Only One for Me

by Candace Shaw

  She giggled, and he placed a tender kiss to her forehead before pulling away from her. She looked around the parking lot and realized two of the cars that had been there when they arrived had left.

  “Maybe we should go inside,” she said, grabbing her purse.

  “Good idea. I think we just gave some of your neighbors a show.”

  Chapter Four

  In silence, they walked hand in hand to her door. Yasmine was on cloud nine as she used her other hand to rumble around in her purse for her keys. However, she stopped in her tracks as they walked up the sidewalk to her apartment.

  “Wait.” She put her hand in front of him but kept her eyes on the door of her apartment.

  “Yasmine, I promise I’m not going to try anything. I respect you too much.”

  She shook her head. “No. I always leave on the lamp in the living room if I know I’m returning home after dark.”

  “Maybe you forgot.”

  “No, I never forget.” She took a step backwards and looked around the apartment complex. “It was on when we left.” Her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh my goodness! My door is slightly ajar.” She felt faint and leaned on Cannon.

  He directed her toward his car in a fast walk as he took out his keys and popped the trunk and then unlocked the car. “Get in, lock the door, and call the police.” He spoke calmly as he opened the passenger door, handed her his cell phone, and then shut the door. A few seconds later, he slammed the trunk and rushed up the sidewalk with a crow bar as she nervously dialed the police.

  Her heart raced as she waited for Cannon to come out of her apartment. Ten minutes later, she saw the light flick on in her living room and Cannon in the doorway, crow bar still in his hand, with a grip on the shoulder of a struggling teenaged-aged boy.

  Yasmine stepped out of the car as Cannon walked down the sidewalk with an intense expression of anger pasted on his face.

  “Let me go, you son of a bitch,” the teenager yelled at Cannon.

  “I’ll let you go soon as the police get here.”

  Yasmine looked closer at the teenager and realized she knew him. He lived in the next building over. A police car with sirens blaring pulled into the parking lot and two police officers stepped out and walked briskly toward them. Some of her neighbors began to assemble outside of their apartments as well.

  “Ricky, why did you break into my apartment?” Yasmine’s heart was saddened to know he’d tried to steal from her. She was always so nice to him and his baby sister.

  “I didn’t,” he snapped in anger.

  Cannon tightened his grip on the boy’s shoulder as the boy tried to yank away when the police arrived.

  “You didn’t? Well explain to me why you were rummaging through Ms. Dubose’s jewelry box, and I found this watch in your pocket?” Cannon held up a men’s watch that belong to her father.

  “I ain’t got to tell you nothing.” He jerked away, and Cannon let him go. The boy tried to run, but one of the officers grabbed him while the other placed the handcuffs on him.

  “No, but you do have to tell us,” the police officer said as he locked the cuffs on Ricky’s wrists.

  “And me,” a woman yelled as she walked between Cannon and Yasmine and stood in front of Ricky.

  “Mom!”

  “How dare you break into Ms. Dubose’s home,” she snapped as he hung his head in shame. “Is this the first time or are you a part of the group of robbers everyone has been complaining about for the past few months, and you finally got caught?” She jerked his head up. “Look at me when I’m talking to you. Why, Ricky? Why?” She placed her hands on either side of her son’s face with tears rolling down hers.

  Yasmine’s heart broke for her. True, Yasmine was upset that her apartment was broken into, but she knew how hard Ricky’s mom worked to provide for him and his sister.

  “Do you want to go back to juvy, because that’s where they’re taking you?” She looked at the police officer that was holding him. “Get him out of my sight.” She turned away with a look of disgust.

  “Let’s go, kid,” the officer said, taking Ricky toward the squad car. His mother apologized to Yasmine before walking toward her apartment with a group of women trying to comfort her.

  The other officer questioned them about what had happened, as well as a few neighbors who thought there might be some other boys involved. Thirty minutes later, she sat in Cannon’s lap on her couch. His warm embrace made her feel more protected and secure than the new locks that the on-call maintenance guy had just changed. She rested her head on Cannon’s chest as he rubbed her back.

