Delusional Love (2nd Edition) (12 page)

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Ivan
and Stephanie arrived at Napoli’s and were seated right away; they ordered
drinks and continued their conversation.

“Can
I ask you something Ivan?” Stephanie said while taking another big sip of her
wine. He nodded looking intently into her eyes. He couldn’t get enough of
looking at her. “Why me? You are an incredibly handsome rich man who could have
almost any woman he wanted. What is it about me that attracted you?
 
And we have yet to discuss the whole
black and white issue, which by the way, does not bother me but I can imagine
that it may cause raised eyebrows from individuals in both the business world
as well as our circle of friends, who may not agree with interracial dating.”

She
stopped talking because she realized that she was babbling, which was a clear
indication that she was nervous. She took another big gulp of her wine; it
burned the back of her throat helping her to focus.
‘God I have to slow down. I am really feeling this wine.’

“Why
not you Stephanie?” Ivan said not breaking eye contact. “You are an extremely
beautiful and sexy woman, not to mention very intelligent. I feel a strong
connection with you and I want to explore us.” Just then the waiter came over
to get their order.

“If
you don’t mind I would like to order for you.” Ivan said with a slight smile

“I
don’t mind.” Stephanie said surprised. Ivan told the waiter to have Marco make
them both his special. He focused his attention back at Stephanie. “You will
enjoy this, it is not on the menu but they will make it at my request.”
Stephanie finished her glass of wine and the waiter immediately refilled her
glass.

“So
where was I? Oh yes” he
continued
“whether people will
have a problem with our relationship really does not concern me. I have never
allowed what people thought to dictate my actions. And while I have never dated
an African-American woman before that did not mean I was closed to the possibility.
Does the fact that I am another race concern you?”

“No.”
She said.

She
had never dated outside her race but she was willing to give this relationship
a try, because as much as she hated to admit it to herself she was falling in
love with this man. She just hoped her heart would not lead her down that
spiraling road of heartbreak.

“Good.
So tell me something about you that I don’t already know.”

“What
do you want to know?”

“Tell
me about your family.” Ivan said wanting to hear everything about her but more
importantly, wanting to hear her voice. He had already run a background

check
on her, because he needed to be careful. He did not
trust himself around this woman and he needed to know what he was dealing with.

“Well,
I have a brother and sister, both older.
 
My brother Jonathan is a principal in Atlanta, he went to Morehouse
College and decided to stay there and teach. He met his wife Jennifer in
college. They have two beautiful daughters. My sister Ciara is an accountant
and lives in New York City. She is engaged and plans to marry in June of next
year to a wonderful man named Malik. He is a Finance Attorney. My parents
Robert and Karen Young are both retired and moved to Florida to be closer to my
paternal grandparents. They live in a small community right outside of Miami.
You have already met my best friends who are like my sisters. So, that’s me.
What about you?”

Ivan
looked at her as he smiled thinking about his parents. “My parents are Liam and
Gabriella Quinn. They….” Before Ivan could continue their food was brought out.
Stephanie looked down at her plate not really recognizing what was on the
plate.

Ivan
explained that it was ‘Seafood Coddle’ “Try it
;;
I want to know what you think. My mom made this dish for my brother and I when were
younger. My mother is Italian, but she learned how to make Irish food to please
my father who is Irish. They met in America and married at a young age. Both
families were opposed to their union, but they were in love and wanted to be
together. Eventually both families came around. I don’t get to see my mother
and father as often as I would like. They moved back to Italy to care for my
grandmother and when she passed away they decided to stay. My parents have only
two sons, my brother Adam and me. Because they both come from large families we
have a slew of cousins here in America, Italy, and Ireland and we all try to
get together for the holidays and as much as we can.”

They
ate and settled into a light conversation, talking and sharing stories about their
lives and
families,
midway through their meal Ivan’s
friend Marco joined them for a drink. He asked Stephanie if this was another
work dinner. Ivan answered for her by officially introducing him to his lady.
Stephanie smiled shyly as they continued their conversation with Marco. After
about ten minutes Marco excused himself to check on other guests. “Please tell
Isabella I asked for her and I look forward to our talks.”

Marco
reached for Stephanie’s hand and kissed
itlightly
.

“I
will relay your message as I am sure she is looking forward to seeing you
again.” He shook Ivan’s hand and departed.

