A La Mode

by A. D. Herrick

  I laughed.

  “Why do you think I live here? I save on the gym membership.” I took the steps easily.

  I was used to walking them several times a day. I had lived here for years. At first, I hated it. I had only taken the apartment because it was in my price range. Now it was just a way to keep my ass and legs in tip-top shape.

  Tasha had gotten us reservations at the new restaurant in Miami. Haggis is served Italian dishes with a Southern California twist. I had wanted to check them out. I had heard that they had two of the most amazing chef’s in Miami working there.

  Haggis turned out to be everything I expected and more. The moodily lit bistro lined its walls with jars of preserved lemons, and herbs. They offered patio dining that screamed Miami to the core.

  We ordered wood-fired prawns, pappardelle with spicy sausage ragù and coal-roasted short rib, paired with red wine and Tiramisu for dessert. Tasha and I chatted over dinner about the shop and Monday’s grand opening.

  I would be going in on Sunday and starting on some of the candies and cookies that would keep through to Monday. I had made a vow that everything would be fresh and I intended to keep that promise. I had several dishes in mind that I wanted to try and a few desserts that would need to be prepped. I had decided that I would serve coffee and breakfast pastries along with a few select baked goods. I wanted to see how they would go over. I hadn’t seen any of the shops offering fresh bread, buns, and rolls. I hoped that they would be appreciated along with the sweets.

  Tasha agreed with me that it would be nice to try a few common staples and also offer the exotic and glamorous confections.

  I had visited the farmers market and made arrangements with several growers to purchase my produce directly from them. They would be coming by on Sunday to make deliveries.

  We wrapped up our meal and made it to the club just as it was getting busy. Most clubs didn’t get going until nearly midnight. Ice started at eight and stayed going until four in the morning. We usually got there around nine and stayed until closing.

  Staying till closing ensured we got a safe ride home and didn’t have to rely on a cab or Uber. The security guys had been taking care of us since we first started coming to Ice. In the beginning, I was embarrassed to have to rely on someone to take us home but after hearing a few horror stories I realized I would rather be safe than sorry.

  The security guys taking us home also ensured that we could drink as much as we wanted and we were guaranteed to get home safe as well as kept safe while we were there.

  The valet jumped in Tasha’s car and we strode past the waiting line. There seemed to be more people than normal lined up at the club. The line looked like it went down several blocks and curved. I was surprised to see such a turnout. It appeared that the club was doing well especially for a Friday night. The warm summer air always brought tourist down to Miami but never had I seen so many people so eager to get into Ice alone.

  Evan greeted us at the front door. I was surprised to see him away from his post at the VIP section. Evan flashed me a bright smile and pulled me into a hug, surprising me. In all the years I had known him he had never hugged me.

  “I’m so proud of you,” He shouted into my ear above the loud music.

  I hugged him back, understanding why the sudden affection. Tasha had shared the news with him.

  “Thank you,” I shouted back up to him.

  Evan pulled away and grabbed my hand pulling me through the crown.

  “Follow me,” He called back to me.

  Tasha held on to my other hand as we snaked our way over to the VIP section. Our usual table held our reserved sign on it and our chairs were adorned with brightly colored balloons that had congratulations written all over them. I beamed up at Evan.

  “Awe, you’re the best.” I pulled him into a quick embrace. He gave a small shrug and shot me a wink.

  Macy appeared at our table before we could sit down, drink in hand. She set them on the table and pulled me into a firm embrace.

  “Thank you for the photo shoot and the portfolio.” She beamed up at me.

  I squeezed her back tightly.

  “You are going to knock those agents off their ass,” I assured her.

  I had used some of my savings to ensure Macy had a portfolio full of photos that would snag her an agent. The girl was a knockout and the camera loved her. On our website was a picture of her in cutoff jeans and a white tank top, a bright pink cupcake in hand and a dash of pink frosting on her lip, her small pink tongue darting out to lick it off. It was slightly seductive but I thought it was perfect.

