by DJ Wilson
I texted Giovanni:
Pirate’s Cove, 3000 block, Hwy. A1A, 6 PM. Don’t be late! Send Candi straight through lobby to beach. Thx
I paid in advance for the cycle rentals at the largest Harley Davidson store on earth and secured a place to store our vehicles. I took immediate advantage, unloading my bike and dropping the trailer in the secure lot. Which reminded me, I needed a long distance shipper. Thanks to the guys at HD, I found one out of Ft. Myers. My last stop was the airport where I brought two open-ended first class tickets out of Southwest Florida International — plus one pampered dog seat — to an island in country, as well as to one north of the border.
By 3 p.m. I was finished and it was back to the Plaza and their business center where I booked two rooms in two different locations for the next three days, beginning tomorrow. The route I’d chosen took us up Highway A1A to Jacksonville, before heading northeast to Savannah, Georgia. The D.O.G. would have to stay behind. Historic B&Bs are not pet friendly. The beach condos weren’t either, no matter what I was willing to pay. It didn’t matter … the Plaza has a critically acclaimed kennel on-site and that’s where Major would reside while I was gone.
Probably for the best, I thought. He was going to have to ride behind Gio anyway. By my logic, Gio was a wreck waiting to happen in his thigh to ankle cast. One accident behind us was one too many already. I wish no ill will on anyone. Oops, that’s not entirely true. Joseph is another story in his twisted, distorted self.
Slinging my daypack over my shoulder it was time. “Come on Major, let’s do this. It’s Candi day.” An hour before show time, I arrived to find a fairly deserted beach. Beginning just to the right of the stairs leading across the beach at Pirate’s Cove, I scattered rose petals two feet wide across ankle deep sand for the next fifty yards. At the end I made my heart, a big one, almost six feet in diameter with a dozen brownies in its center. To the left I made a smiley face using red solo cups turned upside down for the eyes and mouth and a 32-oz. bottle of Smart Water planted upright, three feet away in the sand ... representing ... well ... ME. Off to my right was a boardwalk to a private residence that by all indications was unoccupied tonight. It was there I planned to position the band and ‘Frank’ just out of Candi’s line of sight.
My phone vibrated ... A text from Giovanni.
“Ciao, D ... Lost ... Daytona.”
Of course you are. I replied:
Not in Daytona now. Go south on Highway A1A to Daytona Beach Shores. Pirates Cove Hotel.
Gio fired back:
Ahh ... see soon.
Men, what was I thinking? They, we, don’t ever stop and ask for directions. Gio was a hell of a man in some areas ... as in, hung like a horse ... slighted in others ... Maybe he tries to think with it. ... Guess I should have sent him a map with a naked woman on top with an X to mark the spot.
Chapter 65
At 5:30, I was staring at a five-piece band, plus one guy wandering aimlessly in circles beach side —he was either looking for direction, for me, or both.
“Gentlemen,” I called out, closing the distance between us, “I’m D. Glad you could make it. I’ll show you where to set up. Follow me.” Walking the ensemble across the hard packed sand to keep from disturbing my rose-petaled path, I set them in place on the private boardwalk and settled up immediately in cash. “Are you familiar with the song I requested?”
“We are,” responded ‘Mr. Sinatra,’ “just give us the word.”
“Gladly. Candi may arrive a few minutes late. Seems the Crazy Italian Stallion with her has absolutely no sense of direction except when it comes to his dick. Horse-hung, good as gold — the envy of all mankind.” They laughed.
I strapped the backpack on Major and inserted two milk bottles into their holders. Just for good measure, I tied the bandana from my bike around his neck. At 5:55, give or take a few minutes, I walked him to the steps and hooked his lead to the handrail. “Sit,” I commanded, (in reality I just advised) “Candi will be along soon.” Scattering the last of my rose petals around him before tying them into the trail, I walked back to the band, feeling my phone vibrate as I reached the steps.
I got Gio’s text that said “here.”
Turning to the band, I nodded, “Let the music begin.” Uncasing their instruments — salt spray plays havoc on reeds and brass — they warmed up briefly, before breaking into my long anticipated song, Frank Sinatra’s, Stranger’s in the Night.
