EPISODE FIVE
Calvin carefully guided Marabel through the entrance of The Crush and past the noticed glare of Coran. She offered a flighty smile but one was not returned. Marabel shrugged off his apparent disapproval and followed Calvin to a table outfitted with two cream colored suede arm chairs near the bar in the downstairs VIP section. When they sat, he took the liberty of ordering himself a Brandy and her ginger ale. While Calvin exhibited the air of class and sophistication like he owned the place, Marabel’s war of mixed emotions began to wage in her mind. Coran Stone had ultimately messed up her flow for the evening. Perturbed was not close to the look he had on his face. More like disgust. Did he think a little blast from the past was going to change her course? Did he think that telling her he had a school-boy crush on her was going to make her fall into his arms? Hell no. Coran was notorious for charming the pants off of any girl he wanted and Marabel refused to be the next notch.
As they sat in a relaxed silence listening to the sounds of a piano tune, Marabel began to take in the coziness of the intimate private area again. It had the same exposed bricks as the restaurant and her loft building. The fireplaces were strategically placed setting the mood of warmth and tranquility which was rare in an environment purposed for entertainment. Considering that Calvin waltzed into the building and took a seat without being asked for credentials of some sort, she clued in on the fact that The Crush might be another one of his projects with fringe benefits added on as a bonus.
“You really out did yourself with the setup of this space Calvin,” Marabel stated then took a sip of her drink.
He leaned back into his chair and crossed his legs. It was something about the way he did that each time they started a conversation. Marabel was not sure if it was annoying her or arousing her…it definitely was making her feel a certain way.
“No. Not this place. This project, I bid on heavily but it got scooped up by a private entity. He used his own crew and kept everything pretty hush hush. Trust me, my people were digging, but we came up with nothing,” he answered.
“What makes you think it was a man who did the rehab?” She could not help but zero in on that one assumption.
He gazed at Marabel coolly then cocked one of his eyebrows. “Wouldn’t you assume it was a man? I mean it’s pretty natural to go in that direction when discussing things of this nature. Sure a woman could’ve headed a project like this, but the natural conclusion is a man,” he uttered as he sat forward with his attention focused on her rebuttal.
“I disagree,” was her reply and he began to chuckle.
“You can’t fight me on everything Ms. Larue,” he offered then his cell rang. “Please excuse me, I must take this call.”
Marabel nodded her head and presented a warm smile as he got up and ambled toward the stairwell leading outside. Once he left, she rolled her eyes. Yea go powder your nose baby. Marabel could not understand why Calvin was taking her through the ringer of complicated discussions in the matter of hours. Was it some type of test? Better yet, was she being punked? The man was the definition of suave and debonair but his elitist behavior and arrogance was turning her off by the minute. He was the biggest ass she had ever encountered. If Calvin Laramie was a drink he would be a top shelf, well-aged Brandy in a dirty glass. Sure something expensive awaited your taste buds but who wants to put their mouths on trash. She sighed and threw up her internal white flag. Marabel had to admit that no matter how much of an ass he was, he was the first man who went the extra mile to know her dislikes and likes and she could not deny that it was impressive. Hell he had her so wound up in that restaurant that she would put her mouth on that dirty glass and lick it clean if the opportunity presented itself.
She looked around again at the décor and intimate couples dispersed near the several lit fires. Marabel had frequented many of clubs in different cities but The Crush’s environment made it her top vote. It had a very mellow aura about it. Private even. It was like being at a small home gathering where only a few close friends and family were invited and everyone was broken off into their own smaller groups. The sounds of jazz just added to the overall feel that made her fall in love with the place from her first visit.
Marabel decided to check her cell phone for any messages while Calvin was away. She did not get too far into her inspection when she felt the familiar glare of a man she had successfully pushed to the back of her mind. So she thought. It was not difficult to figure out where he was located. At the opposite end of the bar, there he stood finishing off a glass of something clear with an olive in it – Coran.
