New Dawning International Bookfair
Presents
~ Blind Date ~
An Interracial Erotic Romance
by
Dee Dawning
Copyright © 2010 Dee Dawning
Smashwords Edition
Dedication
Blind Date is dedicated to the concept that Love knows no boundaries.
That said, I hope my readers, old and new, have as much fun reading Blind Date as I did writing it.
Chapter One
Dang! With her hands full of grocery bags, Rhianna's latest hit blasted from her cell phone at a most inopportune time. She hurried up the last few stairs, unlocked the door and rushed into the kitchen. Setting the bags on the counter, she reached into her handbag for the phone just as it stopped ringing. Double dang! Checking the missed calls, the call had come from her best friend and business partner, Ty, short for Tya.
Ringing her back, Ty answered immediately, "Keli. What a surprise, I just called you."
Forgetting for a split second that her number was programmed into Ty's phone, she wondered how she knew it was her.
"I know, I just missed you, so I'm calling you back."
"Thanks, we haven't talked for a while and I just wanted to chat. So how've you been?"
"Ty, we see each other every day at the store. What did you call about?"
"Saw right through me, huh?"
Keli rolled her eyes. "You're an open book."
"Hmm. Well, Kel, a situation has developed and I need your help."
When Keli didn't bite, she went on. "The company my cousin works for is transferring him to Chicago."
Keli pictured Tya's cousin, whom she had the dubious pleasure of meeting a couple years ago. "That's nice."
He was attractive enough, but had average abilities and a bland personality.
"It is. I haven't seen him for ages, but we're extremely close so that's why I said I'd get him a date with you."
Keli's voice elevated two octaves. "Me? A date with me? You told him I'd go out with him?"
"I'm afraid so. Please don't hate me. I told him it was all set."
Keli felt her jaw muscles tighten. She couldn't believe her ears, but she put her best foot forward. "I could never hate you, Ty, but why me?"
"It's my fault. I kept bragging about you, how fabulous looking you are and what a darling shape you have and…two weeks ago he asked for a photo, so I emailed him some pictures."
This wasn't making sense. "But why would he need pictures, he met me two years ago?"
"Oh, you're thinking of Cousin Antoine. This is another cousin, great looking and smart as a whip."
"And he wants to go out with me?"
"Yes, He kept pestering me to get a date with you and I kept putting it off. Four days ago, I…ah, told him the date was a done deal and you were looking forward to it."
All of a sudden, feeling faint, she pulled a chair out from the table, sat and paraphrased what Ty had said, very slowly, "Let me get this straight, you told him I…really…looked…forward…to…our…date?"
"Unfortunately, and he made reservations at a fancy restaurant and bought tickets for an expensive play. He wants to make an impression. I wanted to call and tell you, but I knew what I did was wrong and by then I became scarred shitless to tell you. Until now…now I'm out of time."
Keli's heart jumped into her throat. At least it felt like it did. "Hold on! Wait a minute, what does 'out of time' mean—?"
"Your dinner reservation is for six-thirty."
Panic struck. "Six-thirty!" She glanced at her watch—a quarter to five. "Tonight, a Wednesday! This isn't even the weekend!" she screamed, "Girl, how could you do this to me? Maybe I can hate you after all."
Ty began to blubber. "I'm sorry, sob, this was the only night available for the play. I know I shouldn't have done it, sob, but it was one of those things. I can't, sob, explain it."
"If dinner is at six thirty, what time will he be here?"
"I don't know, but it's downtown so I suppose forty-five minutes to an hour ahead of time."
Absolute terror replaced her panic. A strange man would be here in less than an hour to take her out. Calm down and think. "Ty, I don't hate you, but I am really…really pissed at you. I don't have much time, since I have to get ready, so give me the condensed version. Tell me everything about your cousin you can think of in two minutes, starting with his name."
"His name is Phillip Gordon, but he goes by Gordy. He's two years older than us, stands a couple inches over six feet, and like you, he has a glorious bod and…let's just say you couldn't possibly be disappointed. He attended UCLA on a football scholarship, earned a Bachelor of Science degree, and is supposed to be some kind of wizard who works his wizardry in the research and development department of some avant garde, hi techie company."
When Ty paused to catch her breath, Keli said, "Sounds impressive. I need to get ready now. Just tell me, one thing. Is he nice?"
"Oh yes. Gordy is the warmest, sweetest person. I adore him."
"Okay, good. I gotta go."
"Keli?"
"What?"
"There's one more thing I should tell you."
"I'm listening. Hurry please."
