EMDS - #1 - A Congressman's Temptation (MxM)

c.3

  “ Your mother and I would like if you stayed. “ my father pleaded with Keenan and Erica. She waved her finger at him quickly. 

  “ This has been fun, but I have a business to run, okay? I can’t up and leave the things that I have to do, Dad. “ she explained. 

  “ I wouldn’t mind it “ Keenan shrugged. “ I’ve wanted to come back home for a while now. “ 

  “ Typical. “ she looked Keenan up and down before looking between my mother and father. “ Fine. I will make a few calls and do some rearranging. “ 

  “ Oh, thank you! Thank you! “ my father embraced them, showering them with kisses and hugs as they fought him off. 

  “ Aren’t you forgetting something, honey? “ my mother sat down as she sipped from the porcelain dish. “ Everyone has to move back in. “ 

  Erica slapped my father across his chest, causing him to wince. “ I knew there was a catch. “ 

  “ What’s the reason for that? “ I questioned. 

  “ Things are about to happen, and having everyone under the same roof will ensure safety. You don’t understand because you’ve never been in the direct shadow of a senator before. The game has changed. “  

  My mother flashed us the newspaper that proudly displayed the headline: Senator Dexter Enjoys Annual Ball Surrounded By Family. 

  “ Your mother is right! The game has changed and will continue to change the closer we get to election day. “ 

  “ I’m mad that you didn’t say anything sooner. Now I’ll have to get a damn cargo plane to deliver my stuff. “ Erica stormed off upstairs as Keenan followed behind. My father received a phone call and stepped out, leaving my mother and I alone.  

  “ They make him the villain, you know? Andrew has been a good friend of ours for years, so we know exactly what we need to know. “ 

  “ Are you okay with this? “ I side-eyed her, attempting to discern her intentions. 

  “ Elijah, you are grown and you can’t deny the attraction. That’s all your father could talk about last night once we got home. ‘Andrew this and how he was looking at my son.’ “ 

  “ He doesn’t care that much. “ 

  “ Listen,” she placed the glass down on the coffee table. “ I know at times it may seem like your father cares a little less when it comes to you, but that’s not true. He’s still trying to understand. I help him with what I can, but most of it will have to come with experience. “ she spoke softly. “ He really wishes that you would talk to him more. “ 

  “ Why hasn’t he ever told me that? “ she gestured for me to sit down next to her. 

  “ You know how your father is, Elijah. “ she patted me on the knee. “ I need you to help me to help him, okay? You can’t do this without each other. “ 

  “ I will. “ 

  “ Alright. “ she smiled. 

  My phone dinged and I pulled it out of my pocket to check which kind of notification it was. It was a message from Andrew with his location attached. I clicked on it and a five-star, beach-side brunch restaurant popped up in Google Maps. A second text followed that asked me to meet him there. 

  “ You better get to driving, baby. I can’t wait to hear all about it when you come back. “ she shuffled off into the kitchen as I rushed into the car and headed towards the restaurant. 

  In about twenty minutes, I pulled into the empty parking lot of the grey building. I double-checked the address to make sure that I was at the right place, and indeed I was. I climbed out of my truck, making my way towards the front of the restaurant. The door opened, revealing a tall gentleman who greeted me with a smile. 

  “ Mr. Dexter? “ 

  “ That’s me. “ 

  “ Mr. Andrew has been expecting you. “ he stepped aside, allowing me to walk past him. 

  “ Thank you. “ 

  As I looked around, I instantly fell in love with the chrome decoration. There were diamond chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, illuminated by the sun shining through the picture windows. The whitewashed wooden tables with the small white chairs complimented the centerpieces; a jar of sand with white roses and a tealight candle. The smell escaping from the back of the restaurant refreshed the overall vibe of the establishment. 

  “ That’s our motto: if it doesn’t make you smile, then we’re not going the extra mile. “ Andrew appeared from the back. He had on a button-down cotton shirt that hugged his body just right, along with his shorts that stopped just above his knee. He had pulled his hair into a messy bun, and his beard hair seemed more curly than usual. “ Thank you for coming. “ 

  “ Oh, I wouldn’t miss the chance. Are these normal business hours? “ 

  “ I wanted us to be alone, so I shut the place down, just for you. “ 

  “ I can dig it. “ I nodded. 

  “ Good. We’ll start off with some omelets, then I will seduce you with shrimp and grits. After we’re finished, I have a surprise for you. “ he assured me. 

  “ You must really have something to prove? “ 

  “ You bet. “ he reached for my hand, lifting it up to his soft lips. I damn near melted. 

  He led me to the back of the dining room to a corner booth. Two wine glasses were waiting on the table along with the chrome silverware. There was a pitcher of orange juice and a bottle of Andre Brut champagne placed in a bucket at the center of the table. I grew nervous as I slid into the booth. 

