The Chocolatier (Man Card Holiday Short Story) Read online

  “Graduating next week.”

  It was weird to think that sweet Rylee was almost out of college. When I left for culinary school she had one more year of high school. Every time her name popped up in my mind, I wanted to call and hear her voice. Then another task was added to my list to distract me from everyone and everything.

  “Wow, any plans to finally move away?”

  “Why are you so caught up on if I’ll be moving?” She actually rolled her eyes and crossed her legs.

  “Sorry, I guess I just figured everyone wants to get out of this town like me.”

  “Wrong. Some people actually like it here.”

  “I’m sorry.” The two simple words were not meant for what I had just said in this tiny little office. They were for how I left all those years ago. I knew the last night we were together was special and I ruined it by disappearing the next day.

  “Yeah,” she said and stood. “Actually this was a mistake. I’ll let you get your work done.”

  She was standing only inches from my legs. If I stood; we would be nose-to-nose. If I let myself feel her body next to mine I couldn’t be held responsible for what would happen next. I still cared about her after all these years. My biggest regret was leaving without one more goodbye.

  “Wait,” I said and stood, our bodies just a whisper apart. I had to feel her skin on mine. “Can I take you to dinner?”

  “Now?” She seemed surprised by my question.

  “Or tomorrow if that’s better.”

  She let out a small laugh and carefully stepped around me. “I need to go.”

  “Rylee,” I said and attempted to reach out my hand, but unsure how she would react I dropped it to my side.

  She turned to face me. “You never called,” she said so quietly it was hard to hear.

  I watched as her shoulders slumped. “Believe me. I wanted to.” I placed my hand on her bicep. “Every time I tried, something else would come up.”

  “It takes two minutes to say hi and ask how I was doing.” She shook her head. “I missed you.”

  “I thought…” My words were stuck in my throat. If I told her what I really thought. Would she run?

  “Thought what?”

  “I thought I was just a fling.” There I said it. “Your brother made it clear you were off limits.”

  “My brother didn’t own me. He still doesn’t.”

  “What does that mean?” I honestly wanted to know.

  “I haven’t stopped thinking about you.”

  That was all I needed to hear. I moved my hands down to her waist and pulled her close to my body. “Rylee.” I was hesitant to kiss her yet. “You’re the only one I’ve ever wanted.” Finally, I dropped my head and kissed her soft lips. Every memory from five years ago came crashing through my mind. I missed this feeling.

  She pulled away. “Weston. You can’t pretend everything’s okay, because it’s not.”

  “I–”

  “You left on a night when I needed you most.” Then she turned and disappeared out the door.

  Fuck. I fell back onto the seat and threw my hands over my face. That night she’d lost her virginity. Knowing I left without a word the next day still made me sick. I just didn’t know what to say and I didn’t want our final words to be goodbye.

  I had to make this right.

  Yet, I would be leaving again in three days time.

  “So I hear the big-time chef is home for a few days,” Justin, Rylee’s brother said on the other line.

  I looked at my phone. “Wow, this is a surprise.” We talked maybe every two months, sometimes more. “Rylee call you?”

  “She called in tears. Since I’m not there to kick your ass, I thought I would call.”

  Did he just say she was crying? “Wait, what happened?”

  “Wes, man, don’t play dumb.”

  I was in a hotel for three nights. Devon tried to save money by sharing a room, but I stopped that shit quickly. I sat down on the edge of the bed and had to regroup my thoughts. “I didn’t know she would be there tonight.”

  “I know.” He sighed. “You could’ve called her before tonight.”

  “Every time I planned to something would stop me. Then after a year I didn’t know how to call.”

  “You pick up the phone and dial.”

  “It’s not that easy.”

  “It could’ve been. She loved you.” We didn’t say anything for the longest moment. “She still does.”

  His words caught me off guard. Was it really possible? Did she still love me? “I never stopped loving her.”

  “Then why are we talking about this on the phone?” Justin chuckled. “Go see her. Now.”

  “You’re not going to call the cops the moment I step foot on her property?” Justin made it clear in high school he would kick my ass if I touched her. Ever.

  “No. I’ll call Ally and Julia, her roommates. They’ll magically disappear so you can talk to her privately.”

  I glanced over and noticed it was already ten o’clock. Instead of trying to think of every reason why I should stay put I grabbed my keys and headed for the door. “Okay, call them. Send me her address.” I hung up and fifteen seconds later I had a text with her information.

  Having Rylee back in my life was the missing piece that I needed to be happy.

  Hopefully she didn’t shut the door on my face.

  Five

  Rylee

  “Where are you going?” I watched Ally grab her keys and coat. “It’s ten o’clock.”

  “I need a snack.” She threw her phone in her back pocket.

  “I need one, too.” Julia ran down the hall after Ally.

  “Should I go with you? It looks like a family affair.” I was laying on the sofa in my pajamas that had the words Be Kind on the front of the shirt.

  “No,” they both said in unison. I’m sure they could tell by the scowl I was sporting their reaction caught me off guard.

  “I mean, no, you just rest.” Ally leaned over the couch and kissed my cheek.