A solitary figure appeared poolside, gazing over the railing and into the ocean’s waves. Dressed in dark skinny jeans and a white billowy silk blouse, I watched her reaction when the dog she spotted at the foot of the steps suddenly seemed familiar.
Ah, Atlantic Ocean I’ve missed you, I breathed, looking out upon the waves crashing effortlessly on the shore. Music, do I hear music? Yes, someone, somewhere is playing Sinatra. Moving to the top of the steps leading to the beach, I spotted a beautiful service dog waiting patiently for his owner. He looks like Major. No, it couldn’t be. I never saw Major wear a pack like that. If only ... silly me, you’ve been in the car with Gio too long, listening to his wrong turn by wrong turn directions. Stepping out of my shoes and onto the sand, I froze. Hanging around the neck of the Major look-alike was a sign that read, “Follow Me.” Red and pink rose petals surrounded him, except where his tail wagging furiously had brushed them away. They didn’t stop there. A trail of red and pink rose petals led directly toward the music’s source.
Speechless, with tears welling in my eyes, I unhooked the labradoodle's leash and using both hands patted my chest. Only Major would know what to do next. White sand launched out of nowhere into my face and hair, followed by two massive paws firmly planted on my chest. “Major,” I cried, “it is you. I am so happy ... so happy!” I hugged him repeatedly. The bandana tied around his neck looked and smelled vaguely familiar … like D. “Go find daddy!”
Major dropped to the ground, turned and bounded off across the rose-petaled path before stopping and waiting for me to catch up. My eyes clouded with tears with my shoes in my left hand, I ran straight to the sound of the music and the words bellowing from someone who sounded much like old blue eyes...
Strangers in the night exchanging glances
Wondering in the night
What were the chances we’d be sharing love
Before the night was through…
I stopped and inhaled the lyrics, recited the lyrics, sung the lyrics before continuing on...
Ever since that night we’ve been together
Lovers at first sight, in love forever
It turned out so right for strangers in the night
The music was vibrant and live. It’s the little things you pick up on when overwhelmed with emotion. That, and the fact that I could see musicians gathered on the walkway when I reached the end of the rose colored path. Before me was a giant heart with a basket of ... brownies. That’s why Major was carrying milk. I get it. Off to my left was Mr. Smiley face, defined with pronounced facial features made from red solo cups and one very distinct appendage I’d recognize anywhere.
As the music faded it was my cue, “D, where’s Major? Better still, where are you?”
Stepping from behind a fragrant, blooming clump of Oleander with Major leading the way, “Hi, Candi, surprised?”
“Of course, you surprised me, Major most of all. I thought my mind was playing tricks on me ... that is until he hugged me and copped a feel. Then I knew ... he’s ... he’s so like you.” My tears would not stop flowing. My make-up a disaster zone. This is not how I wanted D to see me after all this time. I wiped the Sephora, mixed with salt, sand and tears from my face. “D, I must look a mess. I’m sorry.”
“Hush ... You look wonderful Candi — for a raccoon.” I chuckled. “ I’ve missed you.”
Turning to the band, “Gentlemen, thank you for coming and sharing this homecoming with us. I must say you performed admirably. Candi loves Sinatra and I’m becoming quite a fan myself.”
P
acking up, I watched them exit up the walkway opposite the way they came. Very considerate. I appreciated them for not ruining the ambiance we’d worked so hard to create.
Focusing on Candi, “I’m glad you decided to come along, baby. I couldn’t bear the thought of you riding bitch behind Gio when you could be riding with me.” I glowed.
“D, did you set this whole thing up? I mean, one minute Gio and Mile were going to South Beach and the next thing I knew he wanted to come here. You did, didn’t you?”
“Major mostly, he missed you.”
“I missed him ... I really, positively, absolutely ... missed you.”
“Thank you. Means a lot. Help me gather our stuff. I see Gio and Mile ogling us over the rail.”
Chapter 66
Five minutes later we were packed up, welcomed by Gio, passionately hugged by Mile and flying across the causeway to Aunt Catfishes for dinner. Dining on platters of fresh seafood, drinking Sam on draft and wine from a bottle, we conversed and laughed like we did a month ago; almost as if we’d never been apart.
