As she and her mother prepare the cake pops, sweet bread, and hot chocolate for tonight’s New Year’s Festival, she let her mind wander to the what ifs.
What if she lets him explain?
What if they could begin something more?
What if she apologized?
Sydney snorts as she considers her last thought and it garners her mother’s attention.
“What’s got you laughing over there?” her mother pries.
“Nothing, Mom. Just, uh…thinking of something I saw on television this morning.”
Her mother narrows her eyes at her daughter, obviously realizing that there is more to the story, but she decides to drop it all the same.
“So, while I’m here I thought about going to your office and looking through the applications. I’m sure I can narrow it down to a few candidates.”
Sydney stiffens. She doesn’t want her mother to find Dylan’s application, or the creepy man that interviewed earlier in the week. He had stared at Sydney like he wanted to take a bite out of her, and not in a sexual way. But before she could stop her mother, the stubborn woman is already tossing her apron aside and skipping through the doorway.
“Ugh,” Sydney groans as she rests her head on the counter top, banging it gently.
“Does that help?” a sweet voice calls from the entrance.
Sydney glances up and smiles when she sees her half-sister, Avery, walking towards her.
“Good morning. And no, not usually,” she adds before stepping around the counter and hugging her sister, placing a gentle stroke on her expanding belly. Avery is expecting twins, and at four months along, she is still barely showing.
“I didn’t think it would.”
“So, what brings you by my shop so early?”
“I just want to see if you need any help and to make sure everything is ready for tonight. Well, that was Austin and Dylan’s request. I really just want to see if you have any of your sweet bread ready because these two really want some,” she says, gesturing to her stomach.
Sydney giggles as she notices Avery’s gaze, which is fixed on the oven in the corner, the oven light showcasing the sweet bread as it bakes to golden perfection.
“It will be done in a minute or two. You are welcome to feed those babies as much as you want.”
Avery’s face lights up with delight and she tugs Sydney over to the oven. She reminds Sydney of a child at the candy store, bouncing on her toes in excitement.
“Mom is in the office if you want to say hi.”
“Oh! Let me do that and then I’ll be right back for that sweet deliciousness,” Avery states as she blows a kiss to the bread in the oven, then turns on her heels and leaves the kitchen.
Sydney glances out the front window on instinct and notices the navy blue car slowly making its way down Main Street again. The windows are tinted so dark that Sydney can’t see inside, but she knows that there are a pair of eyes in that car, staring in her direction. She shivers as adrenaline courses through her veins.
Just as the car passes by her shop, Avery walks back into the room and announces her return. The bell on the oven dings and Sydney takes out the bread before Avery can stick her bare hands into the hot stove. Avery is the first pregnant woman around her own age that Sydney has been around, but she knows not to come between a woman and her cravings.
Sydney tears off a chunk of the bread as she places the rest on a cooling rack and hands the piece to Avery.
“Here you are, little momma.”
Biting off a large piece, Avery moans as she devours the bread.
“Holy cow! That is some good stuff.”
“Thanks. I’ll wrap up some for you to take back to the men. And can I trust you to take a loaf to Nikki too, or will you eat it on the way?”
Avery’s cheeks redden at Sydney’s accusation. Then both women laugh, knowing that nothing would stop Avery from stealing the bread.
“Maybe you should have mom take it, because I’m not sure I would trust myself with it.”
“What has you ladies laughing?” Amy asks as she comes back into the kitchen, carrying a file folder full of applications.
Sydney tries to reach for the folder, but her mother steps back and takes the folder with her, out of Sydney’s grasp.
“Mom, what are you doing?”
“What I said I was going to do. I am going to help. Now, let me get some of that sweet bread to take to Nikki while I walk to the car with Avery.”
“Oh, before I forget,” Avery starts behind a mouthful of bread. “Please make sure you’re not late to the party tonight. Please. I’m really excited to start my new year with my family surrounding me.”
