“Yeah! Mom, can we please?” Mark asked as his sister called out, “pleaa-ssseee!”
“Okay.” She grumbled a little, just to make her opinion known about the railroading from all parties and shook her head. “Now can you shut my door?”
“Sure can.” Den winked and closed the door.
Sidonie watched him walk all the way back to the truck before she shifted into gear and made the ride home.
Thursday was a blur of activity and she was excited about how productive the time had been. The bracelet had been revamped with a more streamlined design. But she had some other ideas that she thought might make the device more user friendly and worked on the idea of making the Braille reader on the back of the device instead of the front. Then the user could feel both a picture and read the words simultaneously. Her boss, Devin told her the idea was genius and she thought so, too.
That Friday, she got a call from Sadie just after lunch. The phone rang unexpectedly. Usually, she didn’t get too many calls during business hours.
“Hello?” Sidonie asked.
“Hey Sidonie! It’s Sadie.”
“Oh, okay, Sadie, what can I do for you?” Please don’t ask me to volunteer. Please don’t ask me to volunteer.
Sadie sighed. “I wanted to know if you could help me out with a small favor.”
“Um, what?” Damn it. They were associates at best, so the only thing Sadie would likely want was for Sidonie to volunteer.
“I can’t be at the match until six and I need you to help with the concessions until then.”
“Well, I—”
Sadie was a slick one and cut her off at the pass before she could cry off in advance.
“I know it’s a lot to ask, but I have to go to the obstetrician.” Damn. It was a part of the girl code. She couldn’t say no for a woman thing. Not without sounding childish as heck.
“Oh, okay… I hope congratulations are in order.”
“I think so. Ed and I have been trying for a while have one more. But if it doesn’t work, it’s not like we don’t have three already, right?” Sadie was a sweet person, even if she was a little too happy to be alive, and if she wanted another kid, who was she to look down on her?
“Uh, yeah.”
“So can you? Please? I don’t have anyone else to ask.” Sadie practically begged with her tone and Sidonie caved in quicker than an avalanche.
“Well, I… uh, yeah. Sure.” She hated volunteering and she did the barest minimum. Sidonie knew it made her a somewhat flawed parent, but she wanted what little time she had free to be filled with things she liked to do.
She hung up the phone, frustrated that she felt like a pushover.
A few hours later, she had forgotten about everything else, until her alarm went off at four and she had to leave work altogether. She had skipped lunch so she could leave early enough to catch the match, so it wasn’t like she was going to be somewhere else anyway.
Sidonie grabbed a bag that held what she would change into at the game, but would also serve as something to wear while she served popcorn.
The only bonus was a free bucket of the stuff and unlimited drinks, but who was she to complain? Although, after serving it for an hour, she hated the smell of it, let alone try to eat a whole bucket with a nose full of butter.
When she walked into the concession stand at four-thirty, she greeted the other volunteers at the game. Jessie and Parker picked up money at the booth, but the stand was empty and she hoped she wasn’t going to have to work alone as pre match was hectic and enough to make her certain she would never work in food service.
It only took her five minutes to change into her maxi dress and hoodie with a pair of flip flops on, before she took her place at the stand. She dug out the apron that the concessions volunteers wore and took the hoodie off. When she turned her back to the opening to slide the apron overhead, she heard the shuffle of shoes.
Sidonie didn’t turn around but spoke to the other volunteer. “Hey. I’m taking Sadie’s place today, but she should be back about six. Feel free to grab your apron.”
“I might need a little help with mine.”
She turned around so quickly, the table shook and she stopped it with a quickly planted hand.
“What are you doing here?”
“Same as you, I’d expect.”
Dammit!
She handed him an apron. “Here you go.”
He looked at her and raised his arm. “A little help might be nice.”
“I’m too short.”
He stooped low and bent his head. She had no choice as to whether she would help him or not. She took the neck strap and slid it over the finger combed curls, and then when he stood back up again, she wrapped her arms around him and tied the bow in back. The embrace wasn’t technically necessary, but she wanted to touch him and the tie was a good enough reason to feel him up without alerting him to it.
Den grabbed her arm and she couldn’t step back.
That was a lie. She didn’t want to step back.
His lips met hers and she nipped at him before he released her altogether. “Good afternoon.”
She merely nodded as she was too hot to bother with speech, especially with her panties on fire from the mere taste of Den on her tongue after so many days and nights without it.
“Don’t forget, we have dinner tonight.” They were, but he made it sound much more intimate than it could possibly be.
“With the kids,” she added as a reminder to them both.
“Yep,” he agreed, yet his wink led her to believe otherwise.
Even that would matter little as long as they were in the same room together, he would suck her under like a struggling surfer in the riptide.
The stand was hopping and they had little time for Den to pester her with ribald statements and innuendo. Although, he found a way to make it happen with a sinuous slide of hip on hip when he had to get around her. The space was large enough for him maneuver, but he still managed to pelvic check her every so often.
By the time six came, Sidonie was so riled up that it took everything she had not to jump him where he stood.
But then Sadie popped her head into the concession stand window and saved her from going X-rated in a PG zone.