"Gordy is light skinned."
"That's all right. I have to go. Goodbye.
* * * *
After a two minute shower and a half hour make-up session, she donned a strapless gold lame evening gown and matching Manolo three inch heels. Gazing in the mirror adjusting a couple wayward locks of her straightened hair, she scrutinized her appearance. Tya was right, she could look fabulous when she felt like it and right now she looked good—damned good.
Calm down girl, remember what Daddy said, "Your looks are not an accomplishment. You didn't earn them. Nature or a higher power gave them to you, so get your head out of the clouds." Maybe, but I can sure appreciate and enjoy them. She smiled and hitched her head.
The door bell interrupted her reverie. Her stomach lurched. It's him—don't panic. Ty said he's very nice.
Calmly, she strutted to the front door and peeked through the peep hole. There stood Phillip—or Gordy, if she could get used to it—but something was wrong and it wasn't the tux he wore. Hurriedly, she undid the safety locks and swung the door open. Phillip—Gordy stared at her wide eyed. His gaze dropped to her open toed, high heeled sandals with languor, then rose back to her eyes. She watched opened mouth while the corners of his thin lips curled into an effusive white smile. "Hi…you look fabulous. I'm Phil, but friends call me Gordy."
She stepped out of the way. "Come in, won't you," she planned on saying Gordy, but she couldn't do it, "Phillip?"
Bowing his head, he stepped in and gave her light kiss on the cheek. He held out a plastic container. "I have a corsage for you. Would you like me to pin it on or would you prefer to?"
He held a lavender and white orchid. She shut and locked the door and took the corsage. "I'll do it."
She couldn't help but notice how damned handsome he looked. There was nothing…absolutely nothing to be disappointed about, except one thing…and she wasn't even sure about that.
He nodded and formed a lopsided grin. "Just as well, my hands are probably shaking too much. I wouldn't want to stick you on our first date." Realizing the double entendre of what he'd said his skin tone reddened. "I mean with the pin…"
Well at least he's nervous, too! She laughed. "I knew what you meant. Have a seat. I have a couple things to do and I'll be right back. Can I get you something?"
His head shook. "No, I'm fine."
She waltzed into her bedroom, over to the nightstand and grasped her phone. She scrolled down to Tya Jackson, cocked her hip and pushed call. In seconds, Ty's cheerful voice penetrated her left ear.
"Hi, Kel."
"Hi, Ty. Your cousin is here."
Keli heard an eek, then, "What do you think?"
"He's extremely handsome. Even more than I pictured from what you told me."
"I told you so, babe, I wouldn't steer you wrong."
"No, you told the truth. You also didn't lie when you said he was light skinned either, but silly me, I thought you meant light skinned brother, not a blond haired blue eyed Cau…Cau…Caucasian."
"Well I—"
Keli's voice rose, "Hold on, let me finish! Explain to me how you—a black African American woman—can have a cousin who's almost white as snow?"
"Actually, he's my step cousin. We're related by marriage. After Uncle Chester died, Aunt Yvette married Gordy's father, Ken, whose white, though not as white as Gordy. His mother must be Swedish or something. Is there a problem?"
Keli took a deep breath. "Of course there is. He's white. In fact he's white on white. I've never been out with a white man. I've never even thought about it.,Ty. He scares me."
She giggled. "I'm sorry. It's not funny. You're frightened of Gordy?"
Keli's face scrunched as she grit her teeth. "Yes, no. Please don't call him Gordy. Of course I'm not afraid of him. It's just that he's so damn good looking. I'm afraid of liking him."
"What's wrong with liking him?"
"Romantically." She dug her fingers into her hair. "Jesus, I keep saying the wrong, damned thing. Besides, I probably wouldn't know what to say to him. He and I come from different worlds. Other than at the store, I rarely have more than a cursory exchange with a white person."
"What do you mean?"
"You know, small talk, chit chat. Hi, how are you? Gonna be a hot one today."
"Well then, this is your opportunity. When I was young, I had dozens of meaningful conversations with Gordy."
Keli began pacing. "That's great. I'm glad you have such great rapport with him, but I wouldn't know where to start."
"Just think of something you have in common and talk about it."
"Like what. What does a black woman and a white man, strangers no less, have in common?"
"Hmmm. Let me think about that a second. I know. Sex!"
Keli fought off the urge to scream. "Are you out of your effing mind? How could I talk about sex to a perfect stranger on a first date? What could I possibly say?"
"How much you like sex?"