Sydney watches as her mother’s eyes mist over and she reaches out a hand to lovingly wrap around Avery’s arm.
“We wouldn’t miss it for anything. Everything tonight will go just as planned and then we’ll ring in The New Year together, as a family.”
Sydney waves goodbye as her sister and mother leave Wake and Bake, then she returns to making the last items for the booth that her shop will have set up on the other end of the Festival grounds.
By the end of the morning, Sydney is exhausted and thankful that she had closed the shop for the day. Her two workers for the night had stopped in to make sure that they knew the pricing and where everything was being kept. She leaves her shop to go home and change, mentally patting herself on the back for making the decision to drive today, since the air has the distinct smell of snow floating through it.
As she makes her way into her home and heads towards her bathroom in desperate need of a shower, she makes note of the time. She is relieved to find she has four hours before she has to get ready: plenty of time to relax. Sydney is excited to enjoy the festivities for the evening since it isn’t something she has done in quite a long time.
Stepping into her shower she turns on the faucet, letting the cool water wash over her before it begins heating up. As she runs her loofa over her skin, her thoughts immediately drift towards Dylan, as they always have for the past five months. She knows she’ll see him at some point tonight; that is inevitable. She wonders if he’ll wear a suit to comply with Logan and Avery’s dictated orders of dressing up for their party this evening, or if he’ll leave after Nikki and Austin have made their safe appearance.
Along with her wayward thoughts, her body heats in yearning for the mysterious man. Thinking about their coming together in the bakery’s kitchen has her closing her eyes in remembrance. Recalling the way his large hands would tighten around her thighs and his beard would brush up against her nipples left her craving a release. He consumed every inch of her.
Sydney allows her lone hand to travel down her suds-covered stomach to the center of her desires. Her fingers stroke back and forth along the folds, then she began circling her clit as she clenches her eyes shut and replays her lustful moment with Dylan in the bakery. The way he feasted on her body and drove into her with reckless abandon. The moment had been wild and carefree and full of passion. Remembering the way he had sped up as he got closer to his peak drives her fingers faster in their pace. Before long, she feels the waves building and she bites her lip the same way he had bitten hers during their lovemaking. Sydney crests over her pinnacle and has to reach out and grab the tile wall of the shower stall to maintain her balance.
“Fuck,” Sydney murmurs to herself, knowing that she’s going to have to find a way to get past her attraction to Dylan, or she is going to spend many lonely nights imagining how explosive they had been together.
YLAN, ALEXIS, AND HEATH had worked hard to plan everything for the “distraction” during The New Year’s Festival this evening. And just as he had suspected, Austin’s ex-girlfriend, Ashley, is at the helm of the attacks and embezzlement.
He had raced back with Nikki just as Heath and Alexis were apprehending the suspect and her pawn, Victor, who had worked with Austin. With the plan coming to a close, Dylan can’t help but sigh in relief when Everleigh jumps int
o his truck and they turn back around to head to her half-sister’s New Year’s party.
Out of nowhere, Everleigh speaks up, asking, “Why do men have to be such pompous assholes?”
Jerking his head quickly towards her, he cocks his eyebrow, silently asking for her to elaborate.
“I’m sorry. I just don’t know if it is engrained in men’s skulls to be domineering asses. I mean, I don’t even know Brooks and he’s trying to tell me how to run my life.”
Ah, there it is. Man troubles. Something he does not want to talk about.
Just as he is about to speak up, Everleigh continues on, “I mean, look at you and Sydney. Anyone with eyes can tell there is some attraction between the two of you just by watching, especially during the second she realized you were at the house the other night. Then she finds out you had lied to her. I mean really, Dylan. That’s a dick move and you know it.”
Dylan pulls into the driveway where the New Year’s party is taking place, then stares at Everleigh in disbelief.
