Fateful Renuion

by Haze, Joanna A.

  Mandy was set for a long evening. Dante, on the other hand, looked to be having the time of his life. He blended right in, and everyone around them took to him, including her.

  Chapter Eight

  Mandy finished her food and idly listened to the conversations going on around her. Her mind was on the gentle pats Dante kept giving her leg.

  “My husband is in Italy on business and couldn’t make it,” Heather addressed Christa’s question and turned her attention to Mandy. “Who’d you vote for?”

  Mandy knew what she meant and thought the whole process childish. Vote for the Reunion King and Queen. Maybe she just wasn’t in the know on such things, but she had high school flashbacks all over again. Her date, David, was picked as Prom King and stood with Jessica the Prom Queen. It was embarrassing watching them dance together, especially when he’d dumped her moments prior. She held back tears as she watched them look the happy couple and the song playing became the anthem to her broken heart.

  “I didn’t.” Mandy took a drink out her wine glass.

  “It’s all in fun,” Jonathan added. His wife nodded in agreement.

  Though his wife agreed with him, Mandy spotted a bit of a strain. Their bodies leaned away from each other as if they were aching to get away. It was a classic sign of marital problems. If they lived in the California area, she would slip them a card.

  She begged to differ on their definition of fun. “To each their own.”

  The staff cleared their plates as the DJ changed the music to more up-tempo tracks.

  “This is Chicago, and we’re known for steppin’. Get on out to the dance floor and show me what you got.” The DJ keyed up a familiar song.

  “Come on.” Heather grabbed her hand.

  Mandy found herself making her way to the dance floor with a group of other women. She faced the DJ and started going through the routine to the beat of the music while others looked around in confusion.

  “Come on. Get it together now…at least go in the same direction.” The DJ laughed into the microphone.

  With a little effort, the rest of the people on the dance floor got in step. Mandy let out a slight breath of relief. Normally people who didn’t get in step ended up messing up the dance and finding a way to step on her feet. From the looks of the pointy heels in the room, she’d be in for serious damage if it were to happen.

  “Bring it to the front.” The DJ did a great job hyping them up as this was one of the line dances lacking lyrical instruction.

  Mandy became absorbed in the music and routine. She let the strong beats flow through the core of her body and guide her across the hardwood floor. On cue, Mandy made a left turn, switching her view from the woman previously in front of her to Dante. He kicked out his right leg, then the left, before moving forward at an angle to the right. With the dexterity of a trained dancer, he moved his body, executing the dance with grace.

  She stumbled, missing a step, but recovered quickly without taking her eyes off him. In all her dancing outings, she’d never seen a white man, any man move with such skill.

  “That’s what I’m talking about. Ladies, he is killing y’all on the dance floor,” the DJ screamed over the music.

  Without a doubt, Mandy had to agree. Dante was comfortable in his skin, and his confidence was a turn on. The song ended, and the room erupted in applause.

  “I’m going to give a few of you some rest and slow it down.” He worked his hands across the equipment, and a slow song began flowing out the speakers.

  “May I have this dance?” Dante asked.

  There was no denying his outstretched hand and inviting blue gaze. Like a scene out of old eighties film, she went to him. His touch sent a mild electric current throughout her body. Dante pulled her into him and led the way. As if she’d done it a thousand times before, her head lowered and came to rest on the beating heart side of his chest while her hands went to his shoulders.

  Mandy took in the cool refreshing scent of his aftershave. The music faded to the background as the sound of his heartbeat grew louder against her ear. How long had it been since she’d been held? Dante was the perfect fake boyfriend. Along with being kind and caring, he showed attentiveness. What she wouldn’t give to have a man like him in real life.

  “You’re a pretty good dancer.” Dante’s deep voice was low but clear.

  “Thank you.” She looked up at him. That gaze. It was something behind the look. She’d seen it many of times but rarely had she been the recipient. Her male clients often gave their wives the same expression when their spouse looked the other way—at least the ones who truly wanted to save their marriage. It was a gaze reserved for lovers.

