Synergy: New Adult Romantic Suspense (U-District, #1) (30 page)

“She’s in the kitchen helping Grace. Come on back, I’ll get you a drink. Would you like beer or wine?”

“I’ll have a beer.”

Bill handed him the beer in his hand. “I just opened it.”

Bryce accepted the cold bottle and followed him down the hallway. Cherry wood, gold trimming, and traditional furniture filled the living area. Light beige walls made the white crown molding pop. He saw a lot of Gloria in this house.

“I have to say”—Bill stopped to study him—“it came as quite a surprise when Jade told us about you two.”

Bryce swallowed hard. “Believe me, it came as a surprise to us too. I tried everything not to fall for her.”

A slight crease in Bill’s forehead materialized. “You know, when I asked you to keep an eye on her, I didn’t mean you two should get together.”

“I didn’t—”

“I’m kidding.” Bill laughed. “What are boyfriends for, if not for fathers to give them a hard time? You’re the first man she’s brought home to meet us.”

“I am?” Bryce hands grew clammy.

Bill patted him on the back and continued down the hallway. “Grace and I were thrilled when Jade told us. Gloria had great respect for you. She wouldn’t have given you shares in her company if she hadn’t.”

“She was a wonderful woman.”

“Yes, she was, as is our Jade. Tell me, have you told my daughter how you feel about her?”

“How I feel?” Bryce drank a swig of beer.

“That you’re in love with her?”

He almost spit out the beer and gulped it down hard. “I haven’t exactly said those words to her.”

“Don’t delay. You wouldn’t want to lose her because you were too scared to say the words.”

Lose her? Too scared?
Bryce’s throat went bone dry. “Nice painting.” He desperately needed a change of subject. Stopping, he stared at the canvas that took up almost the entire wall of the hallway, as if his life depended on it.

“Grace painted it. She named it ‘Hummingbird.’ Do you see it?”

The oil canvas was painted black with white and silver swooshes and a fuchsia dot in the very center. Hell no, he didn’t see a hummingbird. “Uh, sure, I think I see it.”

“Liar.”

Bryce’s throat clamped shut.

Bill laughed. “Hey, look who I found on our doorstep.”

Jade wiped her hands on a kitchen towel. “Are you giving Bryce a hard time, Dad? He looks petrified.”

“It’s my job as your father to grill him a little.”

She put her arms around Bryce. “Don’t worry, Dad and I don’t see it either. We never do on any of Mom’s paintings, but people must, because they pay her a lot for them.” Jade’s beautiful green eyes stayed on his, a slight smile on her lips. “Don’t let him scare you. It’s just a father thing.” She linked her hand in his and walked him into the kitchen.

Grace lit up the room in her bright pink pants and green sleeveless shirt.

Bryce took a deep breath to force himself to relax. Jade surprised him with a quick kiss. He still wasn’t entirely comfortable with public displays of affection, especially with her parents watching.

Grace lifted a hand to her heart.

Bryce was grateful when Jade pulled him through the kitchen doors and out to the patio where a round table was set for four. The bright red umbrella and red padded chairs clearly came from Grace and not Gloria. “Don’t let Dad get to you.”

“I think I can handle it.” He placed his hand on the small of her back and pulled her close. For Jade, he’d have to get used to many things that were out of his comfort zone. “You’re worth it.”

“I am, am I?” She smiled and rubbed her nose lightly against his.

Feeling more confident without her parents watching, Bryce closed the gap and put his lips to hers. They were warm, they were soft, and he wanted more. He’d been on a business trip all week. They hadn’t been together since last weekend, and he’d spent every waking moment, and every sleeping moment, for that matter, thinking about her.

“I think we need to go back to my place later tonight and finish this,” she whispered.

“Why don’t we skip dinner and leave now.”

She chuckled. “I don’t think that would make a very good impression on my parents. Besides, I wouldn’t want to deprive Dad of giving you a hard time.”

“Gee, thanks.” Bryce tipped his beer in her direction.

“Anytime. Why don’t you make yourself comfortable out here, and I’ll help Mom bring dinner out. We were just finishing up.”

Bryce started to relax, easier now knowing her father was only kidding. Besides, what else could Bill hit him with?