  Tasha wanted her to pose with two bagels in her hands held behind her back with the shop’s name written across her bare back. That was a bit much I thought. We compromised with the cupcake and frosting on her lip.

  “Okay, I have to get. I will be by in a few with more drinks.” Macy said brightly and turned to leave.

  “Let’s enjoy a drink before we hit the dance floor,” Tasha said excitedly as she took her seat.

  I followed and took my seat. I watched as Tasha’s eyes swept across the room. It was strange that we didn’t head straight to the bar and even stranger that Tasha seemed to be looking for someone.

  “Whatcha looking for?” I asked over the music.

  Tasha’s eyes grew wide as she turned to face me. “Nothing,” She lied.

  “Bull shit,” I called her out.

  She refused to answer and put her drink to her lips. I studied her movements. She was definitely hiding something.

  The music paused and Jason’s smooth voice came through the speakers.

  “Attention everyone, I have an announcement to make. Ice’s very own Candice Frye will be opening her pastry shop Monday morning down in SoHo. Make sure you get your asses out there and support her grand opening.”

  My jaw dropped. That was what she had been planning. I shot her a look.

  “You naughty girl,” I said surprised.

  Tasha just smiled at me and shot me a wink.

  “Candy, get your sweet out on the dance floor. This song is for you, Baby girl.” Jason’s voice bellowed.

  David Guetta and Nicki Minaj’s Hey Mama began to play. Tasha grabbed my hand and pulled me out to the dancefloor. Tasha and I lip-synched the song to one another as we shook our asses.

  My jaw dropped when I watched Milo come up behind her and start dancing with her. The chemistry between the two was unmistakable. I had a sinking suspicion they were an item.

  My thoughts were quickly pulled away when I felt hands on my hip. The rock hard body I felt behind me had perfect rhythm. Deciding to go with it, I threw all I had into it. I rocked and swayed my hips to the rhythm of the beat. His hips met mine enthusiastically. When the song ended another started. Tasha and Milo continued to dance together, wrapped up in their own world.

  I was surprised to hear Lil Jon’s Get Low come on. I backed my ass into the man behind me and worked it. I decided to see just how well he could match me. I dropped it down low. This song was old school and I loved it. The rock hard body behind me had skills. I would give him that. He was able to keep up.

  His hand splayed across my flat stomach as he dropped it with me. His hot breath along my neck sent chills down my spine. I rocked my ass into him, I could feel his erection pressed against me. I smirked satisfied I was affecting him as much as he was effecting me.

  I twerked my ass against him, inches from the hardwood dance floor of the club. And twerked it back up. He was able to stay with me and provided his own twist. He gathered my hair in his hand and held me against him, his lips pressed to the curve of my neck as he nibbled and sucked.

  The song had changed several more times but we remained on the dance floor, locked in our own world. His hands on my hips held me in place.

  “I have to run, gorgeous.” He words were barely audible at the shell of my ear.

  His lips locked on my neck as he marked me as him before leaving me. I turned in time to catch his retreating f
orm. His dark blond hair was a mess and looked like he had just crawled out of bed. My eyes caught his broad shoulders as he was swallowed by the crowd.

  A small twinge of regret hit the pit of my stomach. I wished I had caught his name or at least seen his face. Angel, one of my regular dance partners grabbed me into his arms and began to dance with me.

  I loved dancing with Angle. He and I tore up the dancefloor together that was borderline X-rated. What I loved most about dancing with Angle was the fact that he was gay and I knew that he was not feeling me up because he wanted in my pants, it was all part of the seductive dance we put on.

  Angle took advantage of the shorts I was wearing and hiked my leg around his hip, one hand firmly on my ass as he ground into me. Move over Patrick Swayze, Angle had moves.

  When the song finished the crowd cheered. I blushed as Angle ushered me to my table. His boyfriend Jared sat there waiting for us. He thrust bottles of water out to us which we took greedily.

