by Lisa G Riley
“Thanks Simone. I also need two Heinekens.”
Simone returned her generous smile. “Coming right up.”
Amber brushed past Simone but not before whispering close to her ear, “Ignore me if you want to, but I promise you, tonight Mr. Right is going to walk right through that door.”
Shaun Dutton strolled into the smoky nightclub and was tempted to run out the nearest exit. He didn’t know why he let his co-worker and good friend, Javon Tate, talk him into coming out tonight. He hated crowded clubs and loud music and would rather be at home listening to Norah Jones. But as Javon had smoothly pointed out, at home he’d be faced with the same problem he’d been having every Friday night for the last two years—he would be spending it alone. Shaun released a heavy sigh. Javon was right. Besides, he had made a promise. Tonight was supposed to be the start of a new beginning. He just wished that chapter began somewhere other than at a nightclub.
“Man, I told you this was the place to be. Look at all these honeys up in here!”
Shaun glanced over at Javon’s round, nutmeg-colored face, then allowed his eyes to travel around the room. Women in all shapes and sizes filled the room. “I have to agree there are some very attractive women in here tonight.”
“Attractive? Yo, dude, these girls are phat. P-H-A—”
“I know how to spell it,” Shaun interrupted.
“Hey. I’m just trying to school you with a little Urban 101,” Javon said while rubbing a hand across his shiny bald head.
Shaun frowned. The two had been friends for almost seven years, yet Javon still felt like he needed to show him the ropes. He might be white, but he knew a lot more than his friend gave him credit for.
“Yo, Shaun. You lose that ponytail, you just might get some pussy tonight.”
“I didn’t come here for that. Believe me, I’ll get some when I’m good and ready.” Getting pussy had never been a problem for him. He’d gotten his fair share when he was in high school. He’d screwed all the cheerleaders, dipping and dabbing in something new on a regular basis. But screwing just to be screwing had gotten to be a bore, and eventually he yearned for something more meaningful. Then he met Hannah his senior year and all that had ended. The only wet pussy he’d sunk his dick into was hers. Briefly, he closed his eyes and visions of his beautiful wife came to light. Raising his eyelids, he gave a heavy shudder. Since Hannah’s death two years ago, he had been celibate.
All that is about to change.
He could feel it in his gut, but he wasn’t settling for just anybody. He would wait. When the right woman came along, he would know it. Tonight, the only thing he was looking to wrap his lips around was an ice-cold bottled beer.
While Javon went chasing after a gorgeous chick with a set of double D’s, Shaun strolled through the club. Glancing around, he had to admit the décor was rather nice. A large platform stage at the center of the room was surrounded by small intimate tables and chairs. To the far left was a dark, rich mahogany bar that stretched the length of the building. Mirrors adorned the walls while red and white tiles covered the floor.
He took a deep breath. The scent of cigarettes and alcohol surrounded him. A popular new rap song blared from a nearby speaker. Sweaty bodies were bumping and grinding on the dance floor. Shaking his head, he realized he hadn’t been in a place like this since college, but even then it was nothing like this. The way couples were lip-locking and dry-humping, the behavior could definitely be considered foreplay. Times had definitely changed.
Reaching into his pocket, Shaun jiggled his keys, still contemplating turning on his heels and going home. But as much as he wanted to, he couldn’t bail on his friend. Javon had been asking him to go out clubbing for months and each and every time he’d declined. However, this evening as he was preparing to say no, Shaun had this strange sensation that he needed to be here tonight, that his new life was about to begin. As much as he doubted this was the place, he’d come anyway. Hannah would have wanted him to start enjoying his life again.
Standing off to the side, Shaun’s eyes traveled around the dimly lit room. Unattached women barely in clothes cluttered the room but nothing caught his interest until he gazed behind the bar and spotted the woman on the end. His breath stalled as he noted her slender neck and high cheekbones. She had smooth caramel-colored skin. Her delicate face was heart-shaped and framed by long, honey brown hair, which was in a neat French braid. Even in the dimly lit room, he could see enough to know she was beautiful. In fact, she looked so good she made his dick twitch and that startled him. He hadn’t had a hard-on since his wife’s death and had even begun to believe the overwhelmingly emotional experience had left him impotent. Obviously, that was definitely not the case. As he moved closer to the bar, all he could do was stare.
