by Candace Shaw
Unnoticed by his family, he leaned on the entrance way as his eyes landed on his sisters Shelbi and Bria while they sat on the floor with Bria’s son, Rasheed Jr., or RJ as the toddler was affectionately called. He was rubbing his mother’s stomach for she was almost three months pregnant with her second baby. A child’s laughter filled the room and Sean turned slightly to the right to see Raven’s six-year-old twins, Isabella and Israel, playing a game on their laptop. Cannon and his wife Yasmine sat on the loveseat as Cannon rocked his one-year-old daughter, Mia, to sleep.
Sean smiled at the scene before him. His siblings had all found love in the past few years, and he’d always encouraged and supported them in their relationships. He’d counseled all of them as they confided in him in all aspects of their lives and he always kept whatever they spilled to himself. He was a psychiatrist and took his oath very seriously. He found it amusing he knew all of his siblings’ secrets, and he’d promised to never tell the others. He hadn’t, and never would. He remembered when Shelbi first moved back to Memphis after graduating from medical school. She decided to forego her residency and take a job as a food critic instead considering she also had a culinary degree. She hid the real reason, which was a patient dying under her care during her internship during her last year of medical school, and blamed herself when it actually wasn’t her fault. She’d called him the night it happened in tears, but he pretended as if he didn’t know once she told the entire family. Now she was on her last year of her residency and would join the family practice in a few months.
His family sometimes thought he was uncaring and too much into his own life, but the truth was he knew too much about their lives that the others didn’t. He pretended to be aloof when his siblings finally revealed their secrets because he already knew.
“Hey, big brother,” Bria said, coming toward him and kissing him on the cheek. Her son was on her heels and Sean scooped up the toddler who gave him a high-five in the process.
Cannon approached next. “Well, glad you can join us this time. Dad and I missed you on the greens yesterday.”
Sean handed RJ back to Bria and the brothers stepped into the empty dining room.
“Who won?”
“Dad did, but only by two strokes.”
“Cool. I wanted to hang with you, but I had to be there while the koi pond was being finished, and I helped Traci plant some flowers along the walkways.” His mind trekked back to yesterday when she arrived, and he immediately lifted her as promised in order to hug her. Her infectious laugh was enough to make him forget the promise he’d made to take it slow. However, he restrained himself and instead enjoyed spending the afternoon with her “playing in the earth” as she called it before she had to go to an event at the Botanical Gardens.
“That’s cool you’ve been helping.” Cannon’s eyes perused over the food on the table. “So everything’s done?”
“Almost. She’s there now planting tulips, and daffodils in the shrubbery bed in the front yard to give the house some color and curb appeal. All that’s left are the roses, and she’s planting them one day next week.” Sean grabbed a baby quiche from a tray on the table and popped it into his mouth.
“Perfect. I volunteer your house for the next family cookout.”
“No problem. You know I love cookouts. I’ll have one before the surprise anniversary party.”
“Are you going to invite your new friend?” Cannon asked, biting into a stuffed mushroom.
“If you’re referring to Traci, then yes. After all, she’s the reason the backyard is stunning.”
“And she’s also the reason I’ve never seen you like this. You literally beam every time you mention her. Are you cutting up your player card?”
Sean chuckled at the thought. “I’m taking it one step at a time with her, but yeah … I don’t see her as just some fling or one time tryst. She’s not that type of woman.”
Cannon patted his younger brother on the back. “Wow. I never thought I’d see the day when you would find the one that will lock you up for good. I hope she’s the one for you. I know I was blessed when Yasmine reentered my life, and I was given a second a chance to prove to her she was the only one for me. I really don’t know how I lived without her for almost twelve years.”
“I do. You buried yourself in more work to not think about it, but some good came out of it. You started Doctor’s Unlimited. You’ve helped save many lives across the world, big brother. We’re all proud of you and your accomplishments.”
Doctor’s Unlimited was a non-profit organization that Cannon and some of his friends from medical school had started in order to build medical facilities and clinics in impoverished areas that were without proper medical care.