  “Yeah, stay.” Julia squeezed my foot. “I’ll bring something back for you.”

  They were acting strange. The last month of school and exams did make a person loopy. I watched as they left. “They need to get laid,” I said under my breath and changed the channel on the TV.

  There was nothing on TV, so I threw down the remote and reached for my phone. How was it possible I ended up in a class taught by Weston Gray? I pulled up the search engine and typed in his name. Only a few links were available with his name. One link showed when he graduated with a pastry chef degree. He had always enjoyed baking. All through school he would make special recipes and my family had to be the guinea pigs. I couldn’t remember a recipe he made that was a failure. Every dessert was amazing.

  The next link showed this mall tour with Chef Jake. It was supposed to last for a year. The article was written ten months ago. Weston was almost done with the special classes. I wondered what his plans would be after the tour ended. Then I remembered how much he hated Columbia, South Carolina.

  There was a light knock at the door.

  What the hell? Who is knocking at this time of night?

  Then my phone pinged with an incoming text that read, Answer it. The message was from my brother.

  “Coming.” I looked through the peep hole and noticed the very man on my mind. Before I opened the door, I sent a text back to my brother, You and I need to talk tomorrow. Finally, I swung the door open. “Weston.”

  “Sorry. Is it too late?” He had his hands in the pockets of his sweatshirt jacket. “I can talk to you after class tomorrow.”

  “No, come in.” I stepped back to give him room. “Everything okay?”

  He stopped just at the entrance to the door. “What? Oh yeah, totally fine.”

  “Come in.” This felt awkward and yet…right.

  “I’m sorry if this is a bad time.” He took a step closer to me. “I needed to see you.”

  “You’ll see
me tomorrow.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

  He took a few more steps and was only inches away from me now. “This can’t wait until tomorrow.” Then he surprised me by grabbing both of my arms and uncrossing them. “As a matter of fact, it can’t wait another minute.”

  “Weston.” My body reacted to his touch. Even after all these years he still had that effect on me. “What are you talking about?”

  He pushed my body back against the wall and moved my arms above my head. “I fucked up.” Before I could respond he dropped his head and took control of my mouth. Slow wasn’t an option at the moment. He was demanding my attention and I was ready to give it all to him. “Rylee Nelson.”

  He lifted his head and stared at me for several long moments. “What?” I was out of breath and found myself wanting more.

  “You’re mine.” He crashed his lips over mine and forced his tongue inside. I could remember him saying that to me that night. Did he mean it this time? “If I have to show you, I will.” He attempted to pull away but I bit down on his bottom lip demanding he stay. “Does this mean you agree?” He let go of my wrists and slid his hands down to cup each breast. His fingers tightened around my hard nipples. When he pinched them tightly my body cried out, begging for more. I could feel his erection pressing against my belly. “Do you, Rylee? Answer me.”

  “I was always yours, Weston.” My words didn’t surprise me. I struggled with having a serious relationship because they weren’t Weston. Now he was here and the fear I felt earlier disappeared. My traitorous body was hungry.

  “It was always you, Rylee.” He whispered and nipped at my ear lobe. “You.” He dragged his tongue down the side of my neck and peppered light kisses along my clavicle.

  “Weston.” I didn’t know if I was ready for this yet. Then he slid his hand lower and placed his fingers over my pussy.

  “You’re already wet,” he said beside my ear as he moved his hand below the fabric. I pushed myself against his hand. When his finger moved over my clit, I knew any protests going on in my mind had disappeared. I wanted Weston. He was the only man I ever wanted.

  Somehow, I found the will in me to stop him. I reached down and placed my hand over his. He stilled and looked into my eyes. “Rylee?”

  “I–” With every ounce of strength I had available, I moved away from him “This.” I pointed at us both. “I want it, but–”

  He reached for me. “But what?”

  “You left without a word.”

  “I should’ve called. I planned to a million times.”

  “I would’ve answered a million times.”

  He stepped closer and it took everything in me to stay strong. “How can we make this right?”

  I placed the palm of my hand on his cheek. “I don’t have that answer.”

  “I still love you.”

  His words were echoing in my ears. “Weston.” I leaned up and kissed him. “I’ve always loved you.”

  “Then tell me how we can make this work?”

  I moved my hand down and rested it on his shoulder. “Teach me how to make chocolate.”

  “That’s the only requirement?” He chuckled and pulled my body close.

  “I can never get the chocolate to temper right.”

  He brushed his nose back and forth against mine. “Well, stop adding so much water to your bottom pan.”

  “If my chocolatier was close by maybe I would’ve known that.”

  “I’m here now.”

  I wrapped my arms around his neck. “But for how long?”

  Six

  Weston

  If all I had to do was show her how to make the perfect candy, she would become a chocolate making pro in no time. Right as I was about to ask which door lead to her room, I heard laughing outside.

  “Ally and Julia are home,” she said and dropped her arms to her side.

  “Should I leave?” I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and brushed my finger down the side of her face.

  “Yes.” I honestly thought she would say no.

  “Um, okay.”

  Rylee placed her hands on my chest. “I mean, I don’t want you to go.” She placed her finger over my lips. “Weston, it’s been five years. You don’t get me that quickly.”