They both locked eyes and her body started to respond. That man had her in a trance and nothing good could come from being enraptured in him. Drop dead gorgeous. You would think he was from somewhere south of the border instead of St. Louis because he exuded heat that could fire up her internal furnace with one look. Take me now daddy. If Marabel could have her way, she would definitely saddle up to his pony, however the fact that he knew her from a time she wanted to forget kept her far from pursuing that option.
Coran glided to her table dressed to a tailored perfection in a charcoal gray suit and what appeared to be his signature – a fedora. Before he made it to her, she took in his delicious scent. How in the hell he accomplished smelling like a deserted island deep in the Caribbean, she did not know but she wanted more. Damn, Marabel get it together.
“You’re on a date?” He asked her. His raspy voice was so intoxicating she wanted to sample his kind of drug all night long. Dammit Marabel.
“I guess you can say that,” she uttered trying to keep her cool. It was like he had a spell on her. One that could drop her panties with one snap of his fingers.
“A date with Calvin Laramie I see.”
“Yeah. You know him?” Marabel found herself being very flippant with her question. It was the only way she could fight against her urges to usher him off into some dark corner.
“I know of him somewhat but I’m wondering what you know of him,” he asked moving in a breath closer to her. Marabel’s nipples hardened just from the closeness of his body.
“Well,” she purred, “what I know of him happens to be my personal business and I’d like to keep it that way.”
Coran began to nod his head. Then a chill surged down her spine when he took his index finger and ran it down the length of her arm. “Well Marabel, I do know it’s none of my business but I must be truthful and admit that I don’t too much care for this date that you’re on.”
He doesn’t care for my date? Her brow furrowed after his admission. Who cares if he doesn’t like my date? Before Marabel could offer him an onslaught of her opinion, the man of the hour returned.
“Mr. Stone, may we help you with something?” Calvin’s irritated expression took Marabel by surprise. Now, Calvin had become pissed that she was speaking with Coran. How in the hell did I get myself into this crap? Coran lingered his touch on Marabel for a second longer before he faced Calvin.
“No. May I help you with something Mr. Laramie?” Coran volleyed back. Marabel could not believe that the two of them were facing off right in front of her. They both were charging each other up like wild animals. What is this high school?
“Actually I would like to get back to my date. In private,” Calvin emphasized taking the first shot.
“Okay but give me a second,” Coran stated then faced Marabel again. Point…Coran. She damn near dropped her head to the table wanting to sink into a black hole. However, Coran gently pinched her chin between his thumb and index finger bringing her focus back on him. Calvin stood and watched in awe while Coran made his declaration.
“First let me say you’re as beautiful as an orchid tonight. But that beauty isn’t limited to just tonight while you’re with him. I’ve always thought that since the day I laid eyes on you and I regret waiting so long to say it.”
When he finished, she was still stuck in the song of his speech. This was the second time that Coran had professed his feelings of wanting her and the confessions were taking a toll. She just could not fall into his web. Coran was handsome, cocky, dominant, and damn near irresistible however he represented something less than a faded memory in time, a ripped page from her book, her forgotten past. She found herself wishing that he never recognized her, that he never brought up his crush in the first place. Maybe if he just approached her on the night and simply introduced himself, they could have had a chance. Yet the cards did not lie that way and in her mind there was no future for them.
“Thank you for the kind words Coran. I truly appreciate it but right now I’m on a date and this really isn’t a good time to rehash the past.” Even though Marabel had won the final point in the battle of words, a little part of her regretting saying them to him. Yet it was evident that she needed to get him out of her system before disaster struck. Before she fell too deep.
Coran nodded his head and plastered on one of his winning grins. “You’re absolutely right Ms. Larue. You all have a wonderful evening.” Without putting up anymore of a fight, Coran quietly left the table and she began to crumble inside. The man was living in a fantasy world and she just could not be the woman of his dreams.
“That was awkward,” Calvin blurted as he took his seat then he chortled. “I guess that’s what happens when you’re on a date with a woman as beautiful as an orchid.”
I can’t take anymore of his crap either. Marabel dropped her head wanting to push the proverbial ‘gameover’ button on their date. “Calvin, I’m not feeling too well,” she stammered then gazed at him. “Do you mind if we call it a night?” He immediately switched from humor to concern.
