Little White Lie

by Madison Night

  Syd nodded and thanked the nurse for her for letting them stay as long as she had. Sydney picked up her purse and started walking down the hall with Caleb at her side.

  When they reached the elevator he said, “So, I understand from Cara that Brett is now your ex-fiancé?

  “You understand correctly. A lot has happened today.” She sounded exhausted. “We can sit downstairs in the main lobby and I can explain it all to you.”

  He cupped her chin. “How about we find some place more comfortable to finish this conversation?”

  She studied him for a moment.

  God, she’s beautiful.

  “We can go back to my place.”

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  The drive back to her house had been uncomfortable and tense. There were still too many of Caleb’s questions she had left unanswered, and she couldn’t expect—nor did she believe she deserved—any of the kindness he’d displayed toward her in the hospital until she explained everything. He pulled into her driveway and the awkward silence that plagued them in the car was carried with them inside her home.

  They sat on her couch—she was tucked away in one corner, with her legs folded underneath her, and he was all the way at the other end, one leg bent so that he was turned to face her. Puff, as excitable as ever, didn’t know who to give love to first. She bounded back and forth between them on the cushions, delivering licks and paw-slaps and getting in some scratches behind the ears whenever she could. Her energy depleted, the little gold and cream pup climbed onto Syd’s lap and curled into a ball.

  She latched on to the small dog, gently stroking her fur, trying to soothe and calm herself. She was so thankful Caleb had come and was willing to let her explain. She had a feeling her story would garner sympathy from him, that he would be able to understand the predicament she had been placed in. Would he be able to forgive her, though? Having to marry someone due to blackmail was one thing. But carrying on for all those months as she had—that was something else altogether.

  She was scared.

  “Let me try this again,” she said, taking a deep breath and forcing herself to be courageous. “And let me start from the very, very beginning, over twenty years ago.”

  “Over twenty years ago?” Caleb repeated, undoubtedly confused. “You got engaged last year, didn’t you? You were only a kid back then—had the marriage been arranged since your youth?”

  She raised her hand, putting a halt to his questions. “Let me explain.”

  She started slowly, recounting the story she’d told Melanie earlier that morning. She explained what her father had been through, how he’d had to take his son and run to a foreign country with nothing except what they could manage to carry. She described her relationship with Brett when she was in university, that everything had changed in an instant, and how even all these years later he couldn’t handle her leaving him.

  Saying all this, all over again…it was much harder than she thought it would be. By now this story should be old hat, but Syd found herself fighting tears on more than one occasion.

  Each time she glanced at Caleb, there was a different emotion on his face. First it was sympathy, then horror, then confusion…and when she got to Brett, his face screwed up in jealously, rage and disbelief.

  She shrugged. “And then you came along,” she whispered, averting her eyes and focusing on her hands. She continued to smooth Puff’s fur. “You came along and quite literally my whole world was turned upside-down. When…when I was with you, it was like nothing bad could ever happen. The world was suddenly right. It was as if none of this bad stuff had happened. Papa was safe and healthy, my brother was happy, and I was loved.”

  She glanced up at him, tears escaping and trickling along her cheeks. “You were my Superman, Caleb. You were exactly what I wanted, and everything I needed, in a friend, lover and partner. Back in Banff you were my escape from reality and from Brett, and as hard as it was to let go, I had to. It wasn’t right, and although at that point I didn’t realize how strongly I felt for you, I didn’t want to cause you any pain, and so I said goodbye.” She laughed softly. “But that goodbye didn’t last very long, did it? You tracked me down.”

  His face a mix of emotions, he interrupted. “And knowing that inevitably you’d hurt me, you went along with it anyhow.”

  She frowned. “I did.”

  “Why? Why would you do that?”

  Sighing, she answered, “When I read the note you left for me in the box with my earring my heart went wild, Caleb. I didn’t call you because I knew beyond hope there was something special blossoming between us and I was terrified of it. From the moment you showed up at my door, that was it, you had my heart. We turned into so much more than I ever could have dreamed, and your love was like a drug—a painkiller almost—and I couldn’t give you up.”

  “You couldn’t but you did try to warn me, time after time.”

  “Caleb…”

  “I couldn’t give you up, either, Syd. I didn’t want to.” He shook his head. “I won’t lie. When I walked into the restaurant in Toronto, I went there to find you and get closure on us. I needed to turn the last page on our story and close the book for good. That’s what I kept telling myself, but in truth I had no idea how I’d react. When your dad introduced me to Brett and his daughter Nikoleta—when you came out, I had no idea what to think anymore.”

  “Nikoleta is my first name. I’ve always gone by my middle name, Sydney,” she explained in a murmur.

  He closed his eyes. “I started to wonder just who this Sydney person was. Was that even your real name? Was anything you said true, or was it all a fanciful fabrication? Was I a fling before you settled down? My mind spun in seventeen directions, and I had to get out of there.”

  I hurt him so much.

  “I was done with you at that point, Syd,” he continued. “I couldn’t talk about you, think of you, let alone say your name. My God, I was such a mess that Pat and my mom worried about me, and Lilly was asking about you left, right and center, wondering why you weren’t around to make me feel better.”

