To Love a Man (22 page)

The moment she pulled her lips away from his he went to her neck and started grinding against her. He turned them around so that her back took his place against the edge of the pool and he removed his swim trunks.
He untied her suit from around her neck and began playing with her taut nipples. He slightly brushed his teeth across them causing her to moan his name.

He pushed her suit aside as he submerged himself into her. Desiree’s head went back as pleasure over took her whole body. As they rocked to the waves and smacked in the water Desiree tried to control her moans. Ramón knew every hot spot every tender zone on her body and he sent tingles up her spine as he worked himself in her. No matter how many times he got to taste her or feel her it was never enough. Ever
y time just made him hungrier for more. He wanted her and had to have her as his.

He felt himself about to reach his climax
and she was on the verge of hers when suddenly he stopped. Desiree looked at him begging him to finish but he pulled out of her reluctantly. Desiree saw the look on his face and realized that while they were in the heat of the moment they forgot to use protection. Even though she had the IUD, she still was glad he stopped himself.

“Baby I’m sorry but I promise I will make it up to you.”
He said kissing the nape of her neck.

“Oh and how are you gonna do that.”
She asked kissing his neck.

He pulle
d her over to the stairs and walked her out of the pool. They grabbed the towels Ramón had laid out and he wrapped his around his naked waist. After reaching for his trunks, he led her into the house and to his room. He sat her on the bed, and lit a few of the candles he had placed around the room then turned on his IPod Shuffle. Brian McKnight came on singing “Cherish” and Ramón opened his drawer.

“I bought these yesterday figured we could try them out.
But first a shower,”

He
helped her out of her swimsuit and led her to the shower. With pleasing her on his mind he washed her being careful not to miss any spot with the loofah and then his lips. He allowed her to clean him long enough to make sure he removed all of the chlorine and then he led her to the room and preceded to dry her off. As he laid her on the bed, he opened the box and Desiree saw a bunch of oil bottles.

“Now let's try Midnight Passion.”

He opened it and poured some onto his hand. Desiree shivered as the coolness from the water and the warmness from the oil took over her body. As his big strong hands caressed her back, her body started to tremble. His hands went up to her shoulders and down pass her backside. He placed his knees on each side of her and began rubbing the sides of her breast. Desiree loved the feel of his hands around her body.

It aroused her and relaxed her at the same time.
Ramón bent down and kissed her neck.

“Desiree you are the most beautiful and amazing woman I have ever met. I want you.”

“I'm right here.”

He flipped her over and
still straddling her he began to caress her breast with the tips of his fingers as he sat back on his knees over her.

“That’s not what I am talking about even though I want you in that way too. Desiree I want you to be mines I want to have you for myself take you out be with you and see what happens.”

As much as she loved hearing those words out of his mouth, she knew it was only a matter of time before he got bored with her, so instead of answering him she pulled his lips down to hers. Ramón wanted an answer but he figured he could wait a couple of hours for it.

As the day went on Ramón loved just lounging around the house. There were very few times when he had a day where there was nothing to do. He smiled over to a napping Desiree and loved the way she slept against him. Her arms wrapped around his chest and her head on his shoulder. Her feet just pass his knees were, wrapped between his legs. Her soft snore brought a smile to his face. His phone rang and she awoke. He grabbed it apologizing to her.

“Desi I am so sorry.”

She stretched out.

“It's ok.”

Ramón pushed the talk button.

“Hello.”

“What are you doing?”
Aj’s voice boomed over the speaker.

“Nothing just relaxing.”
He said with a yawn.

“Is Ms. Desiree still there?”

“Yes, why?”

“Well Gia wants to know if you guys wanted to come over
because we are off from practice today. We are having a game night. Your sister will be there.”

“Where is Brandon going?”

“I guess over Chad’s parents. Come on.”

Ramón put the phone down.

“Ok so Gia and Aj are having a game night and want us to come. And before you say yes my sister and her husband will be there.”

“I would love to go. Maybe
we girls can show you guys a thing or two.”

Ramón held the phone back up.

“Ok we are in. she’s already talking smack so beware.”

“Ok we will see you in a little while.”

Ramón hung up and looked at Desiree.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Staying.”

She smiled.

“You are welcome.”

Three kisses and a change of clothes later they drove up Aj’s gated driveway. His house was beautiful just as beautiful as Ramón’s. It was a little more private than Ramón’s was with woodlands surrounding the house with a wraparound drive way the gorgeous Spanish style home. They walked up to the mahogany door and Desiree jumped as the cooper lanterns popped on from each side of the door. Ramón held her hand.

“
It’s ok they come on automatically and don’t be nervous they are going to love you.”

Gia opened the door with a smile wearing a simple baby blue sundress. Desiree shook her head.

“Gia only you can take a simple dress and make it look like you belong on America’s next top model.”

“Desi I think I love you.”

She escorted them in. Desiree glanced around the Gorgeous American Black Walnut flooring off of the main foyer and smiled as she noticed most of the walls had mahogany panels on them. Even though Ramón said it was causal Desiree was glad she stayed away from jeans and wore a sleeveless dress which has an abstract burst print and surplice v-neckline. The flounced high to low hemline and beaded detail made her shape look curvier than she thought it would. She hated the dress until Ramón had her try it on. She wore beige heeled sandals and light makeup because Ramón said she was too beautiful to be loaded with eyeliner and blush.

