by Candace Shaw
“And you’ll be fine,” he said with a cocky grin as he glanced down at his erection and then back to her face.
In one swoop, he picked her up and carried her to the bed while he continued to lavish kisses on her. His mouth devoured hers, which sent shivers of anticipation through her for what was to come next. Lying beside her, he trailed his tongue along her neck while his hand wandered down her body and stopped at her waiting center. His gaze fell on her face when he entered her with one finger, causing her to whimper an unfamiliar sound and suck in her breath. He kissed her lightly on the lips as he stroked in and out of her slowly.
His eyes darkened as he continued pleasuring her with his fingers, while his other hand gripped her hip. He didn’t say anything or move, just stared at her with an expression so intense she was almost scared. She placed a hand on the chiseled perfection of his handsome face, and he bent down to kiss her as she felt her first orgasm burn through her body. An inferno was blazing on her skin, and he caused it.
“Please, Cannon. I’m so ready for you.”
“I know you are, Angel face.”
She smiled when he called her by her nickname and reached up to kiss him, pulling him fully on top of her.
“Wait, Yasmine,” he said, lifting off of her. She watched as he retreated to the drawer of her dresser that he used when he spent the night. Cannon lit the two candles sitting on her dresser, pulled out a small box, and brought it back to the bed. He set it on the nightstand and turned off the lamp, letting the candles set a romantic mood.
He began trailing kisses from her neck down to her breasts. He sucked one taut nipple between his lips, swirling his tongue around it before taking it deep into his mouth once more. Yasmine held onto his head as pleasure-filled moans escaped her while he assaulted her breasts back and forth. His hand roamed down her body, and she parted her thighs as his hand palmed her center that was growing impatient with having to wait for the real thing. The passion building inside of her was ready to explode all over him, and she jerked his hand down to her slick opening as he entered a finger into her. His lips left her breasts and continued a trail down to her belly button and then to the soft nestle of curls. His tongue replaced his finger, and she gripped his shoulders hard when he buried his face into her, licking and kissing her other lips senseless. She tried to hold back an orgasm because his tongue felt so damn good, but she couldn’t control the sensations racing through her veins, and she shuddered hard as his tongue darted faster in and out of her.
“Cannon, I don’t think I have any more left in me.”
He rolled off of the bed and opened the box on the nightstand. “Yes, you do. That was only a teaser.”
After he placed on a condom, he rejoined her on the bed and pulled her underneath him. His hands tightened on her hips, sinking her into the bed, and raising her legs around him. She gasped as inch by inch of hardened heat entered into her. She met his gaze, dark with desire and tried to move, but he held her still.
Sliding her hands down his chest, and over muscles tight with tension, she finally circled around to his back. He began to move slowly, as he still worked a few more inches inside of her, and she wiggled to adjust to him. His hands tightened on her butt, pulling her closer to him; she moved her body up to his, wanting him deeper and deeper, where she could feel him all the way. She clutched his head, tangling her fingers into his soft curls. Her eyes fluttered shut as more fervent passion swept through her with each deepened thrust. Her words were incoherent as her pleadings escaped her, crying out as her body trembled under his. The pleasure he caused invaded her mind and spirit, and although she tried to fight it, it was no use. So she gave up and let the tidal wave of ecstasy slam through her body and senses.
*****
Cannon held her tightly against him as she had another orgasm. He was trying his best not to do the same, but she was making him dizzy with her moans of pleasure and feminine scent radiating in the air. He wanted to savor his first time with her with what little control he did have left, and it wasn’t much. Something had possessed his body, heart and mind, and he found himself sinking further into her soul with an intensity that he couldn’t explain.
There was something about her that set him off balance as her femininity enveloped him, her inner muscles tightening with each thrust. Her hands clenched his shoulders and her legs gripped his waist as she let go of another powerful scream. He couldn’t take it anymore. He felt himself exploding, his pace faster and uncontrollable, as he unleashed into her, pounding her into the mattress. He let out a roar and a few curse words before he fell exhausted, but satisfied, on top of her.
A while after Yasmine had fallen asleep, he lay there holding her to his chest with their legs intertwined. They’d made love two more times, each time more intense than the one before. Poor thing, she nearly crawled to the bathroom, laughing the entire way, after the second time. After the third, she barely kissed him before crashing onto his chest where she was now resting peacefully. And for the first time in a long while, he was resting peacefully as well.
His mother had always called him a busy bee. He was one to never be idle for long, always finding something to get into; whether it was school work, community service projects, or helping out a friend in need. Sure, he was focused and goal-oriented. An intellect, according to his family and friends, even though he never saw it that way. He just liked to learn about new things and tended to express himself differently from others. Activities outside of academics never caused a problem with his study habits. Even though lately, he found himself not wanting to study. Instead, he found himself wanting to be with the woman who had made him realize it was okay to appreciate life. He’d had girlfriends, and friends-with-benefits, in high school and in his undergrad years at Morehouse, but nothing serious because his focus was getting into medical school. But with Yasmine, he knew this time it was different.
She stirred and lifted her head.
“Are you going to blow out the candles?” she asked sleepily.
