Winner Takes All

by Judy Kentrus

“We have time to get something before the next race.”

  After they devoured delicious Italian hot dogs, Cindi grabbed Preston’s hand and led him toward the tent that had been erected to keep the sun off the children with special needs. “You’ve heard me mention the Super Kids. They have always been very special to me. The cars you noticed lined up by the fence have double seats, and handlers ride with each entrant. No matter where they place in the race, everyone is awarded a trophy just for being here.”

  A chorus of “Miss Cindi” became louder the closer she got to the tent. Three boys in wheelchairs rolled over to her. Jasper, the oldest of the boys, eyed Preston up and down.

  “Who’s the dude?”

  “A friend,” she smiled, ruffling his curly red hair. The fourteen-year-old had suffered from MS since he was born. Like all the other kids, he wore a blue-and-white derby shirt. The only difference was that the words “Super Kids” had been added under the derby car emblem.

  Preston offered his hand in friendship. “The name is Preston, and I’m a very good friend. You seem to be the ringleader around here, so how about introducing me to your friends?”

  Being designated the ringleader widened the smile on the boy’s face, and he proceeded to introduce the other nine children. Two boys and three girls had Down syndrome. Trevor, an eight-year-old boy, had a degenerative disease that hindered his walking. Despite having both legs in braces and the need for crutches, all he did was smile. His dream was to play professional basketball.

  The last person he met was an eleven-year-old girl. Belinda had covered her bald head with a pink baseball cap with the words “I beat cancer’s butt.” She was also in a wheelchair and missing the bottom half of her left leg.

  Cindi was overwhelmed by Preston’s acceptance of the Super Kids. He smiled, cajoled, and interacted in some way, with all of them. Someone had set up a portable basketball hoop, and the boys tossed a Nerf basketball between them. Preston joined right in and offered pointers. In the performance of an enthusiastic shot, Jasper accidently rolled his wheelchair into Preston’s prosthetic leg.

  His young face filled with remorse, and he immediately rolled back. “Hey, man, sorry. Hope I didn’t hurt you.”

  The concern on the faces of all his young teammates cut right through Preston, and he found himself raising the bottom of his jeans to expose his prosthetic leg. “You didn’t hurt me. I’m one of you.”

  Tears ran unheeded down Cindi’s cheeks, and she wrapped her arms about her waist. Never had she loved him more.

  Terry, one of the other advisors and Belinda’s mother, approached Cindi and flipped a tissue in her direction. “Your boyfriend just gave them the greatest gift. If I wasn’t married, I’d steal him from you.” She’d just celebrated her fortieth birthday, but in her derby shirt and white shorts, her physical therapist body portrayed a woman in her late twenties.

  “It isn’t like that,” Cindi said, wiping the wetness from her cheeks.

  “You’ve got to be kidding. With that eye candy body, hunky face and great ass, jump his bones.”

  She sniffed and blew her nose. “It’s not as if I haven’t tried.”

  “Try harder, girl, try harder.”

  They’d just announced that the Super Kids’ race would be starting in fifteen minutes. Do it now, Cindi Pearl. She walked up to Preston, slipped her arm about his waist and addressed all the kids. “I need everyone to hydrate and then settle down.”

  He tossed the Nerf ball in his hand to Jasper, accepted the bottle of water from Cindi and drank it down. “Thanks. They can move in those wheelchairs.”

  “That was a pretty wonderful thing you did for those kids. You just raised yourself to hero status in their eyes.”

  “From you, I’ll take that as a compliment, but I only wanted to show them anything is possible. And stop using that word.”

  “Okay! Okay! I need a favor,” she blurted.

  “Why am I not surprised?” He grinned. “What is it?”

  “I need you to ride in Jasper’s car as a handler.”

  Before Preston could answer, a family walked into the tent and approached Terry and Belinda with big smiles. Terry’s brother apologized for being late. His wife was obviously pregnant, and he carried their two-year-old little boy in his right arm.

  The air about Cindi suddenly chilled, and she didn’t have to touch Preston to sense a change in his mood. His eyes were riveted on the man holding the child.

