Love Delivered (25 page)

After service, I ran home to change and grab my laptop. I threw on short jean shorts, a three-quarter sleeve, white, loose, silk blouse, and low top classic black
Converse
sneakers. Maybe it was the layered neckpiece I’d tossed on to spruce it up. In all honesty, I never got dressed for work unless I was scheduled for a meeting.

After following the trail of her eyes up my body, I widened my eyes sarcastically and matched my tone in the same sentiment when I informed, “I don’t know how you get so much from so little. The newest item I’m rocking, you can’t see...”

I lost my train of thought when Angela sauntered over to me with her head angled toward my pelvis and her eyes squinted.

“What are you do—”

“Is that a...?” With her hand, she inspected my inner left thigh somewhat coarsely. I glanced down at her with incredulity. “Zo, are these hickeys?”

“What?” I jumped back and tossed my things on a nearby table. “What are you talking—” I gasped!

As I examined myself, I noticed hues of pink and purple on both my inner thighs. I knew my shorts were short—it was August in a heat box of a bakery—but I didn’t know they exposed so much. Stenton left passion marks in intimate places, trailing up to my
most
intimate place.

“Did he do this on purpose?” I accidentally asked outside of my panicking head. I squeezed my eyes at that slip.

Angela drew in a sharp breath. “So you did
do
Stenton this weekend!”

I grabbed my head, in total exasperation. “Yes.” I sighed. “I mean, no!” I winced. “Well, kinda.” I confused even myself.

“Well, damn. Was it that good that you can’t give a coherent answer?”

I gave a dramatic exhale as I rolled my eyes. I then turned to grab my things and headed towards my office.

“Good for you, Zo. Nothing wrong with having the pipes unclogged,” Angela called out to my back. And although I knew it was sincere, I couldn’t give credence to it because I had yet to figure it out myself.

I spent the first hour of work clearing my books. Paperwork wasn’t the worst part of being a business owner for me; interacting with customers was. When it was time for Angela to pack up to go home, I headed out to the front and waited on our Sunday crowd. We had two large-order pickups that night that she had to package and fill me in on.

As she was working on packing a sheet cake, I was finishing up with a customer when my phone went off. It was a text from Stenton. I gave a cursory peek to my phone there on the counter as I tapped into the register.

Stenton:
I gotta sweet tooth I need to satisfy.

I gasped and then giggled nervously in front of a customer. Was this his way of making plans to see me again? Will he have me deliver cupcakes to him when I get off? My spine shivered at the thought of that.

Me:
What specifically are you craving?

Stenton:
Zoey Custard

My stomach flipped with excitement and I felt my sex contract. I couldn’t believe how aroused I’d instantly become by a text.

Me:
Hmmmm... Not sure if we have it available now, but I can arrange for a batch to be whipped up for special order.

Stenton:
How soon?

I looked at my wristwatch. I still had four hours to go.

Me:
Try after 8.

Stenton:
Can’t wait that long. I’ve been waiting all day already.

My pulse quickened. I felt my mouth go dry as I grabbed the edge of the counter to balance myself. Once I was able to gather my bearings, I didn’t know how to reply. I found myself pulling at my bottom lip, contemplating my response.

I must have taken too long. Another text came through.

Stenton:
I want to come see you. Now.

Me:
I’m working. You know how you don’t like the public exposure.

“Hey,” Angela called from behind me. “I’m about to hit the road. You need to pee before I go?”

I nodded my head. I needed to address my suddenly sodden panties. As I took care of my needs in the bathroom, I realized Stenton never texted back. On the way back to the register, I kept checking my phone like the obsessed teen Stenton had the power to reduce me to.

“Zo, Stent’s coming through the back door,” Angela notified with discretion. “Finish up this order so I can let him and Rob in through the back.”

I couldn’t move.
Was Stenton outside when we were texting?
He had to have been to be at the door in less than five minutes.

“Zo!” Angela bit out, that quickly bothered. “Come on. They can’t be back there that long,” she grounded out forcefully.

I was somehow able to move one foot in front of the other, arriving to the register. As I gave my parting greeting to the customer on his way out the door, I felt his big hands circle my waist. Heat ignited in my core and quickly diffused to my extremities. My breath caught and before I could speak, his open mouth was at my neck, lighting my skin afire.

“I know. I’m intruding, but I missed you,” Stenton’s deep baritone rolled into my neck.

