Surprise Me Again

By Anita Kidesu

Charged with trespassing and indecent exposure on Erik Stenson's private beach, Carson and Josie Sandberg return to South Padre Island to attend the court hearing. However, their reunion with Erik is not what they expected. An invitation for a drink turns into a weekend of passion that fulfills fantasies and leaves all parties wanting to explore more than bedroom bliss. Will time, distance, and family issues stand in the way of a relationship, or will they be surprised again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Feb 10, 2017
• ISBN: 9781509214105

Anita Kidesu

Anita has been writing for years and finally decided to try her hand at erotica. She found that writing "romance with an edge" an enjoyable genre. Anita is married and lives in Northwestern Wisconsin. You can follow her blog at anitakidesu.wordpress.com

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You

Surprise Me Again

by

Anita Kidesu

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Surprise Me Again

COPYRIGHT © 2017 by Anita Kidesu

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Diana Carlile

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewilderroses.com

Publishing History

First Scarlet Rose Edition, 2017

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-1410-5

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

To my wonderful editor, Trish, who makes my stories shine.

To Linda, a friend who reads my stories when they are at their worst. Thanks for not throwing them back at me and saying, Start over.

PRAISE FOR AUTHOR

Anita Kidesu

AND HER BOOKS

SURPRISE ME

"[Carson and Josie] do work together to find that happiness, lust and desire for each other again. They figure out that their marriage is something they need to work at.

I highly recommend this story."

~Mistress Mary, We Love Kink Reviews

SOUTH SEAS SEDUCTION

I thought this one might be the trite ‘lost on a desert island’ type of story we’ve all read many times before. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this one was so much more than that. Yes, it’s true that Emma, Jack, Steve, & Toby are lost on a desert island. But as they adapt to being lost, they find they are falling in love.

~Alberta, Manic Readers

Chapter One

Eric Stensen paced the back of the courtroom. Where the hell were they? The doors opened over and over again. Each time they did, his stomach flipped. He wiped damp palms down his black dress pants.

Lawyers entered, carrying briefcases. Others talked quietly with their clients. The court reporter linked then stretched her fingers, raising her arms over her head. An armed officer stood beside a door to one side of the judge’s desk.

The courtroom slowly filled up. Eric was surprised at the various types of dress. Suits and ties. Dresses and heels. Jeans, embroidered shirts, and cowboy boots. Shorts, tank tops, and flip flops. Tattoos, chains, and holey pants. Shouldn’t everyone be dressed to impress? After all, the judge held their future in his hands. Shouldn’t they at least be somewhat respectful?

People shuffled, wiggled, or cried. Unwashed bodies, stale cigarettes, and perfume permeated the air. No amount of air conditioning could mask the smell of humanity.

Still no Josie and Carson.

The door opened one more time. Finally. Eric didn’t need to look behind him to know. His stomach spiraled, and his heart flipped. He sensed them. Sensed the energy they’d been willing to share with him. If only his damn sister hadn’t called the police. If only Lizzie had told him what she’d done. If only they hadn’t had a big fight about it, and now they weren’t talking.

His sister had been only trying to help. According to Lizzie, she was simply sick and tired of him complaining about people thinking they could use his beach as their own private place to party. Thinking back, he knew she’d been right. He hadn’t realized how much he’d bitched about it until she called him on it.

His point in the fight was that he was the landowner, and by all rights, he was the one who should have called the police, not her. Now he was the one who had to try to clean up the mess. At least it got Carson and Josie back to South Padre Island and gave him a chance to get together with them again.

If they found out he was the owner, he wasn’t sure if they’d ever want to see him again—even if he wasn’t the one who’d called the cops. Somehow, he had to make amends to the couple.

Eric’s lawyer waved him over to their place near the aisle in the third row.

You’re sure you want to do this?

Yes, he said, his heart slamming against his rib cage. Yes, I’m sure.

****

Carson Sandberg opened the courtroom door and stepped inside, guiding his wife before him. Josie’s grip on Carson’s hand was just short of painful. With the courtroom nearly full, he led her to a spot in the last row of benches. Their lawyer, Ron Beckett, slid in beside them.

Relax, honey, Carson whispered in her ear. There’s nothing to be nervous about.

Nothing to be nervous about? Look at all the people in the room. They’ll all know we’ve been charged with trespassing and having sex on a beach.

So what? I keep telling you that no one knows us here. He slipped her arm into the crook of his elbow and patted her hand. Unless you blab it to someone back home, no one will ever know.

Anyway, I’ve never been in a courtroom before. She sniffed.

Ron leaned over to them. You’re fifteenth on the docket. I believe we can have the trespassing charges dropped since the signs that were supposed to be posted were buried in the brush. Thank goodness you had the presence of mind to take pictures.

What about the indecent exposure charges? Carson asked, hoping there was some way to get out of that one. Hell, the fine alone could be four grand. They could both spend up to a year in prison. Not to mention the additional fine for trespassing.

It had been a mistake on their part not to be more careful the night when they’d gone down the path and found the deserted beach. In retrospect, that should have been a clue. All the other beaches had been filled with people, enjoying an evening stroll.

