"Must be from Milwaukee..." One of them whispered.
"Or Chicago... yeah... that looks like something out of Chicago... whoooeee! I ain't never seen no dress like that before." The man behind the counter said low to the others.
"Didn't know they made'em quite that way... them dresses..." One muttered swallowing the moisture in his mouth.
The man at the door was pushed in by two who wanted to come in and see as well. All white... all staring in disbelief.
Vivian pretended not to notice as she strolled slowly along the candy and gum aisle, she wasn't sure how many stood with their eyes locked on her, but there was enough. She loved her red dress. Loved the way it fit her and then turned dead center of the aisle so they could see the back. From the choke ban of the dress around her neck down her back, was bare skin to see. The back was scooped out all the way down to just the top of her rear, barely an inch before the crack of her rump. The opening was also wide to the sides of her tiny waist. Leaving all that smooth, stunning, black skin of her back open. As the rest of her, she had a tone, well sculpted back; the kind that provoked a touch from a man's hand. Fully aware that her back, was just as sexy as the rest of her, Vivian flaunted it, she paused deliberately in thought, then turned to look at the man behind the counter.
"Excuse me... but... there are no tic-tac mints here? Do you carry those?"
"Um um um, ri - right here - at - at this counter!" The store worker answered.
"They're here! They're here - right by me ma'am!" One of the men in line stated, swallowing he moved aside so she could see them.
Vivian smiled, showing sparkling, straight white teeth. She was a knock out, wearing red lipstick that seemed to be made just for her; her large, amazing light brown eyes, close to gold, smiled back at those speaking up to assist her.
"Oh ... okay... thank you. A couple of packs of gum..." She murmured, picking up two packs she made her way to the front of the store to get her tic-tacs. "Excuse me, I just want a couple of packs and move to the back of the line." She informed them, smiling all the time, stepping between two of the men and reached by them, arching her back, angled her legs, balancing enough to show an incredible side angle of her slender body and amazing derriere. The imagination of every man standing, wondered what delights were hidden within that red dress, beautiful delights they were sure, if her back and legs were anything to go by.
Jake's eyes travelled down her body to her legs, shapely, slender legs that worked with that dress, and then back up slowly, he shook his head thinking, 'God help the man she belongs to... he's a damn fool for letting her out with that red dress on.'
She stood straight again to turn and walk to the end of the line, behind him andspotted him.
He looked straight into her eyes - she was absolutely stunning. He'd never seen a woman so black and so beautiful. She was head to toe perfection. Jake looked from her face, straight to her left hand. No ring. 'Ah hell! Don't do it Jake! You know that's nothing but trouble! That ain't nothing but a devil with a red dress on! You can kiss a peaceful life goodbye if you even consider it! Although... it can't hurt to play with it a bit... imagine that red dress on the floor, and what's inside lying in your bed? Oh yeah... now that... that would be worth passing a few hours in the night... Em hm.'
"Here ma'am, young lady... you can go before me!" The man invited whom Vivian stood before. With a catch in her throat, caught there by the sight of the tall man she'd locked eyes with she realized she was blowing her game. Glad for the distraction, Vivian smiled and turned to the one standing before her.
"Oh thank you... I am in a bit of a hurry. You sure you don't mind?" She responded appreciatively, using her banking voice. Polite, soft and lady like.
"Not at all, go right ahead." He wanted that back turned to him, to see her skin close up.
"Thank you so much," To the one waiting for her to turn. Turning, she offered money for her items, "Here you go." She smiled at the man behind the counter as he hurried and finished the order before her, closing the drawer and ringing up her gum and mints. He took her money and then asked, "You not from around here are you?"
"No, I'm not." She answered simply.
"Aaah, further South?" He asked again.
"Yep." She replied again with an engaging smile, accepting her change. "Thank you." She repeated, heading for the door.
"You have a nice day now... come again!" He called.
