Chapter Twenty-Three

Pasha

I couldn't believe I'd kissed this man.

More than that, I couldn't believe how much I liked it. His lips were so soft and sweet. When that moan escaped my lips, I had to end it. My mind told me to stop, but my body screamed to keep going. I felt a quiver in my lower region. I felt palpitations in my heart. I felt my nipples hardening against the pasties I wore beneath this strapless bra.

I hadn't been aroused in so long... touched in so long. My hormones went into an absolute frenzy. I'd never needed a cold shower so badly. How we could slip back into casual conversation after that was beyond me. One thing was for sure: I couldn't wait to get back to my girls and tell them everything.

The food truck festival was quite an experience. We'd eaten to our hearts' content, and now, we were talking around visiting other vendor tables. Like the farmers' market on Sundays, this one had a host of homemade goods. I picked up a few pairs of earrings and necklaces, a few scarves, and a handwoven purse that was too cute to pass up. Callum swooped in when I tried to pay for my items, telling me that as long as I was in his presence, I'd never have to go in my wallet.

The lady selling the purse smiled at that one. "You better keep him, girl," she whispered to me. All I could do was blush. I'd been doing that all damn night. The man had me smiling so much that my cheeks hurt. I couldn't deny how happy I felt being with him. Raymond hadn't crossed my mind not one time, and the silence in that was so beautiful.

We'd been walking around for about an hour when we came upon a band playing island music. Couples had stopped to dance to it. When he pulled me toward the band, I started to protest.

"Callum! I can't dance!" I said, laughing.

"I got you. Just let me lead, and you follow."

I didn't have time to protest again before his arm snaked around my waist, and he pulled me into his chest. My body melted into his, immediately relinquishing all control. Slowly, he swayed, and I followed his movements. A smile spread across his face.

"There you go... move your hips a little."

I did as he said. It felt a little awkward at first, but I was soon able to catch the beat and keep up with him. Just as I caught a good rhythm, he spun me out and back in, pinning my back to his chest. His arms came around me once more. His head nestled against mine as he softly kissed my temple and cheeks.

"I could hold you like this all the time," he whispered in my ear.

"I might let you."

He chuckled. "You smell so good, Pasha. So sweet. So... delectable."

His hands gently caressed my midsection. For a moment, I felt self-conscious and tried to pull away.

"No," he said firmly. "I appreciate every inch of you, baby. Every single part of you is so beautiful to me." He dropped a kiss on my shoulder, causing me to expel a deep breath.

For the remainder of the song, I allowed him to hold me like that as he swayed me from side to side to the music. I felt so much comfort and peace in his arms. When this night came to an end, I was sure I'd be able to feel his body close to mine, even when we parted ways. The song ended, and he released me but grabbed my hand.

"How about that dessert?" he asked.

"I'm ready. I think I've walked that food down."

"It's a short trip around the corner. We can walk or drive."

"I'm okay with walking."

"Let's get to it then."

Hand in hand, we waded through the crowd. About ten minutes later, we came upon a bakery called Ms. Carol's.

"Is this the lady who made those cookies you inhaled at the farmers' market?" I asked, remembering the logo on the front.

He laughed. "First of all, don't come for me like that. Second, yes, this is her. She'll be closing soon, but I told her we were stopping by."

He pulled the door open and guided me inside. The bakery was small, but it was cute. It gave Grandma's Sweets vibes, and when Ms. Carol walked out to greet us, I understood why. She smiled wide as Callum pulled her in for a hug.

"There's my favorite customer," she said, patting his back.

"Hey, Ms. Carol. Thank you for staying open for us."

"Of course." She pulled back and cupped his face. "When you told me you were bringing a lady friend, I just had to meet her." She turned to me and reached for my hands. "Let me get a look at you... Ooooh, she's just as beautiful as you said she was, Callum."

I smiled. "Thank you, ma'am."

"And she has manners! I love her for you already. What's your name, baby?"

"Pasha."

"Pasha? Oh, that's pretty!" She patted my hand. "Come on, sugar. I've got something special just for y'all. Callum, lock that door."

He did as she requested as she led me to a table with three different desserts for us to sample. The first was a strawberry crunch cookie, then an Oreo cheesecake parfait, followed by what she called a cinnamon roll cake. The portions were big enough for us to share, but the way Callum was eyeballing that cake, I wasn't sure about that. Everything looked so good and smelled even better.

"You spoil me, Ms. Carol," Callum declared.

Ms. Carol grabbed two bottles of water and brought them to us. "Oh, hush. You know I love you." She kissed his cheek.

"You know I love you back."

"Has he shown you how hardheaded he is yet?" she asked me. "He has stopped in here faithfully twice a week for the last five years. Every time he comes to the farmers' market, I try to give him something on the house, and every time I turn my back, he slips me money anyway."

I giggled. "I think that's sweet."

She looked at him lovingly. "It is. He always says he won't take advantage of my kindness. He will make some woman a very lucky, happy spouse one day." She looked between the two of us. "You two make a beautiful pair. Are you from around here, honey?"