My eyes closed as my body shivered from his scent and warm peppermint breath hitting my skin. The tip of his nose skimmed my shoulder, up to the back of my neck. I’d hoped I was able to successfully stifle the moan desperate to escape the back of my throat.

“I...uh...just know how you are about...ummm...” I swallowed. “...your privacy.”

It had been over twenty-four hours of constant touching and carnal exploration, and still my body was pulsating with need. 

“Damn, y’all really got it in and you haven’t shared a detail. Makes me wonder which other conquests you’ve kept to yourself,” Angela jeered from the side of her mouth,
or did she?
I felt Stenton go rigid behind me and I was sure it was at the mention of me possibly sleeping with someone else. He didn’t need that reminder. She quickly and genuinely followed up with, “But that can’t be possible; I’ve never seen you glow like this.”

I took a deep breath, needing to calm my body from Stenton’s unexpected visit and the trouble that Angela was inadvertently—or purposely—stirring. She stood there with her weight on one hip, almost as if she was awaiting an explanation as she held her bags in the crooks of her arms. It was a good thing her phone rang, because I was preparing to level her.

“Hang on,” she held up her finger as a Cheshire smile crested upon her almond face. “I gotta take this.” She headed back to my office for the call.

My eyes traveled over to Stenton. His face was tight, but his eyes soft.

“You’re a surprise,” I murmured honestly. I didn’t know the protocol for one-day-stands. That’s all Stenton and I were supposed to be.

His expression remained when he cupped the sides of my face in his hands and quickly returned, “Pleasant, I hope.”

“Of course,” I managed a smile.

He dropped his hands and shoulders simultaneously, suddenly frustrated. “Zo, I know I’m tripping the fuck out here. I know this isn’t something we’ve planned or agreed on, but I’m not ready to go back to just co-parenting yet.” He brushed his mouth with his hand. “I mean, I would never go back if…” He sighed and held the back of his head. “Look, I don’t know how to explain what I feel. I just know I don’t want to let go just yet.”

I pouted my lips high, to the point of almost reaching my nose and furrowed my brows, gesturing my confusion. “So, what do you want?”

“I want to go away. Just a few days…until you say when, but alone.” Stenton’s face fell into a grimace and he chewed on his bottom lip anxiously.

I blew out a long chain of air as I combed my fingers through my bushy hair that I let air dry after showering this morning before church. “Stenton, I have work and…to prepare for the upcoming semester.
I
-I…”

The door chimed, announcing an incoming visitor. I glanced up to find a middle-aged man with silver hair coming in at the roots, chatting on his phone. My eyes went wild when I immediately worried about Stenton being recognized and then mobbed if word got out that he was here again.

But before I could react, Stenton rapidly ducked to his left, underneath the counter. His long legs arched to give me room in the small area to maneuver. Just as I was approaching the counter to meet the man, the door sounded again with two customers coming in.

“How can I help you, sir?” I asked the first Caucasian gentleman with wire frames and a fedora.

“I need four yellow cupcakes with vanilla frosting and sprinkles. My six-year-old granddaughter was very specific about the last two,” he shared amusedly. “She’s having three of her girlfriends over. Supposed to be five, but we’re still waiting on the last RSVP.”

“Sure, hang on. I think I have those in the back.” I smiled almost too brightly, hoping to cover my anxiousness about my visitor below. I tapped the toe of Stenton’s right sneaker to tell him to keep those legs up while I was gone.

I skipped to the back refrigerator, located the cupcakes, loaded them, and skipped back out to the counter. As I pulled out a bag to place the box in, I opened the box to allow him to see the cupcakes.

“I included a fifth cupcake in case that last invitee does show—on the house, of course.”

“Why, thank you!” His eyes brightened. “We can now breathe easier in the event she does show.”

That’s when I felt Stenton’s hand in the crease of my thighs. It reminded me of the abbreviated length of my shorts. His touch was almost in the examining manner Angela took earlier, only his hands lingered longer, appreciative even.
Perhaps of his handiwork?

The customer paid and I bade him a good evening, trying not to melt under Stenton’s touch down below—literally.

My eyes widened expectantly at the next two customers. I soon learned they were together, picking up the cupcake order Angela had prepared. I played small talk with them as I rang them up. I was inputting the number Angela had handwritten on the slip into the register when I felt a slithery muscle at the front juncture of my right thigh. I sucked in a breath, my body shook and then my bottom lip went in between my teeth. I got the next few numbers out of sequence from the slip and had to keep hitting the back button and reenter them. When they were finally in, I was able to accept payment from the customer. The door chimed again with another incoming customer.

