“That’s just it. I want to know you. A little better.”
“I don’t date clients. Thanks for the company.” I pushed my chair under the table. “Goodbye, Mark.”
Again, it took everything in my power to not turn around and run back to Mark and tell him yes that I would go out with him, because that’s exactly what I wanted to do. Halfway across the room, I turned my head to see if he was still looking. He was.
I could have sworn I saw his lips spread into a big smile when I looked back. As if he was expecting me to.
CHAPTER FOUR
It was Friday, so I took it upon myself to call it quits early. It’s not as if I had anything to do tonight. But I deserve quality time to myself once in a while. I kept a duffel bag of gym clothes in the trunk of the car, so I decided to head on over to the gym straight from work. It was time to relieve the weekly tension and stress.
When I exited the elevator, I rummaged through the bottom of my handbag for my car keys. As I walked through the lobby and sitting area, I saw the back of man’s head. He looked so familiar. He was sitting at the table right outside of the coffee shop, with his laptop and papers in front of him.
The click-clack-click of my heels against the polished stone floor lost its constant rhythm and slowed almost to a stop. That’s when Mark looked up from his laptop and saw me. He smiled and waved. He began packing his bags. The exit was in his direction, so I continued walking towards it. By the time I made it to the door, Mark had finished packing his suitcase, threw his coffee cup in the trash can, and had fallen in step beside me.
“Hi.” His smile was worth a million dollars. An instant stress reliever. I wasn’t going to tell him that. He held the door for me and I walked outside on the stone walkway.
“I’m beginning to think that you’re stalking me.”
“I know, I know. You think I’m a crazy person. I assure you, I’m not.”
“Then, what is it? Do you work in the same building as me or something?”
“No. I wanted to speak with you again. Fifteen minutes wasn’t enough for me.”
“So, you waited for me in the lobby?”
“That, too. And I was working. Thank God for cell phones and Wi-Fi.” He smiled.
I smiled back. “Is an additional three to five minutes enough time? That’s usually how long it takes me to get to my car.”
He chuckled. “Where are you parked?”
“In the garage.”
“I’m right out front. In visitor’s parking.” He pointed to the parking lot right in front of us. “We can get there in thirty seconds. How about I give you a ride to your car?”
“I don’t jump in cars with strangers. I’m sorry,” I said.
“Okay, then, I’ll walk you to your car.”
I smiled at him and continued walking toward the parking garage. “It doesn’t look like I’m going to have a say in this.”
“I apologize for being so… ambitious. It’s just that when I see something I want, I pursue it.” He was closer to my side now. So close that our shoulders were practically touching.
“What exactly is it that you want?”
“You. I mean… a date with you.”
“I already told you. I don’t date clients.”
“I’m not your client… literally speaking. Edward is the lead auditor on my account, is he not?”
I pursed my lips and cut my eyes at him. I hated being wrong. “Technically, you are my client. You are a client of my company in which I am a key employee. Literally speaking.”
He laughed out loud. “Oh, Candace, Candace.” I liked how he said my name. “You and I could have so much fun.”
“If you say so. But, do you see how a date with you could be a conflict of interest?”
We stopped at a crosswalk to let a few other cars go by. He placed his hand on the small of my back just as another car was rounding the corner. After that one had passed, he kept his hand on my back until we were out of the street.
“I do see. I don’t know what you’ve done to me, Candace, but whatever it is I’m feeling optimistic about all the possibilities with you.”
“I haven’t done anything to you, Mark, and I’m not sure what possibilities you have in mind.”
He grinned. “More than several…”
I shot him a disdainful glance. “I don’t date playboys, especially those who beat around the bush.”
“Have I not been clear about wanting to learn who the real Candace is outside of her 9 to 5?” he asked.
I didn’t have any other retorts, and I nibbled my inside bottom lip as I studied him intently.
“I’ll withdraw my account on Monday morning with your firm. Then we can go on a date,” he said.
“Are you serious?” I searched his eyes, waiting for him to burst out laughing. He didn’t.
“Very serious.”
“That’s not necessary. If you insist on going out with me, then I won’t work with Edward on your account.”
“So, our dilemma is solved. Will you go out with me?”
I stopped at my car, turning to look up at him. He stopped, too. He was so close to me now. I was trapped between sexy male muscles and my car. I estimated that he was at least 6’4”. I took a deep breath and let it out before speaking again. “There are things about me that…” I stopped. What was I doing? I didn’t know this man. He didn’t need to know about me, about my life.
“What things? Whatever they are, I don’t care.”
“You should care.”
“What? Are you married?” He picked up my left hand and looked at it. He didn’t let go.
“No. Are you?”
“Nope. Are you seeing someone?”
“No. Are you?”
“Nope. So, what’s the problem?”
I lowered my eyes and almost cursed myself. His pants were loose fitting, but I swore that my heart had jumped in my throat when my eyes focused on the bulging package behind his zipper. A very big package. I lifted my eyes back up, my face level with his chest. There had to be at least one way I could tell him that he could never be happy with me.
“I don’t want to waste your time,” I whispered.