Josie and he had been so into the whole Surprise Me candy heart thing and so horny for each other, all they could think about was finding a place to make love.

At the time, their lives had been filled with their twin teenage sons, settling into their move from Wisconsin to San Antonio, and the hours he’d been working at his new job. He and Josie had grown apart. If it hadn’t been for his mother and father pushing the issue by taking the boys out of school for a historical tour of Civil War battlefields, they probably would have gone on indefinitely without having sex.

At the end of their time alone, he’d presented Josie with a bag of six hundred candy hearts all saying surprise me, vowing they’d use one a month until they were ninety.

Carson chuckled to himself. At the rate they were going, the bag wouldn’t last until they were sixty. So far they’d managed to use at least one—if not two—a week.

The surprises varied from sweet to sexy and not always geared toward making love. A surprise quickie over lunch hour. A fancy dinner he’d cooked for Josie and mostly burned. Flowers she’d sent him at work. Going parking without getting caught by the police and not in their driveway. Cute and sometimes sassy notes she’d written that he’d been finding in various, strange places.

That one had been so much fun, he reciprocated. She still hadn’t found every one, and since he couldn’t remember where he’d hidden all the notes, it would be a surprise for both of them. He should have made a list.

Everyone stood when the judge was announced. He looked world-weary and slightly older than him and Josie as he sat, glanced over his glasses at the courtroom, shuffled some papers, and sighed. Let’s get the show on the road, folks.

As the judge quickly and efficiently went through speeding tickets, dogs without leashes, property encroachment, breaking noise ordinances, and illegally setting off fireworks, Carson wondered if he would commiserate with a middle-aged couple having been ticketed with trespassing and indecent exposure or throw the book at them. Not that they were middle-aged by his standards. He supposed if he lived to be eighty, forty would be the middle of his life.

But, hell. He and Josie were still plenty young. He remembered, though, when he was in his early twenties and thinking anyone over thirty was old and couldn’t possibly have sex. Sex was for the young.

Carson tried to calm his nerves as he wiped his sweaty palms down his dress pants. He may act cool around Josie to keep her relaxed, but he was just as nervous. Their lawyer thought they had a good case to release the tickets, but Carson wasn’t so sure. Maybe the trespassing one, but not the indecent exposure one.

All too quickly, their case was called. Edward E. Stensen vs. Carson and Josephine Sandberg. Charge: Trespassing and indecent exposure.

A few people giggled as they walked down the aisle.

Let the jackasses laugh, he said under his breath when he noticed the tears in Josie’s eyes. They’re just jealous we got caught with something like this at our age.

As they approached the bench, two men in the third row stood.

****

At the sight of the tall, broad-shouldered, dark-haired man, Josie gasped and stopped in the middle of the aisle. Even from a few steps away, his raw, sexual energy rolled to her in waves. Oh. My. God. Eric. The man who’d haunted her dreams for six weeks.

What’s he doing here? she whispered to Carson.

Her husband tugged her hand to keep her moving. I don’t know. Maybe he’s a lawyer. Guess we’ll find out.

Eric and the man with him stepped into the aisle and walked in front of them. While the other man spoke with the judge, Eric didn’t so much as glance in their direction.

Look at me. Look at me. Since you’re not talking to the judge, you must not be the lawyer. Tell me why you’re here.

The judge called their lawyer forward. Mr. Stensen wishes to drop the charges. I’m not sure why this couldn’t have been done sooner to save some time. Are you two all right with that? The judge looked at Carson and Josie.

Yes, sir, Carson said, squeezing Josie’s hand.

Josie’s heart tripped a beat. She bit her lip to keep from jumping in the air and yelling, Yes!

Mr. and Mrs. Sandberg, you are free to go. But I must warn you to stay off private property and to keep your clothes on in public while you’re in our fine city. He banged the gavel on the desk. Dismissed.

Carson wrapped her in a hug while the lawyers shook hands. Over his shoulder, Josie watched Eric. She pulled from her husband’s embrace and turned to Eric. His dimples creased when he smiled at her.

Her heart stuttered at his grin, then crashed as realization hit her. You’re the owner of the property, aren’t you? Her voice rose a notch as anger settled in. You’re the one who called the police?

Shh, babe. Carson took her elbow. Let’s take this outside before the judge cites us for contempt.

With Ron on one side of her and Carson on the other, she stomped down the aisle. By the time they left the courtroom, her jaw hurt from clenching her teeth. The sultry air hitting them when they stepped outdoors was nothing compared to the heat rushing through her blood.

Once on the steps, she rounded on Eric. You’re the one who had us ticketed? She pushed a finger against his chest. Even as angry as she was, the simple contact sent electricity through her. You jerk. Acting all nice and friendly at the bar, all the while knowing we got caught?

I can explain. Eric held his palms up as if pleading for her to understand.

Explain what? That all the time you were talking with us, you knew we were in trouble?

