Recipe for Desire

by Hodges, Cheris

  Marie sipped a latte with her feet up on her desk as she listened to Adriana tell her about a horrible date she’d had last night. “Girl,” Adriana said. “You’re lucky.”

  “What?” Marie said.

  “No more bad dates; you have a great boyfriend,” she said.

  “Yeah,” she said wistfully.

  Adriana raised her eyebrow. “I hope you haven’t messed it up with him, because he is clearly the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”

  “Whatever,” she replied. “My wonderful boyfriend hasn’t talked to me since we had a disagreement at the hospital when his ex had her baby.”

  Adriana shook her head and tossed her empty Starbucks cup in the trash can. “And it has nothing to do with the fact that you haven’t been answering his calls? I thought you were done with this craziness, Marie.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Adriana smiled and faced her friend. “You don’t want to be happy.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “That’s why you accepted William’s engagement ring. That’s why you’re trying to ruin what you have with Devon over the fact that he’s friends with his married ex,” she said. “His married ex, who he’s in business with.” She shook her head again. “Who just had a baby, so it’s not as if they can engage in some clandestine affair.”

  “I never said they were having an affair or that it was possible, but ...” Marie stopped talking when she heard the door buzz. “Yes?”

  “There’s a Devon Harris here for you, Miss Charles,” the doorman said.

  “Send him up,” she said as she dropped her feet and smoothed her pencil skirt. Adriana giggled at her friend.

  “Should I leave or pretend that I’m busy working on a campaign?” she asked.

  “Get out,” Marie replied.

  Adriana offered her friend a mock salute. “And in the words of RuPaul, don’t—” She stopped short when the door opened and Devon walked in. “Hi,” she said to him. “Marie, I’m going to meet with those club owners. It’s going to be a long meeting.”

  Marie shook her head and muttered, “Smooth.”

  Devon offered Adriana a smile as she made her hasty exit. Marie looked at Devon, wondering what to say as a tense silence surrounded them like thick curtains.

  “I didn’t come here just to look at you,” he said.

  “Why are you here?”

  “Either I’m here to fix a problem or say good-bye.” His words stabbed her in the heart. Good-bye?

  “I. Hope that isn’t the case,” she stammered. “Good-bye? Why?”

  “Because, you have decided that this isn’t what you want. You’ve been avoiding me and I have no idea why.”

  “Because I’m an idiot. I don’t know what came over me at the hospital. Well, yes, I do. What you and Kandace shared really made me jealous.”

  “She’s happily married. And what we had ended years ago. There’s nothing for you to be jealous about or to worry about.” Devon crossed over to her chair and placed his hands on the arms. “I love you. I only want you, and despite the fact that you tried to push me away, I’m not going to be that easy to get rid of, got it?”

  She nodded. “I love you, too, and that really scares me.”

  “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “You have nothing to fear. Let me prove it to you.” Devon captured her lips with a heated passion that took her breath away. His tongue slowly meandered the sweet crevices of her mouth as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in deeper. Devon snaked his hand underneath her skirt, reaching for her creamy center. He could feel her throbbing need as his fingers danced across her crotch. And he was—again—thankful for flimsy lace that could barely contain Marie’s wetness. Pushing her panties aside, he slipped one finger inside, in and out as he kissed her, swallowing her lustful moans.

  Breaking the kiss, he pushed her skirt up to her waist with his other hand, then dropped to his knees in front of her. He pulled her panties to the side and devoured her wet folds of flesh, hungrily lapping her sweet wetness and lashing her throbbing bud until she screamed out his name. “Come for me, let me taste what I’ve been missing.” Devon’s hot breath made her explode just as he’d requested. Feeling her climax sent electric currents through his body and made him harder than a Stonehenge monolith. Gripping her hips, he effortlessly lifted her from the chair and sat her on the edge of the desk. Next, he peeled her panties off as she reached for his belt. “Protection?” she moaned.

