Chapter Six: Cole
I walk toward the house to grab a bite to eat and I see Sydney standing in the garden. She’s wearing a soft blue sundress, the breeze lifting her dark hair off of her bare shoulders. She is a sight for sore eyes and I feel my gut clench, deciding right then that this woman will be mine sooner or later. To hell with my old-fashioned ways, fling or not, Sydney Baines will be in my bed.
As I approach, I notice that she is admiring my garden and can’t help but feel some pride in that. The ranch is my work, the garden is my therapy. I stop a short way behind her and admire the view. The breeze lifts the hem of her short sundress, giving me a nice peek at those long legs. I imagine my face planted firmly between those supple thighs and my dick strains against my zipper. I take a deep breath and try to think of something gross before I approach her. I can’t just walk up to her with a giant hard on.
As if sensing someone behind her, Sydney turns around and our eyes meet. A look passes between us and I know for certain, her thoughts are running parallel to mine. Jesus. I start to walk toward her and she turns back to the garden.
“This is really beautiful,” she says. “The only thing I’ve ever been able to grow is a cactus.”
She laughs softly and the sound tugs at my heart. She looks almost sad and I’m struck by the impulse to gather her in my arms and tell her whatever is bothering her will be ok. This girl is dangerous.
“Thanks,” I say, trying to push the need to take care of her from my thoughts. “My aunt always had a garden and I used to work in it with her. It helps clear my mind.”
Sydney nods. “You and Luke both speak very highly of Nora.”
I nod my head in response. I don’t know if I’m ready to divulge all of my secrets to her just yet. Instead, I clear my throat and change the subject.
“It’s getting close to dinner time. You must be hungry,” I say.
Her eyes light up and she involuntarily licks her lips. It’s all I can do to keep from groaning out loud at the gesture.
“I’m starving actually,” she admits. “But you don’t need to cook for me. I mean, I’m already invading your home for a few weeks, I don’t expect you to serve me too.”
I shake my head. “I’m cooking for myself anyway so one more steak on the grill won’t be a big deal,” I say, and note the strange look on her face. “What?”
“Steak? As in, you’re going to eat one of your cows?” she asks and I almost laugh out loud.
“Well, that’s what I’m raising them for. You’re not a vegetarian are you?” I ask.
Sydney shakes her head. “No, but now that I’ve actually been face to face with a cow, I don’t know that I can eat one.”
“Trust me, when you smell it coming off the grill, you’ll change your mind,” I promise her.
She nods and follows me into the house. “If you say so,” she mutters behind me.
I stand on the deck, manning the grill and peek into the back window at Sydney at my kitchen counter. She offered to help with the meal so I told her she could make a salad if she wished. She is gladly chopping vegetables and I find myself turned on by the way she handles the knife. She’s clearly not a novice in the kitchen. I hadn’t expected that.
I take the steaks off the grill and step into the kitchen, letting the aroma of the meat settle over the room. Sydney smiles and I can see the doubt about being able to eat it melt off of her face.
“Ok so you were right. That smells absolutely amazing,” she says.
I open a bottle of red wine and pour us each a glass while we sit down to eat. I watch
Sydney take the first bite of her steak and I can’t help but smile at the look of pure bliss that spreads across her face.
“Oh my God,” she nearly moans. “This is the best steak I’ve ever eaten.”
My chest swells a little at the fact that I have pleased her. I look at her over the rim of my wine glass; I plan on pleasing her a lot more than this. We settle into some easy small talk, which is usually not my thing, but I quickly find that Sydney is much more interesting than I had anticipated.
“After that, I fell in love with skydiving and I do it as often as I can. The rush of it really helps center me,” she is saying.
I look at her curiously. “So, if you’re such an adrenaline junky, why come to what might be the most boring place you can think of to unwind?” I ask her.
She considers for a minute before answering. “It’s been kind of a tough year for me and Nora thought that something low key would be better for me. I have to admit, I’m already feeling much better just being here.”
The way she is looking at me makes my mouth turn dry and I take a healthy gulp of my wine.
“So how exactly do you know my Aunt Nora?” I ask her.
She looks momentarily embarrassed and I think I know the answer before she says it.
“Um, well, she’s my shrink,” she finally says, looking away.
I reach across the table on instinct and take her hand in mine. “Aunt Nora has helped me through some pretty tough times too,” I admit.
Sydney’s green eyes turn to me and I know I’m a goner.