by Susan Stoker
“I can handle myself,” Sidney insisted.
“I don’t doubt that. But dogfighting is big business. These guys make a lot of money. And if you get in the way of that, they won’t hesitate to take you out. You know this. We’ve talked about it time and time again. You have to be more careful! You shouldn’t be going after these guys on your own. Call me. Let me get my team to help. You know I’ve got the task force on the police department on speed dial. They’re just as anxious as we are to end dog-fighting rings. They can move in within hours.”
“Hannah didn’t have hours,” Sidney protested. “They’d dragged her behind a car or something, Faith. Her feet were bleeding and she had no toenails left. Not only that, but they’d poured battery acid on her back.”
Faith sighed. Sidney relaxed a bit. She knew the older woman hated to hear about or see abused animals as much as Sidney did.
“Honey, if they could do that to a defenseless dog, what do you think they’d do to someone who was trying to take their livelihood from them?”
Sidney didn’t have a response for that. She’d called Faith because she wanted to hear a friendly voice, not to be lectured—despite knowing the woman was right.
Thoughts of her brother and the infamous shed came to her mind, but she pushed them back.
“No one else is there to care about the dogs,” she said softly.
“I am,” Faith rebutted immediately. “And everyone who works for me. You aren’t the only one who can save them. But we can’t do anything for the animals if we’re dead.”
Neither said anything, and Sidney stopped in front of the trailer she’d been heading toward.
Faith sighed. “Fine, I’ll shut up for now. What’s the latest on Hannah?”
“Decker is picking her up today. He’s never had a dog, but had his mind made up that he wanted a pit bull when he did get one. Hannah is on the smaller side, all black. He said the wound on her back is healing up and eventually her toenails should grow back. He lives in a small house on a beach, and he’s in the navy.”
She heard Faith chuckle. “I asked about the dog, but it’s nice to hear that your Decker seems to be a good guy with a house and a job.”
Sidney mentally smacked herself in the forehead.
“Wait, did you say Decker?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Is his last name Kincade?”
“Yeah.”
“That explains the amazingly generous donation that arrived earlier this week then. I was wondering.”
“He said he was going to send in the adoption fee,” Sidney told Faith.
“Yeah, well, I hope you aren’t going around telling people it costs two thousand bucks to adopt an animal from us.”
“What?”
“Yup. Received a check for two grand. It’ll go a long way toward helping to pay for expenses this month.”
“Holy crap,” Sidney breathed. “I told him it was only a hundred and fifty dollars. He really sent two thousand?”
“Yup. I’m thinking I’m liking this Decker guy,” Faith told her.
Yeah. The feeling was definitely mutual. But instead of thinking about how great Decker was, and how fast she was falling for him, she simply said, “I gotta go, Faith.”
“Okay, honey. Let me know if you have any questions or problems with Hannah. I can call the vet if I need to and get updated on her case. But since she’s not going through our official channels, I’m going to keep out of it as much as possible…unless either of you needs me. Make sure you give Decker my contact information. I’m happy to answer any questions he might have.”
“Thanks, I’ll let him know.”
“It’s been too long since I’ve seen you,” Faith said. “Come by soon.”
“I will.”
“And bring your man along. Maybe Hannah too. I want to meet them.”
“I’ll talk to him,” Sidney told her. She liked hearing Faith refer to Decker as “your man.” That wasn’t the first time she’d said it, and each time it felt more right. Which was crazy. They hadn’t even known each other that long. But the feeling was still there.
“Be safe out there, Sid,” Faith said. “I meant it when I told you not to take chances.”
“I know. Later.”
“Later.”
Somewhat chastised, not sure if she felt better or worse after having talked to her friend, Sidney pushed the conversation to the back of her mind and headed for the front door of the trailer to get her job done.
