I Want Candy (45 page)

“Yes!” she yelled as she buried her face into the sheets. An orgasm took over her body once again, causing her to writhe about. He perspired as he continued to work her over. Sweat dripped from his body onto hers, baptizing her, marking her as his own. Feeling his own reward arriving, he quickly flipped her over onto her back and pulled out. Inching towards her breasts, he jetted his essence onto her chest. She reached up and jerked his cock, extracting the last of the pearl drops onto her ample bosom. His body shuddered as his climax came to an end. He fell to the bed beside her. Out of breath, he uttered, “You…You have got to get on the pill or something. I…I can’t keep pulling out like that,” he smiled. “It’s killing me. I want to stay in where it’s warm,” he teased.

“I guess I ruined the ending. I was so happy that our STD tests came back negative that I wanted us to stop using condoms, but I know I need to do something.”

Gabriel nodded. “I’ll start using them again in the meanwhile. I got a little carried away myself after we received the results,” he smiled. “You can trust me, Candy. I’d never cheat on you. You don’t have to worry about me bringing you something.”

Candy looked down into her folded hands as past traumas rushed back, exposing wounds from long ago.

Gabriel took Candy’s hand. “I’d never cheat on you – never. I know you’ve gone through with that sort of thing in the past, but that wasn’t me. Ask anyone who knows me. You can trust me,” he assured.

Candy rose and walked into the bathroom, slowly cleaning herself off. Her vaginal walls throbbed from the aftershocks and soft beating they had received during the rambunctious lovemaking session.

“I mean that, Candy,” Gabriel called out.

“I know you do, Gabriel. That’s what amazes me about you. You’re the only man I ever dated that I have yet to catch looking at other women.”

“That’s so disrespectful,” Gabriel said as he rolled his eyes. “If I’m out with you, then my eyes need to be on you. I’m not going to stand there ogling anyone. I love you, and love doesn’t hurt.”

Candy pounded her fist harshly against her bathroom vanity. Gabriel raised his head and peered into the bathroom. He quickly leaped up and raced to her side. “What’s wrong?” he asked as he brought her towards him. She embraced him firmly. “You tell me love doesn’t hurt, but I’m scared to death. You’re everything I could’ve ever dreamed for!” she hugged him tightly. Gabriel hugged her back. “Oh, Candy. I’ve proven that you have nothing to worry about. We’re a gift to one other. You’re everything I could ever want, as well.” He lifted her chin up, forcing her to look at him. “I’ll protect your heart as if it’s my own.” He gently kissed her forehead. “You don’t have to hurt that way ever again.”

Candy nodded, and then walked slowly over to her shower stall. She turned on the water, standing close by as it misted the room. Stepping gingerly inside, she waited for Gabriel to join her. They washed each other, gently and lovingly. After drying off, they dressed for a cozy evening at home. Candy made some buttery popcorn, accompanied with two large Diet Cokes on ice.

“So you don’t think it would be like that?” Candy asked Gabriel as she threw a piece of popcorn at him. They snuggled closely under a blanket, watching reruns of “Everybody Loves Raymond.”

“No. I told you I wanted to remarry, and if my wife – hopefully that may be you one day,” he smiled, “decides she wants us to try for a baby, then I’ll be happy. I’d love another child or two. Matter of fact, I look forward to it.”

“I love children.” Candy looked away dreamily. “I wanna have at least one, but who knows.”

Gabriel leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Who knows what the future holds? You’re right, but I can assure you if I’m in your future, and I pray that I am, we’ll try for that baby.”

Candy smiled as she let her head fall onto his bare chest.

BABY-MAKIN’ CASSEROLE

1 song appropriate to bump and grind to

2 warm bodies

1 welcoming egg (Don’t scramble!)

1 sperm, out of the oyster

A warm place to lie

Candles, foreplay, and plenty of kisses

Stir, then bake for nine months and pop out of oven.

* * *

“Paaartay!” Jasmine said as she waved her thin caramel arms in the air. She laughed as she moved her hips through the sea of beige, pink, and pale faces. Dallas slumped against the wall as she waited for Candy to return.

“Look at him!” Candy said as she arrived and handed Jasmine and Dallas their drinks. They sat in the high-boy bar stools, watching the stage as the band members finished setting up.

“He’s really cute, Candy. He looks better in person,” Dallas said dreamily as she took a sip from her beverage. “This Sex on the Beach is good!” she added, taking another sip.

“Not as good as mine was,” Candy mumbled.

“Huh?” Dallas said, yelling over the cheering crowd.

“Nothin’,” Candy smiled mischievously.

Jasmine turned around. “Shhh! They’re about to perform!” Candy and Dallas looked at each other and shook their heads.

“Ladies and Gents, we give you, Gentle Scorpion!” the MC screamed into the microphone. The crowd applauded. Candy watched as Gabriel strapped his shiny, black guitar around his body. She looked intensely at his nimble fingers as he practiced strumming.

The crowd danced as the band struck up the instrumental to Aaliyah’s “Back and Forth.” Suddenly a woman came from the back and grabbed a microphone. Her platinum blonde hair was pinned up as she swayed her red-jeaned hips to the music then began to sing the lyrics.

Jasmine turned around and looked at Candy in awe. “What these white people know about this?” She got up and started to dance. “That white lady can sing! She sound just like ’er!”

