Claimed, p.22
Claimed, page 22
It felt strange to feel this way. To miss her already, even though she was gone for only a few minutes. Normally, this would have been my lucky night. A quick hot sexual encounter in the dark and then sleeping alone on my own bed. That was the gift that Sydney was giving to me. Peace of mind with no strings attached. And yet, I wished I had walked back with her. Even if she was angry with me, or in love with Leo…I felt this gnawing need to talk to her some more.
In a moment of panic, I pulled out my cellphone from my pocket and dialed Tina’s number. I felt like I needed to get out here. I needed to leave Tramore as soon as possible, because these reactions were new. And I definitely didn’t want to feel them for Sydney, who was possibly in love with Leo and had no actual interest in me. My ego was bruised, I wanted more of her body and the best solution would be to simply leave this place and forget all about it.
Tina answered on the third ring. Her voice was groggy, like I’d caught her sleeping.
“Sir?” she said, trying to sound alert.
“Tina, it’s me,” I said. I hadn’t even checked the time yet. It was nearly midnight by now.
“Yes, Sir. How can I help you?” she asked and I drew in a deep breath.
“I was wondering…is there anywhere else I can go?” I said to her.
“Of course. I can find you a different accommodation in Tramore Beach,” she said and I rubbed my temples with my thumbs and squeezed my eyes shut.
“No, not in Tramore. Somewhere else. Maybe on the other coast or something. No that won’t do…I don’t want to be near New York,” I said. Tina interrupted me.
“Of course Sir, I will find a different discreet location for you straight away,” she said.
“Thank you, Tina,” I replied, and sighed.
“When would you like to leave?” she asked.
“As soon as possible. Tomorrow, please,” I said and cut the call.
I had to rip Sydney off my life like a bandaid.
Chapter 13
Sydney
Back in my bedroom, I was pacing the floor. I knew my hair was a miss, my lipstick was smudged and my clothes creased. Sex on a beach, especially ferocious hurried sex like that would do that to you, but I didn’t care. I had so many other things to think and worry about. What just happened was a complete mistake. I knew from the moment the words escaped my lips…I’m going to kiss you to prove you wrong…That was silly of me. I should have been more mature about it. How could me kissing Dane prove my feelings for Leo wrong?
I didn’t kiss Dane because I wanted to prove him wrong, I did it because I wanted to kiss him. I had wanted to kiss Dane from the first moment I saw him. He was charming, handsome and seemingly unattached. I’d also already seen him nearly naked and he seemed to be interested, or at least flirting. He was definitely more interested in me than Leo was, although if history had taught me anything; it was to not trust men.
So when Leo had walked away with the drunk blond girl, and with Dane beside me…I thought it would be a good idea to kiss him. Which led to sex and now I was back in my room, wondering what I could have done differently.
For starters, we could have used protection! I got off the pill three years ago, ever since James fired me and I moved to Tramore. There was no need for it. My sexual encounters since then had been limited to two. An old college boyfriend when I visited my parents over Christmas and a drunken one night stand with a random tourist in Tramore a year ago. Both of those times had involved a condom and I had nothing to worry about.
For some reason, neither had Dane offered a condom and neither had I thought of it. In the heat of the moment, I was so charged up and so involved that I forgot about protection. And now I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I was worried and upset with myself at the same time. An accident resulting from a one night stand with a guest…what could be worse than that? I hadn’t thought about children, or starting a family. I didn’t even know if I wanted to be a mother. Nothing made sense any more. My thoughts were escalating quickly and my emotions were spiraling out of control.
Was I still in love with James? Did I like Leo? Why had I slept with Dane? Those were all mixed up emotions that I couldn’t handle any more. Maybe I was just drunk. But I didn’t feel drunk at all. I knew I had all my wits about me. I remembered every move he had made, the smell of his whiskey scented breath, the strength in his arms as he pulled me up, how his cock had slid into me, slipping in my wetness.
Instinctively, I pressed my legs together. I could still feel him thrusting inside me. He was big and strong and he’d held me possessively to himself. Was he jealous of Leo? Was that why he had challenged me to prove him wrong? Why did I decide to kiss him when I had a crush on Leo?
I shook my head. I had to stop thinking about Dane. But I couldn’t. Even if I’d kissed him and had sex with him because I found him attractive…why was I still thinking about him now? It was over now. He also seemed like the kind of person who would leave soon, he didn’t seem to be interested in attachments. He’d already hinted at it. Wouldn’t it be for the best if he just left as soon as possible? I’d probably even be able to forget him if he did.
What was I thinking? Of course I’d be able to move on. It wasn’t like I was in love with him. I barely even knew him. I was still nursing a broken heart. A heart that James had broken and now Leo was toying with.
I sat down with a thump on my bed, then got up again and turned off the lights in the room. I got into bed still in my clothes. I had no energy to take my jeans or blouse off. I thought I could still get a whiff of Dane’s scent on my clothes and it was strangely comforting.
I promised myself that I would get over it the next day. All I needed was one night’s sleep and I could forget about it. He was simply a guest in my house, he’d be gone soon. I had to keep repeating that over and over in my head in the dark.
