For Lovers Only Read online

  “No,” she lied, and put on a sugarcoated smile. In reality one of the last things she wanted right now was a boyfriend or a husband. All she really wanted was a friend who could show her a good time. When it came to a relationship, her intention was to move along as slowly as possible because she knew that her heart and mind weren’t ready for another major upset. Erin had just gotten out of a stressful relationship two months earlier. She didn’t know how to tell Joel her true intentions because the look in his eyes told her that he was looking to settle down with the right woman as soon as possible. She threw him a hint and said, “I like patience. That’s a good quality.”

  That definitely sounded like a subtle hint to Joel. “Patience? That’s it—one word?”

  Erin smiled. “That’s all I need to say. I already see everything else I’m looking for in you, so there’s no need for a long, drawn-out description. Now, what do you look for in a girlfriend or wife?”

  Joel decided to throw a subtle hint of his own. “Honesty.”

  Erin got his hint and laughed out loud. “Honesty. That’s it—one word?”

  “That one word goes a long way.” With a bit of sarcasm in his voice he caught himself mimicking Erin when he said, “I already see everything else I’m looking for in you, so there’s no need for a long, drawn-out description.”

  Erin burst out laughing and said, “I like you.”

  Joel touched Erin’s hand and then their fingers slowly intertwined. “I like you, too. You seem to be a good girl with the right amount of oomph.”

  There was a definite connection being made. They shared a good amount of similarities. There were of course their subtle differences, but there was also enough healthy friction to spark a lot of interest and passion in their eyes.

  Erin and Joel left Pizza Hut with a large Meat Lover’s pizza and headed over to McDonald’s drive-thru. Joel ended up ordering two super-sized fries and Cokes. They hurried back to his apartment while their food was still hot and fresh. Before going up to Joel’s apartment, Erin grabbed her overnight bag from her car.

  After washing their hands, Erin and Joel headed straight to his kitchen. Joel grabbed a couple of paper plates, paper towels and a plastic container of grated parmesan cheese. Erin picked up the salt and pepper shakers along with a giant bottle of Heinz ketchup. Joel told Erin to relax and make herself at home. She kicked off her shoes and picked a comfortable spot on the floor in front of Joel’s chocolate leather sofa.

  Chapter 8

  Erin glanced around Joel’s apartment. She loved the Afrocentric décor that featured original paintings and sculptures from West Africa. There were several pieces of imported furniture situated around the room—tables and chairs that varied in size and shape, which complemented each other nicely. The furniture was art and some of the art was actually furniture. Erin looked at the bookshelves lined with hundreds of books from almost every genre. She felt right at home as she took in the warmth and beauty of the contrasting earth tones.

  “This is a really nice place you have.”

  “Thanks.”

  Erin surprised Joel when she suggested that they sit on the floor to eat. He clicked on his 42-inch plasma TV and joined her on the floor.

  Erin combined their super-sized fries onto one plate. She was very meticulous about how the fries were placed on the plate, making sure they were all lined up in the same direction. Next, she carefully sprinkled an adequate amount of salt and pepper on them. She was starting to rub off on Joel. He poured a pool of ketchup onto the other plate, forming a near perfect circle. After all that thorough preparation with the fries, Joel quickly dashed the grated parmesan cheese on the pizza and they ended up eating it straight from the box.

  Erin said, “The pizza is really good.”

  “Yeah. So, I guess you’re not really big on nutrition.”

  “Not really. Kenya is the one who’s big on nutrition. She makes sure that we follow a health-conscious diet. I’ve been eating just about everything since she’s been gone and haven’t gained a pound.”

  Joel laughed, “But in the meantime you’ve probably been clogging up your arteries like crazy.”

  “Yeah, I have to die from something. Food makes me feel so good—why not die happy?”

  “That’s true. I read a bumper sticker the other day that read, Eat healthy, exercise daily and die anyway.”

  Erin sipped her Coke and laughed at the same time, almost causing her to choke.

