Sweetness, he said

by Starr, Jude

  “Oh, no, no. I’m all good. Just imagining a few scenarios with some of the things here. You know, little fantasies.”

  He loved to make me blush and succeeded every single time. For the rest of the afternoon, wherever we were, we held hands. He refused to let go of me and I thought it signified that he liked me, a lot.

  “Are you done here?” he finally asked.

  “I am. Are you?”

  “Yeah, all done. I actually want to go somewhere else with you, if you don’t mind.”

  I shrugged, willing to do anything if it meant being with Calvin. “Absolutely.”

  I had no idea where we were going, Calvin drove far out of the area of New York where I couldn’t orientate myself.

  He finally parked the escalade in a parking lot, next to a large brick building. The banner over the door said ‘Women and Kids Shelter – A Place to Keep You Safe’. If I hadn’t known about his past from what I’d seen on the Oprah Winfrey interview, it wouldn't have had the same meaning as it did now.

  “I was going to tell you all about my past on our way here, but I think you know why we’re here now.”

  I felt uncomfortable. “Danielle kind of suggested I watch the interview. It was wrong; I should have asked you directly.”

  “Did she?” Calvin didn't look happy. After one or two deep breaths, he took hold of my hand. “It doesn't matter... come on, we have a surprise for the kids.”

  He got out of the car and opened the trunk. Inside, there must have been at least fifty wrapped Christmas presents.

  “When did you do all of this?” I asked, looking at the filled truck in amazement.

  “Today, yesterday – I had some other people to help me.”

  “Mr. Banks?” A man holding a camera approached, surprising us both.

  “What can I do for you, man?” Calvin asked pleasantly. He shook hands with the man.

  “I’m a journalist and a photographer. Every year, you come here for the kids. I just wanted to catch you, and get a couple of photos, if that’s okay.”

  Calvin shrugged. “Sure. The kids deserve to be happy for Christmas.” He drew me to his side and the man took a couple of pictures of us with Calvin’s filled trunk.

  “Thank you, Mr. Banks. What you do, it means a lot to these kids.” The man saluted Calvin and left, and Calvin started unpacking the car.

  I watched the man walking away. “Who was that?”

  “Paparazzi of some sort.” Calvin laughed. “Be prepared to see your face on a couple of websites and magazines tomorrow morning. We got caught when we left Macy’s, too.”

  I blanched, my heart skipping a beat. “I'll be the flavor of the month, I suppose – your new toy.” The thought didn’t thrill me.

  “They know me better than that. You'll be ‘The girl who stole Calvin's heart’ or ‘Who's the girl Calvin can't keep his eyes off?’” He chuckled again, while I started freaking out.

  “My sister's going to flip and she'll show the photos to my parents.”

  Calvin stopped stacking gifts and turned to look at me. “Are you ashamed to be with me?” The concern in his eyes confirmed I needed to explain myself – and fast.

  I rolled my eyes. “No, of course not, but they don't know about us, yet. They'll think you’re the reason I'm not going home for Christmas.”

  “Hey.” He cupped my face between his cold hands. “We're going to go and visit with the kids, and then we'll figure this out later, okay?” He tried to sound reassuring, but I was still anxious.

  I nodded. Calvin didn’t seem worried about my small issue. “How long before the pictures hit internet do you think?”

  He smiled apologetically. “They’re probably already there. Look, I really don’t want you to worry about it at the moment. We’ll fix this, but right now, we’ve got about twenty kids waiting for us to arrive.”

  We continued unpacking the car. Calvin had bought gifts not only for the kids, but also the mothers. His generosity astounded me, he truly had a heart of gold. Calvin had offered me a job, provided me with plenty of gym clothes to do that job, and arranged to have a huge Christmas tree. All the little things he did made me conscious of how good a man he was.

  We walked inside and a tall woman waited for us. She had short brown hair and beautiful brown almond shaped eyes. Her smiled reached her eyes when she saw us with all the presents. “Calvin, thank you for coming here this year again.”

