by Shyla Colt
He held out his hand to help her up from her seat, and they lagged behind James and Leigh to say a semi-private goodbye outside of the restaurant.
“Did you enjoy my company tonight?” he asked. He tilted his head to the side slightly, almost as if he was studying her.
“Very much.”
He paused and opened his mouth as if to say something, before shaking his head.
“I feel the same, and we’ll see each other soon I’m sure.”
He placed a gentle kiss on her hand as he walked away leaving her flabbergasted. Did that mean he wasn’t interested, or he was leaving the ball in her court?
****
Sutton could feel the questions in Leigh’s gaze as she walked away from James, who was saying his goodbyes to Sidney.
“I’m just going to walk Sutton to her car, honey,” Leigh said. She looped her arms through Sutton’s and leaned in to whisper into her ear as they headed towards her car.
“So, what did you think of Sidney?”
“He’s a nice guy.”
“Come on, Sutton, you were practically drooling.”
“I was not! His conversation was…stimulating.”
“Do you really expect me to think your brain was the only thing he stimulated?”
“He’s an attractive man, with a killer accent. I’d have to be dead not to notice, even if he’s like twenty years older than me.”
“Eighteen, but who’s counting?”
“Don’t match-make.”
“Why not? He’s single, you’re single, and I’d have to be blind not to see you enjoyed one another’s company.”
“You’re not going to let this go, are you?” Sutton asked. She hit the keyless remote as they reached her car and turned to face her friend.
“No, because I really think there was a spark there. I know Sidney; he doesn’t take to people like he did with you.”
“What do you mean take to me? All he did was converse.”
“Believe me, he had the charm dialed up.”
A smile crept over her lips at the thought of the distinguished professor putting an effort into making a good impression on her. Maybe the attraction wasn’t one-sided after all.
“See!”
“See what, Leigh?” Sutton asked.
“That smirk and the sparkle in your eyes.”
“My eyes are not sparkling.”
“Whatever you say,” Leigh said. She flashed her a wink as she stepped back to allow her to enter the car, and rolled down the window.
“Just trust me, Sutton. I know what I’m doing. I got my man after all.”
“I’m going to regret humoring you, but what do you mean?”
“I don’t think I ever told you how I met James. He was my professor.”
“Why does that not surprise me? You little Lolita.”
“Soon you’ll be benefiting from all of my tricks. So, keep your little comments to yourself. The key is to make them think everything you’re getting them to do is their idea.” She stepped away from the car with a smirk that made Sutton’s stomach do flips.
“You’ll thank me later,” Leigh said. She gave a final wave of her hand before she sauntered off with an extra sway in her gait.
“Cocky wench,” Sutton whispered. A giggle bubbled up into her throat as she started her car, and backed out of the parking lot. Regardless of Leigh’s meddling, she’d had a great time. It was the reprieve she had needed.
Chapter Two
“So what did you think about Leigh’s friend Sutton?” James asked.
Sidney peered across the mahogany monstrosity that was his desk and smirked.
“I knew this question was going to come up sooner or later. I’m impressed you waited all week to ask.”
“What? You guys seemed to hit it off,” James said.
“She was pleasant to talk to,” Sidney said. He returned his attention back to the remnants of the sandwich he’d packed for lunch, and a comfortable silence filled the room. They both had breaks in between classes after noon on Tuesdays and generally took their lunch together in one of their offices.
“That’s all?” James asked a few moments later.
“It’s not as if I know Sutton very well,” Sidney said.
“So, no sparks?”
“We both know she’s easy on the eyes.”
That’s an understatement. Sidney felt his cock harden at the thought of her golden skin, large dark eyes, and full pouty lips. She had an almost exotic look, with her heart-shaped face, delicate bone structure, and thick black hair. The angular bob stopped just below her chin, making the shiny tresses short enough to be low maintenance, yet long enough for him to grasp in his hand. She was smaller than he at about 5’5, and he couldn’t help but wonder if beneath her clothes, there would be an ample amount of curves to hold on to.
“And nothing else?” James asked.
“Why don’t you ask me what you really want to know, so I can provide you with the proper answer?”
“Come on, Sid, it’s been over a year since things went sour with Christine, and other than a few play dates you’ve been a monk.”
Sidney sighed as he sat down his bottle of water and met his friend’s concerned gaze. A part of him knew he was being irrational. When you fell off the horse, you got back on and rode again before the fear crippled you. The problem in this case was a part of him thought Christine might have been right.
He was over fifty with no prospects of marriage, and he’d never had a relationship that had lasted longer than three years. Maybe he was destined to walk alone.
His family name meant to end with him. As the only son out of three siblings, he felt the pressure to reproduce and keep up the family name keenly. It wasn’t a notion that he was opposed to per se. It just needed to be with the right woman. Maybe he was naïve to think he could have it all, a submissive partner for life, marriage and kids. Jesus, I sound like a woman with her biological clock ticking in her ears.
