Sweet Seduction Read online

  Warn Sydney.

  Chas’ words kept returning to her. While she was grateful he was returning home, she didn’t fool herself into believing it would be easy for her to maintain a friendship without longing for more. She tried to tell herself she’d built up that first time, that she could only recall that night of the prom with a starry-eyed teenaged girl’s too-whimsical, too-romantic memory. It couldn’t have been as perfect as she remembered.

  So did he want his gran to warn her of his pending return so that she could gird her loins, strengthen her resolve and find a way to maintain the status quo?

  She sighed, and then decided she’d managed to get through the last twelve years’ worth of days without him, though the fact he’d been on another continent had certainly made that simpler.

  Surely she could handle a few dozen more years alone, even with him nearby.

  Maybe.

  Chapter Two

  Sydney stood next to Gran, who was flanked by Julian on the right. The three of them were standing at the international arrivals gate, grinning like fools as they held the banner Sydney had made. Chas’ flight had landed and her heart was racing a million miles an hour. She’d seen him just a few months earlier over the holidays. They’d exchanged small gifts and consumed a bottle of eggnog together. Chas had even told her a little bit about two friends he’d lost in combat, the story breaking her heart.

  Chas had ended up sleeping on her couch that night, while she’d tossed and turned in her bedroom, fighting the urge to go out and comfort him. However, there had been something in his eyes—some dark, unfamiliar sadness—that had stopped her, that had told her to keep her distance.

  Several more people walked through the gate. Sydney watched as relatives reunited with hugs, laughter and sometimes tears. She loved coming to the airport, loved the energy and the atmosphere, the hustle and bustle. It was a hotbed of emotions unlike any other place.

  Gran captured her attention with a nudge of the elbow. “There he is.”

  Chas strolled through the doors in jeans and a t-shirt. It would seem so weird to see him dressed in civilian clothing rather than his fatigues from now on, and she wondered if he’d give up the crew cut he’d kept for so many years and return to the longer style of his youth. He looked around the area, searching for them. Sydney smiled and waved when his eyes met hers.

  Chas walked faster then, laughing when he read their banner. Sydney took it from Julian and Gran, stepping back so that Chas could greet his family.

  She was shocked when he bypassed both of them and walked right up to her. He tugged the banner out of her hands and dropped it to the floor a split second before he grabbed her in his embrace and kissed her.

  His mouth was demanding, forcing her lips apart so he could stroke her tongue with his. Sydney fought off a wave of dizziness and disbelief. Even a bit of embarrassment when she recalled his grandmother was standing less than five feet away from them. She put her hands on his shoulders, intent on pushing him away, but Chas only gripped her tighter, one of his hands rising to cup the back of her neck, his fingers lightly stroking the sensitive skin there.

  She was a goner. Sydney stopped giving a shit who was there and what they were seeing. Chas was home. And he was kissing her.

  Twelve years melted away into a haze of nothingness. He was home. Finally.

  After several very long, heated minutes, Chas released her, giving her a wicked smile and a suggestive wink.

  “Sorry Gran,” he said as he turned, offering his grandmother the big bear hug she’d been waiting for.

  Gran laughed, wrapping her arms around his waist and squeezing tightly. “Oh boy, it’s so good to have you back home. Safe and sound.”

  Sydney detected just the slightest crack in Gran’s voice, the only indication she’d ever seen that told her exactly how much Chas’ grandmother had worried about him.

  Julian stepped closer as he and Chas did the man-hug thing, slapping each other on the back. “It’s about time you got your ass back to Texas.”

  Chas laughed, but nodded in agreement. “You’re right. It was time.” He looked at Gran and then Sydney before adding, “Past time.”

  Sydney’s head whirled as she struggled to put two and two together. She’d spent the last week since she’d heard Chas was returning trying to talk herself into resuming and maintaining a casual friendship with him. Not once had she anticipated that kiss.

  Chas bent down to retrieve her banner, handing it back to her. “Sorry. I think I ripped it.”

