I Want Candy Page 24

  “It’s time to cuddle, kiss, and talk, not work. If I see you with that laptop, Blackberry, or anything to do with work today, you’re in trouble. I’m serious,” Gabriel warned with a smirk and pointed finger.

  Candy laughed. “What? I have to, Gabriel. It’s due Monday, seriously.”

  “I know what’s due Monday, and you also know that I know you’re lying to some extent. We both know you already have most of it done. You just want to review it over and over and tweak it. No, last night and all of today is for us to enjoy.” He took her by the hand and led her to his entertainment studio which resembled a small movie theater. Candy smiled in amazement.

  “Gabriel, your house is so stunning. What a neat room!” she said as she sat down next to him in one of the plush, red and gold seats. He pushed a button on the remote, causing the thick, burgundy curtains to electronically part and expose the movie screen.

  “What do you want to see?” he asked, showing Candy a guide of everything he had available. Candy smiled and leaned in closer to him, kissing him delicately on the nose.

  “You’re one in a million, Gabriel Justice,” she said softly. He put his hand on her leg and softly caressed her knee.

  “You even more so. Candy, let me tell you something about myself you probably don’t know. I may appear very extroverted and worldly, but I wasn’t always this way. I lost my virginity at age twenty, and while that’s still young, all of my male friends had already had multiple sex partners by then.”

  “Yeah, for a guy, that’s pretty admirable.” Candy continued to listen.

  “My ex-wife was only the third woman I had ever made love to. I’m proof that some men still take sex seriously, and that you don’t need a lot of partners to know how to please a woman.”

  Candy smiled and nodded in agreement. “Do you wanna know how many men I’ve been with?” she asked uneasily.

  Gabriel looked at her. He concentrated on the curve of her full lips as he deliberated over her question. “No, I don’t need to know how many men you’ve had sex with. All I need to know is that you’re STD-free and not currently sexually active with anyone other than me.”

  Candy sighed in relief. “I’m STD-free, no thanks to Eric, of course. It was just a blessing because he could have brought me back anything. I get tested every six months. I think we should…”

  “Yes, I agree,” Gabriel smiled, finishing her thought. “Contrary to what has happened this weekend, I really didn’t plan or expect this. I just went with how I felt. Regardless of that, let’s go get tested together so that we can have that completely out of our minds.”

  “Oh, and I was on birth control, but I’m not anymore. I stopped taking it after…”

  Gabriel smiled and waved his hand. “I know. You don’t need to say his name. That’s fine.”

  Candy grabbed Gabriel’s hand. “I have to admit I’m really curious as to how someone like you is still available. I mean, you’re nice, good looking, ambitious, and what a lot of women want. I see how women look at you at work.”

  Gabriel shrugged. “I dated a few women after my divorce, but I know what I want, and I know what I’m looking for, and I hadn’t found it. It’s not about quantity for me, it’s about quality. I’d rather have one really nice car then ten average ones. Why do you think I have this big house? It’s not just for me. I’d be fine in a townhouse somewhere. This is for me, my daughter, whomever I may marry in the future, and our children together. It’s for family and friends.”

  Candy tilted her head to the side as she began to sink more and more under his spell. “Gabriel,” she said, and licked her lips.

  “Don’t do that,” he teased. “You’ll start something you’re probably too tired to finish, and I have no problem doing you right here, right now.”

  Candy laughed. “I have another question.”

  “Go right ahead,” Gabriel said as he put his hands behind his head and leaned back into the chair.

  “How is it that most men like you seem to enjoy surrounding themselves with numerous beautiful women while remaining bachelors forever, but you’re such the opposite? How do you resist temptation when you’re in a relationship with someone?”

  Gabriel laughed. “Because being in love and faithful doesn’t mean you’re blind, but it means you show your partner respect by not cheating on her. I’ve never been unfaithful to anyone I was with. Hell, cheating is disrespectful to the cheater as well! If I pledge myself to one person, then that’s what I need to uphold. Despite our making love in the woods, the sex marathon last night and this morning, and everything I’m planning for in the near future with you,” Gabriel winked, “I’m a one-woman man. I had plenty of opportunities to have a shitload of sexual partners. That just isn’t me though. I guess I’m just old fashioned. I want to always care deeply for the woman who’s giving herself to me – no one night stands for me. All a good lover needs is to be a good listener, pay attention, and love her, really love her. His lovemaking will show her just how much he wants her if he’s madly in love with her. If I can’t be a man of my word, then I’m worthless, so when I tell you that I only make love to women I love, I mean that. When I say make love, I mean it literally. It’s not synonymous with just the sexual act itself.”

