Yours or Mine (9 page)
Authors: D.S. Craver
“It's sweet being
invited by both Smith men, but I think it might be good for us to be
apart a bit.”
He gave her a worried
glance. “I don't like the sound of that.”
She whispered, “You
have to admit things have been moving quickly for us. The previews
are starting. We'll talk more later.”
He chuckled. “I know.
You don't like me to talk at all during a movie.”
She put her finger on
his lips. “Hush. I think you talk the most to me during a movie.”
After the movie, they
held hands and walked to The Quarter Bistro. Once Blake and Sydney
were seated at a small table with their sangria wine drinks, they
gazed into each other’s eyes.
“This is nice.”
Sydney sipped her wine. “Do you think Karen really had another
couple interested in our house? I wonder if she made it up to get us
to make an offer quickly. We should’ve been smarter and not been
pressured into buying it right away.”
“I think Karen was
honest about another couple being interested. A guy I work with said
he would like to buy a duplex.”
She grinned. “You two
could’ve bought it together.”
“That wasn’t
possible. His mother-in-law lives with them because of a health
condition. He said our place would be perfect for them, so his
mother-in-law could have her own place without the responsibility of
owning it by herself.” Blake’s blue eyes filled with guilt. “I’m
sorry you felt pressured to buy the duplex with me.”
She undid her scarf’s
knot and played with the ends. “It’s just I went from a tiny
apartment suddenly to a bigger place with a yard and...”
“And what?”
“From being single to
living with a hot guy and his adorable little boy. It’s a bit
overwhelming at times.”
“Syd, I’m sorry.
Carter and I will give you some space and alone time.”
“Usually, I love our
arrangement. But sometimes I wonder if we should’ve taken
everything at a slower pace.” She put the orange scarf around
Blake’s neck and pulled him closer to her face. “But I do love
sleeping with you.”
“Just
sleeping...nothing else.”
“Oh, I love you
touching me all over my naked body.”
“Thanks a lot for
that visual, Syd.”
She pulled on her scarf
even tighter until their mouths touched. Her demanding kiss wasn’t
long.
Blake said, “I’m
guessing you don’t want to stick around here too long.”
“You guessed right.”
* * *
After Zach left to go
home, they both peeked into Carter's room to check on him. They left
the sleeping Carter to go to Blake’s bedroom.
“I thought I’d save
you the hassle of trying to get this dress off me,” Sydney said as
she slipped out of her dress. After removing bra, panties, and
necklace, she tumbled into bed with Blake.
“Let me show my
appreciation.” He kissed her breasts in turn.
Her whole body filled
with longing and this unbearable sense of urgency. Her heart raced
with each suck he took on her nipples. She breathed in painful,
soul-drenching gulps of air wanting him inside her. If she had to
wait another moment, she'd probably die. Burning with desire, she
insisted, “Blake, I can't wait. I need you now.”
“I want you so much
too.” He shifted above her and buried himself deep inside her.
Their coupling was fast
and beautiful. She placed her hands over his butt because she wanted
to feel him. I'll miss him when he leaves for Florida, she thought.
But at the same she knew it was for the best that she had a reason to
stay home. If it wasn't for the shower, she might even consider going
with him and Carter.
* * *
During the ten days the
guys were gone, Sydney was tempted several times to hop on a plane to
Florida. While she took her morning jogs, she thought constantly
about Blake. She missed him so much. Why in the world had she ever
doubted their love for each other? She'd dated enough to know the
difference between lust and real love. Her recent columns reflected
her feelings on real love. Her blog received tons of comments about
couples knowing immediately that they were meant for each other.
Others said their love developed from friendships first.
She even told Libby,
“If Blake should ever need a kidney, I'd be the first in line to
get tested to see if mine's a match. That's how much I love him.”
“Hey, don't rush into
giving your organs away.” Libby giggled. “I might need a kidney.
So what are the plans for the big reunion?”
“I'll spend time with
Carter while Blake goes to his office for a few hours. Then Carter's
going to spend the night with Aaron.”
“I bet you two will
have a romantic dinner. And some smooching. Which will be first, I
wonder?”
“I'm not telling.”
Sydney played several
games with Carter to keep them busy until Blake returned from work.