  She glanced at the paper stupidly, spotting the large tear near the middle. “It doesn’t matter. Served its purpose.”

  He gave his gran a quick kiss on the cheek, then looked at Julian. “Swear to me there’s no one waiting at the house to surprise me.”

  Julian raised his hand, making the solemn promise. Sydney fought to keep a straight face. The truth was there were at least two dozen friends gathered at Sparks Barbeque waiting to welcome their Marine home. But that wasn’t what Chas had asked, so Julian made the vow without hesitation.

  Gran had considered respecting Chas’ request for no party for about three minutes, then as word spread he was coming home, she’d decided to heck with it. Chas was well liked in the community, his name mentioned nearly every single Sunday in the prayer at church. Maris wasn’t exactly a small town, but it was one that had grown slowly over time as people moved into the area. As a result, everybody pretty much knew everybody else. There were a lot of people sighing with relief that Chas was returning safe and sound and they felt the need to celebrate.

  Chas threw his duffel over his shoulder and then—to Sydney’s surprise—he wrapped his arm around her shoulders possessively and tugged her close as the four of them walked to the parking lot.

  Sydney was tempted to ask him what the hell he was doing, but his grandmother was next to him, chatting a mile a minute as she told him about the renovations she’d had Julian do to the house. Chas had moved his bedroom from upstairs to the mostly finished basement when he was in high school, claiming he needed more space to chill with his friends.

  When Gran heard he was coming home to stay, she’d had Julian and his construction crew build him a proper apartment downstairs, complete with a full bath, living area, kitchenette and personal entrance.

  “Gran. You didn’t have to do that.”

  She shrugged as Chas threw his duffel into the trunk of Julian’s car. “I didn’t do it for you. I did it for me. I want you to stay with me, but I could hardly ask a grown man to move in and be roomies with his old grandmother.”

  Chas chuckled. “Hate to break it to you, but you were going to be stuck with me for a while regardless. You could have saved yourself some money and effort. My old room was just fine with me.”

  Chas opened the back door and gestured for Sydney to climb in. She did so, grinning when Chas claimed the backseat next to her.

  “And by the way,” Chas added, leaning toward the front seat as Julian sat behind the steering wheel and Gran grabbed shotgun. “You aren’t old.”

  Sydney joined the conversation as she, Julian and Gran caught Chas up on all the gossip from home. She forced herself to keep her tone casual despite the fact that Chas’ hand had somehow found its way to her knee. He was lightly stroking it, almost absentmindedly as they chatted.

  Then, when she looked at his face and saw his gaze glued to the bare bit of leg revealed by her dress, she realized Chas knew exactly what he was doing.

  She’d worn a short sundress and strappy sandals to the airport. Her cousin, Macie, had wolf-whistled when she’d seen her this morning, then given her a suspicious look. Sydney had tried to play off the outfit, pretending she hadn’t gone out of her way to look her best, and maybe even a wee bit sexy.

  He looked disappointed when they pulled into the parking lot at Sparks Barbeque. “Are we dropping you off, Syd? I was hoping you’d come back to the house with us for a little while.” Then he leaned closer and whispered, “Or for the night.
”

  What the hell was going on with him? For twelve years, he’d never broken the friend code, never let on that he wanted anything more from her.

  She was equal parts thrilled and annoyed.

  Before she could answer, Gran turned around. “I was trying to decide what to make for your first meal home, then realized your favorite dinner wasn’t anything I make.” Gran pointed to Sydney. “It’s what she makes.”

  Chas’ eyes widened in delight. “Pulled-pork barbeque with your special sauce and homemade coleslaw on a sesame seed bun?”

  Sydney laughed. The more things changed, the more they stayed the same. “Would I serve you anything else?”

  Chas rubbed his stomach. “Great plan. I’m starving. On that last damn leg of my flight, they only gave us peanuts and a lousy cup of Coke. Mine was more ice than drink. Wouldn’t mind an ice-cold beer.”