  “It’s my pleasure. Mrs. Lindell. I’ll be forever thankful for everything you did, for me and my mom.”

  “I’m sure your mother would be very proud of the man you’ve become.”

  “Thank you.” Mrs. Lindell hugged Calvin, before she left us to gather everyone in the community room to receive Calvin’s gifts.

  “What happened to your mother?” While I’d seen the part of the interview when Calvin spoke about the night his father beat him with the baseball bat, I hadn’t seen the part showing the repercussions.

  “She died of internal injuries, after she killed my father with a gun he had hidden away in their bedroom. They were both killed that night.”

  My heart broke when I heard him say what had happened. All the emotions which had overwhelmed me during the interview came flooding back.

  Calvin saw the tears welling in my eyes and tried to reassure me. “Iris, it’s okay. I don’t want you to be sad about my life. I was unconscious when it happened, I have no memories of that night and my life is a lot better without my dad. I’m certain my mother is a lot better off, wherever she is.” He sighed. “I’m okay with my past, Iris and I definitely don’t want you to be sad over it tonight, okay?” He drew me into his strong arms and held me close. “I want to see your beautiful smile now.”

  I smiled against his chest. “Kiss me,” I requested softly.

  He complied with my request with a gentle smile. When he released my lips, he winked at me. “Tonight, you and me.” He didn’t have to elaborate, I knew exactly what he meant and I couldn’t wait for tonight.

  Mrs. Lindell returned to tell us the kids were ready. Calvin had piled the gifts onto a cart and together we walked to the community room. Kids of all different ages ran towards Calvin. Obviously, they knew him well. The women stayed distant, and seemed apprehensive. Some seemed to be in better shape than other. I noticed one lady with a horrendous black eye. What these women had gone through wounded me, I felt so sorry for them all. I wanted to see a smile on their faces.

  Once each of the kids had received a gift, Calvin went to visit with each woman personally. Some of them cried, some of them smiled, but one thing was certain, he seemed to give them all hope. The women’s gifts consisted of perfume, cosmetics, and body products – all things designed to make them feel better about themselves.

  He returned to me for a brief moment after handing out the gifts, but it wasn’t long before the kids were claiming him, to throw a spongy football. He played with them, tickled them, and hugged them. They laughed and seemed happy for that short period of time. Some of the kids seemed to prefer to keep their distance, and Calvin respected that. Those kids, he took time to sit with them apart from the crowd and to talk with them. They smiled shyly and listened carefully to what Calvin was telling them and in every case; they seemed to be happier after they’d spoken with him.

  I watched him all evening and I fell in love completely. I loved him and I couldn’t deny it to myself anymore. In my mind, I imagined plenty of scenarios where I ran to him to speak those three magical words or where I screamed it out loud for everyone to hear, but this evening wasn’t about me or him, it was all about the kids and their moms.

  On our way back to his place, we held hands and kissed at each and every red light. Every time, the kissing grew a little more intense. I watched him drive, watched the way his tongue moistened his lips and it only added more sex appeal. He had a bad boy personality, wrapped up in a classy package.

  “Your lips are my drugs, I can't stop watching them and desiring you,” I admitted.
r />   “Only my lips?” He questioned with a wink.

  “No, not only your lips. Every other part of you, but right now, they are the only thing I can reach.”

  “I can fix that problem for you, Iris.”

  I knew exactly what he was alluding to and I wanted him to go ahead with his plan. Abruptly, he turned into a school parking lot and the next thing I knew, I was up in his arms and he had taken my place on the passenger seat.

  “I've been thinking about this since we took our shower together this morning. I've got to have you – now.” Our lips connected, and the passion between us roared into life. The words ‘I love you’ stayed in the back of my mind, waiting to be said, screamed or moaned.

  With excitement, our clothing became the only restraint between us. I tried undoing his belt, but he removed my hands.

  “We’re going to play a game, sweetness. You tell me what to do and I’ll do it.”

  “That’s not fair, because we’re limited with space in a car. There isn’t much you can do, baby, but you will undo your pants now and pull them down a bit.”