When
they stood to leave Stephanie felt a little dizzy, realizing the wine affected
her more then she realized. She held on the table.

“Are
you alright?” Ivan asked.

“Yes
I’m fine, just had more to drink than usual.” She shook off the feeling and
walked towards the entrance. Ivan placed his hand on her back as they walked
out. Stephanie felt a warm sensation shoot through her body from Ivan’s touch.
‘God this man is so sexy. I am in deep
trouble.’
She thought as she listened to the Soft jazz that pumped through
the speakers of Ivan’s car as they rode home in silence.

Stephanie
looked at Ivan with lustful eyes; she was picturing him naked on top of her,
her thoughts caused moisture to build between her legs. Ivan looked over and
could see her eyes darken.

“How
are you feeling?” Ivan said as he reached up and glided his thumb across her
cheek. She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch as her heart fluttered.

“I
am so turned on right now.” She whispered not really meaning for him to hear
her. Ivan smiled as he took her hand, kissing the back of it while he kept his
eyes on the road. They pulled in front of her building. Ivan parked and walked
around to let Stephanie out of the car. The ride home really settled the
alcohol in her system and she had a little trouble standing. Ivan joked about
her being a lightweight when it comes to drinking and she agreed. He walked her
into the apartment building and rubbed her back as they rode the elevator to
her floor. As soon as they were inside her condo Stephanie closed the door and
wrapped her arms around Ivan’s neck, stood on the tips of her toes and began
kissing him passionately. Ivan lifted Stephanie off her feet and she wrapped
her legs around his waist. He immediately backed her into a nearest wall,
everything was a little fuzzy, but she knew she wanted him badly. She bit his
bottom lip as she began to suck on it. Ivan ran his tongue along her lips until
she gladly opened her mouth to receive his tongue. The kiss was so rough and
raw. Ivan held her so tight against the wall it knocked the air out of her
lungs. As she inhaled to get air she was consumed by Ivan’s scent and it sent
her over the edge. She started to grind her body against Ivan and could feel
his hardness against her heat.

“Oh
my god Ivan, I want you so bad.” He showered her neck with kisses and he made
his way down to her breasts raising her up to get access. She could feel him
sucking on her neck and she was about to lose it. The pressure building in her
body, she was on the verge of coming.
Ivan ran his hand up
her thigh to her middle
,
he could feel her wetness
.
He moaned and stuck his middle finger into her moist center as he used his
thumb to rub her clit. Grinding her body into his hand, she started panting
loudly. “If you don’t stop I’m going to cum….” She yelled Ivan’s name as she
came.
 
“I want you now Ivan. I want
to feel you inside me now.” She whispered in his ear. Ivan wanted her so bad it
hurt, but not like this. He carried her to the sofa straddling her on his lap.
“Baby you just
don’t
know how bad I want you.” He said
as he trailed kisses down her neck. She leaned back again allowing him full
access. He gripped her waist and grinded his hardness in between her thighs.

“Do
you feel that, Steph? How you affect me. I want nothing more than to take you
right now, but when I make love to you, I want you fully conscious, I want you
to remember every moment and right now you are having trouble standing.” He
said with a smile. Stephanie felt a little embarrassed and slightly ashamed.
She moved off his lap and sat beside him. “I’m really sorry. I don’t know what
came over me. I usually don’t drink that much.” She stood up, steadied herself
and walked away from the sofa. He followed her, grabbed her by her waist, and
pulled her back into his chest.

“Hey
baby, it’s okay. I had a great time.”

Stephanie
really felt stupid; first she drank too much,
then
threw herself at Ivan.
‘What the hell is
wrong with me?’
 
She admonished
herself. “I am normally not like this. I was really looking forward to seeing
you and I guess I was more nervous that I thought. Thank you for a wonderful
evening.” She said as she turned to face him.
 
He brushed his lips lightly over hers.
She pulled out of his embrace and walked to the door giving him his cue that it
was time for him to leave. Ivan kissed her softly on her lips again. “I will
call you in the morning.” With that Ivan walked out the door.
 
She closed the door and headed to the
bathroom to take a shower and clear her head.

As
Ivan drove home he thought about his date with Stephanie and how she affected
him.
‘Stephanie Young, what are you doing
to me?’
His phone vibrated in his pocket and he looked at the caller id:
Ashley again. “Why can’t you just let go.
”
He said in
an agitated tone, sending the call to voicemail. ‘Whatever she wants will have
to wait.’

