38. Sydney
CHAPTER 38
SYDNEY
After the phone call ends, Bodie, Gracen, Crew, and Lucky begin bickering about what the numbers eight and six have to do with where the money is located. The port of San Francisco Bay is not small. Someone could spend their entire life opening shipping containers and might never find what they’re looking for.
West places a hand on my lower back and pushes me into the bathroom. He follows me in and shuts the door, locking it and snapping the fan on.
“Now is a good time to walk away.”
I glance over his shoulder at the locked door. “Well, you’re blocking the way.”
He glares at me and takes a step toward me. “They’re not playing games. You could get hurt.”
“And are you telling me what to do?” I fold my arms and smile up at him. It feels hollow. I want West, of all people, to think I’m capable. Everyone who has loved me in the past has wanted to protect me by wrapping me in bubble wrap.
West groans and runs a hand down his face. He grabs his chin and stares at me a moment.
“What I’m saying is, you can’t go into this unprepared. You have to think about it. These aren’t just a couple of criminals stealing wallets out of cars. This is organized crime. They are literally professionals. And if you’re going to keep going with this, then you had better be ready to watch your back.”
“I will,” I promise. “And I’ll watch yours too.”
He smiles softly at that. “You’ve already proven that much. You’re one of a kind, Sydney. Never forget that.”
He takes a small step toward me, and I can feel the heat from his body. “And I know you’re one of the kindest, most caring men I’ve ever met.”
His eyes go wide at that. “I think you have me confused with someone else.”
“Really? So you didn’t turn down kissing me because I was accidentally drunk?”
His eyes sharpen at that. “How much do you remember from last night?”
I can feel myself blushing. “I remember being mad and hurt that you wouldn’t kiss me. And now today, I think you’re someone I can trust no matter what, no matter where.”
“I don’t think you can trust me right now, Sydney,” he whispers.
I take a step closer to him. “Yes, I can. I know I can trust you—even when I’m kissing you.”
We meet each other halfway and kiss in a hotel bathroom while a brawl goes on in the room outside.
The noise slowly fades and I’m busy being pulled into West’s orbit. Kissing him is exactly as I imagined. All consuming.
My chest flutters as I reach up to grasp the back of his head and stand on my tiptoes. West bends down and wraps an arm around my waist, lifting me up to meet his height.
I’m pressed tightly against him, and I feel a heady mixture of desire and comfort. I feel like I’m exactly where I belong, but I can’t get enough.
I can’t get enough of him.
And it scares me because this can’t last.
So I do the only thing I can. I savor it. The scruff on his face brushes against my soft skin. He has a firm hold on my waist, pulling me tight against his hard body.
I’d hoped my curiosity could be satisfied with one kiss. But turns out West’s lips are an addiction. Now that I’ve had them, I only want more, and nothing but more kisses from West will fill that craving.