Chapter Nine #2
Sydney laughed, then reached across the sofa and placed her hand over his. “I understand why you held back.”
Case squeezed her fingers gently. “But I couldn’t stay away. We have to keep this quiet, Sydney. I can’t lose my job.”
She leaned in, resting her head on his shoulder as the room grew darker and the wind whispered at the windows.
****
Sydney couldn’t hold back a yawn. “I’m sorry. I got up so early this morning.”
“Yeah, me too. I hope the power stays on.”
“If it goes out, we’ll sleep out here.”
“You need to get a whole house generator.”
“I really do.” She leaned against him and smiled when his arms wrapped around her.
“The fire feels good. Just looking outside makes you cold.”
“Yes, but I love wintertime.”
“Yeah, I knew something was wrong with you.”
Sydney sat up. “Hey!”
Caysen chuckled. “I’m teasing.”
“Good thing, Anderson. Do you have a middle name?”
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
“Nope.”
“Your middle name is Nope? Caysen Nope Anderson. That’s really different.”
“Damn, I didn’t realize what a smartass you were.”
“I have to admit that I can be.”
“What’s your middle name?”
“Iris.”
“Sydney Iris Wright. That’s pretty.”
“Thank you. What’s yours?” she asked with a grin.
“Francis, after my dad.”
“Caysen Francis Anderson. Why were you named after your father and Hud wasn’t?”
“Hud’s middle name is William, after our maternal grandfather. Deke’s is Lee, after our paternal grandfather.”
“I like those. Hudson William Anderson and Deacon Lee Anderson.” She nodded. “Yeah, I like those.”
“I’ll be sure to let them know.” Caysen grinned.
“Now, who’s the smartass?” she asked, then yawned again. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s late, maybe we should go to bed. I’ve had a long day too.”
“Let’s take a bath first.”
“We had a shower.”
“Okay, then I’ll take a bath, and you can go to bed. I always take a bath right before bed because it relaxes me.”
“Do you think I’d let you take a bath without me?”
“I was hoping not. You saw the tub, we’ll both fit.”
“I have a big tub with a jacuzzi in it and my shower is a separate stall.”
“What does your house look like?”
“All three of us have log homes. Dad’s house is an old farmhouse that he refurbished.”
“I love farmhouses. I love log homes too.”
“Then you need to come to my place.”
“I’d love that, Caysen.”
“Anytime, sweetheart.”
She smiled as she stood. “I’m taking a bath. You can go to bed or join me.”
“Gee, that’s a tough decision.” Caysen stood, put his hand out to her. “Lead the way, darlin’.”
Sydney took his hand, then led him to the bathroom where they’d recently taken a shower.
Once inside, Sydney started the water in the tub, then began to undress. As she did, she watched him lift his T-shirt over his head, and drop it to the floor, then he unbuckled his belt, unsnapped his jeans, and lowered the zipper.
“It’s too bad I don’t have a pair of sweatpants here.”
“I have a pair you can use.”
Caysen grinned. “They’d probably be too short.”
“No, they were my dad’s. They came to visit last summer, and he left them here by mistake. They’re too long for me. My dad’s a big man.”
“I’ll take them. I’m not ready for bed.”
“Well, we can watch TV in the bedroom.”
“That sounds good.”
“Let me get the sweatpants for you.” She walked back into the bedroom, opened a drawer and removed the garment, then walked back into the bedroom to see Caysen already in the tub.
She placed the sweatpants on the sink vanity, then stripped, and walked toward the tub. She took the hand he offered, then stepped into the tub and sunk into the water.
“God, that feels so good.” She leaned her head back.
“I rarely take a bath. I like showers.”
“And shower sex.” She laughed.
“Yes, but it was a little rough in yours. It got slippery.”
“I’m glad you held me up.”
“The wall held you up,” Caysen said with a grin.
Sydney laughed. “You did help though. How big is your shower?”
“It’s a walk-in. We’d be fine in it since it’s not porcelain, it has tile on the floor.”
“Okay, so when can I see your house?”
“Let’s plan on next Friday evening. I can make a couple of steaks or fish. My freezer is pretty well stocked.”
“I’d love that.”
“We’ll plan on that then.”