He kissed the top of her forehead. “In a minute. I just want to stare at you. I told you I could look at you all day and night.”
She giggled and kissed his chest. “I know, but it’s three in the morning. I prefer you get some rest.”
“I am. Just holding you is relaxing. Thank you, Yasmine.”
“For what?”
“For making me realize I need to slow down.”
“Well … I wish my father had. I think that’s why I’m so adamant about you taking some time for yourself. I’m not saying cut something out of your schedule or your life, but its okay to stop and smell the roses every once in awhile.”
He sniffed her neck and exhaled. “I smell one right now.” Laughing, he patted her butt.
Yasmine rubbed the scar on the left side of his chest, circling it with her fingernail.
“How did you get this scar?”
“I had stitches there years ago.”
“What happened?”
“I was about twelve, riding my bike and trying to race Raven down the street. I lost my balance, fell over and crashed hard into the sidewalk and falling on the handle bar. Raven rushed home to get my father. Luckily, he’s a doctor so he knew what to do. My mom’s a doctor, too, but she was too busy crying. Dad said if the gash had been a few inches deeper, it would’ve pierced my heart, and I could’ve bled to death.”
Yasmine sat up and looked at him with wistful eyes. She kissed his forehead, his nose, his lips, and then the scar.
“I’m glad you didn’t. That would’ve been the most horrible thing in the world not to have known you.”
“You’re too sweet. What would I do without you?”
“Well, for one thing, you wouldn’t be resting and relaxing right now. You’d probably be wide awake trying to figure out how to save the world.”
He chuckled. “Oh, speaking of which—”
“—what brainstorm is going on up there now?” she asked, tapping his head with her finger.
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“I spoke to the officer that arrested Ricky, and he referred me to his social worker. When Ricky gets out of juvenile detention in a few weeks, I want to start mentoring him as a part of my fraternity’s big brother program. I spoke to his mother a few days ago about it.”
She smiled and kissed him on his scar. “You are the epitome of a good man.”
“Thank you.” He pulled her on top of him. “Are you ready for round four?”
*****
“All right, boys and girls, you did an excellent job in dress rehearsal today, so I know you’ll be awesome tonight.” Yasmine stood with her students in the hallway, giving them a last minute pep talk before they were to go inside of the cafeteria for the Holiday Extravaganza. Her students, who were dressed as reindeers and snowflakes, were lined up and anxious to perform. Yasmine kept looking around. Cannon had promised to come, but he was running late. She wasn’t surprised at his lateness, but she was surprised he hadn’t called. Lately, he seemed on edge about something, but whenever she asked, he said everything was fine.
Yasmine was definitely seeing some of the same signs her father displayed when he was working overtime and stressed. She’d promised herself she would never date a workaholic; unfortunately, not only was she dating one, Cannon was also a perfectionist. Her cell phone vibrating in her Mrs. Clause apron interrupted her thoughts. It was Cannon.
“Hey, baby,” she whispered into the phone. “Where are you?”
“I’m not going to be able to make the play, Angel face.”
She sighed, looked to her left, and motioned for Sherika to watch her class. Yasmine walked out of the side door that led to the back parking lot.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“No. I just have some things to do.”
“Oh something came up all of a sudden? Because you said this morning you were available.”
“I just can’t come, so drop it,” he fussed.
“Excuse me. Who are you snapping at?”
He sighed. “I’m sorry. I just have some things on my mind right now.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“No, beautiful. I’m sorry again for snapping. I just need to take care of something.”
“Will I see you later on?”
“Probably not. I gotta go, Yaz.”
“Me, too. The kiddies go on stage in a few.”
She hung up before he could say anything else. She wasn’t sure what could possibly be bothering him. She could tell something was wrong the other day when he came over, barely said a word, and stayed in the kitchen until four in the morning, going over a study guide for an exam. And when she’d asked what he got on his midterm paper, he’d grunted and said everything was fine. Yasmine wasn’t up to dealing with his sudden mood swings. However, she decided she would give him some space, and if he wanted to talk about whatever the heck was bothering him, she’d listen.
Chapter Six
Yasmine looked at the clock. Cannon had promised to be at her home at five so they could go bowling. It was now six, and he hadn’t called to say he was running late. For the past several days, since the Holiday Extravaganza, he’d seemed distant and preoccupied. But whenever she asked, he said he was fine. He’d even broken two dates, which she didn’t mind because she knew finals were coming up for him, but he broke them hours past the designated time as she sat waiting. She had a feeling tonight would be the same since he was an hour late.
At eight, she put on her pajamas, climbed into bed, and tried to watch an Elizabeth Taylor movie she’d seen a dozen times. When the phone rang, she thought surely it was Cannon, but it was a teacher on her grade level calling for some advice on a student.
Fed up, she dialed Cannon’s cell number once she hung up with her colleague. He picked up on the sixth ring.
“Hello?” he said in a rushed, whispered tone.
“Hey.”
“Um … hey Yasmine.”
“Busy?” She tried to take the attitude out of her tone.
“I’m in a seminar on campus. I just stepped out to take your call.”
“I see. Did you forget we had plans tonight?”