Stenton’s tongue never reached my lips, but did line the crease of my pelvic area. It was torture. The one thing he couldn’t do because it was downright lewd and inappropriate, I found my body craving. To his credit, he didn’t cross the imaginary line into my panties, but the heat that he breathed out while down there creamed my panties instantaneously.

The set of customers picking up their orders left out and the new one walked up. I took her order, which was luckily in the display refrigerator. Since Stenton plopped down underneath the counter, I’d kept my body inclined over the counter to prevent the customers from doing so and seeing long legs stretched out astride me. His legs were now extended as he inhaled my sex through my shorts, causing a breeze of cool air to replace my natural heat.   

I completed the order and as soon as the customer left out, I dropped to my haunches, finding marbled eyes, playing coy.   

“What am I going to do with you?” I breathed, feeling pleasantly overwhelmed by his presence at my job.

“Go away with me.”

“Go away? I have to work.”

“You have people. I’m sure Angela could cover you for a few days.”

I sighed. “Stenton, it’s not that simple.”

“What’s not simple is my need for you. I just need a few days. I don’t want this to be a hard decision for you. I want it to be an easy yes. I need just a few days alone, out of the city.”

“Where are we going for a few days? Exactly how many are we talking?” I whined.

“Just three or four.”

“Where can we go for three to four days?”

“It won’t be anywhere far. I can have Srey find a place further east where we can drive. Just some place where we can be alone. Someplace where we don’t talk about anything that went wrong. We just act on what feels right. That’s all I’m asking for.” His eyes implored.

I paid him a long and tentative gaze, weighing my decision in my mind. 

Then

August 2011

~
Zoey
~

The wind smacked against my face as we rode with the top down up to the Hamptons. Stenton was intent on driving, so his security rode behind and front of us the entire trip. He masqueraded in a fake beard and mustache with a safari hat. The costume was comical, but what was most conspicuous was the serenity in his face as he took in the streaming winds. He seemed tranquil and content.

The house his assistant arranged was a small cottage on the beach. The place may have been miniature in size, but it held a lot of contemporary personality. It was the ideal size for simplicity, yet spacious enough to accommodate Stenton’s long-limbed stature. The walls were white board and the décor in hues of blue. The furniture was simple elegance, plush to allow for practical comfort. There was only one bathroom on the lower floor, right off the living area, in between that and the kitchen. The second level was a loft designated for the master bed, an open space, overlooking the small home. Its key feature was the awe-inspiring view of the beach. I appreciated it on sight, realizing its intimate size was just what I needed to feel at ease about being off my schedule and in the company of my unrequited love.

From the time we arrived, Stenton was true to his plan about it being a quiet and decompressing getaway. That first evening, we agreed to make it an early night and had dinner out on the deck in the rear of the property where we enjoyed a breath-snatching view of the water. The meal was catered by a private company that left as quickly as they arrived. After filling our bellies, Stenton and I retreated up to the open loft, both exhausted. We stripped down for a shower and after falling into the bed, we lazily made love until the last tremble of our intertwined bodies cast us into deep sleep.

The following morning, we reluctantly journeyed out of the bed after several tries and grabbed pastries and coffee at a local bakery. From that experience, I officially loved the town we were in. Obviously, Stenton was recognized, but he wasn’t bothered or harassed for anything outside of speaking, and I was sure it didn’t have much to do with the beefy bodyguards that shadowed us at a comfortable, but present distance.

We swam at the beach and talked as the sun dried us on the sand. In the water, Stenton stood behind me and grabbed my breasts. After getting over my initial startle, I relaxed into him with ease.

“You’re still a breast man, I see,” I teased over a long breath.

“I’m a Zoey-breast man.” The tips of his fingers traced the contour of my nipples through my top. “I want to take a picture of you in this bikini for my phone.”

“Oh, please, Stenton. You’ve seen better racks than mine over the years.” He had to. I’m sure he’s seen better before even meeting me, and certainly since. He was with Erika Erceg for crying out loud! She has one of the sexiest bodies known to man. “Mine aren’t even as shapely as they used to be since breastfeeding.”

Stenton didn’t reply. He continued to knead, but not to elicit my arousal, just simply exploring.

“I’m sure you liked Erika’s just as much.” I regretted saying that as soon as I could hear the paltriness fall from my lips. Thankfully he didn’t leave me out there long at all.