  “Gabriel, I…”

  “Shhh, just listen. I’ve loved you for a long time. You’re a very special person with great business sense and a beautiful heart. I didn’t realize I was actually in love with you, though, until after your divorce. That’s the truth. When you were at my house the first time, I just wanted to take care of you and take all of your pain away. I had a hard time not worrying about you. Regardless, we have an opportunity now, and I don’t want it ruined.” He reached gingerly for her hand and squeezed it, intertwining their fingers together as the lights dimmed.

  KNIGHT-IN-SHINING ARMOR POT ROAST

  100% truth, honesty, and integrity

  5 cups of sexiness for each day of the work week

  2 cups of sultry for the weekend

  1 tbsp of ability to rescue a damsel in distress (from herself and from enemies)

  Mix all ingredients together.

  Quiet your palpitating heart.

  Don’t faint, and bake at 400 degrees for the rest of your natural life.

  * * *

  “I can’t really talk right now,” Candy whispered as she gripped her cell phone and tiptoed around the plush cream carpet looking for her panties and bra.

  “You better talk now! Jasmine and I haven’t heard from you all weekend. Don’t tell me you’re still over at your boss’s house! What have y’all been doin’?” Dallas demanded.

  “Yeah, what have you been doin’?” Jasmine yelled from the background. Candy giggled and got on her bare knees, looking under the bed. “Ahhh, here they are,” she said as she grabbed the black satin underwear. “How’d they get under there?”

  “Candy,” Gabriel called out. “Everything OK?” he asked as he approached his bedroom.

  “Dallas, I have to go! Yes, yes, everything is fine, Gabriel,” Candy answered as she stood back up.

  “Have you really been there this entire time?” Dallas asked, ignoring Candy’s pleas to get off the phone.

  “Yes,” Candy huffed as she awkwardly slid the panties on with one hand.

  “And just what have y’all been doin’? Answer me!” Dallas burst into laughter.

  “You’s a ho!” Jasmine chimed in.

  “I have so much to tell y’all! I’d love to tell you right now, but there isn’t enough time.”

  “Before you hang up, tell me this: how was it on a scale of one to ten?”

  Candy tilted her head back as she laughed, almost dropping her cell phone.

  “Nine, a definite nine. Would have been a ten if he hadn’t – look, I’ll call you back!” Candy laughed.

  “No way! Tell me now! If he hadn’t what?” Dallas demanded.

  “Made me do it outside against a tree! I gotta go!” Candy hung up the phone and put her bra o
n before walking out of the bedroom.

  “I told you I didn’t bring a swimsuit, so this will have to do. So, where is this hot tub you’ve been bragging about?” Candy said as she stood in front of Gabriel who was taking his time sizing her up from head to toe. Candy returned the favor, enjoying looking at his lean, muscular body. He was built like a professional swimmer, and she had told him so several times. Gabriel approached Candy, taking her around her waist and bringing her close to him. The scent of vanilla perfume tickled his nose in a pleasant fashion. He slowly pushed his fingers through her loose curls, closed his eyes and delicately kissed her exposed neck.

  “This has been a lovely weekend,” he whispered in her ear. “Can you stay tonight as well?”

  Candy laughed. “Today is Sunday. We have work tomorrow. I don’t have any clothes for tomorrow, and I may be overstaying my welcome. I think your neighbors are tempted to call the cops with all the noise coming from here,” she teased.

  “Do you know how far behind I am on my workload?” he asked with a chuckle. “I’ve never failed to work in some form or fashion over the weekend. This is absurd. Even on my wedding night I called the office for messages,” he laughed.

  “Are you enjoyin’ yourself?” she asked with a smirk as she slowly left his embrace and looked at him directly. He looked at her intensely, his eyes softened as he reflected over their time together.

  “Immensely,” he answered. Just then the phone suddenly rang. She watched as he entered his bedroom and answered.