  “ We’re ready. “ he yelled as the server emerged from the kitchen with two plates in her hand. She placed them gently down on the table as we thanked her. 

  “ Andrew, this looks amazing. “ I grabbed the fork and began eating as he poured the perfect ratio of orange juice and champagne into my glass. “ Either this is your place, or you’re their number one customer. People don’t just go around quoting a restaurant motto. “ 

  He chuckled. “ I’ve been blessed to have this place for about seven years now. “ 

  “ How come I don’t see you advertise? The food is excellent, everything is cohesive, what’s the catch? “ 

  “ I prefer to keep it the way that it is. The business that I get is good and steady, even more than enough at times; I’m not complaining. “ he forked more of his omelet. “ This could be a regular thing, you know? I’m deadly in the kitchen. “ 

  “ So you cooked this? “ he picked up his napkin to wipe his mouth. “ Did you study, or is it just talent? “ 

  “ A little of both. Before I began working for the city, I was in culinary school. I figured that I would have the time to do both, but I quickly realized that was delusional of me. I had to choose what was most important to me: helping people or giving up something that I loved equally. “ the words flowed out of his mouth like poetry, drawing me in with every syllable. 

  “ And you chose to help people. “ he nodded. 

  “ This community needed people that were going to fight for everything that was right. Government isn’t supposed to be a corrupt business, but it becomes so when you have power-hungry people who can’t handle it. That’s how foundations break. “ 

  “ Have you always been this passionate? Maybe it’s something that I missed. “  I questioned as I took another sip from the wine glass. 

  “ Sometimes you have to save yourself for someone or something that deserves it more. “ he met my gaze as he spoke those words. 

  “ I.......I uh.... “ I stuttered. He winked at me before returning to his plate. 

  “ So, how did you get into writing? “ 

  “ I used to write short stories in high school for our weekly newsletter. Our principal was a good friend with a professor at a writing school in L.A. and thought she needed to see them. Before my senior year began, the school contacted me and told me that they would like to bring me out on a full ride, but only if I could fly immediately. They wanted me to finish my last year of high school there, plus they were looking for an intern to write for one of their local magazines. With everything that was happening at home, it was the answer to my prayers. I took the job and I worked there for five years. “ 

  “ And how was it? “ 

  “ A rollercoaster. “ I exaggerated and we both laughed. “ It was an experience, don’t get me wrong, but writing for magazines is not my cup of tea. There are too many personalities, not enough diversity, and favoritism is the kryptonite. “ 

  “ When did you start publishing your own stories? “ 

  “ There was this guy that I used to work with named Stewart, okay? Stewart was the only tolerable person that worked there, sadly. He always told me that I was bigger than that company. He even felt that I was bigger than college, but that I should still go for the experience. He helped me release copies of my very first book, which was.. “ 

  “ To Feel Like A Sunflower. “ we said simultaneously. 

  “ Okay, I see. “ I blushed. “ After releasing that book independently, I realized how much control I had over the process. God gave me a gift, and I decided to use it. I wrote my way through college and left more successful than when I started. “ 

  “ What made you come back to Florida? “ 

  “ I had to make amends with my family. “ I recalled. “ I felt that I had finally mastered life, and that feud was the only thing holding me back from moving on. We were all able to sit down and talk it out. It went well. They wanted me to move back in, but I was used to being a loner by that point, and both Keenan and Erica were gone. I wanted the same. “ 

  “ I’m amazed. It takes faith to be in your position, you just make it look easy. “ he called for the second course. 

  “ Andrew, I don’t think I can eat any more food. “ I rubbed my stomach. 

  “ Oh, babe, you’re gonna’ eat it today. “ he cooed. 

  I grew a second stomach after taking one bite out of the shrimp and grits. It was too good! After we had finished, his next task was to convince me to wear the blindfold. After five minutes of protesting and listing the reasons why I wouldn’t do it, I gave in. As he guided me up from the table, he walked me towards the door and onto the sand of the beach. The wind howled in my ears as I clung to his arm tightly. He finally removed the blindfold revealing the white boat at the small, wooden dock. The sun was setting by now so the sky was full of pink, orange, and blue hues. It was such a beautiful sight! 

  “ The dolphins will be leaving soon, so we have to hurry. “ he helped me onto the boat as I took a seat on the leather cushions. He sped off from the dock and into the deep water. The sound of the wind and the seagulls guiding the way allowed me to relax completely. I looked over to him as he stood alert and ambitious. If only this man knew what I was capable of doing for him. 

  He began to slow the boat down as we approached the destination. I felt like a child once I saw the first set of dolphins leap out of the water. I rushed toward the stern of the boat to get a better view. I could hear his flip flops as he closed in behind me. He gently wrapped his arms around my waist, pulled me into his chest, and relaxed his chin on my head. 

