Dark Or Cream

Chapter 5 – Chocolate Drops

Kaja skated out of the bathroom, narrowly avoiding busting her butt as she slid across the floor. Her mood was pumped, and the volume on her stereo was pumped higher. Soul music played while she prepared for her date with Rashan. Wrapped in a plush bath towel, she stepped into her closet to figure out what she wanted to wear. She wanted to show off her assets tonight. Nothing that screamed “easy” but definitely something that made a man wonder. Her face split in a grin as she lifted a dress off the hanger that she had been saving up for special occasions. It was slinky black silk, had a classic look and feel. When she slid the soothing fabric down over her freshly powdered and perfumed body, the silk felt like a river of perfection that flowed around her curves. It fell to mid thigh and dipped low around the cleavage area. The dress was short and sassy. It was sexy, but it was classy.

She chose a pair of black sandals to show off her pedicure and made sure her brown skin was oiled to perfection. She walked through the house smelling like coconuts, mangos, limes. If Rashan didn’t get enticed, then he wasn’t human! Surveying herself one final time in the mirror, Kaja flipped her long hair over her shoulder and smiled at her reflection. Her makeup was skillfully applied, a dash of foundation, a touch of dark eye shadow and shimmery, glossy lipstick. Opal earrings graced her earlobes.

She snatched up her purse just as he honked the horn to announce his presence, but she pointedly waited before opening the door so he’d have to come up and knock like a gentleman. Her daddy taught her that. When she swung open her door, Rashan stood there dressed in all black, looking like a damn model out of GQ Magazine, and if she hadn’t caught herself she would’ve drooled. He had a fresh haircut, a taper, and his beard was neatly trimmed. He wore a black sweater and black slacks with a shiny pair of black shoes, and his dark eyes swept over Kaja in her black dress.

“I knew I couldn’t go wrong with all black. Good evening Ms. Kaja,” he greeted, his deep voice sending shivers down her spine.

“Hello, Rashan,” she said shyly.

He extended his arm for her to hold onto, and he led her to his freshly waxed SUV. The closed interior of the vehicle was drenched in his scent. He had on a pu*sy tingling cologne that made Kaja wonder why she had taken so long to get back into dating. She loved a good looking, nice smelling man, and Rashan was showing her everything she missed.

“You ready for this?”

“I’m more than ready,” she said.

He grinned as he cranked the ignition, and powered down the road. The radio was playing funky old-school jams similar to what Kaja had been listening to in the house, and she noted their taste in music was the same. That was a plus.

She couldn’t keep her eyes off of him, and he couldn’t seem to stop staring at her either. “But, you better watch the road.”

He chuckled in a way that gave her butterflies. His voice was sun kissed and deeply sweet. “I want to take you to the movies. Is that alright with you? I want to sit next to you in a dark theater and watch something scary so you can hold onto me.”

“Hmm, great minds think alike. I’d love to see a movie. The way my work schedule is set up, if I’m not working at the restaurant, I’m working at home, and I haven’t been to the movies in ages. I don’t even know what’s playing! Ha!”

“We gotta get you outta the house more, Ms. Kaj.”

“You might be the one to do it.” She arched a brow and smiled teasingly at him. Rashan dropped his hand from the gear stick to her knee and rested his fingers on the inner curve of her leg. Kaja relaxed back into the leather seats and enjoyed the ride, the sound of his voice, the feel of his hand. She was trying to be fair to Eric, but this man was taking the cake. And, she knew a thing or two about cakes, so that was saying a lot!

He walked with her into the movie theater after purchasing their tickets to see a thriller that looked particularly appealing. His eyes scanned her from head to toe, and he held her extra close, possessive and proud to have a woman so beautiful on his arm. Kaja didn’t miss the gesture; neither did she miss the other men throwing envious glances at Rashan. She had forgotten what it was like to be desired so openly. She halfway wanted to call up Ebony and shout thank you because if it wasn’t for her meddling sister, Kaja would likely be sitting at home watching television right now.

Instead, she was easing down the narrow row of theater seats behind Rashan as the room went dark and the movie started with a clap of sound. He tugged her hand and motioned to seats near the wall, and they settled in. He handed her the popcorn and soda he had graciously gotten her, even though the concession prices were highway robbery. The movie quickly captivated their attention, but Kaja was intensely aware of the man sitting next to her, and not even the intense movie could reduce that awareness.

“You like it?” he whispered midway through.

Kaja turned to speak to him, but he was closer than she expected. Her lips brushed his cheek as he turned to her, and she inhaled his spicy cologne. He clasped her chin before she could apologize and pull away, and held her face steady as his soft full lips pressed against hers. His mouth was as pillowy soft and perfect for kisses as she had imagined. His tongue swept just past her lips to touch hers. Kaja made a soft sound of pleasure.