by Wayne Jordan
Eboni shook her head. “I’ll get them. You do know how to set the table?” she asked, laughter in her voice.
“Of course I do,” he said.
“Good.”
Within a few moments she returned and handed him the plates she was carrying and headed back out the door.
He added the plates and dishes to what was already on the table.
His stomach growled appreciatively at the distinct aroma.
Eboni walked into the room just as he’d completed his task. She placed the few food dishes on the table and asked him to sit.
He complied, noticing she’d placed him opposite her, instead of the chair next to her.
While he was sure she was trying to avoid touching him, little did she realize that sitting across from her allowed him to look directly at her during dinner.
* * *
At first the conversation was awkward—strange since they’d talked about everything under the sun the first night they were together. He’d enjoyed her company that night, but tonight, he suspected something was on her mind.
He placed his knife and fork down, and decided to bite the bullet.
“Before we go any further tonight,” he said, his gaze meeting hers, “tell me what’s wrong.”
She looked at him, almost startled by his comment.
“There is nothing wrong,” she said. He noticed the lightest hesitation.
“That’s not completely true,” she continued. “I was annoyed that you left without letting me know, and—” She paused.
“And...?” he prompted.
“I really don’t want to upset you.”
“I’ll be fine. I’m a big boy.”
“My oldest brother, Maxwell, did some research on you and went on to tell me what he found out.”
“Not that I am surprised, but I would have thought you’d do your own research.”
“That’s true. I was tempted to look you up, but decided to go the traditional way. However, I noticed that you’re wealthy.” She thought of his luxury car and tailored clothes.
“And that’s a problem? You must be a bit wealthy, too, or you wouldn’t be living here.” He chuckled.
“Well, my parents are. I used part of my trust fund to purchase this condo, but my work and the part-time classes I teach at the health club take care of my every-day expenses. I do not want to touch the rest of my trust fund until it’s absolutely necessary.”
He looked at her closely and he noticed something he’d not seen before. There was a confidence and strength in her eyes that spoke volumes. Yet there was also a hint of uncertainty.
Her brothers.
He could tell she fought long and hard to achieve a measure of independence and from what he’d seen the other night, Eboni still had a long way to go before her brothers accepted the inevitability of their little sister so much as dating.
“So what’s for dessert?” he asked, changing the conversation abruptly. The drift of their talk was going in a direction he didn’t want, bringing back too many painful memories.
Tonight, for sure, he’d been thinking about all the mistakes he’d made...and his loneliness.
“Yes, which do your prefer,” she asked, “cheesecake or ice cream?”
“Both,” he said
Eboni laughed aloud. “How did I know that that was what you were going to say?”
“It is a compliment to your cooking. Not everyone cooks to my standard and I have a good standard. I don’t eat just anything.”
She rose from her chair. He wondered if she realized the double entendre in his words. He’d always been very selective, and Eboni Wynter was definitely worthy to be on his plate.
“I’ll be back with the dessert,” she said.
He paused for a moment, watching the sway of her backside as she walked out of the room.
He rose from his chair, glad she was gone. His erection strained against the zipper of his pants, the discomfort slowly causing his erection to return to its flaccid state.
Minutes later, when she returned, she was carrying two large bowls with generous slices of cheesecake, topped with two scoops of strawberry ice cream.
She handed him a bowl and placed hers on the table.
“What’s your pleasure?” she said, nodding her head toward a state-of-the-art stereo system.
“I’m not picky, but I love reggae, some hip-hop, a bit of country, Darius Rucker, of course.”
“All of my favorites,” she said. She seemed pleased. “The fact that Rucker is sexy and knows how to seduce a woman with music does have its appeal.”
A stab of jealously startled him. He didn’t much like her talking about other men. He wanted her to focus on him.
Eboni placed her bowl on the table and walked over to the stereo. Soon, the strains of Rucker’s “Come Back Song” filled the room.
She turned to Darren and held out her hand.
He stood, walking slowly over to her. When he reached her, she stepped into his arms. He held her close, enjoying the feeling of her body next to his.
At first, he swayed to the music, feeling the words and the rhythm, but slowly things changed. He became more aware of her. Her softness and her heat.
He could tell she wanted him, and his growing erection was evidence enough that he wanted her.
Her body pushed against his, and he did all he could to stifle the moan that threatened to escape his lips.
What the hell was he doing?
He was falling into the same trap as he had with women before her.
He took his arms from around her, stepping back suddenly.
His mind registered the startled look on her face, but his only goal was to get as far away from Eboni as possible.
“Thanks for dinner, but I have to go.”
He turned and walked out of the kitchen, knowing that she would follow.
At the door, he turned to her.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly.
