No Strings

He opens his mouth to argue, but before he can, I duck under his arm and run out of the room to safety.

Chapter Ten

Benjamin

She said no. I offered her stringless, unemotional, endless orgasms—just like she wants—and Savannah Cartwright flat out said no. It’s been three days since she looked me in the eyes and told me no, and I can’t stop thinking about it. Of course, she lightened the blow by mentioning all the reasons the sex wouldn’t be stringless, and her reasons make sense. I’d already thought about those same reasons when I considered making a move on her. We do live in the same building, we have become friends—good friends actually—and she has gotten close with my son. But when I heard them discussing their plan to find Savannah a guy to get her laid, all those reasons went out the window because even though I know I shouldn’t, I want her. In my bed, screaming my name. But her turning me down is for the best.

At least that’s what I keep telling myself.

I thought after our conversation, Savannah would pull back, but every morning she’s been at the gym working out—if you can call it that. We haven’t ridden to work together since Brianne got back to town because they’ve been going in together. But we’ve had dinner both nights with Brody at our place, and the entire time, she acted like I didn’t proposition her with sex, and she didn’t tell me no. Hell, she even stayed after dinner and watched a movie with us last night.

Now, we’re at Three Amigos, Brody’s favorite Mexican restaurant, waiting for his mom to arrive for dinner, and I can’t take my eyes off her as she talks to Brody about his day. I can tell he’s nervous about meeting with his mom, but Savannah keeps him talking and laughing. She’s good at making people feel comfortable around her.

We’re going out after dinner tonight to Lush. I insisted we go there since the women want to go out, and I offered to show Savannah my club. She’ll have no problem picking up a stranger to fuck. She’s beautiful, sweet, genuine… She’ll have guys lining up a mile away, and unless I can come up with a good reason to stop it from happening, there’s not a damn thing I can do.

“What do you think?” Brody asks.

“Huh?” It’s then I realize I’ve spaced out, staring at and thinking about Savannah.

“Can we take Savy skiing? She’s never been.” His face lights up in excitement. Fuck, how the hell did I go all these years without this kid in my life full-time? I might’ve been running from Paola, but really the only one who was affected and hurt was Brody and me. I can’t take back the past fourteen years, but I’ll make damn sure all the years coming up count.

“Yeah, for sure,” I tell him. “That’ll be fun.”

We’re discussing the different places we can go when Paola arrives. To be cordial, I stand and give her a hug before introducing Savannah as Brody’s and my friend. Paola looks like she wants to ask questions but wisely doesn’t. Instead, she shakes Savannah’s hand and then gives Brody a hug.

“How are you?” she asks, sitting next to him.

“I’m good,” he says softly—very unlike him. Aside from the day I picked him up from his mom’s, this is the first time in years we’ve all been together. When Brody was younger, they were close, and it seemed they remained close as he got older, so I was shocked when she told me how bad things have gotten. He’s started to see a therapist, and although he’s only gone to one appointment so far, it seems like it went well. I don’t know what they talked about since it’s about Brody, but he seems to like the guy, so that’s good.

“How’s school?” she prompts, wanting to catch up.

“Good.” The kid was talking up a storm before she got here, but now it’s like he’s shut down.

As if sensing the same thing as me, Savannah jumps in. “Tell her about football.”

Brody’s gaze goes to Savannah, and he grins, his face full of pride. “Coach says I have a good chance at starting QB.”

“What’s that?” Paola asks.

As Brody explains the ins and outs of football, his mom gives him her complete attention. Savannah and I stay quiet, only adding to the conversation when Brody includes us. We order dinner, and the conversation switches from sports, to school, to the girl Brody’s dating—which in teen speak means they meet by her locker in the morning, and he walks her to class. By the time dinner is over, Brody’s a lot more comfortable with his mom, so much so that when she asks if he’ll spend the weekend with her, he agrees.