Seduced By The General

by India T. Norfleet

  -3-

  Brandie stood along the far right wall of the ballroom gingerly sipping on a glass of Kendall Jackson Chardonnay and talking to Erika when her nipples suddenly began to harden and her clit began to throb. She could feel someone watching her, traveling every peak and valley of her body. She prayed to God that it wasn't who she thought it was, but she knew that her body reacted to one man and only man only in that wanton matter, the infamous Kahlil Young.

  “Brandie hello, earth to Brandie?” Erika called to her friend.

  “I'm sorry what?” Brandie said snapping out of her reverie.

  “Girl, you better get it together, we got a long night ahead of us.” Erika said.

  “I'm fine.” Brandie said, waving off her friend. “I think this wine is finally starting to kick in.”

  “You better slow down before all that alcohol gets you in trouble with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome over there.”

  “You're right, I'm done. The last thing I need is to end up somewhere alone with Kahlil.”

  “Alright, well they just called me up on stage. Can you manage to stay out of trouble while I’m gone?” Erika laughed.

  “Shut the hell up. Bye. I'll catch up with you later.”

  “Okay. And no more wine Brandie.”

  “Hey you don't have to tell me twice.” She said as she sat the glass down on the table in front of her.

  As soon as Erika disappeared into the crowd, Brandie grabbed her glass and downed the rest of her wine while signaling the waiter for a third glass.

  “Thank you so much. And please keep them coming.” She placed the empty glass on his tray.

  “Yes ma'am.” The waiter smiled and nodded before walking away. Brandie fished inside her purse for her cell to check the time.

  “Damn it. I have to dodge this asshole for five more hours.” Just what the fuck did I do to deserve this kind of torture?”

  Glancing up from her purse, Brandie looked up to find that Kahlil's hazel eyes were locked on her.

  “Fuck!!!” She cursed before averting her gaze back into her lap. How in the hell am I supposed to stay away from alcohol when this man got my nerves jumping all over the damn place?

  Why is he even here? And why does he still have to be so damn fine, looking like he could convince GQ magazine to do a military edition and put him on the cover?

  Gulping down the rest of her wine, Brandie continued to discretely size up the new and improved ex-jackass. All those ripped muscles encased in his military uniform, the new goatee that took the place of his full beard he'd worn for years and all of that glorious height. Sweet Jesus the man is a walking fantasy. All that solid, perfectly sculpted milk chocolate should be against the law!

  No, snap out of it… “Where in the hell is that damn waiter?” Brandie's eyes traveled the busy grand ballroom for him or any of the other wait staff but they were nowhere to be found.

  “Fuck! Guess I'm going to have to wing it without my liquid courage.” Brandie said as she stood and made her way around the room, talking to any and everyone who would listen.

  A few hours later, Brandie calmed when she saw Kahlil head for the exit and decided that now she could finally make her way to the restroom. Just before she literally stepped foot outside of the ballroom, someone pulled her back inside.

  “So do we really have to play this game all night? How long are you going to act childish?” Kahlil's smooth baritone voice inquired.

  With all six feet nine inches of him touching her so intimately, all Brandie could think about was climbing his mountain top all night long. Her anger and hormones got into an intense game of tug of war. She was horny and angry but her anger won out as it overpowered every naughty thought that had crossed her mind.

  “Oh I don't know, how about for the next seven muthafuckin’ years? Let go of me, Kahlil.” Brandie snatched away from his loose grasp.

  “I guess I deserved that. I see you still got that smart ass mouth.” Kahlil smiled as he stood reacquainting himself with all of her natural beauty in her fitted dress and soft curls. He wanted so badly to taste her sexy lips—to remember them, but knew that now was not the time to get her so worked up, just yet.

  “No, you didn't even deserve that and my mouth is no longer your concern or don't you remember?”

  “Look. I—”

  “Save the bullshit for somebody who gives a sweet fuck.” Brandie spat before walking out into the hall and heading for the powder room.

  She tried to hold in her emotions but once she hit the bathroom door, tears began streaking the light foundation on her coco brown cheeks. Quickly she ran into the closest stall and for the first time that year she cried for the life and family that they almost had together.