All she did was stare at him. He noticed the water pooling in her eyes, and he knew with a greater certainty that he had to go and immediately. He would only hurt this beautiful woman who wanted love. He was no good for her.
He opened the door and stepped outside, refusing to look back.
* * *
Darren slammed the door behind him, and immediately headed to his bedroom. He stripped his clothes off, and slid between the sheets. He knew sleep would not come easily.
He still wasn’t sure what had just happened. When he’d gone over to Eboni’s apartment, he’d planned to let nature take its course.
But he realized something in that moment. He liked Eboni...and liked her a lot, which in turn made him afraid.
His initial feelings had been all physical, but spending time in her company made him realize that there was more to his feelings than the physical.
And he liked kissing her. Even now, his body burned from the heat of their contact.
He knew she wanted something more than casual and, for that reason, he’d walked away. He knew he’d hurt her. The tears in her eyes had almost broken his heart, but he’d forced himself to walk away. Though, he’d done it for the best. He was not the marrying kind and Eboni definitely was.
Since his divorce, he’d played the field without concern for anyone but himself. He’d chosen his lovers carefully—career women who didn’t want marriage. These women were satisfied with a rich man to escort them to functions and great sex, and he provided both.
With that lifestyle, he’d achieved a reputation. No wonder Eboni’s brother had warned her about him. If she had any sense, she’d heed her brother’s words and run in the other direction when she saw him coming.
Even now, he thought about the baggage he’d brought from his past marriage and realized th
at had played a serious part in its failure.
For years, he’d been driven by work and making money. He had lots and lots of it, but still he drove himself to get more. At age thirty-two, he could probably retire, hire people to run the company and live for the rest of his life maintaining the same standard of living.
He was proud of the company he’d built. With two offices in New York, one close to his condo complex and another one downtown, he’d achieved way more than he’d expected.
In the process of reaching his goals, he’d ignored his wife and daughter. For a while, Barbara had been happy, but then, the dissatisfaction of being at home all day had taken its toll and she’d retuned to work. From that point, their marriage had spiraled out of control.
One thing he did eventually realize was that he hadn’t taken the time to get to know his wife.
Ironically, in just a few days, he felt as though he knew Eboni better than he’d known Barbara after five years of marriage.
Already he missed her, missed her so badly.
In the silence of the room, he laughed out loud. He couldn’t stay away from her. He knew that as much as he knew the sun would rise the next day. Even now he ached to be with her.
He loved it when he was with her. How she made him laugh. How he couldn’t keep his eyes off of her.
He sighed. Tomorrow was another day. After work, he’d pay her a visit and make things right.
* * *
Eboni continued to stare at the television, oblivious to the changing images. She wasn’t sure what she was watching. All she could see was Darren’s back as he retreated from her condo.
She had thought all day about making love with him and, while she’d been disappointed, she was more concerned about his reaction. She knew something was wrong. He just needed to trust her enough to tell her what it was.
One of the things she’d discovered about love was that trust took precedence above all.
Chapter 4
Eboni heard a knock and, knowing it was Darren, opened the door. “What do you want?” she asked, frustration apparent in her tone.
“May I come in?”
“Doesn’t matter what you have to say.”
“I know you’re angry with me, but I’d prefer not to talk in the hallway.”
She was about to respond with a sharp retort, but realized she was being rather childish.
“Okay, you have five minutes.”
“Thanks. I probably don’t deserve so much,” he said as he entered.
She didn’t respond. Instead, she closed the door, turned and walked toward the living room. Darren followed, the sound of his footsteps sure and determined behind her. She stopped when she reached the sofa and, after he took a seat, she moved to sit opposite him.
If he noticed her deliberate attempt to not sit next to him, he didn’t show it.
When she sat down, he fixed his gaze on her. She felt a bit disconcerted but tried her best to remain cool and calm.
“I want to apologize for last night.”
She didn’t say anything. She wasn’t going to make it easy for him.
“And I’d like to be as honest as I can be.”
She nodded, her first acknowledgment that she was listening.
“I like you. I really like you,” he confessed. “Last night, I wanted to make love to you.” He paused.
“But that wasn’t the problem,” he continued. “My feelings for you extend beyond sex and that scares the hell out of me. I’m not proud of it, but for the past few years, I’ve gained somewhat of a reputation. And maybe your brothers were right to look out for you. Though a lot of what they’ve heard is true, some of it isn’t.
“I may have had quite a few starlets on my arm, but I haven’t had that many as lovers. I enjoyed the attention I was getting from the press. Who wouldn’t? But I then realized I didn’t want any commitments.”
“So why start something with me?” she asked.
“Because I feel differently about you. I want to see if I can make what we have something different.”
She stood, not sure how to respond. The memory of last night was still strong. The rejection had hurt her. But he’d explained and she admired him for that.
