If Only For One Night

by Brenda Hampton

  On Saturday morning, I threw the covers back, and displayed the biggest smile ever. My seventeen year old daughter was on her way to a friend’s house for the entire weekend, and that allowed me to have a day to myself. Sometimes, I needed that. I worked hard, and my career kept me extremely busy. Made enough money to splurge a little on myself sometimes, and that’s what I intended to do.

  By noon, my daughter was on her way out of the door. I air kissed both of her rosy cheeks and wiggled my fingers in the air, as I watched her and her best friend slowly drive away. Before I could close the door, I heard a loud horn sound. I widened the door, and watched my daughter lower the window.

  “Yes,” I shouted from the doorway. “Did you forget something?”

  “Nope. Just wanted to say that I love you and you’d better not do any shopping without me.”

  Yes, she knew me all too well, and even though I’d told her that shopping wasn’t on my “to do” list, it was. “Love you too, but no need to worry about me today. I will be just fine, and if I see something for you, I’ll be sure to get it.”

  That, of course, caused a smile to grow on her face. She waved again, this time disappearing from my sight.

  Within the hour, I was dressed and ready to go. I was the kind of woman who liked to go to the mall dressed as if I were going to a nightclub. Stilettos were on my feet, tight jeans hugged my curves and a silk blouse was buttoned over my 36 D’s. A sheer scarf was tied around my waist like a belt, and my original silver accessories explained why others referred to me as Jazzy Joyce. My short hair was styled in a layered cut and a swoop of bangs rested on my forehead. While looking in the mirror, I smacked my glossed lips together, ready to go get the man I couldn’t stop thinking about—Mr. Jimmy Choo.

  Plaza Frontenac was just a hop, skip and jump away from my house, and as soon as I swerved into a parking spot, my cell phone rang. I noticed it was my sister calling me, but was skeptical about answering. She’d question me about where I was, or why I didn’t ask her to go. I didn’t want anyone to know I was about to pay over $900 for a pair of shoes I wanted, so that’s why I’d gone alone. Instead of ignoring the call, I answered.

  “Yes, Brenda,” I said, getting out of the car and heading into Saks Fifth Avenue.

  “Where are you?”

  ”At the nail shop,” I lied. “I called to see if you wanted to go, but you didn’t answer your phone.”

  “I saw that I missed your call, but…”

  Brenda kept yakking, but I wasn’t paying much attention to anything she’d said. As soon as I’d walked through the door, I noticed a man standing in front of a jewelry counter. From the backside, he made my mouth fill with water. My eyes were scanning in on him like an important document and my abrupt pace had slowed. Even my heartbeat started to race and I had to take deep breaths to calm it. No, he had no connection to Jimmy Choo, but from what I could see, he was much more competition.

  I quickly cut Brenda off, “Girl, let me call you back. I just spotted my future husband. I think.”

  She laughed and I hung up. I secretly eased my cell phone into my pocket, and almost at a tip-toeing pace, I moved in to get a closer view. The man rocked a silk powder blue button down shirt that was neatly tucked into black pants that fit his waist perfectly. His tan gave his body a smooth caramel color and I could smell him, as well as big money, from a mile away. I cautiously moved to the other side of the jewelry counter, just to see the front side of my prey. Good God Almighty, I thought, while observing his thick curly healthy hair. His goatee dressed his chin like a tailored suit, but as he continued to stare at two necklaces in front of him, I couldn’t get the view that I wanted. I lowered my head, skimming my eyes through the jewelry cases at the many expensive items. Many of the prices were too pricy for a person on a budget eyes to see, but for a person willing to splurge, it was right up their alley. Either way, the sales associate didn’t know my status, but she cleared her throat, telling me that she would be with me shortly.

  “Sure,” I said. “Take your time.”

