Yours or Mine (7 page)

Could she limp to a
chair without stepping on more glass? Why hadn’t she turned on more
lights when entering the kitchen?

She heard a knock on
the adjoining door. “Sydney, what happened? Are you okay,” Blake
asked with concern in his voice.

“I dropped my glass
when I heard the thunder. Now I have glass in my foot. I better use
plastic glasses during thunderstorms.”

He opened the unlocked
door and entered the kitchen. While flipping a light switch, he said,
“When I played golf with Zach, he mentioned how thunderstorms
weren’t your favorite thing.”

“Watch out for the
glass on the floor.”

“It’s okay. I’ll
be careful.”

She forgot the pain for
a moment while noticing Blake only wore boxers. “I’m sorry I woke
you.”

“You didn’t,” he
said, lifting her. “I got up to close a window in the great room
and heard your voice.”

With her arms around
his neck, he carried her to a chair. After he carefully put her down,
she put a hand on his chest. “I guess I’m a bit heavy for you.
You’re breathing hard.”

He stared at her slip.
“My breathing isn’t the only thing hard. Do you always sleep in
that thing?”

“I guess I could take
it off.”

“You just had to say
that.” He squatted. “I better get the glass out.”

She stared at his
muscular legs before his bulge caught her attention. Blake wasn’t
kidding. He was hard. She gulped. “I’m sorry I broke your glass.”

With her foot cradled
in his hand, he removed the glass and examined it. “Are you drunk?
You bought the set of wine glasses.”

“Yeah, you’re
right. I did. I could be a bit drunk.”

“I better clean your
foot and wrap it. It’s bleeding, but doesn’t look like a deep
cut.”

While he worked on her
injury, she asked, “Do you think we should check on Carter?”

“I did before I
headed to close the window. He was fast asleep. He usually sleeps
through storms.”

Ten minutes later,
Sydney drank a glass of wine while Blake finished sweeping the glass.
After putting the glass in the trash can, he said, “Now, the
floor’s clean and I’ll carry you to bed.”

“It’s okay. I can
walk. But I’d like a kiss first.”
I need Blake to kiss me,
she thought.
Feeling all this desire for him is hard.

“How about more than
a kiss? I think you should join me in my bed. I’ll keep you from
thinking about the storm.”

Sydney exhaled a deep
breath. “How will you accomplish that?”

“If it’s okay with
you, I’d like to make an exception to the platonic relationship
tonight.”

“Give me a moment
here.” Who was she kidding? No way was she going to return to bed
alone. “I want to be with you too. Forgetting about our rules
tonight works for me.”

“I’ve wanted you
from the first. You’re so beautiful.” He scooped her into his
arms.

“I’ve wanted you
too.” With her arms wrapped around his neck, she gave him a long
kiss. Was this really happening to her? After all their discussions
about not having a sexual relationship, now they were going to make
love.

“If it wasn’t for
Carter, I don’t think I’d make it to my bedroom. I’d pull this
slip off you in the hallway,” he whispered in a gruff voice.

She giggled. “It’s
like we’re in a movie and you’re the strong hero carrying his
woman off to bed.”

“Well, this hero is
about to explode.” He clutched her tightly. “You can’t imagine
what you do to me.”

“Now I know you’re
strong enough to carry me over the threshold someday.” Shit, why
had she said that? She must be drunk.

“Are you proposing to
me?”

“Nope. I don’t
propose to guys.”

“How's Carter,” she
asked Blake.

He shut the bedroom
door. “He's fast asleep.”

Lightning illuminated
him as he pulled off the boxers. Her blood rushed hot while warmth
pooled between her legs at the sight of his magnificent naked body.
Her gaze followed his broad chest, down his trim waist to the
evidence of his arousal. Her mouth grew dry. Her breasts tightened as
she longed for his touch.

After Blake climbed
into bed, his fingers trailed along her curves. Down her bare arm,
over her hip until he reached the hem of her slip. He slowly pulled
the tiny piece of satin over her head. His intense gaze fell to her
breasts, and her nipples peaked. She brought her lips to his, kissing
him with a deep hunger and feeling his body shudder with desire.

Abandoning her mouth,
he planted slow, tantalizing kisses down her neck.

