Claimed, p.30
Claimed, page 30
I watched after him, slightly shaken up. My hands were quivering from the force of the feelings I felt for him versus my uncertainty of what those words had meant. What was best for Emilia?
Chapter 38
Dane
I was sitting in the lobby of the hotel, with a glass of whiskey in my hand. It was the middle of the day and the sun was bright and strong outside. It was no time to drink…especially not whiskey, but I needed something with a punch. Seeing Emilia playing and laughing, spending time with her that morning, had revitalized those paternal feelings I felt for her when I saw her for the first time. And also, my feelings for Sydney were confused and mixed up and I had no idea what to do with them.
I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see that Jane Lebowski had found me again. She was in a bikini top as before and a short denim skirt. Her dog was on a leash and pulling at it as usual. The previous day, when I attempted to go for a walk with her to distract myself, I had ended up eventually making an excuse and walking back towards Sydney’s house immediately after. Now, she had her hands on her hips and her dark glasses pushed up on her head.
“Where did you disappear to yesterday, Mr Forsyth?” she asked with a naughty smile dancing on her lips. I was in no mood to entertain her, but she didn’t seem to get the hint. Instead, she sat down with a thump on the sprawling leather couch in front of me and crossed her endlessly long bare legs. I could tell that she was trying to entice me.
“I had some business to attend to,” I said and drank from my glass. She watched me with keen eyes, but that smile didn’t leave her face.
“Whiskey, at this hour?” she asked with a menacing arch of her brows. “You never told me what you’re doing here, by yourself,” she added and I looked away from her. The last thing I needed right then, was small talk.
“I’m here on vacation, just like you,” I said in a flat voice, hoping that she would quickly leave me alone.
“I always imagined you to be the kind of person who couldn’t go on vacation alone. Not without the company of a stunning female companion,” she said teasingly and I noticed the way she was thrusting her cleavage out towards me. Before…probably before I met Sydney, this would have been all the coaxing I would have needed to invite her to lunch and then a tumble in my hotel room soon after. But now, it seemed tasteless. I didn’t even recognize that guy in me any more. This was a good reminder of who I really wanted to be with.
“You shouldn’t believe everything they write about me in the tabloids, Jane,” I said and she threw back her head and laughed loudly.
“You’re right, I shouldn’t…but they got one thing right about you. You’re absolutely delicious,” she said and gently she grazed my knee with her pinkie finger. I moved my knee away from her and took another large sip of my whiskey.
“You know what, the truth is that I’m not on vacation. I’m here because I’m in love with a woman I can’t have,” I said and stood up from my seat. There was no point prolonging this conversation and neither was there any point in leading her on. I was done with that life. It was time to face up to what I actually wanted.
Jane Lebowski looked stunned, she sat back in her chair with her mouth hanging open and her dog pulling at the lead on her side.
“You’re in love with someone?” she asked, in disbelief. I emptied the remaining whiskey from my glass and slapped it down on the coffee table between us. There was no need for an actual response to that question. She had heard me correctly.
“Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a phone call to make. It was nice meeting you Jane,” I said and without waiting for a response, I walked away from her and out through the hotel doors into the sun.
I walked back over to the promenade before I pulled my phone out of the pocket of my pants. I hesitated, only for a moment, before I dialed Matthew Bradbury’s number. It went through to his secretary who eventually connected me to him after a few rings.
“Dane! Where the Hell are you? These people have been telling me that you’re out of reach!” Matthew sounded pissed off. And I didn’t blame him. Not only had I slept with his daughter, I had also disappeared the next day, without a word to anyone. Only Tina knew where I was and she was sealed up like a vault. I couldn’t even imagine the number of phone calls and people she had to keep at bay, to keep my location hidden.
“I had some personal things to attend to, Matthew,” I said and he didn’t sound like he was pleased by that response.
“You left us in hot water, son. Are you back now?” he asked, in a grim voice and I took in a deep breath.