In the silence, I pressed my eyes close tightly and then I heard the door creak open downstairs. Dane was home. I drew in a breath and tried to listen for his footsteps as he climbed up. I could hear him approaching the rooms. He stopped outside mine. I could sense him there, listening for my breathing. Was he going to knock? Was he going to say something?
It was like I was frozen in time. I didn’t know what I wanted anymore. A part of me wanted him to hold me, while another part wanted him to disappear. The last thing I wanted was for my life to be complicated.
He moved away. I heard him opening the door to his own room and then the sound of it closing. I sighed, loudly, relieved. I could still hear him moving around in his room but I remained lying, straight without making any movements.
I wished I had never met Dane Forsyth in my life.
Chapter 14
Dane
I woke up the next morning, and the first thing I did was look out through the window to the sea. Instead of the waves, my eyes fell on Sydney who was running along the shore. I could see her clearly. In mini shorts that revealed her shapely legs, in a t-shirt that was now covered in sweat and clinging to her curves. Her dark hair was tied in a ponytail on the top of her head that was swinging from side to side. She had earphones on and her brows were crossed, like she was angry at the music in her ears!
I remained sitting up in bed, watching her as she drew closer to the house. I would have loved to go for a run as well, I really needed it. But I didn’t want to disturb her. This was her alone-time of the day and I didn’t want to cause her any more trouble.
While I watched, I saw Leo come into view. He was behind her but had soon caught up with her. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but I could see them clearly. They were facing each other and talking. Leo was smiling, while Sydney was trying to keep a straight face. He was touching her from to time as well, on her shoulders, her arms, reaching for her hands. He was trying to coax her into something, or extract some kind of information. Sydney looked visibly stiff. She had no intention of allowing him to hug her or keep her for longer than necessary. It seemed like she had learnt her lesson the previous night and she wasn’t about to fall for his charm again.
I decided to get away from the window. For fear of being seen by them for one and also because I didn’t want to spy on her. It was her life. Who was I to interfere? Instead, I dragged myself out of bed, washed myself in the bathroom, changed and headed down.
Sydney was already in the kitchen by the time I came in.
“Morning,” I said, as cheerily as possible. She was mixing pancake batter, still in her running clothes and she looked up at me. Her face was shiny from perspiration, and her eyes were bright and fresh.
“Morning. How’s it going?” she said, almost as cheerily as me and continued with her work.
“You don’t have to worry with my breakfast. I can fend for myself,” I said and she threw me a polite smile.
“It’s my breakfast too. I’m going to jump into the shower in a bit,” she said, while beginning to stack up the pancakes on two separate plates.
I was enjoying watching her. Even though she had no makeup on, was in sweaty running gear and wasn’t even looking at me.
“Slept well?” I asked her and she nodded, and with a grin looked up at me and shrugged.
“No reason not to,” she said and I nodded, taking a chair at the table. She passed me a plate of pancakes and gestured to the maple syrup next to me. She remained standing where she was, behind the counter, as she ate her food.
We had been silent for a few moments before I spoke again.
“Sydney…about last night,” I said and she shook her head. Her face was down, she was looking at the plate and had food in her mouth.
“Really, Dane. We don’t need to talk about it,” she said and I gulped the food that was in my mouth. I wished she did want to speak about it. I wanted to. For the first time, I wanted to discuss with a woman what our relationship could possibly mean, but she didn’t seem to be similarly inclined.
“But, if you’re uncomfortable and you want to cut your stay short, I’m fine with that as well,” she said and put down her plate with a clang in the sink. She was a terrifically fast eater. I had only taken three large bites yet.
“Are you uncomfortable? Do you want me to cut my stay short?” I said and she shrugged her shoulders, and to my surprise, threw me a smile.
“You’re my guest. You’re providing me with good custom. It would be a mistake on my part to ask you to leave,” she said and we stared at each other. She was the one smiling now, only faintly, while I couldn’t force myself to do it.
“And also, no, I’m not uncomfortable,” she added and I nodded.
“That’s settled then. I don’t need to go. I’m enjoying my stay here, and I still have some more time before I have to go back,” I told her and Sydney dusted her hands.
“Good. Help yourself to the kitchen whenever you want. I usually serve dinner at seven. I’ll see you around?” she said and left the room.
I had been able to react with nothing more than a passing smile at her. I eyed the newspapers beside me and shook my head. I was in no mood to read. My cellphone buzzed inside the pockets of my pants and I pulled it out. It was a text from Tina.
There’s a small hotel in the Florida Keys. Only a two hour drive from Tramore. I can book a room for you there right away for tonight, Sir.
Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I fired away a reply to Tina.
Don’t worry about it. I’ve decided to stay here for some more time. I’ll let you know if the plan changes. Thanks, Tina.
I couldn’t leave now. Not yet. I was overreacting the previous night. Everything was fine between Sydney and me. I had no reason to panic. And she was right; I was a good source of income for her, and I didn’t really have a reason to go. Besides, she said it herself, she wanted me to stay.