  A sob caught in her throat. “I’m so sorry, Caleb.”

  “I’m not saying this to make you sad, Sydney. I’m trying to make you understand how much I loved you. What a wreck I was without you. If I was your Superman, you were my hero, too.”

  She played with Puff’s fur, focused on her steady breathing and tiny little snores.

  I will not break down again.

  “And then a painting came along,” he said, his tone gentle.

  She met his gaze, his blue eyes alight with a fire she hadn’t seen since he’d arrived. Hope sparked in her heart.

  “The second I saw that canvas and read Cara’s note, I had no choice in the matter. I had to fight for you. If you loved me the way Cara said you did, I had to come here and at least talk with you, at least try. I needed you to tell me if what we had was real.”

  “I still don’t know if I should be livid with her for sending it to you, or grab her in a bone-crushing hug,” Syd laughed shakily.

  He grinned. “She already informed me that you were going to kill her.”

  “I have to admit, I kind of want to. But depending on what happens tonight, I might just suffocate her with undying affection instead.”

  Silence.

  “Syd,” he started slowly. “What ended up happening with Brett today? You managed to break things off? Will everything be all right with your father?”

  “Actually, the break was mutual.”

  He blinked, completely taken aback. “What do you mean mutual? How could it be mutual after everything he’s done? Why would he even consider putting an end to this when he had you right where he wanted you?

  She nudged the sleeping dog, and Puff awoke with a startle, letting out a little bark of annoyance. Syd stood. “Can I get you a beer? We’re going to need a drink for this part of the story.” He nodded and she headed to the kitchen. “So here’s where the story gets even more screwed up,”
she stated, rummaging around in the fridge.

  “How is that even possible?” he muttered.

  She came back into the living room with two opened bottles and handed one to him as she moved past. “Oh, it is, believe me.” She took a long swig of the amber fluid before diving into the Hudsons’ story. She told him everything she’d learned about Brett’s father, what had made him change when they were together, and how his father was a big part of Brett blackmailing them. “In the end,” she finished, “I guess seeing his mom finally having the strength to stand up for herself lent him the courage he needed to do the same. He confronted his father, and suddenly the wedding was off.”

  “And so you hugging him the way you were, earlier. That was about what exactly?” he asked, his voice tight.

  “That was me thanking him for putting an end to this madness, and him apologizing to me over and over and over again.”

  “How does the word sorry even fit for a situation like this? There’s not enough sorry in the whole goddamn world to make up for what he did,” Caleb started getting angry.

  “Believe me, sorry doesn’t work all that well, not yet. Right now, I’m simply grateful for the fact this nightmare is over, and feeling blessed that Papa will be okay, given it could have been a hell of a lot worse.” She sighed and placed her bottle on the coffee table. “You have to understand, Caleb, Brett was a really great guy before his dad sank his claws into him and twisted his mind. You actually would have really liked him.”

  He grunted in response.

  She chuckled. “No, really. In a lot of ways you remind me of how he used to be.” She shrugged. “If he can manage to find his way back to his old self… I don’t know. I might have it in me to fully accept his apology. I might not. I don’t know.” She shook her head. “All I know, CJ, is that we have come to a somewhat uneasy peace, and this war is over. I’m finally free of all the bullshit that has consumed my life for the past year. I am, at last, able to do as I please, without worrying about consequences or extradition or my father’s failing health.”

  Tears flooded her eyes, and she bit her lip before continuing. “I can finally, freely, be with the person I want to be with most of all, Caleb. The person I would give anything to spend the rest of my life with.”

  He studied her as she spoke, his gaze unwavering.

  “The question is, after everything I did, and everything I put you through, could you find it in your heart to give me—give us—another chance?”

  She reached out and took his hand in hers. “I…I’ve missed you so much, Caleb, and I don’t want our story to end. I’m terrified that now this is all out in the open and you have your explanation, you’re going to leave, and I don’t want you to go.”

  He remained silent, stoic.

  “Stay, Caleb. Please…stay.”

  Epilogue

  “The answer is still no.”

  “How on earth can it still be no?”

  “I’m guess I’m just one stubborn son of a bitch.” He grinned.

  Syd flashed a smile back his way. “Funny that, so am I. And,” she continued, sliding beneath the covers and kissing his hip, “I’m more than happy to continue working on convincing you to say yes.” She ran her tongue from one side to the other and back again, stopping right below his navel.

  He sucked in a shuddery breath. “Naw, baby, it takes more than a mere three hours to do that.”

  She popped her head out from under the covers and winked at him. “Well then, I’d best get to work, Mr. Jones.”

  “Please do,” he rasped, grabbing a corner of the blanket and tossing it to the side, revealing them both.

  She bit her lip and gazed up at him beneath hooded eyelids. She slid her arms up his torso and hooked onto his shoulders, using them as leverage to pull her body along his. She purred as her nipples glided across his chest, making the tender nubs instantly hard. She skimmed her tongue along his jaw line, pausing to bite his chin lightly, and gazed down on him.

  He made a guttural sound and grabbed a fistful of her hair, bringing her mouth hard on his, kissing her deeply. “I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you, baby,” Caleb murmured.