Cannon smiled and glanced through to the living area where Yasmine was with their daughter playing peek-a-boo. “Thank you. You were definitely there for me when I needed you. I appreciate it, little bro.” He popped another stuffed mushroom in his mouth.
“I know you two are not in here eating up the samples that my husband and I worked on all morning. Save some for the others.”
They turned to find their baby sister, Shelbi, scolding them with her arms crossed against her chest and a pouty lip.
The brothers laughed as the rest of their siblings and their families joined them in the dining room. Sean stood back and watched his sisters and brother with their spouses and children. Marriage wasn’t something he’d considered, but lately he could imagine himself being married with a kid or two, maybe even a dog. The only woman that he could visualize by his side was Traci with her cute dimples, adorable smile, and her quirky personality. He glanced at his watch as Zaria arrived, and he hoped the meeting wouldn’t last too long. He wanted to catch Traci before she left. Sean excused himself to the sunroom while Justin and Shelbi explained the different selections of foods for each course.
Sean sat on the couch and checked the security cameras at his home with his cell phone. Traci was seated on the top step of his porch taking a drink of her water and scrolling through her phone. He wondered who she was calling and was pleasantly surprised when her name appeared on his screen.
“Hey, beautiful.”
“Hey, you have a minute?” she asked. “I know your family meeting begins soon.”
“I have all the time in the world for you. What’s up?”
“I just wanted to tell you that I’m done with the flowers in the front yard and would be leaving soon. I’ll make sure to lock up and set the alarm.”
He saw her stand and stride down the steps. Bending over, she picked up a black garbage bag and headed toward the curb where a few other bags sat. She was sexy as hell in cut-off jean shorts and a white T-shirt. Her calf muscles flexed every time she took a step and his stomach churned into a knot. The last thing he wanted her to do was leave.
“I was hoping you’d be there when I returned.” He frowned. He couldn’t believe he was disappointed. Normally, if one girl wasn’t available he’d just call another one, but Traci wasn’t some girl and he only wanted to see her.
“Okay, I can stay and wait or I can leave and come back. I need to take a shower and change clothes. Grab something to eat.”
“I have four bathrooms and a fridge full of food.”
“I don’t have a change of clothes.” She tossed the bag on top of the others and pivoted around to the front of the house. A stunning smile crossed her face showcasing her yummy dimples. He assumed she was admiring her finished project for she jokingly patted herself on the back and the continued up the sidewalk. She stopped as if she was pondering something and he hoped it was a yes about waiting for him to return.
“I have a closet full of clothes.”
Her face wrinkled, causing her cute dimples to scrunch up. “Um … I totally doubt I can fit anything of yours.”
“Just go to the bedroom off of the kitchen. You can’t miss it. It has two double doors. Put on what you like. I’ll be home in about ninety minutes. My house is only a subdivision away
from Raven’s house. Make yourself at home.”
Her face brightened up. “Okay, I’ll see you then.”
Once he hung up, Sean realized she was the first woman to be alone in his home outside of family and the housekeeper who came twice a week to clean and cook dinner. She was also the first woman he was getting to know that would have access to the master bedroom. When he had overnight guests which was rare for he usually stayed at their places, he would take them to the guestroom on the other side of the house. His master suite was his retreat after a long day.
He glanced down at his the cell phone again to see Traci in his kitchen looking through the refrigerator. She grabbed a bottled water and a hand full of grapes. Afterwards, she tramped to the hallway to the master. He didn’t have any cameras past that point, but now he wished like hell that he did, especially in the shower.
