For Lovers Only

  The women in the crowd seemed to ask a million questions related to communication. A couple of women commented about their personal experiences and shared relationship horror stories. The majority of the crowd asked questions about true love and intimacy. One woman was about to classify herself in the desperately-seeking-a-man category and asked about finding a mate. The discussion went on for about twenty minutes or so, and then Erin raised her hand and was instantly acknowledged.

  She said, “You haven’t mentioned anything related to my question, but I’m sure it’s covered somewhere in your book. How soon is too soon to sleep with a man?”

  Joel’s eyes widened and he looked at Erin with this why-would-you-ask-that-question-in-front-of-all-these-people expression.

  Dr. Rudolph smiled and said, “Oh, I see somebody might be getting lucky tonight.”

  Everybody looked at Joel and started laughing. He laughed too, but looked kind of embarrassed.

  Dr. Rudolph said, “There is a chapter in the book on when it’s appropriate to have sex for the first time. I love that question and that’s why I titled the book, Do Your Thing Girl. So, go ’head and do your thing, girl.” The audience laughed again. “I’m just kidding. Knowing when to sleep with a man for the first time is an individual thing. Only you can decide when it’s right to have sex for the first time. We’re all different ... because of customs, traditions and religions ... just to name a few variables. In the old days—that means the 1960s and before—back then the majority of women waited months, or in some cases until marriage, to sleep with a man. Nowadays marriage isn’t so popular and women are jumping right into bed on the first date.” Erin looked embarrassed now. “I’m speaking generally, of course. If that’s your preference, then fine. However, most relationships that begin that way are instantly placed in jeopardy of failing. The faster a woman gives it up, the less likely the guy is to stick around or to value their relationship. Keep in mind that there is always that rare exception. I know of a wonderful couple that slept together on their first date and recently celebrated their forty-fifth wedding anniversary.” The crowd oohed and aahed. Dr. Rudolph continued, “My parents hate when I tell that story because they don’t think everybody needs to know their business.” The crowd burst out laughing again. Some of the slower people were still looking around asking, “What? What? What did she say?”

  Dr. Rudolph mentioned what she called a woman’s golden numbers, her age and the number of men she had slept with in her lifetime. “Ideally the number of men a woman has slept with should never exceed her age. Giving up the goodies on the first date tends to throw your numbers off quite a bit, considering that the average single woman between the ages of eighteen to twenty-five goes on three to four first dates per year. Every time a woman sleeps with a man she is giving away a part of herself. That’s why we find so many young women who are burned out and have nothing else to give before they’re even thirty. I want to share something with you briefly, just to give you an example of the future of sex and relationships in our community. I met a little girl at one of my teen talks and her golden numbers were 13-13. Believe it or not, she was proud of her numbers. She looked at me and asked why should she care about the number of boys or men she sleeps with as long as she doesn’t become pregnant or contract HIV. To me that was extremely sad, because the odds are stacked against her and she hasn’t even reached high school.” Dr. Rudolph paused for a few seconds and sipped from her bottled water. “Before any woman sleeps with a man she should get to know him. I mean, get to know him beyond his name, address, astrological sign, favorite TV show, shoe size and so on. Before getting intimate with a man, she should ask whether there is any history of sexually transmitted diseases. Of course she won’t get the truth, but that’s why we always use condoms, right ladies?” The women in the crowd all agreed in perfect harmony. “Also determine whether or not he is possibly the jealous, possessive or controlling type ... this cuts down dramatically on the likelihood of him being a stalker. Make sure he doesn’t overreact or is quick tempered. Ask about his parents and siblings to see if there is any family history of violence or abuse. Feel free to ask the following questions: Does he have a criminal record? Does he have a history of verbal or physical abuse against previous girlfriends or other women? How does he handle stress? Even ask yourself questions: Do you feel comfortable around him, or are you walking on eggshells because you’re afraid of him? Does he have weapons like guns, knives, or brass knuckles?” A few people in the crowd laughed. “I heard some laughs, but if a man is constantly displaying weapons, that’s a hint that he doesn’t have a problem using them ... on you even. If a woman can’t answer at least ninety percent of these questions, then it’s too soon to sleep with a man.”

