A/N :hi:
Since it's a long weekend, I decided to give you 2 updates in 1 as a thank you for all your support. I can't begin to tell you how your comments are welcomed and appreciated.
So A BIG THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. :smooch:
Have a great long weekend and well talk very soon.
rop: CJ
~Part 9
Once they were alone, Vaughn placed his arms around Sydney’s waist and pulled her closer to him. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For my friend Will. He has a way to say things without thinking them through.”
“I like him.” She smiled
“He likes you, I can tell. He never opens up that much so fast.” Vaughn laughed.
“Tonight should be interesting.” she said leaning up to kiss his jaw.
“Yeah, it’s only the beginning.” He smiled as he quickly kiss her.
“Hey guys, look who I found lost in Mike’s front lawn. “Weiss said barging in on Sydney and Vaughn’s tender moment in the kitchen.
Nadia came in the house with Weiss on her heels. She placed all her stuff on the kitchen table before introducing herself to Sydney.
“I’m Nadia, Will’s girlfriend.” Nadia said, extending her hand to Sydney
“I’m Sydney.” she replied.
At the same moment, Will came back in the house and walked over to Nadia and placed an arm around her waist, “you made it. I thought you would spend the entire night, chatting up the neighbor.”
Nadia smiled as she gently stroke his face, “ I was going to but Weiss told me how much you were missing me, so here I am.”
Will just rolled his eyes as he watched Weiss looking at him with an amuse smirk on his face, “you had to sell me out, didn’t you? Will watched Weiss shrugged his apology as everyone busted out laughing.
“Awe, I think it sweet.” Nadia said tightening her grip around Will’s waist.
”I’ll get you for that Weiss. Just wait until you have a girlfriend. Speaking of potential girlfriend Mike, when is your sister getting here?” Will smiled as Weiss stared at the floor, embarrassed.
Vaughn just look at his watch and was about to reply when Weiss interrupted.
“That’s a low blow Man, you know how much Jess means to me.” Weiss said as Will just smirked at him.
Nadia pinched Will on his side to drop the subject as Weiss was getting rattled up about his feelings for Vaughn’s sister.
“Did someone mention my name? Jessica asked as she stood in the doorway.
Weiss froze in place as Vaughn quickly ran to the door and let his sister come in.
“Hey sis, glad you could make it.” Vaughn said kissing her on the cheek
“Sorry I’m late. I had an emergency at the restaurant that required my immediate attention.”
“That’s okay, we just got here ourselves.” Will replied
“Hey Jess.” Weiss said trying to sound un-nerved by her presence.
“Hey Eric.” Jessica smiled as she gently touched his arm
Vaughn was holding Sydney’s hand. An action that didn’t go unnoticed by Jessica. She quickly turned to Sydney and smiled as she introduced herself.
“Hi, I’m Jess, Michael’s baby sister.”
“Sydney.”
“Can I get you something to drink? I’m making my famous margaritas. Will asked enthusiastically as he walked over to the kitchen counter to make another round of drinks.
“Sure, only if you let me help.” Jess replied with a smile
“It’s going well, don’t you think?” Sydney whispered in Vaughn’s ear.
“Just wait until everyone gets a little more tipsy, that’s when the fun really start.” he smiled and Sydney laughed
For the past twenty minutes later, Sydney kept looking at her watch as she waiting for Francie and Ken to show up. She went outside and dialed Francie’s cell phone.
“Francie.”
“Hey Syd.”
“Where are you?”
“We’re almost there, I think. Ken got lost and you know men. “she sighed, ” They are too proud to admit that they are lost, but I finally convinced him to stop and ask for directions.”
“Okay, see you soon.”
“See you soon.” Sydney closed her cell and stood there in the middle of the backyard, taking in the view of the place.
Vaughn came outside and place his arms around her waist. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I just talk to my friend Francie. She and her boyfriend got lost on their way here, but they should be here soon.”
“ I think this party is going well, don’t you think?” he smiled against her neck
She turned around to face him and placed her arms around his neck, “I was a little nervous coming here tonight, but everyone made me feel very welcome.”
“They like to see me happy and they can see that you’re part of the reason why, so yeah, I’ll say they like you a lot.” Vaughn smiled as Sydney touched his face before quickly kissing him.
A few minutes later, Francie and Ken finally arrived at Vaughn’s house. Will was the one who greeted them at the door.
“Hey guys, I’m Will. Come on in.” Will smiled as he opened the door.
“Thanks.” She smiled.” I’m Francie and this is my boyfriend Ken.”
“Francie.” Sydney said walking over to give her best friend a hug.
“Sorry about the delay, we’ve got lost.” She smiled
After everyone had arrived, the party really got on it’s way. Nadia , Sydney and Francie were sitting outside taking while Weiss, Will and Ken were taking turns taking care of the grill. Vaughn was in the kitchen, making another round of drinks for everyone. Jessica came in and sat on a stool as she watched her big brother for a few minutes.
“It nice to see you so happy again.” Jessica smiled as Vaughn turned to look at her before taking a seat next to his sister.
“I don’t know what happened to me. Ever since I met Sydney, I fell like I’m my old self again.” He smiled.
Placing her hand on top of his, “I’m glad. I was worried about you.”
“You were worried about me?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Of course, you’re my big brother and I don’t like to see you so miserable.”
“The past fourteen months have been tough , but meeting Sydney was the best thing that could have happened to me.”
“I must say I was curious to meet her when you said you’ve met someone, but after meeting her, I can sincerely say that she could be really good for you.”
