Sweet Like Chocolate Read online

“Not gonna lie, shopping isn’t my favourite thing in the world, but I like the idea of spending time with you.”

  “I wanted to see you because I’ll be flying off to the States next week for my new job.”

  “Wow. Where abouts exactly?”

  “California I would imagine. My boss spends most of his time there.”

  “Some Californian sunshine would be good right about now.”

  “Come with me,” I blurted out before I had a chance to stop myself. “You could show me around.”

  “I got commitments here, Eliza and can’t just jet off like that. I’ll be here when you get back though.”

  I felt miserable because I didn’t know when I would be back and would have no chance of building any momentum with Sam. Knowing my luck, somebody would snap him up during my absence. “Hope so.”

  “We can stay in touch. They do have cell phones in the States, you know?”

  I smiled at him.

  He was so utterly charming and could be the man I’d been searching for.

  It had only been days since I split with Richie, my ex, but a lot had happened in a short space of time.

  Fun had been the name of the game, but the joke was on me. As it turned out, I didn’t want to be spending the rest of my life having random sex with different guys every night of the week. I craved what I’d always craved–Mr Right.

  Richie wasn’t that guy. There was no wow factor to him. Nice enough but he didn’t set my panties aflame. Sam did, and we hadn’t even been intimate, and now, I wasn’t sure if we ever would.

  He was a lot younger than me, but was an old-fashioned southern gentleman, the kind you see in one of those terrible made for TV Danielle Steele movies.

  We could have fucked for hours, but it wasn’t his style.

  He wanted to get to know me and now I was preparing to jet off across the Atlantic.

  Life isn’t fair but I’d enjoy spending time with him while I still could.

  Chapter Five

  Finding that killer dress was easier than I thought.

  It was a classic LBD, but with the right shoes, I’d knock them dead at the party.

  I slipped into it and admired myself in the full-length mirror. Using the old coat hanger trick, I’d pulled the zip up by attaching the hook of the hanger into the zip hole.

  Sam was sitting in a chair waiting for me.

  “Pop your head in and let me know what you think of this dress,” I called out, knowing he was the only guy waiting.

  I was sure I heard him groan. “On my way.”

  He tapped on the door. “Open up.”

  I unlocked the changing room door and let him in.

  “Wow,” he said, in his deep American drawl. “You look outta this world, Eliza.”

  “You think?” I did a little twirl. “Not too plain?”

  “Classy, just like you.”

  If only he knew how decidedly un-classy I’d behaved these past few days.

  “Then, I have my dress.”

  “That was less painful than I was expecting.”

  “Do you want to help me out of it?” I shot him a sneaky grin.

  “Do you have anything on underneath?”

  “Bra and panties–I’m sure you can handle that, Sam.”

  “Oh, I can handle it, little lady, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to control myself.”

  That big wall he constructed around himself started to crack.

  “I like the sound of that.”

  My eyes zoomed toward his crotch area, wanting to know if he was excited. The growing bulge in his tight jeans gave me the answer I was looking for, then I turned around.

  He pulled the zip slightly, and then, unexpectedly, he kissed the back of my neck.

  Nothing else would have felt better at that moment in time.

  He wrapped his big muscly arms around my waist and pulled me in tight, tenderly kissing about my neck. My legs almost turned to jelly. It was a good job he was holding me up because I might have dropped, such were the sensations I was experiencing right then.

  “Sam,” I whispered. “You’re gonna make me…” Oh, my God. It was true when people said the most sensitive sexual organ was the brain because right now, the simplest act of feeling Sam’s lips brush against my neck was enough to open the floodgates. He didn’t say one word, but then again, he didn’t have to. My own mind conjured everything I needed. “…cum.” And I did, right then and there, wearing my new dress. Wave after wave of orgasmic pleasure washed over me until my legs could take no more. I leaned back, allowing Sam to take my body weight. He continued to kiss the back of my neck, while seemingly ignoring his own arousal. “Oh, God…don’t stop,” I gasped, dangerously close to achieving another orgasm without even touching myself.

  But he did stop, just like that and without a single word.

  He helped me right myself, then stepped back. “I’ll wait outside for you.”

  My face was flushed, I could see it in the mirror.

  I was a little perturbed by his swift exit and wondered why he’d changed toward me so quickly.

  Feeling slightly embarrassed, I changed quickly, paid for the new dress with my company card and rushed outside to meet Sam.

  He was leaning against the wall, a moody expression on his face.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, sure,” he replied.

  “Then what was all that about?”

  “All what?”

  “You know what! Getting me in the mood and then…”

  “Doesn’t matter,” he mumbled.

  “It does to me, Sam.”

  “It’s not important.”

  “Yes, it is. Tell me.”

  “Okay.” He walked toward me. “If you really want to know, I kinda like you, and I’ve only known you a few days, but something tells me I’m just a pawn in whatever game it is you’ve been playing.”

  “I’m not playing games, Sam.”

  “Okay, then if I have that wrong, I apologise, but you’re putting it about, and I don’t think I’m wrong about that.”