  Hearing my voice caused the man in the spotlight to look up. Having such a clear view of him staggered me, and if my heart didn’t slow down, emergency room here I come. I wanted to faint as his eyes united with mine, even more so when he smiled and demonstrated his dimples. He gave me a nod, and a flirty woman like me could do nothing but nod right back. Still debating on the necklaces in front of him, he slightly spread his legs and folded his arms in front of him. The tips of his fingers touched his chin, and he took slow strokes on his goatee as if he were in deep thought. Almost immediately, I noticed the wedding ring on his finger and the excitement that was building rush out of me. Seeing the ring just about ruined it for me, but when he looked up at me again, not quite.

  “Excuse me,” he said from a short distance, looking in my direction.

  I turned around, making sure there was no one behind me. I then pointed to my chest. “Me? Are you talking to me?”

  “Yes. Would you mind helping me out with something?”

  Oh, I could do more than that, I thought, already making my way up to him. The exotic cologne he wore made me want to just hand over my black lace panties, but I played it cool. Get it together, Joyce! Girl, get it together!

  I stood close to him, swallowing hard and hoping that he couldn’t see perspiration that was causing my silk blouse to stick to my skin.

  “What’s up?” I said, quickly glancing at his square-toed leather shoes. A man’s shoes were something that always had to be right with me, and yes, this brotha was coming correct! “What can I help you with?”

  He touched one of the diamond necklaces then touched the other. “I’m trying to decide which one of these necklaces I should purchase. Need a woman’s opinion and I figured that a woman as classy as yourself would be able to help.”

  No offense to the woman behind the counter, but he obviously knew class when he saw it. I looked at both of the necklaces, noticing the hefty nine thousand dollar price tag on one, and twelve thousand dollar tag on the other. The highest one did have more diamonds, but the cheaper one was prettier. I cleared my throat and reached for the cheaper necklace to observe it.

  “If you don’t mind me asking,” I inquired. “Who are you getting this for? Wife, mother, sister,” I cleared my throat again, “Mistress . . . ”

  He blushed, but answered. “Don’t know yet. I’ll know when I decide which one to buy.”

  His response let me know the wife wasn’t as lucky as I thought she may be. “This one,” I said, giving the necklace to him. “I like this one better.”

  He took the necklace from my hand. “Are you sure?”

  ”Positive.”

  “Okay,” he said, handing the necklace over to the sales associate. “I’ll take this one.”

  I smiled because he’d chosen the one I suggested. Before I could walk away, he reached for my arm. I swear his touch made me tingle all over and I hoped that my apparent attraction to him wasn’t so noticeable.

  “Damn, baby. Why you moving so fast? I just wanted to say thanks for your time. It was very much appreciated.”

  “No problem. And I hope that whoever you give the necklace to, she appreciates it.”

  “I’m sure she will. No doubt.”

  He released my arm and I walked off to go find Jimmy.

  Just my luck, the sales lady said they didn’t have the Jimmy Choo shoes that I wanted in my size. What a disappointment that was. My face fell flat, and as she tried to sell me some of the other shoes, I pouted like a three year old child.

  “Can I order them online?” I asked with frustration on the rise. “If so, do you know how long it will take?”

  “Sure you can order online, but it may take several weeks before you get them. There is a new collection over there and you may find something in that selection that you like, too.”

  I hated when sales people tried to talk me into something that I didn’t want, but I did take a glance at the other shoes. None
compared to the ones I wanted, but I did see a pair that was doable. As I held the shoe in my hand, I inhaled that exotic cologne again, even before he’d said a word. He stood behind me, looking over my shoulder.

  “Those are nice,” he said, referring to the shoes and not my breasts as I had hoped. “But I suggest that you scrap the shoe search, especially if you can’t get the ones that you really want.”

  I swung around, being closer to him than I was before. “What makes you think I don’t really want these?”

  “I’ve seen that look in a woman’s eyes many times before. Normally, when a woman has tears in her eyes when she’s shopping, that means she’s disappointed that she can’t find what she wants. The look in your eyes clearly says that you’re disappointed.”