  Preston stared at the man dressed in a white T-shirt and knee-length shorts. The man seemed unconcerned that his prosthetic leg was exposed to inquisitive eyes. His left arm was missing from the elbow down. When his wife leaned in to him with an affectionate hug, he kissed her on the cheek then kissed his little boy. They were a unit—a happy, loving family.

  Cindi was frightened by the panic-stricken look in Preston’s eyes, and she wrapped her hand around his stiffened arm. “Are you okay?”

  A vise of uncertainty seized his entire body. It was happening again, just like the night of the Fourth of July ceremony. He’d come face to face with another turning point in his life. He didn’t feel sick, but his heart was beating out of control and sweat ran down his shoulder blades. He stepped back, making her hand fall away. “No, I can’t,” he choked out. “I have to get out of here.”

  She turned her head and followed his gaze. Not seeing anything unusual, only the young family talking with Terry, she turned back to Preston. “What’s wrong? What do you mean you can’t?” Her questions were useless.

  He was gone.

  Chapter 10

  Cindi slammed into the quiet kitchen and threw her backpack on the table. There wasn’t a word in any language to describe the intensity of her anger. That jerk just left! Got in his goddamn three-hundred-thousand-dollar car and drove off, but not before he walked away uttering “I can’t.” One request, one simple request: ride with a Super Kid. It was okay to lead them on, let them think he was their friend, “Oh, I’m one of you,” and then he runs off with his tail between his legs. Heartless son of a bitch!

  The rat fink’s fancy car was in the driveway. It was time to have it out with him, once and for all. She stormed out of the house, hurried up the barn ramp and took the iron steps to the loft two at a time. She stopped at the top of the stairs to catch her breath. The bird in the clock chose that moment to cuckoo six times. “Oh, shut up, you wooden bird brain,” she snarled as her eyes fell upon the table. She noticed a lined yellow pad and pen. “Probably writing me a dear Jane letter.” The thought stabbed her in the heart. Woman’s curiosity drew her to read the handwritten note.

  Cindi, I’m a shit, a big, dumb, heartless shit. I ran off like a spineless coward and left you and the kids hanging. I don’t deserve you, but I can’t help loving you. I want to confess my love, but it wouldn’t be right. I shouldn’t have let myself fall in love with you. Maybe it’s time we cooled off…

  The message stopped.

  “No! No! You can’t stop here!” Cindi picked up the note with trembling hands and re-read what he’d written. In love with you were the only words of importance in the stupid confession. Preston loved her!

  The sound of running water drew her attention to the bathroom. As the saying went, you could lead a horse to water, but you couldn’t make him drink. What more could she do to make him see he was a hot, sexy stud, capable of making love as well as the next guy? She didn’t want the next guy. She wanted him. The big, dumb, heartless shit loved her!

  “Here goes nothing.” She grabbed the bottom of her T-shirt, pulled it through the neck and tugged it down, exposing a bit of cleavage and bared stomach. The word no wasn’t in her vocabulary. “PJ, fire up your jackhammer!” At the last minute, she kicked off her sneakers.

  Her footsteps slowed the closer she got to the bathroom. Go in like gangbusters or take things a little slower? Sure, he’d confessed his love, but wanting to make love to her was his decision, not hers. How could he claim to love her and then suggest they cool things o
ff? She was more confused than ever. She also needed an explanation as to why he’d run off. It was time to lay all her cards on the table and confront him.

  The bathroom door was open, and his naked form was a shivery shadow beyond the wall of frosted glass blocks. A cloud of moisture drifted around the ceiling, and his soap gave off a woodsy scent. She stopped at the wide opening and silently gasped at his muscular back and firm buttocks suffering the hammering spray from four different shower heads. He ignored the built-in seat and gripped the special metal shower bars. It was obvious he hadn’t neglected the gym since his injury. His entire body was strong, tight, and sturdy. His delicious ass was so firm she wanted to sink her teeth into his flesh. Her breath caught when he shifted his hands to a second bar and turned around. His eyes were closed and he appeared to be pondering a problem while standing under the buffeting shower.

  A few moments later, he sensed her presence, and his eyes flew open. She leaned a hip against a column of glass blocks and went on the defensive.