Sydney nodded and put her hand out for Caysen to give her the soap. He did and she lathered it up between her hands, set the soap on the basket hanging from the faucet, then put her hands on his chest and moved them around to cover him with suds.
“I love this hair on your chest. It’s not bushy, like a sweater, just a nice smattering, but this happy trail is amazing.”
Caysen laughed and shook his head. “Who made that word up?”
“Happy trail? It had to be a woman.”
“Well, yeah, I figured as much.”
After a while, Sydney yawned again. “I’m so sorry.”
“Let’s get out. You can sleep and I’ll watch some TV if that’s alright with you.”
“Of course, it is. I’ll probably fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.”
“Will the TV bother you?”
“No. I could sleep next to railroad tracks and not wake up.”
“I hear everything.”
“That’s because you’re in law enforcement. Always on your toes.”
“I have to be. I love my job, but it’s dangerous.”
“Please be careful.”
“I am.” Caysen stood, reached for a towel and motioned for her to get up. He wrapped the towel around her, lifted her and put her on the mat, then grabbed another one to dry off with.
After she dried off, she pulled her lounge pants on, along with an oversized T-shirt, then walked from the bathroom.
She slid under the sheet and waited for Caysen.
When he came out wearing those sweatpants, her pulse went into overdrive.
The man was just mouthwatering, and she knew she could easily fall for him.
“Do you mind if I get a glass of water?”
“Of course not.”
“Okay. Do you want anything?”
“No, thank you though. I’m about to fall asleep.”
He chuckled. “Alright. I’ll be right back.”
Sydney yawned and nodded her head. The last thing she remembered was Caysen walking from the room.
****
Case slipped back into the bedroom and froze in the doorway at the sight of Sydney, her lashes resting against her cheeks, breath shallow and even.
He leaned against the doorframe for a moment, listening to the quiet rise and fall of her chest, then gently peeled the thin cotton sheet away from her shoulder.
The fabric whispered against the mattress as he shifted a heap of mismatched pillows behind his back, settling into the bed.
He reached beside the bed, found the remote, and pressed Power, an icy blue glow spilled across the wall as the television flickered to life.
It was only ten o’clock; a rare early night for him.
He turned in the half-light and brushed a stray lock of hair back from Sydney’s forehead, fingertips lingering against the warmth of her skin.
He could feel it in his bones, falling for her wouldn’t be difficult at all.
But first he had to wring an admission from Gibbs for stealing her horse.
Only then could he carve out the time to discover whether what simmered between them might turn permanent.
He folded his arms, surprised by the steadiness of that hope.
Ever since he’d met her, every plan he made had somehow unraveled before he could reach out to her.
But lying next to her had crystallized his feelings; he wanted more than one-night stands and fleeting thrills.
He craved her laughter over Sunday mornings, her hand in his if he ever decided to settle down and have kids.
For years he’d chased love, convinced he’d found it, only to watch those relationships stall, the spark burning out. But with Sydney he dared to imagine a future. Life with her didn’t feel like a gamble, it felt inevitable.
He glanced at the dark window, knowing they had to keep their growing attachment under wraps.
If Dave caught wind, he’d yank Case off the investigation in a heartbeat.
He had to finish this; Gibbs was tight-lipped but if he could just let him know in some way, that Tillman had talked, Gibbs might realize he was caught too.
Case hoped that Tillman would open up more to him once he was able to get him in the office.
His phone buzzed on the nightstand, the vibration a low hum that threatened to stir Sydney. He picked it up and saw Hud’s name.
“Hud? What’s going on?”
“You going to tell me where you are?”
“I am not,” Case murmured, already amused. “Why do you care, and how’d you know I wasn’t home?”
“Dad asked me to round up your dogs. His truck’s buried up to the wheel wells in the driveway, so he sent me.”
“And did you get them? ”
“I just dropped them off. So, where are you hiding?”
“Doesn’t concern you.” He fought back a grin as Hud’s laughter came through the speaker.
“You must be with a woman. Otherwise you’d tell me.”
“I don’t tell you everything.”
“True, but, as I said, you’d tell me.”
“And as I said, I don’t tell you everything.”
Hud chuckled. “Alright, I’ll back off. Just be careful heading home. It’s a mess out there. I just got back.”
“Where were you?”