  Calvin followed my orders with a huge grin on his face. He undid his belt and pulled down his pants, just enough to release himself. He was already hard, but the vixen in me decided to please him first. He moved the seat back while I kneeled before him. By the look on his face, I could tell how surprised he was. I caressed his length with my fingers, and already I could see the excitement in his eyes as he anticipated what was to come. I gave him my most seductive look as I circled my tongue around the head of his cock. I stroke him a few times with my hand, before my mouth joined in. He hissed with pleasure and I knew he was loving my unplanned onslaught. He reached down and gripped my hair in his hands

  “Look at me, Iris; I want to see those beautiful blue eyes as you take all of me.” I tried to go deeper, but I couldn't take him all. He moaned as the head of his cock hit the back of my throat.

  “I’m not coming in your mouth, Iris,” he continued. “The only place I’m coming is inside of you, in that tight pink pussy of yours. Now, come on, climb up here, put your feet on each of my hips and lower yourself down onto me.” The vein in his forehead looked like it might explode, he was so aroused. I couldn’t resist any longer, I did exactly what he asked me to do.

  God, I’d missed this feeling of closeness. I lowered myself onto him, and I heard my skirt tearing in the process. It took me a moment to adjust, shivers rippled across my skin as I started moving slowly up and down. Eyes to eyes, I wanted to tell him how I felt, even though I suspected he already knew. He had that look in his eyes that I loved. The lust, the ferocity of emotion that waited within him. I knew then, he would give it to me hard. I approached his mouth, claimed it, I wanted to be kissed by him as I was riding him. His tongue took possession of mine. I moaned deeply, with everything I had in me.

  “It’s my first time in a car.” I tore my lips from his to make this announcement.

  “I’m glad I’m the lucky man,” He muttered and pushed into me at the same time.

  The Escalade might be a spacious car, but the room we had to make love was limited. Calvin used to be a football player and he still had the body shape; built and strong, and thankful for his strength to help me lift my weight off him with every thrust. I could feel the burn in my legs as I tried to keep up with his rhythm. Calvin enjoyed my little warm up, I could feel the urgency behind his need. He was well ahead of me, I tried to catch up with him but I worried too much about being caught. He slammed into me time after time approaching his apex. His hold on my hips tightened and his breathing became erratic. It started building up inside of me, but I knew it wouldn’t come in time and I was okay with that.

  “Come on, Cal. Give it to me,” I urged him.

  He moaned. “Damn girl, you’re driving me crazy. You’re so… God, Iris.” He pushed into me one last time before his whole body convulsed. He groaned my name aloud and his body relaxed under mine. A sated man equaled a happy man.

  “I don’t… I don’t think I’ll be able to drive. My legs are as bad as they get after a leg day at the gym. Fucking jelly.” He chuckled, completely out of breath.

  “I can drive.” I suggested automatically knowing he would decline. Men and their toys.

  He looked at me and laughed. “Give me a couple of minutes. Damn, you took me by surprise. And hell, it was a great surprise!”

  *o*o*

  We got to his place half an hour later. The day had turned out to be emotionally challenging. Learning about his past, and spending time with kids who were going through the same thing as Calvin had was emotionally draining. He’d touched my heart, he’d showed me his true self and I loved that about him.

  “Thank you for today, Calvin, watching you with the kids was inspirational.”I paused. “I’m so sorry I watched the video. I know I shouldn’t have.” I hoped he would understand and forgive me.

  He shrugged, walking away from me to sit on the couch facing the Christmas tree. He patted the place next to him, beckoning for me to sit. I joined him, and he slung his arm around my shoulder, drawing me closer. I breathed him in, the cologne that I was becoming so addicted to. Calvin didn’t say anything. He seemed lost in his thoughts and I chose not to interrupt him.

