by Cheryl Faye
“I’ve already done that. I don’t want anyone else. I don’t need anyone else. She’s all the woman I need.”
“Didn’t you say she’s abstaining from sex?”
“Yes, but I’m cool with that. I don’t have a problem waiting until she’s my wife to make love with her.” He huffed. “I haven’t even kissed her, man. Not a real kiss.”
“What are you waiting for?” Julian asked.
“The right time. I don’t want her to have any misconceptions about my intentions. I want her to realize she’s more important to me that any physical gratification we could share. This is real, Dub. This so real for me.”
“I’m happy for you, Coop. I knew it would happen one day, I just wasn’t expecting it this soon,” Julian said with a chuckle.
“Neither was I, but I’m glad I realized how I could have messed this whole thing up before it was too late. I’d be miserable if I couldn’t be with her.”
“Are you going to tell her how you feel?”
“Yeah, but I’m going to wait until her birthday. I’m taking her on the World Yacht for dinner. I’m going to tell her everything then.”
CHAPTER 15
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY LOVE
Eagerly anticipating the night ahead, Stefàn was on his way to pick Charisse up for her birthday dinner an hour and a half after he’d left work Saturday evening. When he left his office, he stopped to buy the gift he’d seen earlier in the day, then rushed home to shower and change.
Deciding that tonight would be the night he would tell her the true extent of his feelings, he planned to leave nothing to chance. He wanted her to know his intentions, and if she allowed him, his kiss would give her a taste of forever.
It had been a struggle to suppress the urge up until now, especially after last weekend when he’d made dinner for her. His jambalaya had turned out perfect and Charisse had enjoyed it so much, she’d eaten two helpings and taken a container of it home. She had brought over a couple of DVDs so after dinner, they’d sat snuggled together and watched her favorite movie, You’ve Got Mail. He had never seen it before and wasn’t particularly interested in seeing it that night, but she wanted to watch it so he humored her. Surprisingly, it turned out to be a pretty good story and he was moved by Charisse’s tears when the movie came to a happy ending.
She was surprised when he drove her home late that night and asked what time she wanted him there the next morning for church. “I thought you were going to come with me for my birthday,” she’d said.
“I am, but I’d like to go with you tomorrow, too, unless you don’t want me to,” had been his reply.
The desire to take her in his arms and kiss her sweet lips peaked when she told him, “I would love for you to come with me tomorrow, Stefàn. That would really make my day.”
When she opened the door to his ringing at six thirty-five, her beauty stole his breath, solidifying his decision to truly make her his woman. Dressed in a sleeveless orange silk sheath that stopped just above her knee and contoured the lines of her hourglass figure, Charisse was a picture of sophisticated elegance.
“Hi, Stefàn,” she sweetly cooed with a bashful smile.
“Good evening, Charisse,” he reverently whispered. “You look amazing.”
Blushing, she replied, “Thank you.”
Her face was lightly made up with a hint of natural tones highlighting her eyes, cheeks and lips, and her short stylish haircut sweetly accentuated the lines of her comely face. When he noticed that she was wearing a pearl necklace and earrings he thought, perfect. Unable to refrain from perusing the complete canvass before him, he saw that her flawlessly pedicured feet were nestled in muted gold strappy sandals. She looked downright delicious to him.
Awestruck by her appearance like never before, Stefàn made no move to enter the house, although she held the door wide for his access. “You coming in?” she finally asked.
“Oh, yeah,” he said with a chuckle as he was brought back to the present and entered her home.
“You look very handsome,” she told him.
“Thank you,” he said with a warm smile.
As usual, whenever Stefàn put on a suit and tie, his clothing laid on his lean, athletic frame as if it had been tailored to his exact specifications. Tonight he sported a navy-on-navy striped three-button suit with a baby blue shirt. His silk jacquard tie and pocket square were the same hue as his shirt and his highly polished black shoes completed his GQ cover model look exquisitely.
“Have a seat. I need to get my top, then we can leave,” Charisse said as she turned to leave the room.
“Before you do that, I have something for you,” he told her as he reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and produced a long, slim velvet-covered case.
When he handed her the box, she asked, “What is this?”
“Open it.”
With trembling fingers, Charisse lifted the cover and gasped in shock. Looking up at him with wide eyes, she murmured, “Oh my goodness, Stefàn. This is beautiful.”
Taking a step to close the distance between them, he softly said, “Happy birthday, Risi.”
“Thank you!” Staring in amazement at the expensive bauble, Charisse sighed, “Why did you do this?”
“When I saw it, you immediately came to mind. I thought you might like it,” he tenderly stated.
“I love it,” she said as she gazed at him through watery eyes.
Inside the case was a double-strand cultured pearl necklace with a pearl and diamond encrusted clasp. As Charisse eyed the breathtaking adornment, her heart raced with the implications his gift signified. Is he trying to tell me something by buying me something so extravagant?
“Would you wear it tonight?” he asked.
“Of course,” she softly muttered.
“Turn around,” he directed.