“She’s the one,” he breathed. The sweet thing came from behind the counter and he took in long, shapely legs meant to be wrapped around a man’s waist. She was dressed in a white form-fitting dress that emphasized the delicate swell of her large breasts and small narrow hips. And damn! The woman had an ass that was like two ripe melons he wanted to sink his teeth into, certain it was just as juicy as it looked. He raked a hand through his hair and shook his head with disbelief. He was salivating. No woman had ever made him feel this horny but Hannah.
Shaun took several deep breaths. This was it. She was the reason why he was here tonight. He was destined to meet that delicious-looking beauty standing a few feet away.
“Yo, Shaun, you see anything you like?” Javon asked, coming up from the rear, breaking into his thoughts. “There’s a cute brunette over there giving you the eye.” He cocked his head toward a petite woman standing to his right.
Shaun gave the woman a brief look. Although she was attractive, he refocused his attention on the caramel beauty in white stilettos, who had moved back behind the counter. “Yeah, I want that one on the end.”
Javon followed the direction of his gaze. “Damn! Now that sistah’s hot as hell. But trust me, dude, she’s not gonna to give you any play.”
“Is that right?” Shaun replied. When his friend nodded, he added, “How about we put twenty on that?” He always loved a challenge.
Javon chuckled. “Fifty unless you’re afraid you’re gonna to lose.”
“You’re on.” They shook on it, then Shaun took a deep breath and made his way over to the bar.
Simone was so busy she barely had time to think. She garnished what had to have been the tenth apple martini in the last half hour with a slice of apple and placed it on the bar. “That will be five dollars.”
The woman handed her six ones. “Thanks.”
As the woman slid off the bar stool and moved toward the dance floor, Simone noticed a man coming her way. The second she made eye contact, the air escaped her lungs in one big gush.
Damn!
The handsome stranger was looking at her as intently as she was staring at him. He looked sexy as hell dressed in dark slacks and a cream-colored button-down shirt that showed off his tall athletic physique. There was something overpowering and aggressive about him and instead of backing away from it, she found herself drawn to it. Gulping, she reminded herself to breathe. Not stare like an idiot.
“What can I get you?” she asked, speaking loudly over the bass bouncing off the walls.
His eyes sparkled with humor. “Depends on what you’re good at.”
“I’m good at everything,” she purred.
He smiled and she noticed the generous dimples at his cheeks “Good. Then there are two things you can get me—a Michelob, and your phone number.”
Simone chuckled. “Let me get your beer.” She turned and reached down into the cooler, conscious that he was staring at her ass. They all did. She definitely had plenty in the rear department. A quick glance over her shoulder revealed he had definitely noticed. Smiling, she reached for a bottle opener then turned and watched as his eyes traveled back up to her face. “That will be four dollars.”
Shaun tossed a ten
onto the counter. “Keep the change. Oh, yeah…” he began as he leaned across the counter. The position emphasized the thick muscles in his arms. “What about my other request?”
“What’s that?” Simone asked, pretending she had no idea what he was talking about.
Interest sparkled in his eyes. “Your number, so I can take you to dinner tomorrow night.”
His warm breath brushed across her face and his bold request made the muscles of her vagina tighten. Hell, the offer was tempting, and if she hadn’t sworn off men, she would not have hesitated. But there was something unsettling about his eyes. It was as if he could see right through to her soul and that made her heart thump and her mouth go dry. In that instant she knew there was no way she could go out to dinner, fuck him, and simply walk away, her normal M.O. No, this instant attraction between them was much too strong to allow her to do that.
With an apologetic shrug she replied, “Sorry. Nothing personal, but I like my men like I like my coffee—strong and black.” Enough said. She moved down to the other end of the bar to help another customer.