  Joel and Erin were down to their last morsels of pizza and had only a few fries scattered on the plate they shared. Joel poured two glasses of white wine and they continued sitting on the floor with their backs resting against Joel’s sofa. He flipped channels back and forth between the melodic videos on VH1 Soul and the smooth sounds of the R&B digital music channel.

  Joel looked over at Erin’s duffel bag and asked, “What’s up with that bag you grabbed from your car?”

  “Nothing. That’s my overnight bag.”

  Joel smiled. “Where do you plan on sleeping tonight?”

  Erin quickly replied, “My apartment. I got a sleeping bag across the hall.”

  “I got a king-sized bed with fresh clean linen on it—right down the hall. You can have it and I’ll sleep out here on the sofa.”

  The modesty in Erin made her say, “No, we just met and I can’t even begin to consider sleeping over here. Plus, I can’t put you out of your own bed.”

  “You’re such a good girl. You can’t even hide your wholesomeness—you’re oozing with it and I respect that. But can I corrupt you tonight and make you do some things you normally wouldn’t do?”

  Erin felt herself get a little turned on. She blushed and said, “No.”

  “Grab your sleeping bag and stay over here if you’d like. Nobody is gonna judge you and I promise to be good.”

  “Yeah, I bet. I can see one thing leading to another. If I agreed to stay here tonight I probably wouldn’t even touch my sleeping bag. I can see us right now, cuddled up in your bed during the storm.”

  “Ooh, that sounds real nice to me.”

  “Me too, but I can’t commit to anything like that yet. We’ll see.”

  Joel shrugged and sipped his wine. “All right. No pressure.”

  “I’m glad you invited me over.”

  Joel smiled, picked up a french fry and said, “I’m glad you’re here with me. Sitting on the floor eating like this takes me back to another time.”

  “And what time would that be?”

  “When I was a kid, I used to sit on my living room floor and eat breakfast while watching Saturday morning cartoons. Some mornings I would make a tent using two dining room chairs along with my blanket and sheets.”

  “Sounds fun. I noticed something about you.”

  “What would that be?”

  “You tell a lot of stories about when you were a kid.”

  “Do I?”

  “Yeah, but I understand. I’m the same way. When we’re kids we don’t really appreciate our childhoods and can’t wait to get older. When we’re adults we love to reminisce about our childhoods and try our best to stay as young as possible.”

  Joel smiled. “That’s true, but I’m still a kid at heart and I never plan on changing.”

  “I feel the same way.”

  “I think we have a lot in common.”

  Erin combed her fingers through her hair and said, “We do. I think we’re very compatible.”

  There was an awkward moment of silence. Joel couldn’t really think of what to say next. He just stared at Erin and got lost in the beauty of her brown skin. Out of nowhere he asked, “Did you notice that we have the same skin tone?”

  Erin was about to laugh until she held her arm up next to Joel’s and said, “We sure do. Look at that, the same pretty brown skin.”

  Erin looked down at her food and Joel looked down at his. He was finished. The expression on Erin’s face told him that she was finished and hungered for something else besides food.

 
He looked at Erin and could see a change in her. Her modesty was gone. He felt himself drawn toward her and he could tell that she sensed the same magnetic attraction. Their body temperatures rose, passion heated up and was about to come to a rapid boil.

  All of a sudden there was a loud explosion of thunder that echoed all around them. It caused the entire building to shake. The clouds couldn’t hold back the rain any longer. It seemed as if the sky had cracked and began to spill out a steady downpour of the heaviest and loudest raindrops Joel and Erin had ever heard.

  The thunder startled Erin and made her move closer to Joel. A Donnell Jones video came on the TV. They watched the dark stormy sky through the patio doors, as lightning created what appeared to their eyes as a split second glimpse of daylight. Heavy raindrops beat against the windows and rooftop. The wind blew so hard that it whistled.

  Erin cuddled up even closer. She found comfort in Joel and the most perfect spot to rest her head between his muscular chest and shoulder. They were so close that they basically breathed each other’s breath. Joel ran his hand up and down Erin’s leg. He loved the way her feminine curves felt, along with her soft warm body pressed against his.

