Anything You Want: River Jewel Resort Series Book 1 (5 page)

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Sydney awoke to the smell of coffee. Half asleep, she rolled over believing it was just a dream. “Wake up, sleepyhead.”

What? Sydney opened her eyes and lay perfectly still. Surely she hadn’t heard someone speak to her. Great, now she was hearing voices! She knew this place was too good to be true. Any minute now, she’d wake up to find she’d been placed in a mental institution and the last twenty-four hours had been a drug induced fantasy.

“Sydney?” That voice! It couldn’t be. No, no, no.

She turned her head toward the voice and there he stood in all of his handsome, panty-soaking glory. Sydney bolted upright and covered herself with the plush blanket.

“No need to be modest. You’re beautiful, Sydney.”

Just then, the sensual sound of Glenn Danzig’s voice floated out of the stone walls. Of course the River Jewel Resort would know her taste in music. ‘Anything You Want’ had always been Sydney’s favorite song. However, she’d long ago given up on hoping to find the man to give her exactly what she wanted and needed.

“Mark, what are you doing here?”

“Making you coffee. Cream, no sugar, right? Here you go.”

“Okay, this place just elevated to the insanely creepy level.” She accepted the cup of coffee and greedily sipped at its contents.

“Creepy? This is what you wanted, isn’t it?”

“Um, yes and no. Obviously, I never requested for you to be here making me coffee. And I certainly never asked you to come see me naked.”

“Are you sure? I don’t believe in coincidences.” His charming smile worked miracles and she felt herself relax.

“Seriously, why are you here?”

“The same reason you are, Sydney. Fate.”

“Fate? Ha! You can’t be serious. Is that your best pick-up line?” She laughed incredulously and reached for her robe intent on leaving as quickly as possible. Who did this guy think he was? Did he prey on all of the women? Hot or not, Mark had just stepped over the line and smacked straight into stalker territory.

“Sydney wait. Please? Just hear me out.”

Mark stood there, naked from the waist up and it wasn’t like Sydney didn’t enjoy the view. Besides, he made her coffee, the least she could was hang out and ogle his fabulous, tanned abs, right?

“Sure. Fill up my cup again and I’m all yours, Mark.” What was she thinking? She should’ve bolted when she had the chance.

Mark stood there. As erect and firm as a Greek statue. The way his lips parted when he smiled was amazing and he walked with such fluid grace. The man oozed pride and strength. Sydney’s stomach filled with butterflies when he spoke and every time he moved, his muscles rippled like waves. Tan, firm, sexy and intoxicating. He handed her mug back to her and sat down on the bed beside her.

“Sydney, I know you’ve been through a lot and all I know is what I’ve heard from Lexi. But ever since, I met Lexi we’ve shared a connection.”

She knew it! Here it was the big kiss-off before they could even kiss. Just her luck!

“I know, Mark. Lexi’s a great woman. She’s smart, kind and incredibly beautiful.”

“Yes, she is and she’s a great friend. But all she ever talks about is you. She wants you to be happy, Sydney. She wants you to find someone special. That’s why she begged you to come here and try Scarlet’s unique services.”

“Lexi knows I’m not a one-night-stand kind of woman, Mark. It’s okay for other people and I’m sure a lot of singles find it to be an amazing experience, but it’s just not my thing. Of course, I’ve really enjoyed my stay here. Well, after I got over the initial ‘being creeped out’ thing. I love it as a respite, I just don’t believe the extra…shall we say, amenities are my cup of tea.” Sydney raised her mug and sipped at her coffee.

“No, you don’t understand. Maybe I’m not being clear and forgive my bluntness but Lexi wanted you to come here so we could meet.”

Coffee flew out of Sydney’s mouth and she gasped and coughed, sending the remainder of her beverage up and out of the mug onto her robe. “What?” Her face warm and crimson as she continued to sputter; “I can’t…”

Mark got up and took the mug from her and patted her on the back. “Are you okay? Breathe, Sydney!”

