Tastes Like Chocolate: A Red Hot Valentine Story

by Graylin Rane

  “Viviana, is there something you need to tell me?” Rick whined behind me.

  That voice jolted me back to awareness. What was I doing making out with a statue? Did I still give a flying damn what Rick thought, though? The one who casually admitted to cheating on me with every member of my bridal party, except Angie. Who apparently punched him in the face. I love her. Adonis pulled back a small distance. I could still smell his breath as he pressed his lips to my forehead. His muscles tightened around me, having more to do with the man in the doorway than my body pressed against his.

  I glared at him from Adonis’ arms. “I told you it was over when you admitted cheating on me. Repeating it again yesterday doesn’t seem to have worked. Is there something you need to hear from me to stay away?”

  My suddenly live god reached out with his arm, grabbing Rick by his collar. “You leave this store and her life now, or I will hurt the parts you think are important.”

  Both men looked at his crotch, which Rick covered with both hands. His face turned a dark shade of red I’d never seen on him before. Nice work, there. His breath might be cut off, that’s okay, but don’t ever threaten his dick.

  He nodded, fear and anger on his face. “I’ll leave,” he croaked.

  Adonis backed away from me, pushing me behind him. “I’ll take care of Viviana from now on. There’s no need for you to come by, call, email, fax, or inquire about her welfare from her friends.”

  The temperature in the room dropped. He clenched the arm firmly around me. I’d have pinched myself if I’d thought of it. Every dream I’d had in weeks came true in front of me. A gorgeous man stood up for me, embarrassing Rick in the process. The throngs of witnesses and internet videos were missing. I’d make do.

  Adonis let go of my ex who slunk away, the bell ringing his exit.

  “Thank you.” I caressed his cheeks. There was hostility there as he continued to stare out front.

  “He hasn’t left. He waits for you outside the front window. Who is this idiot?” He softened a little, kissing my forehead.

  It did occur to me I was about to tell a man, who was a chocolate statue ten minutes ago, my personal business. I didn’t care at that moment.

  “My ex-fiancé. He made his sexual services available to all of my bridesmaids.” It still hurt to say aloud.

  I looked down to avoid seeing the inevitable pity flash across his expression.

  “He is a fool.” He announced it like it was news.

  I had to ask. “Who are you?”

  He shifted his weight to press his crotch against my stomach again. The heat melted away my question. He picked me up, carrying me to the front of the store. The windows were tinted and yet, I felt exposed. At the door, I reached out, locking it and flipping the sign to ‘Closed’.

  He carried me upstairs to my bed. As soon as he set me down, I scampered to straighten up, wiping non-existent dust from a table. His laugh shook the room.

  “I’m here for you, Vivi.” He crawled onto the bed, holding his hand out to me.

  I looked over at him. No, there would be no regrets. Even if he vanished in moments and I found out later I was hallucinating.

  Taking his hand, I let him lay me down. My hands shook as he lowered his chest over mine. He shifted his weight, leaving my lower half exposed and feeling cold.

  “You called me Adonis,” he said, removing my shirt.

  I nodded as he pushed the material aside, reaching into my bra to expose my breasts. My emotions soared with hope even as I tried to squelch it. This could be the beginning of something or another setup for disappointment. Deciding it was best if I didn’t think, I tried to turn off my inner voice.

  “You are beautiful. Voluptuous. A woman it takes time to taste and explore.” Then, he did.

  Starting at my head, he kissed my entire face, lingering over my lips to lick them in circles. I kept reaching down for his penis but he backed away, smiling. He moved lower, teasing my nipples until they stood straight up. He reached down, removing my pants and panties with no effort.

  He slipped his fingers inside me and I arched my back. He moved them in and out, even while I wriggled with pleasure. As he teased my clit with his thumb on each thrust, I found myself having sex with his hand, and enjoying it.

  He leaned down, wrapping his other hand around the back of my neck. “I want to hear you scream with ecstasy.”

  I wanted to answer, needed to say something, but each time I opened my mouth, only a moan came out.