Javon was doubled over with laughter, as he’d obviously observed the entire exchange, when Shaun rejoined him. “Yo, Shaun, she told you.”
Shaun wasn’t fazed a bit as he brought the bottle to his lips. “Nah, I’ll wear her down. I believe nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
“You’re not gonna do anything but make a fool of yourself,” Javon said between chuckles. “Does she have to spell it out any clearer? She don’t do the interracial thang.”
“That’s too bad.” Because when Shaun looked at her he didn’t see race. All he saw was a beautiful woman in four-inch stilettos and a body that screamed, “Do me!” He had come out tonight to meet her, and some way, somehow he was going to find a way to change her mind.
“Did he just ask you out?”
“Yep.”
“And you turned that down?” Amber punched Simone lightly in the forearm. “What’s wrong with you? He’s gorgeous.”
“Oww!” She rubbed her arm. “No offense but he’s also white.”
Amber pursed her lips and glared over at her. “If you haven’t noticed, so am I. Since when has color been an issue?”
Simone gave her a dismissive wave. “It is when it comes to dating. It’s too complicated.”
“What’s complicated about it?”
Simone didn’t answer.
Amber frowned almost disapprovingly. “Race has got nothing to do with it and you know it. Don’t I remember you mentioning once that you dated a white guy in college?”
Simone finished mixing the drink and didn’t dare look at Amber because she would know she was lying. “That was a long time ago. People change.”
“Uh-huh. We’ve been friends for too long. Being the wrong color is a lame excuse. Now come off it.” She grabbed her arm. “Tell me what’s really going on.”
Glancing at her friend’s questioning eyes, Simone sighed. There was no way she could let Amber know that just looking at him made her nipples hard and her kitty cat meow. “Okay, I’ll admit I lied. But there is something about him I don’t like.”
“Could it be that a white boy has your juices flowing?”
Simone returned her grin. Amber was too smart for her own good.
“Come off it, Simone. He’s gorgeous and you know it.”
That was an understatement. He was fine. She sobered before saying, “It wouldn’t work.”
Amber frowned. “I don’t get it. You’ve said you’re not interested in a commitment. If that’s true, what difference does it make what color he is? The only thing important is how much that gorgeous man is working with.”
Simone’s brow rose. “Speaking of dicks…” She purposely allowed her voice to trail off. “You know what they say about white boys.”
Amber quickly wagged a finger in front of her face. “Uh-uh. Don’t even start that mess about white men having small dicks. Michael’s got more than any one man should be blessed with. Not that I’m complaining,” she added with a light chuckle. “But don’t forget I used to date David, who was black, and his dick was small enough to jack off with a pair of tweezers.”
Laughing, Simone couldn’t help gazing across the floor at her mystery man. He was talking to a black dude with a smooth bald head. Simone loved bald men but tonight he didn’t do anything for her. The only thing she had eyes for was the man with the ponytail, standing beside him. His skin was dark, a strong olive. She couldn’t tell if he was deeply tanned or whether it was his natural skin tone. Just watching him, her breathing became difficult. Her pussy pulsed and she could feel evidence of her arousal running down her inner thigh. That’s what you get for not wearing any underwear. A customer waved for another round and she squeezed her thighs together, then moved to help him.
Even as she busied herself she was still utterly aware of the man barely twenty feet away. She knew every time he was staring at her because the hairs at the nape of her neck stood up and made her shiver inside. She couldn’t help looking at him. Oh, he was definitely scrumptious. But she couldn’t go there even if she wanted to. With one single glance, he had the ability to make her feel things that she didn’t need to feel and that meant he was all wrong for her.
“This is DJ Rated R coming to you live from Situations Nightclub, the hottest spot on the South Side. We’re about to slow it down and try to get a couple of love connections up in here, ’cause I got that Friday night fire! But first, let me introduce you to our lovely hostess, Simone Thomas. Simone, come on over and show us some love!”
Shaun was stunned when he saw the beauty from behind the bar sashay onto the stage. His dick bucked. She wasn’t a barmaid, she was the owner.