"Yes, ma'am. Born and raised."

"Who are your people?"

"Oh... Well, my parents were Virginia and Soloman Brooks. They passed away a few years ago."

"I'm so sorry! Please forgive me."

"It's okay," I assured her. "It's overwhelming at times, but I know that when I'm no longer here, I get to be with them again."

"To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. They are in good hands."

"Yes, ma'am."

We sat in the bakery chatting with Ms. Carol for a good hour. Once we finished with those delectable desserts, Callum offered to help her wipe down the front. It turned into him wiping down while she and I talked. He didn't complain. He simply smiled and went about his business. I thought the way she spoke about him was so sweet, and I could tell she cared for him.

"I have to ask," she said when he went to the back to grab a mop, "You really like my boy?"

I blushed. "Yes, ma'am. I wasn't expecting to, but he makes it hard not to like him with him being the person he is."

She smiled. "He's a good boy, and he has the purest heart. I know he'll be good to you, sugar. Promise me you'll be good to him too. He deserves all the love he pours into others. Promise me you'll treat him right."

"I promise."

She smiled as Callum came back out. "Okay, you've worked enough," she said, standing.

"I don't mind mopping for you," he protested.

"I mind. You're on a date, and I've stolen enough of your time. Take this pretty lady and get on out of here."

"Ms. Carol—"

"You heard what I said." She took the mop from him. "Go on. Enjoy the rest of your evening. I hope it's a good one."

Callum shook his head as he walked over to me. "You ready?"

"Yes. Thank you again, Ms. Carol. I'll be back to feed my sweet tooth."

She laughed. "I'll be waiting for you, baby. Y'all have a good night."

We said our goodbyes. Then Callum grabbed my hand and led me to the door and back out onto the street.

"I think it's safe to say she likes you," he commented.

"I like her too. She reminds me of my grandmother." I looked up at him. "She's very fond of you."

He smirked as he slipped his arms around my waist. "I'm a very likable guy."

"You are. Is that how you woo women, Mr. Ellis?"

"I don't know about wooing these women you speak of. I've been single for a few years now."

"So, there's never been a potential Mrs. Ellis?"

"Nope. Not even close. If there were a potential Mrs. Ellis, there'd be no potential for you and me. I like the possibility of there being a you and me."

He leaned in and kissed me. Once again, my body went on a rampage against me. I felt weak in the knees, and if he hadn't been holding me up, I was sure I would have fallen right to the ground. When he pulled away, he wiped the corners of my mouth.

"Yeah... I like that possibility a lot."

Jesus, be a fence!

Callum and I took the short stroll back to the food truck festival area. While the crowd had thinned out a little, there were still many people. The music was still going, and we couldn't walk past it without him pulling me into another dance. As awkward as I felt I looked, I'd quickly fallen in love with dancing with him. He was light on his feet but playful at the same time, and it made me laugh.

Before I knew it, we'd been out there for another hour. It was after midnight by the time we returned to his truck.

"You aren't as stiff as you said," he jested.

I playfully smacked his arm. "Whatever. I haven't had this much fun in a while," I said as he opened the passenger door. "Don't go spoiling me with a good time, Mr. Ellis. I might get used to it."

"You should." He helped me into the truck and buckled me in. "Simple pleasures make me a happy man. And seeing that smile on your pretty face... that just makes my day."

He playfully planted several pecks all over my cheeks, causing me to giggle like a schoolgirl until that obnoxious snort came out. That made him laugh.

"Wait until I tell Bella you're a snorter too!"

"Get in the truck!" I exclaimed.

He snuck another kiss before closing the door and rounding the driver's side. I sat back with a smile on my face. When he climbed in, I looked at him admirably.

God... If you sent me this man, please don't let him break my heart, I prayed.

It was crazy. I'd never prayed about a man before, not even Raymond. Callum was nothing like I'd ever experienced. He did a number on my heart and mind. If he was for me, I needed the Big Guy to hear my prayers. I couldn't survive another heartbreak... I just couldn't.

Twelve thirty on the dot, we pulled into my building's parking lot. After finding a spot, he got out and came to my side to help me out. Hand in hand, we walked into the building. On the elevator, I stood in front of him with his hands resting on my shoulders.

"You know what?" he stated. "We didn't take a single photo to commemorate this evening."

"We didn't." I turned to face him. "I think your contact deserves a picture at the point."

I pulled out my phone and snapped a picture of him. When I showed it to him, he took the phone and pulled me close to him.

"Smile, baby."

I put on my best smile as he snapped a picture of both of us. I had to admit, it was cute. We did make a nice-looking pair.

"I think you should use that one," he said. "You make me look good, woman."

"Ooooh, you are laying it on thick, Mr. Ellis."

I laughed as the elevator stopped and the door dinged open. He grabbed my hand and pulled me out, leading me down the hallway toward my front door. When we reached it, I turned to him, pressing my back against the door.

"I guess this is good night." I looked up at him. "I had a really good time."

"Me too. Thank you for agreeing to my taking you out. Maybe next time, I can take you on a formal date."