“Hey!”
“So did you get the news you wanted?”
“No. But it’ll be fun trying some more.” The other woman winked and came inside. “You guys can take off. It’s always slow toward the last hour.”
Sidonie gratefully relinquished the apron and handed off the tally for the sales.
Den arched a brow and turned around. “Help me out, will ya?”
“Sure.” She untied him and then he bent his head for her to take the apron overhead.
“Thanks.”
He stepped out into the sunshine, but before she walked out Sadie chuckled. “Damn, he’s a hot one.”
“I know, right?” Sidonie giggled. Even if she wanted to be angry with the man, she wasn’t blind. Not by a long shot.
Sadie whistled, and then fanned her face with the paper and winked at Sidonie when she walked out.
Chapter Twenty:
Love’s Battlefield
It might have been an hour or so after he arrived, but he heard Sadie’s voice through the concession stand window. It was an unwelcome intrusion into the little time he had with Sidonie. “Hey!”
“So did you get the news you wanted?” Sidonie asked curiously.
“No. But it’ll be fun trying some more. You guys can take off. It’s always slow toward the last hour.” He wondered what that meant, but only the last part was important to him so he reined in his natural curiosity.
Sidonie took off her apron as if she had been released from the worst torture known to man and handed Sadie the slip they had used to tally the sales of individual items.
Den turned to Sidonie. “Help me out, will ya?”
“Sure.” Once she had untied him, this time from the back, he turned to face her and be
nt his head for her to take the apron off completely.
“Thanks.” He took the spare second to bolt before Sadie tried to find something else for him to do.
He stepped out into the sunshine and waited by the corner of the stand for Sidonie, but he heard Sadie laugh. “Damn, he’s a hot one.”
“I know right?” Sidonie chuckled and Den grinned. Yeah, that was exactly what he wanted to hear.
When they took their seats in the stands, Sidonie hugged a huge bucket of popcorn that neither of them could stand to eat after the hour with the smell a constant in the air. They’d shoved dozens of the buckets and he would be grateful to never shovel another mouthful.
He missed most of the events, but there were still a few to go and he got to watch one of Katie’s relays and Mark’s relay, as well.
When all was said and done, his throat was on fire from the yelling, but the kids enjoyed it and waved like mad from the track.
After the events were over and done with, Katie ran over. “Hey, Mom, can I go to Clarissa’s for a sleepover for the weekend? We’re kind of depressed we didn’t make it to regionals. Ashley crushed us.” Katie didn’t look depressed at all and Den had to hide his grin. The girl was trying to help him out and he was no fool to refuse any assistance he could get. Sidonie was a tough nut to crack.
Sidonie cocked her head to the side. “But you agreed to dinner tonight with Mr. McTavish and breaking your obligations isn’t right.”
Den winked at Katie from behind Sidonie’s back. “I wouldn’t want to interrupt a good old fashioned sleepover.”
He grinned at Katie and the girl bounced. “See, he doesn’t mind!”
“Fine, but since this is last minute, you have to pack yourself. And I am not bringing a toothbrush or underwear if you forget.” The way she made the statement was as if she had done just that more than once before.
“Maybe a list might help you out there, Katie,” Den offered and Katie pursed her lips.
He expected an argument and wondered if his luck with the kids had run out. “You might be right.” She smiled. “When I get back from the locker room, I’ll make one.”
She jogged off as Mark chatted with another teen from the relay team at the fence.
“And we are now three,” Den quipped as Mark walked up.
“Oh, so Mrs. Sandy already asked you?” Mark queried.
“Huh?” Sidonie frowned.
“Connor asked me to have a weekend at their place to celebrate the regionals.”
“But we have dinner.”
“I know, I’m sorry. But this is the first year they’ve made regionals in like ten years or something.”
“I don’t want you to feel bad, Mark, this is a big deal and you worked hard for it. You deserve it. Congratulations.” Den clapped him on the back with his good arm.
“Thanks!”
“Welcome and good job.”
He could tell by the look on her face that she was going to give in, but it was just as apparent that she hated to. “Fine, then go,” Sidonie grumbled.
“Are you sure?” the young man asked as if he were afraid to hurt his mother’s feelings.
“Yeah, I am.” She smiled for good measure.
Mark cocked his head. “What about dinner? I don’t want for us all to cancel, makes the Clark name look bad.”
Sidonie shook her head. “Your last name isn’t even Clark. Child, its Johnson.”
“I know.” With that Mark winked and ran off.
Den couldn’t help it, he laughed until he couldn’t laugh anymore.
She shook her head. “Yeah it’s cute when they don’t belong to you.”
“They might, if you’d let me have my way. Pick you up in an hour and a half. Wear something pretty for me.” He could practically hear her grind her teeth as he walked away.
Before he cleared the aisle completely, he stopped and turned back. She must not have expected him to as her expression was unguarded and soft.
“Oh yeah, don’t forget to pack a bag. Mommy gets a sleepover, too.”
It had taken forever to figure out what to wear, since their plans had changed. Originally, he had chosen a family friendly place that would have all kinds of food, and the teens should find a fun place to hang out. But now that it was the two of them, he wanted to go somewhere more romantic. A place that didn’t let patrons throw peanut shells on the floor would be nice.
