Khalid

by Celeste Granger

  Khalid stood on the other side of the door. He knew she was near. He felt her, Racquel’s energy, her aura, her presence. Khalid had been on plenty of dates as well, maybe not plenty, but he’d been on enough dates to know that this one was different. He felt the pound of his heart and the echo in his ears. Khalid was nervous. He never worried about making a good impression before, but this time he wanted to make the right impression. He cared about making the right impression.

  The door opened. Their eyes met. Racquel’s eyes fixed on his and then roamed down his frame. Khalid did causal very well, dark jeans, and a fitted t-shirt that sat snug against his pectoral musculature and fell away. When Racquel saw his tennis shoes, she smiled.

  “Hey, beautiful,” he crooned, taking an equally appraising look and then returning his eyes to her approvingly.

  “Hey,” she uttered.

  When Khalid opened his arms to her, Racquel closed the distance between them, feeling his thickly corded arms wrap around her, pulling her close.

  “I’m glad you said yes,” Khalid trilled against her cheek.

  Racquel wrapped her arms around his waist, feeling the length of his form against hers. She inhaled his essence and then exhaled slowly, not wanting to release him from her too quickly.

  “Me, too.”

  Their embrace lingered, neither one wanting to let go, but they did, eventually. Racquel crossed the threshold and closed the door. Khalid stepped aside so she could lock it. After Racquel deposited the keys in her purse, Khalid escorted her down the front walkway, an affirming hand to the center of her back. When they reached the Land Rover, Khalid opened the door for her, and then helped Racquel step up into the tall truck. Ensuring she was in, he closed the door and then walked in front of the truck, entering on the drivers’ side. Racquel watched Khalid as he moved. He was suave defined. Khalid took a deep breath before opening the door and sliding in beside her.

  “Let me help you with your seatbelt,” he suggested.

  “I’ve got it,” Racquel replied.

  Khalid gained her eyes by placing a gentle finger under her chin and inclining Racquel to him.

  “Let me help you,” he repeated, the croon of his voice low and melodic. She returned his heated gaze.

  “You’ve helped me enough already, don’t you think?” Racquel surmised. Her brow pitched slightly, and her pouty lips pursed.

  “You know about that, huh?” Khalid tried to read Racquel’s eyes to see how she felt about it. When he’d extended professional courtesy to her before, Racquel was suspicious of ulterior motives. But the fact that she was here with him, after knowing, said that this time it was okay.

  “Yes, I know,” Racquel replied. “Thank you.” She fought hard against tearing up. The mere thought of such selflessness on her behalf was something Racquel could hardly process or accept. Khalid watched her eyes nearly mist over. He leaned in close enough to kiss one closed eyelid then the other.

  “It’s the least I could do,” he murmured against her flesh, his finger moving from her chin to caress the softness of her face. Yet, her eyes were somewhat unyielding.

  “It’s the least I could do,” he repeated, so Racquel not only heard the words but felt the petition from his heart.

  There was softness yet intensity there. When Racquel’s chestnut brown eyes softened, Khalid reached across her, eradicating time and space, and eased the seatbelt from its holster. He draped it across her body and clicked it securely in. The atmosphere was charged with so much magnetism, it felt combustible. Khalid eased from her, clicking, and locking his seatbelt. Racquel turned away from him, gently wiping her eyes. Damn near crying was a hell of a way to start a date.

  “So where are you taking me,” Racquel asked, trying to lighten the mood.

  “How do you feel about surprises?” Khalid asked as he pushed the button to start the ignition.

  “I’m not sure,” Racquel replied. “Most of my surprises have been less than pleasant.”

  “Well, we need to change that dynamic then, don’t we?”

  “You strike me as just the man to do it.”

  Racquel’s compliment put a smirk on Khalid’s face.

  “I am.”

  The car ride was peppered with an easy yet flirtatious conversation. The two together played off each other beautifully. It was like a dance, and both were ready to tango. When Khalid pulled off the interstate at the annual Second Street Carnival, Racquel smiled widely. It was a great idea, and she was all for it.

