Savvy shifted her mind to the aroma of the food, which filled her nose. Salivation began in anticipation of the magnificent spread in fine, white china dishes, on an extended dining room table. Lit candles and white flowers added an aura of royalty. “Everything looks amazing and smells delicious.”
“It does, doesn’t it?” Pharrell showed all his pearly whites in a smile. “This seat is for the lovely lady.” He pulled out a white leather chair near the head of the table in front of one of two stainless-steel domed plate covers.
“Thank you,” Savvy responded and allowed him to scoot her in and place a white napkin on her lap. A purse hook stand was positioned next to the table for her handbag to hang.
Pharrell refilled their wine glasses before sitting at the head of the table in a chair next to hers. “Let me bless the food.”
After the grace, Savvy’s anticipation grew as Pharrell removed the covers to reveal plates full of food. Savvy gasped. “Oh, wow. You made a feast. Please tell me. What is this divine cuisine in front of me?”
Pharrell rubbed his hands together and leaned forward to point out each item on the plate. “What we have is a Moroccan-inspired rack of lamb. I used a traditional and complex Moroccan spice blend called Ras el hanout. It’s served with honey-glazed carrots, rosemary mashed potatoes, braised greens, and sautéed mushrooms. I’m sure you’re pleased with what you see.”
“Pharrell. You must’ve been cooking all day. Everything is colorful and enticing. Where did you learn to make meals like this?”
“I took classes at the Culinary Institute of America. Bon Appetit.”
Savvy sliced into the tender meat and placed the first mouth-watering bite into her mouth. “Umm. Oh, my goodness. Umm. This is good.” The tender lamb melted in her mouth. The flavor from the Moroccan spices exploded on her taste buds. Savvy smacked her lips and forgot all about manners.
Pharrell placed a fork full of food into his mouth and took his time chewing as if mesmerized by Savvy’s enjoyment of the meal.
“Here. You have sauce on your face. Let me help you.” Pharrell reached with his cloth napkin and dabbed the side of Savvy’s mouth. His eyes penetrated hers as the napkin dropped from his hand. He began tracing her bottom lip with his finger.
Electricity shot through Savvy’s body, which almost knocked her from the chair. She wasn’t expecting this effect from his unexpected touch. “Thank you. Did you get all of it?”
“No. I think there’s more here.” Pharrell leaned inward and replaced his finger with his moistened full lips to peck Savvy on hers.
Savvy puckered to return the kiss. She enjoyed his lips
which were softer than she imagined. “Um. I think you got it this time.”
Pharrell laughed and leaned back. “Excuse me for being rude. I wasn’t planning to kiss you right now. Your face became radiant with the first bite. I must admit, hearing your moans of enjoyment of the food got me excited. I couldn’t resist my urge to get closer.”
“I liked it.” Savvy grazed her top teeth on the corner of her bottom lip. “No need for an apology.”
“Let me help you again.” To Savvy’s surprise, Pharrell’s mouth covered hers with heightened intensity. His strong, thick tongue found its way through her lips and tangled with hers, mingling the taste of Moroccan spices. He spread his fingers through her braids and brought her head closer to him. She responded with equal passion.
Pharrell rubbed Savvy’s back with hands built for massaging kinks out of bodies. The meal dropped from her mind as their lips crushed against each other. Mouths welded together, he lifted her from the chair and pressed his strong body against hers. She didn’t resist.
Other than the music, their lips smacking together made the only sound in the room. Savvy’s body weakened from the chemistry between them.
Pharrell moaned and halted their kissing frenzy. He whispered, “Let me show you something.” He took her by the hand and coaxed her to follow him to a side of the house she hadn’t toured yet.
Surprised by the abrupt ending to their tongue fiesta, Savvy held onto his hand and trailed him to the back of the house without a word. She didn’t have the breath to respond.
Pharrell opened a closed door. The light in the room consisted of a multitude of candles. Savvy’s eyes adjusted to the change in her vision. She choked when she comprehended what grew to be visible.
A king-sized, four-poster bed, covered by a red velvet comforter and oversized red pillows, stood in the middle of the room. Matching red velvet curtains framed the bed like a theater stage. Sconces on mirrored walls held lit candles. A magnificent chandelier dangled from the mirrored ceiling. Every direction she turned, there were reflections of her and Pharrell standing together.
Savvy rubbed her eyes to clear them of what appeared next. A nude portrait of Pharrell floating on a cloud hung above the bed. His attire consisted only of a crown on his head. He held a cluster of grapes above his mouth as if he were a Greek god. Her mouth gaped from the shock of seeing his freak nest.
Pharrell turned to her and gazed into her eyes with confident passion. “Now, where were we?”
Savvy knew she would throw up in his mouth if he kissed her again. She held her hand up to stop him from advancing toward her. “Don’t even try it Pharrell. What is this?”
“It’s Pharrell’s room of love, baby.” His voice dropped into a sultry purr. “It’s time for you and Pharrell to enter into paradise together.” He reached out to embrace her.
“Oh, uh-uh.” Savvy jumped away from his grasp. “No. This is not why I’m here.”
“Isn’t this what you wanted?” He gyrated his hips in front of her and licked his tongue across his lips to seduce her.
“I accepted your invitation to dinner. I’m here to get to know you better. But this?” Savvy waved
