The next room, she had already seen. Open to the kitchen via a bar and the breakfast nook where they had their tamales, was the great room with its high ceiling, warm earth tones, and Latin art. Unlike the other two rooms, this one felt like the southwest. Despite the grandeur of the space, it was warm, cozy. All the seating was plush and soft; meant to be used. All accent furniture was real wood; substantial and full of character; like the humidor in the cigar room. There were plants, and the paintings were of the indigenous experience and others were of dry dusty places she did not know. Outside the hallways, this was also a space to see family photos on the walls, credenza, and along the mantle.

The warmth of this space weaved its way into the breakfast nook and the kitchen. Originally, parade-of-homes stark; it was now alive with reds, oranges, and browns. Since she had already seen this space, Facundo placed a hand at the small of her back to guide her to the next room. Temi knew there were three rooms left, not counting the bathrooms, but she was sure there was only one room he was determined to show her now.

When they turned the final corner to their destination, Temi was faced with a room as sensual as it was masculine. Facundo’s bedroom was dark and sexy; deep grey walls, ash wood accents, a large framed black and white photo of bodies intertwined. The focal point, just under the photograph, was the brown leather platform bed which stood on metal legs and overlooked the swimming pool.

            “What do you think,” his breath warmed her neck, his hands pulling her hips backward to bring her ample bottom… against him. Temi’s breathing became haggard, her mouth dry. She could feel how much he desired her, and the heady knowledge that she; someone so recently discarded by someone else, could have such an affect on him was breathtaking. Facundo slipped one of her dress straps from her shoulder so he could kiss her skin freely.

Temi closed her eyes and turned to meet him face to face. She raised one hand to encircle the back of his head bringing his mouth to hers. She couldn’t think. Her mind was a complete blank as she focused only on her needs and her desires.

Eventually, Facundo broke the embrace to carry her to the bed, where he laid her down before lying next to her. Then, the kissing began again, but this time it came with heavy petting over their clothing. He grabbed her bottom to bring her body in alignment with his own and moaned with pleasure. That one act, as small as it was, broke what little restraint he had left. His hand moved up her dress, searching for her through the many folds of fabric, and when he found what he was looking for he wrapped his hand firmly around it. Temi moaned bringing his eyes to her face. He smiled, gently kissed her lips and said, “If you want me to stop, you need to say so now.”

Temi forced her eyes open. She wanted to look him directly in the eyes when she gave consent. Eyes wide open, she kissed him while she moved his hand from the outside of the lace barrier to the interior. His eyes closed as he moved a finger inside her.

That was it. From that moment there was nothing. Temi couldn’t remember removing their clothes, she couldn’t remember Facundo reaching for a condom, she couldn’t remember anything until release. And then… then… she remembered thinking things were going too fast. She had wanted to have fun with the touching; wanted to take time discovering his body. But… she couldn’t stop… she couldn’t wait… she couldn’t slow down.

           “That was… amazing.” After several minutes of quiet reflection, Facundo propped himself up with one arm while he traced the curves of her body with a finger. “My God, you’re beautiful.”

          “So are you,” she reached up to bring his mouth down to hers and then wrapped her left leg around him.

He grabbed her by the hips and strategically placed her on his groin. She inhaled excitement, and he laughed. “Do you think you could go again?”

         “God, I know I could.”

Again, he laughed a warm happy laugh. “Well, you’re going to have to wait,” and when Temi whined he continued. “Listen, I plan on pleasing you years to come,” he tightened his grip on her hip. “For now; however, I just remembered the dessert I completely forgot to serve after dinner.”

Temi began to move her hips in a circular motion and watched his eyes close and his body gave a little shudder. “I thought this was dessert.”

Facundo felt his arousal returning, but he knew if they gave in now, round two would very much resemble round one; hot, hungry, but too fast. “Okay, stop,” he stilled her hips. “Now, listen, I’m going to get the dessert and bring it back, and if try to stop me, I won’t spank you later.”

Temi laughed and removed the leg holding him captive, but before getting up, he gently sucked her breast quickening her pulse until she moaned. Then he smiled and left the room.

Temi didn’t have to wait long for him to return. As it turned out, he bought the dessert from a local bakery, so all he had to do was pull several cupcakes from a box and place them on a large plate. She was watching the door when he reappeared; wanting to take in every inch of his well sculpted bronze body. He caught her staring as he walked in and liked it. So, while she lay in bed he stood before her in all his glory and asked her to touch him. When she shied away, he reiterated the request in a voice thick with arousal. It was enough to make Temi feel powerful.

She reached up and with light fingertips, ran her hand up his inner thigh. When that drew a ragged breath from his throat, she looked up and noticed his eyes were closed. Smiling, she channeled her inner Samantha and put him in her mouth and roll her tongue around. Suddenly, Facundo began to crumble nearly dropping the cupcake platter on her head. Temi immediately pulled back to steady him. “You alright,” she smiled. He placed the plate on the nightstand, put his hands on either side of her face, and kissed her. Temi had never tried giving anyone a blowjob before, but if she could get this reaction every time, having done very little, she’d do it again.

          “Okay,” he was breathing heavily, “okay. Let’s eat these damn cupcakes so we can get to other things.” Facundo sat next to her and retrieved the patter.

          “We don’t have to eat them, you know.” She ran one hand between his thighs and kissed his neck.

He laughed. “Oh, I can see now that I’m going to have trouble keeping you satisfied.”

Temi pretended to be wounded by his comment. “Are you afraid you can’t? Am I too much?”