  Glancing away, she broke the contact. She had too. This man wasn’t hers, and she didn’t need to see him as such. For all she knew, nothing lay behind the guise. More than likely, her mind played tricks on her. Their closeness and the drinks confused her. Yes, that was it.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I need to go to the restroom.” The connection was too much to bear. Mandy made her way to the upper deck where the larger restrooms were located. The line was shorter, and she was in and out in no time.

  “Since when did you start dating white men?”

  She turned, coming face to face with the one person she’d intentionally avoided all night, the one person she welcomed not seeing at the meet and greet. A dark chocolate medium-height man with a wide muscular frame and narrow waist glared at her.

  “When did anything I do matter to you, David?”

  He gulped the last swig out his beer. “I’d thought I’d never see you again.”

  “If I had my way, you wouldn’t.” She brushed passed him.

  A firm grip captured her elbow.

  “It was years ago. I was young and dumb.”

  “And yet somehow you find yourself married to Jessica. The same person you dumped me for at the prom. By the way, isn’t she white?” She cut her eyes at him.

  “There are a lot of things you don’t understand.” His words slurred.

  “At this point, who the hell cares? It was high school, remember? Excuse me. I have to get back to my man.”

  She yanked her arm out his grasp and pushed him away from her. Her stomach turned, and her head began an increasing slow drum. Mandy needed to put distance between them and fast. In her haste, she bumped into several people as she sped down the stairs. She issued half-felt apologies and continued. Mandy couldn’t get back to Dante soon enough. Seeing his waiting smile caused her angst to fade a little.

  “You okay?” His eyebrows rose as he scanned her face.

  “Fine. What’s everyone standing around for?” She wasn’t about to discuss her run-in with David and ruin the evening. Mentioning him would bring up more questions than she’d prefer to answer.

  The music lowered as Jessica stood at the front, scanning a clip board.

  “Announcement of the king and queen.”

  “Great. I should have stayed in the ladies’ room.” She felt like Debbie Downer as the enthusiasm of the final count was missed by her. Whispers filled the air as her classmates contemplated who they thought the winners would be. They eagerly, almost in giddy school girl fashion, awaited Jessica’s return to the microphone.

  Heather leaned close to Mandy. “It didn’t seem like it should take so long.”

  “I know. There were a list of names, and people simply put a tally mark for their vote,” she answered. Just because she had no desire to vote didn’t mean she hadn’t taken a peek at the candidates.

  Minutes passed before Jessica finally made her way to the DJ stand for the microphone. “Okay, everyone. The count is in. Remember the winners get a weekend getaway trip to Vegas.” Her small lips were unnaturally smaller, and her nose scrunched as if she’d bit into a lemon. “Our queen is Mandy Sanders, and the king is her date Dante Perez…though I have no idea how that happened because he’s not in our class.”

  Applause exploded around her. Did she hear correctly? Smiling faces
turned in their direction. Surprise and elation showed through Dante’s smile. She had no doubt the look on her face was more of the kid with her hand caught in the cookie jar.

  “Get up there!” Heather screamed at them. “You guys make an amazing couple.”

  Dante grabbed her hand and held it in the air. He seemed to relish in the moment. They made their way to the front for the crowning.

  “Congratulations,” Jessica said through gritted teeth. She dropped the crown on Mandy’s head.

  “Thanks.” Mandy grabbed it before the too big tiara slid down her face.

  Jessica gave Dante her best behavior as she gently placed the crown on him and turned to the awaiting audience. “Everyone, your king and queen.”

  Mandy managed a smile at Heather, who gave her the thumbs up sign in the midst of the claps and cheers. Surrealness swept over Mandy. How did the unpopular girl end up being the bell of the ball years later?

  Jessica waved a hand across her face, making the cut signal. In an instant, the room went silent.

