Stuck in Between (Bound by Your Love)

by Bennett, Blakely

  “Right, good idea. Can I borrow your phone?”

  “It’s upstairs. I’ll go get it,” Red said, moving to get up.

  I touched his shoulder and said, “I’ll go. I want to shower and change anyway and could use a few minutes to myself.”

  “You know where to find us,” Red said, flipping on the TV and changing the channel to the Dolphins’ football game.

  In the shower, I pondered the recent turn of events and decided to remain positive. My mind tried to point out all the potential pitfalls. I refused to linger there when my body still hummed in contentment. Hope filled me, and I smiled as I washed my tender nipples and well used pussy.

  After dressing in my bright yellow empire sundress, no bra and panties, I plopped down on Red’s made bed and called the insurance company. I was able to track down my adjuster and arrange for a rental car. I debated between taking a nap and finding a good book to read to fill my time while the boys watched their sports. I decided on the latter and hopped down the stairs.

  Both Red and Bond briefly looked up over their shoulders and then groaned as they looked back at the TV.

  “I won’t bother you guys. Red, I was just wondering if you have any good books to read.”

  “Check in my office,” he said. “On the bookshelf behind the desk.” The TV changed to a commercial so he offered, “I’ll come with you.”

  Next to the billiard room was Red’s office. A large desk filled up most of the space, bookshelves lining the walls.

  “The room suits you,” I said, scanning around at all the books.

  “How’s that?” He perched on the side of the desk and drew me to him. He fondled my rear and said, “No panties? Have we not sufficiently taken care of you?”

  “More than,” I said, grinning broadly.

  He lifted the bottom of the dress and took each buttock in hand with a firm squeeze. “Apparently I need to spank that ass of yours even harder.”

  “Not at all.” I wiggled in his grasp. “You missed the point entirely. You do it perfectly and could teach Bond a thing or two.”

  He puffed out his chest and said, “You know just what to say.”

  “I’m sure your ego is in fine shape. Can you direct me to the fiction?”

  He pointed to the right and followed me, hugging me from behind.

  I sighed against him. “Replay?” I asked, pulling a book off the shelf.

  “That’s one of my favorites.”

  I looked up at him and turned in his arms. “So are you.” I reached my arms around his neck with the paperback in hand and stood up on tiptoe to kiss him. “Hmmmm,” I moaned into his mouth. When we broke apart, I said, “Things are looking promising. Do you—”

  “Red, it’s back on,” Bond shouted.

  “I’ll be outside reading.” As I strolled away, he smacked my bottom. “Hey,” I said and strutted away with a big smile on my face.

  Settling on the glider loveseat, I easily became lost in the story about Jeff Winston. Bond and Red’s voices traveled outside, and I could hear them intermittently cheering and groaning.

  “You ready for some dinner?” Bond asked from the French doors, breaking me out of my reading trance. “We’re thinking we could grab a bite at Oasis Cafe.”

  “Isn’t that the place with the swinging booths? Sounds good to me.” I stood up and stretched my lower back, twisting to either side. Although my head was fine, my body was starting to feel the effects of the accident.

  “That’s the one. Red just jumped into the shower and should be ready in a few minutes.”

  “Are you doing okay?” I asked as I entered into the house.

  “I’m working my way through it.”

  I touched his arm and smiled. “I’m really happy you’re here. I need to run upstairs, slip on some panties and grab my hoodie.”

  “You’re not wearing underwear?”

  I flipped up the back of my skirt and flashed him, chuckling as I ran up the stairs.

  When we got out of Red’s SUV, I kept my arms at my sides not knowing whose hand I should hold. It felt awkward, and no one said anything.

  At the restaurant we were led to a swinging booth, and I glanced from Bond to Red wondering over the seating arrangements.

  “Let’s all sit on one side with you in the middle,” Bond suggested. He pulled me in after him and Red followed behind.

