8 comments/ 27095 views/ 24 favorites Flirting the Fence Ch. 01-10 By: sensanin Hey everyone! So I've been tinkering with this story for a while but only recently decided to dedicate any time to it. In a nutshell it is about an interracial couple finding their way both as individuals and together. As always characters are 18+ and everything is my own work, so please don't steal my characters. Also this story is a bit different from my other ones so far, each chapter is in the point of view(POV) of the character. As an example chapter one is in the POV of Beth, and then chapter two is POV of Day, and so on and so on. I should mention that the chapters are short, which is why i posted so many at a time, so if you complain about them not being long, I really don't care. Please comment and vote. I would especially like good, constructive feedback on this piece, and if you catch any grammar issues I will wait a period of time and them submit a revised version. Enjoy! -S __________________________ Chapter 1 Beth walked quickly down the street, her eyes shifting left and right. She'd always loved hitting the town, seeing the new nightclubs, visiting the new restaurants, and taking advantage of the New York City nightlife. Of course when she usually did this she was surrounded by friends, people she trusted, not out alone at 3am like she was now. She burrowed further into the fur lining of her leather jacket listening for any other sounds than her 3 inch heels hitting the pavement. The reason Beth had gone out tonight was to celebrate; she had just broken up with her fiancé of 2 years. She hadn't really even liked him let alone loved the guy. Beth had planned to marry him as a business deal, a mutually beneficial contract for the both of them. Jason Brucksworth the 2nd had money, influence, and a last name known around the world. Beth was an up and coming criminal attorney from a farming town in Iowa that never really fit her. He had wanted the pretty little wife who cooked and cleaned, she had wanted his last name. Everything had been going as planned until she come back from her friend Ty's birthday bash a little bit early and found Jason screwing her best friend on the kitchen table. Well... ex-best friend. Beth hadn't really even cared about Jason, it was Simone's betrayal that had cut deep. Beth had stormed out, hailed a cab, and gone to club DREAM. She'd grinded on a few guys, made out with at least one hot one, and generally drowned herself in destructive behavior. At around 2:30am her feet started hurting and her makeup had run its course; Beth left feeling worse than when she had arrived. Freedom had called to her in the form of a still active city, and instead of hailing one of the dozens or so cabs in front of DREAM she had decided to walk a bit. Now she was in a bad part of town with eyes trained on her and for once in her life she had felt utterly lost, and not just in the metaphorical sense. She was actually lost! Chapter 2 Day watched the pretty red-head walk down the street. He decided she must be either lost or really fucking stupid to walk in his neighborhood at 3am, alone. Brian, his adopted son, had woken him up not more than two minutes ago because he had heard some funny noises. Since Brian's room faced the alley he had heard the East Street Rags making loud obnoxious comments about a woman. Day had gone to Brian's window and seen six or so gang members, all peering around the alley's corner, some of them stroking themselves and licking their lips. Day had had Brian go into the guest room so he could sleep while he found out what was going on. Once Brian was situated Day had gone into the living room to look through the windows there. He had seen the red-head looking left and right, obviously frightened. It didn't take him long to put two and two together, the gang of horny men and the woman walking alone at night. In a perfect world he wouldn't have thought anything bad would have happened, but sadly the world wasn't perfect. It had taken less than a minute to squish his feet in a pair of old tennis shoes, grab a bat and his keys, then head out the door and down the stairs Chapter 3 Beth was about half way down the street when she began to hear footsteps behind her. Following the footsteps were crude hoots and hollers, along the lines of "Damn baby" and "Why don't you bring that fine white ass over here!" Beth picked up her pace, almost running while simultaneously looking over her shoulder. She heard some laughing and someone say, "Baby why you runnin'? Why you runnin'?" She was nearing the end of the street, turning and looking over her shoulder when she slammed into a wall. Loosing her balance, Beth began to teeter on her stiletto heels, but before she could fall a hand reached out and steadied her. It was only then that Beth realized it had been a man and not a wall, but he was so freaking huge that it was an easy mistake to make. In the seconds that followed him grabbing her and steadying her it seemed that fear was a living breathing thing in her gut. But before she could scream or think to scream she was behind the man-wall staring at a grey t-shirt covering wide shoulders. "Be very quiet." The man-wall said to her as she heard the foot steps and hooting come to a stop. Instinctively Beth took a step closer to the man, perhaps something in her DNA recognized him as one of the good guys, maybe she was just really cold and he was giving off some serious body heat, or maybe she was just super drunk. Beth was thinking the later even though she'd had her last drink at 1:30, and had danced most, if not all of it off. "Yo Day, what the fuck man?" She could hear one of the guys who had been following her ask. Curiously, or maybe stupidly, Beth peeked around the man's shoulders, seeing six or so guys with angry frustrated expressions. One of