Gio graciously paid the tab and we were off to the hotel with me leading the way. Candi was once again beside me, Major relegated comfortably to the back seat.
Having checked in Gio and Mile before I left, I handed them their keys on our arrival. “Let me help you with your things, Gio. You’re useless with two crutches and a cast.”
Gio nodded, then spoke. “Not useless where it counts ... Mile, she ride sidesaddle.”
We laughed all the way to the elevator. “Gio, Mile would you prefer breakfast at seven or eight?”
“Seven good,” replied Mile.
Feeling an excruciating pinch on my arm from the woman on my immediate right, Candi announced, “Eight is better.”
Sensing the wrath of someone slighted, I quickly replied, “Eight it will be.” Handing Candi the room key and the leash, I helped settle Gio and Mile into their room, while Major, the tail wagging dog that he is, did the same for Candi.
With Mile retired to the bathroom, I embraced Gio, “Thanks for coming and thanks for bringing Candi. Thanks for being you.”
“Welcome, D ... We happy now ... You happy now ... we good.”
“We are good ... for now. Good night all,” I shouted to Mile, slapping the closed bathroom door on my way out.
I found Candi waiting for me on the balcony, Major piled comfortably on the couch.
Looking at Major disapprovingly, “old habits die hard don’t they, D?”
“They do,” I confessed, “except when they don’t. You weren’t here to scold him and I haven’t the heart after leaving him in the kennel for over a month. It’s the least I can do, let him sleep where he wants to...” I assured her while running my fingers through her natural curls. “The same goes for you, you know.”
How do I say this and not sugar coat it? “D, I had sex with Joseph because I wanted to, not because he forced me to ... although he did to some degree. I wanted what he wanted, someone to love, to laugh with, to be happy with. Sadly, in his own distorted sense of reality, he believed the only avenue he had to keep me was through the pain he brought to you. What you saw on the tape was real, not contrived, but real. Look at me!” He looks puzzled. Have I said too much? “You have watched the video by now, haven’t you?”
What exactly does she want me to say? “I have … not. Do you have your iPad? If it means so much to you, we can watch it together.”
“No, No, I can’t believe you weren’t the least bit curious— That’s not important now. What is important there was something between Joseph and I, twice. I was working to get it back, before I took off on the Family odyssey in search of Fool’s Gold, by way of you.”
I had more to say. “D, just to let you know, I got him back for filming me unawares. Tit for tat ... no it was more like twat for cock.” That doesn’t sound right either. “Not for what he did to me, mind you, but for what he hoped to do to you. I poured out my soul extracting revenge. Do you know what? After I got it, I cried. I used his weaknesses that are inherent to his character to humiliate him before my eyes. I even have it on tape. Blackmail is a powerful tool that goes both ways. I don’t think he’ll bother us again.”
“It’s twice scorned Joseph, remember? Can I see what you have on him?”
“You didn’t watch my video ... now you want to watch his? I’ll have to think about it.”
“Remember the Godfather?” I laughed at myself for asking the question. “Of course you do. How could you not — being Family and all? Anyway, someone in the movie said, 'revenge is a dish better served cold.' Which means, as I interpret it, it’s best to take a deep breath, calm down and let your emotionally charged anger subside before seeking retribution. You didn’t do that, did you?
“I did, until I didn’t ... as you’re so apt to say. I imagined you and Vic banging each others brains out, soothing each other, being the slut that you are, pardon me, but it is the truth ... because of the turmoil Joseph and I brought into your lives.”
There are no saints in this room. It was my turn to come clean. “Candi, look at me. The sexual banter between Vic and I started long before anything physically happened between us. She was hot and she knew it. She was sexual and I knew it. She’s also a damaged little girl who tried to comfort me the only way she knew how by giving herself to me, sexually. Like I told her then, like I’m telling you now, my Momma preached, ‘when you play with fire, you’re gonna get burned. It’s not a matter of if, but when.’ Sure I was unhappy the way everything went down between us. I pulled an all-night bender the day you left. Strangely enough, I was even more unhappy that you put yourself out there to be recorded in the raw. This stuff does not easily go away once it’s splashed across the web. Too many fingers touching it and voile, you’re a porn star whether you meant to be or not.”