  “I like this surprise,” she beamed.

  “I’m glad you do,” Khalid returned her warm smile. They exited the truck, with Khalid helping Racquel to step down, closing the door behind her. He reached for her hand, and she willingly folded hers into his. Their first stop? Go-Kart races.

  “Are you ready for this,” Khalid asked. Racquel could hear the challenge in his voice. From history, he knew she was competitive. Not much had changed.

  “You already know,” she purred. “And don’t pull the gentleman card and purposely let me win either,” Racquel warned.

  “I won’t,” Khalid cautioned.

  They separated long enough to get into their respective cars and to get strapped in. Racquel revved the engine, letting Khalid know she meant business. His eyes trailed to her. Even underneath the helmet, she was still mesmerizing. Khalid revved his engine in response. Hearing it, Racquel laughed. He liked that. He enjoyed putting a smile on her face. She’d had so much sadness, Racquel deserved a chance to smile.

  In sync, they both turned their attention to the large streetlight that signified the start of the race. The light moved from red to yellow to green. Racquel was quick on the draw, pressing the gas pedal and taking off milliseconds before Khalid. By the first turn, she’d taken the inside lane a full kart length ahead of him. Rocky was feeling pretty good, until she saw the front end of Khalid’s kart creeping up on the outside lane. Racquel leaned in as far as she could to the steering wheel, pressing the gas pedal even more, and willing her kart to go faster. She leaned into the curve, but Khalid was still coming. She dared to cut her eyes in his direction. He turned and smiled in hers, slowly taking the lead. Coming out of the curve, Khalid was slightly ahead. Racquel was not having that. The only thing left to the finish line was a straightaway. Holding tightly to the steering wheel, Racquel focused on the road in front of her. She didn’t alter her view. She didn’t look in Khalid’s direction, only straight ahead. The noses of their karts edged ahead, one and then the other. The black and white checkered flag was a mere one hundred and fifty feet in front of them. Her adrenaline was pumping hard. Sure, it was only a go-kart race, but Racquel wanted to win. Fifty feet from the finish line, the nose of Khalid’s kart was a few inches ahead of hers. Rocky floored her kart, and when the checkered flag came down, she was the winner.

  She waited until the kart slowed down to throw her hands triumphantly in the air. Khalid laughed when he saw Racquel doing her victory dance. Pulling up beside her, the smile he enjoyed seeing so much was beautifully displayed on her face. He felt a sense of satisfaction, but Khalid was far from done.

  Chapter Twenty

  “You won,” Khalid smiled as he lifted Racquel from the kart.

  “I did,” she grinned.

  “You did.”

  The duo didn’t waste any time moving to the next thing. With Racquel neatly tucked under his arm, they enjoyed everything the carnival had to offer. They played whack a mole, road the Buccaneer, lifting their hands at every drop and laughing because they were having so much fun. That’s all Khalid wanted was for Racquel to have fun with him. All of their earlier conversations had been tinged with tension and angst. He didn’t want that for their first date. He wanted Racquel to want to go out with him again. He wanted her to have a good time.

  “One more stop before we go,” Khalid said.

  Racquel had no objection except one. “We didn’t get any funnel cake,” she pouted.

  “I promise we’ll get it on the way o
ut,” Khalid winked.

  That satisfied her. When they stopped in front of the balloon shoot game, Racquel was ready.

  “So, you want me to beat you again?”

  “We’re not competing against each other this time,” Khalid replied. “I’m going to win you a stuffed animal.”

  “Aww, that’s sweet,” Racquel hummed. “But, I wanna shoot too.”

  “You are just not going to make my attempts at chivalry easy, are you?”

