How do you see this playing out?” His voice was tense. The conversation was clearly not going in the direction he’d wanted.

“It’s like a high school reunion. We catch up. Learn what’s the same, what’s different, what’s changed.”

Lots had changed. He had to have new skills in the bedroom. Thinking about what those large hands and magnificent lips to could do to her made her shift in her seat. He, on the other hand, might be disappointed. She hadn’t been a nun, but she also hadn’t had the benefit of multiple lovers to practice new tricks on.

“Are we talking about bedroom games?”

“Sure. I imagine you have many new moves.”

He pulled in behind her car in his driveway. He stopped and put the truck in park. Then he turned to her. “I’ve got many.” He studied her, and she wondered if he was waiting for her to react to the fact that he was throwing his experience in her face. Was he trying to scare her off? Was it a test of how committed she was to following through? After all, of the two of them,
he
was the one who kept changing his mind.

His head tilted to the side. “Do I get a second chance?”

“What happens if I say yes?”

“We go into the house. Within about thirty seconds, we’ll both be naked. If we don’t make it to the bedroom, we can use the couch.”

Heat flashed over her skin, and he hadn’t even touched her. He didn’t have to. His words, the intensity of his eyes promising she’d not be disappointed, made her blood run hot straight to her center.

“Are you going to change your mind when things heat up?”

His lips quirked. “No.”

“One more chance then.”

Sydney wasn’t sure how she managed to make it up the walk and steps. Her legs were Jell-O, made even more difficult when Mitch rested his hand on her lower back. Just that. The heat of his hand, the feel of his palm, his thumb rubbing gently, nearly melted her into a heap.

The only indication that he was affected was the slight shake in his fingers as he unlocked the door.

He held it open and let her in. She was about to turn, but he grabbed her and pressed her against the door, and immediately his hands were pulling away her clothing. He wasn’t kidding about the thirty seconds.

Her hands were frantic as they slid under his shirt, caressing the hot, hard planes of his chest. Before she could push the shirt up and off, he was yanking hers off, his lips feasting on a bra-covered breast. She gasped, thrilled at the sensations of the tug of her nipple with his teeth and his hands sliding down her backside as he pushed her pants off. She kicked off her shoes and stepped out of her pants.

“You too.” She reached for his shirt again.

He complied, yanking his shirt over his head and tossing it aside.

It gave him a moment to look at her, standing in her bra and panties. Her nipples were hard peaks, but the way his eyes raked over her made them ache and reach out for more.

“We need a bed.” He grabbed her, and they stumbled their way up the hall, bouncing against the walls like pinballs, lips fused as they worked off their remaining clothes.

She bumped into something followed by a rattle and crash. But there was no time to check on it as Mitch pushed her onto the bed. He was still in his briefs, which was unacceptable, so she immediately sat, gripped the waistband, and pulled. His erection sprang free, bobbing red, engorged, in front of her, begging for attention. She complied, snaking her tongue out, swirling around the tip.

He let out an expletive. Stepping away, he leaned over, opened a drawer, and pulled out a condom. Mitch groaned as he sheathed himself.

Then he was over her. “Please, God, tell me you’re ready.”

“Yes.” She was past ready. She had a moment to think this was going too fast, and yet, there was no way to slow it down. Her body trembled with fierce need.

As if to make sure, his fingers slid between her legs. Apparently he was satisfied as he adjusted his hips, grabbing hers with both hands, and, in one long push, he was in.

Sydney’s hands gripped him and held him to her as his fullness filled her. How long had she dreamt about this moment? How many times had she fantasized about being one with him again? It was better than she remembered. Better than she’d dreamed. Her hands slid over his body. It was harder, leaner, and stronger than before.

“Now, now, now…” Mitch hooked his hand under her thigh and lifted it, opening her to him.

She wouldn’t have thought it possible he could fill her more, but he pushed and filled her again. She arched, reaching for more. Each slide of him sending her higher and higher. She moved with him, finding a rhythm that drove them both harder, faster to the edge. She was unable to take in full breaths, but what did it matter? Nothing mattered but him and the sweet torment of their mating.

He grunted and shifted to slide a hand between their bodies.

“Sydney.” Her name came out on a groan, as his fingers rubbed the sensitive nub between her thighs. That one touch shot her to the heavens, her orgasm exploding in a wave radiating from her center to the tips of her toes and the top of her head.

Her moan intertwined with his, as he levered himself on both hands and pumped relentlessly, in and out, drawing out her pleasure. He let out an expletive and slammed into her, holding and grinding. He did it again and again until, with a last groan, he collapsed on her.

His heart hammered against her chest, surprisingly in time with her own. She held him, wanting to prolong this moment as long as possible. This was just sex but, for that moment, she could savor the feeling it was more, even though she knew it would lead to disappointment and hurt.

It was pathetic what she was willing to do to be near him again. But she pushed that thought aside and held him until he rolled off, lying on his back, flopping his arm over his eyes.

“Let me catch my breath.”