Vivian waved with her fingers and made her way out the door. Jake couldn't help but think the movement of her ass looked like a baby chewing a taffy - a nice ass at that.
Everyone of the men standing there were craning their necks to get one last look at her back. When she was out of sight, with the door closed, all starting talking at once. "You see that red dress!?" One asked.
"You should have seen her from outside walking in! Holy mackerel!" Another one spoke up.
"She must be black as jet!" The man behind the counter said.
"Something like that'll tempt any man!" The one who let her go before him said.
"I've never been with one... but lord... that one will make you consider it!" Another commented.
Jake stood silent wondering where she came from. Running through his mind was all the persons he knew in the area. Having lived there all of his life, he knew just about everyone.
"Look at Jake - look at Jake!" One of the men said noticing his thoughtful contemplation. They all knew him, knew the McPherson clan. More than anything, they knew Jake and his reputation with the women.
"So... what you think Jake?" One asked, they all stood watching him, waiting for him to answer.
"I think I got too much to do to stand here waiting in line. Can I pay and get going please?" He answered instead. He never shared his thoughts or business with anyone. He had no best friends that he shared anything with. Most of the time if he needed to talk about something, it was to Kathy Ann... she was his confidante. Most men didn't really want him for a best friend anyway, especially if they were married or serious about their girl. Jake knew that many of them didn't trust him, that was fine with him, they would be stupid to.
Vivian climbed into the van shaking. "Oh shit. Oh my God."
"What?" Sheila asked.
"Oh shit."
"What?" Edwina asked leaning forward in her seat.
"Oh my God, oh my God, oh shit." She repeated for the third time.
All three shouted, "WHAT?!!"
"Oh shit - I can't breathe!"
"Would you tell us what the hell is going on?!" Sheila demanded.
"Oh shit I gotta calm down!" Vivian sat back with her hands shaking, trying to control her breathing.
"Gurl you better share some shit! What!? What what what?!" Ellen demanded.
"I just saw, the finest thing I have ever seen in my whole goddamn life!" Vivian gasped.
"Where?" Edwina asked.
"Where the hell you think!?" Sheila turned in her seat to ask.
"Is he white? Is he as fine as Sylvia's?"
"Oh hell yeah! Gurl... oh my god! I almost lost my game! You know ain't no man ever tripped up my shit! But his ass almost made me stumble! Oh, what am I gonna do?! What if I never see him again?!"
"You ain't gone see him again, because we going to the reception! You should have got his number!" Sheila announced about to back out.
"How the hell would that look?! I don't ask for numbers! They ask for mine! Wait Sheila... I gotta see him one more time! Wait till he come out!"
"Hell wit' that! We got to go!"
"Come on Sheila wait! I wanna see his ass too! I wanna see if he look better than Sylvia's." Ellen pleaded.
"It don't matter what he look like! She didn't get his number, and he didn't give up his! I'm out'ah here!"
"Sheila please... just wait one more minute." Vivian asked, just as she did, Jake exited the store.
"There he is." She gasped, "Get the map out, get the map out... pretend we looking over a map."
"It's in the glove in front of you
fool! Get it!" Sheila ordered eyeing him.
Vivian quickly snatched open the glove compartment and yanked out the map, unfolding it and looking down so he wouldn't see her looking, he was walking right past the front of the van.
Jake looked to the right and spotted the van filled with women. All black. In the front passenger side seat was the lady with the red dress on, looking down at something in her lap. She lifted a large paper and Jake recognized it as a map. That made sense, so they were from out of town. He was tempted to stop and ask if they needed any help, but something told him not to do it. He knew how he was when it came to women. He would flirt... especially with that red dress. Next thing, he'd be getting her number. They'd end up in bed, and his life would end up taking him on a journey he should be avoiding. Although... he was mighty tempted. The one driving nodded at him smiling, he nodded back, smiling as well, making his way to his truck parked at the end of the walk. Opening the door of his '98 Chevrolet Silverado, taking his cowboy hat from his head, he placed it on the seat and climbed in. Starting it up, he backed up and pulled out of the Kwik Trip parking lot.