  “Nope,” she quipped

  “That’s why I have to do things behind your back,” He leaned down and whispered in her ear. The hum of his words against her skin sent shivers to Racquel’s core. Her eyes closed, and she relished in that feeling, her hand falling casually to Khalid’s chest. She reached up, cradling his lowered head in her hand and pressed her lips to his. Khalid’s lips were warm on hers, but soon gave way to the exploration of his tongue. The gentle massage sent hot currents of increased desire racing through her. Racquel’s emotions swirled and skidded. Khalid felt reckless abandon surge in his soul. It would be easy for them to be carried away on a wave of scintillating energy and erratic emotions. But they didn’t, instead, pulling away from each other, Racquel’s mouth left on a pant.

  “What was I saying,” Khalid asked as he tried to reign in his desire.

  “You’re going to win for me,” Racquel uttered.

  I’m going to win you, Khalid thought as he turned his attention towards the game.

  Racquel looked on, watching focus and intensity take over Khalid’s handsome face. It didn’t matter who he was playing against, Khalid intended to win. He wasn’t going to be outdone in front of his girl. His girl echoed in his mind as the game was called to start. Racquel cheered him on. That revved Khalid up, and he went hard in the paint, pressing the gun’s trigger until his winning bell sounded.

  “Congratulations, sir. You are the winner. What’s your choice?”

  Khalid reached for Racquel, reeling her in to stand next to him.

  “Your choice, beloved.”

  Racquel’s eyes scanned the giant stuffed animals that sat at the very top of the display.

  “The panther,” she purred. “That’s the one I want.” The big cat reminded Racquel of Khalid in so many ways, all good.

  The attendant secured it for her, and Khalid carried it. They had one final stop to make. Racquel wanted a funnel cake. He made sure she had it.

  “Have some,” she suggested, her fingers dotted with powdered sugar.

  “How can I say no,” Khalid crooned as he opened his mouth to receive what Racquel had to offer. His lips closed on her fingers as his tongue lifted the cake from her fingertips. Rocky felt the magic of his touch, and a thump echoed through her feminine proclivities as it echoed in his loins.

  “We should go,” Racquel hummed.

  “We should go,” Khalid hummed in return. “Dinner at my place?”

  Racquel nodded, and they moved as one towards the car.

  “I have a dog,” Khalid said as they pulled into his driveway. Khalid activated the garage door opener and awaited Racquel’s response. “Are you afraid of dogs?”

  “Some,” Racquel replied as the garage door closed behind them, momentarily casting the duo into pitch blackness. Khalid opened his car door, offering some light. He didn’t want to frighten Racquel before she met Queen. Dogs sensed fear, and he didn’t want Racquel to give off any false signals.

  “Queen is possessive, but she’s not mean. I want to introduce you to her. She will sniff you. That’s her way of getting acquainted. She’ll also sense our interaction together.”

  “I trust you,” Racquel replied.

  “That’s good to know.”

  Khalid exited the vehicle and rounded the car, opening Racquel’s door and helping her out before leaving her momentarily to close his car door. When he returned to her, Khalid reached for Racquel’s hand, and she accepted. They walked through the garage door into the kitchen. They took a moment to take off their shoes, and Khalid lined them up against the wall. Racquel’s eyes were wide in anticipation of Queen’s arrival. But the dog moved quietly, defying her size.

  “Come on, girl,” Khalid said, although the dog was still not visible. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”

  Queen did not run towards them; instead, meandering slowly in their direction. Racquel’s eyes enlarged from the sheer size of the dog. But she was quiet, she wasn’t barking, and she didn’t look menacing. Khalid lifted is hand, and the dog sat on her haunches immediately in front of them. Racquel was nervous, but she tried not to show it.

  “Queen, this is Racquel.”

  The dog responded by looking up at Khalid and then down to Racquel. He repositioned their clasped hands, placing Racquel’s on the outside and then lifting their hands to her muzzle. Queen leaned forward and sniffed, then she stood on all fours and walked closer to Racquel, sniffing her alone. Rocky didn’t realize she was holding her breath, scared to move for fear the dog would have an adverse response. But when Queen was satisfied, she turned around and meandered away.

  “She likes you,” Khalid leaned over and said.