Something flashed in Eric’s eyes. Pain? Regret? She tried to ignore whatever it was. Tried not to be intrigued by his thick hair as he raked his fingers through it. Tried to pay no attention to his scent sending shivers through her.

Ron’s interest in her tirade stopped her. Is there a problem here, Josie?

Carson stretched out his hand to Ron. Thank you for all your help, but no. We’re fine. We spent a few minutes with Mr. Stensen the last time we were here, that’s all.

You’re sure?

Yes, Josie said, glaring at Eric. She shook Ron’s hand, watched him walk down the steps, then took Carson’s hand and followed.

Wait, Eric yelled, racing after them.

Carson pulled her to a stop, and Josie nearly fell down the steps.

Let’s see what the man has to say, Carson murmured.

All right. She sighed but kept her lips in a tight line.

Can you please let me explain? Eric asked.

Just because I’m curious, why? Josie crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot. Why do you feel the need to explain? At the bar, you had said you recognized us from the beach. Why did you act surprised when I said we were ticketed for trespassing?

It wasn’t like that. Eric glanced around them. Look, it’s hot out here, and there’s too many people. Can we go someplace and have a drink?

The gall of the man! I don’t think so, Mr. Stensen.

How long are you staying?

Since our last stay in town was rather rudely interrupted, Carson said, we’re here for a few days to make up for it.

At least the man had the good grace to flinch at Carson’s comment. Maybe he does feel bad. She glanced at her watch. If you’ll excuse us, sir, we have to check into our hotel.

And don’t worry, Carson called over his shoulder as they walked away, you won’t find us on your property again.

Josie tried to resist—really, she did—but as they put distance between Eric and themselves, she simply had to peek. She peered over her shoulder. Eric stood with his hands in his pockets, head slumped, staring at the ground. As if he sensed her looking at him, he glanced up, his gaze locking on hers.

Memory of Eric’s words from the night they’d met him turned her on as much now as it did when he’d whispered them in her ear. Electricity ran through her system.

Think about it. Both breasts being played with and nipples sucked on at the same time. One man eating you out while another plays with your tits. One man inside your pussy with another in your ass…at the same time.

She stopped.

Is he watching us? Carson asked, tugging her hand to get her walking.

Yes.

Is he still the one?

Yes.

Carson’s sigh told Josie he felt as bad about the situation as she did. Well, there’s nothing we can do about it anymore. I believe we’ve burned that bridge. Let’s get checked into the hotel and have some fun with the toys we brought.

With the thought of Carson and nipple clamps, floggers, and handcuffs, Josie tried to forget about Eric and what could have been.

****

Eric watched Carson and Josie walk away from the courthouse. The gentle sway of her hips beneath a knee-length skirt spiked his libido. Her short sweater over a tank top tapering at the waist showed off her trim waist. Heels, while not very high, highlighted her slim, sexy calves. He wondered if she’d lost weight since the last time she and Carson were in South Padre. Her classy outfit was the way people were supposed to look when they were in court. He tamped down the desire building and wished they would trespass tonight.

After her tirade on the courthouse steps, he figured there was no hope of reaching them. But when her mouth was telling him off, her eyes were eating him up. Anyway, that’s the way he chose to interpret the fire in them. Then when she glanced over her shoulder at him as they walked away, they seemed to read longing and regret.

Could he hope to win them back? Eric chuckled. How could he win something back he’d never had to begin with? But in his mind, even though a relationship between them hadn’t even started, he’d lost them that night at the bar.

He didn’t know what hotel that were at this time. Didn’t know how long they were staying, except for a few days, which could mean anywhere from two to four days. Since it was Friday, he ventured to guess he had only until Sunday to reconnect.

Carson and Josie turned the corner at the end of the sidewalk. While he wanted to rush after them to see what car they drove, he figured Josie was still angry enough to retaliate and call the cops on him. All he could do now was head back to his place on the ocean, lick his wounds, and try to figure out a way to get himself in their good graces and hopefully their bed.

Chapter Two

Eric opened the door to the fifth hotel of the day and walked to the check-in counter. Dressed in brown shorts and the bright pink shirt advertising his sister’s flower shop, he looked like who he was posing as—a delivery person.

I have a delivery for Mr. and Mrs. Sandberg.

Sorry, sir. We don’t have anyone registered here by that name.

Shoot. Whoever took the order didn’t get the name of the hotel right. Eric passed a delivery slip around the vase containing a towering arrangement of bird of paradise and other red, yellow, and blue flowers he couldn’t name for the life of him.

The woman glanced at the slip and back at her computer. No. No one here by that name.

What the woman couldn’t possibly know was that he’d made up the name of the hotel, hoping to use that as an excuse to inquire at each hotel. He was nearly at the end of the hotels on his list.

After leaving the courthouse this morning, he’d spent the better part of the afternoon pacing his living room, trying to decide what to do. Flowers were cliché, but it was the only thing he could think of to find out where they were. He wasn’t sure how much he could say on the small card, but he hoped it was enough for them to meet him.

The poor bouquet was beginning to look somewhat bedraggled after being hauled from the heat