  As soon as we sat down, I realized the stupidity of it. “We don’t have room to move or eat this way. I scooted out past Red and sat on the opposite side. “This way I can see you both.”

  “This is going to take some negotiating,” Red said, reaching his hand across the table for mine.

  “I agree. I think we all need to talk and work this out.” I patted his hand and placed mine back in my lap.

  “Not tonight,” Bond said, rocking the table back and forth. “Let’s just enjoy ourselves. If we start getting into it now, I’m not sure what’ll happen.”

  My stomach twisted over his pronouncement. “I’m willing to wait if you promise we’ll talk this out soon.”

  “Sure we will,” Bond said with his dangerous smile.

  Left to wonder about our so called progress, I glanced from Red to Bond, waiting for one of them to speak.

  The waitress broke the tension and asked, “Can I get you something to drink?”

  “Water for me, thanks,” I said. I took the napkin off the table and spread it across my lap.

  “Do you have Dos Equis amber?” Red asked.

  “We have Fat Tire Amber Ale.”

  “I’ll try that,” Red said.

  “I’ll take a coke,” Bond said.

  We ordered our dinner when the waitress returned with our beverages.

  I tried to enjoy the view of the beach, the relaxed rocking of our swing table, and the cool south Florida breeze. Breaking the silence I said, “Red, can you drop me off at Avis at the Fort Lauderdale Airport on your way in to work tomorrow? Then I’ll swing by and get my stuff from the impound. I need to have my phone.”

  “Sure. What time do you want to leave?” he said, placing the beer bottle down on the table.

  “I think if we leave by around seven forty-five I should have plenty of time to deal with the rental and get to work.”

  “How did Henry take the news of the half days?” Bond asked.

  “He never responded to my emails so I guess I’ll find out at the office. I’m sure he’s not thrilled and will probably talk about cutting my pay, but at this point, I really don’t care. I have the afternoons covered between Star, Cara, and Steven. I have a feeling I’m heading into some long—ow,” I said when a muscle in my back cramped.

  “What is it?” Red said, coming over to my side.

  I pointed to the spot on my lower back, and he massaged the muscle.

  “You’re hurting from the accident and you didn’t tell us?” Red scolded me. “We could’ve ordered in.”

  “I’ll get them to pack the meals to go,” Bond said, moving out of the booth.

  “I’m not that bad,” I insisted.

  “You have a long week ahead of you, and you need your rest,” Red said, working his hands up my back.

  “They said it would be a few more minutes,” Bond said, taking his seat.

  “After we eat and your food settles, I want you spread out on my bed, and I’ll massage you again,” Red said. He reached across for his beer and stayed seated on my side.

  I looked over at Bond, and he shrugged his shoulders as if he didn’t care.

  Back at the house, we ate dinner in relative silence, and Bond hung out in his room while Red, as promised, gave me a very relaxing massage. I read a bit more from my novel and fell asleep before Red came to bed. I positioned myself in the middle in case Bond joined us during the night.

  My life was moving faster than my mind seemed capable of handling. I wanted to relax into all the experiences and yet found myself feeling like I was standing at the edge of a cliff, getting set to jump off. I, at once, dreaded
going into work on Monday, and looked forward to the distraction.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  At Last

  by Etta James

  On Monday morning, I smiled up at Red after he had gently shaken me awake. Bond, still asleep on the other side of me, held my hand in his. I slipped out of Red’s side of the bed and tiptoed to the bathroom. Red closed the door behind us.

  “What time is it?” I whispered.

  “It’s just before seven.”

  “I have to hurry,” I said while I switched on the shower to warm it up. Standing in front of the mirror over the sink, I brushed my teeth.

  “Do you think you’ll have time to meet up for lunch today?” He stood behind me and fondled my breasts.

  “I don’t think we have time for that now,” I said, but his touch wasn’t lost on me. I moan escaped as he stimulated the surface of my skin.

  “I know, Jacqs, I just can’t help myself. I’ll leave you alone in a minute,” he said, hugging me to him.

