Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 89592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
He ignores my comment. Flexing his hand around mine. “You’re a great friend.”
I look up at him and smile. “You sound as if you want to be my friend, Clay,” I tease.
He wraps an arm around my head and kisses it. “I want to be your everything.”
My heart starts to pound, and a face-splitting smile comes over my lips.
Calm down, Sid. It’s all an act.
Clayton
I don’t want to go back to New York. It feels like when we do, everything is going to change. However, Sidney’s problem is in New York and that’s where I need to be to get a handle on this.
I need to get my eyes on one of my targets and the opportunity to do so is coming up. Her laugh brings me out of my thoughts. I look up from the popcorn I just popped.
She has her head thrown back and her shoulders shake with her laughter. We’re bingeing comedy shows on Netflix. Something I would never do by myself. I don’t make time for this type of thing.
However, to spend time with her, I’m willing to. I grab the bowl and walk over to the rug where she’s sitting. Moving behind her, I sit with my legs caging her in. I place the popcorn in her lap and take a handful.
“You missed the best part. Let me rewind it,” she says as she snuggles back into my chest.
“You don’t have to.”
“I told you I should’ve paused. You have to hear this bit. The setup is perfect.”
She rewinds it and grabs some popcorn for herself. My eyes are on her as I listen for the joke. She looks up into my eyes and we both laugh at the punch line.
I can’t help kissing her smiling lips. It’s a funny joke but seeing the sparkle in her eyes is what does it for me. I nuzzle her nose with mine, not able to lose our connection.
“This hasn’t been so bad. I’m still a New York City girl all day, but I like the peace this place has.”
“You can come here to write anytime you want.”
“Even after our time is up?”
“Anytime.”
I hold her gaze with the promise. I think back to her words earlier. You sound as if you want to be my friend, Clay.
I’ll be honest, the thought of growing a friendship with her has taken root. It’s the smiles and laughter she brings that make me want to be more. Her friend, her man, her protector.
I want to be all those things to Sid and more. It’s not just the sex I can’t get enough of, it’s her.
I wake with her on my mind, and I go to bed the same way. At night, I find myself waking just to watch her sleep. Sidney became my obsession a long time ago, now I’m consumed by her and I’m good with that.
Chapter 24
Loving Father
Sidney
“Welcome back to New York, Sidney. Thank you for coming by,” Clooney says as we sit in the drawing room. I was surprised when he called and asked me to come by.
“Thank you for having me.”
“I’m assuming the wedding planning is going well. Is there anything Eileen and I can help with?”
“No. We have it all covered. Eileen was on FaceTime with me as I talked to the new dress designer.”
“Good, good. I’m glad you’re allowing her to be a part of things. She’s already so fond of you.”
“I’m fond of her as well.”
“Sidney, I wanted to talk to you because you still don’t know me well. You don’t see me as the villain my sons do. At least I hope Clay hasn’t tainted your view of me.”
“I have to say, I’ve heard some things, but I always like to form my own opinion.”
“What my sons don’t see is that I want the best for them. I’m trying to get something to them, not take anything away. Marriage enriches a man. Children create a family bond. I believe grandchildren will close the gap and fill the void of my own failures as a father. I’ll get to make up for my wrongs.”
“I don’t know about Cane or Gregor, but Clay can be as stubborn as the day is long. Good luck with that one.”
Clooney chuckles. “You’re right. However, he’s changing, and I think it’s because of you. Love will do that to you.”
I want to tell him his son isn’t in love with me, but I keep my lips sealed. I was already wary of coming here to begin with. I don’t want to say or do anything that will derail Clayton’s plans. However, I also didn’t want to leave him suspicious of us.
“Your son has changed my life as well,” I say instead. “I think he will make a great husband and father someday.”
“I can’t wait to be a grandfather. At least an active grandfather,” he says.