*****
Traci carefully opened one of the double doors to Sean’s bedroom and peeked inside into the immaculate space. A California-size king bed greeted her that was overflowing with decorative pillows at the headboard and topped with a gorgeous plush black and gold comforter. The cherrywood bed was high off the floor which was perfect for his height, but she’d need a mini-ladder to climb into it. On the other side of the room was a sitting area with a black leather couch and a matching recliner that faced the fireplace. There was a small antique desk in the corner with a laptop and a picture of his parents. Above the mantle was a flat screened television. She found the remote on the little table next to the chair and turned on the TV. A football game was on, so she decided to leave it there and walked over to another set of double doors that opened into the bathroom. In the middle there was a huge garden tub that looked as if it could hold at least four people, and she wondered if that had ever been a possibility. With Sean she assumed yes and glanced at the vanities facing each other on opposite walls. The one that was clearly for a female was empty of toiletries, but instead displayed pictures of his siblings with their families or pictures of when they were younger. She’d recognized some as duplicates from his parents’ home.
She moved further into the room and opened the door to the closet that was almost as big as the bedroom. There were hundreds of dress shirts and suits that lined one long wall. On the opposite wall were casual clothes and in the center a huge island sort of like the one in his kitchen. It was adorned with jewelry boxes, cologne, and some of his watches were laid out as well. She ran her fingers along his dress shirts. Everything was color-coordinated and there were pull out racks every few shirts that held ties and handkerchiefs. There was also pull out shelves with belts and suspenders. She still had no idea what she was going to throw on after her shower. She trekked over to the casual side where he had shirts arranged according to colors and types, as well as slacks and shorts. She hated going through his things, but she needed to find something to throw on so she could shower and be out of it before he returned home. The thought of him walking into the bathroom while she was showering sent a heat wave to slam through her. She could imagine him sneaking up behind her and wrapping his hands around her waist and sliding them up to her breasts, massaging them while laying passionate kisses on her neck. She trembled at the scene in her head as it seemed almost too real; however, she needed to stay focused. They’d agreed they would get to know each first, but after the other night in her apartment she wasn’t so sure if she could hold out. She’d never craved for a man to the point of breaking her own dating rules. She didn’t believe in casual sex anymore. The times she did had been horrific. No passion or love. Just sex with no emotion plus, she didn’t want to add to the number of men she’d slept with. She’d had three real boyfriends and two casual sex partners in her lifetime. She didn’t want to add to the count which would have to now begin on her next hand, and she hated that. She honestly thought she’d never go past the second one because she thought she was so in love with him and that would get married after college. However, he neglected to tell her that he was still seeing his ex-girlfriend who was at another college, and he eventually went back to her.
Now that she was thirty, Traci had decided that unless she was in a committed relationship there would be no sex involved, and yet she had a feeling that sex with Sean wouldn’t be casual. It would be overwhelmingly passionate and incredible. The sample she’d received at her apartment was mind-blowing. A tingle pulsed between her legs and her body shook with pure excitement of what could’ve transpired that evening, but it was too soon even though she desired to be with him and would worry about the consequences of breaking her rule later.
Traci opened one of the drawers to the island which held his silk boxers. Those would definitely fall off of her and she found a drawer with T-shirts. She pulled out one of his medical school shirts that would probably hang off of her as well. Her eye caught a few bathrobes hanging on the casual side, and she was relieved when she found one that was shorter than the rest. She figured the paisley robe would have to do temporarily while she threw the clothes she was wearing in the washing machine that she’d spotted in the back of the closet area past the rows of dress shoes he owned. There had to be at least one hundred pairs of shoes, all perfectly shiny and color-coordinator of course.
Traci still couldn’t believe she’d agreed to stay, shower, and put on something that belonged to Sean; however, she wanted to see him again. She’d thought about him constantly since the night at her apartment. She could barely concentrate last night at the Botanical Gardens while she gave a private tour of the new orchid conservatory to some of the board members. All she could envision was Sean’s heated eyes as he raked his tongue across her skin, or tugging and sucking at her nipples that pebbled at the mere thought of his lips on them. At one point in the evening, she’d looked down to see her nipples were perked up under her dress that normally wouldn’t even need a bra. Luckily, she had on a shawl just in case the air became cooler and pulled it closer to her body to hide the obvious while hoping none of the old gentlemen had noticed.