  Pressing his hand inside of me, he pulled me to him as I groaned, wriggling my hips toward his. He pinned my leg down with his while picking up the intensity with his hand. He moved so fast I could no longer tell when he thrust, only that a growing heat traveled down my legs, and my hands started to tingle. Oh gods, my orgasm wasn’t going to wait for him to be inside me. My back couldn’t arch any farther as he held me firmly while his wiggling fingers entered me over and over again.

  My breath was no more than a raspy groan as he pulled his fingers from me suddenly, leaving a need I’d never known. I whimpered, and using what strength I had to wrap both arms around his shoulders, I pulled myself up and kissed him so deeply I thought he’d pull away. He didn’t. His tongue met mine move for move as he laid me back down. He grabbed my hips, nudging me under him and pressing his entire body onto me.

  I shifted my hips up, rewarded with the hard length of him pulsing between my legs. I wanted him, needed him, at that moment. He held me still, rubbing his hard cock up and down, the head pushing gently at my opening only to keep thrusting. His breathing was rapid as he again lifted his hips, teasing me with the length of him. The penis I sculpted was almost inside of me. I couldn’t think; all I could do was moan, thrusting my hips against his hands, hoping he’d reward me.

  His gravelly voice was filled with desire. “Are you ready for me, my love?”

  “Please, don’t leave me like this.” My fear rushed to the front, even in this moment.

  “I’m yours, forever.”

  He grasped my ass and entered me slowly. I whimpered with each push. He moaned as I used my vaginal muscles to squeeze him inside of me.

  “That’s the best trickery.” He chuckled.

  I looked up at him hoping he was mine, forever. The gold dust still flecked in his eyes.

  “More.” I licked his lips.

  “I am yours to command in bed.” He thrust, filling me completely.

  My breath rushed out of me as he picked up speed. All I could do was lie there and moan. He clasped his hands over my head, staring me right in the eye. He wanted to see my pleasure.

  He moved as fast as he did with his hand. I lost track of his movements, unable to keep up. Raising my hips, I tried to match his every move. This time when I arched my back, it pressed my breasts into his chest.

  He moaned. “Your body ignites a fire inside of me.”

  The impact of our bodies meeting in a frenzy of passion produced a delicious sound that filled my ears. His moans echoed mine as I couldn’t contain groans that came from within me. The orgasm ran along my legs, clenching my toes. As my mouth opened to scream my joy, he placed his over mine and we exploded together.

  He brushed my hair back, kissing my cheek. “Thank you.”

  Thank me? Oh no. “That was all you. I’ve been there when I’ve had orgasms before. This was different.”

  “That was the point.” He laughed, rubbing my breasts and stomach. “I’m a son of Eros, God of Love. You, and your aunt, asked for me. Here I am.”

  His voice, full of reverence, let me know he spoke the truth. No other way a block of chocolate turns into a man.

  “I believe you.” There was a tiny voice at the back reaches of my brain. I squashed it with a glance at the body that pleasured me.

  He looked surprised. “That’s why I thanked you. I’ve not been with a woman in a long time. I’m glad I was chosen for you.”

  “So am I.” All mine? It’s a good thing I was lying down. I’d have f
ainted.

  He watched me shower. Then got cleaned up himself. Dinner was done when he came out wrapped in only a towel.

  “I need clothes.”

  “I beg to differ.”

  He smiled. “You want your friends to see every time I’m hard for you?”

  Got me there. “No, we’ll get you clothes tomorrow.”

  “Tonight, we eat and make love all night.”

  “Yes.”

  Chapter Three

  A week later, he was still there every day and in my bed every night. I couldn’t believe it and yet, here he was. My aunt verified the son of Eros story, as best a human witch could confirm calling down a God.

  “I have to report back.” He stood over the stove making eggs. He was a great cook.

  “Back, where?” Gods forgive me, I kept thinking Willy Wonka.

  “To Eros. It won’t take long. He’ll pull me up there to check and see how things are going and I’ll be back here with you soon after.”

  How can anyone think with that ass, naked, in an apron? “Okay.”

