“Enjoying what you bought.”
Sydney grabs my face and yanks me all the way up, kissing me hard. My hips crash to hers and I wish there wasn’t anything separating us. Her and her fucking clothes. She’s killing me with this kiss. This is not her normal kiss. Her usual slow start makes no appearance. It’s zero to sixty with a strong grip on my face, tongues slashing around inside of mouths, and me letting out a groan that sounds more like a growl when she bites my lower lip. My body falls onto hers because my arm gives. She makes an oof sound.
That’s apparently her opportunity to make her simple demand. “Enjoy me.”
Easiest thing she’s ever asked me to do.
My dream was much like my reality. I was wrapped around a beautiful woman who just so happened to be all mine. The first thing I become aware of as I’m waking up is Sydney’s fingers walking up the arm I have locked tight around her waist.
“Morning,” I mumble, so she knows I’m awake.
“Morning.” A soft kiss is pressed to my mouth. “We never talked.”
“Talk then.”
“Your eyes are closed.”
“Don’t need ‘em to listen, babe.” Besides, she’s naked. It’s bad enough that I can feel her. If I open my eyes and see even a little of her, it’ll push me over the edge. She wants to talk, so I’ll listen better if I’m not even more distracted by the sight of her.
“How will I know if you fall back asleep?”
“Wouldn’t do that to you. What is it about her birthday that you want to go over?”
“Can I redecorate her room? Paint it and everything?”
I peek an eye open. What?
“She’s never had her own room, Ian, and definitely not something that was full of as much personality as she is. I just want to give her a bedroom that suits her. If I can.”
“Have at it.” The landlord told me when I moved in that I could paint if I wanted, and I did, because it needed it. If Sydney wants
to paint Savannah’s room, she can. “I’ll help you as much as I can.”
“Oh, I’m so excited!” She kisses me hard as her phone rings.
“Ignore it.”
“It’s Logan.” She rolls away from me, grabs her phone, and laughs as she answers and sees me with a frown. “Hello?” I slip my hand between her legs. She jumps and tries to push it away. “Okay. Good.” Her legs squeeze around my hand while it dives a little lower, slipping the tip of my finger inside of her. “How long has she been feeling bad?” she asks. That makes me pause. Is she talking about Savannah? “And her fever started when?” Another pause. I remove my hand. “Okay. Thanks. As soon as I get dressed, I’ll be on my way.”
“Savannah’s sick?”
“Yeah. She started throwing up last night, but didn’t start running a fever until this morning, which is why he called.”
I get out of bed and start getting dressed. “Why didn’t he call last night?” He should have called last night. She’s been sick all this time and he didn’t tell us! Her parents! What the fuck?
“He was letting us have a night to ourselves, and he called us the moment she was worse,” she defends. How is she not pissed?
“She was worse the moment she threw up!” I shout, yanking my shirt over my head.
“Ian!” Sydney is suddenly in front of me and she grabs my face. “Savannah is fine. She’s been sick before. Take a chill pill, okay? Worrying is fine; overreacting is not. You’ll feel better once you see her, so take a deep breath, finish getting ready, and we’ll go pick her up.”
I pull away from her, annoyed that she isn’t bothered by this, and hurry up to brush my teeth so I can see my daughter. Twenty minutes later, I rush through the apartment door. Savannah is asleep on the couch with her feet in Logan’s lap. My hammering heart slows a bit at being able to see her finally. She rouses awake when I carefully pick her up.
“I don’t feel good, Daddy,” she whines.
“I know, little Miss. We’re taking you home.” I walk out without a second glance. I’m much calmer now, but I still think he should’ve called sooner. Plus, I do want to get her home sooner rather than later. I get Savannah into her car seat and crawl into the backseat to sit next to her. My heart swells when she reaches out to hold my hand.
Sydney is glaring as she walks toward the car. She’s talking the moment she gets in. “You know, you should stop being rude to him. He’s basically the reason we’re together.”