He dug in his pocket and pulled out a stack of bills. He handed her a twenty-dollar bill.
“Ten for you and ten for Zack.”
Madison took the money and she and Zack ran away from the car and Desiree grabbed a napkin to wipe her mouth. Ramón frowned.
“Awww I was hoping I could wipe that for you.”
He leaned in closer.
“With my lips of course I bet that sandwich tastes even better mixed with your lips.”
She felt a flirty giggle escape before she could stop it. She took another sip of her California drink and wiped her mouth again with the napkin. Ramón looked at her and knew this was what he wanted. Being with her and the kids felt like a family to him and he needed to keep that feeling. She opened her door and stepped out the car. Ramón walked over to her and they walked into the bowling alley together.
“I loved that California it was really good.”
“Glad you like it. It’s just grape juice; lemon juice and Canada dry but they mix it with something else reveal that to you it’s a family secret.”
“Oh family huh?”
“Yep but if you were a part of the family then maybe I could tell you.”
She looked at him wondering if he was joking or not. She didn’t want to risk it by asking so she continued to look forward.
“The weather seems alright now I don't understand why we are grounded.”
“We just have to wait until the watch is over.”
“But Zack and I have nowhere to stay. I have no clothes and I have to buy two plane tickets I don't have the money for this.”
“We’ll let me take care of it.”
“No. thank you but no. it’s not gonna happen like that.”
“Like what?”
“I take care of us not anyone else. I wouldn’t even let my parents give more than little gifts.”
“Where are your parents anyway I am surprised you didn’t call them.”
“They are actually in Lagos, Africa right now. Visiting my brother.”
“Your brother? I can’t believe I didn’t even ask you if you had siblings.”
“It’s ok. By the way I have two. My parents adopted my sister and me when we were very young. My dad is from Africa and my mom North Carolina. They met fell in love but my mom couldn’t have kids and my dad had already had one from a previous relationship while he lived in Lagos. They decided to adopt here. But he stayed in contact with our family there so now that he is retired he and my mom take trips to see him and his wife every couple of months.”
“Wow. So stay here.”
“Why are we back on this?”
“Because I want you to stay with me. I want you and Zack to be ok and with my help. Let me do this.”
“If this is because of last night.”
“Of course it’s about last night. I like you and I want to help so stop being stubborn and let me help you.”
Desiree looked over to the game room and smiled as she saw Zack and Madison dancing together on dance dance revolution. She almost lost her balance as she was pushed out the way by a group of young women and men begging for pictures and autographs from Ramón. She stood and laughed shaking her head. Ramón looked at her his eyes apologizing but Desiree brushed her face and waved off his apologies. She found it sweet him posing for pictures and giving autographs. He made sure he got to every fan. Twenty minutes later he walked over to Desiree and the kids. Desiree smiled.
“They really love you here huh?”
“Yes they do. And I love them.”
“So should we get a lane?”
“We can.”
She grabbed a seat facing the arcade.
“I guess Zack isn’t ready to leave yet. I can call my job and take off tomorrow. I don't work this weekend.”
“Oh you plan on staying throughout the weekend?”
“I did not say that.” She said blushing at her comment and his.
“You know what I am thinking? I think we should go to the movies.”
Desiree shook her head and laughed.
“You don’t quit do you?”
“Nope so what do you say?”
“I say ok. But I wanna earn my keep so let me at least make dinner or something.”
“Ok well we can go to the store pick you up something's for you to wear.”
He leaned in closer to her.
“Maybe a sexy teddy for you to wear, while you’re dancing for me?”
“Wow you are so.”
“Sexy, amazing, sensual.”
“Conceited. You really think you are that irresistible?”
“You thought so last night…and this morning.”
She tried not to smile.
“Oh no don’t hide the smile. I know you thoroughly enjoyed yourself.”
“I'm not gonna say I didn’t. Because Lord knows I did. But this right here can’t happen.”
“Why not?”
“You know why not.”
“Actually I don't. We are both adults who want to enjoy each other. I like you and I know you like me. So I don't see the problem.”
Desiree gave up the fight of trying to correct him. A big part of her was glad he spoke to her the way he did. Was so glad he made her feel so beautiful just by looking at her. But the small part of her knew it was too good to be true. There was no way Ramón Norris was as interested in her as he is letting on and it broke her heart knowing this. As they gathered the kids and got back to the car Ramón smiled. He didn’t know why when he was around Desiree he felt so complete. He wasn’t ready to give that feeling up. He wasn’t ready to let her walk out of his life. He wanted to get to know her better he wanted her.
***
Ramón knocked the door and smiled when Desiree opened it wearing his light blue robe. Ramón shook his head and frowned.
“I see you have just over taken my robe.”
“I like it. I can’t believe I slept in it's already 10am.”
“Yeah I know but you deserve a break I know you take care of everyone so I wanted to let you rest.”
“Well thanks. So where are the kids?”
