Chapter 40
Sydney
That evening I decided to take Emilia to the carnival. The local Tramore carnival was more like a makeshift amusement park at the edge of the beach to mark the first week of summer. It would be there for the next two weeks and I figured it would be a good thing to take Emilia to. I’d prepared dinner for our guests, fed Em and eventually left the house with her in the sling around my chest.
Dane hadn’t come by all day since the morning, and given how little we were speaking to each other now, I had no idea if he was still in town or had gone back to New York. As I walked from the B&B to the town center, I crossed the streetlamp which Dane had pinned me to and gave me an exploding orgasm, just a few nights ago. Just the thought of it sent goosebumps down my spine. His mouth on mine, his fingers on the soft flesh on the inside of my thighs…I shook my head to stop thinking about it. I cradled Emilia closer to me instead, and hummed a gentle tune.
The sun was beginning to set by now, but there were lots of people everywhere. The town was filled with tourists again and even all the locals had come out to celebrate the carnival. I wasn’t sure if I’d see Dane there, although The Keystone was right beside it, and I figured if he was still there, he might easily see me.
Emilia was excited by the sounds and sights and she flailed her arms and made happy sounds as we walked into the carnival. I smiled at her and pointed at things, trying to teach her new words. Some familiar faces waved at me and I waved back. I didn’t care anymore what they said about me. If they said anything about me at all.
I found my way to the pony carousel and stood at the grill, holding Emilia the other way so she could see the lights and sounds as the carousel turned. People and children had gathered around me with their candy floss and peanuts in hand.
It wasn’t until several minutes later that I sensed that I was being watched. I looked everywhere, but couldn’t spot anyone looking at me. I figured I was just imagining it, till I felt the warmth of Dane’s body behind me. My muscles tensed up, my back froze and Emilia cried out with joy. She had caught sight of him, and recognized him and threw her arms out. Dane stepped around me and without a word exchanged between us, he took her from me, holding her in his arms for the first time.
Em was delighted and Dane was smiling too, as they spoke to each other in gibberish and he entertained her with noises. Still, he was paying me no attention. I gulped as I watched them, guilt overtaking my senses.
“Dane!” I said his name abruptly, like I was accusing him of something. He turned to look at me, while Em played with his earlobe in utter concentration. His dark eyes were deep and warm, his hair was swept back stylishly like before. He was in a blue polo shirt and tan linen pants, shooting up several inches taller than everyone else around us. Em looked like a mere small plaything in his arms. His wide muscular shoulders stretched the material of his t-shirt.
“Yes?” he said, like I had no reason to talk to him.
“I…I didn’t think you would still be here,” I said, suddenly shy again. He was grim, he had reserved his smiles for his daughter.
“I wouldn’t just leave without saying goodbye to Emilia,” he told me, looking down at me harshly. I nodded my head and pursed my lips and then looked away from him.
I could sense that he was still staring at me, gently bouncing Em in his arms at the same time. He was an absolute natural with her, something I would never have guessed.
“Have you come up with a plan?” I asked him, forcing myself to look at him again.
“Not yet. I’m thinking about it,” he said and I nodded. When he didn’t say anything for some time, I shrugged my shoulders.
“Well, let me know when you do. I’ll leave you alone with her for a while now,” I said, and tucking my hair behind my ears, I made to walk away from them. Dane caught my hand, and I felt a sudden jerk on my arm. He had yanked me to himself, and instantly, with the same hand he had caught me by my waist. In the middle of the crowd, Dane was holding me to himself with one hand and had Emilia in his other arm. He was glaring at me, burning me up with his fiery gaze.
“I am not James. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt Emilia,” he said in a low voice that was just loud enough for me to hear. I gulped as I looked up at him, my eyes wide and my heart beating out of my chest.
“I love you, Sydney. I fell in love with you from the first time we kissed, and nothing in the world is more important to me than you and Emilia,” he said and I noticed how the burning flames in his eyes began to die. Once again, Dane Forsyth had left me speechless.