Chapter 15
Sydney
Leo had asked me to meet him for lunch at Nancy’s Seafood shack by the beach, and at midday; I walked to it. I was still in two minds about whether to actually go or not, even as I walked in and saw him sitting at a table by the window. When I met Leo at the beach in the morning, he was polite and charming as always and told me that he wanted to discuss his music in more detail. I insisted that I still had no constructive feedback to give him because I had no technical experience in music. Leo pressed my hand and insisted again, and I had no other choice but to give in. Besides, it would give me a good excuse to get out of the house, and away from Dane. I couldn’t look at him without imagining him inside me.
I’d slipped into a breezy yellow sundress before going to the restaurant, and had left my hair open and now it flapped in the sea breeze as I weaved around the tables to where Leo was sitting.
He was as handsome as always, slightly suntanned and muscular in only a thin cotton t-shirt and cargo shorts. His dirty blond hair was ruffled in the breeze too and he had a pair of dark sunglasses hanging from the neck of his t-shirt. Leo stood up when I approached his table, and I was suddenly reminded of the skinny blond girl he had gone home with the previous night.
“Thanks for coming, Sydney,” he said and leaned in to give me a peck on my cheek. I smiled at him self-consciously and sat down. Leo was just as good looking as the previous night, and just as charming, but something had changed in me. I wasn’t as nervous or gushing around him any more. Sleeping with Dane had probably filled me with some confidence I wasn’t expecting earlier.
“Sure, but I don’t know how big of a help I can be to you,” I said to him but he shook his head.
“You’re the only one in town who knows something about music. I should have come to you for advice sooner, in fact,” he said, while looking at the menu. We fell into silence while we read our menus.
Nancy came over herself to take our orders and after she was gone, I sipped quietly from my glass of iced water. Leo was looking at me, like he had something to say. When our eyes met, I smiled. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to ask, so I cleared my throat.
“So, how was your night? Looked like you were a big success with the tourists as usual,” I told him and Leo laughed. Then he ran a hand through his hair and eyed me with some embarrassment.
“Shit. Yeah, I forgot you were there at the door when I left. I’ve forgotten her name now,” he said and I arched an eyebrow.
“Melissa,” I told him and he shot me a look of surprise.
“Yeah, that’s right. She was nice. She’s probably already left by now,” he added and I looked away from him, to the sea. I thought I would be jealous or hurt when I met him. The truth about Leo had come out the previous night. He wasn’t interested in me romantically or sexually. I was stupid to think that he was. But now I was grateful for Dane. He had made me feel attractive, otherwise I would have been in bits by now.
“So, what did you want to discuss with me, Leo?” I changed the topic. Clearly, he had no interest in discussing his sex life with me. And I had no interest in it either. It would only lead to more jealousy.
The food arrived just then, breaking us up. This gave Leo some more time to prepare what he was going to say to me. It was only after I had taken a bite out of the lobster roll on my plate, that he spoke again.
“I was wondering if you had some contacts in San Fransisco or anywhere else. You know, for the album I’ve recorded?” he said, watching me closely with eyes that seemed humble. I clenched my jaw as I stared at him. This was why he was interested in even talking to me! I should have known. I could kick myself with how foolish I felt.
“I don’t anymore, Leo…” I began to say, but he leaned towards me over the table.
“You’ve seen me perform, Sydney. You know I’m good. I just need a break. Someone to give me a chance. My music a chance,” he said and I licked my lips. His blue eyes were sparkling, staring right into mine. I was reminded again of how good looking he was. And he was right, he was talented.
“I wish I could help, Leo. But that chapter of my life is closed,” I told him. How was I supposed to tell him that I was fired from my job for sleeping with my boss? That it was my boss who had fired me. The man I was having an affair with and who I was falling in love with.
Leo reached out and grasped my hand which was on the table.
“I’m sorry, Sydney. I know this sounds like too much to ask. But I’m desperate. I need to get out of this place. My music is desperate to be shared with other people. You’re the only one who can help, Sydney, please…” Leo was pleading with me now and by this time I was in shock.
We were staring at each other, he was melting me with his strong gaze…those luscious lips, the strong jaw, the perfectly bronzed skin…
“I’ll see what I can do, Leo, but I can’t make any promises,” I said to him and he sat back in his chair again, with a grin on his face. I could do nothing else but smile at him. That familiar feeling of being important to Leo was creeping back.
Chapter 16
Dane
I was walking along the promenade, enjoying the sun on my back and the sight of the turquoise sea sparkling, when I noticed Sydney and Leo walking towards me. They hadn’t seen me yet, and I was quick to notice how close they were to each other and I gulped. Last night’s sex was great with her, but it was also supposed to be a one-time thing. The very reason why I decided to stay on in Tramore was that things would be normal between us now. I hadn’t once considered that I would be jealous if I saw her with someone else.
And it wasn’t even like they were flirting, or holding hands. They were only walking together and talking, but from their body language…or at least Sydney’s; I could tell that she was giddy to be in his company.