“Is everything okay Marabel?” Hell no.
“Everything is fine Calvin. It’s just been a long day and I’m exhausted. We can pick this up another time. Okay?” Marabel was one second away from running for the hills if he continued the back and forth.
“Okay. Let’s get you home,” he stated then stood and took her hand. Calvin walked her out of the club to their waiting limo. She was so defeated that she never once thought to look back. For all intents and purposes she had shut down Coran and that was the end of that.
It only took them a matter of minutes to reach her building then her apartment. Calvin had remained quiet on the drive but her body’s instinct was to sink into his side again. This time he put his arm around her and brought her in deeper. They were a whole. When they got to her door, he gazed over her from head to toe while he warmed her arms with his palms. She was enjoying his silence but she was ready to flee before his goodness wore off. He smoothed her hair away from her face, leaned in, and softly kissed her brow. Calvin Laramie was the biggest conundrum she had ever faced. Hot and cold, rude and sweet, he definitely had two sides and she did not know whether to hate him or swoon for him. She vowed to put analyzing that situation off for another day. All she wanted to do was climb in her bed and sleep for an eternity.
“Thanks for dinner Calvin. It really was nice.”
“The pleasure was all mine. I enjoyed being in the company of such an exquisite business woman. Get some rest and we’ll reconvene another day,” he said with a bit of disappointment in his tone.
Marabel watched him leave just as she watched him come. Funny thing, she did not want him to go. No matter how much he got up under her skin, she found their banter stimulating. Oh, well. Until the next time.
After taking a quick, hot shower, Marabel wrapped her hair up in a messy bun and put on a tank and her SLU track shorts. She turned off all the lights and crawled into her welcome bed and found sleep a quick visitor.
Nearly three hours later, Marabel groaned as she pulled herself out of the same bed that was giving her endless amounts of pleasure. She was in the middle of a dream about sunbathing in Miami when she heard incessant tapping on her door that turned into thunderous pounds. After praying and wishing the person would go away, she got out of bed, slipped on her knee-socks and stormed down the stairs. She was pissed and whomever it was banging on her door was going to get a good St. Louis cursing and possible beat down.
As she stomped through the living room heading to the door in a flash, the thumps got louder. Marabel began to work on her three locks while yelling, “Whoever the fuck it is behind this door - .” Then the sight of him took her words away. Her thought was deleted and she was standing there. In her pajamas. Looking at him in basketball shorts and a white tank.
“Coran?”
As they sat in a relaxed silence listening to the sounds of a piano tune, Marabel began to take in the coziness of the intimate private area again. It had the same exposed bricks as the restaurant and her loft building. The fireplaces were strategically placed setting the mood of warmth and tranquility which was rare in an environment purposed for entertainment. Considering that Calvin waltzed into the building and took a seat without being asked for credentials of some sort, she clued in on the fact that The Crush might be another one of his projects with fringe benefits added on as a bonus.
“You really out did yourself with the setup of this space Calvin,” Marabel stated then took a sip of her drink.
He leaned back into his chair and crossed his legs. It was something about the way he did that each time they started a conversation. Marabel was not sure if it was annoying her or arousing her…it definitely was making her feel a certain way.
“No. Not this place. This project, I bid on heavily but it got scooped up by a private entity. He used his own crew and kept everything pretty hush hush. Trust me, my people were digging, but we came up with nothing,” he answered.
“What makes you think it was a man who did the rehab?” She could not help but zero in on that one assumption.
He gazed at Marabel coolly then cocked one of his eyebrows. “Wouldn’t you assume it was a man? I mean it’s pretty natural to go in that direction when discussing things of this nature. Sure a woman could’ve headed a project like this, but the natural conclusion is a man,” he uttered as he sat forward with his attention focused on her rebuttal.
“I disagree,” was her reply and he began to chuckle.
“You can’t fight me on everything Ms. Larue,” he offered then his cell rang. “Please excuse me, I must take this call.”
