“Oh, that’s tough,” he replied while smoothing his hand over his beard. “I have everything, right?”
I shrugged. “Do you think you have everything?”
This time he shrugged. “Would it be selfish to want more?”
“Depends on what it is, I guess,” I offered.
“Do you have everything you want?” he questioned me.
It was my turn to respond, but I found myself stumbling. Lost, I turned to the window and watched the passing night. Atlanta was wet and cold tonight. The forecast didn’t call for snow, but a girl could hope.
I never responded to Synder, and when we pulled up to his house, I was relieved. Thank goodness he didn’t pry. Truth was, I felt the same way he did. It would be selfish to want more when I had everything.
When did material things become everything?Right, I thought. That was shallow to think. If I wasn’t here with Synder and Whimsy, I’d be back in Niceville Shores going home to no one. While I was okay with that, being around Synder dredged up yearning inside me that I wanted to deny. Only, I couldn’t.
Inside the house, I quickly prepared Whimsy for bed while Synder showered. I wanted to have his gift ready by the time he was done. Thirty minutes later, Whimsy was out like a light. I hurried to my room to prepare Synder’s gift. I said I would make his holidays special, and I meant that. Every day leading up to Christmas, I planned to gift Synder an ornament. Since he had several Christmas trees throughout the mansion, I figured this was a great idea. Plus, the custom ornaments could be passed down to his children and so on.
I squealed as I wrapped the first one. Getting them done on such short notice cost triple the price, but Synder was worth it. The ornaments were a mixture of red hues. Diamonds accented each ornament, setting off sparkles whenever anyone looked atthem. They were so nice that I planned to get myself a set next Christmas.
Just before Synder got out of the shower, I hustled into his room to place the box on his large bed. As soon as I turned to leave, the shower cut off. Giggling, I hurried out of his room and went downstairs to make him something to eat.
Cooking for Synder was therapeutic for me. He wasn’t the type to demand a thing from me. He ate whatever I cooked, even if it wasn’t gourmet. For the first time, being around an athlete didn’t make me cringe for one reason or another.
Fifteen minutes later, Synder entered the kitchen just as I topped a hefty salad with a grilled salmon filet. Smiling big, I hoped he liked his gift. When I glanced up, this man’s tattooed chest was bare, showing off the cut of his body. If it wasn’t for the look on his face, my mouth would’ve dropped in awe. He looked perplexed, causing my smile to falter. The ornament was in his hand, and he even looked at it with confusion on his ruggedly handsome face. Placing the pan on the stove, I thought of a way to wiggle myself out of whatever mess I’d just made.
“Synder—”
His hand came up to halt me from talking as he approached me, and his frown deepened. I swallowed to cover up my nervousness at his nearness. His beard was still damp from the shower, and he smelled like he swam in an ocean ofcome ride me, Sienna.
“Sienna, baby.” When he stood in front of me, our bodies touched. Synder’s fingers feathered against both of my cheeks. His touch was like the coolest fire. The way his fingers traced my face, I shivered from his touch. “Now I’m referring to you as my baby.”
On the inside, everything melted.
“Would I be wrong if I kissed you right now?” he asked.
Blinking rapidly, I thought of something to say. I wanted to say yes, but my heart and pussy said no.
“Matter of fact, I wanna do more than kiss you. Or is that sayin’ too much?” he added.
My chest rose and fell just as rapidly as I blinked.
Lowly, he chuckled. “Let me chill before you hyperventilate. I’ll settle for that kiss, though.”
Before I knew it, Synder’s lips closed in on mine. It was a quick few pecks, but more electric than anything I’d ever felt.
“This gift is amazing, beautiful, and thoughtful as hell, lil’ baby,” he said against my lips, then kissed me again. Quietly, he retreated. I watched his back, wishing he would turn around and be anything but a gentleman.
CHAPTER 14
SYNDER
Yakira’sphonewenttovoicemail a second time, which didn’t deter me from calling again. While I smashed the salmon and salad Sienna made me, I peered at the ornament sitting in front of me on the kitchen table. I could’ve put it on one of my trees by now, but I was savoring receiving such a thoughtful gift.
Play three was supposed to be casually entering her space and seeing how close she would let me get. Although she retreated to her bedroom, it was safe to say that play three was a slam dunk. A few kisses later, and I was ready to set the whole world on fire for Sienna. Starting with Yakira.
“Hello!” she answered with too much hostility.
“Aye, I’on know what you and yo’ baldhead eyebrows havin’ ass homegirl are on but keep that shit away from Sienna.”