the guys saw her and made an obscene gesture with his tongue that had her moving right back around the man-wall. "Marcus." The man Beth was behind said, his voice deep and raspy and cultured. "If your mother heard you talk like that, she'd beat the blackness out of you. So don't think that you can pull that shit with me!" The man said taking a menacing step toward the group. Beth heard what sounded like a bunch of people taking one step back. Man-wall growled at them, and Beth watched the muscles in his back flex underneath the shirt. "What the fuck are y'all doing out here?" He asked in a low controlled voice. "Uh, we was about to uh... help that white woman-you know, doin' our neighborly duty and shit." A small voice spoke up, but Beth couldn't be sure who said it. The other members of the group grunted agreements. But that didn't alleviate man-wall's tension. "How nice." The man said, his back still rigid. "But Mary was just looking for me." He said, turning and wrapping his arm around Beth, and bringing her close so all the men could see him staking his claim. Beth squeaked out a very unrealistic "Yeah!" Then men looked at each other, then back to her, then at the wall-man. It was obvious from their expressions that the didn't believe her. A tall lanky black guy who looked like the leader of the group cocked his head and narrowed his eyes. "Oh yeah? Then what's her name Day?" Beth looked at the leader like he was an idiot. Day (who Beth guessed was the wall-man) had said "Mary was looking for him", did the leader totally forget he had already said her name, even though that wasn't actually her name. "Mary." Day said, like the leader was an idiot. The leader frowned, clearly stooped. "Then what the fucks Mary doing out at 3am by herself?" He asked with a sly smile. Yup, Beth thought internally, this dude is a class A dumb ass. Beth looked sideways at Day's expression to see if he thought so too. Yup, Beth thought, It's not just me who thinks this idiot is a few cards short of a deck. "She came to see me." Day said for an explanation, shifting to widen his stance as he saw some of the gang member growing impatient. Beth wasn't an idiot, she was in a dangerous situation with men she did not know. Though Day might seem like he was one of the good guys he may not have been, Beth had been white-knighted before and knew the game. But standing out in the freezing cold in heels she had been wearing since six, surround by men in a very bad part of town, she didn't have many options. Caught between a rock and a hard place Beth choose the hard place. Wrapping her freezing arms around Day she rubbed up against him like a cat, which wasn't hard to do because she was freezing cold anyway. "I'm sorry I'm causing so much trouble baby. It's just... I missed you sooooo much!" Beth said drawing the words out and putting heat behind them. "Can we go inside so you can... warm me up?" Only Day could tell that Beth was shaking, and she decided to let him interrupt it anyway he wanted. He looked down at her with a serious expression, and she could see that he understood what she was doing. "Well boys, It's time for us to go inside. But if I ever catch one of you trying to "help" another person out, I'm gonna help put my foot up yo' ass." Day said, shooting each boy a look that said "eat shit and die!" Slowly the boys began to leave, a few of them taking one last long look at me before shuffling off. One of the guys had the balls to actually grab his dick and lick his lips. All Day did was tap the bat on the ground, a very real threat, and the guy was gone. The leader was the last to go, trying to stare down Day. Just as he turned to leave, Day called out to him. "Yo Marcus!" The boy turned around and looked at him reaching deep in his pocket. "Say hi to your ma and pop for me. Tell 'em I'll be comin by real soon." The blood drained from Marcus's face as he quickly walked off, and joined in with his buddies. "Here." Marcus said handing her a set of keys, but keeping his eyes trained on the disappearing group of boys who every now and then turned their heads back to look at her. "Go inside the apartment building behind me, up to the fourth floor-apartment 4A." Day said quietly to her, gently pushing her in that direction. Hesitantly Beth looked around, but there were no cabs, no other people, and she didn't trust those boys not to come back and do something if she decided to keep walking. It looked like going up to the apartment was her best bet. Quickly she began to head towards the building, ignoring her screaming feet as she reached the door and opened it. Day was right behind her, watching her back, as the trekked up the stairs and into his apartment. It was only after they were safely inside that she slid against the door and broke down. Chapter 4 Day watched the woman sink to the floor and break down in silent tears that rocked her small frame. He wasn't really sure what to do, so he side stepped her and locked the door. Then he took a couple steps back and awkwardly scratched his shaved head. Day watched as the woman looked up at him through bleary red rimmed eyes. Then she propelled herself at him, burying her face in his shirt and clutching onto him for dear life. He was at a loss of what to do or what to say, so Day put down his arms and kept them firmly at his side, letting the woman cry into his shirt. A couple seconds later Brian came out of the guest room, rubbing his eyes and staring at him Day locked in an embrace with a strange woman. Day silently shook his head, and mouthed "Go back to sleep." Brian nodded, and headed off to his own bedroom, giving his father a little wave. Day stood still as seconds ticked by into minutes with the woman in his arms crying like a dam broke loss. Day was exhausted and needed to sit, so very carefully he maneuvered them to his