  He left that afternoon. My stomach did some strange flips and threw my lunch back at me. Seated in the shop, I barely noticed people walking by. All I kept thinking about was Adonis. Had I had a weeklong dream relationship only to be left?

  Angie showed up when I’d decided I’d been duped. “Where’s caramel and delicious?”

  “He had to go back to Eros. Report in or something.” My doubts flew around my head yelling ‘told you it was a dream’ as I tried to smack them with a flyswatter.

  “What’s up your ass? One hour without him and you’re irritable.” She opened up her mom-bag, pulling out tissues. “Wipe your nose. What did you expect? A god shows up in your shop, sexing you up for a week, and you expect him to stick around? I love you, Vivi but your fantasy life needs to find a reality check. If he comes back, he’s yours. Until then, enjoy the hell out of those memories. Telling me every single detail of his lovemaking will help you.” Her eyes shone with curiosity.

  Hearing it out loud hurt, confirming my own insecurities. “Where are the kids?”

  “Day care. Mommy needs a massage.”

  Her favorite place was down the street. “I should go with you.”

  “Yes, hot smoking sex with Adonis is stressful.” She poked me in the ribs.

  “All right. He’s been a gift. I’m waiting for the issue to come up. You know there’s always an issue.”

  Rolling her eyes at me, she scoffed. “There’s not an issue here. He was sent for you, made by you, and fits you.”

  “That sounds normal.” Sarcasm made me feel better.

  “Who pissed in your cornflakes?”

  “I’m enthralled when he’s around. The rest of the world fades away. Then he goes and doubt stomps on me.” This pattern wasn’t new; I’d developed it in high school.

  “Come on. Let’s go.” She pulled me out of the store after forcing me to put on real ‘outside people’ clothes.

  It was a short walk to the massage place. Angie had a membership her husband renewed every year. His apology for the twins gift. She wouldn’t trade her children for anything, the twins being the most adorable children in town. Just ask her. Once a week though, she took a break, got lunch on her own, came by the store, and got a massage.

  The lady at the desk smiled at us. The owner hired me for the statues in the lobby. I’d made one look like Adonis, but I didn’t know it at the time, only he was four foot tall and hollow in the fountain.

  Angie called him “Little Pisser” even though he poured water from a can.

  “Good afternoon, Vivi and Angie. Two? Vivi, where have you been? You absolutely glow. I doubt we need to do anything to you today.” Our favorite masseuse could talk through anything.

  “I’m fine, Marcella. I’m here to support Angie.”

  “I heard about chocolate man.” Marcella winked at me. “How does he taste?”

  I froze. No one had ever asked me how my man tasted before. Adonis was a first on all fronts. “I’m not telling.”

  “He looks delicious.” She licked her lips.

  “Hands off my candy man, Marcella.” I couldn’t soften the edge to my voice.

  She grabbed a small bottle of liquor on the way back to the massage room, handing it to me. “He’s yours, Vivi. No other woman who’s been in your shop in the last week can even get his eyes from you. Much less his hands, or any other parts. I want to know where you met him. I have family who could use a man dedicated and delicious.”

  Tension in my shoulders eased up, leaving behind soreness. “Sorry about that. I’m feeling a little vulnerable.”

  “Forget Rick. That idiot isn’t worth another tear or worry. Your Adonis god is beautiful. Enjoy him.”

  Angie’s modesty left when a crowd converged in her hospital room to watch the twins arrive. She dropped her clothes and picked up a robe, hopping onto the table. “Talk as long as you work.”

  Marcella spanked Angie’s ass, pointing me to the small table with tomato juice and celery. I made a crude Bloody Mary and had a seat.

  “Sorry, Marcella. I didn’t mean to snap at you.” Guilt started worming its way into my chest.

  “Don’t you worry. I have six children, nine grandchildren, and an ornery husband. I come to work for a break.”

  I believed her. Sipping my drink, I tried not to watch the clock. Each minute that went by scared me and I couldn’t pinpoint why.

  By the time Angie’s massage was done, I had a buzz and wanted to get back.

  “Tourists thinned out this year.” Angie made small talk.