Candy started laughing as she watched Jasmine contort around and Dallas clap. Candy felt starstruck.

‘Can he get any sexier?’ she thought as she watched him pluck the guitar. Once the song finished, Gabriel approached the front of the stage. Chaka Khan’s “Ain’t Nobody” began to play.

“I wonder if these snow bunnies know Black people did these songs first?” Jasmine yelled between her hip gyrations. Candy rolled her eyes and looked at the stage intensely, afraid to even blink. Gabriel began his electric guitar solo. The crowd clapped loudly as his fingers ran up and down the neck. She felt herself melt into each note he played. As he completed the song, the crowd jumped up and cheered.

Dallas
leaned over to Candy. “He’s really good.”

“You don’t know the half of it,” Candy muttered.

“Huh?” Dallas asked again.

“Nothin’!” Candy burst into laughter as she stood up and applauded. The lights lowered, and the band began to play a soft tune as Gabriel spoke.

“Tonight we’re gonna play a song we’ve never performed before in public. I want to dedicate this song to a special woman, Candy.”

People in the audience began to clap. A few shouted, “Awww!” Dallas and Jasmine looked at Candy with wide eyes and smiled happily for her. Candy put her hands up to her face and blushed.

All of the sudden the soft music turned into Cameo’s song, “Candy.” The crowd clapped in appreciation. Dallas jumped up and applauded as she swayed to the beat. “Girl, he’s a keeper! That’s too adorable!”

Candy slowly stood up and waved to him, blowing him a kiss. He looked over at her and winked. George held the microphone and sang, “It's like candy!” singing the entire song while the crowd went wild chiming in and dancing. Gabriel blew Candy a kiss then stepped back into place. The audience applauded again. Candy shook her head in disbelief.

“Let’s try to peel that big-ass grin off her face!” Jasmine said as she laughed. “You’re so dick whipped, it ain’t even funny.” Candy rolled her eyes and laughed. The band played a few more songs before exiting the stage. Dallas, Jasmine, and Candy sat huddled together talking and chuckling.

“Hi, Ladies,” Gabriel said as he approached them from behind. Candy turned to face him. She took note of his shirt. The first four buttons were undone, exposing soft, dark chest hair as he tried to cool down. He held a beer in his right hand, wrapped his left around Candy’s waist and kissed her on the cheek. His friend George, the drummer, accompanied him.

“Hey, Gabriel, this is Jasmine and Dallas.” Each woman shook his hand.

“You’re really good,” Dallas said, her grin a mile wide. “Candy and I go way back. I’m really happy for you and her. You seem to treat her right, so you get my gold star.”

“Thank you,” Gabriel said as he took a sip of his beer.

Jasmine, now nursing her third gin and tonic, squinted and slightly slurred, “You pretty fuckin’ cute for a white man.” Gabriel and George looked at each other and burst out laughing.

“Ladies, this is my friend George.”

“Yeah, he did the singin’,” Jasmine waved. “You’re fat, but fuckable. You have a great voice.” Everyone burst out laughing again.

“George, I apologize for my friend. She’s been drinking too much this evening.” Candy’s eyes got wide, warning Jasmine to sit down and be quiet.

Gabriel leaned over and whispered in Candy’s ear, “It’s like having Allison here tonight! No filter!” They both burst out laughing.

George waved. “That’s OK. She’s being honest,” he smiled.

“The other guys are at the bar. They should be over shortly,” Gabriel said as he squeezed Candy closer to him.

Candy stood up and whispered in his ear, “You’re so sexy right now! I know you’re busy, but I’d love to take you home like Chinese carryout,” Candy joked as her second glass of wine started to loosen her tongue. Gabriel laughed, holding his stomach. He leaned in and kissed her on her neck, then sucked lightly.

“OK now!” Jasmine screamed, “Y’all need to get a room! Yes, I’m hatin’. If I ain’t gettin’ no love, no one does.” She turned back around and people-watched.

Gabriel smirked. “Well, it was nice meeting you. Candy, let me get a word with you for a second.” Dallas and Jasmine waved as George walked away and Gabriel took Candy by her hand, leading her to a quieter area of the bar.

“Hey, Sweetie,” he said as he held her close. “Did you like the music?”

“Oh, I loved it. You’re a man of many talents!” Candy grinned. I had no idea you knew songs like that. You’re full of surprises.”

“Great, I’m glad.” Gabriel paused, deliberating over his next words. “Um, everyone will be at the holiday party tomorrow. I see Jasmine is a bit of a drinker. Do you think that maybe it’s not a good idea for her to attend?” Candy grimaced. She put her hand on her hip as her lip poked out.

“Now wait! I can see you’re getting mad already. I’m saying that because she could accidentally let it slip out that we’re seeing each other, not because I don’t want her there.”

Candy’s facial expression softened. “Jasmine isn’t a drunk. She’s depressed and has been drinking too much lately because of a recent breakup. I’ll ask her to only have one drink tomorrow night and explain why. I’m sure she’ll be alright with that.”

“OK, that’s good.” Gabriel kissed her lips quickly. “I have to go, Babe. You want to come by the house tonight? I should be home around 2:00.” Gabriel took a spare house key out of his pocket. “Here.”

“What’s this?” Candy asked as she looked at the key lying in the middle of her palm.