"Is he gone?" Vivian asked looking at the upside down map.
"HIS - ASS - WAS - FOI - INE!!! Oh my goodness! You see his tall ass!? Wearing goddamn cowboy boots, two inch heels if he ain't tall enough!" Edwina blasted excited.
"You see his ass in them jeans?! His hair too long though, I'on like no long hair on no man!"
"What the hell you worryin' 'bout it for, you got a man!" Sheila asked.
"Is he gone?!" Vivian asked again.
"YEAH!" All three yelled.
"Gurl you can forget that one. That's long gone now! Yo'ass should'ah got his number." Sheila put the van in reverse. "Oh well, better luck next time!"
* * *
Sylvia had been right. The marriage vows, the putting on the rings, the signing of the marriage certificate and license had changed him. It changed her as well. They were deeper in love. Couldn't stop touching each other. Could not resist looking into each others eyes. Strange how making their partnership official could have such a mental impact. To know that she was now his wife, Sylvia McPherson was riveting. Something about taking on and carrying his name, and standing before man, reverend and God and declaring the remaining of her life to him gripped her in a way that could not be defined with words. She kept thinking back to when she married Armundo - it had not been like this. It had not felt this way. Breathless, heady, intoxicating and dreamlike. A dream... that's what it was. An incredible dream. She touched him at every opportunity that she could, she laid her hands on him. Caressing him, holding his hand, looking into his eyes, eagerly accepting his sudden need to kiss her. Her heart had been beating in an up tempo since they turned in the church as husband and wife. Now they pulled into the parking lot at the hall, with Derrick's van, Paul & Diane's car, Dj's car, his friend's car, from school, Crystal driving the truck with Angela and Sasha riding with her, and Shawn's parents bringing up the rear. Mundo had gotten a ride with Shanna so he could set up his dj table and equipment that had been dropped off earlier before going to the church. All the vehicles sounded their horns through town, taking the long route to the hall. The SUV was decorated with streamers, flowers, tin cans galore and a huge just married sign on the back.
Shawn pulled in and parked; cutting the engine he turned to look at his wife beside him.
"You love me?" He asked grinning.
"Too much!" She responded immediately grinning.
"How much is that?!" He asked.
"That - much!" She answered giggling stretching her arms wide as she could get them.
"That's all!? That's not much!" He complained good naturedly.
"That's - what you mean man? That's as far as I can stretch'em - I can't stretch'em no more!" She laughed.
"Hold'em right there... don't move'em!" He ordered laughing, jumping out of his side of the SUV as everyone pulled in, parking. Running to her side of the SUV he opened the door, she turned laughing with her arms still stretched out as he ordered. He reached in and scooped her up, pulling her out into his arms.
"SHAWN!!!" She squealed laughing.
"Now wrap them arms around me baby!" He ordered hauling her up high in his arms. Sylvia was on top of the world, laughing as she wrapped her arms around him. "You love me?" He asked again, breathless and proud, kicking the SUV door closed and walked towards the hall with her high against his chest. "So much, I'm gonna burst from it!"
"Kiss me!" He ordered.
"I can't, you're walking, you gotta see where you're going." She giggled.
He stopped right in the middle of the parking lot with her in his arms, "Kiss me now." He ordered.
She complied to the cheer of everyone standing outside watching, camera's snapping photo's from every direction.
Shawn growled as he kissed her back totally uninhibited, practically having sex with her mouth using his tongue.
"Holy mackerel! You guys gonna make it through the reception!?" Derrick asked laughing, watching his brother's tongue and mouth devour his wife's mouth. Diane gulped and looked away, her heart beating fast in her chest. It was turning her on to see him in action, only problem she felt was that he was holding the wrong woman in his arms.
