into her. Another moan escaped as his finger and tongue began mimicking one another. Sydney grew lightheaded as another finger joined the first, finding her sensitive nub and stroking it until she began to shudder. She bucked against him as his fingers drove her into a frenzy. Her orgasm exploded like a comet streaking across the heavens, pouring from her like liquid honey.
Finally, her shudders ceased. Dash released her wrists and they fell to his shoulders.
He chuckled and knelt, pushing her thong down her legs and helping her step from them. Pocketing them, he said, “They’re a little too wet for you to keep wearing them. I wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable.” His brows wriggled suggestively.
Sydney giggled. “I’m supposed to go commando the rest of the night?”
Dash shrugged. “Might make it easier. You know, in case we need to do this again.”
Her hands locked behind his neck. She pressed her lips to his for a long, searing kiss. As she pulled away, she said, “I have missed you so, so much.”
“Filming will be over soon, thanks to your quick direction and timetable. I won’t wait after that, Sydney.” He rested his hands on her waist. “You’re mine. I want the world to know.”
Dash reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. “This is for you. I was going to give it to you earlier on the set so that’s why it’s not wrapped.”
“I don’t have anything for you.”
“We can work on that later. Go ahead, open it.”
Sydney did. Pulling back the tissue paper, she found a pair of diamond and emerald earrings. “They’re lovely,” she whispered in awe.
Dash held the box while she took out the gold hoops she wore and replaced them with his gift.
He gave her a hard, swift kiss. “Let’s go celebrate our joint birthday with some amazing friends. Then we can think about ways to enjoy it after we leave.”
Dash took her hand and led her back to the others. Four smiles greeted them as they returned. Sydney’s cheeks grew warm at the attention.
“Steaks are ready,” Rhett said, his eyes twinkling.
“Thanks to me,” Ken added. “I have mad grill skills.”
“Come on. Dinner’s waiting,” Cassie told them.
They ate out on the deck. Sydney couldn’t have asked for a more perfect night. Dash sat next to her, their thighs brushing, their fingers entwined. Melanie brought out an unexpected dessert that was a mound of the gooiest, most decadent chocolate that Sydney had ever put in her mouth.
“It’s from Ken’s favorite bakery on Sunset,” Melanie said when Sydney asked where it came from. “It’s his favorite cake from there.”
“I was glad to hear the two of you liked chocolate,” Ken said. “If you didn’t, I’d still have gotten Melanie to pick up one of these babies for me.”
“You would’ve eaten the entire thing and made yourself sick,” she told her husband. “It’s much nicer sharing it with friends.”
Rhett held up a fork laden with chocolate cake. “To Sydney and Dash. May this birthday be the start of many more together.”
Everyone raised their full forks in a mock toast. “To Sydney and Dash.”
They talked about everything except their careers. Sydney found it to be the happiest she’d been in a long time. She was doing something she loved. She was surrounded by good friends. Most of all, Dash loved her. Basking in the glow of his love was the best part of tonight.
Once dessert was finished, Cassie and Melanie offered to clear the table, telling Sydney to keep her seat since she was a co-guest of honor.
After the dishes had all been removed, Rhett looked at her. “Sydney, we’ve all grown to love you in a short time.” He grinned. “Maybe not as much as Dash but we really care about you. There’s something important that we need to discuss. Dash asked for my help today on something that I have experience with.” Rhett glanced to Dash.
He squeezed her hand. “Rhett recommended the security firm he’s used since he skyrocketed to fame. I hired them today. To protect you from Wake.”
CHAPTER 26
Sydney felt shell-shocked. Her entire body and brain went numb. She knew Dash was talking but had trouble concentrating on what he was telling her.
“How did you know?” she asked him, trying to collect her wits as everyone in the room stared at her. “The flowers came,” she said dully, answering her own question as she realized that was the only way Dash could have learned of Wake. Embarrassment flooded her at how her ugly past