He used his other hand to lift my chin and my eyes became level with his. He lifted a curl from my face before dropping his hands to his side again.
“Who says you would be wasting my time?” His breath was hot and heavy against my lips.
“You’re playing with fire.”
“At this point, Candace, it’s too late. When we first met in that conference room, I felt something and I never wanted that meeting to end except to see you right after it. I know you felt it too.” His mouth was so close to mine now--only within millimeters of touching my lips. “I’m already obsessed by you.” He lifted my left hand to his face and pressed my fingers against his lips. “Go out with me and I’ll prove to you that I can handle your fire… the fire that you think can prevent me from getting to know you.”
“Yes.” I pulled my hand away and used the remote key to unlock the doors.
“Good,” he breathed, as if surprised. “Good. Tonight?”
“Not tonight. I have plans. What about next week?”
“Oh, come on… you got me worked up about this date and now you want me to wait a whole week? You’ve got to be kidding me.”
I smiled. “Saturday.”
“Tomorrow afternoon? Great.”
He held my car door open and waited for me to get in. I pulled on my seatbelt and started up the car.
“Uh… I need your phone number,” he reminded me.
“Oh.”
He reached for his smartphone, and then punched in my number as I called it out me him.
“I’ll call you in the morning,” he said, before closing my car door.
When I pulled off, I peeked in my rear view mirror and watched as he stood there for a couple seconds, then turned around and walked off in the direction where we came.
So, he was willing to play with f
ire. That could get folks into a lot of trouble. But, he kept insisting that I go on a date with him. And, oh, was he persuasive. Everything about him was. I wondered what it was that Mark really wanted from me. Was it sex, like the majority of male idiots? Money? Well, he had money of his own, so it couldn’t be that. One date would be enough. He’d never be happy with anyone like me—my past dictated so much of my present and future.
CHAPTER FIVE
I was no stranger to the dating game. My last date was only two months ago. The last guy, like all the others, I met outside of work. Ironically, they usual had a connection to my brother, or they had their hand in business dealings far more suspicious than he did. In the past, I’ve attracted the bad boy types. That’s why Mark’s persistence to go out on a date with me surprised me. Someone like Mark, I would never have agreed to go out with. Mark’s life was probably all pretty flowers and rainbows. I actually preferred the “bad boy” type because I could relate to them. They took me out when I got bored, showered me with gifts that I already had, they understood me, and they didn’t ask too many questions. I preferred it that way. I never got attached to them either. Before they get too attached, usually a month or two, I distance myself away from them. But there was just something about Mark’s difference that I couldn’t resist. I was drawn to him physically, emotionally… sexually.
DJ was out back with one of his friends and two females in the pool, so I took the chance to get out of the house before he asked where I was going and got into my business. I checked my reflection in the mirror again. Since Mark was still a mystery, I had no idea what he was into. I’d never dated his type before. I chose to dress casual in jeans and a halter top since we agreed on going to a local jazz festival at a park. These jazz concerts were pretty common in New Orleans.
Smiling again at my reflection, I headed out the door, jumped in my car and drove out of the subdivision, onto some main roads and merged onto the interstate. I asked Mark if I could meet him there. I wasn’t comfortable yet with bringing him to my home and I certainly wasn’t comfortable with him meeting my brother—just yet. I wasn’t quite ready to scare Mark away with my overly protective sibling.
When I arrived, I reached for my cell phone and found his number.
It rang once before he answered. “Hey, Candace.”
Maybe I was programmed in his caller ID. “Hi, I just got here.”
“Oh, good. I’ve been here a couple minutes. Where are you?”
“Umm…” I looked through my windshield at a sign with a red letter attached on the lamp post. “It says row F. I’m on the side closest to the highway.”
“Stay right there. I’ll be there in a minute.”
It didn’t take him long to find me and I was relieved that he was dressed casual in jeans and a light polo shirt. We exchanged small talk and walked side by side through the parking lot to get to the entrance gate. Food aroma from the street merchants smelled delicious. Melodic and intricate jazz tunes flowed from the stage. The notes came from the combinations of trumpets and saxophones were in perfect harmony with the soft tones of a distant female singing voice. People of all ages and ethnic backgrounds were lined up to get inside.
“What have you got in that huge bag of yours? I would offer to carry it.”
“My purse, only bigger. I haven’t been shopping in a while and I thought I could get some souvenirs.” I smiled. “Oh, and I have a change of shoes just in case I get tired of walking in these wedges and a small blanket. You said we’d be in the park, so I figured we would need something to sit on if we got tired.”
He smiled. “That’s good that you’re so prepared and organized. That trait compliments me since I’m so spontaneous and forgetful.”
Mark handed the gate attendant the tickets and followed the crowd of people before us. From where we stood, I saw rows and rows of retail and food vendors. In the middle, where there was plush grass was the stage in which the singers and musicians were performing. People were walking from station to station, obviously spending tons of money. Among the items that caught my attention were the art vendors. Some had displays of intricate hand-blown glass, paintings, and sculptures. Everything was so beautiful and I was ready to pull out my cash.
