“We’re going to have dinner together… eat food, Kyle. I don’t plan to have sex with the man. Sweet Baby Jesus!”
“And why not?” he asked, fully entering the bedroom with his hands on his narrow hips.
“You, Americans, treat sex much too casually. It’s like a handshake to you people!”
“Didn’t you tell me earlier that Dr. Do Me kissed you?”
“Yes, but it was an innocent goodbye peck on the lips, a friendly gesture to end our time together. It was completely harmless.”
“It will also be completely harmless if you and Dr. McQueen have wild, passionate, ghetto-style sex tonight after dinner just as long as you two consenting adults are cool with it. Girl, let your hair down for once, tap into your natural nympho, and jump that man’s bones tonight! When was the last time you got laid anyway?”
“You know I haven’t had sex in a very long time, Kyle. Don’t be cute.” Giva began wrapping her braids up in a pretty colorful scarf.
“Well, I want you to enjoy the delicious meal that gorgeous vanilla chunk of a man is preparing for you tonight, and then I want you two to indulge in some grown folks’ fun.”
“I’m sure Hogan and I will talk and drink more of the yummy coffee he served me last night. A kiss or two wouldn’t hurt either.” She actually blushed and smiled.
“Kissing, fondling, bucking, or whatever you do tonight will be fine with me as long as it’s consensual and you guys protect yourselves. Dr. McQueen is the first and only man who’s ever lit your fire since we met over eight years ago. That’s how come I know he’s special. Maybe now, you’ll forget all about Hassan the Horrible.” Kyle doubled over and cracked the hell up over his own jab.
“I don’t think about Hassan at all. When do I have the time? Right now, all I care about is doing my part to save people from dying of the virus. But I’ll admit that I don’t mind spending a few hours with Hogan on occasion when I’m not working. I enjoyed his company very much last night. That’s the reason why I agreed to have dinner with him tonight.”
“Unh huh, and if dinner should lead to toe-curling sex and a midnight snack, I won’t be mad with you, girl. So, I strongly suggest you pack a bag, darling.”
Giva joined Kyle in a fit of laugher when he rubbed perspiration from his shiny bald head and twirled around in a circle before finally striking a pose. With one hand on his hip and the other one behind his head, she still managed to wrap her arms around his thin waist.
“I love you, Kyle Harmon.”
He chuckled. “I know, boo. I love you too.”
8
“Hi.”
“Hot damn! You look amazing, babe.” Hogan leaned in and kissed Giva’s forehead. “And you smell incredible. Come on in.”
His eyes dropped straight to her ass when he stepped aside to allow her a clear path into his loft. And as usual, his cock expanded in width and length and hardened like granite on sight. Hogan had given himself a pep talk about conducting himself like the perfect gentleman, fifteen minutes before Giva arrived. But now that she was in his presence looking irresistibly delectable in pink, he wasn’t sure if he could keep his hands to himself. Cotton candy and milk chocolate were two of his favorite sweet treats, and Giva reminded him of a combo of those sugary delights dressed in the pretty pink shorts ensemble. And her perfume was subtle yet powerful to his rising libido. How the hell was he supposed to behave properly?
Anxious to see her entire face, he made haste squirting hand sanitizer from a huge bottle on the nearby mantle into his wide palm and thoroughly disinfected his hands. Then, like a child unwrapping a Christmas gift, he unmasked the most angelic face his eyes had ever beheld.
“This is my roommate, Kyle’s, famous banana pudding,” Giva announced, offering Hogan a cute gift bag bearing gigantic sunflowers. We made it together. I didn’t want to show up for dinner empty-handed.”
Her lips were so plump and pretty covered with shiny light pink lipstick. It took more self-control than Hogan was aware he possessed not to bend over and lick the bottom one and pull it into his mouth to suck on it. He was suffering from a bad case of sexual delirium at the moment, and he was too helpless to do a goddamn thing about it.
Giva had said something to him. He’d clearly seen her luscious lips moving. Now, she was waving a nice-looking bag in his face, but he was clueless to what was going on. Her nearness was fucking with his sanity even before their evening together could begin.
