Chapter 5
SYNDER
Sienna’s heart-shaped face said more than she wanted it to. I was sure of it. If I knew it wouldn’t offend her, I’d joke about the way she nearly collapsed at the sight of me.
“How was the ride?” I asked her instead. Just like she was smitten by my presence, I was smitten by hers. That feeling I had when I laid eyes on her the other day returned full force. Her feet were on my property, now, and I couldn’t help but wonder how pretty her feet were.
Be cool, Sneaux.
“It was okay,” she replied.
Seeing her shudder against the cold air, I said, “Go inside, and I’ll bring ya stuff in.”
“Sure. Let me grab something.” She opened the back door and retrieved a small, brown teddy bear. On the front, Whimsy’s name was etched into the pink dress the bear wore.
“You came bearing gifts?” I teased her. She playfully pinched her face at me.
“It’s an icebreaker,” she explained.
“Oh, aight.” Honestly, that shit was thoughtful as hell. Being impressed by a teddy bear alerted me to how low my fucking standards were.
“It’s just that one suitcase,” she informed me.
She caught me staring at her. I chuckled and said, “I got it.” Her footsteps toward the front door were light.
I retrieved her suitcase, closed the door, and followed her.
I caught up with her just in time to see her reaction to the inside of my house.
For some reason, I hoped she found the decorations up to par.
While at her boutique, I peeped how deep she was into the holiday spirit. Her boutique rivalled the North Pole, and since she was going to be here with me, I thought of giving her a piece of the environment she was vacating to be with me and Whimsy.
“Whoever did your decorations deserves a every dime you spent,” she stated while admiring the ten-foot-tall Christmas tree erected in the center of the foyer.
The lush green tree was decked out in different hues of light gold and accented with bold, red ornaments.
At its peak, the tree topper eclipsed the double staircase’s catwalk. It was a showstopper for sure.
“I’m glad you approve,” I responded. “Ready to meet Whims?”
She grinned. “Absolutely.” Her eyes roamed the entirety of the foyer, then did the same inside the living room.
Although impressed and intrigued by the expensive lay of my house, stars didn’t dance in Sienna’s eyes. Then, I remembered Legend telling me that Sienna worked for wealthy families all the time. So, luxury wasn’t anything new to her.
I placed her suitcase next to the staircase and led her to Whimsy’s playroom.
My baby was where I left her. She sat at a small round table with her baby dolls.
On the table were two sets of teacups situated on top of small saucers.
A tea pot I had custom made for her sat on the table, too.
The instrument was filled with apple juice.
Sienna’s gasp drew my attention to her. Stars brighter than I’d ever seen burst from her eyes when she saw Whimsy.
“Oh, my gosh!” she gushed. “She’s beautiful, Mr. Sneaux!”
“Yeah, about that Mr. Sneaux shit…”
Briefly, Sienna’s eyes darted my way. She glared.
“My fault,” I apologized. “Please, call me Synder, or Syn.”
Her face relaxed, then she put on the best smile as she kneeled onto the floor and spoke to Whimsy.
“Hi, pretty girl! I’m Sienna!” She stuck her hand out for Whimsy, who giggled and shook Sienna’s hand. “This is Whimsical,” Sienna introduced the damn teddy bear.
With her eyes big and round, Whimsy took the teddy bear and hugged it tightly.
“Daddy, Whimsy!” Whimsy showed off her teddy bear to me.
“How sweet,” I replied. She giggled and placed Whimsy in her lap.
“Were you having a tea party?” Sienna asked Whimsy.
Whimsy picked her teacup up and sipped it. “Mm.” Her smile was magnetic.
“May I join you?” Sienna questioned.
“Actually… We have somewhere to be,” I interjected.
Sienna glanced at me over her shoulder. In one fell swoop, she took in my attire.
“It’s totally last minute. I’m filling in for a teammate who can’t make tonight’s dinner party benefiting several community centers.”
“Really?”
“Really,” I confirmed. She stood, put one hand on her hip, and pointedly peered at me.
“And where do you suppose I’ll find something to wear at this late-hour notice?”
Posing that question made it difficult to keep my gaze from tracking her body covered in denim jeans and a red sweater.
“You gotta promise not to cuss me out,” I said.
She tilted her head and chuckled. “Why would I do that?”
“You may not like my answer.” She gave me a look that prompted me to say, “I bought several options for you to choose from. They’re all hanging up inside ya bedroom. You have several pairs of shoes to choose from, too.”
This time when she glared, I expected her to chop my head off, so I prepared myself for the lashing.
“You better be glad I can do my own hair and makeup,” she stated. “Or else, I would’ve raised my voice at you, Mr.—”
This time, it was my turn to glare.
“—Synder,” she finished. “Now, point me to my room, and I can get myself ready.”
Relieved, I said, “Sure. Follow me.”
Whimsy got up and followed us out of her playroom. She brought her teddy bear with her. Sienna reached out for Whimsy’s hand, and my baby took it. On the way up the stairs, I grabbed Sienna’s suitcase. We passed a couple of rooms, then came upon the room Sienna would be using.
“That’s an entire rack of dresses,” she fussed the minute she walked into the room.
“Precisely. So, get to it. I’ll get Whimsy ready. We need to be out of here by seven.”
Closing the door on the irritated expression she wore, I was glad to have made it past first base. Damn.
Forty-five minutes later, I swallowed my own tongue. Rushing into the kitchen, I practically inhaled a bottle of water.
Sienna rushed into the kitchen to check on me. “Are you okay? That cough sounds serious.”
“Yeah, I’m cool,” I croaked.
She smelled better than she looked, unlocking another round of coughs.
Out of all the dresses that were on the rack, she picked the one that clung to her body and perfectly matched her skin tone.
She looked classy and naked at the same time.
The chocolate brown, sparkly, party dress hit her just above her knees and fully exposed her shoulders.
A stunning diamond necklace, bracelet, and diamond earrings were her jewelry of choice.
All her hair was piled atop her head, and her makeup looked flawless.
Letting my eyes sink lower, they landed on her feet. Strappy chocolate brown heels covered her perfect feet. Her toes were painted a light shade of pink. I resisted the urge to lick my lips. Treading lightly around Sienna was going to be a chore.
Her almond-shaped brown eyes questioningly blinked up at me. I was openly staring and processing whether I would be able to hold up my end of the bargain. Truly, I wanted to say fuck needing a nanny and making a play for Sienna’s heart instead.
She had me locked in.