  “Time for the king and queen to dance. DJ, play a slow song.” She tossed the microphone at him and stormed off.

  “Not the outcome she expected, huh?” Dante smiled and pulled Mandy to the dance floor.

  Letting out a breath, Mandy allowed herself to enjoy the moment. “I guess not.” She placed her head on his chest and permitted the dance she cut short earlier to commence. Her mind went back to the picture of them. They looked well matched for each other and happy.

  A crowd gathered around them. Claps and cheers proceeded as they took their moment.

  “You make the perfect couple,” David said, interrupting their time. “Congratulations, man.” He gave Dante a pat on the back.

  “Thanks,” Dante answered.

  Why couldn’t he leave well enough alone? Did he expect to be the one with her? The mood ruined, Mandy willed her way through the rest of the song. After the dance, she found the bar and waited on the boat to dock.

  Chapter Nine

  Mandy waved the key card in front of the door and shoved it open.

  “Are we going to talk about what’s bothering you?” Dante asked.

  “Why would something be bothering me?” She looked down at her arms and uncrossed them.

  “You seemed overly upset when that David guy commented on us. All he mentioned was us looking great together, and I couldn’t agree more.” He followed her into the sleeping area.

  She flopped down on the bed and kicked off her heels. “Because that guy was my ex. The ass who dumped me at prom. Unlike me, he’s living the picture perfect life with Jessica.”

  “What makes you think their life is so perfect?” He moved closer to her, sweeping away a loose curl which had fallen in her face.

  “Didn’t you see them together?” She resisted the urge to gag at the thought. “I deal with couples all the time, and they aren’t high on the list for needing therapy. I’m sure their sex life is just fine.”

  A throaty laughed escaped his lips. “Out of all the things you could come up with, you mention their sex life? ¿Estás celosa? Are you jealous?”

  Her mouth dropped a little. “No. Why would I be?”

  “I don’t know.” Dante leaned in a closer. His lips dangerously close to her earlobe. The warmth of his breath danced across her neck. “When’s the last time someone’s made love to you?”

  Words tried to form but were lost as his lips ran along the length of her neck. On reflex, her eyes closed. She took shallow breaths, allowing the tingling sensation to flow throughout her body. Her head fell back, sanctioning him to continue his expedition.

  “Responder a la pregunta. Answer the question,” he murmured. “You’re so ready. I know it’s been a while. Tell me.”

  “A year.” Her voice was barely over a whisper.

  His mouth moved from her neck to mere centimeters away from her lips. Opening her eyes, she found an azure gaze meeting hers. The change of color was hypnotic.

  “A sex doctor who isn’t having sex. How tragic.”

  His lips found hers, and she welcomed them. On instinct, her hands went to his hair. Oh, how she’d wondered how it would feel to run her fingers through his short soft curls. She grasped them between her fingers and pulled him closer.

  Their kiss deepening he leaned her back on the bed. His hands ran the length of her dress and worked their way back up, pushing the dress out the way. Dante’s hands warmed her thighs as they crossed her skin. On reflex, her body arched to him.

  Breaking off the kiss, he released the clasp and pulled the dress over her head. Her strapless bra and pink matching lace panties were on full display. Dante lowered himself to the floor and took her left leg in his hand. Starting with her big toe, he planted butterfly kisses, leaving a trail as he made his way up to her inner thigh. His nose grazed her crotch in a circular pattern.

  Mandy gripped the bed, fighting off the tingling sensation rushing over her body. Dante rose and removed his clothes. He wasn’t a big man, but the ridges of muscles were chiseled into his broad chest and flowed down to the ripples of his six pack.

  His boxers did little to hide his fully erect tan rod poking out from the slit. Her mouth watered at the sight. Visions of running her tongue along the rim of it danced in her mind. He lowered himself on her and grasped her breasts, fondling them with just the right amount of pressure. The nipples hardened to his touch when he ran his fingers across the tip before taking one in his mouth and suckling it.

  “Oh,” she moaned.

