I Want Candy (9 page)

“So, did you have any problems finding the place?” he asked. “I know it’s kinda buried. I love it over here in Mount Adams, though,” he grinned.

“I found it just fine,” Candy smiled as she sipped her wine. “This is good. I didn’t picture you as a wine man,” she smirked.

“I’m not. I only drink it on occasion, but I try to keep it around for guests. Not everyone wants a Bud.” Eric laughed as he took her hand in his.

“So, if it’s not too presumptuous, I wanted to know if we could just chill tonight? We can order a movie, get some delivery, and just relax.” Eric slid his arm around her and kissed her cheek.

“That sounds fine,” Candy said. ‘He obviously wasn’t prepared for my visit,’ she thought. ‘My stomach’s rumbling. Why didn’t he already have something here?’ Eric took the remote control from the coffee table and turned on the television. Candy sat back in his arms, slightly resting on his chest while he found the pay-per-view stations.

“The great thing about this is that there are older movies available as well as some of the newer releases. Tonight, it’s your choice,” he said, smiling down at her.

They scrolled through the movie titles, laughing at some of the adult movie descriptions such as “Alice in Cockland,” “Ben Dover’s Royal Reamers,” and “Young Ripe Melons 5.”

“I never understood men’s obsession with pornography. What good does it do? You can only look. There’s nothing goin’ on that can truly titillate you. You’re just captive to an image on the screen,” Candy said as she shook her head in disbelief.

“Now see, that’s where you’re wrong,” Eric corrected. “Men are very visual. We decide
if
we want you,
when
we want you, and
how
we want you by sight alone. It doesn’t take much for us. Porn offers a quick release without the strings attached that comes with an actual woman. I mean, you don’t have to worry about pleasing her, only yourself, and once it’s over, you go on with your day. You don’t have to explain where you’re goin’, what time you’re comin’ back, or anything. No one is havin’ an awkward conversation about birth control or missed periods, either. It’s just you and your DVD collection – no explanations.”

Candy raised her eyebrow and laughed. Eric smiled back.

“I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true. You’ve never watched a porno movie before?” he asked in her ear.

Candy gasped and burst out laughing. Eric leaned back and rolled his eyes then smiled.

“Oh, so now you want to play shy. I’ll take that as a ‘yes!’” He stood up and walked to the kitchen, refreshing his wine glass. “Would you like more?” he asked as he poured.

“No, I’m fine. How about we watch ‘Fight Club?’” Candy inquired as she scrolled through the listings.

“I swear you’re tryin’ to make me fall in love with you,” Eric teased. “First, you like horror movies. Second, you can throw down on some food, and now you want to watch ‘Fight Club.’ Wow, I need to go get a ring later today.”

Candy started to laugh.

“I guess I’m kind of a guy’s gal. I never really thought about it much.”

“You’re good with money, smart, and sophisticated. Yeah, you almost gettin’ a
parking
ticket was definitely my
lottery
ticket,” Eric smiled as he sat back on the couch. He placed his glass of Cabernet Sauvignon on the table and gently rubbed Candy’s knee. He leaned back and pushed “Select” for “Fight Club.”

Midway through, Eric whispered in Candy’s ear. “Are you hungry, yet? I can go pick us up somethin’ from down the street, or you can come with me. It’s up to you. What do you have a taste for? We can just pause this.” He stood up and stretched.

Candy smiled and finished her glass of wine. “I’ll just stay here. That sounds like a plan.”

“There’s a place that makes great sushi,” Eric said. “Or, we could get egg rolls and some other stuff,” he laughed. “There’s a great little taco stand, but that’s right, you said you didn’t like Mexican food.” Candy smiled with the thought that he had been paying attention to her details. “There are, of course, the usual fast food places. There’s a Thai place that’s really good, too. So what’s your pleasure?” Eric asked.

“Thai sounds really good. I’d like some Chicken Pad Thai,” Candy said as she leaned back in the couch, propping her feet underneath her.

“That does sound good. I think I’ll get the same, only with shrimp. See you in a little bit. Would you like some more wine before I go?” Eric offered. Candy nodded and handed him the glass. He filled it up and handed it back to her.

“You can watch whatever. We can pick up watchin’ the movie right where we left off. Oh, the bathroom’s right down the hall to your right. They’re usually pretty fast with the food. I’ll be back in a flash.”

“OK,” Candy smiled as she watched him grab his keys and head out.

She channel surfed as she sipped her wine, her thoughts racing. Soon she found herself sitting up and looking around. She stood up and stretched. Walking barefoot across the soft beige carpet, she made her way into the bathroom.

Candy opened the door and smiled in awe. She saw a large double-door shower stall. Black ceramic tile covered the walls. Double black sinks were located along the other wall that was covered by a huge mirror. Between the sinks was a vase filled with fresh yellow roses. A light scent of sage filled the room. Candy stood in front of the mirror and tossed her hair. Wearing a navy blue Nike jogging suit, she looked at herself in the mirror closely and smiled. Curiosity getting the best of her, she looked at her watch then the master bedroom door. She slowly opened it. Her feet seemed to melt into the plush, snow-white carpet. The bed sheets were crisp and bright white, almost as if they had been washed and ironed. The headboard of the bed was made of rich mahogany and matched the armoire, dresser, and television stand. Next to the bed were two additional matching nightstands. One had an ashtray in it, with rolling papers nearby.