He
thought as he redirected his thoughts back to Stephanie.

CHAPTER NINE

SUNDAY
JULY 10
^TH

Stephanie
woke up to a throbbing headache as the phone rang continuously. She looked over
at the
clock,
it was seven a.m. “Hello.” She said with
more
attitude
then she intended.

“Well,
hello to you too. Did your date go that well?” Brianna said.

“Or do
you still have company?” Tara chimed in.

“Hey
guys.” Her voice softened.

“So,
how was your first date?” Brianna asked again.

“Horrible.
I got drunk, threw myself at Ivan and then got upset when he rejected me.”

“What.”
They both said in unison.

“Let
me get this straight, our best friend, who is always volunteering to be the
designated driver, who never has more than two drinks, EVER, got drunk on her
first date with a guy who is fine as hell and who also happens to be her boss,
then tried to jump his bones? Wow Steph that sounds like one of my dates.” Tara
said while laughing. Still laughing Brianna said. “You have to admit that
sounds like a Tara date.” “Except for the rejection part, that
ain’t
ever happened to me.” Tara said proudly. “Go ahead
and joke at my expense but I may have really blown this and I’m really feeling
Ivan.”

“Oh
sweetie that man is into you. He’s not going anywhere, now there has to be a
good reason you got drunk, so what happened?”

“Well
I had a glass of wine before we left and while we were at the restaurant I had
a few more glasses. I guess my nerves got the best of me. What am I going to
do? Should I call him and explain?”

“Hell
no, he needs to accept you for who and what you are, drunk and all.” Tara said
unable to contain her laughter.

“Goodbye
guys.” Stephanie said ready to hang up.

“No
I’m sorry Steph I couldn’t resist.” Tara said. Brianna spoke up. “Stephanie
seriously, I think you should wait for him to call you, and he will call, then
you can explain what happened and Steph, I’m sorry your first date was not the
dream date you were expecting.”

Brianna
really wanted her friend to find love and more importantly get laid. They
continued their conversation for a few more minutes.

“Hey,
before we hang up you know it’s your turn to choose where we go next month
Steph. So what are we doing?” Brianna asked.

“I’m
not sure but I do have an idea. Look, I have to go. Are we meeting today after
church for brunch?” “That sounds good.” Tara said. “I’m in
”
said Brianna. “The usual place?” “Sounds good to me.” Stephanie said. “I love
you guys. See you after church.”

Stephanie
hung up the phone not really wanting to talk anymore.

The
phone rang again and Stephanie picked it up without looking at the caller id thinking
it was one of her friends forgetting to tell her something “Did you remember
another joke to tell at my expense?”

“I’m
afraid not.” A sexy low voice said at the other end.

“Ivan,
I thought you were my friends calling back.”

“Are
you disappointed?” He said in the sexiest voice she had ever heard.

“Not
at all, I’m glad you called. I wanted to apologize for last night. I am so
embarrassed about what happened. I really didn’t eat much yesterday and I drank
more wine than I would normally do and you saw the final result.” Ivan smiled
to himself not wanting to comment on her statement.

“What
are you doing today? I would like to give you a chance to make it up to me.”

“I
am meeting my friends for brunch but I am free after that.”

“Good,
let me make you dinner, say about six o’clock.”

“That
sounds like a real treat. Text me your address and I will see you at six.”

“No
need. I will send a car to pick you up. Be ready at six o’clock.”

“Okay.”
Was all Stephanie could
say.

“Good.
See you at six.”
 
He disconnected
the call. Stephanie felt rejuvenated. She hopped out of the bed and into the
shower to get ready for the day.

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“Sam
I have tried to call him but he is not taking my calls.” Ashley said. She was
so angry that he was refusing her calls. “He needs to know that he is going to
be a father and he can’t ignore me forever. I bet he is already sleeping with
that black bitch from his office. I swear I will kill that bitch before I let
her have my man.”

“Come
on Ash you can’t seriously be contemplating violence.” Sam looked worried she
knew her friend was not the most stable individual.

“Of
course not. I’m just talking. Besides when Ivan finds out I’m having his baby
he will do the right thing. You’ll see
,
we will be a
family.”

“What
if he doesn’t, what then Ash? You have to be prepared to handle him not wanting
you even if you are having his baby. You need to prepare yourself for the
possibility of being a single mother.”

