#thread03

Of course it was Ezra who had rolled up in front of her, really, Sydney knew she shouldn’t be so surprised. And yet, here she was unable to keep the shock off her features as she watched him roll down his windows and poke his head out. As was the norm, once more, her heart skipped a beat as flashed her his signature charming smile that may or may not have made her weak in the knees. And once more she felt the delight of seeing Ezra wash over her yet again even though it had only been about two weeks since she last saw him. How pathetic was it that she was still counting their time a part? Extremely pathetic she would argue. It wasn’t that Sydney wasn’t relieved that someone she knew came to her rescue, the problem was she was afraid of being alone with him a confined space be it a short drive to her home. Still, it was getting late and standing outside alone was not a practical option. At his words, Sydney schooled her features and snorted softly, “Say’s the guy who always finds me first. I’m starting to think you are stalking me, Ezra.” She responded then hesitated for a few seconds before climbing inside the passenger seat. But as she buckled herself, she couldn’t deny the thrill that came with knowing that Ezra always seem to want to seek her out be it by accident. Sydney faced him once she was settled inside, “Thank you, I appreciate this.” She told him sincerely, between saving her from a drunken asshole and now finding her deserted, she was beginning to think he was her knight in shinning armor as cheesy as it was. “You sure have an uncanny ability to show up right when I need you.”

Ezra didn’t want to act smug, but he couldn’t stop himself from grinning from ear to ear even if he tried to. It was as if Lady Luck was beaming down on him. Sure, he would be the first to admit that he held some really strong feelings for the brunette. There was more to it than mere attraction however, and he was more than sure that it was because she was his. To anyone who didn’t believe in soulmates, they would probably think that he was full of shit and maybe he was, and yet he couldn’t give a crap about other people’s opinions when he was certain about his theory. He still had to come up with a way to prove it though, that was going to be his toughest challenge yet, only because she already had a girlfriend. He wasn’t an asshole and wouldn’t kiss someone who was taken; that would make him lower than scum, but…if the opportunity presented itself, if she were to kiss him first, that would be what he called ‘fair game’. He wasn’t stupid after all… His gaze lingered outside where she stood, probably wondering if she should even accept his invitation to drive her home. Luckily for him, she climbed inside, but not before throwing a retort of her own. He waited until she was safely inside before responding to her, “I don’t see the need to stalk you, Syd, you keep being thrown in my path. What am I supposed to do? Not help?” A brow rose, although he kept a smile on his face just for her. For a short time, he simply looked back at her before finally driving off. “I guess I must be your hero then. Fortunately for you, I’m also very good to look at.” The remark came out so easily; for some reason that was still a mystery to him, he was only able to be this free with Sydney. He wasn’t cocky by nature, oddly however, he always sounded that way whenever he was around her.

Sydney watched his wide grin with slightly narrowed and suspicious eyes and it was also what had her hesitating before she finally made her up to climb inside his car. As she had asked prior, Ezra did keep his flirty comments to a minimum and his hands to himself but somehow she still got the feeling that he was only doing so to placate for the time being. Maybe it was the smug and cocky air he had about him every time they were around that led Sydney to believe Ezra was just biding his time. Why that had her intrigued, Sydney had no idea all she knew was that she could not allow herself to be swept up in this man. Ezra had only been a temporary crush and desire and while she was more than grateful that she had the chance to meet him, It didn’t mean she was going to get caught up. If only she could tell her heart that, convince that side that also yearned for him that she didn’t want him. When Syd was inside, she could feel his gaze on her, once more the prickly sense of awareness went down her spine at the way his hot gaze lingered on her. Somehow, he had also made her look back at him finding her own eyes glued to his face until he began driving. She then turned to look ahead, giving him directions in between, “And I told you I don’t believe in destiny, real life doesn’t work like that.” She told him matter-of-factly, before her lips twitched, “I’ve come to the conclusion you definitely are a hero, not only mine, but for many others I’m sure.” Her tone a bit gentler but when he said he was her hero, her heart thumped harder against her chest. God, why did she want that so much? Why did it delight her so when he said he might just be her hero? It was his final cocky remark that had her look over him, a brow raised, “There’s the infamous arrogance, and if said I don’t agree with that statement?”