“These are lively, full, soft and curved perfectly. Their globular shape is perfect for my hands. They’ve seduced my mouth and fed my child the first and most important nutrients of his life. They’re perfection and purposeful. I’ve not had these since you. I will love these…can hold them until I die.”

Intended or not, now I was aroused.

“Stenton,” I cried out a whisper.

“I’ll stop.”

And then his hands were gone. I was left standing knee-deep in the water, panting while the humming of my body subsided. I didn’t know why Stenton invited me out here, but that move alone told me it wasn’t about just sex. Strangely, I was okay with not discussing our real issues. I didn’t want to break our amenable climate.

The catering company set us up lunch on the beach. We ate shrimp salsa, chips, assorted cheese and crackers and sipped aged wine on a huge blanket. I mused as we faced the water, idly nature watching.

“So, a house for Sarah?” I exhaled, still turning that over days later.

Stenton still faced the water as he shrugged. “It’s only right.”

“You two really that tight, huhn?”

“They go down there every year. Why continue to stay in hotels or with family?”

“But you didn’t buy it for both of them, just Sarah Barrett,” I probed.

“I told you… She doesn’t waver. She doesn’t judge. She doesn’t push. She only loves. Everybody should have a Sarah Barrett. But they don’t. I do—within context—and I want to cherish her.”

I nodded. He was right. My mother was the best. I’d always known that. Even during our fights and disagreements, I couldn’t stay away from her. I needed her like a compass in life. She deserved all the happiness that came her way, even if it was by way of my recklessness—especially because of my recklessness.

“I plan on starting JR in art,” I shared.

“Which kind?” His eyes regarded the water.

“I’ll start him off with oil painting and see where his interest takes him.”

“Good exposure,” Stenton noted, seemingly approving. “You still paint?” I felt his eyes on me.

“Promotes cognitive processes,” is how I chose to answer him.

He nodded.

“Tell me more about the bakery business. How’s it going?” Stenton turned to me, opening for conversation, but still playing it safe and away from painful topics.

I obliged and ran down my ambitions for the business. It felt good being able to flesh them out.

“But why a bakery? I know you’re an exceptional cook, but didn’t know you had a particular interest in that business.”

I turned back toward the water, crossing my outstretched legs and leaning on my hands that were behind me.

“I didn’t exactly plan it. It just came together. I was itching to get my hands wet in enterprise, but for a while didn’t know which avenue. Then Angela came back into my life, and when she did, she was on course to becoming a chef. I always knew I’d be in business and I always knew from it I’d help my family. So, I blended her skills with my dreams and made it happen.” I braved a glance over at Stenton.

His eyes dropped to his lap as he nodded.

“Yeah. You said you were going to take care of your family. I guess you’ve done just that.” His tone was somber.

“Almost. I want Sarah Barrett to quit her job and come work at one of the bakeries.”

“Commute to Philly?”

“I’m working on a second location, after which I want to open in Jersey. That’s another thing I’m looking into. I want her to head it up. It won’t be an overnight process, but well worth it when it comes together.”

“I know they’re proud of you. They’ve always been.”

I waved his compliment off. “Family is everything. Without it, what are you?”

Stenton and I stayed out there for hours, even swam more before dinner. It was nice.

The following day was just as easy. When I awakened, I slowly opened my eyes and saw across the loft, to the front of the cottage. I smelled him. The heat from his big body balmed my skin. My breasts felt heavy and my groin vibrated pleasantly. I’d experienced this many days of being a healthy single woman. There were even a few where I fruitlessly wished he was available to me…just as he was right now. My pulse began to race as I rolled over in search of him. I found his eyes on me, Stenton’s face impassive. We gazed at each other for a while, seemingly unsure about the next move, or specifically about who’d make it. I loved Stenton so much it was painful. We had so much pain between us, so much work to do to repair us. But nothing was more blatant than our mutual passion.

Our chemistry was potent and we knew it. It was why I’d chosen to stay out of touch with him for the most part. It was why during every holiday or family gathering I had to prep myself for days before encountering him. It was why Stenton broke, greedily pulled me into his chest and onto him, kissing me senseless. It was why as I straddled him and he plunged up, rubbing his morning arousal against my lips below.

It was why I broke from his full, heart-shaped lips and informed hoarsely, “First one of the day, in my belly. And when you’re ready, I want to hear my name.”