  Sobbing freely into the tissue she grabbed from the dispenser in her stall, she wished that she was anywhere but there with the man that she still loved. Thirty minutes passed before Brandie remembered that she needed to put this pity party on hold and get back out into the ballroom. Tonight her job was giving a benefit dinner for charity and auctioning off herself in the name of anti-violence.

  The ballroom was filled with investors, state representatives, state business owners, countless sponsors all here to support the cause by bidding on the bachelorettes of Sweet Cheeks graphics to accompany them to an elegant dinner and dancing tomorrow night. All proceeds will go to various stop the violence foundations and initiatives for a better tomorrow.

  At the time, Brandie thought it was an awesome idea to be a bachelorette for charity and had even convinced Erika to be a participant as well, though now all she wanted to do was curl up on her lounger with a bowl of vanilla bean ice cream and a Frasier marathon and forget that she ever loved Kahlil or was pregnant with his child. After wiping her face with a cleansing wipe, Brandie reapplied her makeup, checked her appearance in the mirror, sent up a quick prayer to get through this night and headed back into to the ballroom.

  As soon as she took her seat, she realized that the auction was ready in progress and that according to the older gentleman’s program sitting in front of her, she was up next.

  “…sold for five thousand dollars. Mr. Kevin Grove of Vines Financial, please come claim your beautiful date.” Georgia, the hippy host with the sandy brown hair and face full of freckles said.

  “Okay let's give Mr. Grove a round of applause for our first donation for the night.” A thunderous round of applause shook the ballroom as Mr. Grove walked up to the stage, held out his hand and helped Erika descend the stairs.

  “Now let's keep this ball rolling. Our next bachelorette is Brandie Harris. Brandie loves long walks, Bruce Willis movies, and Vanilla bean sundaes. Brandie where are you, honey?” Brandie took a deep breath and stood.

  Quickly, she perfected a fake Miss America smile and waved as applause welcomed her to the stage.

  “Alright gentlemen, let's make Mr. Grove the example to live by tonight by trying to match or beat his donation for the remainder of the evening. So dig deep in those wallets boys! Now is not the time to be shy. We'll start the bidding at six hundred dollars do I hear seven?”

  “Nine.”

  “Two thousand!”

  “One half million dollars.”

  Collective gasps and ooooo's fell over the room as everyone turned in the direction of the enormous bidder.

  There standing near the back of the room, at the end of the parted sea of speechless guests stood Kahlil with eyes only for Brandie.

  -4-

  “General Young could you repeat-

  “One half million dollars is my bid for, Ms. Harris.”

  Brandie slammed her eyes shut and mumbled a string of continuous expletives; she prayed that someone would outbid his ridiculous donation, but no one else countered his bid.

  “Well okay, now that all the speculating is out of the way, five hundred thousand dollars going once? Going twice? Sold to retired General Young of the U.S. military and of General Electronics. General, come on down and claim your beautiful bachelor
ette.”

  Brandie was seething as she accepted Kahlil's outstretched hand and made their way through the crowd of onlookers. Brandie could hear some of them whispering, speculating as to why a man would bid so much money on a woman. As soon they were out of ear shot of the rest of the patrons, Brandie snatched her hand out of his and went off.

  “Just what in the hell do you think you're doing? You trifling pompous, bastard.” Brandie whispered angrily.

  “Whatever I can do to get you to speak to me.” Kahlil chuckled.

  “Well fucking congratulations. I'm talking to yo’ ignorant ass now. Are you happy, you jerk?”

  Quickly Kahlil pulled Brandie behind a large black column and slid her luscious body to his solid one and planted a gentle kiss to her soft lips. When he saw that Brandie instantly melted in his arms, he deepened the kiss and slipped his tongue inside her mouth before finally letting them up for air.

  “Brandie I am so sorry I hurt you baby, but I came back to make things right. I’ve tried, but baby I can’t live without you. When I left you, I knew I made a huge mistake but my anger—my pride wouldn’t let me turn around. And I know that you’re going to need time to process all of this, but do you think that you could ever forgive me?” Kahlil asked. He lifted her chin and gazed into her teary brown ones.