  “You left me! You goddamn left me at the derby.” Her voice echoed off the walls of the enclosure. “I had to make some cockamamie excuse to the kids that you had an emergency. They all said you were cool, a real hero, but I told them you were a selfish asshole.” She waved the yellow sheet from the pad. “Got your message. Changed your mind about loving me and want to cool things off, just like that.” She paused to let her eyes appreciate his well-toned body, stopping at his groin. He was so gorgeous, so well-endowed, that she swallowed hard. In the past few moments, he’d gone from parade rest to attention.

  Preston never anticipated her seeing what he’d written down while coming to a life-changing decision, or expected her to walk into his shower. Then again, this was a determined Cindi Pearl. He remained standing and gripped the support bar more tightly. “Do we have to discuss this while I’m naked in the shower?”

  “Yes! That’s your forte. Run off without an explanation!”

  “I guess I deserved that.” He sighed. “I didn’t mean for you to see that note. They were my private thoughts.” She hasn’t looked at my leg, his mind cried, once, twice.

  “You had to write it down and practice how to dump me! I agree with your statement. You are a shit. I’ve done everything humanly possible to make you feel like a man, even jumping into the guppy-filled pond half-naked. All you did was laugh and offer me your damn shirt! I get more affection from my pygmy goat! I’m not beautiful enough for you!”

  He was exactly what she described, a selfish shit. From the moment he’d left the race, his mind had clamored with indecision. His long road to recovery had been fraught with many personal challenges, some of them painful, but the next turning point was the most important one he had to face. He’d been wrong, in so many ways. He’d denied them both, but no more. His prolonged dry spell was about to end, with only one woman, his Cindi Pearl. She’s seen me and hasn’t run off. Will she be able to touch me? “I can’t hear all of your insults. Come closer.”

  She gave no mind to the hail of water and stepped inside the enclosure. “I’m not beautiful enough for you!” she shouted.

  Little bit more, he silently noted, getting ready to change the angle of the top nozzle. “No, you’re not beautiful.”

  Her eyes widened, and she took exception to the insult. Determined footsteps brought her closer. She didn’t expect to get pummeled in the face with a stream of warm water. “You rat,” she sputtered, spitting water out of her mouth.

  Her objection was half-hearted when busy hands tugged her wet T-shirt over her head and unhooked the front of her lacy orchid bra. “Who gave you permission to remove my clothes?”

  “You did,” he laughed, “the moment you invaded my shower.”

  She tugged off her soaking wet shorts and bikinis. “Why?”

  “Because I want you naked so I can see your magnificent body.” He didn’t bother with niceties and used one hand to toss her sopping wet clothes outside the shower.

  “Wrong answer.” Her body was totally exposed to him, but she didn’t feel the least bit uncomfortable or shy.

  “Because I am so goddamn horny, my mind is consumed with making love to you every waking moment of the day.” He took her hand and wrapped her fingers around the throbbing proof of his confession. “This is what you do to me.” When her silky skin met with his flesh, he forced himself not to move. Sheer pleasure filled his body when her fingers tightened around him.

  Instant heat singed her flesh. When he slowly lowered his eyelids, she felt him shudder with pleasure. Her fingers had a mind of their own and started to explore the smooth flesh that surrounded his steel-like strength. Two hands wouldn’t be enough to capture his hard length. She wanted to look down at her hand, but guilt and deceit forced her to release him. “This is wrong. I shouldn’t be here.” Cindi lowered her head and turned away, but a band of strength encircled her waist. Water cascaded on her head and streamed down her cheeks, camouflaging her tears. “I came here under false pretenses.”

  “Bullshit! Don’t go anywhere.” Two inches of water covered the bottom of the shower. “I’m going to turn the water off before we drown.”

  Preston lowered his body to the tile floor and drew her down with him. He wanted nothing more than to get her into bed, but his Cindi needed to apologize, for something. She still hasn’t paid any attention to my leg.

  “Okay, tell me,” he coaxed.

  She focused on the whirlpool of water circling the drain. “When I read your note—and by the way, I love you too—I was going to try to seduce you, but I realized that was wrong. I can’t force you to make love with me. That is a decision you have to make on your own.”

  Preston didn’t think his heart could withstand another blow, and he drew her closer to straddle his lap. It took every part of his being not to thrust into her. “You love me?”