  Everyone really seemed to be impressed with Dr. Rudolph’s advice, and how well she was able to simplify everything. Erin and Joel hung around the bookstore for at least another hour listening to her. As she continued giving relationship advice Erin felt more and more convinced that Joel was the ideal man for her. She momentarily shifted the idea of the threesome to the back of her mind. When the discussion ended Erin bought a signed copy of Dr. Rudolph’s book.

  After leaving the bookstore, Erin and Joel walked along the waterfront holding hands. Erin took a brief moment to call Kenya and check up on her. Kenya was surprised and excited to hear from Erin. They kept their conversation brief and pretty basic. There wasn’t any mention of their sexy conversation or talk of a threesome. Kenya’s anxiety level seemed to be well-controlled compared to the night before. She said hi to Joel, reminded them she’d be home soon, and that ended their conversation.

  As the day wore on into evening, the temperature had become a little more bearable. Erin and Joel decided to rent a paddleboat. They paddled their way out into the middle of the harbor, and then near the piers to get a better look at some of the sailboats, powerboats and yachts. From the water they watched a couple of street performers sing and play their guitars for money.

  Erin said, “Even though we’re not on a yacht, I think this is really nice ... very calming and romantic. Being out on the water like this and seeing this city from an entirely different perspective makes me appreciate it more.”

  “Well, you know going aboard a yacht would probably give you an even better perspective. If you want, I can make that happen too. I know this little boat pales in comparison.”

  “I’m not concerned about the boat. This is about you and the way you make me feel.”

  Joel smiled and said, “Watch out, you’re starting to scare me. I wish you could see the look in your eyes.”

  “What? How do they look?”

  “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

  “Tell me. What do you see?”

  “You’ve got the look of love.”

  Erin blushed and said, “Is it that obvious?”

  “Yeah, but don’t worry, I like it.”

  “I really like you, Joel. Oh my God, you make me feel so good. I can’t remember when I laughed and smiled so much. Thank you.”

  “You don’t have to thank me. You give me the same feeling.”

  “This feels so right. Initially it scared me, because we seemed to be moving at light speed. Now I realize that maybe this is the proper pace for us.”

  “What made you realize that?”

  “This date. You’re really patient. Look at all of the things we’ve done so far today and there’s no telling what we’ll do tonight. I’ve been comparing you to every guy I’ve seen today and you’re without a doubt the best thing I’ve seen. You have a sexy coolness about you that drives me crazy and makes me appreciate the simple things in life. This is the best date I’ve ever had.”

  “I have to agree with you. This has really been a nice date.”

  “Dr. Rudolph said that we should never seek validation from a man because it starts within. But you validate me and make me feel whole.”

  Joel smiled. “Wow, I never had anyone tell me anything like tha
t before. I don’t even know what to say. That’s a major compliment and I appreciate it.”

  “There’s something else that I wanna share with you.”

  Joel continued to smile. “Go ahead, I’m listening.”

  “I was hiding or trying to deny my feelings. Hearing those other women talk about their relationship horror stories, and hearing a professional basically describe you when she mentioned the essential traits of an ideal mate—you’re intelligent, sexy, sensual, creative, willing to listen and express your feelings—I was sitting there thinking, what more could I ask for? That sounds so much like Joel. I’m not used to a drama-free man who is willing to make himself so available so fast. You seem to have your priorities in order, and you made me feel something special last night. It went beyond a sexual feeling. We’re developing a bond that comes from true intimacy, not just sex. I swear I could feel your spirit inside of me. We bonded physically, emotionally and now I have a strong sense of wanting to commit to you.”

  Joel was speechless, because Erin said exactly what he wanted and needed to hear. He didn’t say a word, he just leaned in and gave Erin a long, passionate kiss that expressed every joyous and heartfelt word he wanted to say.