He pinched a piece of one of the cupcakes and placed the morsel in her mouth. “I think you know, very well, that I am not afraid. Are you too much? Ehhh,” he shrugged. “I love a challenge.”

Despite Temi’s complaints, Facundo slowed things down by having her try every cupcake flavor he purchased, pinching off little bits and feeding them to her before licking his fingers. When he discovered her favorite, chai cupcake with brown butter chai icing, he handed it to her. “Go on and eat it,” he urged when she hesitated, “you need to keep up your energy.”

Seeing the wisdom in his words, she did as she was told... with a smile on her lips.

Once she finished her mini cake, he lifted the wrapper from her hands and gently pushed her backward into the messy pile of soft bedding. “Now, before we really get started. Let’s see if you like a few things,” he whispered in her ear before moving his mouth to her breast and slipping his right hand between her thighs.

The next morning, Temi woke with a start. She glared angrily at her alarm clock which displayed six am. She didn’t get home until nearly one in the morning, and after showering and brushing her teeth, it was closer to two before she finally lay her head down. Just ten more minutes.

            Well, ten minutes came and went, forcing Temi from her warm cocoon. Rolling out of bed, she pulled a new jumpsuit out of her closet and put it on before shoving her feet into a pair of flats. Grabbing a pair of hoop earrings from her dresser, she then headed to the bathroom. With effort, she brushed and flossed her teeth and but on a little makeup. Polishing off her look with her hoops.

            Needing coffee, she turned her attention to the kitchen.

            “Well, good morning, sunshine!” Thom was standing in her kitchen wearing an I Love Sausage apron with a man’s face on it, mouth wide open as a sausage falls into it.

            “Wow, that apron isn’t suggestive at all.”

            He handed her a cup of coffee. “I know, don’t you just love it?!? Honey, you look ragged. Sit down and I will have your plate ready in just a moment.”

            “Thom, I’m really glad you’re here, but why are you here?”

            “Well, I could hardly sleep last night and was up at the crack of dawn. While I reorganized my vests, I suddenly realized that you might be hung over, oversexed, and tired this morning. So, I decided to drop in and give you a lift. After all, we can’t have you dying in an accident because you fell asleep behind the wheel… your life’s finally getting better.”

            “Oversexed? Is there such a thing,” she asked her coffee cup.

            “Artemisia stop,” he waved a spatula at her. “You are too tired for details, and I will be really pissed if you leave anything out.”

            When he placed a plate of linked sausage, fried eggs, and a half grapefruit in front of her, she nodded. She really wasn’t up for talking anyway.

This had to be the worst workday ever. Temi could hardly keep her eyes open, she was short with at least three clients, and her mind kept wandering. All she really wanted to do was go home.

            “Artie? Artie, darling… time for lunch.” Thom waited until one in the afternoon to get her. He was a firm believer in muscling through as long as you could before taking a break. That way, when they get back at two, they only had three hours left.

            “Thank you, baby Jesus, hallelujah.” Temi logged that she was away for lunch and turn off her headset. Then, she reached down to grab her lunch and realized, “Mother fucker!” She gave Thom the most miserably sad expression. “I forgot to make a lunch.”

Thom laughed. “Oh, you poor darling. Come with daddy. I’ll make sure you’re alright.” Thom escorted her downstairs, to the back of the building, and to their picnic table. At first, Temi’s mind couldn’t understand what was happening. It was as if someone had taken their table. “Well, hell, honey. Sit your ass down!”

Temi looked at the white tablecloth, the real plates and glasses, and all the food. Her mind was muddled. “This is for us?”

Thom placed a hand on his hip and rolled his eyes. “I thought we should celebrate the death of your inner Charlotte, the birth of your inner Samantha, and then scream, praise Jesus for Facundo knocking the dust off that pussy.”

Temi chuckled. “Charming.” She took her seat. “So, what do we have here?”

            “I ordered Momo’s. You have your favorite, the grilled cheese on Challah with the side of homemade relish, and I have the buffalo chicken wrap. We each have a side salad, and in our thermos’ there is umm… sangria.”

Temi raised her brow. “Drinking on the job, are we?”

            “Bitch please. This is a time to celebrate. Besides, the alcohol will loosen your tongue so that I get all the juicy details.”

Temi laughed. “You are, truly, the best man I know!”

            “Oh, honey, let’s hope not. I’m praying Facundo blows me out of the water!”

With a little cajoling, Temi ended up telling Thom almost everything. Well, she told him everything she was feeling; leaving out some of the things Facundo said and did. She didn’t want him to be embarrassed when he and Thom finally met.

            “Oh, my God, I love him already.” Thom reached down on his side of the bench and pulled up a white paper bag. “Almond shortbreads.” When Temi’s eyes brightened with excitement he added, “I’m not sure why I’m going to give them to you. I mean, you really are a disgrace.”

            “Sorry,” she sat back. “Um, but didn’t I just kiss and tell for your enjoyment?”

            “I guess,” he shrugged. “I just can’t believe that you… my African queen… my image of a sexual female goddess… has never given head before. I mean, what the hell, Artemisia?”

She rolled her eyes. “Hello… death of my inner Charlotte… birth of my inner Samantha…”

            “Shit that’s taking Charlotte to a whole new level of prude,” he swatted the wind. “However, since it sounds as though you performed admirably, I suppose you deserve a cookie for your efforts,” he began to hand her a shortbread, but as she reached for it, he snatched it back. “But… before you do it again, you and I will talk about technique. I want you to blow that man’s mind the way he blew yours.” He offered the cookie again.

Temi took the reoffered cookie from him before he could change his mind. “Deal.”