“Thanks Sis, it means a lot to me that you approve.”
“What about you, any special guy in your life that I should know about?”
“Not really, I’m still waiting for Eric to find the courage to ask me out on a date.” Jessica sighed.
“You know he thinks the world of you. ”Vaughn smiled.” Maybe you should be the one asking him on a date.”
“You know what, “Jessica smiled, “I might just do that tonight.”
“Let’s go join the other before they think we ditched them for a better party.”
“I love you Michael.” she pulled in into a big hug
“Love you too Sis.” Vaughn kissed her on the cheek before making their way to the backyard.
“Hey dude, you have the same last name as the guy that won all that money on Jeopardy.” Weiss laughed
“Yeah, people do a double take when they heard my name. I never thought that the name Ken Jennings would become so well known because of a TV show.” Ken rolled his eyes as Francie made her way towards him.
“I like his name and wouldn’t change it for the world. “Francie defended her boyfriend.
“In a town like L.A., a famous name can open you a lot of doors. Too bad nobody famous is called Eric Weiss.” Weiss said slightly frustrated.
“That’s because there can only be one Eric Weiss.” Vaughn laughed.
“Thanks buddy, I feel so special now.” Weiss said taking another swing of his beer.
“Anytime man. So are we ready to eat?” Vaughn asked around
Everyone settled themselves around the patio table as Vaughn brought the burgers. Will and Francie were talking about a commercial she wanted to do for her restaurant and asked Will is he would be interested in taking part in the project. Weiss was trying to convince Nadia to tell him the secret ingredient of her famous chocolate cake. Ken was talking to Jessica about potential investment in her restaurant. That left Sydney and Vaughn smiling as they saw their blended friends getting along. Vaughn leaned in and whispered in her ear.
“Do you think it’s too soon to ask them to leave after dinner?” He smiled as she rested her hand on his tight.
“That would be kind of rude.” She laughed, “ but maybe if we keep dropping hints, they’ll get the idea.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.” He squeezed her hand underneath the table.
After dinner, everyone continued to have fun. Weiss was showing everyone the new magic tricks he learned while Jessica came to sit beside Sydney.
“Hey.” Jessica smiled.
“Hey.” Sydney replied
“I’m sorry we didn’t get to chat earlier. I just wanted you to know that I’m glad you’re making my brother look like his old self again.”
“Jessica, Since we’re being honest here. I just want you to know that I would never intentionally hurt Michael. I care about your brother very much.”
“I can see that Sydney and I have a pretty good feeling that it is mutual.”
Later that evening, everyone said their goodbyes and left Sydney alone with Michael. Sydney was cleaning up the dishes when Vaughn came around and placed his arms around her.
“You don’t have to do that you know, He said kissing her neck, “I have a dishwasher.”
“I know, but I just wanted to finish this, so that we don’t have to think about this mess in the morning.
He sat far enough on a stool so that she couldn’t see him without turning around, couldn’t touch him without reach out. He was close enough that she could feel he was there, hovering over every inch of her body.
He started at Sydney’s feet, where she had black strappy sandal. He followed the long lines of her legs covered up by her old jeans. He was able to see skin and curves from her toned body , every time she put the dishes away. His gazed had reached her neck as a few strand of hair came loose from her ponytail. Sensing his intense stare at her, she quickly turned around and looked at him. A wickedly sexy V appeared on his lips.
But the biggest impact , the one striking like a blow in the chest, came from her expression. The look in her eyes. The way she was looking at him.
He couldn’t help it. He slid down deeper into his seat, sat on his spine, spread his legs and groaned. Sydney closed the short distance between them and stepped between Vaughn’s knees. Her fingers massaged the base of his skull, and it was all he could do not to close his eyes and let her have at him, right here and now. There was no other place he wanted to be and he started to say so when Sydney leaned in and captured his lips with hers.
He broke the kiss and swallowed the lump in his throat, “Maybe we can move to the couch, he said trying to catch is breath and reached out, pulled her hand from behind her and led her across the room to the living room.
The chair that he chose was built for two, not quite the size of a love seat but definitely not mean for a single. He turned and dropped into it, tugged her down. She sat sideways in his laps, her back against the plush arm that was wider than her body. Her feet settled on the cushion on Vaughn’ side, where there would’ve been plenty of room for her to sit if he’d let her. He hasn’t. He didn’t. He wouldn’t. Instead he draped one arm around her thighs, one behind her on the arm of the chair. He was so close, right there. Inches away. It was hard to breathe, to think, to believe she was sitting in the lap of a man with this one’s fame, fortune and reputation.
“Tell me about Michael Vaughn.” She said touching his jaw. His mouth crooked. A dimple appeared at the edge of his beard stubble. “That story will put you right to sleep. I was hoping to keep you awake for a little while.
She had to intention to fall asleep now, not with this gift, she’s been given. This man who’d come out of nowhere and into her life when she’d least expected anyone to arrive. She looked away from his gaze that left her breathless as his green eyes were compelling to where she held her fingers twined together against her thigh. That didn’t help much with distracting her since his arm lay across her thighs.
“I doubt anything you could tell me would put me to sleep.”
“Trust me. He smiled, “I’m as boring as it gets.”
“I don’t believe that. I’ve read up on you in People magazine and Vanity Fair to know how fascinating you are.”
When he gave a little snort, she smiled, “Hey it’s better than reading what all the tabloids have to say.”
He used his arm across her thighs to pull her closer. “Too bad all the TV public doesn’t share your restraint. Or your taste in publications.”
TBC
Ps: Stay put, there's more.