Sydney sucked in her
breath as he tenderly caressed each breast. Pleasure sliced through
her senses as he suckled one pink-tipped breast, stroking the other
with one hand, as he explored the valley between her thighs with his
other fingers. Her body tingled with yearning, her insides flushing
with more heat than the hottest day of summer. Shivers of deep
ecstasy drove her crazy.

Her whole world rocked
as she murmured, “Oh, Blake.”

Wetness seeped through
her panties, but she didn't care. She loved feeling this mind-blowing
sexual awareness, but shock flew through her. She'd never gotten
aroused this quickly before. Slowly, he slid her panties off and
began sensual little kisses all the way to her navel. When his finger
slid into her, every nerve in her body quivered with tension. Even
though Blake drove her to the edge of insanity, she didn't want him
to stop stroking her—ever. Her pulsating center ached for him to an
immeasurable high. She groaned with his continued fondling.

Finally, she pushed him
back against the pillows and slid her hand over him. Her thumb
circled his glistening tip.

He gasped, “Oh,
baby.”

She'd go crazy if she
had to wait one second longer for him to quench her desire. “I ache
so much for you, Blake. I need you,” she cried impatiently.

“I want you too.”
He plunged deep inside her in one swift motion.

Sydney trembled as she
took him into her. Her desire raged like the storm outside. She
wanted all of him, his strength, and his male power. Her whole body
tingled with lust and she wanted to scream with joy.

He gave an uninhibited
cry of satisfaction as she shuddered in their explosive climax.
Sydney gripped his sweaty body so hard she thought her fingers might
leave imprints on his hard, smooth flesh. Still high from their
extraordinary sex, every inch of her throbbed against his muscular
body. To be fulfilled, she ached for Blake to satisfy her needs
again. She squirmed, wanting to be rid of the empty feeling already
taking over her soul.

Sydney said, “I hope
you don't mind, but I can't leave your bed right now.”

“And here I was
planning on kicking you out.”

She sat up and stuck
her tongue out at him. He gave her a devilish grin.

“You're such a lousy
liar,” she said.

“I want you to stay.
We just need to make sure you aren't here when Carter wakes up.” He
grinned. “I have to warn you, though; you might not get much sleep.
I want to give you pleasure all night.”

She was amazed at the
ecstasy she felt. The enjoyment he'd given her was pure and
explosive. She never wanted it to stop. She smothered his lips with a
demanding mastery. “Oh Blake, I want you inside me again.”

He touched her hair,
her face, and her breasts.

She laughed a little.
“Is there any other place you'd like to touch? Like a bit lower.”

“Hey, woman, I was
going there next.” After he gave her a deep kiss, his voice turned
husky. “I've imagined you naked so many times. I've been going
through hell each night. It's been difficult to sleep with knowing
you were just on the other side of the house in your bed.”

“I have you beat. I
pictured you naked in bed when Karen showed us the master bedroom.”

She quivered when he
traced his index finger from her navel to the dark hair between her
thighs. His finger lingered there, playing with the strands before
slipping into her swollen opening. She gasped and gripped his
shoulder hard while he stroked her inside, his fingers plunging
deeper and deeper with each thrust. A wave of passion flooded her and
spasms shook her body. The force of her feelings gave her the high
she wanted. This time her swift climax didn't surprise her.

“I can't wait. Now,
Blake.”

He withdrew his fingers
and covered her body with his. After he entered her quickly, her body
tightened around his shaft. A soft gasp escaped her as waves of
ecstasy throbbed through her. Another sweet, intense orgasm completed
her as Blake released himself inside her.

* * *

“Daddy, why is Sydney
in bed with you? Is she going to live on our side now?”

She opened her eyes and
saw Carter, wearing his Ironman pajamas, next to Blake.
Oh no!
She meant to leave Blake’s bed before Carter woke.

Blake pushed himself to
a sitting position. “Sydney’s not brave like you. She’s afraid
of storms. Isn’t that silly?” Blake said.

Carter looked unsure
about the reason she was in bed with his parent. “Did she get hot?
She looks naked.”

“I’m not naked. But
I did get hot.” Just not the kind of hot Carter meant, she thought,
pulling the sheet up higher against her body. Okay, she was
completely nude but he didn’t need to know that. “I’m wearing
bottoms and a strapless camisole. I cut my foot and your dad took
care of it. I guess I fell asleep in here.”