“I am breathing! Stop pounding on me, you Neanderthal.” Though she was clearly shocked and irritated, part of her wanted to laugh at the irony of it all but embarrassment prevented even a hint of a smile from escaping her lips. He continued to pat at her robe with the Egyptian cotton towel as Sydney slapped his hands away. “I’m fine. Stop it!”

“I was just trying to help. I’m so sorry Sydney.”

“Just stop. It’s okay. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. It was my fault and I know you were just trying to help. I’ll just go wash up in the pool or maybe I should just call it a day and head to my room.” Sydney stood to leave.

“Please don’t leave. It wasn’t easy for me to come here. I know you’ve been through Hell, but can’t we just talk?” Mark changed from a self-assured man, to bashful in an instant. Sydney found it quite endearing. “Do you need anything?”

“No, Mark. I’ll be fine? Sit tight, I’ll be right back. I suppose we do have some things to talk about.”

Sydney remembered the cavern room had a bathroom and instead of taking a quick dip in the pool, she opted for a quick wash at the sink.  She returned to the bedroom and met Mark’s gaze. She tightened the towel around her chest and she could sense the desire emanating from Mark. The air seemed to be charged with some sort of electricity. Sydney realized in an instant, Mark had been serious. He truly felt something for her. Something he believed to be fated. Before she knew it, she felt herself drawn like a magnet to his side.

“Sydney, I know you don’t understand but I’ve wanted to meet you for years. Lexi has told me so much about you that I feel like I already know you. And I know you’re carrying a lot of hurt inside of you and I don’t blame you. All I’m asking is for you to give us a chance. Spend some time together and see where it goes.”

“Mark, I…”

Sydney didn’t have a chance to finish. He pulled her into his arms and silenced her with a kiss. His lips reminded her of the rose petals scattered about, soft and yielding. She wrapped her arms around his neck and falling deeper into him, into feelings she hadn’t felt in so very long. The moment they touched, a spark led to a burn, a fire rekindled inside of her that warmed every fiber of her being. Mark’s body fit against hers perfectly, his hands touched her with urgency and he held her like she hadn’t been held in some time.

She couldn’t get enough of him. Sydney sucked his tongue into her mouth as white, hot heat poured through her veins. Sydney let go of Mark for an instant, just long enough to tear the towel from her body so her skin, every inch of her skin could touch his. The rosy peaks of her breasts brushed against his chest and he groaned with desire. They fell to the bed in a tangle of arms and legs as their bodies pressed against each other with primal need.

Mark looked into Sydney’s eyes, placed his hand on her cheek “You’re beautiful, Sydney. Let me love you the way you should be loved.”

She answered him with another heart stopping kiss. Mark’s hands explored her body, lingering as he discovered each new enticing secret her body held. In an instant, Sydney realized she had never been truly touched or ravished like a woman should be. Like a woman deserved to be. Lovemaking with Roger had always been so…mechanical, almost as if it were a chore.

Sydney reached out and found the top of Mark’s swim trunks, sliding her hand inside. She was more than pleased with what her hand found. She now knew what they said about large hands was true and touching his smooth, hard erection sent shivers down her spine. The insatiable urge to lick him, taste him, take all of him into her mouth raced through her.

Mark’s hands roamed over her breasts, stopping only to pinch her nipples before descending to her stomach. He squeezed her hip while his tongue danced inside Sydney’s mouth. Her core was slick with need and she pumped him, begging for more.

“Slow down, kitten. All in good time. Wait right here. I want you to be protected.” His roguish smile brought her closer to the edge of oblivion. Mark pulled away long enough to slide his shorts off, leaving them on the floor and he padded, naked into the adjoining bathroom. In that moment, Sydney felt lost, cold without his touch and her soul wept until he returned. Why was she being so emotional? The time he was away from her may have been brief but it nearly brought Sydney to tears. She’d never been with any other man besides Roger and though she’d just met him, Mark was a million times the man Roger ever was. Something about him, made Sydney believe Lexi may have been right. Maybe she was meant to be with Mark. Either that or Sydney needed serious mental help. Maybe she was losing it.