Desiree couldn’t keep her eyes off of Ramón who
wore beige khaki shorts and a collared white with dark blue striped shirt. He reminded Desiree of Nikki’s husband. With every outfit, he had matching shoes and a fitted cap. As they walked into the living room, Britney and Chad greeted them.

Desiree saw Rachael all up and through Britney. She had the same
hazel-nut brown complexion and facial features but her dark brown eyes belonged to her father. Britney’s hair was dark brown with blonde highlights. She wore a red spaghetti strapped sundress with matching sandals. Chad on the other hand looked like a manly man. His broad shoulders were covered with a Black buttoned down collared shirt covering a wife beater. He wore dark blue jeans and all black Nike’s. His dark skin and handsome features reminded her that of Idris Elba. Britney smiled at her.

“So you are the famous Desiree? It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“Thank you so much. It's nice to meet you too.”

“That’s my husband Chad. There are two more couples due in then we play.”

“So what are we playing?” Desiree asked smiling.

“Battle of the Sexes. It's a grudge match because the guys won last time.”
Britney frowned.

“Well we can’t let that happen again. So let’s start strategizing.”

Britney smiled.

“Gia you were right. I like her.”

“Told you so.”

“Knock Knock.”

Desiree looked up and noticed two other couples walking into the house. As they were all introduced, the women went to the kitchen. Desiree liked the ladies; they were nothing like she thought. Brandi who was 5’6 and a plus sized model wore her hair in a high ponytail. She was a dark ebony color with blue eyes. Desiree didn't know if they were real or not but it worked for her. Shelby stood at 5’1 her olive shaped eyes were green. Her long red hair flowed over her shoulders in soft curls.

“Ok we cannot let the guys beat us again.”

Desiree smiled.

“Ok well if I remember correctly battle of the sexes is all about knowing what the men would usually know.”

Shelby smiled.

“Yes except this time we are playing name that song battle of the sexes.”

Desiree scrunched up her face.

“Wait so we have to know songs sung by men?”

“Yes and they have to know how to songs by women.”

As the women took the food into the living room, the guys jumped up to help. Desiree smiled, she thought for sure she w
ould go home hungry but they had chicken wings and subs. Chips and cookies. Pops and beer. Desiree didn't drink but she knew she would enjoy her night. As Gia stepped up to start the game, Desiree smiled over Ramón. Britney held up her hands as Ramón moved closer to kiss Desiree.

“Not that I don't love to see my brother so in awe of a woman but this is war.”

Gia cleared her throat.

“
Ok ladies let's start this off with a win. Remember after I press the girl’s button we have 20 seconds to answer.”

She pressed the girl’s button and the music started. “Back in school we used to dream about this every day. Could it really happen? Or do dreams just fade away.”

Desiree stood up.

“I know its Motown Philly by Boys to Men.”

Shelby and Brandi looked at each other.

“You sure?”

Britney smiled.

“She’s right!”

As the DVD gave her the answer, the girls jumped up in celebration. Ramón looked over to the guys.

“I guess I should have told you guys Desiree’s nickname is The Music Encyclopedia.”

Desiree smiled.

“You guys are going down!”

Back to present

Desiree watched as Ramón slammed in another dunk. He was on fire. And after every dunk, he glanced up at her and smiled. Desiree couldn’t tear her eyes away from him.  She was impressed and aroused at every dunk, block, and rebound he put up. Nikki shoved her jokingly.

“I know what you’re thinking.”

“No you don't.”

“Yeah I do. I know you still love him it’s too hard for you not too.”

“Love. I should have just left when I had the chance. But no we had to stay with him. What was I thinking?”

“You were thinking that you wanted him to beat it up again.”

“Nikki!” Desiree shoved her back.

“What you know it’s true.”

“It was too much Nikki. All the lies and the letters, being put in magazines the speculations.”

“I understand but it wasn’t his fault. He has a life in the spot light. You had to have known.”

“How could I know? I didn’t know that while Zack and I were there someone was taking pictures and running stories on me. You know it broke my heart when they called me his plus sized beauty.”

“At least they called you beautiful.”

“Ha small comfort. I should have ended it that day. The day I left I should have cut all ties with him.”

“Why didn’t you?”
she questioned.

“Because when I looked into his eyes it was just him and me and that was enough for me. We were only supposed to be friends. Friends. Nikki I have to tell you something.”

“What?”

Desiree looked back down to the court and tried turn away but couldn’t. As the second Quarter ended Ramón looked up at Desiree still overwhelmed that she was there. As he walked into the locker room he couldn’t lose the image of her beautiful face. She looked stunning. He sat down and grabbed a towel. As he wiped his face he couldn’t help but think back to the first game Desiree had ever attended.

***

20 months earlier

Desiree placed the crest whiting strips over her teeth and opened her mouth wide then ran her tongue across her teeth as she readjusted the Bluetooth phone piece in her ear. She placed the phone on her hip.

“You know Nikki these strips do seem to work.”

“I told you. So what are you doing today?”

“I dunno. With Zack over Derrick’s I have the house to myself. I might grab some food and watch the game.”

“I can’t believe after all this time you guys spent together you guys still aren’t official yet?.”
Nikki said picking at her nails.