Chapter 12
Dane
Sydney didn’t look pleased, and very soon after we were done, she moved and stood up. I was still lying on the sand, half dressed with my jeans at my ankles, when she started pulling her pants up. I quickly got on my feet as well. I didn’t want to be the only one naked. Even for me, this was too quick for after-sex actions.
Sydney wasn’t saying anything and I didn’t know what to say either. Was she angry with me because we had sex? She went looking for her blouse which she’d flung away from her before and she walked back towards me, while pulling it down her torso. I was back to being dressed now and I stood looking at her, still trying to keep the smile on my face in place. Trying to deny how explosive that sex just was.
“I hope things can be fine between us,” I said to her, breaking the ice. Sydney jerked her head to look at me, with her eyes narrowed and her brows crossed. As though she was surprised to hear my voice.
“Of course. Already forgotten,” she said, as she smoothened her hair.
“Well, I didn’t mean so soon. There’s no need to forget it. I just hope we can be civil,” I said and Sydney eyed me threateningly.
“You’re a guest in my house. I would like to forget this ever happened. It was a slip-up, a moment of foolish thinking,” she said and I nodded my head.
“Of course, and I’ll completely understand if you want me to leave,” I added and Sydney looked away from me, to adjust the buckles on her sandal straps.
“I don’t want to force you to leave. You can leave if you like, but as long as we can be civil like you said, I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t enjoy your vacation here,” she said and I laughed.
“I have been enjoying it very well so far,” I said, but Sydney only flushed to a bright red and looked away. Her nostrils were still flared and she was refusing to look at me. I couldn’t tell if she was embarrassed or angry.
“That was probably inappropriate. I promise, from this moment, I’ll forget all about it and carry on as usual,” I said, still smiling. The more I looked at her, the harder it was going to be for me to forget it. That sex was good. It was probably too good. Sydney had a hidden talent of making me lose control, that she clearly didn’t know about.
She didn’t find what I said funny, instead she huffed and turned from me.
“Goodnight, Dane. Your key is under the red pot on the porch. You can come and go as you please,” she said, already walking away from me. I wanted to tell her that we could walk together, but I stopped myself in time. Since when do I return home willingly, in full senses, with a woman? We were going to have to sleep in the same house, just a few feet away from each other. This could get very awkward. Especially because of the way I was feeling.
“Goodnight Sydney, I’ll see you tomorrow then,” I called after her, but she didn’t turn to look at me again. Instead, she left me standing on the beach by myself.
Unlike her, I wasn’t angry or embarrassed. I was simply confused. It wasn’t like I hadn’t participated in quickies before, and I’d met women in the past to whom sex was just a natural accompaniment to life. What was different with Sydney, was that I was the one yearning to talk to her after sex. While she had simply walked away, after proclaiming that she was going to forget about it. For the first time, I was on the other side of the fence.
It felt strange to feel this way. To miss her already, even though she was gone for only a few minutes. Normally, this would have been my lucky night. A quick hot sexual encounter in the dark and then sleeping alone on my own bed. That was the gift that Sydney was giving to me. Peace of mind with no strings attached. And yet, I wished I had walked back with her. Even if she was angry with me, or in love with Leo…I felt this gnawing need to talk to her some more.
In a moment of panic, I pulled out my cellphone from my pocket and dialed Tina’s number. I felt like I needed to get out here. I needed to leave Tramore as soon as possible, because these reactions were new. And I definitely didn’t want to feel them for Sydney, who was possibly in love with Leo and had no actual interest in me. My ego was bruised, I wanted more of her body and the best solution would be to simply leave this place and forget all about it.
Tina answered on the third ring. Her voice was groggy, like I’d caught her sleeping.
“Sir?” she said, trying to sound alert.
“Tina, it’s me,” I said. I hadn’t even checked the time yet. It was nearly midnight by now.
“Yes, Sir. How can I help you?” she asked and I drew in a deep breath.
“I was wondering…is there anywhere else I can go?” I said to her.
“Of course. I can find you a different accommodation in Tramore Beach,” she said and I rubbed my temples with my thumbs and squeezed my eyes shut.
“No, not in Tramore. Somewhere else. Maybe on the other coast or something. No that won’t do…I don’t want to be near New York,” I said. Tina interrupted me.
“Of course Sir, I will find a different discreet location for you straight away,” she said.
“Thank you, Tina,” I replied, and sighed.
“When would you like to leave?” she asked.
“As soon as possible. Tomorrow, please,” I said and cut the call.
I had to rip Sydney off my life like a bandaid.