  “No Kahlil, I can't.” Brandie said as she removed his hand from her face but not before a tear escaped her and splashed on the inside of his palm.

  “And after tomorrow night I never want to see you again.” Brandie appeared stronger than she felt as she parted her way through the crowd and toward coat check.

  Deciding that this night was too much for her emotionally, Brandie retrieved her coat and walked out into the cool night air. Searching for her car key in the bottom of her purse, she began to panic until she remembered that she'd given them to the valet at the main entrance. Too upset to go back inside and risk running into Kahlil again, Brandie weighed the option to walk around to the front of the building to get to her car, but didn’t know if she should take such a long walk in heels alone. While still deep in thought about what she should do, a sleek black town car pulled up to the curb and stopped in front of her.

  “Ma'am.” The driver said as he exited the car and extended his white gloved hand as he held the door open for her.

  “Uh I'm sorry but you have the wrong person.” She smiled and moved down toward the opposite side of the side entrance.

  “No, he doesn't have the wrong person Brandie, now please get in the car.”

  Turning around she came face to face with Kahlil.

  She avoided his eyes. “No thank you, I have a ride.”

  “I just heard you call for a shuttle.”

  “Exactly, that means that I have a ride. So thanks but no thanks, General.” Brandie rolled her eyes and began to walk off.

  “Brandie-

  “Look, I don't know what in the hell makes you think—”

  Before she could finish her rant, Kahlil grabbed her up in his arms and carried her to his car.

  “Kahlil put me down now or so help me I'll scream.”

  “Go ‘head. I miss hearing you scream my name.” He said as he placed her on the back seat and slid in beside her just in time to see her trying to exit out of the opposite door.

  “Oh no you don't. I see I should’ve had Winston put the child lock on. Which I see is very appropriate given your childlike behavior tonight.”

  “Fuck you Kahlil. How is that for childlike behavior? And just so you know taking someone against their will is called kidnapping, creep. And just as soon as I'm free, I'm reporting your ass. Do you hear me asshole?” Brandie screamed.

  Grinding his teeth, Kahlil had had enough of the name calling and harsh treatment. So he decided to try and shut her up as quickly as he could. Reaching for Brandie, he lifted her up and sat her in his lap. Instantly his dick sprang to life when he felt Brandie’s ass cheeks slide across his groin.

  “Oh I hear you loud and clear, but now hear me...I made a mistake and I want you back. And you know that I’m not taking no for an answer.”

  And before Brandie could protest, Kahlil slipped one hand around her neck, pulled her toward him and kissed her long and deep before slipping his tongue in between her sweet tasting lips a second time.

  Wrapping her arms around his neck, Brandie welcomed the burning ecstasy that had been missing from her life since he left. She remembered how his strong passion and desire for her always heightened for her wherever they were intimate. She'd missed him so much and often times wondered if he would make it home in one piece or in a pine box.

  In the beginning, she sat by the phone waiting for him to call and tell her that all this military mess wasn't really happening. But that call never came. And as days turned to weeks and weeks into years, Brandie began to hate his very existence. The more she thought about his abrupt exit, the less of herself she gave to his aggressive seduction until anger and hurt consumed her once again.

  “No. Stop!” She pushed Kahlil away and hopped off his lap. “You left me. You didn’t say goodbye. You didn’t say shit! I waited by the phone for a whole year for you. I thought you were dead! Now you think everything is fine all because you decide to come back for me, seven fucking years later! Am I supposed to feel honored because you came back for me? You want me back now? Well, I got news for you Kahlil, that shit ain’t happening. I am not a toy that you can just play with whenever the feeling strikes you.” She turned away from him and looked out of the dark tinted window.

  “Brandie baby I know that—”

  “No Kahlil. I don't want you're sorry ass apology and please don't ever call me baby again.” She crossed her arm. “And please let me out of the damn car.”

  His sign was heavy. “I'm not about to let you out this late at night by yourself, and I don’t care how you feel about that. But I will take you home.”