Despite her friendly nature, Ezra could still sense the hesitancy in her. He couldn’t blame her for reacting as such, he wasn’t exactly always so easy to get along with. Although he wasn’t rude by nature, he knew that he rubbed her the wrong way with how easily he had flirted with her at the beginning. But to his defense, when he did those things, he didn’t know that she had a girlfriend. Once he did, not once did he try anything untoward with her. He still believed that he was here for a reason, and that reason might be strongly related to her being his soulmate; there really was no other way to describe it. He’d never been this persistent with any other woman in his life. There had to be a reason why he was reacting this way towards her. “If you say so, Syd. I’m not going to keep arguing with you on the matter.” He told her, shrugging his shoulders and then turning to focus on the road. A chuckle was pulled from his diaphragm when he heard her next remark. “That’s sweet, but I only want to be your hero…” Since he was driving, he kept his eyes on the road and only stopped when they were at a red light. “Was I being cocky? Oh, I’m terribly sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. I’d say you’re a liar if you don’t think that I’m good looking.” Sitting here, watching her even in the dim light, he could see that she wasn’t repulsed by him. Couple that with her confession to having a crush on him, all that spoke volumes; she did find him attractive. “By the way, I don’t know where you live. You might want to tell me where I’m going or we might end up in Las Vegas before long.” Since he didn’t want to make things weird, or God forbid, creep her out, he figured that a change of topic was in order. Besides, he did promise to take her home. How could he do that if he didn’t know where she lived?

Perhaps Sydney was so bothered by his flirting was because of how easily it affected her. Other good-looking men have tried to flirt with her but she had never been effect in this way with them, she had only eyes for Lucia. No man or woman had been able to tempt her from her girlfriend, that is until she came face to face to Ezra. It was unnerving, yes, but it was also a bit alarming that he had this sort of effect on her. Sydney supposed it was because of her crush but also because of who he was, someone untouchable in her eyes but then he’d showed her another side completely. While he was still a bit arrogant and cocky, he was also very much down to earth, the way he carried himself was almost as if he were just an ordinary man rather than a celebrity. Perhaps that’s what attracted her to him the most, his charm aside, Ezra was still humble and more importantly he was kind and genuine. Sydney was not blind to those good qualities of his, he had made her notice him due those exact traits he exhibited to her. At his words, Sydney sighed softly knowing he wad conceding on that. Truth was, she still wondered how the hell did they keep crossing paths and why now out all the this time? Her heart still racing as she heard his next words, but she smiled nonetheless, “Don’t let this go to your head, but yeah, you just might be my hero.” She gave him that one because it was the truth, she still thought of him as that given the way he seemed to pop right when she needed him. Was this the destiny that Ezra always spoke about? A laugh left her lips, “You’re impossible, Ezra Meyers and you’re never sorry for being cocky. So, why start now?” She felt her eyes on him and this time Sydney looked back at him before turning back to the road as well. “Keep going and you’re going to make a right one the second signal.” Curiosity got the best of her which prompted to ask, “How come you’re out so late? Late night scene shooting or a late night date?”

Ezra really didn’t expect anything to come out of his day; he’d had a really productive one, his shoot had gone on rather easily and he was even able to go home a little earlier than he normally did. What would have topped things off was a hot shower and then going to bed at a decent time. Most people would’ve called him boring, but he really didn’t mind his mundane schedule, it gave him time to rest; something that he didn’t normally get. He was in a good mood when he drove home, what made it even better was seeing Sydney’s beautiful face. He couldn’t stop thinking about her, no matter how hard he tried. Some might say that it was pathetic, but if it made him look that way, he didn’t care because at least for now, he was getting to spend some time with her. He was greedy when it came to having time with her. What with her having a girlfriend, he knew that he couldn’t see her as much, and yet, Destiny had a way of bringing them together; even if she kept denying the fact. It didn’t bother him however–her denial–all he needed was the chance to prove her wrong. If only he could do that and prove to her that she was his other half; that would top off his…well, his existence really…

