Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Sydney
After Sydney’s snack, Levi had to get back to work, but he was soon replaced by Roland who came in, greeting her with a whopping kiss before mumbling something about needing to get some of his own work done.
She was well aware that these men were taking turns to stay with her, to ensure she was never alone for too long, and she should have felt stifled by it, but for now she was going to enjoy it, and the way it made her feel safe.
So instead of sulking or scoffing at her Daddies, Sydney spent the rest of the day going through old and new emails, and checking her notes on each client.
Most of them had decided to stay on, thank goodness.
Only a few weren’t willing to work with the new time zone constraints, but she wasn’t worried. She could get new clients.
Her new phone, sleek, purple glitter-cased, and entirely Greg-free, buzzed beside her. She picked it up with cautious hope and saw a reply from one of her favorite clients blinking on the screen.
Oh my goodness! Syd. I’ve been dying without you. I’ve got about a million things running behind schedule, and I am so freaking glad you’re back!
Sydney’s eyes welled before she could stop them. She sniffled once, smiling, then wiped at her cheeks.
A soft clearing of a throat made her glance up. Roland leaned against the wall, holding two mugs. One was her brand new bunny mug, the other with something stylish and earthy that was very him.
“You alright, little bird?” he asked, concern etched between his brows.
She nodded and motioned him in. “One of my favorite clients emailed me, and it’s stupid.
There’s no reason for me to be this emotional.
But there you go.” She took the mug he offered and curled her hands around the warmth.
He set his own down on her desk and crouched beside her chair, brushing a curl behind her ear.
“I’m proud of you,” he said softly. “You’ve been through hell, and you’re still showing up. That’s kind of amazing. If I had to go through what you did, I’d probably be a huge mess, in a corner, hiding from the world.”
She ducked her head, cheeks pink. “Well... that was kind of what I’d been doing until now.”
“That’s alright,” he said, kissing her temple. “Even brave girls get scared. Taking some time to deal with everything doesn’t make them any less brave.”
There was a moment of silence, warm and grounding, as they sipped tea together. Then Roland set his mug aside and plucked Banana off her lap, holding the stuffie up like he was about to perform surgery.
“Banana, I need to borrow your seat for a moment. I promise I’ll return it with great care.”
Sydney laughed, and before she could protest, Roland had lifted her gently from her chair and settled her onto his lap on one of the large couches, wrapping his arms around her waist. Her head found his shoulder instinctively.
“I really missed this,” she murmured.
He stroked her thigh slowly, comfortingly. “Missed what, sweetheart?”
“This. Feeling safe. Like there’s room for me to be… all the versions of me. The business me, the scared me, the Little me.”
“I can’t tell you how glad it makes me that we’re able to give you that, little bird,” he whispered. “Because you, giving us you, it’s everything, baby.”
That made her heart squeeze. She turned her face toward his neck and kissed the soft skin there, then let her lips linger. Roland hummed.
“You keep doing that and we’re going to have to put your laptop in time-out,” he teased.
“I wouldn’t mind,” she whispered, smiling.
But just then, the front door opened and closed, followed by the familiar heavy bootsteps of Levi coming in. Sydney perked up as Roland chuckled and shouted, “We’re in here, Levi!”
The man in question appeared in the doorway a moment later, looking windblown and deliciously rumpled in his flannel jacket. He took one look at the two of them and arched an eyebrow.
“Well, well,” he drawled. “Did I miss something?”
“Not yet,” Sydney chirped.
Roland gave her a squeeze and helped her to her feet. She padded toward Levi and wrapped her arms around his middle, inhaling his woodsy scent. “Hi, Daddy.”
“Well, hello there, little miss,” he said, resting his chin on her head. “How did your work go?”
“It’s a slow start, but I’m settling in okay. Lost a few clients, but I’m not worried,” she responded, beaming at him.
“You’re amazing,” Levi said, pulling back enough to kiss her. “You feeling up for a treat, then? I was thinking of grilling tonight.”
“Ooh,” she said, eyes lighting up. “That sounds good, if a bit cold.”
Levi laughed, then watched her for a moment before he reached up to cradle her cheek. “You look lighter.”
“I feel lighter,” she admitted. Then, with a flicker of nervousness, added, “Actually, I was wondering if maybe… we could go into town sometime? Porter’s Corner, I mean.
Just for lunch or something. Not right away, but…
I mean, except for being born here, I’ve never been to the US, and all I’ve seen of it is the airport and the Ranch. ”
Levi glanced at Roland, who gave a subtle nod. Then he looked back at her. “I think that’s a good idea.”
Sydney blinked. “Really? I mean, I know with Greg... It’s probably not safe, but I really would like to just get out a bit, you know?”
“We’ll take precautions,” Levi said. “I don’t want you worried about anything. But you taking your life back? Taking up space in the world again? That’s exactly what I want for you.”
“We could go during a quiet time,” Roland added. “Weekday morning, maybe. Fewer people. Just a short outing. Lunch and a walk, maybe peek in the bookstore.”
Sydney’s heart fluttered with hope. “That sounds perfect.”
Levi smiled and brushed his lips over her forehead. “Then it’s a date, babygirl.”
Sydney leaned into Levi’s touch, her heart full to the brim.
Roland stood behind her now, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind as Levi’s hand cupped her cheek.
“I love when you smile like that,” Roland murmured against her ear. “It’s like the sun just came out.”
She giggled, tilting her head to look up at him over her shoulder. “I can’t help it. You two keep making it very hard to stop.”
“Well, we do aim to please,” Levi said with a wink, leaning down to press a lingering kiss to her lips.
It started soft, almost sweet and reverent, but soon deepened as his thumb traced her jawline.
She gasped quietly against his mouth, and he took that opening to taste her more fully, making her toes curl against the floor.
Behind her, Roland’s hands slid up beneath her sweater, stroking over her ribs, warm palms grounding her. “Mmm,” he hummed, his lips brushing her neck. “You’re so soft here.”
Levi pulled back just enough to speak, his voice thick and low. “Want to take her to bed?”
She nodded before either of them could say another word, and Roland chuckled. “Our eager little bird.”
Within moments, they were in the bedroom.
Levi pulled her onto his lap this time, her legs straddling his thighs, her hands curled into his flannel shirt.
Roland settled beside them, close enough to press kisses to her shoulder, his hand stroking her back as Levi kissed her again, deeper now.
His tongue teased hers with unhurried confidence, coaxing sweet little noises from her that made both men growl low in appreciation.
Sydney felt like she was glowing. Every nerve in her body was waking up, singing with belonging, need, anticipation.
“You keep kissing me like that,” she whispered breathlessly, “and we’re going to forget all about dinner.”
“You forget, baby, that I have no problem having you for my dinner,” Levi rumbled, biting her lower lip gently before pulling back with a grin.
Roland nuzzled behind her ear. “Dessert too, if you’re sweet enough.”
“I’m always sweet,” she teased.
“You’re filthy sweet,” Levi growled, his hands tightening around her hips.
“And ours,” Roland added, kissing the spot just below her ear that made her whimper.
They kissed her until she was gasping and pliant in their arms, their touches slow but showing definite intent, promising more, but not rushing. There was no way they were going to get to the grill any time soon.
Not that Sydney minded one bit.
Who needed to grill when you had two hot-as-sin Daddies ready to devour you instead?