“Hogan, you do like banana pudding, don’t you?”
“Ummm… y-yeah…yeah, I love banana pudding.” He took the bag. “Thank you.”
“You have a very nice place. Do you mind if I look around before you feed me?”
“No time for that, babe. The food is already on the table, and I know you wouldn’t want it to get cold. So, let’s scrub before we grub and then I’ll give you a tour. After that, we can do anything your cute little heart desires.”
“That sounds like a perfect plan.”
Ten minutes later, Giva was standing outdoors in some unknown location in Hogan’s apartment building, blindfolded and shaking with anticipation. She couldn’t suppress her nervous jittering even if she’d wanted to, with his hand resting on the small of her back so damn close to her booty. And the leathery-citrus scent of his cologne was not her friend. The super masculine fragrance had all kinds of naughty thoughts tumbling through her head. The evening breeze was refreshing as it nipped her sun-kissed skin and whisked through her braids. Vehicles zooming by and a chorus of horns honking, confirmed that Midtown Atlanta was as busy as ever even in the midst of a global health crisis.
“Okay, let’s take this off of that pretty face.” Hogan released the straps from her ears and crushed the disposable mask in his gloved hand.
“Sweet Jesus! Everything is so beautiful, Hogan,” she mumbled with tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
Like a scene right out of a Hollywood romance, an elaborately decorated candlelit table for two had been prepared on the rooftop of the building under a starry sky. Giva immediately felt like the luckiest girl alive. No man, not even Hassan, had ever made her feel so special. Dr. McQueen had absolutely outdone himself for her dining pleasure.
“Ma’am, Doc, I’ll take those for you.” A man of Hispanic descent approached them with a small plastic bag.
Hogan removed his mask, Giva’s gloves, and then his own and dropped them into the bag. Now, free from the barrier of the mask, he leaned in and placed a kiss on her forehead.
The man quickly squirted hand sanitizer into their hands before waving toward the table with a smile. “Dinner is waiting.”
With his hand still resting on the small of Giva’s back, Hogan escorted her to the table and pulled out one of the gold Chiavari chairs to seat her. At a loss for words because of the romantic display, she reached for her glass and took a sip of wine.
“Aren’t you ashamed of your pretty self for complaining about the damn blindfold and climbing the back stairs?”
“Yes, I am. Please forgive me, Hogan.” She looked all around them, taking in the lovely scenery and sounds of Atlanta’s Midtown and beyond. “This is more than worth my minimal trouble.”
“I’m glad I was able to surprise you with a spectacular view of the city. Now, for the food I slaved over just for you.” He reached forward and removed the dome cover on a serving dish. “These are my famous chicken enchiladas.”
“Mmm…” Giva moaned when the aroma of the food flirted with her nostrils. “They smell amazing. Are you sure you prepared this food or did your friend over there really do the work?”
Hogan laughed. “Elián, my man, will you please tell this woman I cooked all the food on this damn table?”
“Honestly, ma’am, he prepared all of the dishes and I didn’t help him at all. I only set the table.”
“I’m impressed, Dr. McQueen.”
“I also prepared Spanish rice, soft grilled-fish tacos, a garden salad with homemade spicy cilantro-lime dressing, an
d jalapeño peppers stuffed with cream cheese and corn.”
“My mouth is watering. Let’s eat.” She reached both hands across the table. “I’ll offer the blessing over this scrumptious-looking meal.
Hogan smiled before he reached across the table and took hold of Giva’s hands.
“Dear God, thank you so much for the food we’re about to receive. Please bless the hands that prepared this feast in Jesus’ holy name. And bless every soul in the universe who has been infected by COVID-19 and the ones who You have prepared and ordained to take care of them. Amen.”
“Amen.” Hogan opened his eyes and gazed at the woman sitting opposite of him. “That was a very touching prayer, babe. Now, let me feed you.”
“Mmm…” Giva tore her lips away from Hogan’s and gazed at him through eyes with lids lowered by pure passion.