She and Carter both wanted the hours to go by quickly. Carter
couldn't wait to see Aaron and tell him all about his trip. Desire
filled her and she couldn’t wait to be alone with his father.
Once Blake drove Carter
to her brother’s house and returned, the most amazing lovemaking
came first. Blake fell back on the bed. Then she rested her head on
his shoulder. “Sydney, before we have sex again, we need to talk. I
love you and I’ve never been surer of anything in my whole life.
Will you marry me?”
Although Sydney felt
fully alive and happy at his proposal, she gave him an indignant
look. “What took you so long? I fell in love with you when we went
furniture shopping.”
“Well, I fell for you
before that. When I saw you on the treadmill trying to prove the
house should be yours, I knew you were the woman for me.”
She laughed. “Give me
a break. You liked what you saw when my blouse popped open.”
“That helped. I don’t
have a ring but we can pick it out together this weekend. Sorry, I
meant to pop the question at dinner tonight with flowers and candles
on the table. Or even wait until we could take a carriage ride.
That's something we haven't done and I know you'd like.”
“I think proposing
during one of our so-called platonic moments is pretty romantic.
Everyone can take a horse-drawn carriage ride for the big proposal,
or ask during dinner.”
“How does a short
engagement sound? At most three months?” he asked. Waiting any
longer would be too hard for him. He wanted Sydney to be Mrs. Smith.
He laughed.
She frowned. “What’s
so funny? I can handle a short engagement.”
“I just thought how
you’ll become Mrs. Smith. Big change, huh.”
“Zach will tease us,
but I don’t care.”
“I think this
occasion calls for champagne. I put a bottle in the refrigerator
earlier for our after dinner lovemaking, but let's have a glass now.”
“While you get the
champagne, I'll call Mom and Dad to tell them we’re engaged.”
“They know. I stopped
there today before I bought the champagne. I asked your dad for your
hand in marriage.”
She grinned. “I take
it he said yes.”
He nodded.
“Well, I have to call
someone to tell them our great news.” She sat up in bed. “I'll
tell Libby.”
Within a few minutes,
Blake walked back into the bedroom. He handed her the crystal glass.
“Thanks, but we
better have a short toast and drink fast. Your lack of clothing is
making me have erotic thoughts again.” She wanted to swat his sexy
behind but didn't want to spill her drink. “If I have to see your
nude body too often, it might be harder than I thought being married
to you. I’ll be attacking you all the time.”
He grinned. “I aim to
please my woman. So was Libby surprised we’re getting married?”
“You aren’t going
to believe this but Libby said they all had bets on when we’d get
engaged. Dad, Mom, Zach, Lindsay, Libby, and Craig were all in the
betting pool.”
“I’m glad we gave
them something to talk about. Who won?”
“I bet you’ll never
guess.”
“Probably Zach.”
Sydney shook her head.
“Mom. She’s already started a wedding folder. And she told Libby
that Carter and Aaron would be perfect as the ring bearers. I never
heard of having two ring bearers, but it's fine with me.”
“Your sneaky Mom
never mentioned the bet to me. I think it’s time for a toast before
we do some more celebrating.” Blake winked at Sydney.
“Now that the house
is truly our place, let’s toast to that.”
They clicked their
glasses and Blake said, “To our place and to our love.”
Diane graduated
with a degree in English and Speech Education from The Ohio State
University. Before writing her books, she was a schoolteacher and
play director. She met her husband while teaching at an orphanage.
She is a mother
and grandmother. Her dream vacation is going to the beach. Her
husband is supportive of her writing career as well as her awesome
children and daughter-in-law. Diane writes contemporary and
inspirational romance, chick-lit mystery, and women’s fiction.
Craver
Inspirational Romance
A Joyful Break (Dreams of Plain Daughters, Book One)
No Greater Loss
Marrying Mallory
Chick-Lit Mystery
A Fiery Secret
Contemporary Romance
Whitney in Charge
Never the Same
The Proposal – as a short and also in A Christmas Collection:
Anthology
Historical Fiction and Inspirational
A Christmas Gift
online!
Website
and Blog:
http://www.dianecraver.com/blog
http://www.jewelsofthequill.com
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