He was a basic kind of guy and didn’t have much in the way of dressy items that polished white collar men wore. After he tugged out the two suits he owned and debated the merits of each, he decided on a half-dressed look.
His ex told him that he looked good in blue and it was familiar, so he ended up with a pair of navy slacks from one suit and a starched dress shirt with pinstripes, but he decided to leave the jacket as he didn’t want to look like he was trying too hard. Like his actions didn’t say that he was trying to win her, but still, a guy had to have some pride. A little bit, even if he was thirsty as hell for the damn woman.
About an hour and fifteen minutes later, Den pulled into her parking lot and got to see Katie bounce out of the building as if she had won a get out of jail free card.
Before he could step out to greet her, Mark ran out of the lobby door. “Hey, Mr. Dennis! Mom’s testy, just so ya know.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He walked the youth over to Sadie’s modern mommy wagon, complete with a little bow-tied family sticker set on the back.
“Be safe and call me if you need to. Make sure Katie gets the number on this card, too.”
“All right.” Mark winked and buckled up before Sadie waived at him.
Once he knocked on the door, Sidonie opened it wide without even looking, evidenced by her lack of clothing. She had on an odd slip that suggested femininity based on delicacy, but was more dominatrix on her frame with heavy satiny strips at the bust and hem.
She was dressed for the hot sex he so desperately wanted. “I like it.”
“Dinner. That’s it.” She stepped away from the door and let him inside.
“Maybe I’ll feed you. But I know you’re not hungry right now.”
“How so?”
“This is why.” His hand touched rubbed across the erect nipples poorly hidden in their undergarment and watched the hungry pout that each one bestowed him. “But since you claim you only want to eat, get dressed.” When she was too slow to walk away while he had the nerve to let her, he slapped her on the ass. “I’ll wait.”
She rolled her eyes and sauntered off. “You’re early, so you have no choice.”
When she came out, his jaw almost dropped. The dress fit her like a second skin even as the length almost touched the floor and sported a little key hole that exposed a fat nugget of cleavage. He almost went country boy and motor boated her, but knew she would likely call the whole thing off.
Den whistled. “I about don’t want anyone else to see you in that.”
“Too bad. I’m not changing.”
“I said about, didn’t I?”
They left and went someplace he heard good things about, and ate a meal he didn’t taste. He had a conversation he couldn’t remember if he tried to.
When their knees bumped, or their arms rubbed, he was inundated with her so badly that he couldn’t even think straight.
Every thought was… Sex.
Sex.
Sex.
Sex-sex.
Sidonie… sex…
Sex with Sidonie…
Fuck… Sex with Sidonie tonight…
Once they left the confines of the cozy spot, he knew they were in trouble. Sidonie didn’t seem to breathe the entire trip and he felt lightheaded enough he wasn’t sure if he had gotten any air on the ride either.
When he parked his car, she unbuckled her belt and slid out of the console with little trouble. He could barely navigate around his hard on. Once he opened the door, she stepped inside and leaned against the wall.
He popped the door shut and she jumped him.
Honest to god.
He thought he had passed out for a moment, because all he knew was his back was to the wall and she practically dragged him to her level. She groaned his name and he melted south, into her.
“Damn, woman!” He grumbled even as his body cursed a blue streak at the stupidity it required to tell this woman no.
“Shouldn’t have touched me so much. Can’t take it,” she mumbled against his mouth. “Need you.”
That was all she had to say.
Their kisses took them from one room into the next, until they were sprawled on top of his sofa with his cock out and her dress hitched up to the waist.
When he pushed against her, Den looked at her, unsure if they should jump right into bed. Funny thing, as he’d never imagined he would pause sexual activity to try and have a conversation.
“Why’d you stop?” She pouted.
“Are you sure? Because I won’t stop until I’ve had my fill of you. Until you’re mine.” It took everything he had to give to not give in and just let their bodies speak for them.
He also knew that was how he ended up without her these last weeks. He had let his body do all of the talking and his mouth hadn’t done enough of it. She had made too many misconceptions about him and it was partially his fault.
She touched his jawline and gave his sling a quick peck. “Please… yes.”
He thrust home in a single motion that made both of them gasp and stop breathing. His eyes remained fixed on hers as he pulled back and swept in again.
“Fuck… Sidonie…” It felt so wonderful, so sweet, he almost wept.
“I know.” She sighed.
His mouth opened and his heart fell halfway out of it. “God, I missed you so much.”
She closed her eyes and he wanted them to open again, but when she blinked, a single tear ran from one eye. And a splash on her face made him realize he shed his own.
She jerked upward and rocked into him, leaving him helpless to her sibilant hips and sinuous movements.
He couldn’t help himself, as he gave into her, gave himself to her.
It was the fastest sex on record, but that couldn’t be helped. Sidonie was a handful and then some. She sighed and jerked, hissed and cursed, sex as they always had it before, with a twist of tenderness he could almost taste on his tongue.
Strangers with Benefits (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 27
