Girl By Any Other Name Page 20

  “Don’t you dare. I’m just curious that’s all.”

  “About what?”

  “Will it tickle everywhere?”

  “You tell me.”

  I trailed kisses, making a path toward her stomach. Her laughter soon turned into moans. When I stopped to rub my stubble on her soft, delicate skin, she would start laughing again. We both did. I dipped my tongue inside her. I loved to hear Sylvie laugh, but her moan was incredible. It was deep and sexy, full of longing and desire. I managed to pull out a condom and kick off my shorts. I put on the rubber, wanting to pat myself on the back for my impressive multi-tasking.

  She was still climaxing when I climbed up the bed and then inside her. She clutched my shoulders, digging her nails in, as I pounded into her.

  “Wrap your legs around me, sweetheart.”

  She obeyed immediately. I wasn’t this vocal in bed, but there was something instinctive with her. Maybe because there were so many things I couldn’t change, I had a need for control when we were intimate. Conversely, Sylvie became more submissive with me. But, in reality, she held all the power over me.

  She used her legs to encourage me back inside of her every time I pulled away. We moved in unison, building to our release, stimulating each other with soft, wet kisses.

  “I love you,” I managed to choke out as I watched her climax.

  “Me, too,” she screamed.

  “Say the whole thing to me.”

  “I love you, Caleb.”

  I thrust again, deeper and harder than before. She moaned against my neck, and I sensed she was close again.

  When she pulsed around me, my name spilled from her lips, a sweet sinful song. One I wanted to play on repeat. I was shocked at how hard I’d come.

  I moved out of her and then headed for the bathroom to dispose of the condom. I came back to bed and spooned her against my chest.

  “It was the day we met, right? May twenty-fifth.”

  “I was wondering if you’d get it.”

  “It just took me a minute, but it all came back.”

  She stood. I watched her with no shame, my gaze travelling up her beautiful, naked body. She came back to the bed, bringing the box of chocolates with her.

  “You deserve a little treat for remembering,” she said, holding up a brightly foiled chocolate square to me.

  “Let’s share,” I replied, taking it.

  She gave me a perplexed look. “Cal, I brought the whole bag. We are sharing.”

  “That’s not what I mean. Lie down, please.”

  “Well, since you said ‘please’ this time,” she said.

  I unwrapped the chocolate square and then circled it over her lips until her body heat melted it. She opened her mouth to bite it, but I pulled it away. “Nah-uh. Not yet.”

  She frowned, but I kept up the pace, covering her mouth with the decadent sweet. Once I was satisfied, I licked it off her. “That’s really good.”

  She pouted. “Can I have some?”

  “You can have whatever you want, baby.” I put the flat square of chocolate halfway in my mouth, holding it with my lips, and moved toward her. She bit off the other half. A long line of the sticky caramel center wavered between us before landing on her chin. I made quick work of sucking it off her.

  I unwrapped another of the foil squares, wondering what surprise this had in the center. I moved it against her lips again, waiting for the chocolate to melt slightly. When it did, I moved it across her body, using it as a writing utensil to mark her waist.

  She crooked her elbows and peered down at my etching. “What are you doing?”

  “I was just thinking of another tattoo that you should get. What do you think?”

  “Your initials? Classy, Tex.”

  “Hey, I just want to make sure it’s clear who you belong to.”

  She grabbed the chocolate out of my hand and carved her own initials into my bicep, drawing a heart around the letters. SC, Sylvie Cranston.

  “I like it.”

  “I was just kidding.”

  “I wasn’t,” I said, popping the chocolate halfway into her mouth. She bit into it and I helped myself to the other half. “Mmm, peppermint.”

  “I have to get ready for work, Cal.”

  “I’m driving you.”

  “I can take the bus. That’s what I always do.”

  “That’s what you used to do. I’m driving you, but first, let me help clean you up.” I rolled my tongue over her waist, wiping away the chocolate signature I’d left on her body, which elicited a deep moan from her.