  “Are you trying to play hard to get?”

  “No.” She giggled and leaned up to kiss me. “Maybe we can go on a date first. Then have sex.”

  “Tomorrow night. Eight. I’ll pick you up.”

  “I’ll be here with bells on.” She pulled my face down closer and kissed me again. Right as I was prepared to take the kiss deeper the front door opened.

  “Oops, sorry.” The two women fell against each other laughing.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow. Consider it your first session in chocolate making 101.”

  She grabbed my hand to stop me. “Today didn’t count?”

  “Did you make anything good?” I walked toward the front door with her.

  “No, but–”

  “Exactly. So tomorrow is the first day.” I leaned closer to her ear and whispered, “You will be mine, Rylee.”

  She placed her hands on my chest and pushed me out the door. “And you better keep that promise, Weston.” Then she closed the door before I could say another word.

  I stood there unable to move. It shouldn’t have been that easy. Why wasn’t she mad? Why didn’t she yell? Was I imagining all this? There had to be a negative somewhere. I reached into my pocket and grabbed my phone.

  It took me a second to pull up Justin’s name and then send him a text.

  Me: Um, Rylee’s not mad at me.

  Justin: Okay.

  Me: There has to be a catch, right?

  Justin: I’m not following.

  Me: Why is she not mad at me? It’s been five years.

  Justin: She’s never been mad. The only thing she said to me was she wished you’d called.

  Me: Shit.

  Justin: Don’t make me get on a plane and come kick your ass.

  Me: I have two months left with this mall tour.

  Justin: Then what?

  I didn’t respond right away because I didn’t even know the answer to the question myself.

  Justin: Weston, then what?

  Me: I don’t know.

  Justin: Well, you better have the answer soon.

  Me: Yeah. I need to go.

  After hanging up with Justin I drove around the city for about an hour. A lot had changed since the last time I stepped foot in this town. As I passed each building, I tried to remember why I wanted to leave in the first place. There was a lot of opportunity for me to grow as a chef here. I didn’t have to live in a big city to be successful.

  When I arrived back at my hotel Devon was quick to peek out and ask where I had been. “Go back to bed.” I pushed at his head as I walked by. “We need to prep several pieces of candy tomorrow and you need your beauty sleep.”

  “Whatever.” He rolled his eyes and closed the door.

  I stripped out of my clothes and fell back onto the bed. Rylee was still mine. My cock slowly stood to attention just at the thought of her body next to me. I closed my eyes and wrapped my hand around my cock. If I had to wait to have her this would have to do for now. I visualized her pussy sliding slowly over me and moving up and down. My hand mirrored those up and down movements. She was still fucking sexy. I knew the moment she became a teenager I was fucked. It wasn’t until she turned sixteen that we first kissed. Her brother thankfully never found out. I could still remember the taste of her. She was as sweet as honey. The thought caused me to finally let go. I had come all over my chest, but I still didn’t feel at ease. I was craving the real deal.

  Tomorrow night I would wine and dine her just enough, then bring her back here to fuck her until the morning light. Then I would fuck her some more.

  I stood and went into the bathroom to clean up. My phone pinged with a new message. As I made my way over to the dresser by the TV, I secretly hoped it was Rylee. It was.


  Rylee: I regret making you leave.

  Me: I can come back over.

  She sent a laughing emoji with a heart.

  Rylee: It will make tomorrow night even better.

  Me: You promise.

  Rylee: With all my heart.

  Me: Good night, Rylee.

  When I drove into Columbia for the three classes, Rylee ran through my mind a million times. Never once did I think she would end up in the class. Now here I was having a text message conversation about dinner and sex tomorrow night. If fate was real, I wanted to kiss him or her.

  Seven

  Rylee

  “Have you studied for your last final?” Ally asked as she walked into the bathroom where I was applying my mascara. “Don’t you have one more?”

  “Maybe.” I glanced over at my friend. “Don’t worry. I’ll study tomorrow sometime.”

  “If you failed the exam what grade would you end with for the class?”

  “I would get a C.” I usually got an A or B with all my classes. The C wouldn’t hurt my Gpa that much.

  “You sure you’re okay with that?”

  “I don’t know.” I dropped my hand to the counter and turned to face Ally. “The only thing I know is that I’ve wanted Weston for as long as I can remember.”

  “So why rush this?” I understood her concern. “Maybe study now and then have fun after.”

  “I don’t want to wait another minute.” Maybe I sounded desperate but I didn’t care. “He’s here now.”

  She sighed and turned to leave. “He wasn’t the last five years though,” she said from over her shoulder.

  Her words stung, but I knew she was right. She was just trying to protect me from getting hurt again. I closed the mascara and sat down on the edge of the toilet. Weston Gray was the only man for me. Even today, no man could match up to him. I had several failed relationships in the last five years because they could never seem to give me what Weston so perfectly gave. Back in high school he would carry my books to class and on a couple of occasions offered his jacket when I was cold. He was kind. A gentleman. Then the day he kissed me for the first time everything changed. He set my body on fire. I had never felt as alive as when I was in his arms.