couch. Very gently he disentangled her from his soaked shirt and sat a little distance away from her. "Everything's going to be ok." Day said, scratching his head again, and thinking of what else he could say. "Uh.. if you want you can stay here for the night?" Day said, as he watched the tears continue to fall from her face. The woman blinked at him a few times and then her mouth wavered, and her face scrunched up and suddenly she was crying worse than she had been before. Reacting on impulse Day dragged the woman against his chest, gently rocking her back and forth, whispering soothing nothings to try and calm her. Finally the tears became broken sobs, and then little sniffles, and then nothing. Silence. Day wondered what he would do now. But even as he thought about it, a yawn crept up on his and took him by surprise, making him turn his head and cover his mouth. "Honey, I think you need some sleep. I think we both need sleep." Day said finally, setting her from him and pulling himself up off the couch. The woman just shook her head, and reached for his shirt. Never had Day had a woman cling like this to him, and he was't exactly sure what to do. She had seemed so confident and sure outside, playing the part of his girlfriend to get the guys away, but now she just seemed broken. "Let me go get some blankets." Day said, rubbing a hand over his face as another yawn took him. "No." The woman said quietly, her voice hoarse and thready. Day was really tired and a little cranky when he responded. "Well the alternative is sleeping with me." But even as he said it he realized how much of an ass he sounded like. For god's sake the woman had almost been raped tonight of course she's in shock, Day thought. "Look I'm sorry. It's just I'm tired and-" "Ok." The woman said, using his shirt to pull herself up. Day blinked a few times, not sure he had heard her correctly. "Ok, what?" The woman took a deep breath, and looked him straight in the eye. "I'll sleep with you." Chapter 5 Beth watched Day's mouth open and close like a fish out of water. Never in her life had she done anything like this. She didn't cry in front of people, especially not strangers, and she never slept with strange men. And she did mean sleep, Beth didn't have a desire to fuck anyone at the moment. Even though Beth knew she was acting like a complete nut bull at the moment, she also knew her mind was completely rational. The alcohol had exited her system long ago, and the adrenaline that had entered her system had completely faded leaving her exhausted. She just didn't want to be alone, it was that thought that had prompted her to except his offhanded offer. Though she had known he was just frustrated, probably not sure what to do with a crying woman, he had still offered, and she was lonely enough that she had accepted. It was obvious from his demeanor that sleep was all that had been on his mind when he had prompted the question. Even now, scratching his neck and looking uncertain, sleep tugged at him, placing bags user his eyes and making him yawn nearly constantly. Yawning was infectious and soon Beth was yawning with him, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes as a large yawn took over her. She watched Day shake his head, mumble something resembling "follow me", as he began to walk towards a small hallway off the entrance. Beth followed him, carelessly kicking off her shoes and picking them up. He feet hurt so much that she stumbled and would have fallen had Day not turned and caught her. Day grunted before hauling her up in his arms and quickly striding over to the door at the end of the hallway. Beth blinked as she was deposited into the bathroom, listening without really hearing as Day told her where things were. He mumbled about getting her a change of clothes and then left, closing the bathroom door behind him. Beth did a quick look around the sparse bathroom, before she stood up, wincing at the pain she felt in her feet. She opened the medicine cabinet he had gestured to, grabbing a new tooth brush and using his toothpaste to brush her teeth. She was using his soap to wash the make up residue off her face, when there was a soft knock on the door and then a hand appeared with a shirt and a pair of shorts. Beth took them gratefully, mumbling a "thank you" before the hand disappeared and she head the creak of bed springs. She continued to wash her face before slipping into the clean clothes he had given her. Silently Beth opened the bathroom door and turned off the light, letting her eyes adjust to the darkness of the bedroom. Day had been so quick about carrying her to the bathroom that she hadn't gotten a good look at the room. The bedroom was just as sparse as the bathroom, with a bed, bedside table, and dresser. Carefully Beth made her way over to the bed, making sure she wouldn't step on anything, but surprisingly the floor was clean. She reached the bed to see Day turned on his side with a blue shirt on. Beth slid into the bed and rolled to her side. "Good night." Day said gruffly from his side of the bed. Beth closed her eyes, and tried to sleep away all the bad that she had experienced in the last 24 hours. "Good night." Chapter 6 Day was having a dream about his dead wife. Shontell was pressed against him, snuggling close. Day looked down at her, beautiful ebony skin, thick black lashes, and heavy curling hair. She smiled, reached up to kiss him, and disappeared. Day woke up with a start, silent tears of pain leaking from his eyes. He shut them, shut out the world, shut out his heart, and tried to compose himself. "Hmm..." A tired female voice muttered against him. Day popped open his eyes, and stared down at the red head pressed against his side, her head pillowed on his chest, her small hand curled up to his shoulder. What the fuck?! Day thought in a panic. He looked