  She then did the same on my arm, tracing her drawing with her tongue. I piled kisses down her neck.

  “I have to get ready.”

  “I promise I’ll be quick.”

  “Ha, I don’t think so, but tell you what, if you promise to use the time wisely, you can shower with me.”

  “I’ll use it wisely,” I promised before I tasted the last of the chocolate off her lips.

  Chapter 23

  Present day

  I arrived almost twenty minutes early to pick her up the following weekend. I counted each day as a miracle. I usually waited in the car, but I was antsy and decided to go in. The art supply store wasn’t what I expected. They had all the typical artists’ tools lining the walls, but there were also several canvases and sculptures for sale. It was like part art supply, part art exhibition.

  “Can I help you?” a guy with Jim Morrison hair and a button-down shirt with a psychedelic pattern asked me.

  “I’m here to pick up Sy—Sophie,” I replied, catching myself. Maybe her idea of calling her Sophie was better. I couldn’t exactly say, “I’m here to pick up my sweetheart.”

  He regarded me for a moment, giving me an up-and-down look. “Are you a friend of hers?”

  There was a set to the square of his jaw that was challenging. A primal urge to bare my teeth took hold.

  “She’s my girlfriend.” Girlfriend didn’t sound right. It was too light, too adolescent for everything I felt for her. Sylvie was my everything and always had been.

  “I didn’t know she was dating anyone.”

  I wasn’t surprised. Sylvie was a private person. “Well, now you know. Is she here?”

  “She’s teaching a class in the back.”

  I didn’t ask if it was all right. I made my way to the back. Luckily, Jim Morrison was busy with new customers so he didn’t stop me.

  I stepped into the small classroom area, and there she was with about twenty kids of various ages surrounding her. “All right, ladies and gentleworms, let’s finish up.” They all laughed at her joke.

  “Miss Sophie, I got the paint on me!” one girl in pigtails cried. As I looked around the room, it was clear these children were disabled. She spotted me in the corner.

  “Almost done, Cal,” she said while wiping the girl’s fingers.

  “Take your time. Is it okay if I sit here?” I asked, gesturing to an adult-sized chair in the corner. She nodded.

  She treated each child’s painting as if it was the next Picasso or Rembrandt, giving each child unique words of praise. Sylvie would make a great mother. My smile tightened as the thought turned cold and heavy in my chest. How would that work? I had no doubt I wanted a life with her, but how would I explain to Mandy and Momma they couldn’t meet my wife? We’d have to talk about that, but now was not the time.

  My phone buzzed. I checked the text. Tony asked if I wanted to meet up for drinks. I texted back that I was too busy.

  Busy with what, Ringo? Tony texted back.

  None, as in none of your business, Doc.

  Come on, Tanner.

  I have a new girlfriend.

  Can I meet her?

  I don’t want to scare her off yet, I replied as a joke, but the truth was I wanted to keep Sylvie to myself a while longer. I couldn’t tell him who she was, but how could I keep hiding the truth when it was written in large letters across my face?

  Did you find Lenore?

&nbs
p; I’m done with my quest. It was a dumb idea anyway.

  Fine, but let me know when you’re free.

  Will do.

  The class dispersed, and an ambush of kids rushed out, leaving paints, brushes, and half-done projects in their wake. Sylvie started cleaning up.

  “Let me help,” I offered.

  “I won’t say no. The paints go in there. Make sure the caps are on tight,” she said, gesturing to a drawer.

  “How does a girl with a degree from UCLA work here?”

  She shrugged. “I tried the nine-to-five thing. I really did. I got a job in the art department of a marketing company, but it just wasn’t for me. This isn’t my ideal profession, but I love teaching the classes, and the discount on supplies is a nice fringe benefit.”

  “Maybe you should get certified as a teacher? You’re very good at it.”

  “Thanks, but this is my favorite class, so you’re seeing me at my best. These kids love being here. They communicate differently. I think expressing themselves through art helps them.”