  “Thank you for being here with me,” she whispered, resting her head on his shoulder.

  “Shhh … just relax. It’s over now.”

  She sat up to look at him. “You took a risk coming in here to look for the burglar. What if he’d had a gun?”

  “I wasn’t thinking about that. I just wanted to beat the crap out of whoever had the audacity to break into my girl’s place.”

  My girl? She smiled at his words. She’d wanted to be his girl since her freshman year of high school. They’d only been on one date and experienced a surreal kiss, so she was sure he didn’t mean it like that, but at least he wanted to protect her.

  “Now you see why I’m ready to move?” She slid off of his lap onto the couch.

  “When is your lease up?”

  “Next summer.”

  “A frat brother of mine is an attorney. I’ll call him in the morning and see what he can do. I’ll need to send him a copy of your lease. You shouldn’t have to stay in an unsafe environment. You’ve got noisy college students and now a group of teenagers who think it’s okay to break into people’s home in the same area where they live.”

  “But I still need to find another apartment to live in if I’m even able to get out of my lease without having to pay the fee.”

  “You know what? Doug is moving to New York soon and wants to rent out his townhome instead of selling it. It’s really nice. Three story, two car garage, three bedrooms, and two and a half baths. Close to downtown and not far from where you work. I can see what he’s renting it for if you’re interested. Maybe we can swing by there tomorrow.”

  “Cannon, that’s very sweet of you, but so much has happened tonight. I can’t think right now.” She closed her eyes and rested her head on the back of the couch.

  “I understand. I’ll handle it. In the meantime, you can’t stay here. Pack a bag. You’re coming home with me tonight.”

  Her eyes shot open and settled on his serious face. “Cannon, I can’t do that.”

  “Yes, you can … and you will. I’d be worried sick knowing you’re here alone.”

  “But he was arrested.”

  “I know, but he lives in this complex, and he isn’t the only one. He’s just the only one that got caught.”

  “Cannon … I just want to get some rest.”

  “And you will. Raven is at her boyfriend’s place this weekend, so you’ll have some peace and quiet. She took her yappy Pomeranian with her, and you can sleep in my room. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

  “Cannon … ” her voice trailed off. She knew he wasn’t budging on his decision.

  “Grab your things and pack enough for the next few days. I’m not leaving you here. You can follow me in your car.”

  Realizing he was serious, she leaned over and kissed him on his cheek. “Thank you.”

  An hour later, he was showing her his bedroom in the ranch-styled home. She had to chuckle inside at the thought she was sleeping in Cannon’s bed on the first date. Of course, he would be on the couch, but she’d broken another dating rule: Never go home with the guy on the first date.

  After she took a shower in the adjoining bathroom, she put on the blue pajama shirt Cannon had laid on the bed. In her haste to pack, she’d forgotten to throw a nightgown into her suitcase. Wearing his shirt made her feel secure and protected, even if it was three sizes too big for her. She climbed into bed and sipped
on the tea Cannon had kindly left on the nightstand. She let its warmth soothe her, even though a glass of wine would’ve been even better.

  A light knock sounded on the door.

  “Come in.”

  When Cannon entered, he was wearing the pajama bottoms that matched the shirt she was wearing along with a white Meharry t-shirt.

  “Do you need anything?” he asked, standing in the doorway.

  “No, I’m fine. You’ve been the perfect host.”

  “Thank you. I’m going to let you get some rest.” He turned to go.

  “Cannon?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m still pretty shaken up. Is it possible you can sleep in here instead of on the couch? It’s a king-sized bed, so there’s plenty of room.”

  He hesitated for a moment, as if he was going to say no, and she regretted asking him.

  “Of course. I’m going to make sure the house is secure and turn off my laptop. I’ll be right back.”