  As she unzipped his pants, Devon reached for his wallet and removed a condom. Marie snatched the package from his hand and ripped it open as he stepped out of his jeans. She slid the sheath in place, providing the barrier of protection they needed. Still, she yearned for a day when they were joined as man and wife and condoms were no longer a necessity. The thought froze her momentarily as the image of that wedding dress and Devon in a simple black tuxedo flashed in her mind. He took her face in his hands. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes, yes,” she said. “But I could be better.” She slipped one leg around his waist, inching him closer to her desire.

  He leaned into her, brushing his lips against hers as he melted with her wetness. She was hot, tight, and delectable as they ground against each other, going stroke for stroke. With each thrust, she released her fear, released her insecurities, and accepted his love.

  “Oh, Marie,” he breathed against her ear as he felt the oncoming of an explosion. “I love you.”

  Through her orgasmic haze, she cried out, “I love you, too.” They climaxed together, their hearts pounding to the beat of the same love song. A few moments of silence passed before either of them could muster the strength to unwind their bodies.

  “We’d better put some clothes on before Adriana or one of your clients comes in,” he said, then kissed her collarbone, knowing it would make her hot.

  “My clients are all online these days,” she said. “I’ve decided to work on social media campaigns rather than hitting the party scene every night.”

  Devon smiled and adjusted her skirt while pocketing her panties. “Is that so?” he said.

  “Yes, and did you just ...”

  “I sure did, and if you want them back, you’re going to have to join me for dinner tonight.”

  “I guess I will since those are my lucky panties.”

  “Mine, too,” he joked. “On the way over here, I got a phone call that ...”

  Marie’s phone rang, interrupting Devon. “I have to take this. My clients don’t come by, but they call all the time. Can we talk tonight or do you want to wait?”

  Looking down at his watch, Devon saw he needed to get back to the restaurant. “Tonight.” She blew him a kiss as he headed out the door and she picked up the phone.

  Driving to Hometown Delights, Devon thought about Paris. It had been a dream of his to work there for years, but would Marie go with him? Could he ask her to give up her business and move with him to France? Especially if they didn’t have a stronger commitment. He didn’t want to take his girlfriend to Paris; he wanted to live there with his wife. He wanted children who spoke French and English, who would see the Mona Lisa on the wall of the Louvre rather than in the pages of a book. There was only one thing he could do. Devon was going to ask her to marry him and live with him in Paris.

  Now, he just had to tell the ladies that he was leaving. As he headed inside, his cell phone rang again. When he saw the 404 area code, he started not to answer, but he did.

  “Yeah,” he said.

  “Mr. Harris, this is Dr. Harold Neiderman from Grady Memorial Hospital.”

  “OK.”

  “I have some news about your father,” he began.

  “You know what, you can save it. I’m not up for any more of his tricks and ...”

  “Mr. Harris, I’m sorry to tell you this, but your father passed away this morning after being admitted to the hospital last night with complaints of chest pains. We tried to save him, but due to his condition, all we could really do was
make him comfortable.”

  Devon tugged at his ear, wondering if he was supposed to feel something or if he was supposed to say something to the doctor. All he really wanted to know was if his father had made peace with God before he took his last breath. Finally, he said, “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Well, he had instructions, but we had to notify his next of kin, and you’re the person who was listed.”

  “Thanks for the call,” Devon said, then ended the call. He sat in the car for a few minutes, thinking this was a sign for him to let go of the past and move forward in the future. He didn’t have anything holding him back now. It was time for him to move on, and he was going to take those steps with Marie. That is, if she was willing to go to Paris with him.

  Devon headed for the office and was glad to see Alicia and Jade in there. “Ladies,” he said with a smile. “We need to talk.”

  “Anytime a man says we need to talk, it isn’t good,” Alicia quipped.

  “What’s going on?” Jade asked. “We were looking at the AUC reunion site. Guess who’s getting honored at the reunion ceremony.” She nudged Alicia, who hid her smile.