  “Oh, hi, Baby! How was your weekend? Really? Of course.” Gabriel turned to Candy, “It’s my daughter, Allison.”

  Candy nodded and smiled. She recalled three large framed photos of his daughter in his study. Her hair was honey-wheat blonde like her mother’s, but her features were her father’s, one-hundred percent.

  “Who am I talking to? I have a friend over at the house, Honey. Um hmmm. OK. Well, call me back later if you want. I love you too, Sweetheart.” Gabriel smiled and hung up the phone. He took Candy by her hand and escorted her to his indoor steam room. Inside was a hot tub and sauna. Cherry wood and cedar lined the walls and made for the perfect backdrop against a stainless steel sink, mini-fridge, and wine bar. Steam rose from the hot tub, causing it to bubble as the jets pushed water across the large basin. Around the perimeter of the hot tub were red and pink flower petals. Anita Baker sang softly in the background while a bucket of wine and two glasses chilled on the right side of the hot tub. Along one wall of the room, illuminated in the deepness of the seductive dark, were amethyst tea lights.

  “You did all of this?” Candy asked as she put her hands up to her face in disbelief. “It’s beautiful,” she said softly, her eyes watering.

  “It’s for you,” he smiled and hugged her briefly, then disappeared into a small cubicle area of the room. “Please go ahead and get in. I’ll be there in a second.”

  Candy leisurely walked around the hot tub and swayed to the music before dipping her left foot into the water. She walked down the three steps leading into it. Giggling as she passed a jet, she made herself comfortable in a niche between two firing pistons. Gabriel emerged with a silver tray lined with white and red grapes, an assortment of cheese and crackers, Belgian chocolate, white chocolate covered strawberries, and frozen bananas with whipped cream. She watched as he set the tray down near them then slinked down into the tub. He closed his eyes, allowing the warm, relaxing water to massage his body as the bubbles sizzled playfully against his skin.

  “It feels nice, doesn’t it?” Candy beamed. “This is perfect. I never thought when I told you I was tired from the bike ride yesterday that this is what you had planned.”

  “Hot water is a great tool for relaxation. We get into hot water when we’re in trouble, but it’s also great for getting rid of trouble,” he smiled. She watched as he made his way closer to her. She closed her eyes and swallowed deeply, her stomach quaking once more as he approached. He closed his eyes halfway, letting his lashes descend downward casting a shadow on his upper cheekbones. The dimly lit room danced with light from the candles, making shapes upon their slick bodies. He placed his lips upon hers, keeping them there momentarily before parting her lips with his smooth tongue. He embraced her tighter. They both moaned lightly. Candy instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist. She shuddered as she felt his nature rising among the hot, tranquil waves.

  “Open your eyes,” he whispered. Candy slowly opened her eyes and saw Gabriel holding up a strawberry. He placed it into his mouth, allowing the chocolate side to protrude. He lowered his mouth to hers. She bit into the berry, tasting the sweetness slowly chewing it.

  “I really shouldn’t be eating this,” she smiled. “I need to lose more…”

  “Candy, not right now,” Gabriel insisted. “This isn’t the time to worry about anything like that. I promise we’ll work it off.” He smirked as he reached up behind her and grabbed another piece of fruit. He repeated his first seduction, then lifted her out of the water.

  “Ahhh!” she laughed. “What are you doing?” warm water ran down her stomach and legs as he hoisted her up, then placed her on the edge of the hot tub, allowing her to lean back against the wall. He remained silent. He carefully removed her black panties, sliding them down her legs until he had them securely in his right palm. He threw them off to the side. She removed her bra, allowing her breasts to breathe and glisten from the moisture. Her dark nipples stood taut and erect as she traced them with her fingertips.

  “Are you trying to seduce me?” Gabriel asked as he pushed his shoulders between her thighs. She nodded and winked. “Well, it’s working.”

  Candy moaned and shook as he dove deep between her thighs, sucking her essence with determination. He drew on her body, enjoying her core with his entire mouth. Minute after minute passed. He increased his speed, holding her tightly, never letting go, shaking his head back and forth repeatedly as he dove his tongue back and forth inside her. She gripped the edge of the tub as she became dizzy with back-to-back orgasms.