down at himself and groaned when he remembered he had kicked his clothes off sometime in the morning. Fuck! He very nearly screamed out loud, as his morning erection tented the sheets. It wasn't so much that he was attracted to the red head, but that she was a soft woman curled around him like a vine. Day tried to tell himself. The women shifted again, bringing her leg dangerously close to his erection. Day set his mouth in a grim line, and very slowly, very quietly began to move away from her, disentangling their limbs. "Day?" The woman said in a small sleepy voice, just as he had moved her leg off of him. Day paused in his tracks, trying to think of what to say, what to do. "Please... don't leave." The woman said, her voice unsure. "I'm naked." Day said gruffly, not much of a morning person, and not much of a sentimental guy. He waited while the woman thought, hoping to god she wouldn't scream rape, or try to kill him. After a few seconds he again tried to leave, feeling even worse now that he had made her uncomfortable. "My fiancé cheated on me with my best friend." The woman said quietly, taking Day by surprise. Slowly he turned back to her, and saw her slightly propped up, looking at him with such vulnerability he sighed and laid back down. For some reason this woman liked him, liked to cling to him, and he was just a sucker enough to let it continue. Tentatively the woman put her head back on his chest and settled back now, breathing a sigh of relief once she was done. "Um... My name's Beth." She said against his chest. Day blinked a little, only then realizing he had never gotten her name. "You look like a Mary." Day said, and then wanted to smack himself for being so rude. Here she was trying to rely on him, and he was just being an ass. "Uh, I'm so-" He began, but Beth cut him off. "Mary's my middle name, so you weren't far off." Beth said with a small genuine laugh. Day just grunted, waiting for her to continue. "I went to a friends birthday yesterday, but I got home a little early." Beth began, tightening up a little bit as she continued. "I found them on the kitchen table fucking like rabbits." She stopped, clinging tighter to Day. Flirting the Fence Ch. 01-10 Day wasn't really sure what to do. His erection didn't look to be fading anytime soon, and the only way she was missing it is if she was blind. He wondered if patting her back or head would be weird, but in the end his softer side won out and his gently rubbed her back, making sure to stay far away from the lower section. "The dude's a fucking dick, and your best friends a jealous whore." Day spat out before he could think better of it. He was usually candid, just because he spent most of his day with guys, but in the presence of ladies he tried to refine himself and be polite. It seemed he was doing a pretty shitty job of that now. "Yup, no arguments here." Beth said with a laugh, tilting her head to look up at him. Day tilted his head to look down at her, and smiled. She had to be the craziest women he had ever met, and the most emotional too. But in the skeme of things, he would probably be just as emotional if he was in her shoes too. "Well, um... why don't you get a shower and I can give you some of my wife's clothes. Then we can call a friend to come pick you up or something. Ok?" Day asked, moving his hand to stroke her hair, which was soft and curly and completely unmanageable, but beautiful nonetheless. Beth narrowed her eyes at him, and carefully levered herself up onto his chest. "Wife?" She said coldly, staring daggers at him, which had his erection going down just the tinniest bit. Day almost smacked himself, still not used to using past tense. "My um.. dead wife. You can use my dead wife's clothes." He said, turning his head, not sure how to say that in a polite and kind way. Almost nine months and he still called Shontell his wife. He needed to stop that, he needed to move on, if only for Brian's sake. The kid needed a mother, needed some tenderness. "Oh! I'm... I'm so sorry. I thought that... never mind. I'm sorry." Beth said softly, her eyes beseeching his for forgiveness. Pretty green eyes, the color of ripe limes. Day turned back to her and nodded, but just as he was about to get out of the bed and make good on those promises, Beth leaned down and kissed him. The kiss was light and sweet and a little unsure. Day was so confused that he just lay there, half up with his lips pressed against hers. But the kiss drew out Day slowly closed his eyes, his hand instinctively going up to her hair and pulling her closer, tilting her head so he could explore her mouth more fully. He heard her gasp, as he drew her back down to the bed with him, half draped over him. Day could feel Beth begin to squirm and he changed the kiss, letting her take a breath before plunging back in with teeth and tongue and fire. Damn he was on fire! Day thought, as she moved to straddle his stomach, her soft ass cradling his heavy erection. Sensually she moved on him, small hands sliding up and down his chest. Day moved his hand from her hair, slowly down to her hip pulling her closer, feeling the burning heat of her. He heard her gasp, as Beth turned her head, and Day trailed fiery kisses down her neck, across her collar bone, to the tops of her breasts. "Stop teasing." Beth panted. Day gave a deep throaty chuckle before giving her what she wanted and wrapping his mouth around her nipple. He heard Beth cry out, felt her grip his shoulders, and Day smiled to himself, pleased with himself. He felt her clench her thighs, as she softly cried out. Day quickly flipped them, so she was laying against the bed and he was hovering over her. Giving her a predatory smile, Day lowered his head and once again took her into his mouth alternating between her breasts. He felt Beth grip his shoulders, her nails raking