Mark returned, slid in beside her, and easily rolled Sydney so she was on top of him. Not the most graceful thing to attempt, but it didn’t matter, all that mattered was she was close to him, melting into him. He held up a condom and Sydney snatched it from him and ripping it open with her teeth. Feeling wonton and empowered she stared into his eyes as she rolled the latex over his cock, sheathing him with a barrier of protection for both of them.

Sydney guided him into her, amazed at his girth, even though she’d expected it to be a tight fit. Mark groaned in ecstasy as he inched himself inside her. Sydney threw her head back as he forced the last of himself in.

“You’re so tight, Sydney!” His eyes smoldering with ecstasy as he thumbed her clit.

She rolled her hips and rode him, while her pussy clenched his shaft. His hands squeezed and pinched her, creating pain and pleasure wherever they touched. Everything about Mark was perfect, almost too perfect but she didn’t care. She needed him, his touch and every moment she had with him, she would cherish.

Sydney’s heart raced as she neared ecstasy and Mark’s thrusts met hers pound for pound. Their bodies were slick with sweat and primed for more. As Mark drove deeper into Sydney, hammering her, holding her ass as she bobbed up and down on his shaft, Sydney screamed as her orgasm tore through her. Her juices ran down his shaft as Sydney’s pussy milked him, begged him to release his seed. She rammed herself up and down, up and down, until his back arched and he held her in place as his hot cum shot inside her.

She rolled her hips, grinding her clit against his pelvis, whimpering for more. He pulled her to him, kissing her with unbridled passion as the last of his climax emptied into her core. He rocked her slowly, pushing her to another orgasm, whispering “Cum baby, cum all over me.” And she did before collapsing on top of him, depleted and satisfied.

Mark held her and traced lazy circles on her shoulder. Their lovemaking over, Sydney felt awkward, unsure what she should do or say. Mark kissed the top of her head as she lay across his chest.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. You’ll get me going again and you’ll never get out of here.” She smiled into his chest, threads of desire already spreading through her sated body.

“Would that be so bad, Sydney? If I never left?”

Whoa. That sentence halted any plans Sydney had mentally made. She wasn’t exactly ready to hop off of him and run, but his words weren’t said with a casual air. He meant them. Sydney felt it and she wasn’t sure what she wanted right now.

“Mark, I…” she rolled off of him and turned away.

“No worries, Sydney. I know you aren’t ready for another commitment. That’s okay. I just want you to know I’ll be here waiting for you when you are.” He kissed her shoulder and rose off the bed to gather his clothes.

The moment he left her side, Sydney’s heart ached.  The girl who believed in happily-ever-after, was kicking and screaming but the sensible just-been-heartbroken-woman was in control now and she needed to take things slow.

“Mark, I had a lovely time.” She rolled her eyes as she sat up in bed, not bothering to cover her naked form. “Okay, that was ridiculous and lame. It was more than lovely. The only coherent word I can think is ‘wow’ and part of me would love to stay here in this secluded bubble with you. But I can’t. Not yet. There are so many things I want to do.”

“Like what? I can give you everything you need. Just like the song says, Sydney, if you’ll let me.”

“Mark, I had that once. Roger gave me everything, every possible material thing a woman could ever want and it wasn’t enough. Hell, I only know I need time, time to figure out who I am and where my life is going. It isn’t personal, okay. You’re a great guy and a phenomenal lover and any woman would be lucky to have you. I know from the time we’ve spent together that I care for you. You infuriate me, you make me laugh and I feel more alive and satisfied than I ever have. But is that enough?”

He shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. “Well, my offer still stands, I’ll be here. I’ll wait for you.”

Sydney smiled and held her arms out, beckoning him to embrace her. Their hug was long and heartfelt. When they pulled away, tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them away, and knew leaving was the right thing to do. For now.

“I’ve gotta
’ run, Sydney. Work calls.” Mark averted his gaze and Sydney knew he was lying but she understood.

“Okay. Well, the next time I’m in town, I hope I will see you again, Mark.”

“Anything you want, Sydney.” He kissed her good-bye and smiled before leaving her in the grotto.