by Ami Snow
“Didn't know if you were a ketchup or a mustard type, so I got you one of each.”
The nape of Winona's neck tingled at the unmistakable, crystalline quality of Spencer's widely-recognizable voice. She twirled around clumsily in shock, scuffing the patent leather of her flats against the pavement. The color on her olive cheeks deepened, briskly striding away from the display window to the curb of the sidewalk. Spencer followed her, the pleasant clunking of his footfall floating into her ears.
“Thanks,” Winona mumbled, accepting a ketchup-smothered hot dog bun, the crinkled foil warming in her hands.
“So – er – how are you holding up?”
Winona took a wolfish bite from her hot dog bun and chewed thoughtfully. She swallowed, sighing as she lowered her eyes to the pavement, “Mr. Flynn – I'm sorry about running out on you the other day and just not showing up at all yesterday –”
“It's alright – well, it's not alright – to be honest, it was unprofessional, but understandable.”
“I know,” Winona squeaked in reply. She cleared her throat, forcing herself to elevate her eyes to his level, “I'm sorry, Mr. Flynn. I didn't mean to disappoint you – I just. I have to talk to you about the – um –”
“That's alright, Winona – you can say it. The baby.”
“Right – the baby,” Winona repeated, biting down on her lip in agitation, “I've decided – I'm going to follow through with the pregnancy – now hold on, I'm not about to milk you for your wealth or fame or anything crazy, Mr. Flynn – just hear me out –”
Spencer stepped towards her, gently grabbing hold of her wrists. The loose sleeves of Winona's blouse unfurled down her arms, catching on her the inner folds of her elbows, his fingertips brushing against the subtly raised, uncovered surface of her white ink tattoo. His eyes widened ever so slightly, slowly nodding as he understood. He opened his mouth to speak, his lips suddenly devoid of moisture.
“Winona – I've been a bachelor all my life,” Spencer admitted, “I've never been a father to anyone – never even had a pet –”
“And I'm not asking you to – like I said, Mr. Flynn – I'm not looking for money or expecting any sort of relationship to come out of this.”
“It isn't that – I just wouldn't have a clue what to do – I guess I could look into picking up some baby books at the bookstore downtown after work –”
Winona's eyes widened, her heart fluttering in her ears, “Wait – what?”
Spencer's eyes glimmered greener than ever under the golden tinge of the sunlight, the corners of his lips twitching, “You didn't think I'd just let you go through with this on your own, did you? Winona – I want to help out any way that I can – tuition, clothes – not that I don't think you've got it covered. Well – what do you think?”
Unable to keep the smile spreading on her face, Winona stuttered before finally finding her voice, “I – I – that sounds like a plan, Mr. Flynn.”
“Good – now come on, we've got a long day ahead of us. I'll drive you to a clinic for a check-up after work.”
Winona glanced to her left, smiling at the passing young mother, pushing a laughing, blue-eyed, curly-haired baby in a polka dotted stroller. She placed her hands gently across the bulge of her stomach, quietly rejoicing in the brief rush of warmth enveloping her body, her round cheeks glowing. She glanced up at Spencer, who was peering at her from behind his shoulder, thrusting his chin forward, beckoning her forward. The leaded weight in her legs seemingly evaporated, the invigorating gust of wind brushing against her cheeks. Winona smiled to herself, bounding forward with a fresh spring in her step.
THE END
Getting High with My Dad’s Best Friend
BDSM ROMANCE
By: Amanda Bolton
Getting High with Dad’s Best Friend
Chapter One: Invitations
Jason woke to the blaring alarm and tossed an arm over his tired eyes. When the snooze went off for the second time he tossed back his covers and climbed from the bed. Shaking from the winter chill before he ever hit the bathroom, Jason started the shower while he peed. Stripping off his pajama pants, Jason stepped into the hot shower spray and made the most of the heat that seeped into his body. He kept the bathroom shut tight so that he’d stay warm while he dressed and finished his grooming routine before he ever opened the door to his frigid one bedroom loft. Sometimes he wondered why he paid out the astronomical sum he did each month, but anyone who lived in New York City understood that landscape was a luxury for only the wealthiest of tenants. Even the crappiest of apartments cost upwards of five to six hundred dollars a month and that was in the less than stellar neighborhoods. The crappiest apartments in solid, upstanding boroughs started at twelve hundred a month. Amenities tacked on even more and not all jobs kept up with that sort of cost of living.
He was thankful his stationary business was starting to take off. He’d never imagined it when the idea first came to him that it would actually go somewhere, because he was sort of a pessimist at heart and believing that good things come to those who wait wasn’t a weapon in his arsenal most days. However, with some good investments and smart business planning, as well as, the help of his best friend Ben, Jason was finally seeing the fruits of his labor pay off. With Valentine’s Day coming back up, he expected his annual sales to skyrocket. There was something about women and stationary that hopefully would continue throughout most of his business lifespan. And what woman didn’t like getting a cheesy love note on some flower scented or special embroidered paper?