lightly across them, as he played with her. Almost instantly, her legs locked around his hips, and suddenly he could feel her wet core pressing against him. Breaking off from her breasts, Day groaned and looked down to see himself poised at her entrance. Just an inch, just an inch, his dick sang to him, cutting of much needed oxygen from his brain. "Condom." He heard himself say, as he blindly reach for the bedside table and into the draw. Quickly shuffling around his hand closed around the foil packet and he sent a small prayer up to whoever was listening. "Please..." Beth cried out, writhing against him. Using one hand to slip on the condom, he took his other hand and felt if she was ready. She was. Dripping wet and soaking his hand, Beth's body grasped at his fingers, her hand going to his wrist to keep him there, keep him pleasuring her. Day slowly stroked her, marveling at how tight and perfect she was. Perfect. His mind said over and over, as if in a trance. "I'm not perfect." Day heard Beth say on a moan. Looking up, he could see that she really did think she wasn't perfect. Quickly he took her mouth and tongue in a searing kiss, still working his fingers inside her, stroking his thumb over her clit, and making her arch into him. "You. Are. Fucking. Perfect." Day said gruffly, releasing her lips, and staring into her ripe lime green eyes. He watched her nod her head and bite her lip. "You ready?" he asked, drawing his fingers slowly out of her. "Yes." Beth said, tilting her hips up, as Day gripped a pillow and stuffed it under them. "I'm ready." Day nodded, gripping her thighs tightly and slowly, with extreme patience, he began to enter her, stretch her. He could feel her thighs moving under his hands, and he felt her nails scratch his shoulder and he worked himself inside her body. "A-Are you O-okay?" He gritted out, taking his eyes off their joining and focusing them on her face. Beth nodded vigorously, gasping as he hit a spot inside her. Day smiled tightly, as sweat dripped off of him and onto her, slowly he continued to work himself. Without warning Beth threw her head back and cried out, forcing her hand to her mouth as she came on him. Day wasn't expecting it and kept himself rigid, lowering his forehead to her beasts and trying to breathe through her orgasm. Slowly she began to relax again, her body going plaint and boneless in his arms. Day drew back slowly, and thrust into her to the hilt, happy she had had the orgasm and he could loosen his reigns a little bit. Beth moaned softly, as he set them on a stead rhythm of deep, slow strokes. Day watched her face, moving one of his hands up her body to stroke her nipple. Day felt Beth lock her legs around him, happy that he could now use both his hands. Day leaned down, levering himself on his arm, and kissed her. Hot and slow and sloppy, until they broke apart to breathe. Day was close, so close, and he picked up his rhythm, thrusting a little harder and a little faster. He watched as Beth arched her back, rubbing her breasts against the soft hair on his chest. Eyes locked tight, mouth open wide on a silent moan, Day watched as Beth came again, her body stilling, clenching, one heart beat, two, then exploding, gripping him tightly, as her orgasm washed over her. Picking up the pace Day thrust into her a few more times before he grunted his release, his body jerking as he emptied himself inside her. Chapter 7 Oh. My. God. Beth thought staring up at the white ceiling, trying to get her breathing under control. Day had his head on her chest, and was blowing hot air across her nipple. Beth pushed at his shoulder and he rolled over mumbling something and then getting up to go to the bathroom. She was too in shock to do anything, too stunned at her behavior. She had just had the most mind blowing sex of her life! The only down side being it was with a complete stranger. In truth if not for Day have a good douse of common sense, she would have just impaled herself on his cock and fucked him till the cows came home, without a condom. Oh God! Beth thought groaning and throwing her arm over her eyes. Never in her life had she been so blunt, even in her head. Slowly she moved her legs, and felt a deep twinge that had her wishing for a long hot shower. "Uh, if you want to take a shower you can." She heard Day say, like he had read her mind. Cautiously, Beth removed her hand from over her eyes and looked up at Day. He stood a little distance away, a frown tugging at her lips. It didn't take a psychic to read know what he was thinking. Beth rolled her eyes and slowly levered herself up, wincing as she moved. Even the gym didn't hurt this much, but those orgasms had strung her tight. She watched Day move to help her, but think better of it and stay rooted to his spot, a safe distance away. Beth waved her hand at him to come and help her, but he just stared dumbly at her. "Look Day," she said exasperated, "I don't regret what happened. And I'm not going to leave and start screaming rape. This was consensual sex between two consenting adults. Now will you please help me up!" Day shook his head, as if he thought she was crazy, but in the end he did go over and help her out of bed. The first step was the worst, but after a couple more, Beth was fine by herself and waved Day off to go and do what he wanted to do. Once beth reached the bathroom, she turned and locked the door, starting the shower. While waiting for the water to heat up, Beth looked at her reflection in the mirror. Damn! She thought touching her lips and hair. She looked fucking hot! Mentally berating herself for her language, Beth continued to stare at her reflection. Sultry eyes, kiss bruised lips, a deep red flush to her usual pale completion, and her hair! God her hair looked a mess of sexy curls, like she had just got out of bed after a very good