  With his strong affectionate arm around Erin, Joel inhaled deeply, taking in her shower-fresh scent and said, “You feel and smell so good.”

  Erin was in a dreamlike state when she said, “So do you.”

  Joel whispered, “There are so many things that I like about you.” He slowly ran his fingers through Erin’s hair. “Your hair is really pretty and I love your almond-shaped eyes.” He traced her perfectly arched eyebrows with his thumb. “Look at your cute little nose. And your kissable lips.”

  Joel grabbed Erin by the chin, guided her to him and planted a gentle kiss on her lips. He took his time kissing, nibbling and sucking her lips. Things got wet and wild when he slipped his tongue inside.

  Their tongues danced—moved with passion and grace. Their hands moved from their faces, to the backs of each other’s necks and then to different body parts.

  After a couple of minutes Joel eased back a little to try and gauge Erin’s reaction. Her reaction was off the meter. They both appeared to be breathless.

  Chapter 9

  With a surprised, love-struck expression, Erin said, “Oh my God, did that just happen?”

  Joel played it cool. He had completed the first stage of corrupting his good girl. “It happened. Did I offend you?”

  Erin’s panties were so wet. Joel could look at her and see that she was getting hot, but he just played along, acting like he didn’t notice a thing.

  Erin shook her head and said, “No, you didn’t offend me. That kiss was soooo nice. Trust me, the last thing I am right now is offended.”

  Joel smiled and said, “Good. ’Cause I wasn’t about to apologize for kissing you. I think we both wanted that.”

  In a seductive tone Erin said, “Mmmm ... you’re right. No need to apologize.”

  “I didn’t really think you were offended. That was a nice kiss. Your lips are so soft.”

  “Your lips are soft, too. I love the way you kiss. You really know how to work that tongue of yours.”

  “I felt yours working, too. You haven’t seen nothing yet. I’m definitely interested in sharing some more intimate experiences with you.”

  With a little apprehension in her voice Erin asked, “Tonight?”

  Joel heard the apprehension in Erin’s voice and saw it on her face. “It’s okay. Tonight is all about us getting to know each other better.”

  Erin sighed. “All right. I just don’t want to lose your respect. I’m not the type to give it up on the first night, you know?”

  “I figured that. I can tell that you’re the nice wholesome type ... exactly what I’m looking for. I’m not just out for sex. If it happens, fine. If it doesn’t, fine. Either way, I’m really enjoying your company.”

  Erin didn’t want to spoil the mood or disappoint Joel. She sipped her wine and then gave him a quick peck on his lips. “You’re so sweet. Do you think you’d respect me if I gave you some tonight?”

  Joel’s eyes widened. “Without a doubt. Why don’t we just let things happen naturally?”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  Erin had a quick flashback of her ex. She could still hear him complaining about her not being freaky enough for him. He constantly complained and criticized her. She blocked out her thoughts and focused on Joel and the unlimited possibilities of their new friendship. Erin needed a fresh start and a sexy new approach. She ignored the consequences and got caught up in the excitement of the moment—the here and now. It’s strange how experiences from the past can dictate actions and reactions in new relationships. Erin hoped to get the sexual validation from Joel that her ex never gave her.

  The next thing Erin knew she had moved her empty wine glass aside and straddled Joel.

  They kissed again. Their tongues danced to a different rhythm. This time Joel’s tongue followed the graceful choreography of Erin’s tongue. Her kiss was welcoming and comforting, and gave Joel an intense feeling of closeness and acceptance. Erin had a deep longing for a nice fulfilling sexual episode and so did Joel, but he also yearned for love and commitment. Erin wanted to be free like the wind and remained commitment-shy.

  Joel stroked her hair and face. “Look at you, so beautiful. I want you so bad.”

  “Shhh. I know ... I feel the same way. Kiss me. No need for words.”

  Within seconds something amazing happened. Their lips spoke in a warm wet way. Through that kiss Joel was able to express himself without words and that same kiss allowed Erin the chance to feel and comprehend exactly what he meant. In return, Erin kissed Joel so deeply that he could taste her thoughts. Every kiss was more sensual and more arousing than the previous.