“Oh. I completely forgot. Sorry, baby. It’s been a long day, and then I found out one of the doctors over the pediatric residents at John Hopkins would be here doing a seminar, and I just had to meet him. John Hopkins is my first choice to do my residency, but I promise to come see you tonight. I have to stop by the food bank on my way to help pack boxes of food for Christmas. What’s it been, two days since I’ve seen my Angel face?”
“Five days. I feel like you’re avoiding me, Cannon.”
“I’m not avoiding you, but I do have to go. I’ll call you before I come. Promise.”
*****
Cannon walked into his home after midnight, slammed the door, and threw his book bag down. Then he screamed, “Move,” at Raven’s dog, Smokey, who barked at Cannon’s mean tone.
“Shut the hell up!” Cannon snapped as the dog continued to follow him through the foyer and into the family room, where Raven sat studying and sipping something warm out of her big mug.
“I know you didn’t just tell my dog to shut the hell up.” She closed her book and looked at Cannon as he crashed next to her on the couch. “What’s eating you?”
“Nothing,” he said through clenched teeth as Smokey jumped up and sat on his lap. “Sorry, boy.” He rubbed the dog’s back before he jumped down and ran.
“Oh it’s something for you to come home, slam the door, and then curse at my dog.”
He shrugged. “I always curse at your dog, you’re just usually not home.” He laughed as Raven playfully punched him on the shoulder.
“Seriously, Cannon. What’s the problem? You’ve been moody lately, and I’m surprised you’re not over at Yasmine’s.”
“I was supposed to go over there, but when I called, she didn’t answer the phone. I believe she’s mad at me because I broke our date tonight. I forgot. I’ve been busy, and she has to understand that.”
“And what else? You being busy hasn’t been a problem before.”
Cannon hesitated. “My grades have fallen since I’ve been dating Yasmine.”
“How bad?”
“I got my first C a few weeks ago on the midterm paper that I rushed through for Dr. Clayton’s class. He took off for grammar and errors. My content was fine.”
“Not good, Cannon. Not good at all. That paper counted as thirty percent of our grade.”
“I know. I have to make an A on the final paper in order to get a B in the class.”
“You need to get your priorities straight. Something has to go. Medical school should be your only focus.”
“I don’t want to break up with Yasmine. She’s very special to me.”
“I wasn’t saying break up with her, silly. Tone down on some of your extracurricular activities, but also explain to her you’re in med school. Where did you go after the seminar? I was looking for you to see if you wanted to go to the library to study. Finals are next week.”
“I went to the food bank to help make the Christmas boxes.”
“Exactly. When you should’ve been doing research for your last paper or studying for finals.”
“I like to help people when I can, Raven. Don’t you remember when we were growing up? Mom and Dad always told us to give back. Dad is always doing something for the community, such as his scholarship programs or mentoring to boys without fathers.”
“Cannon, you remind me so much of Dad, it’s scary. However, he’s finished med school and is a heart surgeon … you aren’t. You think he’d be happy to know about your C?”
“I hear you, baby sis by five minutes.” He added in the five minute part because she hated being called baby sis. She felt as if she was the oldest sibling as well since they were twins.
He knew Raven was right. He kissed his sister on the cheek and took out his cell phone to call Yasmine, hoping she would pick up this time. He retreated to his room as he list
ened to the rings.
“Hello?” she answered, her voice barely above a whisper. He could tell she’d been crying, and he hated that.
“We need to talk.”
“I’m listening.”
“In person. Can I come over?”
*****
Yasmine sat on her couch as she waited for Cannon to speak. She was so mad she didn’t want to say the wrong thing. Instead, she decided to wait to see what he was going to say first. However, he just sat there staring at her, and it was driving her mad. One, she was mad he’d broken their past few dates and was snappy and moody. But two, it had been a week since they’d made love, and she was turned on by his presence.
“Yasmine, first of all I need to apologize to you for my behavior lately. It doesn’t have anything to do with you.”
“Okay, what’s wrong?” She was terrified to ask a man a question like that after he’d just told her it doesn’t have anything to do with you. The last man who said that statement was breaking up with her and dating someone else. She sighed and braced herself for his answer.
“I’ve been in a foul mood lately because I got a C on my midterm paper; I didn’t take my time with it. I rushed through it because I was trying to stop and smell the roses. A few of my other grades have slipped a tad, but I still have A’s in those classes. I’m just worried about the final in the class that I made the C.”
She stood and placed her hands on her hips. “I know you aren’t blaming me for your grades slipping. Maybe you should get your priorities straight and stop taking on extra projects.”
He spoke calmly. “Baby, I’m not blaming you for anything. When you asked me what my grade was a few weeks ago, I didn’t want to talk about it because I knew in my head I needed to get my act together. You and my sister are right. I’ve taken on way too many responsibilities, and in the process, I met you and it was like a breath of fresh air. You’ve taught me how to settle down and relax, and I did just that. Now, I need to focus on medical school.”
“Why didn’t you just tell me? You’ve been avoiding me, and when you did talk to me, you were moody and snappy. I don’t appreciate you treating me like that.”