  Part Two

  Try Tri-Love

  Chapter 17

  Joel felt more certain than ever that he and Erin could have a successful relationship. They had been together for almost a week and had hardly spent more than an hour at a time apart. At first they spent the majority of their time relaxing at Joel’s apartment, but Erin’s place required some minor finishing touches before Kenya arrived on Friday. During the first part of the week Erin and Joel painted a few walls and hung paintings. By the time Wednesday rolled around, Erin had her apartment in the best shape possible. She felt more comfortable with her place and invited Joel over for some rest and relaxation. What that really meant was she wanted him to come over to help break in her new bed. Wednesday was so much fun that she invited him over for dinner and a candlelight bubble bath on Thursday.

  Shimmering golden candlelight illuminated Erin’s bathroom as she and Joel soaked in soothing hot bathwater topped with loads of long-lasting bubbles. They sipped chilled champagne while Miles Davis blew his trumpet in the background to a tempo that was just as soothing as the scented aloe-and-citrus bubble bath. Erin added a few squirts of baby oil to give the water a more pleasing texture and consistency.

  Erin lay at one end of the tub and Joel lay at the other end with the faucet right by the side of his face. They repositioned themselves, because he looked uncomfortable and they both needed to feel more body contact. Joel moved to the opposite end of the tub and Erin sat between his legs. She lay back comfortably against his hard muscular body.

  The water made their bodies feel silky smooth and irresistible to the touch. That moment was all about stimulating, touching, and kissing. Erin wrapped Joel’s legs around her and massaged his sculpted calf and thigh muscles. She arched her back, reached above and behind with both hands to massage Joel’s neck. At first his hands roamed, until he felt Erin’s erect eraser-sized nipples. He squeezed her breasts with his strong hands and pinched her nipples ever so gently. His hands moved in slow motion up and down Erin’s abdomen and then back to her excited breasts. He was tempted to explore the pleasure in her valley. His hands moved downward and massaged Erin’s inner thighs with an intense rhythmic motion.

  Joel zoned out for a moment and became the slipping-sliding motion of his hands. Erin got lost in the pleasing sensations he created. She couldn’t wait to feel the silky smoothness of his hands in and around her vagina. He sensed the anticipation building, because Erin began to shift her body in hopes of making the slightest amount of contact in her erogenous zone with at least one of Joel’s fingers. He eventually gave in and allowed two of his fingers to graze Erin’s clitoris. He understood her body in ways that no one else did. Joel knew exactly how much Erin yearned to feel the stimulating touch of both of his hands. Minute by minute, he increased the pleasure by using more fingers and applying alternating pressures down there.

  Erin said, “Oh my God. That’s it ... just like that.”

  Joel teased and asked, “Like that?”

  In an airy tone Erin said, “Oh yeah ... just like that. Please don’t stop. That feels so good.”

  Joel was incredibly turned on by Erin’s arousal and loved the way she reacted to his touch. He played with her clitoris with one hand and traced her vaginal opening with the other. Her body signaled that it was time to be penetrated. He provided the perfect external pleasure and gradually introduced the internal stimulation she desired. Erin could feel Joel’s fingers as they explored and zeroed right in on her G-spot.

  She arched her back even more and said, “That’s it ... right there ... my spot!”

  Erin’s body shuddered. Joel kissed and sucked the back and sides of Erin’s neck. She became overwhelmed with pleasure. Joel was so excited that he came.

  Erin’s insides tightened, quivered and then tightened again. She moaned loudly. After that came a round of additional body spasms and a lot of heavy breathing. Minutes later Erin and Joel made their way to her bed.

  Early Friday morning Erin rose with the sun. She looked and felt beautiful. Getting up early was all about making sure everything was in order for Kenya’s arrival later that evening. Joel was awakened by the sounds of dresser drawers opening and closing, along with Erin’s sporadic movements at the foot of the bed. He opened his eyes and saw her bent over at the foot of the bed wearing a tangerine-colored bra and panty set. He realized that she was putting clothes away and folding towels and linen.