tumble. Never had she looked so sexy, in a messy sort of way. Every time she had sex with Jason, she'd looked at herself afterwards and seen a sad woman completely composed. It was the kind of look that someone might wear after doing their taxes, bored and tired. Beth turned to the shower and stuck her hand underneath, melting a little at the heat. Slowly she stepped in, turning to wet her hair and let the hot water run over her tired over worked muscles. She didn't know what she would do after this shower. What she would say to Day, where she would go, nothing. It was that thought that made her stay under the shower for a long 30 minutes, thinking about what her next steps where going to be. Chapter 8 Day heard the shower begin, as he tugged on a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. Yeah, he thought to himself, that woman was crazy! Reaching into the last drawer of his dresser, he pulled out a neatly folded pair of jeans and a blouse, hoping they would be Beth's size. As he laid them out on the bed he felt a twinge of sadness. This was the first time since Shontell's death that he had opened her drawer and even though she had died nine months ago, he just hadn't had the desire to give away any of her things. Turing away from her clothes, and the pain they made him feel, he made his way out of the room in search of Brian. Day found his son laying in front of the teleision watching cartoons. Shontell had been strict on Brian about not watching too much TV, wanting him to be outside and playing with other kids his age. But with the loss of his wife, Day had relaxed the rules, letting Brian watch a little more TV then was good and eat a little more junk food then was safe. "Brian, turn the TV off and come sit at the table." Day said, walking over to the kitchen, and beginning to rummage through the frig. He pulled out some milk, and then reached for a bowl and the sugar cereal his son loved. "I don't want cereal." Day heard Brian say over the TV. Day turned, setting the box and bowl of the table to look over to Brian still laying in front of the Tv, still watching cartoons. Scrubbing a tired hand over his face, Day skirted the kitchen and walked over to his son. "What did I just say?" Day said in an authoritative voice, watching Brian turn to look up at him. At three, the kid was smarter than he should be, and had seen more than any kid should see. His mother had been Shontell's drug addled sister, who had died of an overdose just five months after her son was born. Immediately all custody rights had gone to Shontell, the druggie father hadn't even bothered to show up to court to protest. Just a few weeks later and Day had asked if her could adopt Brian too. The look on Shontell's face, had been the happiest he'd ever seen her, as if he had given her the world. "Who was the lady yesterday?" Brian asked bluntly, effectively skirting Day's question. Day rubbed a hand over his neck, and thought about how to answer. "She's my uh... friend." He finally said, moving and turning of the TV. Brian sat up, and crossed his legs Indian style, looking at Day. "Did she leave?" he asked. Brian sucked his teeth, and moved over to the kitchen, gesturing for Brian to have a seat at the dinning room table. "Nope, she stayed." he said, reaching for the cereal again. "I don't want cereal!" Brian screamed at him, banging his little fists against the table. "I want mommy! I want mommy!" he ranted, little face tearing up and turning red. Day quickly moved to his son, having seen this little episode a couple of times during the past month. Knelling down before his crying son, he gathered the child into his arms. "it's ok, it's ok. Mommy's in a better place." Day said gently rocking his son. "No, no, no..." Brian hiccuped, little hands clutching Day around the neck. Day didn't know how to fix this, how to help his son. Shontell was the one to kiss his boo-boo's, to fix his breakfast, to make sure he washed his face. Day had a construction empire to run, he had bills to pay. That wasn't to say that he didn't care for their son too, but he did it in different ways. Slowly the child calmed, and he released him, wiping his snotty nose and tears away with his shirt. It was a miracle if Day could find a shirt he now owned without some sort of milk or snot stain on it. Smiling at Brian, Day moved back to the kitchen, putting the cereal and milk away. Turning to lean over the counter top, Day propped up his chin and looked at Brian wagging his eyebrows. Brian giggled and Day smiled, relived to see his son happy again. "So what do you want to eat?" Day asked. Brain kicked his feet under the table and thought hard about it. "Ummm..... Pizza!" He shouted, throwing his hands up in the air. Day shock his head and laughed. "No. It has to be breakfast." Brian thought again. "French toast sticks!" He said after a few seconds. Day nodded his head encouragingly. "That I can do." Quickly he began rummaging through cupboard and frig, looking for pots and toast and things. He was just starting to whip the batter when he heard Brian's candid "Hi!" Turning he spied Beth, standing in the door way, wearing Shontell's clothes. They were a little big on her, but not by much. Day watched her surprised expression as she looked at his son. His hand tightened on the work he was using, and he was just about to speak up when she responded. "Hello there." Day heard her say politely, watching as she walked over to Brian and held out her hand. Eagerly Brian shook it, pumping her hand up and down. "Hi!" He said again. Beth just laughed and gently extracted her hand, standing awkwardly by his son. "My name's Beth." She said to him. Brian just nodded as if he had known. "My name's Brian, and I'm three and a half, and I go to Sunny Hill day care, and my teachers name is Mrs.Holly." he said in a long rush