"I'd like that... a lot."

I stepped closer to him, a bold move for me. My hands slid up his chest to his face, an even bolder move. The boldest move of all was me standing on my toes, wrapping my arms around his neck, and pressing my lips to his. I went as far as opening my mouth to receive his tongue to caress mine. My hands caressed the back of his head and neck as the kiss deepened.

It wasn't until the elevator dinged and the doors opened that we finally came up for air. Kelli, the neighbor I sometimes spoke to and had a casual conversation with, smirked as she walked past us to her door.

"Oh, please, don't let me stop you," she said, winking at me.

I knew my face was red. "Hey, Kelli," I mumbled, palming my forehead.

"Hey, girl... Bye, girl!" She disappeared into her apartment, her cackling echoing in the air.

"I should probably get going," Callum voiced. "Kissing you is dangerous for me." Even as he said it, he leaned in for another peck to my lips. "Sleep well, beautiful."

"You too."

I turned and slipped my key into the lock. Once it disengaged, I pushed the door open and stepped inside. When I turned back, I caught the tail end of a smile as Callum walked away. Closing the door, I leaned against it. My fingers went to my lips. I could still feel his against mine. I felt the gentle pulling as he sucked on the bottom one. He was right. Our kissing was dangerous for both of us.

I treaded into my bedroom and stripped down to get into the shower. Thirty minutes later, on my phone, I scrolled to the picture Callum and I had taken on the elevator. While I was smiling and looking at the camera, he was smiling and looking at me.

My nail glided over his handsome face. God did his big one with this man. I went through the motions of assigning the picture to his contact. His message thread popped up, and I found myself scrolling through it. There were countless words of affirmation and encouragement sprinkled throughout our messages. He was funny and loved to send me dad jokes. So much of him reminded me of my father, and I loved my daddy to pieces.

I ended up swiping the video call button. It rang three times before he answered shirtless and dripping in water droplets. For a moment, all I could do was stare at him.

"Pacha? You okay, love?"

The sound of his voice startled me. "Huh?"

"You froze up on me."

"I'm sorry. I got distracted. I just wanted to make sure you got home safe."

He smiled. "I'm home. Fresh out of the shower and getting ready for bed."

I lay back against the pillow. "Okay, well, I guess I'll let you go then. I'm about to lay it down myself."

"Wait. How would you feel about having dinner at my house on Sunday? I'll have Bella and the family come over. We can invite Malcolm and Avyn. I have another friend I can invite too. Just a family dinner, nothing big."

I was glad he suggested inviting more people. I wasn't sure I was ready to be alone with him in his home yet.

"That sounds nice."

"Great."

"Should I bring anything?"

"Just you, baby."

I smiled. "Okay. Well, I'll see you Sunday."

"See you then. Good night."

"Good night."

I ended the call and tossed the phone onto my dresser. My eyes closed, and all I could see was his face. I could feel his lips and hands all over me. My hands glided over my body, pretending that they were his. What was he doing to me? I knew what I imagined him doing to me. A moan slipped from my lips as my hands palmed my breasts. My nipples were already so sensitive that when I pinched them, I gasped.

"Ooooh..."

A hand slipped beneath my shirt and between my thighs. I found nothing but a slick center and a throbbing clit. It had been so long... too long. Using my middle and ring fingers, I massaged small circles around the sensitive bundle of nerves. The sensation caused my back to arch from the bed.

I hissed. "Shit..."

Blindly, I reached and felt around in my dresser with a free hand. When my fingers touched the items I was looking for, I pulled out the dildo and rose gifted to me by my girls. Neither had been put to use yet, but they'd been cleaned and ready to go. Slowly, I eased as much of the dildo into my wetness as I could handle.

Closing my eyes, I imagined that this was Callum. I imagined that he was slow stoking me while those beautiful brown eyes that made me swoon gazed into mine. I imagined my legs on his shoulders while he fed me inch after inch, forcing me to take all of him with every stroke.

"Oh... oh, my God..."

I panted heavily as I worked the dildo in and out of my wetness. My legs spread farther apart as I reached for the rose and turned it on to setting three, which Avyn told me was her favorite. The moment I placed it on my clit, my body violently began to jerk. I gasped as the powerful sensation forced my back to arch from the bed once again. Over and over, I filled my center with the beautiful, ten-inch monster. The more I stroked myself, the wetter I became.

"Shit!" I cried out, feeling my orgasm creeping up on me.

It hadn't even been five minutes, yet this little combo had me ready to tap out. Between the vibrations on my clit and the stretching of my tight walls, I couldn't hold back much longer. I closed my eyes and fully let the sensations flowing through my body engulf me. Audible cries filled the space as my body expelled one of the most powerful orgasms I'd ever had of my own doing.

Even as my body quaked and shook, I couldn't pull the rose away. When that second orgasm hit me, I felt like I lost all control of myself as I squirted, something I'd never done before. I fell back against the pillows, panting with tears streaming down my cheeks. Stars burst behind my eyes as I gazed up at the ceiling.

Damn it! Now I have to change my sheets.