  “I don’t see why all of us are going to accept the award,” Alicia said. “And who is this prince from Africa?”

  “I have no idea,” Jade said, then looked away from the computer and at Devon. “Well, what’s going on with you?”

  “I’m thinking about going to Paris.”

  “What?” Jade exclaimed. “That’s been your dream for the longest time.” She flung her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

  “But what about everything that you’ve built here?” Alicia asked. “Do you really want to start over?”

  “More specifically, what about Marie?” Jade asked.

  Devon folded his arms across his chest. “I’m hoping she will come with me.”

  Alicia and Jade exchanged knowing looks. “So, does this mean there’s going to be a wedding before you head to Paris?” Jade asked.

  “Because no sane woman would just leave the country with a man without a ring on her,” Alicia said.

  Jade squeezed her friend’s shoulder. “You would,” she said.

  Alicia smacked her lips and rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right. You know I’ve always been the practical one out of the group.”

  “If that’s what you believe,” Devon said. “But, yes, I’d marry her either in Paris or on the plane ride there. Problem is, I haven’t told Marie about Paris yet. I want to get through the fund-raiser, first.”

  “You’d better tell her!” Jade and Alicia said in concert. He laughed. “Y’all are probably right. Oh, my father died,” he said, no emotion in his voice.

  Jade and Alicia stared at him as if they were waiting for or expecting a breakdown. Jade asked, “Are you all right?”

  Devon shrugged. “It’s not as if we were close. I made my peace with him and let go of my anger. Am I going to break down and cry about his passing? I don’t think so. He’s been dead to me for years.”

  “Will there be a funeral?” Alicia asked. “Are you going or making the arrangements?”

  He shook his head. “I’m sure his people will take care of that,” Devon said.

  “Wow,” Jade said quietly. “You know, I can’t blame you for feeling that way. Bless the dead, but your father was something special.”

  “That’s one way to describe him. Listen, I don’t want to talk about him. The kitchen staff can cook my menu, and you won’t see any difference in the food quality.”

  “But we’re going to miss you,” Jade said. “Wait until we tell Serena.”

  Alicia laughed. “I bet she’ll cry.”

  Devon shook his head, then joined in the laughter. “If you guys don’t mind, let’s keep this quiet for a little bit. I want to tell my staff and, of course, I want to talk to Marie about it.”

  “All right,” Alicia said. “But how long do we have before you leave?”

  “At least six months,” he replied. “We still have the fund-raiser for My Sister’s Keeper and more meals for me to cook for you guys.”

  “You’d better stock Serena’s freezer before you leave or poor Antonio and A.J. are going to starve,” Jade joked.

  “Maybe you guys should invest in some cooking lessons for your girl,” Devon said. “I’m heading for the kitchen now.”

  Chapter 23

  Still basking in the afterglow of makeup sex, Marie decided to go home early and prepare for her dinner with Devon. Slipping behind the wheel of her new Jaguar, she smiled, thinking how her life had changed since being with Devon. The party girl was no more. She honestly didn’t miss that life, either. She hadn’t been on the blogs or in the papers for the wrong reasons. She thought about sending a thank-you basket to the judge who handed down her sentence those months ago. Had it not been for him, she would’ve never met and fallen in love with Devon Harris. Maybe they should’ve gone out and flaunted their relationship. They could make all the right headlines and become the darlings of the city. Nah, she wanted to keep this relationship just between the two of them. Still, she wanted one last night out. She needed to say good-bye to the party scene and leave it in hands that cared, but definitely not hers.

  Just as she was about to back out of the lot, there was a banging on the trunk of the car. Looking in the rearview, she saw William standing there. “He just won’t go away,” she muttered as she mulled over the idea of slamming the car into him. Knowing that she wouldn’t do anything but cause trouble for herself, Marie simply pulled forward and rolled her window down.

  “Stalker much?” she exclaimed.