Instantly, she replied, "You are out of your mind! He'd think I was a tramp. Hell, I'd think I was a tramp." She thought about what Ty'd said. "How would you know if I like sex? I never talk about it?"
"Well, do you?"
"Yes, but—"
"I thought so. Little things, movements, things said and left unsaid. I just picked it up."
"I might like sex, but I'm certainly not going to discuss it with Phillip. You are no help. I'll just go out with him and see what happens."
"Now, you're talking. Have fun."
Chapter Two
Keli pranced into the living room. "Hi, I'm back and ready to go."
He stood when she entered the room. His gaze reflected his admiration. "You look smashing."
She smiled and looked him up and down. "Why thank you, Phillip. So do you. What's on the itinerary?"
"You don't have to be so formal. You can call me Gordy."
"Gordy, huh? Do you have any other nicknames?"
"Sure, Gordo or even Gor."
Keli pursed her lips. Gor, as in blood and guts? My God, it only gets worse.
"And a few use my middle name."
I wonder why? "Oh really, what's that?"
"Trevor or Trev."
Her eyebrows arched. "Trev? I like that. Where are we going Trev?"
Dinner reservations at Tratorria for six-thirty and then we're off to the Cadillac Theater to see Dream Girls."
Keli's large eyes got even bigger. "Ooh, Dream Girls, I've been dying to see that. I can't wait. Let's go."
Trev offered his forearm and off they went.
Imagine her surprise when they walked out to the street and a white stretch limousine waited for them. "Is this yours?" She asked, naively.
He laughed. "For the night, it is."
The driver came around and opened the door so they could slide in.
On the long drive downtown, Trev edged closer. "So, where do you know Tya from?"
The faint, pleasant, citrus bouquet of his cologne, teased her nostrils and mind. "Originally, we worked together in a women's fashion store. When the owner developed health issues and offered to sell to us at favorable terms, we bought it. Ty tells me you're being transferred here. What do you do?"
Trev took the opportunity of her question to shift around and lay an arm around her shoulder. His warm, soft hand on her bare shoulder felt nice. "I work for a company called Applied Technologies, in the research department."
She snickered. "Ty tells me you're cousins. How did that come about?"
"We're not blood kin, didn't she tell you?"
"She did." Keli laughed. "But I think I could have figured that out on my own. You're her cousin by her aunt's marriage to your father. So how did that happen?"
"Why do you want to know about them?" Before she could answer, he nuzzled his nose behind her ear, into her hair. "Ummm, I love your perfume, what is it?"
With her heart rate speeding up, she had a sudden urge to kiss him. "Stop that. You're giving me chills. I want to know because, in case you haven't noticed we're in a similar dynamic."
A devilish smile formed on his beautiful face. "Oh really. Are we getting married?"
"That's not what I mean and you kno—"
Without warning, to her utter surprise, his lips crushed hers. It excited her and she started to return his kiss. Then abruptly, she became angry and shoved him away. "What are you doing?"
He looked contrite. "I'm sorry, I find your lips irresistible. I wanted to see if they taste as sweet as they look."
"In case you haven't noticed, this is our first date and the way things are going it may be our last."
A single brow rose. "Then why did you start to return my kiss?"
She fidgeted. "I did not."
He frowned and his nostrils flared. "You did so. You're as attracted to me as I am to you. Aren't you?"
She couldn't deny it. "Yes, I find you attractive, but that's no reason to start kissing on our way to our first date. If you don't start behaving yourself, I'm gonna show you my rear end…as I get out of your fancy limo and stroll to the curb and catch a cab home."
He pulled his arm from around her shoulders, which she didn't like and raised both hands in mock surrender. "All right. I apologize. What would you like to talk about?"
He had her there. Luckily, they pulled up to Tratorria's and she had time to collect her thoughts, including why his kiss had such an effect on her.
The restaurant was so busy, Trev had to stand in line to let the host know they were there.
After slipping the maitre d' a twenty, he led them to a booth in the romantic, Tuscan Room of the restaurant.
Keli slid into the booth and watched as her handsome date slid in close enough that she could once again smell his sexy cologne. She liked him close. It reminded her of their hot 'almost' kiss, but it did make it difficult to study his eye-pleasing appearance.
He laid his very light colored hand atop her medium brown fingers. "I was so worried you would change your mind and not go out with me."
Keli's eyes narrowed. "Why?"
"A couple reasons. One, you never met me and two, I know what a big step it is for a black woman to go out with a white man."
Don't remind me. Her eyes made a quick examination of their surroundings and except for another black lady who smiled and nodded her approval, no one seemed to notice or if they did, they didn't care.