Following his instruction, Charisse turned her back to him. Seconds later, she felt his fingers gently unfastening the clasp on her necklace. He lovingly reached around her, removed the necklace, and placed it in the opened box she still held. Removing his gift, he positioned it on her slender neck and secured it.
Standing behind her, Stefàn could smell the light citrusy scent he had come to identify with her and love. The urge to kiss her on the nape of her neck rose quickly in his chest, but he stifled his desire and gently turned her to face him.
A slow smile formed on his face as he appreciatively murmured, “Beautiful.”
The necklace felt warm against her skin but she wasn’t sure if the heat radiated from the stones or his gaze. Raising her hand to touch the stones, she nervously sighed, “Thank you.”
They stood for seconds that seemed to go on forever before Stefàn said, “We’d probably better get going.”
“Yes,” she said, snapping out of her trance. “I’ll be right back.”
When Charisse got to her bedroom, she went straight to her dresser mirror and stared in awe at the exquisite necklace. He had positioned it so the elegant clasp was visible from the front. “God, what do You have in store for me?” she whispered at her reflection. “You’ve got plans for me; let me know what they are, please?”
Knowing she didn’t have time to stand there questioning God’s purpose for her life or Stefàn’s role in it, Charisse stepped to her closet and retrieved the orange silk over-blouse of her dress. Donning it quickly, she checked her appearance in the full-length mirror near her closet and smiled. Snatching her gold clutch purse from atop her dresser, she headed back downstairs to her waiting escort.
The couple arrived at Pier 81 on the West Side Highway in New York City at seven-twenty. Charisse turned to him as he pulled into the parking lot for the World Yacht. Before she could utter a word, however, he asked, “You don’t get seasick, do you?”
“No,” she answered with a smile.
“I thought we might take a dinner cruise. Do a little dancing, enjoy the sights from the water,” he said, sounding almost insecure.
“That sounds wonderfu
l. I’ve always wanted to take this cruise,” she assured him.
“Well, I’m glad you’ll be experiencing it for the first time with me.”
“I am, too.”
Upon boarding, they were shown to a table in the main dining area. The World Yacht set sail promptly at eight p.m. Seated on the starboard side of the ship near a window, Charisse and Stefàn had an unobstructed view of the waterway and the New York City skyline.
A waiter came to take their dinner orders only moments after they were seated. Once they had placed their order for a bottle of Shiraz and had made their appetizer and main course selections, Stefàn turned his attention to Charisse. “Our food won’t be ready for a while. Why don’t we take a walk out on deck.”
“Okay.”
Rising, he stepped over and helped her from her chair. Taking her hand, he brought it to his lips and gently kissed it. “Sweet,” he simply murmured.
Although the sun had not yet set, it was beginning its downward slide past the horizon. A warm breeze rose off the water, serenely fanning the couple as they moved to the stern of the vessel and stood near the deck railing.
“Did I tell you my parents are having a backyard barbecue tomorrow in my honor?” Charisse asked.
“No, you didn’t. Sounds like it should be nice,” Stefàn commented.
“You’re going to come with me, right?”
“Would you like me to?
“Of course. That’ll give you a chance to meet my family. They’re all eager to meet you.”
“What have you told them about me?” he skeptically questioned.
“I haven’t really told them a lot. Myra’s volunteered information about you to my mother, but she doesn’t know you like I do, so there’s not a lot of factual information she can give them.”
“So, tell me something. What is it with Myra? I haven’t seen her since that time two weeks ago at your house after Marsha and Dre’s cookout, but she was pretty hostile toward me. You said she’s trying to look out for you and all, but her attitude was a bit intense.”
Charisse went on to explain a little about Myra’s upbringing and the reasons for her strong distrust of men, in general. She told Stefàn, “Don’t take it personal. It’s not really you.”
“I take it she doesn’t have a man?”
“No.”
“It’s no wonder with that attitude,” Stefàn said with a frown.
“She’s really not so bad. She’s more afraid of letting down her barriers than anything else. You have to get to know her,” Charisse said, defending her friend.
“Well, I guess that’ll happen with time.” Changing the subject quickly, he said, “Julian wanted me to invite you to church with him and his ex-wife tomorrow. I told him we were going to your church.”
“Oh, does he go to church regularly?” Charisse asked.
“Not really. He goes with Michele and L’il Jay from time to time, but not every Sunday.”
“Do they go in Teaneck?”
“Yeah. First Baptist. It’s the church they got married in.”
“Do they date?” Charisse questioned.
Stefàn chuckled. “I don’t know what’s up with them. I tell Dub all the time he and Michele should just get married again. They act like they’re married anyway. They do everything with their son together. They’re like this,” he said, holding up two fingers in close ranks with one another.
Charisse smiled. “Why’d they break up?”
Stefàn shook his head. “I don’t know. They were both young when they got married and really, they only did it because she was pregnant. He said they were never really in love but they’ve always gotten along great. I don’t know, Charisse. Julian and Michele are a mystery I can’t explain.”
“So, he’s not serious about that girl, Robin, huh?” she asked.