  “I’m only getting started. Estoy aquí para complacerte. I’m here to please you.” His breath was warm against her moistened nipple.

  Her body on fire, she wanted to feel him inside her. She reached out and grabbed his shaft. Making her hand in the shape of a cup, she stroked it up and down his rod. Her hands explored the soft yet firm roadmap of veins along the length. The size of it caused moisture to form between her legs. Spreading her thighs apart, she ran the head of him along the outside of her underwear. She applied pressured on her bud and worked the head of his shaft on her.

  “Mmm.”

  “Not yet.” He pulled away.

  Dante took his mouth in hers and worked her body up farther on the bed. He ran his tongue along the outer rim of her lips and then down her neck while one hand caressed her body. He moved his hand down her leg and pushed it up in a “V” angle. Then he worked to the outside of her underwear. His fingers danced along her labia, gliding from left to right while gently finding their way into her opening.

  Her juices spilled in her underwear, welcoming his touch. On instinct, her pelvis moved matching him. It was too much for her to take. The wait had been too long.

  “Dante, I need you.”

  “Paciencia, cariño. Have patience, darling. There’s no need to rush.” He flicked her clit. Slowly, his fingers moved across it. Switching out, he used his thumb. In a circular motion, he massaged her.

  “Oh God!” she cried.

  “That’s it. Let it go.”

  A tugging started at her inner core as he pressed his thumb on her clit. The buildup was the beginnings of an avalanche.

  “Oh shit.” Her womb tightened, her clitoris stiffened, and her eyes rolled to the back of her head. Faster and harder, his thumb moved. Convulsions of pleasure swept over her as she released, soaking her underwear.

  “I don’t think you’ll need these anymore.” He lifted her legs in the air, removed her drenched panties, and dropped them to the floor.

  His eyes lowered as he took in the sight of her Brazilian waxed pearl. Slightly embarrassed, she tried closing her legs.

  “No. I want to see you…all of you.”

  Hesitantly, she relaxed her leg, allowing Dante to view her.

  “You’re so wet. It’s glistening. I have to taste you.” His tongue found its mark. He licked from the bottom up to her swollen clit. Back and forth he went, repeating the action he’d taken with his hand. Using two fingers, he spread her labia apart
and stuck his tongue deep in her hot opening.

  Waves of emotion flowed through her body. Grabbing fists full of hair, she pushed him in deeper. “Yes. Oh yes!”

  Dante continued his clitoral assault while inserting his middle finger. In a come hither motion, he grazed it along the upper wall of her cervix. The sensation was overwhelming. He’d found her g-spot, something that had been so elusive in previous encounters she thought it was a myth.

  In a rocking motion, she pushed her hips down on him, grinding her body on his hand. Her walls pulsed, clinching his finger. Stronger and harder than the first, she came again. This time, she cried out, “Ohhh!” Her word echoed around the room.

  After pulling out his finger, Dante put it in his mouth and sucked it before ripping off his boxers. The curvature of his shaft pointing up at Mandy caught her off guard. It was much larger than what the boxers harbored.

  He bent down, picking up his pants, and pulled out a condom. Mandy couldn’t take her eyes off him. Thoughts of taking him in her mouth on his shaft appeared again as she watched him slide the condom on.

  Discarding the wrapper on the floor, he came to her. Body to body, they absorbed one another’s heat. Taking initiative, she brought her lips to his and opened her legs, granting him access. With gentle strokes, he maneuvered inside her until the head was in. Then, in one swift thrust, he pushed in the length. It was pain and pleasure.

  Dante held her by the back and took his time. Their bodies became one with each push. Never had she experienced such bliss. With her body already sensitive from the double orgasm, she relished in delight.

  “You feel amazing,” he murmured.

  Rolling them to the side, he lifted her leg and continued thrusting deep within her. Her body accepting his gift, she loosened up and found herself matching his strokes. In unison, they each pushed and pulled into heavenly wonder.