  I thawed into his embrace, then bent forward to spit the toothpaste out. “Let’s play it by ear. I’m not sure what the day will bring.”

  “How’s your back feeling?”

  I stepped over to the shower and said, “I’m sure the hot water will help, and I’ll take a couple of Tylenol.”

  On the way to work I charged my cell phone in the rental car. Busy from the get go, I had no time to think about my aching back or my romantic life. Thankfully the new girl, Serena, was a fast learner. Henry generally ignored me, but my phone chimed incessantly.

  “Do you want to try loading a document onto the server?” I asked after I demonstrated the process a few times.

  “Sure. I think I have it sorted,” Serena said.

  I shifted my chair over to the side so she could sit in front of the computer. My phone signaled again, and I took the opportunity to check my messages. I received nine texts from four people, and a voicemail from my mother.

  Red: How’s it going?

  Red: Is your back okay?

  Red: Will you have time for lunch?

  Red: How’s the new girl working out?

  Bond: You left without saying goodbye.

  Bond: Do you have plans for lunch?

  Bond: Can you swing by my place and grab a few things before you go to the other office?

  Stay: I haven’t heard from Bond. Is everything still okay?

  Lainie: Call me later if you have time. I want to hear how the new job goes.

  I jointly sent one long text back to Red and Bond.

  Me: My body is a bit sore, but I’m feeling okay. The new girl is great. She seems sassy enough to handle Henry. At least I hope so for her sake. I don’t really

  Me: have time to text back and forth with you guys. No, Red, on lunch. Bond wants me to get some things from his apartment (send me a list). I miss you both.

  Me: Got to go.

  Separately to Bond I texted:

  Me: Thanks for sleeping with me last night.

  And to Red I texted:

  Me: Thank you so much for the massage. It really helped!

  To Stay I text:

  Me: Things are looking up, but I’m still holding my breath. He’s been with us at Red’s. See you on Wednesday?

  “Your phone has been going off a lot, is everything okay?” Serena asked.

  “I was in an accident on Friday night and my friends and family are checking on me.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “So far so good,” I said, shuffling my chair up to the desk. “You seemed to have that down. Let’s call some of the vendors and introduce you.”

  After the first half of the day flew by, I drove across town to Bond’s apartment.

  Me: I’m absolutely not bringing any of your toys over. You can come get them yourself! I can drive you over tomorrow morning on my way in to work.

  Bond: Just get the basics then. I hate Red’s shampoo, if you can even call it that.

  Me: Okay, I have your toothbrush, shampoo, deodorant, three pairs of boxer briefs, three pairs of jeans, and T-shirts. Anything else?

  Bond: My pillow and the two cutoff PJs.

  Me: Where are those?

  Bond: In the closet in the right cubby close to the top.

  I stretched up on tiptoe to reach them and then piled all the folded clothes and cosmetics on top of the pillow. After locking up, I carefully navigated the stairs down to my car, looking around the stack of stuff to see the stairs.

  I threw his stuff in the back seat and climbed in the front of my boxy, funny smelling rental car. Shopping for a new car beckoned me, but I had no idea when I would find the time. Plus, I had to wait to see how much I would get for my totaled VW Bug. At least I had more money coming in with the new job.

  Before I pulled out, I received another text from Bond.

  Bond: I’ll handle dinner tonight.

  Me: You’re cooking? I’m having trouble visualizing it. LMAO! ;)

  Bond: I meant ordering pizza! LOL :P

  Me: That sounds perfect. I’m already tired and have another half day to go. Miss you.

  Bond: We need to figure out how you and I can get some time alone. I’m not complaining. I’m trying not to anyway. I’m aching for you in a new way, Jacqs.

  His confession found its way into my heart and inflamed my clit at the same time.

  Me: We’ll work it out. I have to drive now to my next job. Love you and see you tonight.

  I shook off my arousal and called my mother to check in with her. Putting my cell phone on speaker, I pulled out onto the street.