“I’m not, Matthew and I’m not sure when I’ll be back,” I said and there was silence on the other end. I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to broach the other subject, but I didn’t want to be a coward and not say anything. Fortunately, Matthew did it for me.
“Is this about Piper?” he asked, in a more calm voice.
“What did she tell you?” I said and I heard Matthew sigh.
“What she always says about all the men she sleeps with to get to me. I was wondering when it was going to be your turn,” he said and I was surprised to hear how calm he sounded.
“This has happened before?” I asked.
“Too often to count. Friends, colleagues, employees, sons of friends, sons of colleagues…you name it. Piper’s sexual life is dictated around what she can to do to get on my nerves. This isn’t new,” he said and I looked out at the ocean.
“Well, either way, I believe an apology is in order, Matthew. I don’t know what I was thinking and I should have conducted myself in a better way around your daughter,” I said, trying to sound as clinical as possible.
“Don’t worry about it. I have no opinion about your personal life, son, and what Piper does is her business too. I really don’t care about that. I’m hoping it’s a phase that she’ll eventually grow out of. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t give two hoots what happens between the two of you,” he continued and I felt a huge weight being lifted off my shoulder.
We were both silent for some time.
“So, will you be back soon then? Now that this is all sorted out?” he asked and I pressed my eyes close.
“I have a daughter, Matthew,” I said to him, and it felt good to say it out loud. Matthew was silent for a few seconds, after which he breathed heavily through his nose.
“Why have you kept this from all of us?” he asked.
“I didn’t know about her till yesterday either. She’s nine months old and her name is Emilia,” I said into the phone.
“Well, congratulations are in order then, son,” he said and when I said nothing, he added, “unless this isn’t good news.”
“No, it’s brilliant news. I love her already, she’s changed my life, Matthew,” I said, not sure why I was discussing this with my boss, but I realized then that I had nobody else to really discuss this with.
“Then, what is the problem? Bring her over here,” he said in a more joyous voice.
“I’m in love with her mother. That was why I came here…where I am, in Florida. I came here to be with Sydney and now I’ve found out that we also have a child together,” I said and neither of us said anything for a while. Clearly, this had boggled Matthew’s mind just as much as it was boggling mine. Matthew took in a deep breath and then sighed.
“Take all the time you need to figure things out, Dane. On second thought, we don’t need you here right away. I’ll tell you son, I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes right now,” he said and a small nervous laugh escaped my lips.
“Thanks Matthew, I’ll keep you posted and hopefully I wouldn’t have to stay away too long,” I said and hung up.
I was facing the waves now and I remained standing where I was. The beach was already beginning to fill up with new tourists and locals. It was an exceptionally beautiful day and even the breeze was warm. There were palm trees swaying along the promenade and the call of seagulls was peaceful.
I felt a sudden urge to see Emilia again.
Chapter 39
Sydney
I saw Leo knocking on the back door, in the kitchen, just as I walked in. The two new couples had arrived and I had helped them settle in their rooms upstairs. Emilia was in the play pen I’d moved into the kitchen and she was playing there quietly. I let Leo into the house.
“I wasn’t sure if your guests had arrived already, and I didn’t want to get in the way,” he said and placed his guitar case down on the table.
“It’s no problem, Leo. They are all upstairs now,” I said and Leo glanced at Em on the floor.
“I wanted to check up on you, make sure everything is fine. Dane looked pretty pissed off last night. He didn’t know about Emilia?” he asked and I shook my head and tried to smile.
“I’m sorry you had to see that, no, he didn’t know,” I said, and Leo took a few quick steps towards me.
“I’m sorry if I caused you any trouble, Sydney, I shouldn’t have just assumed,” he said and then added the next bit in a whisper, “…that Emilia was mine.”
I laughed a little and shook my head reassuringly.