“How did you cut it?”
Carter asked.

“I broke a glass and
stepped on some of the broken pieces. Your dad cleaned up the mess
for me.”
How long is Carter going to stay in here asking
questions?

Carter looked at them
for a long moment. “I’m sorry about your foot. I’m hungry. I’m
going to eat cereal.”

“That’s a good
idea,” Blake told Carter. “We’ll be right behind you.”

Sydney waited until
Carter left the room, then whispered, “I thought you locked the
door.”

“I did but I must’ve
forgotten when I checked on him later.” Blake ran his fingers
through his hair. “I never wanted this to happen, but I couldn’t
resist you.”

She touched his
shoulder. “I mentioned leaving and going back to my place. You told
me to stay.”

He sighed. “I didn’t
want you to go. I should’ve warned you that I’m not good at
following rules.”

“I think we broke
several last night. I drank too much wine and—”

“You are way too sexy
in that slip.”

“What about you? You
didn’t look like a monk with your bare chest and your full boxers.”

He raised his eyebrows.
“What do you mean?”

She rolled her eyes at
him. “Your huge erection was practically popping out. I would’ve
had to be blind not to notice the shape you were in.”

“Great. You just had
to talk dirty. Now I’m hard again.”

“Hey, you had enough
of me all night. We better throw clothes on and get out of here.”

“You think?” Blake
gave her a small smile.

“I’m sorry Carter
saw us together.” She bit her lower lip. “I hate to bring this
up...but there’s another problem. I don’t remember you using any
protection.”

He groaned. “I don’t
think I was prepared for what happened. I’m sorry, Sydney.”

“It’s okay. I
wasn’t either. But I guess I better not break anymore glasses.”

* * *

For two long weeks,
Blake tried hard to forget about Sydney being in his bed. After
Carter walked in on them, they decided to follow their stupid rules.
They had almost lost it a week ago in the hot tub, but Libby’s
phone call interrupted what might have been an interesting evening.
The two women talked for hours about Libby’s wedding. Man, he
wanted Sydney in bed again. Not just to have sex…although that had
been incredible, but because he’d fallen in love with her. He had
almost hoped she was pregnant from their lovemaking. He’d talk her
into marrying him. But a week ago she’d been on her period. Did
Sydney love him? He hadn’t told her his feelings because they’d
just met seven weeks ago. He couldn’t rush it and end up losing
her.

After work on Friday,
he headed straight home. Sydney had picked Carter up after his summer
program because she was in the area. He wondered if Carter could
spend the night at Aaron’s sometime over the weekend. As soon as he
got a chance, he’d discuss it with Sydney.

At the door, Carter ran
to him, looking scared. “Daddy, Sydney’s crying. I think
something bad happened.”

“Do you know who’s
on the phone?” he asked Carter.

Carter shook his head.
“I think someone got hurt.”

He heard her say,
“Blake’s home now so he can watch Carter. I’ll be there soon. I
love you, Mom.”

Then it hit him. It
must be Zach. Someone must’ve shot her brother. Blake walked
quickly to her. “Sydney, what is it? Did something happen to Zach?”

“It’s my dad. He
lost consciousness and fell on the floor while talking to my mom. She
thinks that maybe he had a heart attack. They're on their way to the
hospital. I’m glad you’re home. I want to leave for the
hospital.”

He hugged her. “I’ll
drive you.”

“You don’t need
to.” She picked up her purse. “I might be there for a long time.”

“It’s okay. I want
to be there with you and your family.” He looked at Carter. “Hurry,
son, grab a few things to do in the waiting room.”

“I’ll take paper
and markers with me,” Carter said. “I want to make Mr. Smith a
get well card.”

Sydney patted Carter’s
shoulder. “That’s so thoughtful of you.”

After Carter left the
kitchen, Sydney asked Blake, “Do you think we caused his heart
attack? He joked about it but I know he didn’t approve of me buying
a house with you. He said it was too complicated when we didn't know
each other well enough.”

What if her dad had
found out they slept together? Or maybe he suspected it. Sydney was
an adult, but Marty Smith wouldn’t want his daughter to have a
casual affair. Obviously, on his part, it would never be that. He
adored her. “He helped us move so I think he accepted it okay.
Maybe it’s work related.”