  “Okay,” Racquel finally breathed.

  “It’s going to be fine. I promise.”

  “As I said before, Khalid, I trust you.”

  “Does that extend to Queen?”

  “I guess so,” she smiled.

  “Then, welcome to my home.”

  Khalid made sure Racquel was comfortably seated at the island.

  “Wine?”

  “Sure,” Racquel replied.

  “Any preference, red, white?”

  “No preference,” Racquel answered. “Do you mind? I need to let Naomi know I am okay.”

  “Absolutely, beloved. Go ahead,” Khalid replied, walking over to the sink and washing his hands. While Racquel was on the phone, Khalid walked over to the wine cellar and retrieved his favorite bottle of red, Pomerol 2011 Bordeaux Blend, and returned to the kitchen with the wine bottle and a corkscrew. Sitting them on the table, He walked to the glass cabinet and pulled down two glasses.

  I am checking in. I wanted to let you know I’m good. I’m at Khalid’s.

  It didn’t take long for Naomi to reply.

  Glad you didn’t forget me. Glad to know you’re okay. Relax, let him get to know you. Love you.

  Racquel shook her head, turning her phone face down on the island. Then it chirped again.

  And make sure you do more than I would ever do with that fine brother. LOL!

  “She is so crazy,” Racquel smiled as Khalid filled their glasses.

  “She and my brother seem to be getting along well,” he observed.

  “Naomi wouldn’t have it any other way,” Racquel smiled.

  “Understood.”

  Racquel took a sip of the wine. “Mmm, this is amazing.”

  “I’ll make sure you have a bottle to take with you.”

  “Are you any good in the kitchen,” Racquel asked, dismounting the seat and padding over to where Khalid stood.

  “Better on the grill, but I manage,” he replied, leaning down and kissing her softly on the forehead.

  “Can I help?”

  “Of course, beautiful.”

  Khalid went to the coat rack and retrieved an apron for her and one for him. He helped Racquel put hers on, turning her by the waist in his hands until her back was to him. As he reached for the sashes, Khalid’s hands grazed her hips. She felt it like a passionately burning sensation that didn’t hurt but turned her on. Once Khalid was finished, Racquel turned to face him and then reached around his waist and tied his apron while facing him.

  “What shall we start with,” Racquel asked. Because if we don’t get started now, we ain’t gone ever eat.

  “Steak or lobster? Do you have a preference?” Khalid asked.

  “Lobster with a small side of the steak,” Racquel smiled.

  “A woman after my own heart,” Khalid uttered.

  She didn’t miss the
implication.

  “The seasoning is in the cabinet next to the stove,” Khalid directed as he walked to the refrigerator and pulled out the entrees.

  He went to the sink and washed and prepared the meat. Sitting the steaks on a glass board, Khalid set them down in front of Racquel, who was ready at the island with the seasoning. She took another sip of wine before addressing the meat.

  “Follow me to the grill?”

  “Sure,” Racquel replied. “I’ll grab your glass.”

  Racquel fell in step behind Khalid, observing his home as she went. It was much like his personality, mostly business in the dark colors, with an undercurrent of fun displayed in the pops of bright colors reflected in the accent pillows and artwork. The entire back of the house was glass. Khalid tapped a panel, and the glass wall folded back on itself reveal a breathtaking backyard. Racquel’s steps slowed as she took in the pool, the jacuzzi, the covered patio, and the fireplace. She startled a bit to see Queen stretched out in front of one of the couches on her pillow. The dog lifted her head, but then lowered it, going back to her resting posture.

  Khalid turned on the gas grill and set the steaks on to cook. He closed the lid, resting the covered lobsters on the sidebar. It wasn’t time for them to cook yet.

  “Do you swim?” Khalid asked.

  “I love to swim,” Racquel replied.

  “Well, if you go through that door, there’s a dressing room with a gift inside.”

  Racquel’s eyes followed where Khalid pointed.

  “Is Queen going to come with me?” She asked.