  Sydney wondered if he’d feel quite as happy with this plan when he realized his meal came with a lot of company. The four of them got out of the car. Mercifully, Macie had remembered to take down the sign on the door that said they were closed for a private party. That would have given them away too early and Sydney couldn’t be sure Chas wouldn’t turn tail and run.

  Julian opened the door, holding it for them. Gran and Sydney entered first, trying to block Chas’ view until the last minute, which was a futile task. He topped them both by at least a foot.

  No sooner had Julian closed the door and blocked the entrance than the huge crowd of people yelled, “Surprise!”

  There were at least fifty people in the restaurant—way more than Sydney had expected—though she shouldn’t have been shocked. There weren’t too many folks in Maris who didn’t like a good party.

  The restaurant was decorated in red, white and blue streamers with small American flags serving as centerpieces on every table. She and Gran had spent most of the morning setting up. It had been a great way to pass the hours until it was time to go to the airport. However, even being busy, the morning had lasted an eternity.

  Sydney held her breath as she waited for Chas’ response. She was delighted when she heard his booming laughter, then he turned to look at his grandmother with narrowed eyes.

  “Is this what you call no party?”

  Gran was ready for his complaint. She played the innocent, claiming it must be a coincidence that everyone just happened to be there. “It is a restaurant, after all, my boy. I can’t tell everyone in town to stay away just because you want to eat here.”

  Chas bent down to kiss Gran on the cheek, thanking her for her efforts. Sydney watched the older lady quickly bat away a tear. Sydney understood the feeling. She was teetering on the edge of so many emotions. Overwhelmed by absolute joy while struggling not to dissolve into a puddle of tears. And in the midst of it, all she kept saying over and over in her head was thank God he’s home.

  Then Chas turned to her, his hands on his hips. “I suspect you played a part in this too.”

  Sydney gave him an unrepentant grin. “I didn’t promise not to throw you a party.”

  Chas took a step closer. “Payback’s a bitch.”

  “I love parties, so it’s totally worth it,” she teased. “Do your worst.”

  “Okay. I will.”

  And with that, Chas bent down and kissed her just as he had in the airport. Right there in the restaurant in front of her family, God and everybody. His intention to claim her affections couldn’t have been clearer if he’d had it painted on the wall in bright neon letters.

  This time when Sydney pushed away, he let her go.

  “What the hell are you up to?” she muttered.

  He tugged her hair playfully. “I kind of thought that was obvious.”

  “We’re having a long talk later.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  That was all the conversation the crowd allowed them before the shock of Chas’ kiss wore off and everyone moved forward to hug him.

  Sydney found herself pushed farther and farther away from him as the crowd around him grew. She tried to will away the heat that suffused her cheeks when he’d kissed her so publicly. She could feel Macie’s gaze on her, but she pointedly ignored it. The last thing she wanted was to deal with her cousin’s questions. Mainly because Sydney didn’t have the answers.

  She’d been ready to play the friend role. She didn’t have a clue what to do with this guy. This sexy, not-taking-no-for-an-answer, kissing-her-senseless-every-time-she-turned-around guy.

  Shit.

  She’d told him they would talk later and they would. It was pointless to worry about it now. There were too many people around and Chas was already making the rounds, reconnecting with old friends, accepting a beer and the cheers that came with it.

  She marveled at how at ease he seemed. There was definitely something different about Chas. Her old friend would never have kissed her in public or been such a gracious guest at a party in his honor. She’d watched him storm out of two birthday parties—the only two his gran had ever held for him—when he was younger. One when he was just seven and the other on his thirteenth. He’d been too embarrassed and uncomfortable to remain at either for long.

  At his seventh birthday, he and Sydney had retreated to his tree house in the backyard, neither of them coming out until all the guests had departed. At his thirteenth—a picnic at the lake—he’d snuck away to a hidden cove and it had taken Sydney nearly an hour to find him. When she did, he begged her not to rat him out. So…again…she’d stayed with him until nearly dark, then they’d returned to face his grandmother’s disappointment together.