A laugh spilled free when he heard her remark. “That must’ve been hard for you to admit, but thank you, I’m glad you could admit that I’m your hero.” Of course it was too late, he’d allowed her compliment to inflate his ego. Why should he not feel that way when he was so enamored by her? “Me? I think I’m adorable and I know you think so too. I can’t be impossible and your hero at the same time, that’s confusing.” It was easier for him to respond to her once he heard her laughter. It almost felt like it was the fuel he needed to simply let go and be a little more of himself. There was always a limit to what he could do, obviously. She was after all someone’s girlfriend, but just because she belonged to another, it didn’t mean that he couldn’t flirt with her a little. His attention was still on the road while they chatted however, and when he heard her directions, he followed it. “This is not all that late, really. I had an early night, we were done shooting earlier than expected. Otherwise, I would’ve been there until two in the morning.” He answered her question, while turning into the street that she directed him towards.

While Sydney would never admit it to Ezra, since that day at the beach festivities on Halloween, she hadn’t stopped thinking about him. The moment she  alone with her thoughts, he would appear in the forefront of her mind without any sort of warning.  It was frustrating to say the least because all she ever did was replay every interaction she had with him. It was becoming a bit pathetic by now and even more so that despite having a girlfriend she was noticing Ezra. The problem was, how was she not supposed to notice him? With those piercing eyes, those almost poetic comments he made about her, and then the best part, his kind nature. Every time he stared at her with those piercing eyes, it was as if her own hues were being pulled towards him, as if she were drowning in that intense hot gaze of his. Whatever it was, Sydney had to get a grip on herself she had asked to keep boundaries between them and she intended to make sure they remained.

Sydney rolled her eyes playfully, no doubt that somehow her words had definitely gone to his head. But she quite liked the laugh he released the sound making her smile because it was so pleasing to her ears. “It actually was, I’ve learned that I have to watch what I say around you.” She joked back at him, partially serious too because she did carefully chose her words lest she give him an opening. “Oh, no? But it’s fitting for you, don’t you think so? You are a contraction after all. You’re kind but also cocky and annoyingly smug.” The brunette nodded as Ezra explained what he’d done during his day, but she was extremely curious to see what it was he was shooting as often as she was about his latest projects. She was wanting to ask what it was but just then Ezra pulled up into her drive way and dare she say she was disappointed that she would have to leave his company. The mere thought left her stunned for a moment, and she chalked it up to the fact that his energy was just contagious. Once Ezra placed the car in the parking gear, she unbuckled her seat belt before turning to him, “Thank you for dropping me home.” She murmured to him and she didn’t know what it was that had her suddenly lean over the console until her lips hovered by his cheek. Maybe it was a dumb decision but she did want to thank him in some way to show her appreciation and her gratitude.  She could feel her heart thudding as her lips made contact to his cheek.

“You never have to do that, Syd. Not with me at least, I always want you to be completely honest with me.” It was good to know that the brunette beauty at least found it easy to compliment him. Could that be another sign that they were made for each other? A friend of his told him once that he could never lie to his soulmate, what if this was another indication? Ezra couldn’t be sure of the fact of course, for all he knew his friend could’ve been full of shit. Still, whatever the truth was, he liked hearing her compliments, even if she tried to downplay the fact. “Ah, maybe so, but you still find me adorable.” He countered, and turned so he could face her for a moment; where he then batted his lashes before his laughter bubbled over. God, the lengths he went through just to impress her was ridiculous, and yet, he couldn’t bring himself to stop either. No matter how hard he tried,–not that he tried very hard–he felt as though he would always be a fool for her. The drive to her place was over before he knew it and it took everything in his being not to let out a sigh once they were parked outside her home.