He was familiar with that look because he’d seen it countless times on the faces of women he’d put the “McQueen Mack” on over the years. Giva wanted him. There was no doubt in his mind she did, but she was holding back for some reason. And because he genuinely liked her and had mad respect for her, he wouldn’t push her, which called for Herculean strength since she was sitting on his lap pressing her ass against his stiff cock. He could kiss her and caress her body until the sun came up if she’d allow him. But he wished he could do so much more.
“It’s getting late, Hogan. I really need to leave this time.”
“Okay,” he pouted with a deep sigh. Then without warning, he stood from the loveseat with her still locked in his embrace.
“Put me down, silly. I need to put my shoes on and get my purse from your bedroom.”
It felt like heaven, having her in his arms, but reluctantly, Hogan placed Giva on her feet and swatted her on the ass. “Go ahead. I’ll wait. Then I’m going to walk you to your car.”
Giva giggled. “I’ll be right back.”
When she left the dimly-lit den, Hogan dropped back down on the loveseat disappointed because he wasn’t ready for her to leave him. His evening with Giva had been the most enjoyable time he’d ever spent with a woman, which was insane because they hadn’t had sex. Shit, he hadn’t even come close to scoring, but it was cool because the quality time they’d shared was much more valuable than sex. Every game of poker he’d lost to her, the wacky romantic comedy she’d insisted they watch, and the goofy fight he’d started over the last spoonful of banana pudding had caused Cupid’s arrow to sink a little deeper in his heart for her. And their dance contest to “The Very Best of Prince” CD had been freaking hilarious.
Damn the sex for now. Hogan could wait. Right now, he preferred intimacy with Giva and the thought of that completely spazzed him out. This extraordinary, stunning woman was slowly changing him into a man he hardly recognized after a night of conversation and coffee and one dinner date. She was a special lady indeed.
“I’m ready!”
Hogan stood and met Giva at the entrance of the den and laced his fingers through hers. Quietly, he led her to his front door where he curled an arm around her svelte body and pulled her in for a kiss. His greedy tongue sought hers out, tasting and teasing it. She moaned when his hand slid downward and palmed a meaty ass cheek. He broke the kiss.
“Stay with me tonight. We can do anything you want. Just don’t leave me.”
“It’s too soon for—”
“No sex. I swear.” Hogan held up both hands and shook his head. “I’ll sleep on the sofa. You can take my bed. It doesn’t matter. I just want you here with me tonight.”
“Kyle is expecting me to come home late, but not overnight late.”
“Call him. I need to thank him for the banana pudding anyway. Please stay with me, Giva. Please, babe.”
9
“Thanks for getting my bag out of my car.” Giva rolled over to her left and snuggled under the covers.
A shirtless Hogan had just emerged from the master bathroom smiling, as he drew nearer. His toned pecs and abs were calling out to Giva, tempting her to throw caution to the wind, but her levelheadedness wouldn’t allow it. They had agreed to share his bed for the night without any hanky-panky and she’d be damned if she reneged on it. But the mountainous bulge between his muscular thighs was making her rethink her decision. Dr. McQueen was well endowed, to put it mildly, and a girl couldn’t ignore it.
Hogan joined Giva on the bed, remaining on top of the covers as he’d promised. He reached down and pulled his Harvard Med School throw from the foot of the California King sleigh bed and covered his lower body. Giva wanted to reach over and rub his six-pack, but she knew such a move would lead to something she wasn’t ready for.
“I want you to know you’re the first woman to ever lie in this bed. In fact, no other woman has ever been to my home.”
“Eh? You’re lying, Hogan. Speak the truth. Your reputation precedes you, you know?”
He rolled over and pulled Giva’s body fully against his side and pinched her nose. “I’m telling the truth. And for the record, I’ll never lie to you. You’re too sweet and good-looking for me to feed you a bunch of lies. Whatever is happening between you and me can’t flourish if we’re not open and transparent with each other. So, I’ll always tell you the truth. That’s a promise.”