“Let me ask you a question, Everleigh. If your lie means life or death for someone you care about, what would you do?” He allows her to take a moment to settle into her thoughts before adding, “And what if your lie means life or death to someone that has a loving family and you are doing all you can to protect them?”
Everleigh’s eyes grow in size and she stares at Dylan in disbelief and confusion.
“Is something going on? Is someone after Sydney?”
Turning back to look out the windshield, he flexes his hands on the steering wheel as he says, “I’m not at liberty to discuss that.”
“Oh my gosh, you have to tell her. Does she know? Does anyone know?”
Reaching out, he rests his hand on top of one of hers, which is now shaking against her leg.
“Everything is going to be fine. I’ll protect her and the Sheriff knows everything. We have found that having less people involved keeps things from getting too ‘messy’.”
“Oh my gosh, I just… what do I do? How can I help?”
“You can’t, Everleigh. You don’t know enough, but be wary. There are people here that absolutely don’t belong. Now, go inside and help your sister get everything ready. I’m going to check out the perimeter of the building and make sure we don’t have any uninvited guests.”
Everleigh nods her head and exits the car, and suddenly Dylan realizes the mistake he has made by telling her that little bit of information. The poor woman will now be overly cautious of her surroundings. As he watches her stop at the entrance, his eyes widen in surprise when she pulls out a small hand gun from her tiny purse and checks the barrel to make sure it’s ready to engage.
Well damn, that definitely surprised him. Nothing is what is seems in this town.
After making sure the surrounding area of the building is clear, Dylan struts in through the backdoor of the house. The party is in full swing, everyone dressed to the nines, including himself. He hadn’t wanted to wear a suit, but Avery had threatened him with his life and though she is tiny, she has an air of authority about her. And she is pregnant. His momma always taught him to never argue with a pregnant woman. Thinking about his mom makes him realize that he needs to call home and check on his parents; it has been far too long since he talked with them last.
He doesn’t recognize anyone else in attendance until Joseph and Amy step in front of him.
Leaning forward, he places a gentle kiss on Amy’s cheek and shakes Joseph’s hand.
“You both look great this evening.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bennett,” Amy responds. “You clean up nice as well.”
Dylan simply smiles at her as the couple saunters off to greet a few more people that have just entered. He takes the opportunity to scan the crowd again, looking for anyone who clearly would not have been invited.
His gaze doesn’t travel for long when it lands on a head of luscious blonde hair. His heart recognizes her long before his mind does, and his stare is frozen as his eyes trail down to a pair of beautifully sculpted legs, encased in sapphire blue silk that ends at her knees. Dylan watches her backside sway back and forth as she retreats down a hallway. His feet move without his consent and he follows her down the passage.
With Sydney in a pair of strappy heels, Dylan is able to catch up to her quickly with his long strides. Reaching forward, he grips her arm and twists her to face him. She yelps in alarm, fists tight and protective in front of her body, before relaxing when she realizes she isn’t in harm’s way.
“Dylan,” she whispers.
“Sydney, you look...,” he begins as he lets his eyes slide up and down her body once more in appreciation. As his gaze reaches her face, he notices her cheeks redden and her teeth have a tight pull on her bottom lip. He reaches forward and rests his palm against her cheek, then uses his thumb to pull her lip free of its toothy grasp. “You look stunning. I’m…I’m in awe of you right now.”
Her gulp of fear isn’t silent, but Dylan continues to press himself towards her until he has her backed against the wall. He presses a soft and gentle kiss against her exposed neck before moving to press his lips to the shell of her ear.
A noise at the end of the hall draws Dylan’s attention, and he wraps an arm around Sydney’s waist, guiding her through a door across the hall, locking them alone in a room.
“You look so fucking delicious in this dress that I can’t control myself,” Dylan adds as his fingers trail up her legs, tugging at the silken blue material of her dress.
His motion stops when he reaches her hips and finds her undergarments, or lack thereof.
“No panties?” he asks as he nibbles at her mouth.