Looking at the clock on the wall above his TV, Jason saw that he had about fifteen minutes to get to the café where he’d agreed to meet Ben for coffee. Ben was a number’s guy and had played a huge part in making sure that Jason’s budget would hold and stay intact while he bought inventory and leased a space for his business. He’d scouted countless places to set Jason up with and ran countless analysis to find him the perfect storefront. Jason knew that he probably felt too obligated to Ben for the success of his business, but he wasn’t going to stop looking for ways to pay him back, because in the end he never really could.
***
Carla Danvers rushed out the door to climb into the warm car beside her dad. “Let’s go already,” she smiled.
“You’re awfully chipper this morning,” Ben Danvers said as he put the car in gear and pulled out onto the street.
“I’m getting coffee from the coolest coffee joint in the tri-cities and it’s going to snow today. What isn’t there to be stoked about?” Carla didn’t mention that she was going to sit across from Jason Platt who in her opinion was the sexiest man to walk the planet. She’d known him for a while now as he was her father’s best friend, but in the last year her attraction level had turned up at least a notch. One day he’d been Mr. Platt and then in the blink of an eye he’d been Jason and Carla was seriously hooked. She knew he was considerably older than her, being in his late thirties, but that didn’t mean anything nowadays. She was eighteen; that was what truly mattered, especially with the thoughts that often ran through her mind.
She’d imagined their first time a million times. How he’d touch her, taste her. She’d dreamed of what it’d feel like to kiss him. As they turned into the parking lot Carla nearly jumped out of her skin with excitement. She already knew what she wanted to order. An extra-large white chocolate mocha with extra whip and a side of Jason. Although the latter part she’d keep to herself, for now. Eventually she knew she’d have to let him know of her interest. She expected him to balk at the idea, he was her father’s best friend after all, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t be interested. She was a gorgeous woman after all, not that she was conceited about it or anything. But really, who could resist her?
She stepped into the café and immediately headed for the counter. She ordered for herself and her dad, hoping that paying for both would show Jason how mature she was. At eighteen she was a legal adult and it was just about time he took notice that she had more to offer t
han just a joke whenever he came over, which wasn’t nearly often enough.
“Can I get an extra-large white chocolate mocha and a medium coffee black,” Carla asked politely, placing her order.
“Sure,” the barista girl said. Carla waited for their beverages and when they arrived she headed for the back table where her dad and the delectable Jason sat.
“Here you go dad,” she said, sitting his coffee in front of him.
“Thanks honey,” Ben said. He took a tentative sip and closed his eyes. “Best damn coffee on the planet.”
“That it is,” Jason said, raising his own cup.
“You boys go ahead and enjoy the tar,” Carla chuckled. “This woman’s diving into this sweet treat, as soon as it won’t scald my taste buds off.”
“So Jason,” Ben said, returning to their conversation. “You said that you’re hoping the upcoming weekend will prove to boost your sales?”
“Well obviously,” Jason agreed with a shake of his head. “But more than that I want it to get people in the door. Card and stationary sales are good, but if they come in the door they’re likely to find something that can go along with their stationary. I was also thinking about posing a proposition to some of the local florists to see if they want to get together for a package deal of sorts?”
“That’s a great idea,” Ben said, sipping his coffee. “There’s nothing women like more than flowers and adding those to any gift packages you have will only increase your sales potential. And if they all say no, you can try some of the more independent flower curators in the area. You can post pictures to your site and then have the florists put together the baskets you need for shipping.”
“I’ll think about it,” Jason said. “Not that I have a lot of time. I’ll type up some proposals and get them out today. If I don’t hear back in a week I’ll talk to the more remote florists.”
“Good,” Ben smiled. “Let me know how it turns out. I’ll try to stop by and lay some ground work for you, unless you’d rather I didn’t.”
“No, that’d be great. Thanks.”
“Excellent,” Ben said, standing. “You ready to head out Carla?”
Carla buried her irritation. She knew she should have driven herself, but what excuse would she have for that, or turning down the ride home? It wasn’t like she could just say, “Hey dad I want to stay here and see if I can talk my way into Jason’s pants.”
“Yeah,” she said, unable to completely mask the disappointment she felt. “I’m ready.”
“It was nice to see you again Carla,” Jason said, sending her a smile that pooled heat low in her belly. If she didn’t leave now she’d have to change her underwear when she got home. The man was irresistible.
“It was nice to see you too Jason,” Carla said, smiling back. Putting one foot in front of the other, she slowly followed her father from the café.
“You’re quiet,” Ben said, noticing the change in his daughter’s demeanor.
“Just thinking,” Carla replied. “Can I ask you something personal?”
“Depends on what it’s about and how personal it is, but go ahead.”
“Would you care if I dated an older guy?”
“How old are we talking and what guy?”
“Well, nothing’s official yet. I’m not even sure he’s interested but he’s about thirty-eight.”
“I’m thirty-eight Carla,” Ben said, his face turning pale. “And I take it if he might not be interested that you must be the one who is?”