Chapter Seven
Gumby pulled up in front of Sidney’s trailer and turned off his truck engine. He hopped out and jogged to her door. The trailer park she lived in wasn’t the worst he’d ever seen, though it also wasn’t exactly posh either. But the trailers seemed to be well kept and the small grass spaces around them were, for the most part, mowed and clean.
He knocked on the door, nervous for some reason. He ran a hand over his hair, trying to calm down. Yeah, he was anxious to get to the vet’s office and pick up Hannah, but he was also jittery because he was going to see Sidney again. They’d talked a lot over the last week, and every time he spoke with her, it was harder and harder to say goodbye. He hadn’t felt so comfortable around a woman in…ever.
The last thing he wanted, however, was to be put in the friend zone. He didn’t think he and Sidney were there, but he was nervous all the same.
The door opened, startling him. Gumby mentally rolled his eyes. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been taken by surprise, he was usually always on alert.
“Hey!” she said, her blue eyes sparkling.
“Hi.”
“You ready for this?” she asked as she turned and locked her door.
Gumby stared at her ass. She was wearing a pair of jeans, and the way they hugged her curves made his mouth water. The T-shirt she had on was molded to her upper body and the glimpse he’d gotten of her tits made him want to push her inside her house and forget all about dogs, veterinarians, and everything else.
She finished locking up and turned to him. “Decker?”
His eyes came up to hers, and he couldn’t help himself. He stepped toward her, thrilled when she didn’t back away from him, and curled a hand around the back of her neck.
“Deck?” she repeated.
He crowded into her personal space and could feel her hot breaths against his neck as she tilted her head back to stare at him.
“You look great,” he managed.
Her brows came down. “I’m wearing a T-shirt and jeans,” she said, telling him something he was well aware of.
“Yeah.”
“Decker, I’ve been crawling underneath trailers all morning. I just jumped out of the shower like ten minutes ago.”
He groaned. “Please stop talking about yourself in a shower.”
Her frown turned to a grin. “Seriously?”
“Yeah.”
“Why? Is it turning you on?” she teased.
Wrapping his free hand around her waist, he pulled her into him, hard and fast. She stumbled and let out an oof when she landed against him. The flowery scent he knew he’d always associate with her wafted up to his nostrils, and he inhaled deeply.
“Are you smelling me?” she asked.
“Yeah,” he admitted without a trace of guile. “You smell delicious.”
They stared at each other for a heartbeat, and Gumby could see her pulse hammering at the base of her throat. His fingers tightened on her nape, and he couldn’t wait another second to taste her.
“Do I need to remind you that there are kids around here?” a female voice called out from behind them.
Gumby groaned.
Sidney giggled. She didn’t try to pull out of his embrace, merely turned her head and said, “Like you care, Nora.”
The woman standing there chuckled and leaned a hip against the front of his truck.
Reluctantly, Gumby let go of Sidney and stepped back. He glanced at the woman who’d interrupted them. She looked older than Sidney
, but he knew that might be because of how she was dressed. She had on a mini skirt that would show off the woman’s private parts if she dared to lean over. The heels on her feet had to be at least four inches and her blouse was basically a bikini top. She had blonde hair that was teased to within an inch of its life, surrounding the woman’s made-up face like a big fluffy cloud. Gumby could also smell her perfume from all the way over where he was standing.
He shifted his hand to the back of Sidney’s jeans and hooked a finger through her belt loop. It was obvious the women were friends, but he didn’t want Sidney’s fresh, clean, flowery scent to be overpowered by the other woman’s perfume. There was no way he was going to let her go over and hug her friend. Nope. No way.
“Oh, I care, sugar. I care,” Nora said. “Introduce me to your friend?”
Sidney looked up at Gumby and gave him a small smile. “Decker, this is Nora. And, Nora, this is Decker.”
“Nice to meet you,” Nora drawled, but didn’t come toward him.
“Same,” he said.
“Where you been hiding him?” Nora asked Sidney.
Decker grinned at the blush that turned Sidney’s cheeks a light pink.