“Don’t worry about it. Honest mistake…although I’m offended that you think that sleeping with me could be so easily forgettable,” I said and turned from him to walk over to the sink where some dishes had piled up.
“That’s the thing I wanted to talk to you about, Sydney. You’re not forgettable,” he said and I looked at him as I slid on my rubber gloves. I smiled at him and tilted my head to one side.
“That’s very sweet of you to say, Leo,” I said and he came closer to me. He wanted to grab my attention.
“No, you don’t understand. If we’d slept together, if we’d even kissed…I wouldn’t have forgotten it. And these last few days, when I tried to build a relationship with you, it wasn’t just about Emilia,” he said. My gloves were soaked in soapy water as I started scrubbing the dishes. I was confused by what he was saying again. I looked at him and noticed the way his blue eyes were sparkling.
“What are you saying, Leo?” I asked him and he gave me a wide smile.
“I’m saying that we should give it a shot any way. Forget about Dane, and think about me,” he said and placed a hand on my hip. I was startled by the move, but I didn’t say or do anything. I allowed him to keep holding me like that.
“We got off to a bad start, but now we can begin with a clean slate with no baggage bringing us down. It’ll give you a good excuse to get rid of Dane too,” he said and I looked into his earnest eyes. I didn’t feel that spark anymore. Even though Leo was incredibly good looking and was being kinder to me than I had ever imagined he was capable of…I couldn’t picture myself with him anymore. In fact I never had.
“Let me think about it, Leo,” I said and slowly I pried his fingers off me.
I wasn’t ready to move on from Dane yet, even though he might spend the rest of our lives hating me.
Chapter 40
Sydney
That evening I decided to take Emilia to the carnival. The local Tramore carnival was more like a makeshift amusement park at the edge of the beach to mark the first week of summer. It would be there for the next two weeks and I figured it would be a good thing to take Emilia to. I’d prepared dinner for our guests, fed Em and eventually left the house with her in the sling around my chest.
Dane hadn’t come by all day since the morning, and given how little we were speaking to each other now, I had no idea if he was still in town or had gone back to New York. As I walked from the B&B to the town center, I crossed the streetlamp which Dane had pinned me to and gave me an exploding orgasm, just a few nights ago. Just the thought of it sent goosebumps down my spine. His mouth on mine, his fingers on the soft flesh on the inside of my thighs…I shook my head to stop thinking about it. I cradled Emilia closer to me instead, and hummed a gentle tune.
The sun was beginning to set by now, but there were lots of people everywhere. The town was filled with tourists again and even all the locals had come out to celebrate the carnival. I wasn’t sure if I’d see Dane there, although The Keystone was right beside it, and I figured if he was still there, he might easily see me.
Emilia was excited by the sounds and sights and she flailed her arms and made happy sounds as we walked into the carnival. I smiled at her and pointed at things, trying to teach her new words. Some familiar faces waved at me and I waved back. I didn’t care anymore what they said about me. If they said anything about me at all.
I found my way to the pony carousel and stood at the grill, holding Emilia the other way so she could see the lights and sounds as the carousel turned. People and children had gathered around me with their candy floss and peanuts in hand.
It wasn’t until several minutes later that I sensed that I was being watched. I looked everywhere, but couldn’t spot anyone looking at me. I figured I was just imagining it, till I felt the warmth of Dane’s body behind me. My muscles tensed up, my back froze and Emilia cried out with joy. She had caught sight of him, and recognized him and threw her arms out. Dane stepped around me and without a word exchanged between us, he took her from me, holding her in his arms for the first time.
Em was delighted and Dane was smiling too, as they spoke to each other in gibberish and he entertained her with noises. Still, he was paying me no attention. I gulped as I watched them, guilt overtaking my senses.
“Dane!” I said his name abruptly, like I was accusing him of something. He turned to look at me, while Em played with his earlobe in utter concentration. His dark eyes were deep and warm, his hair was swept back stylishly like before. He was in a blue polo shirt and tan linen pants, shooting up several inches taller than everyone else around us. Em looked like a mere small plaything in his arms. His wide muscular shoulders stretched the material of his t-shirt.