She walked over to the window, looking outside. Raucous laughter from the two teenagers in the pool broke the silence.
Eboni felt his presence directly behind her and when he wrapped his hands around her, she leaned back against the firm hardness of his chest.
She turned around, and his eyes immediately locked with hers. They continued to stare at each other, reading their heated message.
When he lowered his head and covered her lips with his, she moaned softly. She melted against him until she could feel his strength surrounding her. Tension arced through her as his erection pressed against her. He wanted her. That was clear.
His tongue eased between her lips, exploring.
Her lips left his for the briefest of moments.
“We could go to the bedroom,” she purred.
“You’re sure?” he asked.
“Absolutely.”
He picked her up, lifting her as if she weighed nothing. She relaxed against him, enjoying the feel of his strength and power. Her fingers trailed along his arm.
When he reached her bedroom, he pushed his body against the door. It opened and he kicked it shut, without putting her down. He walked toward the bed, placing her gently on the silk covers.
His eyes adjusted to the darkness as he glanced around the room. He then found a small lamp by her bedside and turned it on.
She was glad he did. She wanted to see him naked and ready for her. Even now as she looked up at him from her position on the bed, she could see the bold evidence of his arousal. She remembered just last week, gazing in awe at his size. Now looking at him made her breathless.
He was magnificent. Every inch of his body stirred her until she felt so aroused she could not wait to feel him inside.
As he stretched his arms upward to pull the T-shirt over his head, his erection jerked forward and she reached instinctively to touch him.
Again, his penis jerked in reaction. She felt its heat and the warm blood pumping inside.
He tossed his shirt to the ground, gripping her hands, subduing the movement she was about to start.
“You’re going to make me lose it even before I start.”
She released him, not wanting that to happen. In time she’d have her wish. Now, this first time, she needed him to stay in control. She wanted their first time to be a long leisurely stroll and knew he wanted the same.
When he was done, he reached for her, skillfully slipping her shirt over her head, smiling when he realized she wore no bra.
“Beautiful,” he said as he cupped one breast and then the other.
He lowered his head, tasting one dusky nipple before he moved to the next. While he suckled one breast, his fingers kneaded the other, causing her body to tighten then relax beneath him.
When he raised himself up, she felt a moment of emptiness until his hand caressed her lower body, and he pulled off her jeans and then her panties.
She felt vulnerable and exposed and wondered if he felt the same way.
When he reached for a pillow and placed it beneath her buttocks, she felt even more exposed, but watched as his mouth moved to the sweet wetness between her legs.
Lips kissed her silky mound, and she giggled as his touch began to tickle. But as soon as his fingers parted her and his tongue found its way to the core of her womanhood, her laughter caught in her throat—pure fire raced through her body.
Darren licked her, his tongue giving her pleasure that she could have never imagined. When his tongue touched the sensitive nub, she cried out as red-hot flames ignited every nerve. Then it
happened. She felt as if she were falling. Molten pleasure washed her body with a powerful orgasm.
Her body shuddered with the intensity of her release and she screamed aloud her pleasure.
Slowly her body relaxed. When she opened her eyes, she watched as Darren retrieved a package from the back pocket of his pants, withdrew a condom and quickly rolled it onto his throbbing penis.
He pulled her to the edge of the bed, spreading her legs wide, and then he slowly entered her.
She gasped at the stab of pain and he stopped, confusion in his eyes.
“It’s okay,” she reassured him. “I’m all right.”
He hesitated.
“Don’t stop,” she pleaded. “I need you.”
He entered gently, slowly, as her body opened to accept his massive shaft.
Her body shuddered as inch after inch of his manhood entered her, filling her with a joy she’d never experienced before.
“Are you okay?” he asked tenderly.
“I’m fine,” she replied. She was more than fine. She ached for the promise of more to come.
And he gave her more. He moved back and forth slowly, the length of him sliding inside her, heightening every nerve in her body.
She opened her legs even wider, giving him total access. Her legs instinctively wrapped around his back, and with each stroke she felt as if she would combust. His speed increased and she joined him, her movements at first tentative until she found her own rhythm.
Darren was not a silent lover. While he stroked her, he made love to her with his words.
He whispered things that made her feel like a woman and increased the level of her excitement.
Soon, her body tensed and she could feel the first hint of her release.
She slowed her own movement, but he continued with strong, powerful strokes, until his body tensed and she knew that like her, his release was near. His thrusting became jerky, and his body began to shudder with excitement. Her own body joined his and the sweet pain of her orgasm sent her soaring. She screamed as the pleasure raced through her. Darren groaned, his body shaking, until he collapsed beside her.
She enjoyed the strength and hardness of his body close to hers. She breathed heavily, realizing that Darren’s own breaths were labored.