“I haven’t been hiding him anywhere. We just met last week. Deck helped me with a situation with a dog.”
Nora rolled her eyes. “You and those dogs.”
The woman looked at Decker, and he could see the intelligence in her gaze. It was surprising—and he mentally berated himself for judging her based on how she was dressed. He knew more than most people not to judge a book by its cover.
“I hope you’re getting our Sidney here to loosen up and have some fun,” Nora said.
“I’m doing my best,” he said.
“Good. Because she works too hard, and I haven’t seen her with a man—or woman, for that matter—since I’ve known her.”
Gumby liked that. It made him an asshole, but he couldn’t help the satisfaction that coursed through him.
“Nora, shut up,” Sidney said, taking a step toward her friend, but coming up short since Gumby still had hold of her jeans.
“Don’t get your panties in a wad,” Nora said. “All I’m sayin’ is that you work too hard. You’re always flitting around here doing whatever Jude tells you to. It’s important to take some time for yourself…and I don’t mean chasing mutts around. I’ve told you before and I’ll tell you again, you need to get laid. Trust me, it’ll cure what ails ya.”
Gumby smiled when Sidney groaned. “Seriously, girl, shut it.”
“What?” Nora asked not-so innocently. “Look, even though you’ve got questionable taste in clothing—I mean, who wears jeans on a date? Skirts allow for easy access…if you know what I mean. And you’ve got a smokin’-hot body. Curves in all the right places, a nice rack. And I’m thinking your man here knows his way around a woman’s body and can definitely please you.” She looked at Gumby. “Please tell me you do know your way around a woman’s body.”
He smiled again. Nora was certainly outspoken, but she seemed harmless enough. “It’s been a while, but I haven’t had any complaints.”
Nora smiled huge. “See? A few hours with this hunk and your batteries will be recharged for sure.”
“Kill me now,” Sidney said, lowering her head and covering her eyes.
“Come to think about it…it’s been a while since I’ve dated a man with a beard. And yours is nice and full. Bet it would feel awesome on sensitive inner thighs. Sid, if you’re up for sharing, I’m always game for a threesome.”
At that, Sidney’s head came up and she narrowed her eyes at her friend. “Hands off, Nora. He’s mine.”
Nora smiled and held up said hands in capitulation. “I figured as much. Just wanted to see if you’d admit it. Have fun today. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“I’m not sure that’s possible,” Sidney mumbled.
Nora laughed. “True. I gotta go. I’ve got me a date.” She winked.
“With the guy from last week?” Sidney asked.
Nora scoffed. “That asshole? No. He was married. I like me some cock, but I don’t poach. I like my men unattached and hung like a horse.” She eyed Gumby, her gaze lingering at his crotch. “You don’t look like you have a problem in that area.”
Sidney stepped in front of him. “Eyes to yourself, Nora. You know I love ya, but seriously?”
“Sorry, sorry, sorry!” Nora said. “Can’t help it. You’ve got yourself a fine man there, Sid. You need any pointers, come see me tomorrow…but not too early. I have a feeling I’m gonna be real tired in the morning, if you know what I mean. I’ll call you first thing.”
“Be safe,” Sidney called out as Nora started walking away.
“Always am!” the other woman called back as she expertly navigated the gravel driveway in her high heels and headed for a sleek convertible parked behind his truck.
When she got to the back of his vehicle, she pulled out her phone and took a picture of his license plate. She didn’t look back at them afterward, simply got into her car and drove away. Gumby had been so focused on Sidney that he hadn’t even heard the car pull up in the first place. He really was losing his edge.
“I think I’m embarrassed,” Sidney said.
“Why?” Gumby asked.
She turned to look at him. “Seriously?”
He shrugged. “Yeah.”