  “Kahlil, I am no longer your concern, remember?” Brandie wiped away one tear, but another soon followed. She slid completely away from him, gathering herself in the opposite corner of the back seat as the car slowed at a stop light.

  “No, I don't care what you say. I'm taking you home, now what’s your address?” Kahlil asked. He’d figured that he’d keep the fact that he already knew where she lived to himself, as to not give her another reason to be ticked off at him.

  When the car came to a complete stop at the red light at the intersection, Brandie jumped out of the car and took off as fast as she could sprinting across lanes and dodging oncoming traffic until she reached the crowded city walk. Kahlil immediately dove across the seat to catch her before she escaped but he was too slow, Brandie was already gone.

  -5-

  “Shit! Winston! U-turn now! Kahlil yelled as he slammed his fist into the back of the passenger side seat.

  “Sure thing boss.” Winton said. He whipped the car around sped in the direction that Brandie was last headed.

  Breathing hard, Brandie threaded her way through crowds of people, trying her best to slow her speed as not to stick out and be spotted by Kahlil. While casually looking back over her shoulder she noticed a taxi turning in her direction. Praying that no one was in the taxi, she cut across the busy street corner and flagged the van down. Skidding to a stop in front of her, Brandie jumped in. “Please get me away from here, now!”

  “As you wish ma'am.” The driver said as he zipped out into traffic and quickly picked up his speed.

  Kahlil sat in the back seat with his face glued to the window searching for any sign of Brandie. It bothered him to the depths of him soul that Brandie wanted to get away from him so badly to the point that she would put her own life in danger.

  “Fuck! Drive around the block one more time Winston.”

  “Okay boss.”

  Worry now began to numb his anger, as he rolled his window down halfway, praying for a glimpse of Brandie hightailing it away from the area. As he continued his search for the woman who meant the world to him, he realize
d at that very moment, just how much he'd hurt her when he walked out on her seven years ago.

  “Once more, Winston. Once more,” Kahlil said as he slipped back in time.

  When Kahlil unlocked his front door and the delicious aroma of homemade pot roast, potatoes and cornbread caused his first smile of the day, he knew everything would be alright. No other woman before Brandie could effectively make him forget all the worries life caused. Every blue moon, work at Boon's Construction would knock him off his square and today was just one of them crazy days.

  “Well hello, sexy. Surprise!” Brandie said as she rounded the corner and stopped directly in front of him in black heels and his black and white striped button-down dress shirt that stopped just above her knees.

  “Welcome to Brandie's. Where we specialize in succulent meals, stimulating conversation,” she paused long enough to unbutton his shirt and flash him her fully oiled naked body underneath, “and uh… unforgettable desserts. So go get yourself cleaned up and Ms. Brandie will be right with you handsome.” She strutted back into the kitchen with a naughty grin and even naughtier walk.

  Kahlil didn't know how he'd snagged such awesome exclusive reservations at Brandie’s, but unforgettable desserts was all that was on his mind as he flew up the stairs leaving articles of clothing in his wake. He jumped in the shower and exactly twenty minutes later, Kahlil was closing in on her with a towel wrapped around his waist as droplet’s of water still clung to his curly chest hair and six pack.

  “I guess someone can't wait for that stimulating conversation?” Brandie said at the echoes of Kahlil's footsteps sounded closer.

  Kahlil threw his towel across the room, pulled the dark Mahogany wood chair closest to him from the table and sat down. He pulled Brandie between his legs, ripped his shirt from her body raised her up and gently slid her down on his concrete thickness.

  “I guess someone forgot that I like to have my dessert first.” Kahlil whispered as her slick wetness engulfed him completely. Brandie moaned the moment their bodies became one. She didn't stop until she'd rode Kahlil all the way to heaven. He was so far gone that he'd forgotten all about meeting up with his cousin De’Wayne half an hour ago about a possible business venture. And because he hadn't remembered to turn his ringer back on his phone when he came in the house, he never heard the twenty six times his phone had rung, leaving messages about his cousin’s demise until it was too late.