  Yasmine drank the rest of her tea and then slid underneath the fluffy covers. The last thing she remembered before drifting off into a deep slumber, was a tender kiss to her forehead and Cannon whispering, “Good night, Angel face.” Then he gathered her in his warm embrace.

  *****

  During the next three weeks, Cannon’s attorney friend was able to get Yasmine out of her apartment lease without having to pay the cancellation fee. She was also able to move into Doug’s townhouse, for not much more than what she was paying for her apartment. Yasmine was excited about her new home because she was doing a lease with the possible intention to buy after a year. She was even more excited about spending time with Cannon. After work, she would rush home and cook dinner in her new gourmet kitchen. Then she would wait for Cannon, who would come over after his last class.

  Today, she’d stopped by a furniture store with Sherika to browse for bedroom sets. Yasmine was going to move hers into the guestroom and purchase a new one for the master bedroom. Cannon was supposed to meet her for dinner at their favorite spot followed by a movie at six. She was quite surprised at all of the time he was spending with her when she thought he should be studying with his classmates and not at her kitchen table. She couldn’t think of the last time he’d mentioned having a study group unless it was during the day.

  “This is a nice bed,” Yasmine said as they stopped in front of a walnut, four-poster, queen-sized bed.

  “Yep. Big enough for you and Cannon when he spends the night,” Sherika said, running her hand along a post.

  “He doesn’t really spend the night. Well … he does sort of, but he doesn’t sleep. I think he’s a night owl or has insomnia. When I go to bed, he stays up and studies in the kitchen. When I wake up in the morning, he’s gone—at least on the weeknights. On the weekends, he’ll crawl into the bed around one, and in the morning, he makes me breakfast or we make it together.”

  “Awww … how sweet. But you still haven’t—”

  “No. That topic hasn’t come up. We kiss all the time, we cuddle. He’s so affectionate and thoughtful, but he hasn’t tried to have sex with me. However, I know he wants to because sometimes when he’s hugging me from behind, I can feel a slight erection. And girl, don’t get me started on the spot on the back of my neck I never knew existed.”

  “Oh really?”

  “Girl, I don’t know what he does with his tongue and lips back there, but I have a mini orgasm from whatever he’s doing. It’s so freaking erotic.”

  “Well, since you’re buying a new bed, you should test it out,” Sherika teased, sitting on the edge of the bed and pouncing up and down on it. “The mattress is quite comfy and has just enough spring action.”

  The ladies laughed.

  “Girl, you’re a mess. I do like this one, but it’s out of my price range. I’m going to get the sleigh bed with the matching dresser and end table.”

  “Good decision.” Sherika hopped off the bed. “Let’s go find that cute salesman that spoke to us when we walked in.”

  “You just want his phone number.”

  “If I’m lucky.” Sherika winked.

  *****

  Cannon sat across from Yasmine at her kitchen table while she graded papers. They’d been dating for over a month now, and he’d never felt so relaxed with a woman in such a short time frame. She’d made him take breaks and just have fun. He’d lived in Nashville for almost two years and had never ventured out much as far as site seeing because he was there for medical school. Thanks to her spontaneous nature, they’d been to the Cheekwood Botanical Gardens, the Nashville Zoo, and the Opryland Museum. She’d suggested a country music concert just for the fun of it, but instead they went to a traveling carnival where he felt like a kid again eating corn dogs and funnel cakes as well as riding roller coasters and Ferris wheels.

  He was supposed to be studying for an upcoming test on Monday about anatomy, but he was more concerned about her anatomy. His eyes kept straying to her face, and inhaling her perfume that smelled like a mixture of apples and pears. When she’d returned downstairs from her shower earlier, he’d been mesmerized by her mint-green nightgown, which was why he could no longer concentrate. It wasn’t sexy lingerie, but it was hot on her with spaghetti straps that kept falling off of her soft shoulders and little pink ribbons around the hem that stopped mid thigh. Before she sat back down, she’d dropped her red pen and bent over to pick it up, exposing pink boy shorts that fit her cute butt like a glove and toned thighs he needed to get in between.