  “I was hoping to hear from you. How are you feeling?” she said.

  “My body is a bit sore, but my headache is gone. I’m doing fine, really.” I made a U-turn to head back to the highway.

  “How is it working out with Mitchell and Aidan?”

  “We still haven’t sorted out all the logistics. In all honesty, it’s going way better than I imagined it might, however, I still feel like the floor can drop out at any moment.”

  “Give it time, dear. My impression at dinner was that Aidan is committed, and Mitchell is working through something. He seemed ... hmm ... what’s the right word? Scared maybe. Or lost. Over the years he was always so confident, almost too confident in my opinion. On Saturday he seemed quite the opposite.”

  “Thank you so much for coming over. I’m sorry I missed dinner.” I accelerated to merge with the highway traffic.

  “No need to apologize. We were all happy you were going to be okay, and I rather liked meeting all of your friends. They are good people.”

  “They are, aren’t they? I love you, Mom.”

  “I love you too. Call me later and give your sister a call.”

  “I will.”

  I met Cynthia, who worked in the office next to Ted’s. We instantly hit it off as she showed me her daily routine.

  “Can I steal her for a minute?” Red asked, poking his head around the door. “I won’t keep her long.”

  “Of course,” Cynthia said, waving me away.

  Once we were out of earshot, I said, “What are you doing?”

  He pulled me along the corridor and said, “Showing you my office and introducing you to Tammy.”

  “Uh huh,” I said, shuffling to keep up.

  He opened his door, and we entered the foyer just outside his office. A woman moved to stand up from behind the desk, and a man in a suit sat in the dark paneled waiting area.

  “Tammy, this is Jacqueline,” Red said. “She is taking over for Cyndi.”

  “Nice to meet you,” I said, stretching my arm across the large wood desk to shake her hand.

  She flashed me a warm smile, and I felt at ease. I wouldn’t worry about her phone calls anymore.

  To the gentleman in the waiting area, Red said, “I’ll be just a minute; I have something quick to take care of.”

  “No problem,” the man said.

  Red opened the door to his office with flourish. The space reminded me of the o
ffice in his house and had to be at least three times the size.

  “Do you think you could have found a bigger desk?” I said, laughing.

  “It was the largest one they had.”

  “I bet,” I said, resting my butt on the edge of his conference table. “So what do you need to take care of?”

  “You,” he said, nibbling up my neck.

  His beard tickled me, and I started to laugh. “Don’t you have more important things to be doing besides distracting your most recent employ?”

  “Most definitely not.” His kiss ignited me with his fierce fervency and I let myself forget where I was.

  Surrounded by his warmth and passion, I moaned out loud, “Hmmmm.”

  “Shh.” He chuckled next to my cheek.

  I leaned back with my palms behind me and said, “This looks like a promising surface.”

  “Out with you,” he said, tugging me forward.

  “You’re very bossy, you know.”

  “Wait until I have the time to fuck you on that conference table and you’ll see just how bossy I can be, Little One.”

  “Little One?” I said, straightening my conservative, navy, button-down shirt. “That’s Ms. Worth to you!” I tried to suppress the giggles. “Well Mr. Burke, I think it’s time for me to get back to Cynthia and for you to take care of that poor man you left waiting. Either that, or I’m going to kneel down in front of you and unbutton your slacks.”

  “Damn you’re sexy. Out with you before I change my mind,” he said, directing me to the door.

  “Seriously though. Do I look presentable?”

  “Presentable and highly fuckable.”

  “Then it’s a good thing Ted is married,” I said, laughing on my way out. I waved to Tammy and slipped into the bathroom before returning to Cynthia.

  By the time I made it home that night, I was ready to fall over. I threw the keys to the rental to Bond and said, “Your stuff is in the back seat.” I took a shower, changed into my night clothes and made my way downstairs.

  Bond flashed me his bad boy look, and I knew what he had in mind.