“Oh, my God, he smokes weed.” Candy shook her head and rolled her eyes as she continued to look around. She opened up his closet door and saw a collection of clean gym shoes, a couple pairs of dress shoes, and a pair of flip flops. Freshly dry-cleaned, linen and cotton shirts lined one side while dress pants and jeans lined the other. An assemblage of multicolored baseball caps towered in the corner neatly. Candy glanced at her watch again before opening up a dresser drawer, seeing neatly folded T-shirts with various emblems that included Kentucky Bourbon, River Downs, Cincinnati Reds, and Parrot Heads.

‘He’s a Parrot Head? Cheeseburger in Paradise? I would never have never guessed it!’ Candy laughed. She pulled out one of the nightstand drawers. Her eyes immediately widened at the site of the large black and gold box filled with Magnum condoms. She smirked as she realized it was unopened.

‘Well, I better get outta here before I get busted,’ she giggled as she closed the drawer and scurried out, returning to her post on the couch with remote in hand. Just minutes later, the door opened. She turned around as she heard the sound of plastic bags rustling and keys hitting the counter.

“Sorry it took so long. You would’ve thought they had to make the noodles from scratch,” Eric joked. Just then, Candy’s cell phone rang.

“Oh, I better get this. Do you mind?” she asked as she looked over the back of the couch.

“No, not at all. I’ll get these plated up. Do you want somethin’ different to drink?” Eric took two plates out of the cabinet.

“Water would be fine,” Candy said hurriedly.

“Hi, Dallas,” Candy said as she quickly hit “Talk.”

“Hi, Candy. Did I catch you at a bad time?” Dallas asked. Candy could imagine her shuffling her feet in her house shoes.

“I’m over at Eric’s house, but I can talk,” Candy explained.

“Well, I won’t keep you, but I know you’ve been tryin’ to reach me for a few days. I’m sorry. I just needed some time to think. I hired a private investigator to follow Andre for the next month or so. Before you say anything, yeah, it’s that extreme. I have to have evidence whether it’s to file for divorce or make him admit what’s going on so we get counseling. I knew in my heart somethin’ wasn’t right, and I need to get to the bottom of it. I’m not one of those women who want to stay in the dark just to keep a man. I know I’m a good catch and a good woman, and I’m not gonna just stand by and take this. It’s been really hard tryin’ to pretend like I know nothin’ though. I can tell you that much.”

“You know what, Dallas? I’m so in awe of your strength, and I applaud your effort to find out more. You’re a very strong woman, and I know you love Andre dearly,” Candy said sadly.

“I do. I really do. I’ve only cried once. I just can’t afford to really feel this yet. I need more time, and I need proof. I need to see it, or him to say it. I know I have to do it this way because I know my husband. Like I said, I knew somethin’ wasn’t right,” Dallas sighed. “I’m not gonna keep you. I hope you’re havin’ a good time with Eric, you nasty girl!”

Candy laughed. “Oh, stop it. It’s not even like that. We’re just watchin’ a movie and gettin’ ready to eat. Is it OK if I give you a call tomorrow?” Candy sat up on the couch.

“I tell you what, let me call you instead. My moods change so much, and I just don’t want to take anything out on you.”

“I understand. OK, well, call me if you can. I love you.”

“I love you too, Candy. And again, thanks.” Dallas hung up the phone.

Eric waited until Candy’s conversation was over then said, “This food smells so good, I think I may eat yours too.”

Candy laughed and walked over to the kitchen. She sighed and looked at the white plates piled high with thin noodles, thick chunks of sauteed white chicken, and thinly diced peanuts, garnished with cilantro. She looked over at Eric’s plate which was almost identical except the chicken was replaced with succulent pieces of shrimp. Eric dove his fork into his plate of noodles, twirling them before placing them in his mouth as he smiled at Candy who was watching his every chew as she picked at her plate.

They walked back over to the couch and sat down to finish watching the movie. Candy’s head lulled back and forth on Eric’s shoulder, finally settling into a crease of his armpit. She fought sleepiness as she crossed her arms and ankles, yawning several times. Eric looked down at her and smiled as he moved strands of hair out of her face until finally, he saw her eyes close and stay that way for several minutes. He gently kissed the side of her face as the ending credits rolled.

Fifteen minutes later Candy opened her eyes sleepily and looked around in confusion. She saw that she was relocated to Eric’s comfortable bed, her purse and shoes beside the nightstand. She heard the cars driving past as their headlights shined dimly on the curtains. She could hear him in the bathroom brushing his teeth. He had taken care to lay her down gently and pull the sheets up to her waist. She smiled as she looked at the glass of water he had brought in for her. Soon he emerged from the bathroom, shirtless and with long pajama pants on. He patted the side of his face and made eye contact with her. He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled out his fingernail clippers, meticulously going over his nails.

“I hope you don’t mind. I saw you were sleepy so…” he hesitated, “I carried you in here.”

“I’m not sure what to think,” Candy smiled nervously. “I really should be going home though,” she said as she yawned and stretched.

“If you’re sleepy, sleep. I’m not gonna do anything to you.” Eric rose from the bed and opened a dresser drawer. He pulled out one of his T-shirts he used to play basketball in and handed it to her. “You can put this on to sleep in,” he said as he got back into the bed and finished clipping his pinky nail. Then he turned on the television to a low roar before sliding all the way under the sheets. Candy’s stomach knotted as she studied the definition of his arms and abdominal muscles. Her eyes carefully took in the two tribal tattoo bands on his upper arms and the soft, dark wavy hair on his chest.

Eric channel surfed, looking directly at the television and smirked. “So, are you just gonna sit there or go ahead and change so you can catch some Zzzs?”

Candy rolled her eyes and smiled as she walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. She looked at herself up and down before disrobing down to her underwear.