  “Ga…Ga…Gabriel!” she stuttered as she struggled to keep her balance. He immediately lifted her down from the edge of the hot tub, placing her back into the water. She watched as he suddenly disappeared under the fizzy oasis.

  “What are you doing?” she called out as she stood there alone.

  “Ahhh!” Candy yelled as she felt hands on her thighs and his tongue circling her. He pushed her gently in front of one of the jets, lifting her up two inches while he continued to dart his tongue in and out.

  “Oh, my God!” she slipped around clumsily in the water, holding on to the edge with all of her might. “Gabriel! Oh, my God! You’re gonna gimme a heart attack!” She sighed as the pleasure continued to bathe her body in electric waves. Gabriel finally popped back up, his hair slicked back. He rubbed his chin and chest slowly as he stared at her, watching her eyes roll back and forth as she attempted to catch her breath. His long, thick eyelashes looked even longer as they dripped with water.

  “How,” Candy pressed her eyes shut and breathed deeply. “How can you hold your breath so long?” she laughed.

  “You’ve been saying it all along,” he responded quietly. “You said I had the body of a swimmer. That was my favorite thing to do in college, so I joined a swim team to keep in shape. I’ve been swimming since. I even like it better than golf, but don’t tell anyone at work.” They both laughed.

  Gabriel leaned in close to her once more, kissing her passionately as she wrapped her weak arms around his shoulders.

  “I love you so much,” he declared. “I love being able to tell you that now.”

  She held her head down to hide her overwhelming emotions. Again she felt her body being lifted. He carried her out of the tub. “Hold on a sec,” he said as he walked her to a nearby closet. Opening the door with one hand, he pulled out a box of Magnums. He removed one and kept it balled up in his fist. He gently laid her down on a towel close to the flickering candles. Their sweet, tranquil
scent bathed them both in romanticism. She watched as he slowly slid his swim trunks off, put on the prophylactic, and lie next to her. They stared into each other’s eyes. She rubbed her fingers through his wet hair as he leisurely kissed her collar bones and breasts. “Ahhh,” she sighed, delighting in the pleasures as he entered her.

  His thrusts were rhythmic as he rotated his hips, churning with perfection. Cupping the back of her neck, he thrust deeply, causing the dimples on his hips to contract as he went in and out of her vessel. They slowly mixed together, their ankles touching as they continued to dance horizontally. She embraced him tighter. The slowness was agonizingly magnificent. The tension from her muscles continued to release with each kiss, touch, and lunge. Her mind drifted to thoughts of total sweet surrender. He followed her lead, feeling her shake in his arms and her wetness engulf him. He smiled coyly at her hand gripping the edge of the towel, then finally, releasing. She slowly opened her eyes, making eye contact once more. She felt her heart beating faster and faster as she received the aftershocks from her orgasm and welcomed his. He kissed her lovingly along the neck as his climax came to an end. They lie there quietly as the music continued to play for several minutes.

  “I’m scared again,” Candy uttered. “I fall in love too quickly and get hurt. I don’t want to do that again, but I feel it happening.” Gabriel looked up at her, holding her even tighter.

  “It’s OK to be scared,” he said softly, “but love is nothing to be afraid of. It’s a gift.”

  “I was scared with Eric, but trusted him, and look what happened.”

  Gabriel slowly rose, helping her to her feet. They looked admiringly at one another. “May I be frank with you?” he asked as he grabbed her waist and pulled her closer to him. She nodded as she looked into his eyes.

  “You don’t choose men well. You aren’t scared of love, but of being wrong. You chose the wrong man and then blamed love on the failure of the relationship. I had to take responsibility in my failed marriage. I wasn’t there for her, and honestly, she and I just weren’t very compatible, but I wanted her, so I ignored the signs. My ex-wife isn’t a bad person, she just isn’t a good match for me, nor I for her. Once I accepted that, things got much easier.” Gabriel rubbed Candy’s shoulder blade reassuringly. “Then on the rebound, you got with Quentin. Everyone in the company seemed to know of his reputation with women. I didn’t know you were dating him at the time, but I knew you were dating someone, and I didn’t like it. I couldn’t stop you though. I didn’t have the right. I couldn’t tell you that I loved you. It was like watching a plane crash. That was a very painful ordeal for me. I’m not your father, I’m your boss. Now, I’m your…man, too. ”