There was a part of him that wanted to tell her to stay, so they could talk for a while, but that would mean that he would have to beg for her time; something he swore he wouldn’t do, simply because he knew that she had a girlfriend and he didn’t want to make things difficult. Ezra knew however, that he would want to see her again and maybe if he got really lucky, he would cross paths with Sydney before too long. After all, he did keep on bumping into her when he least expected it to happen; like tonight. With no other reason to keep her with him, he was going to respond to her gratitude and tell her goodnight before heading on home, but as he shifted to look at her, he felt her lips on his cheek and by pure accident, his lips grazed hers. That was when it happened; his soulmark tingled. He had been right all along, she was his other half! As if that was all he needed to react, he reached for her, pulling her until she was settled on his lap before he attacked her lips again. His heart thudded loudly behind his chest as his tongue dueled with hers in a dance filled with passion. This couldn’t be real, this incredible woman couldn’t be his soulmate; and yet, the continuous buzzing he felt as his mouth assaulted hers told him that it was all true. His prediction had been right all along, she was born to complete him.

“I should have no problem with the honesty.” She reassured him, the amusement still gleaming in her eyes and when Ezra turned to bat his eyes lashes at her, laughter bubbled from her throat once more. Ezra was correct, however, she did find him adorable and that was yet another thing she didn’t need to be thinking of. t was then Sydney realized she could get used to this, his cocky comments which at first annoyed her but now she was beginning to like a bit too much. Or perhaps she always liked them but could never bring herself to admit them, namely because it was scary how easily Ezra affected her. Whereas she was able to shake their first encounter off and shake off the delight that coursed through when he called her beautiful and expressed such interest in her now it was becoming harder to ignore all of his attention. It was attention Sydney shouldn’t want but she did, a small part of her could admit she liked the interested he expressed in her. Why he was so interested in her, she still didn’t know and it wasn’t because Sydney didn’t believe she attractive or a decent person but she never believed herself to be able to hold Ezra’s attention. A man whom perhaps had been with his fair share of interesting people, far more interesting than her. There was also a greater part of her that wanted to ask him why out of all people he was trying to gain her favor.

Much to her shocking disappointment, Ezra had pulled up to her home and Sydney found herself not wanting to leave. It was like this inexplicable sort of ache that had settled in the pit of her stomach, this yearning to stay here and bask in his presence and the way he was making her feel as if the heavens themselves descended upon her. Still, without thinking Sydney leaned in to kiss his cheek as a sign of gratitude or may she just wanted to feel his skin under her lips if only briefly. Expect just before her lips could make contact with his cheek, Ezra turned to face her and their lips brushed together. A delicious spark went down her spin and she swore felt a tingle right where her soulmark was. Her emerald hues widened and before she could pull away, the actor grabbed her and hauled her onto his lap. Their lips now molding together and a sharp left her lips which gave him the perfect chance to slip his tongue inside of her mouth. A soft moan left her lips, but shocked still coursed through her as the burning sensation on her soulmark only deepened. This couldn’t be it….there was no way Ezra was her soulmate, there had to be a mistake. Still, her mind raced as well as her heart and she found herself kissing him back with the same passion he exhibited. Her legs hugging his hips and her hands twined around his neck and she moaned into his mouth. Sydney knew she should stop this, she should pull away and get out of his car and far far away from him but both the pleasure of his kiss and the shock of her new discovery left her in place. God, the way he was kissing her it was as if he was trying to devour her and her body ached to give in ache for more. “Ezra” she gasped trying to pull away once her brain caught up to her, and her hands tugging on his hair.