  We had a hurricane a month ago. They probably think we’re still picking up.” If it’s one thing Floridians are good at, it’s bouncing back after storms. Hell, we didn’t get off the road until the hurricanes could be seen from our living rooms. That’s what happens when they drive by every year.

  The shop was locked but something was different. Only my materials delivery person had a key, and Angie. That way, I didn’t have to stop working when he dropped off more concrete or marble.

  The shop smelled like burnt chocolate. I ran upstairs, seeing a note on the bed that wasn’t there when I’d left. Grabbing it, I ran downstairs. The refrigerated unit door was open. Something was wrong. The note forgotten in my hand, fear of an intruder clenched my chest.

  Angie stood behind me as we inched our way back. There was breathing. Then I heard it. A chainsaw started up. My heart pounded in my chest. Did Eros send Adonis back as chocolate? Was it really a dream, a delusion? Aunt Lily wouldn’t do anything to hurt me, but the ancient Gods were known for toying with humans.

  “Adonis?” I tried to keep the panic from my voice.

  “You won’t be hearing from him again,” Rick shouted back.

  Rick? I ran to a table, pulling a sledgehammer from the tool set. It weighed twenty pounds but I’d grown used to swinging it.

  Angie ran out the front door, I assumed to get the police.

  “Rick, what the hell are you doing in my shop?”

  “I’m getting rid of the competition.” A chocolate chunk flew past me.

  My heart sank. A week. I’d gotten a week of love, unconditional, passionate love.

  “Angie’s gone to get the police. You need to turn off the chainsaw and come out.”

  “Really, and what do you have?” He sounded drunk.

  “A sledgehammer. I can knock you, and the motor, out in seconds.” I lifted it onto my shoulder.

  He came towards me, chainsaw in front of him running. “I’d like to see you try.” His clothes and hair were covered in chocolate dust. It made me ill.

  No words were needed. I swung the hammer once, knocking the chainsaw into the wall where it started to smoke. The engine died after cutting a huge hole in my shop.

  “How did you do that?”

  His surprise caught me off guard.

  “Precision movements are what I do, Rick.” I felt sorry for him for a second. He’d never gotten to k
now me.

  “They left me.” He stumbled around in a circle.

  Whoever it was deserved an award. “Who left you?”

  “Everyone. All the women I had. They said I crossed the line hurting you. No one else will have me. So I came to get you back.” Drunk logic.

  That was a first. “No.” Even with Adonis, maybe in fragments, I was done with Rick and any man who didn’t love me exactly as I was.

  Rick had been my boyfriend for three years and didn’t know I could swing a hammer? The delivery people knew that. Sad fact he’d never asked about me and I’d never told him. The shop phone rang behind me. I didn’t want to turn my back on this situation. Voicemail picked it up.

  “Viviana? Are you okay?” Officer’s came in the front door. I heard the footsteps.

  “Freeze!” Rick tried to keep from swaying. “Don’t move.”

  I turned around to see five cops in riot gear. “Boys, you can drop your weapons. The chainsaw is fried and possibly melted into the wall.” I pointed at it.

  Rick stumbled forward, dropping to his knees as he was cuffed and carried away.

  “Angie, he killed Adonis.” I collapsed. “I can’t look.”

  She held me in her arms, rocking me while I wept. The smell of chocolate in the air made me cry harder. Upstairs in my room, I went through a box of tissues mourning my sweet man knowing I’d never meet anyone like him again.

  The phone rang as Angie wandered into the cold room. It was my aunt. “What is wrong? Did the shipment break?” Concern filled her voice.

  “What shipment?” My brain wasn’t working.

  “The three blocks of chocolate. It seems you are now the sculptor for the god of love. Orders for the gold dust are backing up over here.”

  “Wait.” Peeling the now illegible note from my sweaty palm, I ran downstairs, leaving the phone behind.

  Angie grabbed it, explaining what had happened to my aunt. There were three huge blocks of chocolate in the room. I turned the temperature back down as they’d started to melt. Square blocks, uncut, not Adonis; I ran around each one touching the corners.