“You’d like him dad,” Carla went on, ignoring her father’s deduction. “He’s smart and self-assured. He’s financially stable and he treats me as if I matter. No offense, but sometimes you and mom can shove me off as if I’m in the way.”
Ben sighed. “You’re not in the way Carla, but at eighteen I figured you’d realize by now that your parents want and need to be alone some. You’re not a little girl anymore and I thought by now you’d be itching to move out on your own.”
“I am,” Carla said adamantly. “That doesn’t mean I’m ready yet. I just started working at T’s like three weeks ago. Not to mention that all of my savings would toward rent and getting my TV and internet set up.”
“Bills are tough,” Ben chuckled. “Tell you what. Tomorrow I’ll help you find something you can afford that won’t break your bank every month. We’ll try to make it close enough that we can help you out but far enough away that we both have to call before visiting, okay?”
“You’d do that for me?”
“Carla, you’re my daughter. There’s almost nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
“Almost?” Carla asked, smirking as one delicate eyebrow winged up.
“Well I wouldn’t kill the president for you or shoot an unarmed person. There are limits you know.”
Carla laughed and the anticipation of moving out on her own swept over her. In less than a couple weeks she could have her own place with her own privacy. She could come and go as she pleased without answering to her parents. Her mind automatically clicked over to a romantic dinner with Jason and the fun they could have afterward.
The next week flew by as Carla scouted out apartments with her dad. She’d found several in the paper that worked financially, but she wasn’t about to put a deposit down sight unseen. They were on their next to last one on Carla’s list when they pulled into an apartment complex that afforded her an individual parking space. “This is nice,” she said, commenting on her own slot.
“It doesn’t look too bad,” Ben said, checking for things like security cameras and such. “It seems to be well maintained and looks as if decent people live here.”
“Don’t judge a book by its car cover dad,” Carla said, smirking. “I know some awesome people who driver beaters and some real assholes who drive jags.”
“I’ll never get used to you being grown up,” Ben said smiling.
“Sure you will, especially when you no longer have me under foot when you and mom want to-“
“Yeah, yeah. Get moving,” Ben said, giving Carla’s shoulder a light shove as she walked away laughing. “The sooner we see this place, the better.”
Once they were through the door, Carla led her dad up a flight of stairs to the first landing and down the long hallway to apartment 622B. She didn’t want to know who lived in 622A. She just wanted to know if the apartment had all the amenities the manager had listed in the paper. Knocking on the door, Carla waited for the manager to open the door.
“Coming,” called a woman who sounded nice. When she opened the door Carla smiled. She was young somewhere between Carla’s age and that of her father. Carla had a feeling that she’d get along well with this woman. “Welcome to the Vista Estates.” She stepped back and allowed Carla and Ben to enter. The living room, although it was small sported enough room for a loveseat, chair, end table and small coffee table, besides leaving room for a TV and entertainment center. The kitchen was a galley style set up that had six cupboards a stove and sink, a fridge and a small dishwasher. The bathroom was clean and had a sink, toilet and shower stall and the bedroom was large enough for a queen sized bed, a dresser and a nightstand. The place looked clean as well, which was an important part of renting something like this.
“The carpet is all new,” the woman, who’d introduced herself as Sophie, said as they did their walk through. “The office is also reducing the first, last and security to nine hundred for this month only, instead of fifteen hundred.”
“I like that,” Carla said smiling.
“What do you think about the place?” Ben asked, knowing what he’d say if it were his decision.
“I like it,” Carla said. “Can I put my deposit down on it today or do I need to do a background check or something?”
“We can hold your deposit on it while we run your background check. We do the fingerprinting right downstairs so it runs through faster. We should know something by the weekend.”
“Excellent,” Carla smiled. Carla went downstairs with Sophie whil
e Ben brought the truck around. She paid her first and last month’s rent and her security deposit. She took the extra six hundred and while she was in the office she reserved a hotel room and dinner for her parents. She paid it with her bank card and would get her dad to run her by to deposit the money she’d saved.
“Thank you so much Carla,” Sophie said with a smile. “Hopefully it’ll go through without a hitch and you’ll have your own apartment come Saturday.”
“I’m already looking forward to it,” she smiled. Shaking Sophie’s hand she left the office and climbed in next to her dad. “Can we stop by the bank? I want to deposit this money before they close.”
“Sure honey,” Ben said, more than proud of his only child. “I’m proud of you sweetheart. You waited until you found the right place before you jumped. Not only is there that, but you saved yourself six hundred dollars on the deal and the place really is nice.”
“Thanks Dad,” Carla said, beaming. She was going to be on her own come the weekend. The thought brought a pang to her heart. She’d never lived away from home before and while she was looking forward to it, the realization was a little overwhelming. They drove by the bank and then Ben took Carla back to the house for dinner.
Carla told her mom, Elise, all about finding the apartment and saving money. She gushed about it and her own parking spot. Ben said she needed to take some self-defense courses and looked up a concealed carry class so she could learn basic gun safety as well. “Don’t you think a gun safety course is a little much dad?”