“Because my friend is basically a whore. I mean, she doesn’t take money for sex, although she has no problem letting whatever guy of the week she’s dating pay for everything from the hotel room to food and even clothes if she can get away with it. One guy she dated,” Sidney put that last word in air quotes, “paid for her rent for an entire year, even though they’d stopped seeing each other after two months. Not only that, but she was pretty much eye-fucking you, she invited herself to have a threesome with us, told me I should be wearing a skirt so you could have easy access to my girly bits, and insinuated that I might be a lesbian!”
Because he wanted to touch her again, and he loved how she shivered under him when he put his hand on her nape, Gumby slid his hand behind her neck once more. “She sounds like she knows what she wants, and I like that she doesn’t apologize for it. She’s a good friend who’s worried about you, she won’t sleep with married men, and everything she said was with your well-being in mind.”
Sidney stared up at him, obviously dubious.
“Am I wrong?” he asked.
She slowly shook her head. “Most people take one look at Nora and think she’s a slut. That she’s beneath them.”
“She’s not a slut,” Gumby said. “She likes what she likes. I admire that. And she’s smart. She was warning me not to treat you like shit and making sure I knew you had friends who had your back.”
Sidney still looked skeptical. “No, she wasn’t.”
“Sid, she was. Telling you that she’d call you in the morning. Taking a picture of my license plate. Testing me to see if I’d jump at the chance for a threesome. She was doing everything she could to make me take the bait she was dangling—herself—to protect you. What would you have done if I’d agreed to her propositions?”
“Kneed you in the balls and shoved your ass off my doorstep.”
“Exactly,” he said.
She stared up at him as her friend’s intentions sank in.
“For the record…I’m not into threesomes,” he went on. “When I’m in bed with a woman, I’m completely focused on her. I’m not married, and I haven’t compared the size of my dick to anyone else’s since I was thirteen years old and in the middle school locker room, but I’m fairly sure you’ll be satisfied. I agree with Nora that you’ve got killer curves, but disagree that these jeans you’re wearing aren’t sexy as all hell. I’ll take you in jeans over a skirt any day of the week. Easy access isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. There’s something to be said for anticipation.”
“Wow,” Sidney whispered as her eyes dilated and her breathing sped up.
Gumby r
an his thumb over the side of her neck. “Have I thanked you for coming with me to get Hannah?”
“Yeah,” she breathed.
They stood there gazing into each other’s eyes for a heartbeat longer before Gumby couldn’t hold back. He slowly bent toward her, satisfied when her head tilted back even farther and her eyes closed.
He brushed his lips against hers once. Then twice. On the third pass, her hand came up to his head and she tried to grab hold of his hair. It was too short for her to get much traction, but she pulled him closer to herself anyway and tilted her head. Her tongue came out and he opened for her.
Gumby couldn’t help but tighten the hand around her nape as pleasure coursed through his body. He palmed her ass and pulled her flush against him, knowing she could feel his erection against her belly, and not caring.
How long they made out on her front stoop, he had no idea, but eventually their frantic kiss gentled until he pulled back a fraction of an inch.
Sidney was breathing hard, her tits brushed against his chest with every breath, and he could imagine how her erect nipples would feel against him if they were naked. His cock pulsed, and he knew if she put her hands on him, he’d probably blow in seconds.
Her eyes opened and Sidney blurted, “Your beard tickles.”
He chuckled. “Yeah?”
She nodded. “But it’s soft.” She brought the hand that had been clutching the front of his shirt up as if to touch him, but hesitated at the last second.
“Go on. It’s okay.”
“I don’t want to be rude.”
“You can touch me anywhere, anytime, Sid,” Gumby told her.
Her hand palmed his cheek, and he inhaled deeply when she stroked his beard.
“You like that?” she asked.
“Yeah,” he told her honestly. He didn’t like it, he loved it. No one had ever caressed his beard. It was surprisingly intimate and sensual.
After a moment of her exploring his facial hair, she dropped her hand and smiled sheepishly at him. “Guess we should go.”
“Yeah.” As much as he liked kissing Sidney and having her hands on him, he knew they had to get to the veterinarian’s office before they closed.