  So many thoughts flowed through Joel’s mind. He thought, I wanna make love to you. Erin, you feel so good to me. Help fill this void. I wanna make you mine.

  Erin thought, Heal these wounds. Satisfy my soul. Help me find intimacy. Validate me. Make me feel good!

  The steady downpour continued. Along with the wine they drank, the rain had a lulling and spellbinding effect. At the same time the sound of the falling rain was naturally stimulating and added something special to the ambiance, heightening Joel and Erin’s attraction.

  Joel tilted Erin’s head back. The sensation of his lips as they delivered wet kisses to her neck made Erin hot. The tip of his tongue made her even hotter. Joel slowly moved his attention down to Erin’s breasts. He lifted her pink, formfitting T-shirt and exposed her pink lace bra and ample cleavage. Joel began to squeeze her breasts and play with her perky nipples through her bra. Everything felt so good to Erin that she eventually took her T-shirt off. Within a few minutes Joel found himself reaching around and unfastening her bra.

  Joel’s moist tongue slowly circled Erin’s areola and then he teased her erect nipples with the tip of his tongue. He began to feast on her breasts, sucking her mounds like an overgrown baby boy. Joel gently nibbled with his teeth and pulled her eraser-sized nipples with his lips.

  Erin unbuttoned Joel’s shirt, revealing his perfectly sculpted body. She massaged his muscular chest and tight abs. She teased and tantalized every inch of his exposed skin with her fingertips and fingernails. She kissed him and brought her hands up to Joel’s mouth to play with his soft, luscious, full lips. He sucked her fingers. They kissed again, but this time Erin’s fingers were between their lips, slipping inside of both of their mouths. Erin pulled away slowly, sucking Joel’s bottom lip. She quickly moved in again to kiss his eyelids, cheeks and chin.

  Erin even kissed and nibbled on Joel’s ears. She continued to straddle him with a slow grinding motion. Erin whispered in his ear, “I can feel how big and hard your dick is.”

  “Let me feel how wet you are.”

  In an airy tone Erin whispered, “Not yet.”

  She drove Joel crazy, kissing the most sensitive part of his neck. She moved back a little and be
gan to lick his chest and suck his nipples. Joel was turned on more than ever. He was more than ready to come out of his shorts.

  Joel looked into Erin’s eyes and felt the urge to kiss her again. This time he led their tongues to a passionate slow dance. At this point they completely ignored the raging storm and music video playing in the background. After a few minutes, Erin’s eyes were fixed, and overflowed with a beautiful expression of sensuality and an openness that told Joel that she was ready and willing to fully surrender her body to him. He silently thanked God.

  The whistling winds had gained a lot more momentum. Fierce gale-force winds roared like a runaway freight train. Lightning flashed, followed by rolling waves of loud and violent thunder. All of that commotion eventually stole Erin and Joel’s attention. Their faces expressed the same look of shock and concern. Within seconds the TV screen went blank and the indoor and outdoor lights shut off, turning the room nearly pitch black. They were sitting in darkness listening to a raging storm, but not even a blackout could reduce the heat or smother the flames of passion that burned between them.

  Joel said, “Give me a second and I’ll be right back.”

  “What are you doing?”

  “We need light.”

  Erin shook her head and said, “No, we don’t need any light to do what I wanna do.”

  Although Joel liked what he heard, he looked at Erin and sounded really sincere when he said, “I want and need to see you ... every inch of you. This is our first time together and I don’t wanna miss a thing. I’ll be right back, okay?”

  Erin smiled and said, “Okay.”

  Joel jumped to his feet. He grabbed his flashlight, a book of matches and blanket. Then he lit six candles that were already situated around his living room, one of which was a huge apple-melon scented candle. Within seconds the darkness was made beautiful by the shimmering illumination of candlelight. Joel looked over at Erin and could see a glow in her eyes. She smiled at him with desire in her eyes and he returned the same type of smile.

  Joel asked, “Better?”

  Erin replied with her soft voice, “Yeah. Much better.”