Ashley
looked at her as if she were crazy. “What are you talking about, Samantha. You
know Ivan. He is very responsible and he will not let his child grow up without
a stable family life.”

“I’m
just saying you need to be prepared just in case.” “Whatever Sam. Look I have
to go.”

“How
do you plan on letting him know about the baby if he refuses to return your
calls?” Samantha questioned.

“If
he won’t come to me then I will go to him. I know he will be at the formal in a
couple of weeks. I plan to attend. He will not ignore me in a public setting
and I will tell him then.” She said looking like a light bulb just went off in
her head. “Now that I think about it that will be the perfect time to tell him.
Hopefully he will have that man-stealing bitch with him and I can give them
both the wonderful news. By that time I can hand him a report from the doctor
and an ultrasound picture.” She squealed happy with her plan.

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Brianna,
Stephanie and Tara were seated.
 
Sonny’s was their favorite place to meet after church for brunch. “So,
I’ve decided where we are going next month for our outing.”

“So
what did you come up with?” Tara asked.

“I
thought it would be fun for us to get dressed up and go to a formal.”

“This
wouldn’t by any chance be the same formal that your company is involved with
because Lawrence has already invited me.” Tara said.

“I
was invited too, by Adam.” Brianna chimed in. Both Stephanie and Tara both
looked at Brianna. “Adam? Since when did you start seeing Adam?” Tara asked.

“We’re
not…”

Before
she could finish Stephanie interrupted her.

“You
are such a hoe. That’s who you were with when I called you that night and you
were whispering.” Stephanie said smiling. Tara was shocked. “Wait a minute, Uh
what?”
 
She looked at Brianna with
her mouth wide open. “You and Adam? When did this happen? Okay, Miss Prissy
start talking now and don’t stop until we hear every juicy slutty detail.”

“Tara
you are so nasty.” Brianna said.

“Well
apparently so are you. Now spill it.”

“Well,
it wasn’t anything planned. I mean he called me a couple of times after we were
all met at the club that night but I was too busy to return his call. Then I
met with a client and the meeting went later than I expected, so when I was
done, I decided to stay and have dinner alone. As I was about to leave Adam and
Lawrence walked in. They invited me to have a drink with them and I
accepted.
 
After about a half hour
Lawrence left saying he needed to check on you Ty. Were you sick he seemed
really concerned.”

“No
girl, that’s what the good loving does, keeps them coming back for more.” Tara
said as she tried to hide the fact that Lawrence had become overly protective
since she confided in him.

“Anyway
Adam and I stayed and continued to drink. I really enjoyed his company and
before I knew it he offered to drive me home but we ended up at his place
instead. Let me just say AMAZING, I will never believe that stupid ass nonsense
about white man’s size. Adam had the right equipment and knew exactly what to
do with it. God, I lost count after the third orgasm. After such a long
drought, its nights like that night that could have a
sista
sprung. Whew!” Brianna started hand fanning
herself
as
if she was getting heated just thinking about their night together.

“Okay,
okay calm down. He’s not here so
rein
that shit back.”
Tara said jokingly.

“So
you and Adam are seeing each other now?” Stephanie asked.

“I
didn’t say that but I am open to having a friend with benefits.”

“You
slut, you make me proud. I never thought I would see the day when my Bri would
be open to having a sex partner without all the unnecessary strings attached.”
Tara said as she mockingly put her hand over her heart.

“I’m
not going to lie to you guys, that night was not only hot as hell, it felt
comfortable. There wasn’t that awkwardness afterwards. I don’t know where it’s
headed, but I’m going to ride it until the wheels fall off.” Brianna and Tara
tapped their glasses as Stephanie rolled her eyes.

“I
guess I’m the only voice of reason in the land of sluts.”
 
She smiled.

“Huh,
I do believe you would have been dropping those panties on the first date if
your boss didn’t put the brakes on.” Tara said laughing.

“Anyway,
so are we going?” Stephanie said trying to change the subject. “Sounds like
fun. I will call Adam and let him know that I will be his date.” “With
benefits.” Tara added. “I already told Lawrence I would go with him.”

“Good.
So now that it is decided, we need to plan a day to go shopping.”

“Now,
guess who has a date with an extremely sexy man today?” Stephanie said
gloating. Tara and Brianna
said
“I do.”
In unison.
They all looked at each other and laughed so loud
that the other patrons started staring.