She nodded, unable to respond until her own breathing returned to normal. She wanted to curl up next to him but wasn’t sure he’d be open to it. Did affairs involve cuddling?

She watched him, and eventually his head turned, and he grinned. “That wasn’t much different from the first time.”

It took her a moment to catch his reference. But then she remembered: the first time they’d made love. They were eighteen, and while neither had been a virgin, they’d been eager, and needy, and it was over quickly. There were some differences, though. For one, that first time didn’t have the same frantic desperation about it. And second, she hadn’t had an orgasm, much less a mind-blowing one.

“Except…” He turned to his side, sliding a hand over her lower belly. “I think I succeeded in making you come this time.”

Her cheeks warmed. “Yes.”

“Good to know I’ve improved.” His lips wrapped around her still-sensitive nipple, tugging lightly. “And, I don’t remember you being so willing to use your mouth.”

She blinked until understanding dawned, causing her cheeks to heat again as she remembered how she laved his erection before he unceremoniously pushed her back and took her on a hard, fast ride. He was right that she’d been hesitant to use her mouth on him during college, not because she didn’t like it, or thought it was wrong, but because she could never be sure she was doing it right. Sydney hated feeling inept, and while she made the effort to please him, and he’d never complained, she’d never felt comfortable. But tonight, she hadn’t even thought about it. She was driven by desire and instinct.

“I was caught up in the moment.”

He grinned. “I’m sorry I didn’t give you more time, but I damn near came right then.”

She smiled, happy to see an amiable side of him. He could have regretted what they’d just done. It wouldn’t have surprised her if he had. He’d regretted kissing and touching her before.

The fact that he wasn’t trying to get away or backtrack suggested the experience hadn’t been as emotionally charged for him as it was for her. That was good because if it had, he’d withdraw from her. But there was a part of her that was disappointed he’d been able to keep his emotional distance, that the feelings they’d had before hadn’t come flooding back for him like they had for her.

“Let me deal with this.” He rolled from the bed and pulled off the condom as he headed toward the bathroom. Sydney lay in bed, uncertain what to do. When she’d decided casual sex was okay, she hadn’t considered the logistics of it. She’d only experienced sex within a relationship where she cuddled and usually stayed the night with the man. How did it work in affairs? Was she supposed to go to her own bed now?

Realizing she was in his room, she looked around. It wasn’t very large, but it had all the necessities. The bed filled most of the space. There were two side tables and a dresser. The sliding doors to a closet took up one wall. Her closet in New York was bigger than his room, but then it was bigger than her room in the apartment she rented in Charlotte Tavern as well.

Noticing the knocked-over lamp leaning against the wall, she sat and righted it. Since she was sitting, she decided she should get up. Where was her underwear? She stood, looking around for any clothing. Then she remembered, by the time she got to the room, she was naked. Just like he’d promised.

“
G
oing somewhere
?” Mitch leaned against the doorframe, hoping Sydney wasn’t about to bolt from his room. If she tried, he’d persuade her stay. As far as he was concerned, they’d barely gotten started.

She looked at him. “I figured we were done.”

“Why would you figure that?” Was she regretting their tryst? God, he hoped not.

“You got up. That’s my cue, isn’t it?”

“Cue?”

She blew out a breath and sat on the edge of the bed. “You said it yourself, Mitch. I’m not an affair type of woman, so I’m not sure how these things work.”

He bit his lower lip to keep from laughing. Only Sydney would try to work out the rules of an affair.

Mitch entered the room and sat on the bed next to her. “There aren’t any rules per se. You go if you want to go, although, I hope you’ll stay. Maybe you can give me a chance to show some finesse.”

“Okay.”

“Do we need to talk?” God, he hoped not. She’d agreed to just sex. To this being about enjoying each other and nothing more.

“No. Talking will only mess things up, plus, I understand what all this means.”

Mitch frowned. She wasn’t wrong, but somehow, it sounded wrong.

“Actually, I think this will be good for me.”

One bronze brow rose. “In what way?”

“Being impulsive, spontaneous.”

“Doesn’t nearly getting killed usually make people plan more? Make sure they’re sucking all the nectar from life?”

“For some, I suppose. But my life before was planned. Down to the very last moment. For me to drink the nectar of life, I need to do the opposite of planning and live in the moment.”

“Well, then.” Mitch slid a hand up her abdomen and cradled a breast. “What shall we do in this moment?”

She turned to him. For a moment, her eyes were unreadable, but then her gaze drifted over him. It was a caress as surely as if she were touching him. His body responded, heating, hardening. When her eyes returned to his, desire clouded them.

She surprised him again by pushing him back and straddling his thighs. She raked her hands down his chest and over his abdomen. As her fingers drew lower, her gaze left his to focus on his groin. She licked her lips, and Mitch was sure he was a dead man.

“You know, I never really looked at you before.” Her finger slid along the length of him, swirling over the tip, where he was already leaking.

“Huh?” The blood was flowing away from his brain, making it difficult to pay attention.

“In college. I touched you but never really looked.”