“I hope you don't mind but my mom felt so bad about the kids missing camp that she wanted to take them somewhere special so she’s taking them to Carowinds with dad.”
Desiree smiled “that’s fine I know your mom will take care of Zack like she will Maddie.”
“Yeah so there is food on the table. I am about to work out then do a couple of laps in the pool you can come watch if you want.”
“And why would I do that?”
“Cause I look good wet.”
Ramón left and Desiree smiled. She walked down to the kitchen to grab a plate and smiled as Ramón had set her up a plate in the nook wrapped in saran wrap and next to it was his laptop so she could continue writing. She shook her head loving the way he made her feel at home. After eating she wrote for a little while not needing inspiration because Ramón was certainly was an amazing inspiration. As she wrote her phone rang. She frowned at seeing Charles’s name pop up.
“Charles what do you want?”
“Why didn't you tell me you were still in Charleston? I had to hear it from my mom.”
“Should I have?”
“Yes I wanted to see our son.” He said sternly.
“Charles we tried that remember you chose work.”
“Why are you still in Charleston anyways he was released yesterday can’t afford a flight home?” he said smugly.
“Actually we are staying with a friend.”
“What friend?” he asked wondering.
“Now that is none of your business.”
“If my son is with you it is.”
She laughed into the phone. “Oh wow you almost sounded like a concerned parent.”
“Who do you know that lives here?” he demanded
“I am gonna go.”
“Don't tell me the rumors are true.”
“Rumors?” she said before she could stop herself.
“About you and Ramón Norris. I saw the article about you and him a couple of weeks ago.”
“Good bye Charles.”
“Are you sleeping with him?”
Desiree refused to let him get the best of her; she exhaled deeply before she responded.
“Look your son is not here and won’t be anytime soon so if you need to talk to him we will be home sometime tomorrow.”
“He’s using you. He said it himself he took you out because he felt sorry for you. A man like him will never be with a woman like you.”
She hung up not wanting to hear anymore. As she tossed the phone down she heard splashing. Desiree looked out the window and saw Ramón swimming his laps she wanted to join him and not let what Charles said get to her. She looked in the closet at the swimming suit Ramón made her buy. He said “if you’re staying at my house for the weekend you need a suit.” It was an all-black dress suit that tied around her neck. She still felt self-conscious but for some reason it didn't matter when she was around Ramón. As she stepped out of her room and went to the back she couldn’t deny she was falling in love with his house.
When Ramón gave her the official tour of his home she loved it immediately. His half acre which included five bedrooms, four and a half baths, a game room, office, sunroom, attic, media room, living room, dining room and kitchen was spacious and homey. The spiral staircase that took her to each level of the home, which was decorated tastefully and sent off a peaceful atmosphere brought life into the home.
She walked from her room towards the kitchen. She nearly squealed when she walked into his kitchen, she wanted to take it home with her. With his new appliances, Granite Island, and an eat in nook she felt at home. The back door led out to the enclosed patio which was the size of his living room and dining room combine.
A ceiling fan stood at the height of the room and the patio made a beautiful home for a built in the wall grill, a mini kitchen and a few patio furniture. She opened the screen door from the patio at exited towards the back yard, as she passed the gazebo she was greeted by as she could only describe an Oasis. His Tiki bar stood to the right of his infinity pool. She was amazed when she saw it because the design was something she had never seen before. How the water spilling over the back wall gave the illusion of an infinite river vanishing into the distance.
There were small steps hidden under the water that provided access to the pool and with the blue tile floors mixed with the light blue walls it allowed for a very beautiful site when the sun and moon hit the water. On the other side of the pool was a short wall with water falling down which created an out of the way waterfall. Surrounding the pool was old-fashioned English plants like roses and ivy’s created the impressions of a secret garden. Desire walked outside and as before immediately felt they were on their own private island.
She placed her feet into the water and watched Ramón swim expertly. His strokes were strong and forceful. How was it that everything that man did, she got aroused by? Ramón finished a lap at the other side of his 10 foot pool and swam over to the shallow end where Desiree was sitting. She smiled as she tossed him the inflatable ball and he made basket in the waterside all white hoop attached to the pool. He was right he did look so good wet. He swam around her and smiled.
“Come in the water is great.”
She shook her head. “Yeah no I'm good.”
“Come on. Do a few laps with me.” He said grabbing her arms.
“No.” she said flatly pulling her arms away from him.
“Why not?”
“Because if you must know I cannot swim.”
He began to laugh “everyone can swim.”
“No everyone can’t, because I can’t.”
He looked at her seeing she was serious. “Well how about I teach you. I was a lifeguard in high school. I needed extra cash.”
“Yeah no thank you.”
“Come on.”
“Ramón no.”
He pulled her into the water with him as she struggled to get away from him. She screamed as she fell into the water grabbing for Ramón. Ramón laughed and pulled her up to him. As she struggled he pulled her deeper into the water.
“Come on stop struggling you’re gonna be ok.”