  “Did you guys see who is here tonight?” Jared gushed out as I took my seat. My bottle of water nearly finished.

  “Who?” Angle and I asked in unison.

  “Patton Blake,” My jaw dropped at the mention of his name.

  “Get out of here.” My eyes were wide with shock.

  “Seriously, I just saw him come off the dance floor a few minutes before you guys got here. Girl, what the hell happened to your neck?” His quick change of subject had my head spinning. I gave him a confused look.

  “What man has been all up on you?” Jared held out a small compact mirror.

  I looked in the small mirror and noticed the dark purple oval that stuck out on the side of my neck. I smiled fondly at the memory.

  “Spill it,” Angle and Jared demanded.

  “There is nothing to spill. I was dancing a few songs with a guy and he marked me just before he left.” I said unaffected though inside I was giddy at the memory of his hard body.

  “What did he look like?” Angle asked.

  I shrugged my shoulders.

  “I never got to see his face.” Both men gave one another a secret look before turning to face me.

  “Was it the man you were dancing with before I came and snatched you up?” Angle asked.

  I nodded my head.

  “Yes, did you get to see his face? Was he cute?” I peppered him with questions.

  Angel’s smile split his face.

  “Girl, he was sexy as sin.” I waited for him to continue but I noticed the way Jared was staring at him so I didn’t push.

  “We need a drink,” I broke in. I didn’t want to be the cause of them arguing.

  I waved at Macy to get her attention. She took a survey of my table and gave a quick nod. We were all regulars so she knew what we would all be drinking.

  The drinks poured one after the other. I could feel a buzz working its way in. My table was surrounded by friends and associates stopping by to congratulate me on my new shop opening. All of them promising to stop in and try one of my many treats.

  I hadn’t seen Tasha since the dance floor. I had a sneaky suspicion she and Milo snuck off for some alone time. I couldn’t wait to call her out on it the next time I saw her.

  After a few more trips to the dance floor and more drinks than I could count, I found myself in the back of Jared’s Hummer. He and Angle had offered to drive me home so I could get an early start the next morning. I left word with Evan to let Tasha know I had gotten a ride home.

  Chapter Four

  Patton

  I couldn’t believe I was back in Miami. My best friend Milo had called me up a few weeks ago and asked me to come out. Milo knew how much I hated Miami and couldn’t wait to get away from the place. But I knew he wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t serious.

  Milo and I had grown up together in Virginia Beach. We had been joined at the hip since kindergarten and even took up surfing together. Somewhere along the line, I became a food critic and he became a club owner. How had our plane to be surf champions changed?

  We were dating twins in college and somehow ended up following them to Miami. We learned long after it was too late that all they had wanted was a meal ticket. I got the hell out of dodge and Milo stayed. We talked often over the phone and even vacationed together when our schedules lined up.

  I knew he had been getting serious with a chick he had been dating for the last five years. I had a suspicion that he was about to take the plunge and make it permanent. I felt like a dick for not remembering her name. He talked about her constantly but I always let what he told me about her go in one ear and out the other.

  We were sitting in his office at the club when the DJ made an announcement. Milo got excited and looked slightly nervous as he ran his hands through his thick dark hair.

  “Dude, what’s gotten into you?” I asked.

  “She’s here. Come on out, I want you to meet her.” He said as he jumped up from his chair.

  I followed behind him as he walked out into the club. He made a beeline straight to the dance floor, his eyes scanning the dancers as he made his way through the packed crowd. I had to hand it to him. Milo had done an amazing job with the place and really made a name for his self.

  I lost him for a moment when a cute brunette stumbled into me. I righted her on her feet and when in search of Milo. I found him with his arms around a gorgeous brunette in a tiny red dress. She screamed trouble in the get-up she was wearing.