of words, continuing to kick his feet and stare at Beth. "Beth!" Day called to her, drawing her attention away from his son. "You want to help me over here?" Beth smiled at Brian before skirting the dinning room table and going into the open kitchen. "Sure! How can I help?" Chapter 9 Beth smiled at Day, as he stirred what looked like lumpy batter. "What are we making?" Beth asked cheerfully. Making sure to keep her voice light and happy so that Brian didn't pick up on any tension. "French toast." Day said curtly, glancing at Brian, who was at the table staring quizzically at them. Beth needed Brian out of the room, she need to talk to Day alone. Smiling brightly, she leaned on the counter that separated Brian and her, folding her arms. "Brian, did you brush your teeth and wash your face?" Beth could literally feel Day's anger behind her as she address his son. For some reason he had a thing about Brian talking to her, but then again she was a strange woman who he had just had sex with, so she couldn't really blame him. Brian looked down and replied. "No." Beth softened her smile, and shrugged her shoulder lightly. "Well why don't you go brush your teeth and wash your face ok? Then when you get back you can have nice hot french toast sticks!" Brian nodded eagerly, hopped off his chair and rushed off in the direction of the bedrooms and presumably the bathroom. It was only then that Beth really took took in her surroundings. Despite this apartment being in a bad neighborhood it still must have cost a small fortune. It was huge! Beth could count on one hand how many homes she had been in that had been more than 1,000 square feet. But this, well this topped the cake. "Beth!" Day said curly, drawing her attention back to him. "You have a beautiful home." Beth said without thinking, turning back to look at Day. She felt awkward, like she didn't belong here, and maybe she didn't. Beth knew she had used Day, he had been her escape, from herself and her reality. But that's the thing about escapes, they never lasted long. "I'm leaving." Beth said suddenly, surprising herself and Day. Day glared at her slamming the the batter down on the kitchen counter. "Now wait just a fucking minute!" He whispered angrily so Brian wouldn't hear him. But Beth wasn't listening, she had already made up her mind. She needed to leave, to get her crap together go back to Jason's house and... and... But Beth couldn't figure out the next part. 45 minutes under hot water hadn't helped and rushing off into the unknown wasn't helping either. Once again Beth felt lost, out of place, just like she had in Iowa, just like she was now. Strong arms wrapped around her, drawing her into supportive arms. "Fuck. You cry a lot. I hate seeing women cry." Beth heard Day say into her hair, as she snuggled into his warmth. The man was crude and rude, saying what he meant without any preamble, and Beth was glad. She didn't have to guess at his thoughts, she didn't have to worry he was plotting something against her or trying to figure out a way to take her down. Day had to be the first real person she had met in New York since she had moved there three years ago. "I'm not crying." Beth said laughing and pulling slightly back from his embrace. It wasn't right of her to step into this man's life, and completely disrupt it. It wasn't fair to him or her, and it wasn't fair to his son. As much as she would have liked to explore the strange connection she had with Day, it wouldn't work, they were just too different, had known each other for a very short amount of time. "Day I really do need to leave." Beth said, stepping back completely from him and putting space between them. "Look, what do you want me to say?" Day began in an angry voice, his arm going up to rub the back of his neck. "Sorry we slept together? Hell no! Sorry I helped you out yesterday? Absolutely not! I'm trying real hard to help you out Beth, but you got to give me something, anything!" Day said beseechingly. He really does want to help, Beth thought with a little twinge in her heart. But she needed to do this by herself, without men, especially without men. "Day, I don't regret anything you did for me in the last... what 12 hours? God it feels longer. It's just everything I did, well I don't normally do. I'm never like this, crying and weeping and clingy. This isn't me." Beth said holding herself rigid. Flirting the Fence Ch. 01-10 "I need to get back to the person I was. I need to get back to my real life." Beth said cooly, hating herself in that moment. Back to what? Her conscience screamed at her. Back to a man who doesn't respect you? A job that treats you like crap? A family that doesn't respect the choses you make? No, no, maybe it's your fabulous friends, who are always there when your fiancé needs a good fuck! Beth bit the inside of her cheek, as the thoughts came with the brutality of a bullet. Tearing at her with brutal efficiency, but this was the life she had chosen, this was the path she wanted. "Beth, I don't know what your going through right now or even how to help you. But if you're ever in trouble, if you ever need someone- even just someone to talk to- you call me or drop by." Day said going into the living room and grabbing a pen and paper to write down some information. "Here's my work number and cell number, plus our address." Day said looking around for her bag and coat, which he spied near the door. Going t grab her things, he continued. "Really Beth, I know your going through a lot, but Obviously you can't trust your best friend or your fiancé. So my offer will stand, if you ever need someone to talk to, a place to stay, whatever, just let me know. Please let me know." Day said as she approached him at the door and handed her the coat and bag. Beth nodded, holding back her tears, as she stared at Day. He was just so