Pleased at their lack of attention, she turned back to Trev. "How is it you know that?"
"Yvette, my mother-in-law. She probably loved my father, but she practically got hives at the idea of actually, dating him."
Knowing just how Yvette felt, Keli laughed. Trev's father is married to a black woman and Trev seems genuinely interested in me. I guess it's only fair that I judge him on his merits and not the color of his birth.
A back-waiter brought water and bread.
Then Trev ordered a bottle of Beaujolais from the wine steward.
She sipped on her water. "You never said. Where are you being transferred from?"
Before he could answer the waiter arrived. Keli scanned the menu and ordered the specialty of the house—lobster ravioli. After Trev ordered Osso Buco and the waiter left, he answered, "I'm moving from Denver." He snickered. "And I must say it's a challenge getting used to not having mountains."
With her elbows resting on the table, she placed one hand over the other and rested her chin on her joined hands. "I'll bet. Tell me more. What do you do?"
He picked a piece of bread from the basket. "It's pretty hush hush, corporate espionage and all. All I can tell you is I'm a research analyst, working on an important project."
They paused when wine steward arrived and after Trev approved, he poured their wine
"Mmm, the wine is delicious," Keli set her glass down and angled toward her handsome date. "Corporate espionage? You mean like spying on each other and stealing secrets?"
He nodded. "I'm afraid so."
That seemed incredulous to her. "Oh, c'mon, there's truly cloak and dagger stuff going on between corporations?"
He kept nodding and buttered a slice of bread. "Most of it is between research institutions, but unfortunately, a fair amount goes on everywhere. Take the business you're in, for instance. You don't think Donna Karen has spies out to see what Versace and Vera Wang are coming out with next fall—to gain any edge they can?"
Keli's eyes widened. "No, I never thought about it." She laughed. "Our customers can't afford those lines anyway."
Trev flashed a somewhat condescending, but charming smile. "Well it doubtless happens in the lesser lines, too. Then there are counterfeiters to worry about."
"Yes, I know about the counter-fitters. Billions a year in fraudulent goods sold."
"That's right. Anyway, it's not my problem. I do my job and mind my own business."
"That's fascinating about the espionage. I'll have to ask some of my suppliers."
When the salads arrived, followed closely by the entrees, their conversation slowed to the occasional, 'could you pass the salt' or 'this is delicious.'
While enjoying coffee and a slice of fabulous chocolate mousse cake, Keli ventured another question, "Where's your office located?"
His face brightened. "That's what I meant to ask you. I haven't been there yet. It's located in Evanston. Is that very far from the area you live in?"
"Park Ridge. Not far. Maybe twelve miles. Why?"
"Good. I like it around there. I need to find a place to live. You have the airport and natural areas."
She tittered. "They're called forest preserves. Yes, they are nice. I run in them sometimes. So you're not living here yet?"
"Starting this morning, I am. I'm staying at one of the airport hotels." With a mischievous smile, he added. "You wouldn't want to see my hotel room after the play."
She wagged a naughty finger and laughed. I wonder what sex with this gorgeous man would be like? She visualized them together in sexual harmony. Then she shook her head. What the hell am I thinking? I've known him a little over an hour and…and…he's white!
Nevertheless, despite her initial reticence, she seemed to be fascinated by this charming, intelligent, handsome man. A blind date no less. It wasn't hard to see why Ty felt so positive about him. Her mind slipped back an hour to the limousine and she wished she'd let him to finish the kiss he started. She tittered, "Would I like to see your hotel room? Mighty tempting Trev, but I'm not a first date girl."
His mischievous smile turned into a grin. He cocked his head and asked, "Oh no? How about second date?"
Will there be a second date with Trev? I hope so! "Not likely."
"Yes, well, we better run. Dream Girls starts in twenty minutes."
That night turned out to be a magnificent evening. As she'd heard, Dream Girls was extraordinary and so was Trev. Sitting next to him, holding hands while enjoying the play, put her in a frame of acquiescence she hadn't thought possible.
After the play, they visited a nearby jazz night club for drinks and slow, sensual dances. Oh, those slow erotic dances. Standing in place swaying to the music, her breasts rubbed against his broad chest, while his rigidness pushed into her soft lower abdomen. She'd been so wound up, it was a good thing he hadn't repeated his offer to see his hotel room. It would have taken every ounce of will power to resist a second offer.
At one o'clock, he took her home. Standing at the entry to her apartment, they finished the sensational kiss they'd started at the beginning of their date. After fifteen minutes of sensual kisses, caresses and fondling, Trevor headed back to the waiting chauffer.