  “ If you look over there, “ he pointed to the left. “ you can see plenty of them. “ 

  Another three dolphins leaped into the air, splashing as they dove once again. Could this moment get any more perfect? 

  “ You do this often? “ 

  “ Very. “ he confirmed. “ When I’m feeling stressed and need to ease my mind, this is what I do. “ 

  “ You’re amazing, you know that? “ I turned around in his arms, looking up into his eyes. I could feel the tension growing with every second that we hesitated.  

  Then it happened.  

  He serenaded me with his tongue as he pulled me in closer to him.  

  But I needed him closer.  

  I needed more, while yet having everything.  

  He pulled away from me as we both blushed like teenagers. 

  “ Wow. “ he sighed. “ I uh....... “ he shook his head, not being able to find his words. I held on to my burning cheeks, trying to stop smiling. “ s**t. “ 

  I exhaled sharply. “ Should we go? “ 

  “ Yeah, yeah. Let’s head back before we get into some trouble. “ 

  The ride back was much shorter than the ride out, as I expected. Neither of us wanted to leave, but it was something we had to do. We both knew that we needed more time, but I was on the edge of giving in. I was feeling it. I was feeling it, badly! Suddenly, the boat jolted as he softly crashed against the sand bar. He stepped off of the boat first, reaching out his hand to help me down. 

  “ Thank you for today. I feel like royalty, Andrew. I’m speechless and nervous. “ 

  “ I thank you for trusting me. “ he hugged me tightly, kissing me on my forehead before releasing me. 

  “ The pleasure is all mine. “ I turned to walk away. I tried my best to be as sexy as I could, but the sand would not allow me to be great. I could hear his laughter behind me and I turned around to smile at him. I waved one last time before getting into my truck and speeding back home. 

  I couldn’t wait to give my mother every detail about today and I knew that she was ready. She and my father were sitting on the couch watching a movie. Once she looked up and saw me, she stood up and nodded her head towards the kitchen. I greeted my father as I walked further into the house, then followed my mother. I tossed the keys onto the counter and held my head. 

  “ Ma’, I think I done fell in love. “ 

  “ Give me details, dammit. “ she yelled in a whisper. 

  “ Did you know that he owned a restaurant? “ she nodded. “ And you never said anything? “ 

  “ That’s the most irrelevant detail I can think of, Elijah, spill it. “ she pointed at me. 

  “ He shut the place down, and it was just him and I. He cooked for me; a nice brunch. More than nice, it was heaven, okay? That’s not even the good part. He took me out on his boat to watch the damn dolphins. “ 

  “ Oh. “ she clutched her chest. 

  “ All I can say is that the chemistry is just there. Everything is there! “ I reminisced. “ I don’t want to get hurt. I just don’t. “ 

  “ Listen, baby, you can’t be afraid to open your heart. I understand that it’s not ideal to get hurt, but would you rather live knowing that you tried and gave it the best that you could, or that you ran away from something that could have been real? Despite what your crazy mind is telling you. “ 

  “ I’m not crazy, woman. “ 

  “ Crazy for that man, you are. See, I went through this with your father, I know how you feel. “ she folded her arms. “ My mother told me I was crazy to fall in love with that man and submit to him. That I was crazy for giving him three lovely children to raise, and teach, and inspire. But I owe everything to that man. He has worked his ass off supporting me and my dreams, and that’s why I give everything for him. Whatever he says, that what I’m doing, even if I don’t agree. He’s never lead us down the wrong road, and he won’t start now. “ 

  “ That’s beautiful, ‘Ma. “ I cooed. “ And it sounds like grandma doesn’t like us. “ 

  “ Baby, there are so many things that ya’ll don’t know, and it will stay that way. “ she scoffed. “ Follow your heart. Just listen. “ 

  She kissed my forehead before returning back to my father. I stood in the kitchen gathering my thoughts before I headed upstairs. As I opened my room door, I sucked my teeth at the sight of Erica and Keenan stretched across my bed eating popcorn and watching Princess and The Frog. 

  “ Just childish. As big as this house is, why are ya’ll always under me? “ I placed my keys down on the nightstand. 

  “ We didn’t feel like asking for the Netflix password. This was easier. “ Keenan stuffed his mouth with popcorn. 

  “ You were gone for quite some time, dear. “ Erica asked. “ Where were you? “ 

  “ At my house getting clothes. “ I lied. 

  “ Yet you return with no clothes. “ Keenan noted. 

   “ Did I ask you? “ I glared at him. 

  “ Why the hostility? “ Erica sat up in the bed, biting down harshly on the popcorn. 

  “ I’m not taking this. Either shut up or get out. “ 

  They both returned their attention back to the TV as I walked through the closet and into the bathroom to take a shower. The hot water dilated my pores as the steam began to fog the glass. I lathered myself in Dr. Castille’s Peppermint Soap as I asked myself one question: 

  What am I about to get myself into?