  “We need to talk and I’m not leaving until we do.”

  “Just like I said weeks ago, I have nothing to say to you and that hasn’t changed.”

  He walked over to the driver’s side and glared at her. “You think you can just ignore me? I lost everything because of you.”

  “You had nothing to lose to begin with. Get away from my car before I turn you into a speed bump.”

  He stepped back and smirked at her. “You say I didn’t have anything to lose, but you have a lot to lose. How would your new man feel if he knew the truth about you?”

  “What madness have you made up in your head? Please go find Greta or someone who gives a damn to listen to what you have to say. I don’t. Now. Move!”

  William glared at her and shouted. “I’m going to sue you!”

  Marie flipped the ignition off and hopped out of the car. “On what grounds? You’re going to sue me for being stupid enough to accept your engagement ring? You’re going to sue me for not seeing you for the trifling piece of crap you are? Am I supposed to write your broke ass a check to get you out of my life when you are the one who was at my event kissing your ex-wife? Or is that ‘current meal ticket,’ I’m a little confused. You know, I should thank you. Had it not been for you making an utter fool of me, I would’ve never met the man who means the world to me.” She stalked back to her car, grabbed her purse, reached into her wallet, and flung a twenty-dollar bill at William. “Why don’t you take this and go buy a damned clue?” Marie hopped into her car and sped away. He had one more time to try to threaten her or just show up at her business or her home and she was going to have him thrown in jail. William wanted a payday, and she would not be extorted by that loser. Still, Marie headed to her father’s office to ask him how she should handle this thing with William.

  As Devon headed to his car, he heard someone call out his name. He was shocked to look up at Solomon Crawford. Yes, the men had come to an understanding, but they were far from best friends.

  “What’s up?” Devon asked.

  “I was in the neighborhood and figured I’d get Kandace some dinner since she keeps talking about New Orleans chicken,” he said. “Listen, I wanted to ask you something.”

  Devon eyed him suspiciously. What could Solomon want with him? “Go ahead.”

  “Will you be my daughter’s godfather? And before you say no or anything, hear me out
,” he said.

  “Why would you want me to be your daughter’s godfather? We’re civil, but I’d hardly call us close.”

  “I know how much you love my wife. And I know the love you have for her has changed over the years. This whole circle of friends you all have here is the closest thing to a real family I’ve ever seen,” he said. “I had money growing up, but never people who truly gave a damn around me.”

  “Are you sure you’re comfortable with this? It wasn’t too long ago that you thought I wanted to steal your wife away as soon as you turned your back,” Devon said folding his arms across his chest. “And you’re right, I do love Kandace. I guess it was always meant for us to be close like this. She found her happily ever after with you and I’m hoping to find mine elsewhere as well.”

  “I know, you and the party girl. But since I know you love my wife, I know you’ll love my daughter as well. And, trust me, I think Karma is going to bite me in the ass, so I need all the backup I can get. Me, with a daughter.” Solomon shook his head.

  “If you’re this stressed out this early, you’re going to worry yourself into a heart attack by the time she’s sixteen.”

  The two men headed into the restaurant so that Devon could prepare Kandace her favorite dish. Seeing this side of the great Solomon Crawford was nearly comical. But it showed Devon something else as well: Kandace was with the right man. The love Solomon had for his wife and daughter was tangible. Devon wondered if he’d feel like this when Marie gave birth to their kids. He wanted two, preferably two boys.

  “When are you guys going to have little Kiana’s christening?” Devon asked as he mixed the spices for the chicken.

  “No time soon. I’m still in shock that I’m someone’s father. How do I do this and not mess it up?

  Devon nodded. “I say we do the opposite of what our fathers did and we should be great fathers.”

  Alicia walked into the kitchen and smiled. “I thought you’d taken off. Hey, Solomon,” she said.

  “What’s up, Alicia?” he replied.

  “Kandace wanted some dinner, and while I’m in here, I might as well take care of my dinner date entrée.”