Bill came out and sat down next to Bryce at the table. “I hear you play rugby. How long have you been playing?”

“I started in college, on a rec team. It’s big at Stanford. I had to start my own team here. It took a while, but we now have five teams who play each other.”

“I hope you like salmon,” Grace said as she brought out a tray.

“Love it.”

Jade brought out herbed potatoes and green beans with yellow peppers. Even Grace’s food was colorful. “Help yourself to rolls, they’re in the basket.”

Bryce waited for Jade to sit down before he grabbed a roll for each of them.

“Bryce was just telling me about rugby,” Bill continued.

“It must be a tough sport. They don’t wear padding do they?” Grace asked.

“No, we don’t.” Bryce held his plate out to Bill, who was serving the salmon. “It’s not often we have a bad injury though.”

“What was the worst one?” Bill asked.

“That had to be Jim. The first year we started playing, he broke his tibia.”

“That’s a tough one to recover from,” Bill said.

“It took him several months to heal and several more for PT. Jim surprised us by coming back the next year to play again.”

“Takes guts. How do you like the salmon? Made it myself,” Bill said.

“You did not.” Grace laughed and placed a hand over his.

Bryce liked the way Jade’s parents showed they cared about each other, with a light pat on the shoulder or a touch to a hand. Grace wasn’t remotely afraid of her husband. “The salmon is wonderful.”

“So, Jade tells me you’re living with another woman,” Bill said.

Bryce put his fork down. His appetite flew away with the light breeze. “I, uh, I am.” What the hell was he supposed to say to that?

“Why?” Bill bit into the salmon and was obviously enjoying Bryce’s discomfort.

“Well, it’s kind of a long story.” Bryce glanced at Jade.

Bill smiled. “We’ve got time.”

Bryce took a sip of water to wet his dry throat. He looked to Jade for help. Unfortunately, she seemed interested in hearing his answer.

“Kenzie’s my cousin, and we grew up together. She’s an ER nurse and needed a place to stay. It’s been convenient for both of us.”

“And she never left,” Bill finished.

“She looked for a while, but it’s easier to coordinate seeing her when we live together. She works the night shift, and the only day we both have off at the same time is Saturday.”

“Well, that’s a relief. Grace, can you pass me another roll?”

“I can’t believe you just did that, Bill.” Grace playfully shoved the basket of rolls at him.

“A father has a right to know.”

Jade placed her hand on Bryce’s. “Sorry, I told them about Kenzie before I knew she was your cousin.”

“It’s okay.” He curled his fingers around hers. “Your dad has a right to ask these kinds of questions.”

Bryce finally relaxed over dessert, when twenty questions ended. Jade leaned into him. “Want to go back to my condo?”

“And do what?” he whispered.

“Oh, I can think of one or two things.”

“Just one or two? I can think of a few hundred.”

EAGER TO GET HER HANDS ON BRYCE
, Jade jumped out of the car as soon as he parked on the street in front of her condo.

“That was the weirdest conversation I’ve ever had with someone’s father.” Bryce held her hand as they walked to her door. “Meet many girlfriend’s fathers, do you?”

“Actually, no.”

Jade unlocked the door to her condo. “Well, I’ve never seen my dad do that before.”

“That’s because you never brought home a man to meet him before.”

“How do you know? Maybe I’ve brought home many men.” She slid her hand into his and led him into the living room.

“Your dad told me I was the first.”

“Oh?” Jade blushed. “Busted.” She grinned. “I hope you like action movies.” She knelt by her collection of DVDs and rummaged for one while mentally cursing her father.

“Why am I the first guy you’ve brought home?” Bryce sat on the couch.

Jade put the movie she’d selected in the player. “Does it matter?”

“It does to me.” When she walked by him, he pulled her onto his lap.

There was absolutely no way she could tell him the truth. That she’d had a crush on him since she was a teenager, and he was the man she always imagined marrying. Other than Bryce, she’d never wanted to take anyone home to meet her parents. “I didn’t start dating until I was in college. I was too busy working at Synergy after school to have any kind of serious relationship.”

“Didn’t find anyone worth taking home to dad?”

“Chuck was my first boyfriend. We dated for a year and then it fizzled out. After that, it was just a couple of short relationships and a one-night stand.”

“Do you think you and I will fizzle out?” He ran his hand along her leg.