Everything made sense now. The ache, the longing, the sleepless nights, it all came to him clearly now. Ezra had never felt such clarity. All along, he’d suspected that she might be his soulmate; his other half, but he didn’t dare to try anything with her, simply because she wasn’t free, she had a girlfriend. In a way, he did feel guilty for doing this. While he’d found the woman who was born to complete him, the woman that Sydney was in a relationship with had inadvertently lost her. He was more than sure that it sucked being in her shoes; it had to, and yet, as he held the beautiful brunette in his arms, their lips moving together in a sensual kiss, he couldn’t bring himself to give into his guilt. For now, this was more important. He’d hungered for her and he was going to use this moment to his advantage. His hands wandered about her back before it found a resting spot on the curve of her ass where he then palmed the meaty flesh as his tongue plundered about her sweet mouth. Fuck, if kissing her was this good, he wondered what it would be like to really have her; to experience unbridled pleasure within her body.

Would she moan under his touch? While his mouth, teeth, and tongue explored every soft curve of her body? It had been over a year since he’d been with someone sexually. With work being in the way, he hadn’t made it a priority to get laid. Not that he would be without choices if he chose to go down that route. It just wasn’t him. He was more of a relationship guy. Unfortunately for him, it wasn’t easy for a famous Actor to be in one when his schedule was so hectic; it also was partly because he hadn’t met his soulmate yet. But now that he had; he was bound and determined to prove to her that she belonged with him. The thought lit a fire within him; the desire he felt for his Sydney heightening. Their kisses grew hot and he shifted a little; allowing her sex to bear down on his erection. His head tilted to give him more access to her sweet mouth, meanwhile his heart hammered in his chest. He didn’t know if he could bring himself to stop, not when it felt this good to have her near. Eventually, he relented when he heard his name falling from Sydney as she grasped at his hair. “You’re mine…” He rasped, swallowing loudly while he rested his forehead against hers; their lips still mere inches apart. “I knew that you had to be mine, Syd.”

Sydney still found it difficult to wrap her mind around the fact that he was her soulmate. How was this even possible? Was this the reason why she’d been so drawn to him since she’d first laid eyes on him? But she supposed a lot of the things she had experienced before meeting him made a lot more sense. It was the only way she could explain her draw to him, how since upon meeting him, Ezra was all she thought about despite her attempts not to. This was why she was always yearning for him, why despite her insistence that she didn’t want him, she still ached for him. However, with that revelation also came panic. But as his mouth claim hers, Sydney could feel herself get lost in the kiss and feel herself respond as passionately. The butterflies fluttering in her stomach as did desire to get even closer to him. Nothing seemed to exist but each other and she moaned as she felt his strong hands roam her back before settling on her ass and he squeezed it. The brunette shifted closer, suddenly feeling as if she wasn’t close enough to him while his mouth left wracked havoc on her body. Every nerve and fiber coming alive at his kisses and his touch and a sharp gasp left her lips when Ezra shift and she felt his arousal poking right at her center. Sydney swore she could feeling herself getting wet at the feel of his rather impressive arousal against her.God, what was she doing? This should not be happening, regardless of whether he was her soulmate or not. But as he continued to kiss her the urge to let him continue was so overpowering she had to put an end to it. It was then she remembered Lucia and guilt came crashing down on her as she tugged on his hair a bit harshly and thankfully he pulled away. However, Ezra still kept her there as their heavy breathing filled the car and when his forehead came to press against hers, her eyes widened following his words. That was enough to snap her out of her lust-filled haze and she pulled away from him, “Don’t say that!” She snapped, finally pulling herself together, ignoring her beating heart as his words of being his echoed in her mind. But why did those send a fresh wave of pain through her? Sydney then scrambled off his lap, “You should not have kissed me, what the hell is wrong with you?” She demanded, her eyes now hard as ice chips. “I’m not yours, so don’t ever say that to me again. Let me out.”