  Obviously, he’d been paying attention to me, like I was him. I put the shoe down, knowing that he was right. “I guess I owe you a thank you, too. And thanks for reminding me that if I can’t have what I want, then there is no need to settle.”

  “None,” he said, backing away from me. I guess I’d gotten a little closer without knowing it. “I gotta jet, but it was nice talking to you, uh…what did you say your name was?”

  “I didn’t say, but it’s Joyce.”

  He nodded and slowly exited the shoe section. “Jaylin,” he winked. “Jaylin Rogers. Take care.”

  “You too.”

  I watched as Jaylin was out of sight, but definitely not out of mind. Wasn’t sure what that connection was all about, but it was one of the most interesting encounters I’d ever had. Something about him had me intrigued and I wasn’t sure yet if it was the mere fact that he was FINE AS HELL!!

  Whenever I couldn’t find what I wanted at the mall, I always searched for something else. Never was it in the same category as what I wanted, so if I couldn’t get shoes, I had to go for a purse. The Louis Vuitton store was in my sights, but so were those shiny black leather shoes that covered Jaylin’s feet. This time, he was standing in a lingerie store, holding up two pieces of sexy negligee. Just for the hell of it, I poked my head in the door.

  “Pssst, Jaylin.”

  His eyes shot up, and those pearly whites were coming through for me. “If those aren’t for you,” I teased. “I’d say the black one looks better. The red is too slutty.”

  He laughed, holding up the red one. “You think? I have pretty good taste, and I think the red one looks better than the black one.”

  I walked into the store, trying to make my point. “No, go with the black one. Trust me. You can’t go wrong with black and all women need a little silk mixed with lace in their lives.”

  Jaylin looked over both pieces, before dropping the hangers to his side. “You know what? Why don’t you go try both of these on for me? That way I can decide which one I like best. Can you do that for me?”

  No doubt, I was flattered, but there wasn’t a chance in hell I would model the negligee in front of him. “You can take my word for it. The black one is the way to go, and unfortunately, I just can’t see myself showing the goods to someone who is not my man.”

  “What about to a man who is interested?”

  I couldn’t help but go there, but he made me. “Interested in who? Couldn’t be me, especially with that blinding wedding band on your finger.”

  “That’s fair,” he said, raising a brow. “But my interest revolves around taking you to dinner.” He reached in his pocket, pulling out a business card and handing it to me. “I’m staying downtown at the Four Seasons. If you’re interested in dinner, call me. If not, we both become losers.”

  I skeptically took the card, but didn’t look at it. “Maybe so, Jaylin, but there is something about you that says stand clear. No offense, of course.”

  “Hey, that’s what they all say, but many have changed their minds. I hope you can be persuaded as well.”

  I was already tongue tied, so I kept my mouth shut. I had his card, and if dinner is what I wanted, I could get it. I left the store, refusing to turn around. Not because I wasn’t interested, but because I had done the married man thing before and it didn’t pan out. Promised myself that I would never go there again, but saying “never” was like saying I’d never shop again. I knew that in no way was the truth.

  Later that day, I sat on my couch, debating what to do. I held Jaylin’s business card in my hand, flipping it in circles. The situation itself seemed so harmless, and if a fine ass man wanted to take me to dinner, what was the big deal? The big deal was I knew a man like him could get more than dinner, if he wanted to. I hadn’t had sex in quite some time and I pictured myself ripping his clothes off and attacking him. I wondered what he looked like naked, and the way his muscles bulged through his clothes, I could tell his body was nothing to play with. I glanced at the T.V. that was showing nothing but repeats. I ignored the telephone calls that were coming from friends who wanted to talk about nothing. I even hung up on my daughter’s father, who seemed delighted that I was home alone on a Saturday night. That thought, in itself, made me dial out on my phone to call Jaylin. When he answered, my stomach rumbled. I touched it, just to calm the queasy feeling inside.

  “Jaylin Rogers,” he said again.

