Page 16 of Do Me
“I’m working on it.” She gave his hand a squeeze. “I’d better get back.” She pointed at his half-eaten sandwich. “You barely ate.”
He waved her off. “I’ll finish it later.” He took it to the counter and had the sandwich wrapped to go. On the way back, he was still thinking about his startling revelation. Not wanting to dwell on it, he asked, “Have you decided what dessert you’re making tomorrow?”
Londyn gave him a bright smile. “Yep, but I’m not telling.” She leaned into him. “But it’s going to besooogood!”
Every time she opened up this way, it drew him to her a little more. “You are such a tease,” he said with a chuckle.
“And I can back it up, too.” As if she realized what she’d said, she clapped a hand over her mouth. “That is not what I meant. I was talking about cooking.”
Still laughing softly, he said, “I’m talking aboutcooking, too.”
Londyn stared at him a long moment. “I’m not even going to touch that.”
He held the office building door open for her to enter first. “Neither am I. At least not yet.” She whipped her head around and their eyes connected. They both knew the conversation had shifted from physical food to another kind of hunger. Braxton took a step, intending to kiss Londyn goodbye, then remembered they were standing in the lobby with the receptionist’s eyes glued to them and moved back.
As if reading his mind, she said, “Ah, I think we should save that for another time.”
“I agree. “ And he planned to make up for it.
Chapter 5
While Londyn prepared for her next client, a riot of emotions assailed her, one surprising and the other, unwelcomed. Teasing with Braxton had her body in an uproar. For so long, she’d told herself that passion had no place in her life, but there was something about him that made her feel safe exploring her sexuality again. She had wanted nothing more than to have him kiss her like he’d done after their date and for the first time in her life, she hadn’t cared that they were standing in the middle of her workplace. Public displays of affection had never been her style, but she would have gladly broken her rule to feel his lips on hers. The second sentiment evoked the same pain and bitterness as it had almost two years ago. She had meant only to clinically answer Braxton’s questions, but somehow her own feelings had worked their way into the conversation.
She closed her eyes and drew in a couple of deep breaths, then let them out slowly, gradually regaining her composure. A minute later, she was back in control. Londyn pulled the file for her next patient. This would be the first session for a couple who listed marital problems as their reason for seeking out counseling.
Londyn’s intercom buzzed. She hit the button. “Yes.”
“Dr. Grant, Mr. and Mrs. Stephens are here for their one o’clock appointment.”
“Thank you, Dee. I’ll be right out.” She straightened her desk and walked out front where two couples waited. “Mr. and Mrs. Stephens?” An African American couple who looked to be around Londyn’s age stood. Smiling, she shook their hands. “Hello, I’m Dr. Grant. Please follow me.” She escorted them to her office and closed the door. “Please have a seat.” She rounded the desk and gestured to the two chairs across from her. Londyn observed them. The man’s body language and heavy scowl told her he didn’t want to be there, while his wife bore an expression of worry. “Why don’t you tell me a little bit about why you’re here.”
The man shot a glare at his wife. “Shewanted to come. I’m fine.”
“Mrs. Stephens?” Londyn prompted.
“We’re having intimacy problems,” the woman whispered. She paused, her lips trembling. “He watches those movies, then wants me to, to…” She trailed off. “I’m not a porn star and I don’t want to be one. I just want to have normal sex.” Mrs. Stephens swiped at a tear running down her cheek.
“Mr. Stephens, would you—”
He shot up off the chair. “You saying I’m not normal?” he shouted. “Just because you’re too prim and proper to get your freak on doesn’t make me the bad guy. I’m trying to help you,” he added with a look of disgust.
“Mr. Stephens,” Londyn started, keeping her voice calm and even, “I’m going to ask you to please lower your voice and have a seat.”
Mr. Stephens stared at Londyn, then threw up his hands. “I’m out. I don’t have time for this bullshit.” He stormed out.
His wife burst into tears and Londyn handed her the box of tissues she always kept handy. It took a few minutes for the tears to slow then stop.
“What am I going to do, Dr. Grant?”
“I can’t tell you what to do, Mrs. Stephens. That will have to be your decision. How long have you two been married?”
“Three years.”
“How long has his watching pornography been an issue?”
She twisted the tissue in her hands, shredding it in the process, but kept her head lowered. “He was watching when I met him, but only sometimes, I think. Then, when we got engaged, I wanted us to stop having sex for the two months before our wedding. He got mad, and then I found out he was going online all the time, even on our dates.” She met Londyn’s gaze. “I figured once we got married, he’d stop because we’d be having sex again.”
Londyn wanted to tell the woman that she should have paid attention to the red flags her husband had clearly been giving her. “Did it stop?”
