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[sassyLILrican]

[Braden]

Braden was dead tired. Between work, taking care of Brehanna, and dealing with Johanna's moods he was drained. He kept up appearances pretty well but it didn't stop any of that from weighing him down on the inside. He needed a break in so many different ways. Still, he pushed those thoughts aside as he restocked the computer games.

[Felicia]

"I think someone needs some lunch and some coffee." Felicia walked down the aisle toward Braden, swishing her hips from side to side with her red hair waving down over her shoulders. "Luckily, I have your back and brought you both. Can you take a break?"

Felicia knew she couldn't have Braden but the chase was great. For some reason, she took joy in driving Johanna crazy while she comforted Braden. It was easy because Johanna wasn't being the woman Braden needed. That was where Felicia stepped in.

[Braden]

Braden couldn't help the slow smile that spread across his face when he heard and saw Felicia. She was a Godsend. If he didn't have a family at home he would have been a goner. As it was she was already tempting. Still, he had little Brehanna's face in his mind and when he really needed it, he could summon up memories of the good time he and Johanna used to have.

"I knew I could count on my best friend. I'm due for a break in about ten minutes."

[Felicia]

Felicia leaned in and kissed him on the spot where she always had, on his cheek, right next the corner of his mouth. She always imagined what it would be like to kiss him ... a girl could dream. But she wouldn't purposely initiate anything. She was going to leave that to Braden. He would come around, eventually. How long before he really got tired of Johanna and her constant nagging.

"Mmm, I really love that cologne on you," she purred softly, her hands pressed against his chest as she pulled away.

Today Felicia was wearing her usual, 'get Braden's attention' outfit. A short, tight denim skirt, a print halter top and a pair of wedges to match. She even got looks from the other guys who worked there. She liked that attention. But the only attention she really wanted was from Braden.

"So how's work been?" she asked, leaning against the shelf beside him.

[Braden]

As usual, Braden was grateful for his darker skin. It concealed what would have been a blush on anyone else. He didn't mind Felicia kissing him on the cheek but every time it seemed she inched closer and closer to his lips. There was only so much a guy could take and stay sane...and remain faithful. Felicia made it nearly impossible. Nearly everything she said and did had a sensual undercurrent to it.

"Thanks," he smiled trying to keep his eyes firmly on her face and not on any of the very revealed skin. "It's been alright. A little busy when I end up working back to back but it's cool." He shrugged and continued restocking the games. "What's going on with you?"

[Felicia]

"Nothing really," she said, playing with the ends of her hair and gazing at him, staring at him like he was her prey. Braden was so sexy. He screamed such sex appeal ... one day she would just breakdown and have her way with him. But she had to be good, if there was such an action for her. Everything she did to him and for him was her way of getting close to his heart and ... A mischievous smile crossed her face.

"Nothing really ... I went to the mall today ... I bought some racy pieces at Victoria Secrets. Then I went to pick up my prom dress and shoes. And ... I bought you something."

[Braden]

He would never get over the way she was so open with him. Now only if someone would teach Johanna how to do the same. No wait, these days she was sharing too much. All of it negative. He rubbed at his chin, shoving the thoughts away once again. He was doing that too often.

"You bought me something?" he echoed. "You've got to stop wasting money on me Licia."

[Felicia]

"Oh come on, someone has to spoil you a little bit," she said, sliding past him, allowing her body to come into full contact with him. She did it on purpose. She loved to feel and see his reaction. Felicia knew she had an effect on Braden and she would slowly break him down. A smile slide across her face easily. "You work so hard and you're so not appreciated. You know if you were mine, you would be happy and satisfied."

Felicia didn't care if she came out a little fresh. She was just being honest with him.

"So anyway," she said, flinging her hair over her shoulder as she bent down on the lower shelf to grab a movie. "I am so ready for prom except I don't have a date, which is sad but whatever. I just want to dance and have a good time."

[Braden]

Braden bit back a groan and swallowed hard. Felicia always knew what buttons to press and she used her body shamelessly. He was only a man. There was no way he couldn't react to the feel of a woman pressing herself against him the way she so often did. He sighed when he heard the truth of her words.

"I have a family now, Felicia. I can't just walk away from that." No matter how ugly things might be between him and Johanna. He tried to avert his eyes when she bent over but couldn't help sneaking a quick look. She had the body of a goddess. "You don't need a date to have fun," he said clearing his throat and redirecting his focus.

[Felicia]

"I know Braden. You remind me all the time about your family. That's cool and all but when are you going to think about yourself too. No matter what you'll always be Brehanna's father but Johanna on the other hand ... when was the last time she really made you feel the way I can," pointed out Felicia nonchalantly, who pretended to read the back of the DVD case. "But hey, who am I to say anything ... wait, only your best friend. I care about you a lot. I'm tired of seeing you rundown and unhappy. Can you blame me?"

Her bottom lip pouted slightly, tilting her head to gaze at him.

"With me, there is no worries. We have fun. And even when you have Bre and we hang out, we still have a great time."

And it seemed no matter what she said, Braden stood with Johanna. It only made her work harder to make him wonder from Jo's side.

[Braden]

"Yeah like that would really fly with Jo. Not be with her and still play daddy to Brehanna? She's not gonna have that. Being a dad means Brehanna always comes before anything else and sometimes that means Johanna does too. I know you care and you're concerned but this is decision I'm stickin with right now."

[Felicia]

Felicia shrugged and turned away from him briefly. "Hmmm, men like you are rare ... that's why I stick around. You're a good influence on me and you keep me in line," she said, perching her hand on one hip. "But I totally understand your daughter means the world to you. I would never take that from you Braden. And if that's your decision, I totally respect that."

Felicia looked up, into his eyes. "You're sweet Braden. I hope Jo would freakin' wake up and realize that kind of man she has in her life. I can see you will never stray from her side ... but what if she leaves you?"

[Braden]

Of course she understood. Felicia always understood. Maybe that was because she always took the time to listen, to try and understand. He sighed, his thoughts were heading down that tired old path again.

"If she leaves me that's on her but she's not taking my daughter with her," he said firmly. If he could stick it out for Brehanna then Johanna could as well and if she didn't want to she was free to go but he absolutely refused to give up their daughter.

[Felicia]

"I don't think she's stupid enough to do that anyway. She's too nice to take Brehanna away from you. I put money on that one. So you're both stuck in a limbo; trying to do right by your daughter. A lot of people would have given up but you two keep on going forward ... that's something else. You don't see that anymore."

Felicia smiled and decided to play nice for a while. Stressing out Braden was something she'd rather not do.

"Ten minutes is up. Come on, let's go eat," she said, grabbing his hand.