Marabel nodded her head and presented a warm smile as he got up and ambled toward the stairwell leading outside. Once he left, she rolled her eyes. Yea go powder your nose baby. Marabel could not understand why Calvin was taking her through the ringer of complicated discussions in the matter of hours. Was it some type of test? Better yet, was she being punked? The man was the definition of suave and debonair but his elitist behavior and arrogance was turning her off by the minute. He was the biggest ass she had ever encountered. If Calvin Laramie was a drink he would be a top shelf, well-aged Brandy in a dirty glass. Sure something expensive awaited your taste buds but who wants to put their mouths on trash. She sighed and threw up her internal white flag. Marabel had to admit that no matter how much of an ass he was, he was the first man who went the extra mile to know her dislikes and likes and she could not deny that it was impressive. Hell he had her so wound up in that restaurant that she would put her mouth on that dirty glass and lick it clean if the opportunity presented itself.
She looked around again at the décor and intimate couples dispersed near the several lit fires. Marabel had frequented many of clubs in different cities but The Crush’s environment made it her top vote. It had a very mellow aura about it. Private even. It was like being at a small home gathering where only a few close friends and family were invited and everyone was broken off into their own smaller groups. The sounds of jazz just added to the overall feel that made her fall in love with the place from her first visit.
Marabel decided to check her cell phone for any messages while Calvin was away. She did not get too far into her inspection when she felt the familiar glare of a man she had successfully pushed to the back of her mind. So she thought. It was not difficult to figure out where he was located. At the opposite end of the bar, there he stood finishing off a glass of something clear with an olive in it – Coran.
They both locked eyes and her body started to respond. That man had her in a trance and nothing good could come from being enraptured in him. Drop dead gorgeous. You would think he was from somewhere south of the border instead of St. Louis because he exuded heat that could fire up her internal furnace with one look. Take me now daddy. If Marabel could have her way, she would definitely saddle up to his pony, however the fact that he knew her from a time she wanted to forget kept her far from pursuing that option.
Coran glided to her table dressed to a tailored perfection in a charcoal gray suit and what appeared to be his signature – a fedora. Before he made it to her, she took in his delicious scent. How in the hell he accomplished smelling like a deserted island deep in the Caribbean, she did not know but she wanted more. Damn, Marabel get it together.
“You’re on a date?” He asked her. His raspy voice was so intoxicating she wanted to sample his kind of drug all night long. Dammit Marabel.
“I guess you can say that,” she uttered trying to keep her cool. It was like he had a spell on her. One that could drop her panties with one snap of his fingers.
“A date with Calvin Laramie I see.”
“Yeah. You know him?” Marabel found herself being very flippant with her question. It was the only way she could fight against her urges to usher him off into some dark corner.
“I know of him somewhat but I’m wondering what you know of him,” he asked moving in a breath closer to her. Marabel’s nipples hardened just from the closeness of his body.
“Well,” she purred, “what I know of him happens to be my personal business and I’d like to keep it that way.”
Coran began to nod his head. Then a chill surged down her spine when he took his index finger and ran it down the length of her arm. “Well Marabel, I do know it’s none of my business but I must be truthful and admit that I don’t too much care for this date that you’re on.”
He doesn’t care for my date? Her brow furrowed after his admission. Who cares if he doesn’t like my date? Before Marabel could offer him an onslaught of her opinion, the man of the hour returned.
“Mr. Stone, may we help you with something?” Calvin’s irritated expression took Marabel by surprise. Now, Calvin had become pissed that she was speaking with Coran. How in the hell did I get myself into this crap? Coran lingered his touch on Marabel for a second longer before he faced Calvin.
“No. May I help you with something Mr. Laramie?” Coran volleyed back. Marabel could not believe that the two of them were facing off right in front of her. They both were charging each other up like wild animals. What is this high school?
“Actually I would like to get back to my date. In private,” Calvin emphasized taking the first shot.
“Okay but give me a second,” Coran stated then faced Marabel again. Point…Coran. She damn near dropped her head to the table wanting to sink into a black hole. However, Coran gently pinched her chin between his thumb and index finger bringing her focus back on him. Calvin stood and watched in awe while Coran made his declaration.