“I’m not ready to place all my trust in another female again.”
“No one’s asking you to give the girl the keys to your house and your bank account access. Just get to know her, and go from there. I know the way Christine left threw you for a loop, but in the long run, you never would’ve been happy. It’s better she left before you married her. Imagine the cluster-fuck that would’ve been.”
“I know you’re right, old friend. I suppose my pride is wounded.”
“That’s understandable. You had time to lick your wounds, but now you need to move forward. Now be honest. What do you really think about Sutton?”
“I’d be interested in getting to know her better.” His voice dropped an octave as he made the admission. “Does she know anything about our lifestyle?”
“She knows about Leigh and I, so she must be familiar with some things. I mean woman do talk.”
“Does she practice any of it herself?”
“I doubt it. From what Leigh’s s told me her love life has been pretty much D.O.A. Still, she never seemed bothered by anything she’s seen over at our house.”
“D.O.A.? Are you saying she’s a virgin?” For most men, the taking of someone’s virginity was an inconvenience, especially this late in life, but Sidney relished the idea. To be someone’s first lover was akin to getting a tattoo on your skin. For the rest of their lives your mark would be left on them. Your memory etched on to their heart. If his interest hadn’t already been piqued, this would be the clincher.
Unbeknownst to his friend he’d all ready laid the ground work with the woman in question. Her response to his dominate behavior had been text-book perfect. He’d just choked when it came time to make future plans. The age difference and newness to the BDSM lifestyle had just raised too many red flags. He knew better than most that no two people were the same. However he’d needed more information before he put himself out into what appeared to be a near identical situation to the relationship that had crashed and burned, putting him out of commission for a whi
le.
“I’m not sure. She is a southern girl from a small town. I know she was engaged at one point. I’ll give Leigh the go-ahead to see if she can test the waters a bit if you’d like.”
“As if she’d wait for an all clear to go in guns blazing,” Sidney said. “She’s probably been hounding the woman since we had dinner.” He rolled his eyes at the cheek his friend’s wife had. The girl had waltzed into James’s life ten years prior as a student. She’d teased and tormented the poor bloke until he’d given in and agreed to date her. It’d been amusing to watch, to say the least.
“Hey, that’d work in your favor, if she’s taking you two on as a project; victory is just a matter of time.”
“I’m not a battle to be won.”
“You want to tell her that?”
Sidney cast a scowl and shook his head. Truth be told, he could use a little excitement about now. If he had a taste of what James went through with Leigh he wouldn’t complain too much.
Every road to healing started with a single step forward towards recovery. He supposed this could be his.
“Sutton seems like she’d be a challenge.”
“Aaah, we both know how much you love those. People are like puzzles to you.”
“Hence my profession.” They shared a laugh as they both began to clean up what was left of their lunch in preparation for their return to classes.
****
The sound of a key turning in a lock made Sutton frown as she laid down her e-reader. She wasn’t expecting company, especially not at eleven at night. She stood and padded to the front in her black flannel pants and a white tank top. The door swung open, and she bit back a moan when the moon light spilled in and revealed the all too familiar pixie hair cut that belonged to her youngest sibling, Carissa.
“What are you doing here?” she asked. Carissa jumped as she stepped inside, and tossed the carpet bag she’d been holding to the floor.
“Oh, hey, Sissy. I figured you’d be asleep about now.”
I bet. She crossed her arms, ignoring Carissa’s weak attempt at distraction.
“Turns out I’m not. Why are you here?”
“Mom and I got into it again, and I just thought I could use some space. I mean you’re just up here in the condo by yourself, and I figured you could use the company.”
“Come on in,” Sutton said. “What were you guys arguing about now?”
“The usual, who I’m dating, What I’m going to do with my life, yada ,yada , yada.”
“Why is she asking you that? I thought you were working as an office assistant at the salon and finishing up your second semester of school.”
“Well, classes are done for the semester, and I really didn’t like the receptionist job, so I quit.”
“Carissa!”
“What? I’ll find something before school starts again.”
“Does Mom at least know where you are?”
“I’m sure.”
“Call her. She doesn’t need to be up late worrying about you.”
“Fine.”
Sutton rolled her eyes as she locked the front door and kicked the duffle bag to the side as Carissa pulled out her cell phone. They had all babied Carissa growing up, and now they were paying for it. Her friends always told her she needed to practice tough love, but she felt so responsible for Carissa it was easier said than done. Carissa had missed out on a lot growing up with their mother always at work and no real memories of their father. Sutton headed into the kitchen to make a mug of hot cocoa as she listened to muffled conversation taking place a few feet away.
By the time she had the mug ready and loaded down with marshmallows, Carissa had made her way back into the kitchen.
“She just doesn’t understand that I’m young, and I want to have fun,” Carissa said. Her voice was huffy as she pouted and wrapped her hands around the mug Sutton slid toward her.
“Mom just wants what’s best for you Carissa.”
