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 while.
“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.#p#分页标题#e#
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.”