You're the One I Want by Shane Allison Page B

disconnect the fire alarm.”
    I loved when Kashawn laughed. He had the prettiest white teeth.
    â€œThat would explain the burnt smell I would get a whiff of whenever I walked into the apartment.”
    He looked and smelled so good. I wanted to lick the skin off his body. Simple fact is that Bree didn’t deserve a man who treated her like a queen, who worshipped the ground her man-stealing ass walked on.
    â€œYou want a little more wine?” Kashawn asked.
    â€œJust a little.”
    He poured more in both of our glasses. “You know, I owe you an apology.”
    â€œFor what?” I asked.
    â€œThat night at Club Rehab. I was about to walk over and talk to you that night.”
    â€œSo why didn’t you, silly?”
    â€œI honestly don’t know. Would you believe that I was shy?”
    â€œYou? Noooo,” I teased.
    â€œI’ve never had much luck with women. Even though Deanthony and I look alike, he was more of the chick magnet. Y’all like that bad boy image. If girls were into me, it was either so they could get closer to my brother, or they would pay me to do their homework.”
    â€œWell, if it’s any consolation, I think you’re hotter than Deanthony. Looks and a big dick can only get you so far. Look at you. You’re a surgeon at one of the best hospitals in the country, you have a gorgeous home, and a great wife. You have a shitload more going for you than your brother.”
    â€œYou think I’m hot, huh?” Kashawn asked, taking a sip of wine.
    â€œOh, smoking hot. Have-the-whole-crib-burning-down hot.”
    Kashawn and I chuckled.
    â€œI always thought you were pissed about what went down at Rehab that night.”
    â€œThat was a long time ago, Kashawn. I’m not the kind of woman who holds grudges.”
    â€œI guess Bree told you that we’ve been having problems?”
    â€œYeah, but show me a marriage that doesn’t have its troubles.”
    â€œSeems like all we do is fight.”
    â€œI know Bree can be a bit rough around the edges sometimes.”
    Kashawn turned to me and asked, “How so?”
    â€œI mean, coming from the lifestyle of stripping, she’s not used to being so… domesticated.”
    â€œI don’t see our marriage as that at all.”
    â€œOh, of course not. It’s just that maybe she’s grown a little weary of cooking and cleaning, which would explain her trip to Atlantic City. It’s never enough for her sometimes, nothing is. She can have a ravenous appetite in trying to get what she wants, you feel me?”
    â€œI guess so, yes.”
    I watched as the seed of disillusionment set into Kashawn’s mind.
    â€œSo how come you’re still walking around here single?”
    â€œI guess I haven’t found the right man yet.” I couldn’t have smeared the bullshit on any thicker.
    â€œI do regret not walking over to you in the club that night. Maybe things would have been a lot different.”
    Kashawn’s face was only inches away from mine.
    â€œYou can’t help who you fall in love with,” I said.
    Kashawn moved in closer. I was about to get a kiss from the man of my wet dreams. Back when he used to spend the night with Bree, I used to masturbate under the covers, hearing them fuck behind the tissue paper-thin walls that separated us, wishing that it was me he was deep-dicking. Kashawn’s lips felt like warm butter against my own. He slipped me some tongue, but I didn’t object. I grazed his crotch to feel a bulge that tented his jeans. My heart was beating like an African drum in my chest with the disbelief that this shit was going down.
    Kashawn fought to undo the pea-sized buttons that ran down my blouse. He got tired and tore open my top, causing buttons to pop loose, bouncing on the plate glass of the coffee table Bree had imported from Anthropologie in New York. He flicked at my chocolate chip nipples with the point of