“Picking up dog food. Went inside the Feed Store, walked out into a blizzard. Ice is already glazed over the snow.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Terrible. I fishtailed several times. Glad I made it back in one piece.”
“Me too.” Case’s voice softened.
“Hey, are you going to make it to dinner tomorrow?”
“I’ll try. Depends on the roads.”
“Sounds good.” Hud hung up.
Case lay back, staring at the flickering TV, mind turning over every detail of the case, and every hopeful possibility that came with Sydney.
The next morning, Case slowly sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and yawning deeply as he stretched his arms above his head.
He glanced to his side, noticing the empty space beside him, the sheets slightly rumpled.
With a small sigh, he reached over the edge of the bed, his fingers brushing against the cool fabric of his boxer briefs and jeans, which he promptly slipped on.
His gaze swept the room in search of his T-shirt, but it was nowhere to be found.
Instead, the tantalizing aroma of sizzling bacon wafted through the air, tickling his nose and making his stomach emit a low, insistent growl.
Foregoing the hassle of socks and boots, he walked barefoot across the room, the wooden floor cool against his skin.
As he made his way toward the kitchen, he paused briefly to peer out the expansive picture window, greeted by a world cloaked in pure, untouched white.
Upon entering the kitchen, he found Sydney at the stove, expertly tending to the strips of bacon, their edges curling and crisping in the heat.
“Morning,” he greeted her, scratching absentmindedly at his chest.
Sydney turned to meet his gaze, a warm smile on her lips. “Good morning. I was planning to wake you once the bacon was done.”
He chuckled. “I didn’t realize I was hungry until I smelled it. Do you happen to have an extra toothbrush?”
“Yes,” she replied, nodding toward the bathroom. “It’s in the cabinet beside the sink, top shelf.”
“Thanks. I’ll be right back.” With that, he retraced his steps to the bedroom and made his way into the adjoining bathroom.
****
Sydney flashed a warm smile as he left the kitchen, her gaze following him. She carefully removed the sizzling bacon from the frypan, placing the crispy strips on a paper towel to absorb the excess grease, just as Caysen sauntered back into the kitchen .
“How do you like your eggs?” she asked.
Caysen nodded toward the oversized shirt draped over her frame. “So that’s where my shirt went.”
“I picked it up after I used the bathroom,” she replied with a grin, the shirt’s fabric soft and comfortable against her skin. “How do you like your eggs?”
“So, if you’re wearing my shirt, what am I supposed to wear?” he teased, raising an eyebrow.
“I’ll change and bring it back to you,” she promised. “One more time, how do you like your eggs?”
Caysen grinned. “Over-easy.”
“Okay. I’ll go change, then I’ll make the eggs,” she said.
“I wouldn’t care, but if I spill something down the front of me…”
“Don’t worry about it. It sure smells good though,” she complimented with a grin, stepping forward to plant a gentle kiss on his lips before heading to the bedroom.
Once there, she slipped out of his shirt, replacing it with one of her own.
With his shirt in hand, she returned to the kitchen, only to pause at the doorway.
Caysen stood at the stove, cracking eggs before turning to drop slices of bread into the toaster.
He must have sensed her presence, for he turned to meet her gaze and walked toward her with a smile.
Taking his shirt from her, he pulled it over his head, then leaned down to press a soft kiss on her lips, lingering slightly before pulling back.
“Mmm, minty fresh,” she laughed. He grinned, capturing her lips once more in a kiss. Sydney pulled back, glancing past him. “I think your eggs are burning. ”
Caysen spun around as smoke curled up from the frypan.
“Shit.” He quickly moved to the stove, lifting the pan off the burner with a rueful shake of his head. “Those were your eggs.”
Sydney laughed. “They’re yours now.” She wrapped her arms around him in a reassuring hug. “Go sit down. I’ll make them.”
“You don’t have to wait on me. I’m capable. I’ve lived alone for almost twenty years,” he protested gently.
“I know, but you’re my guest. What kind of hostess would I be if I didn’t make you breakfast?” she playfully insisted.
“Okay, but I’ll make my own coffee. I have one of those at home,” he said, nodding toward the K-cup machine on the counter.
“Then, would you make one for me?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Once everything was ready, they settled at the table, the aroma of freshly cooked eggs and crispy bacon enveloping them as they enjoyed a leisurely breakfast together.