“No, but they’ve been hanging out for a while. She’s always been the sure bet if he wanted a date, but he’s never gotten serious with her. Robin’s like one of the guys.”
Charisse laughed and added, “Well, I’d like to go with Julian and Michele tomorrow.”
“You would?”
“Yes. They can come with us to the barbecue, too, if they want.”
Injected with a sudden warmth, Stefàn felt a surge of electricity in his heart at her thoughtful offer. As he gazed into her eyes, he felt his love for her swell to new proportions.
Charisse saw the intensity in his stare and shyly turned away to look off toward the horizon. “It’s such a beautiful night,” she softly uttered.
Not interested in viewing anything but her, he replied, “You told me orange was your favorite color but you didn’t tell me how amazing it looks on you.”
Charisse blushed. “You didn’t tell me you were such a romantic.”
“You inspire me, Charisse, in ways no woman ever has.”
“Why?”
“Well, let’s see. You’re as smart as you are beautiful, as adventurous as you are spiritual, as crazy as you are serious.” She frowned comically with this comparison but he continued. “And as sweet as maple syrup.”
“That’s all?” A mischievous smile played about her mouth.
Stefàn laughed out loud. “No, that’s not all. You, Miss Ellison, have caused me to look at myself and think about my life in a way I haven’t in a very long time. You make me see that—although I can’t really complain about the way my life’s been going—I’ve been missing something.”
“What do you think that is?” she asked, seriously wanting to know.
Stefàn was slow to answer. Under his intense scrutinization, Charisse felt her body temperature begin to rise before he softly stated, “You.”
Charisse didn’t know how to respond verbally, but the power of that one word had her already rapidly beating heart, skipping.
Moving closer to bridge the tiny gap between them, Stefàn whispered, “May I kiss you?”
Looking up into his eyes, she smiled. “I was wondering when you were going to get around to that.”
His own smile lit his face. “I promise not to keep you waiting any longer.”
Placing his hand under her chin, he gently raised her head and slowly lowered his until their mouths came together. Although already in four-inch heels, Charisse went up on her toes to afford him an easier time of reaching her eager lips. Fireworks exploded in her brain the instant their oral connection was made for his kiss was as sweet as honey. Pulling her closer until she was wrapped in his tender embrace, she felt him push his warm tongue into her mouth, devouring her completely, urgently, leaving no misconception about his yearning for her. Stefàn’s kiss, though gentle, was voracious and filled with passion; a raging inferno inside of him that burned for no one but Charisse. Her arms went around him and before she could even think about it, she was holding him as if her life depended on it. The feel of his strong, hard body pressed against hers set embers burning within her.
Seconds later, Stefàn reluctantly pulled his head back, but kept his arms securely around her. Charisse’s eyes were still closed, her lips slightly parted as though awaiting the continuation of their shared intimacy. When her lids slowly opened, he could see the mirror of his feelings in them.
The transformation from mere friends to soul-mates was now complete.
“Do you understand now why I waited so long to do that?” he gently asked.
“Yes,” she breathlessly replied. She still hadn’t recovered from his heady kiss.
“Do you believe in love at first sight, Charisse?”
“I do now,” she sighed.
“Can you feel how my heart beats for you?” he warmly murmured.
“Yes.”
“I love you, Charisse. I love everything about you. Will you let me show you?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not the type of man you probably pictured yourself with, but…I need you to know I will do whatever it takes to prove to you I’m sincere. I feel like, in you, I’ve met the woman I’m supposed to spend the rest of
my life with. No, that’s not right. I know I have. I want to marry you, Charisse.”
Her eyes widened in surprise at his declaration.
Before she could respond, he continued, “We’ve only known each other for three weeks, and you probably think I’m putting the cart before the horse, but I know what I feel and I’ve never felt this way before.”
“I’ve never felt this way either, and that’s what scares me about you sometimes,” she admitted.
“Don’t be afraid of me or of what you feel. I won’t hurt you. I just want to love you.”
“I want to be loved by you,” she softly murmured. Returning her heels to the deck floor, Charisse rested her head against his beating heart. In a voice tinged with sadness, she whispered, “I knew it would be hard.”
Stefàn instinctively knew what she was referring to. His own desire for her flared red hot in his loins. If she hadn’t already told him about her vow of abstinence, he would otherwise try to convince her to spend the night with him. But he loved and respected her far too much to ever try to sway her from her moral convictions simply to appease his own selfish nature— regardless of how recently she may have adopted them.
Again placing his hand under her chin, he raised her head and said, “Charisse, I’m not going to make it hard for you to sustain your promise. There is so much more that I love about you than what we could share physically,” he said and lightly brushed his lips across hers. “I don’t have a problem waiting until we’re married, because we will be married and when I make love to you, it will be forever.”
“Do you really want us to get married?” she asked.
“Absolutely. If you’ll have me.”
She felt tears coming to her eyes. “I will. I mean, I do. I mean, I want to be your wife.”
Their lips came together again, though briefly. “I love you, Stefàn,” she breathed.
“And I, you, Charisse.” Placing a tender kiss on her forehead, he reluctantly released her.