His words brought Giva so much comfort and confidence that she nestled closer to Hogan and rested her head on his chest. The strong and steady beat of his heart thumped against her cheek. “I’ll always be honest with you as well,” she whispered and closed her eyes.
Calming silence enveloped them after Hogan turned off the lamp on the nightstand. Giva had no idea what kinds of thoughts were tickling his brain but, all she could think about was how special she felt lying in his arms, after an unforgettable evening of excellent food, great conversation, and slap-your-mama kisses. What was going on between them? A little over a week ago she’d hated his guts, but at the moment, in the stillness of a romantic night, she felt an unfamiliar sensation in her heart she couldn’t explain. It was as if she and Hogan had had a meeting of the hearts, a merging of the minds. She’d never experienced such a connection with Hassan. Damn, it felt good.
Hogan’s cell phone started ringing on his dresser where it was connected to its charger. After five rings it stopped only to start again.
Giva lifted her head from his chest. “Your phone is ringing. Shouldn’t you answer it? It may be the hospital. What if lots of patients have been admitted to the unit and they need you?”
“Impossible. I never volunteer for extended duty because I work my ass off every minute of every fucking day I’m scheduled to be there and so do you. So, go to sleep and dream about me.”
When the phone continued ringing nonstop, Giva sat up. “I’m going to get your phone so you can answer it.”
“I’m not concerned about some stupid late-night caller, babe. If my phone is bothering you, you have my permission to answer it.”
Giva stretched her leg across Hogan’s body in an attempt to leave the bed. In response, he grabbed her hips to hold her in place. The darkness wasn’t thick enough to prevent their eyes from connecting when she realized she was trapped in a straddle. The pressure of his rigid dick pulsating against her feminine core made her gasp.
“The phone…”
“Yeah, you better go catch it,” he advised hoarsely, caressing her thighs.
Giva approached the dresser out of breath with her heart racing out of control. “It’s a private number.”
“Who gives a shit?”
She disconnected the phone from the charger, swiped the answer icon, and placed it to her ear. “You’ve reached Dr. McQueen’s phone. How may I—”
The caller hung up. Giva returned to the bed with Hogan’s phone and it began to ring again as soon as she got settled.
“This is Dr. McQueen’s phone. How may I help you?”
“I-I’m try-trying to reach my brother, Hogan. Is he available?”
Giva smiled and ran her palm over his five o’clock shadow. “He’s ri
ght here.” She muted the phone and whispered, “It’s your sister, Harley.”
Hogan took the phone. “What’s up, sis? Did somebody die?”
The McQueen siblings shared a hearty laugh and dived into animated conversation as Giva resumed her comfortable position next to Hogan with her head on his chest. When she started drifting off, the voice of intuition paid her a visit.
Be careful, girl! You know he’s a womanizer. Don’t let your guard down. Take care of your heart.
Gwyneth lifted the bottle of tequila to her lips and took a long and generous swig. The words anger and jealous didn’t come close to describing the emotional turmoil brewing inside of her. Hogan had dropped her like a hot potato over six weeks ago like he’d often done since they’d begun their on-and-off-again, no-strings-attached, sex-only friendship. “You’re getting too clingy,” he’d explained the last time around and suggested that she move on and find a man who wanted the same things in a relationship as she did. At the time, Gwyneth was unfazed because she had been acting kind of territorial and possessive of him, and that was a direct violation of rule number one. So, she just eased back and gave him space he’d wanted.
Hogan had made it clear from the jump that he was a thirty-seven-year-old bachelor by choice with no plans to ever marry. He wasn’t into exclusive relationships by any stretch of the imagination. Or so he had claimed back then. So, the trillion-dollar question of the day was: Who the hell was the chick with the funny accent who’d just answered his phone at two-thirty-nine in the fucking morning?
“Could it have been that African doctor?” Gwyneth took another hefty gulp of tequila. “Oh hell nah! That would be crazy as hell. Oh, but I’ll find out for sure soon no matter what it takes.”
Feverish Love Page 5