“No, she wants me to be a carbon copy of her. Not everyone can be like you two. All business and no play would make me a very dull girl indeed. I plan on living life to the fullest while I’m still young enough to do it.”
Sutton frowned as she removed her cup of hot cocoa out of the microwave.
“I have fun, and I’m thirty-one, hardly ancient.”
“Umm yeah, like once in a blue moon. Face it, Sutton. Your life revolves around work. Which may be fine for you, but it isn’t the kind of life I want. When’s the last time you went on a date, or got laid for that matter?”
“That’s a really personal question.”
“Wow, that long,” Carissa said with a roll of her eyes.
Sutton fought down a twinge of hurt. If her sister knew the truth, she’d never let her live it down.
“Be nice. You are staying in my condo.”
“Ooh you know I love you, Sissy,” Carissa said. A toothy grin spread across her lips as she moved over to hug her.
“Yeah, yeah,” Sutton said.
Carissa always knew how to worm her way out of things. Sutton grabbed her mug as she headed over to the breakfast bar and slipped onto her high back stool. She loved everything about her condo, but the view out of the picture window from this position was one of her absolute favorites.
“So how long are you planning on bunking with me?”
“For a few weeks, maybe? It’ll give Mom time to cool down, and let me breathe a little bit. You know Michelle goes to U.T., so I’ll have someone to keep me company.”
Sutton nodded her head in agreement. Michelle and Carissa had been good friends since they were in grade school. Michelle had a good head on her shoulders. It’d be one less concern for her to have. Carissa seemed to gravitate towards people who weren’t good for her. It might bring excitement, but it also brought a ton of problems. Sutton fought back an eye roll as she thought of all the sticky situations she’d pulled her out of over the years.
“A little R&R is never a bad thing,” Sutton said.
“You should take your own advice.”
“Okay, enough lip from you.”
A chime sounded, and Sutton furrowed her brow. Who would be texting her right now?
She picked up her phone and smiled when she saw Leigh’s name.
:Hey I know it’s late, but given we work second shift I figured you’d still be awake:
:Yeah I was just doing some reading, then the little sister showed up:
:Oh lord, what’s up now:
:The usual, arguing with Mom:
:One day, that girl is going to have to grow up:
: I know, but try telling her that. So what’s up?:
: I wanted to see if you’d be up to some company:
: Always when it’s yours!:
: Sweet, see you in ten minutes:
“Who was that Sutton? Do you have a boyfriend you haven’t told anyone about?”
“No, that was Leigh. She just got off work, and she’s coming over to hang out for a while.”
“Oh, in that case I’m going to get settled in the guest room.”
Sutton shook her head as Carissa set her mug into the sink and made her way out of the kitchen, and down the hall way to the guest room.
“Don’t worry about cleaning up, Car. I got it,” Sutton said. Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
A knock sounded on the door ten minutes later, and she slipped from her stool, eager to see her friend.
Sutton opened the door and grinned at her friend’s butterfly covered scrubs.
“Hey girl, come on in.” Sutton stepped back and allowed her to enter before she locked the door. “How was your shift?”
“Ugh, busy. I swear the full moon brings out all the weird ones,” Leigh said.
Sutton laughed as they made their way over to the breakfast bar.
“Do you want anything to eat?”
“Yes, I’m starving.” Leigh said.
“How does a sandwich sound?” asked Sutton.
“Like manna from heaven.”
>
“Sit down. You’ve been on your feet for twelve hours, so I’ll make it.”
“Thanks, girl,” Leigh said as she sank down on to a stool with a sigh.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, Leigh, but what are you doing here? You usually head home after your shifts unless you have plans. ” Sutton opened the stainless steel refrigerator and pulled out turkey cold cuts.
“James is away at a convention for work, and I haven’t gotten a chance to really talk to you since we went out to eat a couple of weeks back.”
“You mean pick my brain. Mayo?”
“Yes, please. I wouldn’t say pick exactly.”
“Mmhmm,” Sutton said.
“Okay, so I admit I’m transparent. I just want to see you get out of the house more, and Sidney is a great guy, who’s interested by the way.”
Her heart raced as she spun around to face her. “Wait, he said he was interested?”
“Yes, he did.”
“What else did he say?” Sutton asked.
“Oh nothing much, that you were interesting, gorgeous… the usual.”
Sutton couldn’t coral the giggle that escaped as she cut the sandwich into halves, placed it on a plate, and set it in front of Leigh with a bottle of water. It felt good to be wanted. Sidney was older, well-traveled, and established. He was as different from ex, Jackson, as night and day.
“Did he really say that?” she asked. She paused to tilt her head to the side before she cleaned up the counter, washed off the knife and set in the dish washer.
“He did. Does your mad-hatter grin mean we’re done pretending you aren’t interested in Sid?”
“You know what… it does.”
“Good! I was thinking we could all get together again and let you guys get to know each other a bit better.”
“Sounds good, Leigh.”
“I can’t believe how easy going you’re being about this,” Leigh said around bites of her sandwich.