I continued, “You are correct in your earlier assumption, I am, or was, a slut. But you knew that going in. I’m also a hopeless romantic. I wanted to recapture what you and I had, if not with you, then someone. It was wonderful. No, it was spectacular. You left me with a void that I could only describe as indescribable. I hoped I could instantly fill the black hole with Vic. And I attempted to multiple times. Truthfully, I still might be able to — but then there’s you — precious, beautiful, desirable you. No matter how hard I tried to suppress your memory, I couldn’t shake you out of my mind.” I laughed somberly. “Even when I made love to her, I couldn’t help but think of you. That’s not callous or cruel or arrogant. It’s factual. Sadly, Vic damn well knew it. She couldn’t compete with you as long as there was a chance for us. That’s why I’m here. I need to know if there can be an us again.”
None of this makes sense right now. We’re two screwed up people searching for the same dream we realized on that fateful day at Starbucks. “Come closer, D. Hold me.”
And I did, embracing her on the balcony, listening to and watching the waves breaking rhythmically on the shore. Running my fingers through her hair, I kissed each eye, each cheek before softly pressing her lips to mine. Tongues darting, hands roaming, fingers exploring, lust replaced the tenderness I’d spent so much time trying to convey. I led Candi inside, guiding her midway onto the bed before rising to turn off the lights.
My clothes are smothering me. I want them off and I want him ... now! Tossing my blouse to the side, I shimmied out of my jeans and waited for this man to return. I wanted his chest next to mine, his lips kissing and exploring every neglected inch of my body. I wanted D on top of me, inside me, tasting me, breathing me. I’ve waited long for this day to come again ... Please ... let the wholeness return.
So much for taking it slow, I mused. Finding Candi undressed except for her matching Victoria Secret attire, I shed my clothes before lowering myself on her while my lips passionately pulled her darting, dancing tongue into my mouth. Rocking my hips back and forth across her moistening thong, I moved my attention to the nape of her neck, her fingernails, grasping, scratching, clawing into my neck, m
y back. I breathed into her ear, “I have missed you, baby. We left so much unsaid, unrealized, unexplored.” Releasing her legs from mine, I pressed hers together and pushed my rigid self between them, gliding up and down her warm crevasse ... My body was waging war, fighting my lips and my tongue that longed to be there as well.
How he drives me insane, biting my neck, kissing my ears. It’s time I reciprocate. Grasping his head in my hands, I pulled D’s neck to my lips while his cock rubbed my vagina and that ridiculous thong I had absentmindedly left on.
Wow ... that makes me hot! Hotter than I remember! Her lips attacked my neck with a vengeance, her teeth bit gently into my flesh. I flipped her over. With her magnificent breasts in my palms, I guided her twins across my lips, playfully tugging on each nipple, while my hands lifted and lowered her moistness across a glistening — me. Reaching the point of no return, I slid my arms under her thighs and carried her across my chest into my waiting mouth. With her hands propped against the headboard, I began licking, flicking, kissing and sucking each side of her sweetness, while Candi ground herself into me, attempting to relocate the razor thin cotton separating me from her ecstasy.
Mindful that I had taken her as far as the fabric would allow, I forcefully ripped off her soaking wet thong and flung it across the room. Relieved there was no longer a barrier between us, I breathed as deep as my lungs would allow, before burying my face inside her until the back of my nose rested firmly on the front of her love button. Random oval circling with my tongue, first deep, then wide, shallow, then pointed, followed by the vacuum of my lips stiffened her body paving the way for the pleasure of her orgasm, soon to be realized.
Tossing Candi onto her back, I resumed the position, using two fingers to massage her magic spot just below my planted tongue. That did it. She exploded — no she rocketed into the abyss — riding wave after wave of pleasure, her legs locked involuntarily around my neck. Tossing, turning, twisting, bucking, Candi moaned, then screamed, then melted into the bedding.