  “What kind of class was this?” I asked, putting away the last of the paints.

  “It’s for autistic children. There is a school nearby. I used to walk by there on my way to the bus stop. I asked my manager if we could do a free class for them.”

  “It’s free?”

  “Yes, I told him it would be good publicity for our store.”

  “Has it worked?”

  She smiled coyly. “No, but don’t tell him that.”

  “You’re amazing, sweetheart.”

  She shook her head. “They’re amazing.”

  “You’re very good with them.”

  “They’re good for me, Cal.”

  We finished putting away the supplies and cleaning off all the tables. I wrapped my arm around her waist as we made our way out of the store. “Bye, Rome,” she said, waving to the man who had greeted me. Of course, the Jim Morrison-looking fellow would have a name like Rome.

  “Taking off?” he asked as if it wasn’t obvious.

  “Yeah. Oh, um, this is my—”

  “We’ve met, but not officially. Like I said earlier, I’m her boyfriend, Caleb Tanner.”

  “Nice to meet you,” he replied, with a suspicious glance toward my arm around her waist. Yeah, back off, buddy. He cast his attention toward Sylvie, turning on a bright smile. “Are you still coming to my exhibition? I need you there. After all, you’re the star of the show. There’s already buzz about the painting I did of you.”

  She smiled. “Of course, I’ll be there.”

  “Call me later,” he yelled out as we exited.

  “What’s your deal with Jim Morrison in there?” I asked when we were on the street.

  “Who—Rome? Wow, he does kind of look like Jim Morrison, interesting. He’s just a friend and co-worker.”

  “You posed for him?”

  “Yes. It’s my body, but my face isn’t in it.”

  “Is it a nude?” I asked, barely able to unclench my fist as I opened the door for her.

  “Would it upset you if it was?”

  I made my way to the driver’s side before answering her question. “I’m not particularly keen on a bunch of strangers viewing you that way, especially Jim Morrison in there.”

  “The painting isn’t a traditional nude like you’re thinking. It’s an abstract.”

  I put the car in drive. “But you were naked in a room with him alone, correct?”

  “Yes, I was, and nothing happened. You have to quit being so jealous.”

  I took a deep breath, my knuckles turning white as they clutched the steering wheel. “In case you didn’t know, I’m a caveman when it comes to you. I don’t like other men looking at what’s meant for my eyes only.”

  She shook her head, putting her arm on my shoulder. “It was professional.”

  “That might be, but there’s nothing abstract about the way he looked at you.”

  She looked down. “I know. He told me afterwards, but nothing happened between us. I’ve let him know I don’t share his feelings.”

  “And you think that’s going to stop his pursuit?”

  “I think the smug way you introduced yourself in combination with your arm around my waist will do the trick.”

  “I hope so, but don’t pose for him or anyone else again. It’s really hard for me to deal with.”

  “You have to get over this. This happened before you came back into my life, but either way, I would never cheat on you. Don’t you trust me?”

  “I trust you with everything I have. It’s not that.”

  “Then what?”

  “Let me give you a counterpoint to crystallize my argument. Are you okay if I pose nude for a female artist?”

  Her face fell so suddenly that I almost laughed. “No, I’m not okay with it. Not at all.” She swallowed. “Point taken. I won’t do it again.”

  “Will you allow me to accompany you to this exhibit?”

  “Of course, I was going to invite you.”

  “Good, now enough salt. How about some sugar?” I asked as soon as the light turned red.

  She leaned in and I met her halfway, pausing before I crushed my lips into hers. She moaned against me. We were both breathless when I pulled away. “I have to talk to you about something

  “I’m listening, but I really hope we’re off the topic of Rome.”

  “Oh, I’m totally off Rome, and I’m glad to hear you were never on him.”

  She punched me in the arm. “What is it?”

  “Will you go to church with me next weekend?”