“So tell us, Simone. You got a man?” the deejay asked.
Ignoring the catcalls and whistling, she shook her head. “Nope. I can’t seem to find a man who can handle all this.” She spun around to show what all this meant.
“That’s a damn shame.” DJ Rated R shook his head as his gaze raked her from head to toe. He then spoke softly into the microphone. “Tell me something…what’s it gonna take for a man to get with yo fine ass?”
Simone took the mike, and a toe-curling smile claimed her lips. Shaun held his breath and waited.
“Well, Rated R, I’m gonna keep it real. I’m ready to put the vibrator away.” She paused and gave a delightful giggle as the women surrounding the stage agreed. “I’m tired of faking it. I’m fienin’ for a man who can satisfy me in and out of the bedroom.”
“I know that’s right!” a woman cried from the center of the crowd.
Simone laughed before continuing. “I tell you what. I’ve got a proposition for all your single listeners. I’ll go out with any man who can tell me what B.S.A. stands for. If you can guess and you’re up for the job, you’ll get to spend the night with me.” She handed the mike back to the deejay as loud murmurs spread across the floor.
“There you have it. Yo, fellas, you can have a night with this fine—and I do mean fine—honey. All you gotta do is tell us the meaning of B.S.A. What’s it gonna be?”
All at once everyone started calling out possibilities. One short dude raced up to the stage and shouted, “Is it beautiful small ass?”
Simone turned around slowly and dropped a hand to her waist. “Do you see anything small about this?”
“Hell no!” someone shouted from across the club.
“Black sistah with ass!”
Again, she shook her head. Several more tried and didn’t even come close. Shaun wasn’t surprised. It just meant they weren’t the man for the job.
From where he was standing, Shaun was close enough to see her face. Her eyes were wide, deep-set and chestnut brown. Her lush red lips were the color of cherries, plump and just as ripe. As she continued to stand there, listening to all of the pitiful answers, all he could think about was holding her in his arms while he licked and sucked her juicy lips. He wanted her and he wanted her now.
Shifti
ng slightly, he wondered why he was feeling none of the hesitation he’d felt in the past about indulging in a one-night stand. Tonight, he wanted more than anything to bury his dick so far up inside her heat, he wouldn’t know where she started and he ended. The overwhelming feeling was so unlike him. But he wasn’t worried. Tonight he was going to allow his heart and mind to govern his actions.
After a few more tries, Simone waved to the crowd, then left the stage and headed back toward the bar. Shaun downed the rest of his beer in one swallow, then reached in his pocket for a stick of gum. “Excuse me, Javon. I’ve got some unfinished business to attend to.”
His friend gave him a sympathetic smile. “Yo, Shaun, how many times she gotta tell you no, dude?”
“As long as it takes to get her to say yes.”
Simone spotted him heading in her direction. Her pulse raced and breathing was now difficult to do. His muscular body moved with innate grace that made a woman pay attention. And his fine ass was definitely getting a lot of admiring looks. She swallowed as he moved close enough to brush against her knees, then gazed up at him with her mouth open like some starstruck teenager, which was so not her.
“Hey,” he said in a husky voice that made her nipples tingle.
“Hello, would you like another drink?” she asked, shifting nervously from foot to foot.
He stepped closer. “No, I would rather have a dance.”
Shivers coursed through her body as his minty-fresh breath played havoc with her mind. Simone glanced quickly over to the packed dance floor. The music had slowed down and hips were gyrating against each other. Swallowing, she declined. “I’m working.”
His sexy lips curled in a playful grin. “I got the impression you were the owner.”
“I am,” she replied with a defiant tilt of her chin.
“Then you can take a break.”
Quickly, she shook her head. “I don’t think so.” Needing to put some distance between them, Simone moved and retrieved a damp rag and started wiping off the bar. She watched the handsome stranger out of the corner of her eye and wondered why he was still standing there when she had made it boldly clear that he was not her type. He said nothing. Just stood there watching her.