  “How dare you?” I was ready to raise hell with him.

  “Look, I don’t wanna fight with you, but some honesty wouldn’t go amiss right about now.”

  “What exactly am I supposed to be honest about?”

  “The building site the other night for a start. What were you doing there, cos you sure as hell weren’t dressed for site work, that’s for sure?”

  “You know what, fuck you.”

  “I’m not judging you, Eliza. I just want to know what this… thing is between us.”

  “There is no thing,” I yelled, drawing looks from other shoppers heading to their cars. “Not anymore.”

  I stormed off, ready to burst into tears.

  “For God’s sake, Eliza.” Sam came after me. “Come back.” I didn’t turn around and picked up speed, heading for the taxi rank. I didn’t want to cry in public and certainly not in front of him. “Eliza,” he yelled. “Let’s talk about this.”

  “Piss off, Sam.” I jumped into a waiting taxi. “Go, quickly,” I ordered.

  Chapter Six

  Sam wasn’t giving up easily and had bombarded me with umpteen calls and texts, but I wasn’t in the mood to talk to him.

  Aaron had also been trying to call.

  Feeling guilty, I diverted every one of his calls because I didn’t know what I was going to say to him. Did I tell him his mother had warned me off? Or did I say nothing? I wonder if he would even care–that he had been spotted leaping over my wall, half dressed?

  I would be honest with him, but not tonight. It wasn’t the right time to talk, and I knew myself too well. One touch and we’d end up in bed, back to where we started, which would achieve nothing in the end.

  I was angry and wanted to explode, scream, punch the wall, kick somebody, something, do anything, but stare at these four walls.

  Then it came to me.

  I’d go to the gym and work through my feelings. Hit the tr
eadmill, deliver a few well-placed kicks to a Punchbag. Whatever it took to rid myself of the anger directed inward at myself, not at Sam. He’d hit a raw nerve and I didn’t like it.

  My own conscience was waging war with itself.

  I was Eliza Bailey, doing what I wanted to do, but at what cost? Deep down, it really wasn’t me and the sooner I came to terms with the person I was, the better.

  These sexual adventures had been fun, for the most part, but all good things come to an end.

  I rummaged through my drawers and found my gym gear, raced downstairs, shoved it in a bag, slipped into my trainers and was out the door.

  It was already nine pm and the gym closed in ninety minutes. Time enough to get what I needed.

  Ten minutes later, my hair was tied back. I was ready to go, wearing my skin-tight Lycra workout gear.

  I placed my clothes in the locker and braced myself for a high intensity workout.

  Expecting a packed gym, I was surprised to open the door to emptiness. There was nobody there except one of the personal trainers standing behind the counter looking bored.

  “Hi,” I said. “It’s dead in here.”

  “Been quiet all evening,” he replied.

  I’d never seen him before.

  “Are you new?”

  “Yes. I started last week. My name is Leon.”

  Ooh, a French accent. Sexy!

  “Nice to meet you, Leon. I’m Eliza.”

  “Likewise.” He walked over to me and we shook hands. “Can I help you with anything?”

  Leon was gorgeous and didn’t appear to be any older than his mid-twenties. Black, tall, muscular, with a fantastic smile. I’d never slept with a black guy before and wondered if the rumours were true. He was wearing shorts, which was an invitation to stare at his dark muscular thighs. Hot, I thought, but don’t go there.

  “No, but thank you anyway. I’m just here to burn off some energy. It’s been a few weeks since I was last here.”

  “You look good for it,” he replied, his eyes twinkling.

  Oh, God, don’t flirt with me, Leon.

  “If I’d known they’d hired somebody as handsome as you, I’d have been here a lot sooner.” I stepped onto the treadmill, cringing at my blatant and tacky attempt to flirt with him.

  “Here, let me help you.”

  I noticed his pecs do a little dance under his tightly fitted T-Shirt.

  “Not too fast,” I protested, as the machine beeped, coming to life. “My balance isn’t the best on these things.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m here to catch you.”

  I increased the speed and picked up my own pace. Before long, I was running, willing myself not to sweat.

  Leon watched me.

  I could see his eyes focused firmly on my arse.

  “See anything you like?” I asked.

  “Plenty,” he replied, his tantalising accent doing it for me.

  I caught a quick glimpse of him adjusting what looked like a meaty package and without thinking, lost my step and my balance with it.

  With a squeal I fell backwards, preparing myself for a crash landing. But, my knight in shining armour came to the rescue and caught me before I hit the floor.

  “I got you.” He caught me, but appeared to lose his own footing, falling back, sending us both crashing to the floor.

  Before I knew, I was flat on my back. “Ouch,” I cried.

  “Shit.” He was on his feet in seconds. “Are you okay?” I felt winded, and this definitely wasn’t the exercise I planned on taking. “I’m gonna help you up,” he said.

  “Slowly,” I replied.

  He ignored me and swept me into his arms, then carried me into the office behind the counter and placed me on top of the desk.

  Chapter Seven

  “Are you hurt?”