  “Prove it.”

  “With pleasure.” He reached behind her and cupped her rear, lifting her and bringing her to his lips. She gripped the headboard and leaned over him, now able to support herself, and freeing his hands for more important things. He slipped his fingers between the swollen folds of her sex and spread them apart, exposing the bundle of nerves that provided so much pleasure. He flicked his tongue on it, ever so lightly.

  Her entire body quaked.

  He did it again, harder this time, then drew it between his lips to gently suck on it. He knew exactly what to do to drive her crazy and he did it well. He moved his tongue lower and dipped inside, tasting her. He circled her core with his tongue while using his thumb to fiddle with her clit, sending jolts through her.

  “God, Caleb, please don’t tease.”

  He thrust his tongue inside her and increased the pressure and pace of his thumb. She tossed her head back and cried out, grinding down on him, needing more pressure. It only took a moment for Syd to spiral out of control, the orgasm hitting her hard. Caleb dug his fingers into her ass and continued drinking her in, as if parched.

  Her arms weak, she let go of the headboard and crashed onto him. She rested her head on his shoulder, trying to catch her breath.

  “Was that enough proof?” he whispered into her hair.

  She turned her face to his and kissed him, relishing the taste of her juices on his lips. “Never,” she answered, and tugged on his lower lip with her teeth.

  “Fantastic answer, Ms. Bennett.” He reached out and blindly felt around his nightstand till he found the small foil pack he was searching for. In seconds, he was ready for her, and he latched on to her waist, raising her and bringing her down onto his cock.

  Syd moaned, the sensation of him moving inside her the way he did overwhelming her senses. “God damn, that feels amazing.”

  His blue eyes flared bright with desire. “I’m all yours, baby.”

  Syd rocked back and forth, moaning each time her clit was engaged. Her hands flat on his chest, she lifted off him and watched him slide back inside. The urge to be filled to the hilt with his shaft was unbearable and she ground into him. He thrust up as she bore down, leaving her in a state of cathartic bliss. She wanted to tell him to go harder, but when she opened her mouth all that came out was a string of unintelligible noises. It was too good—when Caleb was inside her, it was heaven.

  She gazed down at him, wanting to commit every detail to memory. His bronze skin was dotted with sweat—evidence that he was working as hard as she was—and the Florida sun shining in through the wooden slats of the blinds drew lines of gold along his body. His face, screwed up with passion as he pounded into her, was as beautiful to her as it had been the first time she had met him on that icy road.

  There was Caleb, there was only Caleb, and there would only ever be Caleb for her.

  Her love for him washing over her in a rush of raw emotion, Syd clenched around him and she came, screaming his name as the waves crashed into her.

  “Fuck!” he yelled, pulsing inside Syd as he reached climax along with her.

  Spent, Caleb gently rolled her off him, and pulled her into his embrace. He cuddled her close, brushed his lips on her dampened forehead, and traced his fingers, featherlight, along her spine. He brought her left hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. He held it up into the light and smiled.

  The midday sun glinted and glittered off the diamond. She tipped her head to kiss his chin. “It’s pretty, isn’t it?”

  “It’s perfect, and so are you, almost-Mrs. Jones,” he answered, a huge grin on his face. He played with her slender fingers while they spoke, twining his into hers, drawing a fingertip along her palm, then holding it to his cheek. He nuzzled into it. “So much has happened in the last six months.”

  “Mm-hmm,�
�� she agreed. “And now in a week I become Mrs. Caleb Jones. Crazy, eh?”

  “Very.”

  “And pretty damn amazing.”

  “You don’t miss home?” he asked, his voice soft.

  “A bit,” she admitted. “But I like it here, too, CJ.”

  He laughed. “Lord knows you certainly adjusted to Florida real quick.”

  “Well, living with an incredibly sexy man certainly makes it easier,” she giggled.

  “And, of course, let’s not forget the copious amounts of mind-blowing sex whenever we’re together.”

  She smiled at the thought. They weren’t able to see each other as often as they’d like, even though they were living in the same house. Pat and Caleb had begun work recording Divine Intervention’s new album, and that kept him busy at the studio. Syd was occupied herself with opening Miami’s very own Christou’s. However, when they were together, they most certainly made the most of it.

  “Yes, the sex,” she sighed. “That is a definite perk. I’ve never been in such great shape before.”

  “Well, you’re gonna need to be in top form if I agree to this. You’ll be doing nothing but running around.”

  She popped her head up. “Does that mean I managed to change your mind?” she asked eagerly.

  He sighed. “I don’t know, Syd. Are you really sure about this? It’s a big step for us, and you want this so soon after the wedding…”

  “Please,” she begged. “I’ve wanted this for as long as I can remember, and the timing is perfect. The restaurants are picking up, and I don’t need to be onsite all the time, so I travel only seldomly. Plus, I have an assistant now, so that helps free up loads of time.”

  He shrugged. “But think about all the pee and poop and cleanup, and the whining, and possibly waking at all hours of the night.” He combed his blond hair off his face. He maneuvered himself into a sitting position and leaned against the headboard. “It’s a ton of work.”