  “Shouldn’t you be studying?” Yasmine asked with her reading glasses pulled down on her nose.

  “I am. I could study you all day and all night and never get tired.”

  “I can believe that since you never sleep.” She closed her folder of graded papers and took off her glasses.

  “I know. I guess when I start my residency in a few years, I’ll be able to stay up all night. Maybe even pull a double.”

  She smiled and said softly, “I’m glad you’re here.” She rose from the table. “I’m still trying to get used to this townhouse. Do you want some more coffee?”

  He wanted something all right, and it damn sure wasn’t coffee. He wanted her on the kitchen table, on the island, against the wall, on the chair. Wherever she would let him have her so he could hear her soft moans when he was slow and gentle and her passionate screams when he was fast and rough.

  No, I can’t. Not yet. Too soon. Right? Everything with her felt right and grounded, but he didn’t want to rush things.

  Before he could consult his conscience any further, she placed her gaze on him and gave him a smile so amazing that any other questions he may have had for himself were thrown out the window. He needed her with a hunger so fierce it shook him.

  Driven on a steadfast urge, he went to her and crushed her to him so fast, she let out a startled moan that he quickly muffled with his lips.

  He kissed her hard, taunting her lips with his; her mouth succulent and soft. He was in control of their kiss, overpowering her warm, willing mouth as she sighed against his lips and reached for his head to pull him further into her. The moment their lips touched, all the reasons why he shouldn’t proceed escaped him. Instead, all of the explanations why he should make love to her overtook him and blazed within him so deep, it created a surge that rippled through his being and into her.

  She responded to his kiss as if she’d been waiting for this moment to happen as well. He loved how perfect she felt in his embrace, her soft hands caressing his face and neck. He deepened the kiss even more, and she shuddered, letting out a muffled moan while her mouth vibrated against his. Heat flared in his gut, and he let out a profound groan while an intense flood of aching desire completely consumed him. He was finding it impossible to stop.

  Cannon had never known a woman like this. He’d never been so infatuated with a woman’s scent, her lips, her warmth, or the way she moaned his name while he feasted on her. He hadn’t meant to kiss her so wild, but she was consuming his mind and heart w
ith a need and passion so strong he had to show her what she was doing to him. Her sensual moans escalated his arousal, which was pressed against her stomach, desperate to get inside of her.

  “I want you, Yasmine,” he whispered in between roaming his tongue around hers.

  “Perfect, because I want you, too.”

  Chapter Five

  Yasmine was lost, falling into an unconsciousness of emotions and passion that charged through her body so hard she could barely stand as he held her against the door of her bedroom. She’d wanted him, too; longer than he’d realized. She had so much pent up desire for him, she didn’t know how she would control herself. He wasn’t her first, but this was the first time she’d ever felt this needed by a man, and she was going to show him just how much he was needed as well.

  His tongue continued a wicked performance with hers, urging her lips further apart while he caressed his hands along her body. Cannon knew exactly what he was doing, as if he owned her body, taking her higher with raw pleasure. She wished he could kiss her forever, but she wanted more than just mind blowing kisses.

  “You taste so sweet,” he whispered into her mouth. He bent and kissed the top of her shoulder as he eased the strap of her nightgown off, followed by the other strap. The flimsy material fell to the floor, followed by her panties.

  “Not fair. You still have on clothes.”

  “Well then,” he began, as he moved her hand down to the top of his jeans and locked his eyes on hers, “take them off.”

  She obliged, unfastening the button and then unzipping the jeans over a very hard erection. He pulled his t-shirt over his head to expose his smooth, rippled chest and abs. She ran a hand along his chest as he stepped out of his jeans, followed by his boxer shorts. And then that’s when she saw what had been rubbing against her through his jeans. She knew it would be big, but damn, she wasn’t prepared for all of that. She gulped. His first name was definitely appropriate.

  “Better?” he asked.

  “Mmmm … much.”