“Dude look I am not ok with this I have a real fear of drowning. And you just seriously tried to mess up my hair do you know how long it took me to do it?”
“What it’s just hair.”
“No it’s not just hair ok I wear weave which means I don’t like getting it wet and if it comes out I am going to blame you.”
Ramón laugh still holding her. “I will take responsibility for your hair and I won’t let anything happen to you. Trust me.”
She looked up to him, saw the sweetness in his eyes, and knew he would never let anything happen to her.
“Ok.”
He led her to the middle of the pool.
“Ok the first thing you want to do is float.”
“Float?”
“Yes you just let go and you will float.”
“Dude just because your feet are touching the ground and you feel safe doesn’t mean that I do.”
“Will you stop thinking and just let go.”
She let go and he held her back as she floated.
“See it's not that hard.”
She pulled herself up and smiled.
“Ok so I can float whoopty do.”
“Ok now I am gonna pull you and you are gonna kick your feet.”
“Ok.”
As they swam around the pool, Desiree felt so relaxed. She laughed as she got on his back and he swam her around. As they swam to the edge of the pool Ramón held himself and her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist as they wadded in the water and his back was against the edge.
“You are a great teacher and swimmer.”
“You’re a great student.”
She looked him in his eyes, and couldn’t get pass the compassion she saw in them, Compassion that never left no matter the time of day or his mood. She pulled his lips to hers and closed her eyes as he took her tongue into his mouth. As emotions ran through her body all she could think was “God let me have this man” she began to throb as her nipples hard. He kissed her neck and she felt him rise under the water. She knew if she didn't stop, they would be going at it in the pool, stopping was easier said, than done.
The moment she pulled her lips away from his he went to her neck and started grinding against her. He turned them around so that her back took his place against the edge of the pool and he removed his swim trunks. He untied her suit from around her neck and began playing with her taut nipples. He slightly brushed his teeth across them causing her to moan his name.
He pushed her suit aside as he submerged himself into her. Desiree’s head went back as pleasure over took her whole body. As they rocked to the waves and smacked in the water Desiree tried to control her moans. Ramón knew every hot spot every tender zone on her body and he sent tingles up her spine as he worked himself in her. No matter how many times he got to taste her or feel her it was never enough. Every time just made him hungrier for more. He wanted her and had to have her as his.
He felt himself about to reach his climax and she was on the verge of hers when suddenly he stopped. Desiree looked at him begging him to finish but he pulled out of her reluctantly. Desiree saw the look on his face and realized that while they were in the heat of the moment they forgot to use protection. Even though she had the IUD, she still was glad he stopped himself.
“Baby I’m sorry but I promise I will make it up to you.” He said kissing the nape of her neck.
“Oh and how are you gonna do that.” She asked kissing his neck.
He pulled her over to the stairs and walked her out of the pool. They grabbed the towels Ramón had laid out and he wrapped his around his naked waist. After reaching for his trunks, he led her into the house and to his room. He sat her on the bed, and lit a few of the candles he had placed around the room then turned on hi
s IPod Shuffle. Brian McKnight came on singing “Cherish” and Ramón opened his drawer.
“I bought these yesterday figured we could try them out. But first a shower,”
He helped her out of her swimsuit and led her to the shower. With pleasing her on his mind he washed her being careful not to miss any spot with the loofah and then his lips. He allowed her to clean him long enough to make sure he removed all of the chlorine and then he led her to the room and preceded to dry her off. As he laid her on the bed, he opened the box and Desiree saw a bunch of oil bottles.
“Now let's try Midnight Passion.”
He opened it and poured some onto his hand. Desiree shivered as the coolness from the water and the warmness from the oil took over her body. As his big strong hands caressed her back, her body started to tremble. His hands went up to her shoulders and down pass her backside. He placed his knees on each side of her and began rubbing the sides of her breast. Desiree loved the feel of his hands around her body.
It aroused her and relaxed her at the same time. Ramón bent down and kissed her neck.
“Desiree you are the most beautiful and amazing woman I have ever met. I want you.”
“I'm right here.”
He flipped her over and still straddling her he began to caress her breast with the tips of his fingers as he sat back on his knees over her.
“That’s not what I am talking about even though I want you in that way too. Desiree I want you to be mines I want to have you for myself take you out be with you and see what happens.”
As much as she loved hearing those words out of his mouth, she knew it was only a matter of time before he got bored with her, so instead of answering him she pulled his lips down to hers. Ramón wanted an answer but he figured he could wait a couple of hours for it.
As the day went on Ramón loved just lounging around the house. There were very few times when he had a day where there was nothing to do. He smiled over to a napping Desiree and loved the way she slept against him. Her arms wrapped around his chest and her head on his shoulder. Her feet just pass his knees were, wrapped between his legs. Her soft snore brought a smile to his face. His phone rang and she awoke. He grabbed it apologizing to her.
“Desi I am so sorry.”
To Love a Man Page 15