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Sydney nodded. “No matter what,” she repeated against his lips.
His cell phone unexpectedly rang, resounding off the walls of the living room. He kissed the tip of her well-shaped nose before answering it. The caller ID indicated it was Rick.
Jarod clicked on. “You’re just the person I wanted to talk to. I’m now an officially engaged man.”
“I know.”
Rick’s comment caused his smile to fade.
Sally—
“The diocese grapevine travels fast.”
“She caught the sparkler on your fiancée’s finger. That set off fireworks.”
Of course.
“I’m glad. It had to come out sometime.”
“Where are you?”
“In Gardiner.”
“Good.”
His one syllable word said it all. The fallout had started. “Thanks for alerting me, Rick. I’ll call you later.”
Before he’d clicked off, Sydney was right there hugging the life out of him.
Hold on to me, Sydney.
CHAPTER SEVEN
AFTER UNPACKING, Sydney showered before settling down to make some preparations for the first day of class. Incredible to believe that for the rest of her life, she and Jarod would have each other to come home to at the end of the day.
Last weekend she’d been in California in a state of despair, barely functional because the man she loved could never be hers. So much had changed since then, she couldn’t relate to that desolate person.
Her gaze rested on the ring he’d pushed home on her finger. The blue-white diamond glinted up at her. He took pleasure in everything to do with their relationship. It shouldn’t have surprised her he’d insisted on buying her a ring.
When he’d taken vows of celibacy, he’d rejected the worldly pleasures in order to be a more committed servant. But because the course of his life had taken a dramatic turn to the opposite end of the spectrum, it was only natural that he savored each step along the way.
In that regard, Sydney needed to be sensitive to his wants and moods. He didn’t have the same support group anymore. As well as being his companion and lover, she realized she would be his number one fan from here on out.
He’d said he needed her. In his case, it was particularly true. But he would never need her with the same intensity she needed him. She planned to lavish him with so much love, he’d drown in it.
Finding it impossible to concentrate on schoolwork, Sydney left everything on the kitchen table and went into the bedroom to get dressed for dinner.
After changing her mind half a dozen times, she eventually chose to wear her favorite oyster-colored silk blouse with a coffee-toned skirt. At five feet eight, she didn’t always wear heels, but she didn’t have to worry about being too tall around someone of Jarod’s height.
A flick of the brush and a light floral spray was all she needed to feel totally feminine for the incredible man who would become her husband soon.
Trembling with excitement, she paced the floor waiting for him to arrive. After several hours of being apart from him, she discovered she couldn’t stand the slightest separation.
When he arrived at her door, he had a distinctive rap that made her smile with pleasure. She raced to open it, and there he was in all his male splendor. With his black hair and those flame-green eyes, the cream-colored sweater and matching chinos provided the perfect foil.
She detected the scent of the soap he’d used in the shower. Mixed with her own fragrance, the combined aroma acted as a special kind of aphrodisiac which increased her desire for him.
Helpless in the face of his overwhelming attraction, she could only murmur his name. No other words would come in her mesmerized state. Her pulse raced from his thorough scrutiny of her face and figure.