He never asked if he could come in and she resisted the urge to invite him in. Just before he left, he asked, "What's next?"
Keli reached in her purse and handed him a card. "My cell phone number is on there. Call me—soon."
He cast one last imploring look, and when she didn't invite him in, he nodded, said, "Count on it," and jogged to limousine.
* * * *
He turned, ran back to the limo and jumped in. He watched her, while she watched him drive away. God, I want her. For the first time in his life Trevor felt he could get serious about someone.
Considering the reaction he had to the photos Ty sent him, it wasn't surprising. He couldn't take his eyes off her. Five feet, seven inches of slender, stunning brown sugar with the perfect amount of curvature in all the right places made him lick his lips. He'd ended up printing eight by ten copies of the seven pictures Ty'd sent and kept them handy.
Her beautiful, heart shaped face featured luscious, kissable lips, a regal looking nose, coming to a rounded point and oversized, warm brown eyes. Tonight, she wore her dark brown hair down—long and straight, but in the photos when it wasn't up, she had it long and braided or wavy. One shot even showed her wearing it natural. It didn't matter, she gave off the aura of a princess in all of them.
But images are two dimensional and can fool you. Due to having a black step-mother, he knew most black women had mettle. After all, half the black athletes he played ball with had been raised by single mothers or grandmothers. They were the glue that held the African American community together.
He suspected Keli was like that, but he wanted to know for sure. If that inner strength of a strong, determined black woman dwelled behind those lovely, cognac colored eyes. And she passed the test with flying colors. What a sweet personality and did she have character. He bit his tongue to keep from smiling when after he kissed her on the way to the restaurant, she threatened to show him her rear, as she exited the limousine.
The fact was, few women resisted sleeping with him when he pushed the issue. It wouldn't have mattered if she had, but she said she wouldn't and she didn't.
* * * *
Keli stepped in, pushed the door shut and fastened the multiple locks. Park Ridge wasn't bad compared to some of the cities around there, but an attractive girl by herself is a tempting target.
Phew! That was some kiss. Half of her, the risqué half, wanted to continue right over there on the couch and who knows where else. A glance at the wall clock told her the time was one-forty-five.
She glided into her bedroom, where she removed and hung up her wrap and dress. Slipping off her heels, she took her earrings off before heading into the bathroom to brush her teeth and remove her makeup.
Just as she spread toothpaste on her brush, her phone rang. "Gosh! Who's calling now?" she mumbled. I'll bet it's Ty looking for a recount of her wonderful date. Wearing nothing but panties and bra, she ran to the nightstand on which her purse rested and retrieved the ringing phone.
"Hello?"
His smooth masculine voice made her smile. "I know you didn't mean for me to call this soon, but it's something of an emergency. I need to find a place to live and since I like the area in which you live, I hoped you'd help me find a place."
Her full lips curved upward and formed a smile. She would love to do anything short of peeling potatoes with Trev. She'd been about to respond when she saw him. A man stood at his window across the courtyard glaring at her. "Just a minute, Trev."
She went to the French doors, flashed a very unladylike symbol with the fingers of her hand and pulled the drapes closed. "I'm back. How soon do you need to do this?"
"Is tomorrow, too soon?"
"I don't know, I open the store at ten and Ty doesn't come in until two. I may be able to slip away then. Will that work?"
"It'll have to. How about if I pick you up at the store and take you to a late lunch?"
"Sounds fun. I'll see you at two tomorrow."
"Wait. Where's your store?"
"Silly me. It's called 'Harmony in Fashions' and it's located in the Village Green Shopping Center on the 678 N. Northwest Highway."
"All right baby, I'll see you at two."
After Trev hung up, she peeked through a crack in the drapes and her voyeur had left. That'd been the second time she'd caught him watching and who knew how long he'd been watching before that. It gave her a creepy feeling knowing someone had stared at her. Pervert. She wouldn't be surprised if he went back to watching his porn collection or some other seedy enterprise.
Ever since LaShona moved into her boyfriend's house last month, Keli felt vulnerable, and face it, poor. She couldn't afford the rent on this expensive two bedroom apartment by herself. A new roommate was a necessity.
Her phone rang again. "What did you forget?"
"Who're you talking to?"
"Sorry, Ty, I thought you were Trev."
"Trev? I send you on a date with my cousin and all of a sudden you're talking about Trev. What's a matter? Didn't you hit it off with Gordy?"
"Oh, Ty, I not only hit it off with him, I came within inches of sleeping with him."