Sydney shakes her head lightly as her breathing increases.
Dylan slides an index finger from her hip across to the edge of her thigh, watching her in awe as she closes her eyes and shudders in his arms.
“Any particular reason?” Dylan questions as he repeats his movements once more.
In an airy moan, Sydney says, “No lines.”
“Hm…,” Dylan hums as he guides his fingers to trail through her wet center. “Do you want me, Angel?”
Her eyes open wide as he continues to peruse her folds and she replies, “No.”
Her fists tighten around his biceps and she rises onto her toes as he inserts two fingers deep into her center and begins thrusting them gently.
“Are you sure about that? Your body is saying differently.”
Sydney whimpers as she adds, “I can’t control what my body wants.”
“Don’t fool yourself, Angel,” Dylan responds as he kisses her mouth heatedly. “I know you want me just as much as I want you.”
Just as her body begins to quake against his fingers, Sydney cries out, “Want you? I don’t even like you.”
Using his free hand, Dylan begins undoing the button on his dress pants while saying, “Well, Angel, let’s see what we can do to change that.”
After releasing his cock from his pants, he gathers the material of her dress in his hands and rests it against her waist. With his fingers now coated in her arousal, he pulls them from her body and brings them to his mouth, savoring her flavor on his tongue. Dylan watches as her eyes heat in desire while he feasts on her release, before her gaze travels down to his erection and her eyes widen in surprise.
Sydney reaches out a gentle hand and tentatively touches his dick before wrapping a solid hand around the shaft and tugging it slowly.
“Oh, Angel. That feels so good.”
Sydney doesn’t respond, instead she continues to gaze at her hand’s movements as they glide up and down, the beads of his arousal coating the soft skin as she massages it down the shaft
“I need to be inside you, Angel. Please tell me I can love you,” Dylan declares in question.
Sydney doesn’t respond, instead, she releases her grasp on his erection and reaches her arms around his neck, pressing her body against his, With one hand around her waist, he uses his other to grip her ass an
d lift her higher, aligning his dick with her slick center.
Dylan slides in effortlessly, as if her body is made for him. Both of them echo deep moans in the room as they come together.
“Shit, you feel tighter than before. I want to go slow for you, baby, but I can’t. I need you.”
“Don’t hold back, Dylan. Please, I need it,” Sydney counters as she locks her ankles around his waist and nibbles at his neck.
Dylan turns and presses her back against the concrete wall of the room and unleashes his pent-up craving of her. Sydney’s responding thrusts and groans only spur him on further.
Dylan can feel when she approaches her second release as her inner walls begin to quake against him.
“I’m going to come, Dylan. Oh yes, right there, yes!” she cries as her body spasms around him, milking him of his own release.
Dylan grunts as he spurts deep inside Sydney’s body, relishing in the feel of her heat. Their post-orgasmic high is short lived when he pulls free of her body and realizes his mistake.
“Sydney, I…um…forgot a condom. I’m sorry.” He stammers uncomfortably, “I’m clean, though, I swear.”
Sydney stares at him in disbelief as his cream drips from her body and down her thigh.
“I…,” she begins slowly before her lower lip starts to tremble.
Sydney glances around the room in search of something and lands on a box of tissues on a table in the corner. She walks over and grabs a handful before swiping it between her legs, removing all traces of him.
“Sydney, I want to talk to you about this. What is going to happen?”
“Look, I’m clean, but I’m not on the pill. And nothing is going to happen. You’re going to continue to go out on assignments, and I’m going to continue to bake for my friends and family in my small town. So, thank you for this last goodbye, but you’re no longer wanted,” she lashes out as she tosses the tissues in a wastebasket next to the table and scoots past him to leave.
“Angel, please.”
“I am not your Angel!” she cries out before tugging the door so hard at her exit that it slams against the wall.
Coming Consumed: Welcome to Carson, Book Three Page 8