“I don’t know, but I plan to take full advantage of your hot, sexy body until we do—if that ever happens. Did you bring a condom?”

“Three.” He pulled the wallet from his pants.

Her lips curved into an eager smile. “Are you always this prepared?”

“Never, but the way you attacked me the other day, I thought I should be safe.” He glanced down at her fingers as she unbuttoned his navy blue pinstripe. “Aren’t we going to watch the movie?” he teased and leaned forward to let Jade remove his shirt.

“You can watch it if you’re not interested.” She pulled her blouse over her head and unsnapped her bra, letting it slide slowly down her arms.

Bryce’s hazel eyes turned the color of dark whiskey, and the green around the irises deepened. “Oh, I’m interested.” He slid his hands into the hair at the base of her neck and brought her lips to his.

Every touch, every kiss, ignited a fire inside her. She parted her lips, needing this man to take what had always been his. His tongue, warm and tasting of wine, sent instant need coursing through her. She couldn’t get enough of his magnificent mouth, and based on the way he fisted her hair in his hand and drew her against his chest, he felt the same.

Jade exposed her neck as he trailed kisses down to her collarbone. She took deep savoring breaths and gasped as he engulfed her breast with his searing mouth. She arched her back, gripped her fingers in his hair, and pulled him deeper onto her breast. She needed to feel more, so much more from him. He circled her nipple with his tongue and nipped it with his teeth, spiking her arousal.

As his hand slid down to the waistband of her pants, her stomach began to quiver. Jade’s breasts rose up and down with each hurried breath. He was teasing her, taking too long to unbutton her slacks and pull down the zipper. Her gut tightened in anticipation. She lifted her hips, and he finally took the hint and removed her pants.

She straddled him and loved the moan that escaped his lips.

His intense eyes focused on her, unblinking, unyielding. “Jade, what you do to me.”

She didn’t take her eyes from his while she unbuttoned his trousers and slid them off when he lifted his hips. She took the condom he handed her and rolled it on ever so slowly, teasing him the way he did her.

His eyes closed and his head fell back, the moan coming from deep down in his throat.

Jade lowered herself on top of him, slow at first, but when his mouth found hers, hot and ravishing, she needed to take him hard and fast. She loved feeling him deep inside her, his shoulder muscles rippling under her hands, and his breath coming in heavy gasps.

Bryce gripped her waist as she increased the pace. He wasn’t in control, she was. “You feel so good.”

“Not yet.” She drove him faster and harder. A strong pull deep inside her was building. She was out of breath but needed the release. She could get there if he just held on. She’d never achieved one with a man, and she really wanted to get there with him. Her insides were on fire, trying to find a way to erupt. She was starting to peak, almost there, just a little longer.

Bryce was straining to keep control. “Jade.” His entire body quaked as he couldn’t hold on any longer and let himself go inside her.

Jade collapsed on his chest. Her legs ached, but despite the disappointment, she felt wonderful. She’d been with four guys before Bryce, and never once had an orgasm. If she couldn’t have one with Bryce, the man of her dreams, the man she was so deeply in love with, she must not be able to have one with a partner.

Bryce pulled her into his arms and held her close. She listened to his rapid heartbeat begin to slow. “I’m hungry.” Jade sat up and ran her fingers down his pecs. “Want some popcorn while we finish watching the movie?”

Bryce kissed her quickly and smiled. “You have quite an appetite.”

“I know. It’s funny how sex makes you hungry.”

“That’s not exactly what I meant.”

He had no idea how hungry she was for him. She’d waited through six long years of growing into a woman to finally be here in his arms. It was definitely worth the wait. Jade picked up Bryce’s shirt and slid it on, leaving the buttons undone. She pulled on her red silk panties.

“I’ll never look at that shirt the same way again.” Bryce stood and let his trousers fall to the floor as he pulled on his underwear.

“You know, you look really sexy in those.” Jade liked the boxer-style underwear tight against his skin.

He reached for her hips and pulled her into him. “Let’s hurry up and make the popcorn or I might just have to have my way with you again.” He kissed the side of her neck.

“Five minutes, Radisson, to replenish our reserves.” She laughed and pushed away from him. “You grab the wine and I’ll make the popcorn.”