Then I skirted down his long frame and took him into my mouth with athirst. I worked him until Stenton clutched the nape of my neck as he pumped his muscular hips into my head grunting, “
Eliiizabettth
,” while ascending.  

Stenton and I didn’t have many expectations for the day. After breakfast we took a long ride, exploring the area. When that was done, we returned to the cottage to throw on our swim clothes. I was ready first and watched Stenton lace up his trunks, covertly planning our next sexual excursion.

“You’re making that clicking sound.”

I glanced up at him, mouth agape. Then I realized the familiarity in that age-old observation of his and busted out laughing.

“I can’t help it!” I yelled over my laughter.

Stenton moved for the dresser. “And I can’t help but take a picture of you just like this.”

I posed for a few flicks then fell into laughter over the silliness of it all.

“You’re fucking gorgeous,” Stenton stated with a sober face.

That snatched the humor from my lungs. I found my face straightening. Something hit me. Maybe we didn’t need to talk. Maybe these few days proved we only needed a fresh start. What if we
could
just move forward and find our happy medium? Maybe I had my Stenton back. I stood from the bed, steadied my balance on my toes and planted a kiss on Stenton’s cheek. I backed away and regarded him long enough to see the schoolboy grin on his face then started down the stairs.

It was our last day and oddly, after swimming at the beach, we found ourselves fishing at a private pond. Stenton seemed to have a grip on what he was doing. I didn’t fish, but had my fair share of holding a rod from days of boredom with my dad. It was one of the cons of being the first born. Stenton and I borrowed rods, hooks and feeds and set out to fish.

“I can’t believe you fish. My dad would be proud,” I muttered as we sat on the dock water watching.

“I don’t exactly know how, but some of the quietest moments of my life have happened while fishing…” He turned to me. “…with your father.”

“With my dad?” I was completely shocked. “I didn’t think you two liked each other.” It was rude, but true. Stenton and my Dad barely spoke to each other.

“He may not like me, but we get along.” Stenton studied the water.

“And you? You like him?”

“I have a deep respect for Michael. He may not like how I came into his life, but he accepts and loves the hell out of my son. And he stood by your side.” Stenton grimaced. “I’ve done undue harm to his family, but he still respects me enough to let me hang out with you guys.”

I sat up and turned toward him. “Stenton, I hope after all these years you don’t blame yourself for me getting pregnant. From what I recall, we were both in the act…enjoying each other none the less. Heck, we still do. After all these years and the…confusion…I still can’t keep my hands off ya,” I jeered.

But I didn’t get the mirthful response I was going for. He turned to me, face hard, nostrils flared and lips balled together. His eyes bounced from my face to the side of me, to over me. He was mentally wrestling with something—perhaps emotionally. Then he exhaled, rolling his eyes, clearly tossing the idea to the side. Stenton turned back to the water. Just when I thought the conversation was a wash, he spoke again.

“Zoey, let’s make something clear.” His eyes still out on the water. “When I met you, you were damn near a kid. Don’t get me wrong, I have no regrets in having my son, and damn sure didn’t fuck up on who his mother is. But I was the responsible party as a man almost ten years older than you. I was very reckless with you, never managing much self-control. You were a premature gift that I spoiled, and I don’t mean in a giving you everything you asked for manner. I mean in a tainting and possibly vitiate type of way—”

“Stenton,” I cut him off. “I knew full well what I was getting myself into. I also knew I pushed you before you were ready.”

He shook his head, expelling the notion. “I exposed you to so much shit well before your time. And if I’m going to keep it real, most of that shit I did by design. Once I realized I was your first, I wanted to be your first every—” he paused. “Well, let’s just say, I wanted to make it hard for anybody who came behind me.”

I chuckled as I gazed out at the water, embarrassed by what my sex life had been without him. It wasn’t something I was ready to share with him. He’d never understand bad sex. He was Stenton Rogers…Number 2 Overall Draft Pick, three-time MVP Awardee, and four-time Champion, Stenton Rogers. He’d had the king’s pickings of women. He was a skilled lover himself, unlike me, needing assistance or direction. I would not clue him in on my pathetic love life.

“Well, anyway. Let’s just say having a baby when we did was totally on me. I’ll take that.”

“Thanks, Stenton, but you and I both know that isn’t true.” Needing to change the course of this conversation, I stood and stretched. “Well, I don’t think my dad would be proud to hear we both suck. I’m over this fishing thing already. Let’s go back to the beach.”