  I quickly spoke up. “Jaylin, this is Joyce. I met you earlier…”

  “I know. Been waiting for your call. Up for dinner or do I dine alone?”

  “No need. I would love to meet you for dinner. Where and when?”

  “The restaurant at the Four Seasons. If you can, meet me there in an hour. I’ll be waiting.”

  He hung up before I could say another word. I didn’t think much of it, and to be honest, his arrogance, as well as confidence, was striking. I did, however, make a phone call to my sisters to let them know where I would be and who I would be with.

  I arrived at the Four Seasons, and I could see Jaylin from a distance, standing in front of the restaurant. His cell phone was to his ear, and the distressing expression on his face looked serious. I could tell that drama was lurking on the other end, and when I saw him slightly cut his eyes, it was obvious.

  “Look, I gotta go,” he shot back at the caller. “No time for the bullshit, baby, and I need for you to quickly decide what in the hell you want to do.”

  He hung up and quickly turned his attention to me.

  “Thanks for not allowing me to dine alone,” he said.

  “Nah, I couldn’t let that happen, could I?”

  We both smiled, and were taken to our seats by a waitress.

  “What would you like to drink?” she asked us.

  “I’ll take a diet coke,” I said.

  “Remy, no ice,” Jaylin responded.

  “Sir, you’ll have to go to the bar to get that. We don’t serve alcoholic beverages over here. Only Coke and Pepsi products.”

  Jaylin cocked his head back and eyeballed the woman as if she’d called him ugly. “What kind of restaurant doesn’t serve Remy? If I can’t get what I want, then there’s no need for me to spend my money here.”

  “Well, sir, I’m sorry but it’s. . .”

  Jaylin ignored the waiter and looked at me. “Joyce, sorry for the inconvenience, but this restaurant doesn’t suit my needs. Let’s go.”

  I was stunned that we were leaving over a glass over Remy, but it was his money being spent, not mine. Like a true gentleman, he extended his hand for me to go in front of him and we left. He walked through the Four Seasons with authority, and his swag had plenty of heads turning. It wasn’t long before we made a detour to the elevators and when it opened, he allowed me to step on first.

  “I’m going to order room service,” he said. “You can order anything on the menu that you wish, and I bet you that I’ll get my glass of Remy, and then some.”

  There was no doubt in my mind, and as long as I got my food, as well as an opportunity to scroll my hands down his chest, I was going with the flow.

  Jaylin used a keycard to open the double doors to the suite, and to say it was laid out would be an understatement. Why he even chose
to meet me at the restaurant was a waste of time, as I would have been a lot more comfortable dining in the suite with him.

  “Have a seat,” he said, inviting me to sit on the cream silk chaise that was a few feet away from the bed. He placed his keys and cell phone on a cherry-wood table, then picked up a menu, giving it to me.

  “Thank you,” I said, flipping it open to see what I wanted. There was an array of foods listed, including a New York Strip steak that I was dying to sink my teeth into. I was also in the mood for a salad, so I opted for both. Dessert would be determined much later. I told Jaylin what I wanted and he picked up the phone to call room service.

  “Yes,” he said, confirming his order. “And I must tell you that I’m disappointed about my experience with the restaurant today. Even though there may not be an affiliation to the hotel, it was still an inconvenience to me and my guest. Someone stands to be corrected.”

  He listened in, and when all was said and done, the food that was delivered was on the house. So was the wine, specifically for Mr. Roger’s inconvenience, and he was given a free room to come back whenever.

  After we finished our meal, Jaylin stood in front of me. He stepped out of his shoes and rolled up the sleeves on his shirt.

  “That was good,” he said, touching his belly. “Sorry if I gobbled that down, but I hadn’t eaten all day.”

  “You’re good,” I said, watching him pull the shirt out from down inside of his pants. I swear his waistline was so perfect and the bulge in his pants—there was no word to describe it!

  “If you don’t mind, I’m just getting comfortable. Would you like anything else, or are you cool?”