  “Only my pride,” I said quietly, mortified to have gone arse over tit in front of him. I prayed the security systems were broken and my fall hadn’t been recorded. I didn’t want to end up on You’ve Been Framed.

  “Let me check you over, then I’ll take you home.”

  I looked at him. “That won’t be necessary. I only live a few minutes away and can walk.”

  “But...”

  “Nothing. I’m fine.” I intended to jump down and show Leon how agile I could be, but my body had other ideas. “Ow.”

  “Where does it hurt?”

  “I think I’ve bruised my bum is all. Nothing to worry about.”

  “Let me see.”

  “I beg your pardon.” There was no way I was flashing my bare arse in here.

  “Sorry.” I think he realised how inappropriate his offer was.

  “Don’t worry about it. Just help me to the changing rooms, then I can get myself home.”

  “Come on then but take it slowly.” He put a hand on my lower back and guided me toward the changing rooms. I felt his protective side come to the fore. His hands were big and once again I wondered if what they said about black men was true?

  “I’m okay, really. Feeling better already.” I wasn’t lying but being this close to Leon wasn’t good. I was still smarting over being rejected by Sam, and when I was in this mood, I usually did the wrong thing.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, really. I’m just going to get changed and head home.”

  “Okay.” He held the changing room doors open for me. “I’m going to lock the main doors, then start filling in the accident book.”

  “There’s no need for that really.”

  “I’d lose my job if they checked the CCTV and I hadn’t, so I’ll need you to sign it once you’re changed.”

  “Okay.” I felt moodier than when I entered. Coming to the gym wasn’t my best idea. “I won’t be long.”

  “Take your time.”

  I walked into the changing rooms and took a seat. I felt so stupid falling off the treadmill because my eyes were focused where they shouldn’t have been. I just wanted to go home and decided against changing.

  I opened my locker, grabbed my stuff and made my way back to reception.

  I wasn’t prepared for what greeted me.

  Through the vertical blinds, I could clearly see Leon standing naked in the office. He pulled at his nipple with one hand and tugged ferociously on his big black cock with the other.

  What the hell?

  Surely, he knew I’d find him.

  But then, he probably didn’t expect me to forego the change of clothes, thinking he would have time to knock one out.

  Watching him seemed like a violation of his privacy, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away. His body was flawless, but his cock… I’d never seen anything as big before. Not only was it long, but massively thick too. I wondered how it would feel deep inside me.

  Watching him surprised me. I wasn’t even part of the act but was massively aroused. I don’t know what possessed me, but I pushed my hand down my Lycra trousers and played with myself. Close to climax, I took my eyes off Leon for a second, but when I looked back, he was staring right at me. I looked into his eyes and at that moment I wanted him as much as he wanted me.

  He beckoned me into the office, but I shook my head, happy to watch.

  Shivers coursed through my body. I couldn’t help but let out a moan.

  It was enough for Leon as I watched every muscle in his body tense before his cock erupted, thick cum shooting out of his cock.

  Tempted to rush in and deep throat his cock, I held myself in check, not wanting another notch on my bedpost, so to speak.

  I thought he’d be embarrassed about being caught in the act, but he didn’t appear to be and continued to stroke his cock, but suddenly, I thought of what Sam had said and needed to get out of there.

  “Bye, Leon, and thanks.” What else was I going to say? I waved, then rushed off without another word.

  “Eliza. Wait.” He opened the office door. “Please come back.”

  “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me,” I hollered, using my electron
ic gym pass to exit the building.

  It would be the last time I ever stepped foot in there again.

  Chapter Eight

  I felt fine by the time I got home.

  Relieved I hadn’t done myself an injury, I flopped down on the sofa, having decided a long overdue night in front of the TV was in order.

  I didn’t want company from anybody, nor did I want to be bothered by my phone.

  Intending to turn it off, I opened a new message thinking it could be from Antonio, or Sharon, my new EA.

  Sam had messaged, apologising for earlier on, but he really had nothing to be sorry for.

  Don’t worry.

  I’ll call you

  tomorrow and

  explain everything.

  Night x

  I turned my phone off before he could reply and snuggled onto the sofa.

  Tomorrow would be a busy day for me.

  I intended to call Antonio and discuss working in the States, at least for a while, then I’d be meeting some of my new team for the first time at the party and wanted to make a good impression.

  But Sam was still on my mind.

  There was something about him. Any other man would have taken me there and then, but he had remarkable self-control. He thought more of me as a person which meant a lot and spoke volumes about the kind of man he was.

  He would make an amazing husband for one lucky girl, but it wouldn’t be me.

  I felt sad because, in another place and time, he could have been the one, but new challenges were on the horizon for me, and I couldn’t wait.

  To be continued…

  Day Seven of

  The Eliza Bailey Diaries is coming soon.

  My family – I love you very much.

  Gloria Nuckols. Another day is over with. Here is to the next! Thank you.

  Team Zane–Carol, Susan & Pat–you really are the best at what you do–Thank you for everything.

  All of my friends and supporters in Zane’s Hangout / Zane’s Army & Zane Angels – Thank you for sticking by me and enjoying the ride. You’re all amazing!