  “Do you think I would have gone through all this if I didn’t love you?” She pressed her wet forehead to his. “I wouldn’t care if you had two heads.”

  “That’s good to know.” The hard tips of her breasts branded his chest, and nothing had ever felt more wonderful. Before he made love to her, though, they needed to resolve another problem. “You had another reason for invading my shower.”

  “Why did you leave the derby so abruptly? Was it because I asked you to ride with Jasper?”

  Preston shook his head and pushed a clump of wet hair away from her face. “Wow, I wasn’t expecting that. Guess I have been pretty bad. You actually think I was disturbed by the sight of those wonderful kids who live life to the fullest?”

  “What else was I supposed to think? You said, ‘I can’t.’”

  “Yes, I said that, but it wasn’t the Super Kids. They are all great. It was Belinda’s uncle who showed up right before the Super Kids’ race. He has a prosthetic leg, half his left arm is missing and he wasn’t wearing long pants.”

  Cindi tried to ignore the throbbing length that found a home in her groin. She ached to enfold him in her hand but forced herself to concentrate on what he was saying. “That’s it?”

  “No! He held a two-year-old in his arm, and his wife was very pregnant. Both were laughing and smiling. They were a family.”

  “So, you want a baby?”

  “No! Not yet, anyway. Don’t you get it? Saying ‘I can’t’ referred to my fear that I couldn’t make love. I’ve been wallowing in a hell of self-pity, avoiding relationships and having sex, because I thought the sight of my missing leg would turn a woman off. My goddamn pride has stopped me from wearing shorts. I go swimming when I’m totally alone.” He brought her tight against him and he groaned when the fold in her leg cradled him like a baby in its mother’s arm. Home sweet home, almost, he thought. “I’ve been such an idiot.”

  “I agree, but I figured that out for myself. Why do you think I’ve been throwing myself at you?” She’d never been hotter in her life. It felt like a fire stick was lodged in her groin.

  “It was working, believe me.” He inh
aled deeply. “Any more questions?” He ached with need and didn’t know how much longer he could suffer through all this small talk.

  “Last one. Does this mean we are going to have sex?” When he didn’t immediately respond, she tipped her head to the side. “Don’t tell me you have to give it more thought.”

  “We are not going to have sex.”

  “We’re not!”

  He gathered her wet face in his hands and sampled the wetness on her delectable mouth. “We, my darling Cindi Pearl, are going to make love. It will be a first, because I’ve never made love with part of my leg missing.”

  “Hallelujah!” she cheered. “Neither have I, so it will be a first for both of us.”

  Preston’s hearty laugh echoed off the shower walls.

  She stood up first and passed him his crutch that he’d set in the corner of the shower, like it was an everyday occurrence, and grabbed two bath towels off the bathroom rack. “Meet you in bed,” she teased, fluffing the towel across her wet hair, trying not to make this moment more awkward than necessary.

  Cindi stepped into the bedroom wrapped in her towel and stopped. “How come you didn’t mention the three amigos have taken a liking to your bed?” Donut was sprawled between Cupcake and Muffin.

  “They were on my bed yesterday when I got home from work. That’s why I covered the comforter with the old sheet.” Preston hadn’t bothered with a towel and lowered his lips to her warm shoulder. “Let’s say we evict them.”

  “Good idea. You make yourself comfortable and I’ll convince them the ugly orange couch is much softer.” They were both stalling, and she didn’t know who was more nervous.

  “Good luck.” Preston moved to the side of the bed, sat down and lowered his crutch to the floor. He swung his legs up, debating whether or not to crawl under the quilt. His heart was racing from anticipation. Stop. You’re acting like a teenage boy who is about to make love for the first time. This is Cindi, your love. It’s going to be beautiful, mind-blowing. She won’t run off.

  “Our chaperones didn’t like the couch and left.” Cindi whipped off the towel and threw it on the chair in the corner. She climbed on the mattress and moved stealthily across the bed on all fours. “Ready or not, here I come.” He was magnificently splayed against a stack of pillows with his legs slightly spread, inviting her to appreciate his readiness to make love. “PJ, there’s no turning back. From the look of your jackhammer, you are raring to go.” Inside, she was burning up from the want of this man, but she had to do this right so they both enjoyed their first special time together.