“Have you been here before?” Mark placed his hand on the small of my back as we maneuvered our way through the crowds of people.
“No, a first for me.”
“This is my first time at the festival. This is supposed to be the twelfth annual. I live about five minutes up the road. On Sunday mornings, I like to run in this park.”
“Well I could imagine it without all the people as being peaceful. So many trees and a great trail for jogging.” I lifted my nose to the air. “Oh, something smells so good. Did you say they have African and Caribbean food here?”
He took a deep breath. “Ahhh… you smell that, too? You’re not hungry by any chance, are you?”
“As a matter of fact, I am. I had an early breakfast.”
Mark rubbed his stomach. “I’m glad you said that because I’m starved.”
We made our way over to the food stations and decided on Caribbean food. I ordered something that looked like shrimp kabobs and iced tea. Mark doubled the order then handed the man a fresh bill. We were lucky to have found a nice secluded spot under a tree for shade with ample view of the performers on stage. Thanking myself silently for bringing the blanket, I laid it out, and we sat next to each other.
The kabobs looked so delicious and succulent that I bit right into mine. I managed to cover my mouth before coughing at the realization that the dish was spicy. “Oh, my God, that’s hot.” I grabbed for my ice tea and took a long sip on my straw.
He chuckled, chewing his on kabob. “Sure is. You okay? You want me to go get you something else?”
“No. I wasn’t expecting spicy, but this is good.”
“I grew up on spicy foods. Both of my parents are New Orleans natives. Every other dish for dinner was a spicy one.” He laughed. “To this day I can’t go grocery shopping without picking up a bottle of old bay, chili peppers, and jalapenos.”
“Do you have ties to the Beaudelaire's of New Orleans?”
“How do you know?”
“I gleaned that from the printout at our meeting,” I said.
“So, tell me about your parents. Did you grow up in New Orleans?”
“No, my brother and I are from Texas. We moved here after we both got accepted to the university. After graduating, we just got comfortable. When we lost our parents, no one could find any other living relatives. So here we are.” I shrugged.
“How’d you lose your parents?”
“They were murdered. Shot and killed.”
“That’s terrible. Candace, I’m really sorry about that.”
“It’s fine. I’ve come to terms with it. We didn’t have the luxuries that we do now.” I swallowed and slipped my sunglasses on. “It’s just hard to talk about. My brother and I vowed that we’d never return to the projects gain so we did what we had to.”
“I understand. I’m gonna go get us a drink refill.” He balanced himself on his knees. “Be right back, okay?”
I nodded, leaned back on the blanket and folded my arms behind my head. I let the music take me away from memories that I’d rather not revisit.
When I opened my eyes again and turned to my side, Mark was there. I hadn’t heard when he came back. He was lying on his back, arms folded on top of his stomach and his eyes were close. He seemed to be focused on the music as well. He had placed the two cups of tea on the ground above our heads. I grabbed one and took a long sip while looking at him. I watched as his chest moved up and down from the long, labored breaths that he took. We were mostly in shade, but streams of sun escaped through the leaves and branches and glistened against his skin. His lips were perfect. Not thick lips, but well-formed, nonetheless. He had a little tiny cleft, like a dimple, on his chin. It was cute and had me smiling again.
Suddenly his nose crinkled and h
is forehead creased. “Are you looking at me?” His voice came as a surprise.
“No,” I lied.
He opened his eyes and turned to face me. “Oh, I just felt someone or something breathing in my face. Their breath smelt like sweet lemon iced tea and Caribbean spices.”
I burst out laughing. “You’re funny.”
“Take off your sunglasses. I wanna see your face.”
I obliged and put the glasses back in my bag. I copied him, lying down on my back, my face up to the trees, looking through the branches at the clear blue sky. Mark reached between us and found my hand. He placed his palm over the back of my hand and his fingers slipped between mine. Before long, we were holding hands. How did he do that? How could he cause my stomach to flip and tighten with just a simple touch? Just holding hands, not even anything sexual. No one had ever done this to me before, I had never felt like this.
“Tell me about yourself,” he said, after a few seconds. “It doesn’t have to be anything personal. I just want to know what you like to do, what makes you happy.”
“Well…” I put my free arm under my neck. “My best friend calls me boring and reserved. She’s just the opposite. She’s wild and outgoing. I think she compliments me in a way. I see her in me and vice versa, if you know what I mean. I’m not as reserved as she thinks I am, it’s just that the people who love me have always been so overprotective.”
“Strict foster parents?”
“Something like that,” I replied, thinking about my brother. “When I’m not pulling fifty hour work weeks at the firm, you can probably find me at the gym, the mall, or the club with Monique. I like to work out and spend money.”
He chuckled, too. “Nothing wrong with a little self-pampering. I take it that Monique’s your best friend.”
I nodded. “Yeah. One of few. Women can be really conniving sometimes.” I don’t know why I said it, but I felt the need to add, “Especially when it comes to men.”
Mark laughed again. “Tell me what that means.”
“How women can be conniving?”
Untamed Obsession (Den of Sin) Page 3