  “That would be nice. There’s one I go to that’s not far—it’s non-denominational. Or we can go to yours, too. I don’t care either way.”

  “You go to church?”

  “Yeah.”

  “We’ll go to yours. I don’t have one. I actually haven’t been in a long time.”

  “How long?”

  “Almost ten years.”

  Her eyes widened with my admission. “Did I make you lose your faith?”

  I put my hand on her knee, squeezing it. “No, baby, nothing like that. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever prayed so hard in my life. Of course, Momma would have said I was doing it wrong. I made a lot of bargains with God. I promised if I found you again, I would bring us both back to the church.”

  “Why didn’t you go?”

  “The church at Prairie reminded me of you, especially the swing set. When I left, I never found another. I didn’t want to go without you.”

  “Well, I guess we should make sure to go every week then to make good on those promises.”

  “Actually, you found me. I figured you would sooner or later. Still, I shouldn’t have spent all those years acting like such a fool.”

  “What did you do to find me, Cal?”

  “It’s not important now.” Why had I even brought this up? It would only make her feel guilty.

  She cured her fingers around my arm. “Tell me, please.”

  “I annoyed everyone at the police station, the FBI, and the hospital. Over the years, I hired three private detectives. They never found anything, but then again, I couldn’t afford anyone good. I stopped random girls on the street to ask if I knew them.” I chuckled cynically. “They all thought I was trying to pick them up. Oh, and I wrote a book, hoping you would find it one day and maybe read it.” When I glanced at her, I regretted telling her.

  She was crying.

  I pulled over into a vacant parking lot and rubbed her arm. “Hey, it’s okay. I—”

  “I’m so sorry I caused you so much pain.”

  I kissed away her tears. “It was a hard road, but it’s behind me. Behind us. We’re here now, and that’s all that matters.”

  Chapter 24

  Present day

  I was with her when I wasn’t teaching. I would have gone straight to her place tonight but I had to change into my suit for Rome’s exhibition. When she opened the door, I had a hard time not insisting we stay in. S
he wore a snug-fitting maroon dress that hugged all her curves perfectly.

  “Dayaaamn, girl, that’s a sexy dress,” I said, letting my gaze roam her luscious body.

  “Thanks, you look handsome, too.” She adjusted my tie.

  “Turn around for me.”

  She backed away curiously.

  “I just want the full view,” I added, twirling my finger in the air.

  She pivoted gracefully. I thought the front of the dress was sexy, even with its high neckline, but each angle revealed more skin and made me shift somewhat uncomfortably. There was a deep slit on the side, showing off her shapely right leg, and it looked exceptional, especially in the high black stilettos. It was also sleeveless and…backless. I swallowed hard, wondering how she could turn me on as much clothed as she did naked. The dress framed her backside perfectly. It was a work of art in itself. I followed the curve of her spine as it declined into that sweet dip at the small of her back, before jutting out in the plump perfection of her ass.

  The lack of material was dangerously low where the dress started again, right above her ass. I placed my hand in the area, rubbing small circles. A woman’s body was all peaks, valleys, and curves…and Sylvie had more than her fair share. She had grown into her body. And what a beautiful body it was.

  I kissed the nape of her neck, inhaling her sweet scent. Her hair was up, but soft curls draped around her face. I had an urge to release all the safety pins holding it in place. I pressed into her body, running my hands down the length of each arm, sucking on the soft, delicious skin of her shoulder.

  “Um, Cal?”

  “Yes?” I asked, sucking her earlobe.

  “Let’s go before I have to change my panties,” she said, breathlessly.

  “You’re killing me in this dress. I’m going to be hard all night,” I whispered against her ear. I smacked her bottom, playfully.

  She chuckled. “Why do you think I wore it?”

  I led her out, placing my hand on the small of her back, occasionally letting it slip lower. Before we entered the gallery, I took off my jacket and draped it around her shoulders. She looked at me quizzically. “I thought you might be cold,” I said, trying to feign innocence.