“Yes?” he said, like I had no reason to talk to him.
“I…I didn’t think you would still be here,” I said, suddenly shy again. He was grim, he had reserved his smiles for his daughter.
“I wouldn’t just leave without saying goodbye to Emilia,” he told me, looking down at me harshly. I nodded my head and pursed my lips and then looked away from him.
I could sense that he was still staring at me, gently bouncing Em in his arms at the same time. He was an absolute natural with her, something I would never have guessed.
“Have you come up with a plan?” I asked him, forcing myself to look at him again.
“Not yet. I’m thinking about it,” he said and I nodded. When he didn’t say anything for some time, I shrugged my shoulders.
“Well, let me know when you do. I’ll leave you alone with her for a while now,” I said, and tucking my hair behind my ears, I made to walk away from them. Dane caught my hand, and I felt a sudden jerk on my arm. He had yanked me to himself, and instantly, with the same hand he had caught me by my waist. In the middle of the crowd, Dane was holding me to himself with one hand and had Emilia in his other arm. He was glaring at me, burning me up with his fiery gaze.
“I am not James. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt Emilia,” he said in a low voice that was just loud enough for me to hear. I gulped as I looked up at him, my eyes wide and my heart beating out of my chest.
“I love you, Sydney. I fell in love with you from the first time we kissed, and nothing in the world is more important to me than you and Emilia,” he said and I noticed how the burning flames in his eyes began to die. Once again, Dane Forsyth had left me speechless.
Chapter 41
Dane
She was in my arms again and nothing mattered any more. I could smell her hair, her breasts rose and fell sharply against my chest as I held her close to me. In my other arm, Emilia was giggling and pointing and making sounds, distracted completely by the sights of the carnival around us. If anyone else was watching us, I didn’t care. The very fact that Sydney hadn’t pushed me away yet, was enough for me.
She hadn’t said anything for several moments, after my ground breaking confession. Those weren’t words I exactly dispersed to everyone I knew. Other than my mother, and to our family dog when I was growing up; I couldn’t remember the last time I’d used that word. It was called the L bomb for a reason.
“I’m in love with you, too, Dane. Even though you may not believe me,” she said and I felt myself breathing again.
“I have no other choice but to believe you, Sydney. Because I don’t know if I can live my life without you in it,” I said and a flicker of a smile appeared on her face. I couldn’t help but smile either.
“I trust you, Dane. I’m sorry that I pushed you away before. I just thought that I was protecting Em, but that was wrong and I know that now. Not a day has gone by since we first met that I haven't thought about you,” she said, and I recognized the tear in her voice. I moved my hand up from her waist and cupped her face. Gently, I traced her lips with my forefinger and she closed her eyes for a few seconds, savoring the moment.
“I came back for you, Sydney,” I said hoarsely and she opened her eyes again.
“I know, but I was so scared that you’d find out about Em and hate me for it. Hate her for it,” she said in a soft voice and I shook my head in disbelief.
“How could you ever think that I would hate her! How could I ever hate you? I lost my temper at you, I was confused and angry…but not for a moment did I even remotely dislike you,” I told her and now Sydney laughed. I could see that her eyes were brimming with tears. I looked at her intently, I didn’t want her to cry even though I knew they were tears of joy.
“Dane…I’ve missed you. I barely spent any time with you, but I felt a connection with you that I’ve never felt with anybody before,” she said and then slowly, she wrapped her arms around my waist. I smiled at her, amazed at how happy I was really feeling.
“I’ve missed you too, Sydney and I didn’t even know I was missing this amazing thing,” I said and then for the first time, I kissed my daughter’s cheek. She giggled and clapped her hands. I couldn’t believe that I’d been missing out on this, just because of my pride.