  “It’s out there on the internet, you could have had watched it already. I was still trying to find the words to explain everything. The fact that you watched the interview made it easier on me, but it took away the opportunity for me to explain everything to you. I don’t want you to pity me – it’s the last thing I want. I’m happy now. Some days are tainted and dark, but most days, I’m doing pretty well. I’ve worked really hard for what I own now and working on all of this took away the pain.”

  The melancholy in his eyes told me this had to be a difficult thing for him to say. I wanted him in my arms, I wanted to show him my love, all of it. I moved over him, straddled him. I ran my fingers along his cheek and I pressed myself against his chest holding him tightly. His heart was beating swiftly; I could feel it on my chest. “You’re a brave, smart and beautiful man, Cal.” I murmured into the crook of his shoulder. “I’m really falling hard for you, you know that?”

  He nodded and adjust his arms around me to hold me even tighter. We relaxed together, kissed and murmured sweet words to each other. I was dying to tell him my love for him but I wanted to wait, just a little while longer.

  “What do you want to do now?” he asked in a husky voice.

  “My only wish is to spend the night in your arms. That's all I want.” I didn’t need anything else.

  Calvin smiled. “That doesn't sound too bad at all.”

  “Can I ask you a question?” I knew he probably wouldn't like me to ask, but I was curious and a desire to know him better was pushing at me.

  “Sure.”

  “Why did you stop celebrating Christmas?”

  He sighed, staring down at his hands. “Because the night everything went downhill, it was Christmas Eve. I lost both of my parents that night and I lost so much more than that. I became self centered for a while. I studied really hard and worked almost full time to make ends meet. Then, I got a scholarship and things started to take off from that point, but every year, when it came to the holidays I just wanted to be left alone. It’s the first time in over ten years that I’ve spent the holidays with someone. That means a lot to me.”

  I nodded silently as I took in everything he’d said. “Thank you, I'm glad you want to spend this time with me, knowing how difficult it is for you.” I reached up to kiss him, but it was obvious his mind was elsewhere.

  “Wait for me here, I'll fetch us something to drink. I’m thirsty after such a physical workout.” Calvin winked.

  The heat returned to my cheeks as I recalled every detail of our car experiment. Krystal would never shut up about it, if she knew. I missed being able to talk to her. She’d be amazed when she found out what had been happening in the past few days.

  “That was very hot,” I declared
, loud enough for him to hear me in the kitchen.

  “You haven't seen anything yet.” His words were overflowing with promises he would no doubt keep. The vixen in me had yet to see everything he was capable of and I was waiting patiently.

  My heart hitched for a beat or two. I believed him, because he had never let me down so far and each time the sexual tension between us was brought up a few notches. Noises came from the kitchen, the sounds of cabinets opening and closing and all the while he hummed White Christmas. I stayed on the couch and listened to every sound he made. Maybe moving to New York City was actually the best thing I had ever done. If I had stayed home, I would still be moping around, thinking about Damien and getting drunk with my sister. Here, my life made sense and I was proud of everything I had achieved – even working in a fast food chain. But mostly, Calvin had to be the biggest reason that had made this decision worth it.

  “Have you ever cooked a traditional Christmas dinner? With turkey and all that?” he asked when he returned from the kitchen.

  I shook my head, not certain where the question was leading. Was he asking me to prepare dinner tomorrow?

  He scraped his nails across his scalp and eyed me with a crooked eyebrow. “What do you think about doing this together for a first time? Please say yes, because if you don't, I'm screwed.” His chuckles won me over.

  I sighed and rolled my eyes. “Do you have a plan B?” I laughed at my own joke. “In case we burn the dinner or mess up the recipe.”

  Both of us laughed and I thought no matter the result, we would be okay, it couldn’t be that hard.

  “No, we don't need a plan B, we'll be alright.” He winked. “I could always eat you.” Again, he made me blush cherry red.

  “We'll have to wake up early to put it in the oven.”

  “Okay, but we'll go back to bed afterwards.” Yeah, and I knew exactly what he had in mind.

  A short beep from my phone caught my attention. I grabbed my purse to retrieve my phone. I had two text messages waiting to be read.

  Zach: Calvin Banks found love.