Ezra had kissed a lot of beautiful women in the past, whether it be a staged kiss or the ones he shared with his ex-girlfriends, they had all been good, but never had he felt this complete over one kiss. He’d heard that things would be different once you kissed your soulmate, and he’d always believed that. It was after all something that you would share with your other half. That should be a feeling that was special and when he kissed Sydney, he felt that down to the depths of his soul. This feeling he felt for her would not be so easily erased; it would take an absolute hurricane for him to want to walk away, and even then, he didn’t know if he could ever let her go. The only question left was Sydney going to give him that chance? By the aggressive way she’d pushed him away, he knew that he had an uphill battle. Anger and possessiveness immediately sat within him. How dare she tried to push him away? Didn’t she feel what he felt too? Logic stopped him from acting rashly however. As much as he wanted to force her into accepting what they shared, he wasn’t going to coerce her into that. If she was going to accept him, she would have to do it out of her own free will. A heavy sigh left him and he watched as she tried to distance herself from him. His heart ached having to see her like this.He wasn’t a monster and knew that this must be hard on her. With his brows furrowed together, he spoke to her, though he was careful to keep his words from coming out harshly. “I understand that all this doesn’t make sense to you right now, but have you forgotten that you kissed me too?” He allowed a pause to settle between them before continuing with his line of thought. “Listen, Sydney, I know that this is a lot to process and I’m going to give you time to deal with everything. I will not force you to be with me because I’m beyond sure that you’ve taken the time to understand what you want, you’ll come to me and be all mine someday.” A huge part of him wanted to reach out to her, to hold her hand and tell her that everything would be fine in the end, but he knew that she would just push him away, so instead, he unlocked the doors for her. “Think about what I’ve told you. I will talk to you soon.”

Sydney too had her fair share of pleasurable kisses but this was one kiss that she felt as if she lacked the vocabulary to properly describe how all-consuming it was. She couldn’t ever remember a kiss effecting her to this extent nor did she ever experience these fireworks that went off inside of her. It was once cliche she never fully believed in but perhaps because she had no felt them until the very very moment her lips touched Ezra’s. That’s what terrified her the most, she was not supposed to be feeling anything for this man not when she had feelings for her girlfriend. Sydney had never felt so awful in her life and to feel it after she enjoyed just a consuming kiss shocked her. She’d heard all kinds of things that occurred when you kissed your soulmate or when you were simply just around the but she never thought it was things that could change the very alchemy of her soul. Even as she pushed him away and hurled harsh words in his direction, the yearning never stopped even as the guilt surfaced. Guilt of cheating on her girlfriend by kissing this man and the guilt of hurting Ezra because she hadn’t missed the look that crossed his features the hurt but the anger as well. She never wanted to hurt anyone not him and not Lucia but she supposed she’d end up doing both. She wouldn’t keep this from Lucia but she couldn’t give Ezra what they both wanted. More importantly, she refused to let this soulmate business affect her she wanted no part of it after watching her father completely break.

SIlence filled the car as Sydney waited for him to let her go, she needed to be alone and far, far away from this man who easily clouded her better judgement. Oh, if Ezra only knew how easily he had her melting into him and she wondered if he knew that but with the passion she’d poured into his kiss was perhaps telling enough. For a moment she worried he wouldn’t let her just yet, but just as she opened her mouth to demand he let her out yet again but stopped when he spoke up. She didn’t meet his gaze and looked ahead as Ezra spoke, his every word piercing her for reasons she didn’t quite understand. However, his words that he wouldn’t force her into anything did relieve her but that was also shorted lived until he spoke the very last few words. She whipped her head around and narrowed her eyes at him, her heating still hard in her chest. How was he this arrogant? Who the hell did he think he was? Talk to her soon? Not on her watched, Sydney had ever intention of keeping far away from Ezra. “Oh, how considerate of you. Doesn’t sound like your giving me time at all, you still expect me to come running to you. What makes you sure I will?” She countered a bit furiously, just as she heard the looks click undone but before she stepped out she turned him, “I won’t be kissing you again nor will we ever be speaking. Goodbye, Ezra.” With that she climbed out and shut the door behind her and all but ran inside of her home. Tears pooling in her eyes both at parting with him and what she’d do have to do the very next day.