different from all the men she knew, and not just superficially. Yes he might be black, but he was also kind, genuine, and smart. He didn't manipulate or bullshit her, he was straight to the point. "I can't tell you how much you've helped me Day. I-I don't know where I would have been without you." Beth's voice wobbled as she finished, because last night the thought of being raped hadn't just been a thought. It had been a living breathing thing, staring through the eyes of six men, with the promise: this is how you get raped. Beth shivered a little at the thought, thanking the stars it hadn't happened. Forcing herself to smile and put on a brave face, Beth nodded. "Thank you." "Do you need me to help you get a cab?" Day asked, as he moved to open the door for her. "Are you forgetting anything?" Beth shook her head, already beginning to feel the pain from the heels she had had to slip on again. Moving to the opening she lightly touched Day's cheek, a show of thanks and affection. "Really, thank you." Beth whispered before she exited the door and walked down the four flights of stairs. It was only when she hit the ground floor that she head the door close, it was only then that she steeled herself to face her reality. Chapter 10 Day closed the door as he heard Beth's heels hit the ground floor. "I'm hungry!" Brian piped up, as he climbed back into his chair. Day turned to his son, striding past him into the living room, he looked out of the window searching for Beth's red head. "What took you so long?" Day asked Brian, as he spotted Beth with her hand up, flagging down a passing cab. Day watched as she climbed into the cab, closing the yellow and black door behind her. His eyes hungrily trailing the cab until it disappeared down the street and around the corner. "I was pooping." Brian said candidly, making Day laugh out loud. Brian hadn't yet learned the intricacies of social norms, so he still said what was on his mind. Turning away from the window Day went back into the kitchen, grabbing the batter and beginning to stir it again. Day was quick about making the french toast, constantly checking the clock. At a quarter to ten he had Brian washed, cleaned, fed. and ready to go. Quickly the pair exited the apartment, Day turning to lock the door behind him. "Oh hello there Brian." Day heard his neighbor Mrs.Johnson say. Mrs.Johnson was an old woman, who from time to time took care of Brian. The old woman felt like she had some kind of hold over Day and Brian's decisions, like she knew what was best for them. Though Day appreciated the old woman's kindness and generosity, at times he felt decidedly uncomfortable around her and her small minded views. "Hi" Brian pipped up, waving the hand that wasn't trapped in Day's hand. Kid's too fucking trusting, Day thought on a groan, turning to smile brightly at Mrs.Johnson. "Hello Mrs.Johnson. How are you doing this morning?" Mrs.John smiled warmly at them, reaching out to pat Brian's head and squeeze Day's shoulder. "Good, good. But I saw the strangest thing this morning." She said in a conspiratorial whisper leaning closer to Day. Day remained perfectly still with a polite smile on his face, knowing what was coming next. Whenever the woman saw something strange it was usually something she didn't agree with and something she thought was wrong. "I saw a white woman runnin' down the stairs. Now I don't know where she came from, but I hope she won't be causin' trouble. Lord knows we don't need another white woman blaming our young black men for nothin'." The woman said, shaking her head sadly and clucking her teeth. Day bit the inside of his cheek to keep from saying anything. Mrs.Johnson thought the young black men in their neighborhood were all saints, and that the media twisted the truth, just wanting to: put "good black men in jail like they slaves" as she always liked to say. Day might have agreed with her, if not for what he had seen yesterday, and what he knew to be true. Not all men were good, and it didn't matter what the color of their skin was, it mattered how dark their soul was. "Well Mrs.Johnson I have to get to work." Day said, trying to step around the old woman. "Um-hmm. Day I hope you wasn't foolin' round with that white woman." She tisked, looking at him with shame. "You know them girls ain't nothin but trouble. Think they want some jungle fever, but then they scream rape. Our kind just don't mix Day, they just don't." Mrs Johnson said shaking her head sadly. Day bit a hole in his cheek tasting blood. The woman was nearly 80 and wasn't about to change her views on interracial couples or "white women" anytime soon. Day understood this, he had known how racist she was, but he had need the help after Shontell had died. But now that he truly thought about it, Day didn't want his son around the woman, her poisonous words infiltrating his still forming mind. "You have a good day Mrs.Johnson." Day said curtly, holding Brain's hand and beginning to walk down the stairs. "Oh! Thank you Day! You're always so kind. Ya'll have a nice day." The woman said calling down to them and giving a little wave. Day snorted as he pushed through the front door and headed in the direction of his parking garage. He doubted he would ever let his son near the old woman again, he didn't want his son turning out like her, small minded and petty. They hit the parking garage, and Day reached into his pocket for his keys, clicking the alarm system to open the doors to his sedated minivan. Once Brian was strapped in, playing with one of his toys, Day got in the driver's seat and they were on their way. *Please comment and vote! As a reminder I would like to point out I do not condone violence against women of any kind. If you see a woman being assaulted please call the police, especially in the case of domestic assault and rape. Thank you.