“First let me say you’re as beautiful as an orchid tonight. But that beauty isn’t limited to just tonight while you’re with him. I’ve always thought that since the day I laid eyes on you and I regret waiting so long to say it.”
When he finished, she was still stuck in the song of his speech. This was the second time that Coran had professed his feelings of wanting her and the confessions were taking a toll. She just could not fall into his web. Coran was handsome, cocky, dominant, and damn near irresistible however he represented something less than a faded memory in time, a ripped page from her book, her forgotten past. She found herself wishing that he never recognized her, that he never brought up his crush in the first place. Maybe if he just approached her on the night and simply introduced himself, they could have had a chance. Yet the cards did not lie that way and in her mind there was no future for them.
“Thank you for the kind words Coran. I truly appreciate it but right now I’m on a date and this really isn’t a good time to rehash the past.” Even though Marabel had won the final point in the battle of words, a little part of her regretting saying them to him. Yet it was evident that she needed to get him out of her system before disaster struck. Before she fell too deep.
Coran nodded his head and plastered on one of his winning grins. “You’re absolutely right Ms. Larue. You all have a wonderful evening.” Without putting up anymore of a fight, Coran quietly left the table and she began to crumble inside. The man was living in a fantasy world and she just could not be the woman of his dreams.
“That was awkward,” Calvin blurted as he took his seat then he chortled. “I guess that’s what happens when you’re on a date with a woman as beautiful as an orchid.”
I can’t take anymore of his crap either. Marabel dropped her head wanting to push the proverbial ‘gameover’ button on their date. “Calvin, I’m not feeling too well,” she stammered then gazed at him. “Do you mind if we call it a night?” He immediately switched from humor to concern.
“Is everything okay Marabel?” Hell no.
“Everything is fine Calvin. It’s just been a long day and I’m exhausted. We can pick this up another time. Okay?” Marabel was one second away from running for the hills if he continued the back and forth.
“Okay. Let’s get you home,” he stated then stood and took her hand. Calvin walked her out of the club to their waiting limo. She was so defeated that she never once thought to look back. For all intents and purposes she had shut down Coran and that was the end of that.
It only took them a matter of minutes to reach her building then her apartment. Calvin had remained quiet on the drive but her body’s instinct was to sink into his side again. This time he put his arm around her and brought her in deeper. They were a whole. When they got to her door, he gazed over her from head to toe while he warmed her arms with his palms. She was enjoying his silence but she was ready to flee before his goodness wore off. He smoothed her hair away from her face, leaned in, and softly kissed her brow. Calvin Laramie was the biggest conundrum she had ever faced. Hot and cold, rude and sweet, he definitely had two sides and she did not know whether to hate him or swoon for him. She vowed to put analyzing that situation off for another day. All she wanted to do was climb in her bed and sleep for an eternity.
“Thanks for dinner Calvin. It really was nice.”
“The pleasure was all mine. I enjoyed being in the company of such an exquisite business woman. Get some rest and we’ll reconvene another day,” he said with a bit of disappointment in his tone.
Marabel watched him leave just as she watched him come. Funny thing, she did not want him to go. No matter how much he got up under her skin, she found their banter stimulating. Oh, well. Until the next time.
After taking a quick, hot shower, Marabel wrapped her hair up in a messy bun and put on a tank and her SLU track shorts. She turned off all the lights and crawled into her welcome bed and found sleep a quick visitor.
Nearly three hours later, Marabel groaned as she pulled herself out of the same bed that was giving her endless amounts of pleasure. She was in the middle of a dream about sunbathing in Miami when she heard incessant tapping on her door that turned into thunderous pounds. After praying and wishing the person would go away, she got out of bed, slipped on her knee-socks and stormed down the stairs. She was pissed and whomever it was banging on her door was going to get a good St. Louis cursing and possible beat down.
As she stomped through the living room heading to the door in a flash, the thumps got louder. Marabel began to work on her three locks while yelling, “Whoever the fuck it is behind this door - .” Then the sight of him took her words away. Her thought was deleted and she was standing there. In her pajamas. Looking at him in basketball shorts and a white tank.
“Coran?”