  This time he appeared to be enjoying himself and he gave no indication of trying to escape. Or at least, that was how it appeared on the surface. After a half hour or so, Sydney noticed tight lines by his eyes and mouth. She wasn’t sure if his enthusiasm was waning or if his ability to pretend he was okay with the party was.

  Sydney watched as Julian slowly left his post by the front door and moved closer to Chas. Apparently, his uncle had noticed the same thing. Chas and his uncle had always been close. In truth, Julian was more father than uncle to Chas. She caught Julian’s eye then pointed to the kitchen, and he gave her a discreet nod, letting her know he’d keep watch over Chas.

  Reassured, Sydney left the dining area and headed to the back of the restaurant to help her cousin Jeannette fill the serving dishes. They had made all of Chas’ favorites, hoping to win his forgiveness for having the party with food.

  Fortunately Jeannette had been in the kitchen when Chas planted that kiss on her, so Sydney wasn’t subjected to any questions. Together, they began to carry the large bowls to the dining room. Macie was behind the bar, serving up the drinks, she and Chas trying to outdo one other, each telling old high school stories meant to embarrass, much to the amusement of everyone there.

  Chas was told to fill his plate first as he was the guest of honor. He gave her a hungry smile as she loaded a pork barbeque sandwich for him. However, it didn’t take a brain surgeon to tell her the smile had nothing to do with wanting food. His sexy gaze was hot and sent shivers of desire down her spine. The room was suddenly muggy, the air thick, and her body started to ache with need. This wasn’t good. There were too many damn people around, most of them her relatives. Hell, the preacher was third in line for the meal.

  Sydney narrowed her eyes, warning him to cut it out, but Chas was relentless. When she placed the sandwich on his plate, he reached for her hand and pulled it to his mouth to suck off the tiny bit of sauce on her fingers.

  Her pussy clenched and she began to suffer her own unbearable cravings. God. At this rate, she wouldn’t have to worry about Chas slipping away from his own party. She’d drag him away. Straight to her bedroom.

  Which would be foolish. And wonderful. And stupid. And…

  Dammit. She’d spent twelve years getting over the bastard, resigning herself to the fact she’d never be more than just his friend.

  Now, in just one short hour, he’d sha
ken her to the core and shone a spotlight on the irrefutable truth. She’d never stopped loving him.

  She tugged her hand out of his, but not before they’d caught the attention of too many people around them. She wasn’t getting out of the restaurant tonight without being asked a lot of unwanted questions. Her family wasn’t the type to let anything pass by unnoticed or without comment.

  She left the serving to Jeannette while pretending to go to the kitchen to get something she’d forgotten. She really just needed a breather, a chance to get away from the curious stares and compose herself.

  She leaned against the kitchen counter, grateful for a few minutes of quiet. Unfortunately it was short-lived. She should have realized Chas would notice her absence.

  “Syd?”

  She glanced toward the doorway. “I’m here.”

  This time, she noticed with some satisfaction, his smile was rueful, almost apologetic. “Thanks for the party.”

  She scowled. “You hate parties.”

  He shrugged. “I know. Still not crazy about them, but they don’t bother me as much anymore.”

  “Why not?”

  He crossed the room until he was standing next to her. She stiffened her spine, anticipating a touch or perhaps another of his unexpected embraces or kisses. She was almost disappointed when he did neither.

  Well, not almost. She was completely disappointed.

  “I know I’m lucky to be here, Syd. I had a couple good friends die over in Iraq. I can’t help but think how much it would have meant to their families to be able to throw them a welcome home party like this.”

  The same haunted look she’d seen in his eyes too much over the past few years reappeared. His words went through her like a knife, reminding her once more that she could have lost him. She didn’t realize she was crying until she felt his fingers on her cheeks, wiping away the tears.

  “Hey now, pretty girl. I didn’t mean to make you sad.”

  She couldn’t speak through the lump in her throat. Instead, she reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist, clinging to him, wondering if she’d ever find the courage to let go. She wouldn’t mind spending the next decade or so standing right here, just like this. Because at least it would mean he was with her and safe.