  I watched the way she looked at him and knew that they were done for. Milo had the same dopey look in his eyes that she had. That had to be the woman he called me to Miami about. I started to turn around and head back to the office when a blonde in a tiny white outfit caught my eye.

  She was wearing tiny white shorts that showed half her ass and a tiny top that dipped deep between her breasts. I watched as she moved along to the beat. I anticipated that at any moment her shirt would slip and expose her large perky breast, but it never happened.

  The way her ass swayed to the music was hypnotizing. Before I knew it I found myself behind her. Her tight round ass fits perfectly in my lap. She leaned back against me and I was done for. She fit perfectly. I could smell her coconut shampoo as she rocked against me. My cock was most definitely happy with the way she moved.

  When she dropped it down low I followed like a puppy on a string. Her smell was intoxicating and I found my nose running along the side of her neck. I could smell her Chanel perfume and under that a sweet smell that was all her.

  I wrapped my arm around her waist and held her firmly against me. I didn’t want to let her go. I was half tempted to drag her off the dance floor and bend her over Milo’s desk.

  I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see Milo.

  “Come meet Tasha and her friend Candy.” He shouted in my ear.

  I gave him a quick nod. I knew this Tasha girl had to be important to him so I reluctantly gave up the girl in my arms but not before I tasted her sweet skin. I stayed a song longer, my lips exploring the delicate skin along her neck. Before I left her I couldn’t help myself. I leaned down and marked her neck. I wanted to make sure I would be able to find her later in the night.

  I disappeared before she could ask me to stay. I knew I wouldn’t be able to resist her sweet ass a moment longer. I watched from a distance as a man pulled her into his arms and began to dance with her. I felt a twinge of jealousy as I watched them dry hump on the dance floor. He had her bent backward, her leg wrapped around his hip and he ground against her. I couldn’t see her face but I could see the way her firm breast jutted from her chest. I spun on my heels and headed back toward the office.

  When I got there I found Milo and the gorgeous brunette, Tasha. The two seemed to be joined at the hip. Tasha sat in Milo’s lay, his jacket draped across her legs.

  “Dude, where have you been?” Milo asked as I walked in the room.

  I dropped down into the chair across from them.

  “I was dancing with a chick.”

  “You were sup
posed to come with us.” He rebutted.

  I shrugged.

  “Patton, I want you to meet my girlfriend Tasha.” I stuck my hand out toward the brunette whose eyes grew as wide as saucers.

  She tentatively reached out and took my hand. I watched as she studied my face.

  “Nice to meet you, Tasha.” I gave her a lopsided grin.

  “Holy shit,” Her eyes flashed with recognition.

  I looked at her quizzically. I hoped this wasn’t going to be one of those fangirl moments. I hated when women went all stupid on me and drooled.

  “You’re them, Patton Blake.” She stood from Milo’s lap.

  I was afraid she was going to rush me but instead she began to pace the room.

  “Do you know him?” Milo asked her confused.

  “No,” she quickly shook her head.

  “I have to find Candy.” She turned to Milo, her eyes pleading.

  “She wasn’t at the table. I’m sure when Richard sees her he will pass her the message to come back here.” He reassured her.

  Letting his words sink in Tasha returned to his lap and he watched as Milo wrapped his arms around her.

  “So, who is this Candy?” I asked confused by the whole situation.

  Tasha perked up at my question.

  “Oh, she is my best friend.” She replied with a smile.

  I could tell that the affection she held for her friend was genuine by the way she smiled and the way her eyes lit up.

  “Well, I look forward to meeting her while I’m in town.” I gave her a reassuring smile.

  “How long will you be in town for?” Milo asked.

  “You called me here brother. But I’m free for the next two months. I have a few appearances to make that can’t be rescheduled but other than that I’m free as a bird.”

  “Perfect, I am going to need you here for the whole two months.” His eyes shot quickly to Tasha in his lap.

  “I got you covered,” I assured him.

  I hope like hell he wasn’t implying what I thought he was. But I decided to just go with it for now.