They were both breathing hard by the time they ended the kiss, for good reason. Shawn could feel himself growing hard, he thanked gooness Sylvia's long gown hid the evidence.
Angela and Sasha stood with their mouths wide open having witnessed the kiss, then turned to each other, covered their mouths and giggled.
"Shall we go inside?" Shawn asked with his heart hammering.
"I think we better... ou..." Sylvia gasped trying to catch her breath, holding onto him, one arm around his shoulders, the other at his chest, their foreheads meeting.
"I am so much - in love with you... don't ever forget that." He breathed taking steps again heading for the door of the hall. Derrick and Paul ran before him, opening both doors wide so he could walk right in with Sylvia and did. Inside, all the guest that were there already and waiting for them started clapping and taking pictures. The photographer took amazing shots of them walking thru the doors; husband carrying his wife, not in any hurry to lower her to the floor. He walked through the bar area and then through a second set of double doors into the main hall where the tables, food and everything else was set up and waiting for them. Dead center he stopped and turned to everyone, "In case anyone cares to know... I GOT MARRIED TODAY... MEET THE WIFE!!!" She shouted out laughing, giving her a little toss up, making Sylvia laugh and squeal. Hyped, everyone starting whistling, cheering him on.
"I know it was short notice,..." He started saying, they quieted down to hear him. "...but it brings us joy that all present, made it here anyway, and for that... my wife and I thank you! This is the happiest day of our life... isn't it baby?" He turned to her asking.
Sylvia was too choked up to speak, so nodded.
"And... I just want you all to ... have a good time, enjoy yourselves and if you will... I ask that you please excuse me, because I need to dance with my wife right now before anything else is done." Shawn turned toward the stage where Mundo was already set up, he nodded his head and the music started playing, 'Wildflower, by Skylark'.
Sylvia gasped, her breath lodged in her chest as her husband slowly lowered her feet to the floor, looking into her eyes he said, "I have always loved this song, from years and years ago... always wondering, what kind of woman inspired them to such lyrics.. now I know... now I know." He whispered pulling her into his arms as they ignored everyone else and began swaying to the music. Shawn stepping softly in time to the beat, leading her as they wrapped their arms around each other and danced. Sylvia felt weak and mesmerized.
"Excuse me, but... aren't they suppose to have the dinner first... then after cutting the cake... they dance?" David whispered to Jessica, who, feeling mushy inside ordered, "Shut up David."
Chapter 74
In L. A...
Deidre stepped
from her shower, drying off, looking at the clock. She had plenty of time. Wrapping her hair in a towel, she lotioned her body, then wrapped a towel around herself and walked from her bathroom through the apartment to her kitchen area and started her water kettle. The phone rang. She smiled, thinking it Terra.
"Hello?"
"Hi... its ummm, me... Jeremiah. I uh - hope you don't mind me calling."
She was pleasantly surprised.
"Not at all."
"Have you time to talk?"
"Sure... a bit."
"I was thinking about you that's all. It's a Friday, and well... I figured hey - maybe we could - maybe... get together or something if you wanted to." Jeremiah spoke soft, coaxing and sexy.
Deidre smiled.
"It does sound tempting, however... I have a previous engagement that I'll be going to."
"I see... well - can't blame a man for trying."
"No... you can't..." Deidre chewed on her lip tempted to invite him along to the awards ceremony, she fought back the sensation - not wanting to encourage anything right now. She needed more time.
"So... this previous engagement... another man?"
She chuckled softly into the phone, taking down a cup from the hook, then grabbed a tea bag from the canister of them, dropping it into her cup. "No... not a man... just a friend. She's a chef, tonight there's a big awards ceremony for restaurant owners and chef's... she's one of the nominees. I'm going to lend her my support."
"Ah... I see. Going alone?"
Deidre laughed as she poured the hot water in the cup. "Yes... I am."
"Surely there's a better way than going alone... I mean... all by yourself." He grinned, she could tell that he was grinning.
"For the time being, there's no other way."
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