Her cell phone rung, sending her out of her amorous thoughts. She figured it was her mother returning her phone call, but it was Caitlyn. Traci hadn’t spoken to her mother in a few days and was worried.
“Hey, Traci. Whatcha doing on this sunny Sunday afternoon?” Caitlyn’s tone was upbeat as always. She couldn’t think of a time when Cait wasn’t in a pleasant, fun-loving mood.
“Um … you wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” Traci said, fiddling around with one of Sean’s expensive watches. It had diamonds encrusted around the face and a shiny gold band. Realizing it was a Rolex, she set it down gently. Taking off her socks, she tossed them next to her shorts and sat on the floor next to the island.
“Well, I know you’re not home because I just finished banging on your door when I returned from the laundry room.”
“I’m sitting in Sean’s closet.”
“Oh my. Where is he? Wait, why are you in the closet? Is it a special closet with sex toys?”
“Get your mind out of the gutter. He’s at his sister’s house not far from here. I was finishing up planting some flowers in the front lawn, and he asked me to stay. I was going to go home to shower and change and come back, but he’s only a few minutes away. He said I could shower in his bathroom and throw on something of his even though all of his things are way too big for me.”
“OMG! You’re in his house alone? Are you snooping through his things? Does he have a sex room? I bet he does!”
Traci chuckled at her friend’s overzealousness. “Calm down. I’m not snooping, and I definitely don’t want to know if he has a sex room.” The thought sent a shiver to race through her. If he indeed had one, she didn’t know if she’d been intrigued or terrified. Maybe a little of both, but after the other night she sensed that Sean wouldn’t do anything she wouldn’t feel comfortable with.
“Well, you said that model was there with handcuffs and a whip. I’m sure he keeps his toys locked up somewhere. You’re in his closet now. See any good hidin
g places? There could be a secret room somewhere.”
“Cait, I highly doubt that and I’m surely not going to find out.” Standing, she took off the rest of her clothes and hiked to the washing machine.
“Fine, but please keep me posted. You can always take pictures and text them to me.”
“You’re crazy, girlie, and I’m changing the subject. So are you going to see Garrett again? He seemed like a really cool guy.”
“Mmm … no. He is a nice guy, but after you and Sean left and we sat back down, his attention was distracted for the rest of the night by the tall chick with the weave ponytail that had joined you for a moment. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her.”
“I don’t think that’s weave, and from what I heard when she was at the table chatting with Sean, she’s not interested in Garrett.”
“Nah … there was a knowing flash between them as we were leaving to chill at my place. I saw it. She looked jealous as hell when he left with me.”
“Maybe, but she’s moving to Georgia soon so I wouldn’t write him off just yet. Keep your options open, Cait.”
“I will. Well, I was calling to see if you wanted to catch a movie, but you may be making one of your own tonight with Dr. Feel Good so I’ll see you tomorrow at work.”
“Laughing out loud! Girl, you know I would never do a home movie.” Would I? She was already slightly curious about whether or not he had a sex room. She shook the thought from her brain and said good-bye to Caitlyn before she started searching for a room with chains, whips, and swings.
After the refreshing shower, she wrapped his bathrobe around her and tied the belt tightly at the waist. Glancing at herself in the mirror, she laughed as his robe hung miserably off of her body. Her eyes perused over his toiletries on the vanity. He had an electric toothbrush, a few bottles of cologne and deodorant. Nothing out of the ordinary even though Caitlyn’s suggestion of a sex room had her vaguely curious. She slowly opened one of the drawers to the vanity. It held his hair supplies. Traci closed it and opened the one next to it and almost gasped when her eyes landed on two boxes of extra-large condoms. She shut it and her eyes. She reopened the drawer slowly again with one eye open and peeked at the boxes. She took one of them out, but tossed it quickly into the drawer. She closed it once more and stepped back, feeling guilty that she’d opened the drawers in the first place.