  Erin stood up to fold a towel and noticed that Joel was awake. She smiled and said, “Good morning. Sorry to wake you so early.”

  Joel yawned and then returned a smile. “Good morning. It’s okay. I don’t need all this sleep anyway. I don’t wanna become lazy.”

  “That’s good to hear. Neither do I. That’s one reason I decided to get out of bed so early. You wanna head over to the New Town Diner for breakfast?”

  “Yeah, that sounds good.” Joel gave Erin a sexy gaze and said, “C’mere.”

  Erin blushed and walked toward Joel. When she got close enough he kissed her on the lips.

  Joel said, “You look so sexy in your underwear.”

  “And you look sexy in my bed, wearing nothing but that smile.”

  Joel slapped Erin on the butt and said, “Damn, I love that bounce.”

  “If you keep reminding me of how much I’m bouncing, wiggling and jiggling back there you’re gonna make me feel fat.”

  “Shoot, there’s nothing wrong with being fat as long as it’s distributed in all of the right places.”

  “Is it distributed in the right places now?”

  “Yes. God, yes. It couldn’t be better.”

  “You’re crazy. Let’s see what you think of Kenya when you see her later. She’s got some junk in her trunk, too.”

  “I ain’t thinking about the junk or her trunk. All I see is you. Why are you always promoting Kenya?”

  Erin shrugged. “I dunno. She’s attractive and she’s going to be around us a lot. I just want you to know that I’m very secure with our situation. You’re a man and it’s okay if you look or let your imagination run wild.”

  Joel laughed and said, “You are so funny. You don’t have to prepare yourself for me to start gawking at your buddy. I have a lot of self-control. And you’re right, I am a man with a wild and overactive imagination. The only thing that would mess me up is if you and Kenya were bouncing around in front of me wearing matching underwear.”

  Erin displayed a mischievous grin. “We might have to do that for you.”

  Joel didn’t take Erin seriously at all. He dismissed whatever she said because he thought this was her little way of feeling him out, to see whether or not she could trust him around Kenya. “Uh-huh. I’ll believe it when I see it.” He shook his head and said, “You’re crazy. What else is on your mind?” />
  “Ah, let me see.” She paused as her mind moved away from the sublime and got back to the normalcy of everyday life. “Do you mind if we make a quick stop by Wal-Mart after breakfast?”

  Joel laughed. “That’s fine with me, but you know good and well that there’s no such thing as a quick stop by Wal-Mart. You’ll go up in there with one or two things in mind and come out with over twenty items, half of which you didn’t really need at all.”

  Erin laughed and said, “That’s not true. All I need are some cleaning supplies and maybe some new bath towels.”

  “Yeah right, we’ll see. I can see the list growing in your mind right now.”

  Erin and Joel enjoyed a delicious breakfast of French toast, home fries, chicken sausage and orange juice at the New Town Diner. Afterward they headed to Wal-Mart. Just as Joel had predicted, Erin had a shopping cart full of items for every room in her and Kenya’s apartment. Being in a family store like Wal-Mart and seeing young couples with their children made Joel think. He saw a woman pushing a little girl in a shopping cart who was the spitting image of her mother. Seeing them, he imagined having a little girl who looked just like Erin. A few minutes later he saw a little boy with his father, picking out a baseball bat and glove. That made him think about his father, and how much he wished they could have spent quality time together like that. Joel’s mind began to drift. He thought of his future and at the same time missed his past.

  Out of nowhere he asked, “You wanna meet my parents today? I think it’d be a good idea for them to meet the woman I plan on marrying one day.”

  Erin was stunned, because she had no idea where Joel’s mind was. He had a habit of just blurting out his random thoughts, and Erin hadn’t quite gotten used to it yet.

  She said, “I’d love to meet your parents, but not today. I want to make a good impression so I need a little more time to prepare.”