Soulful Strut (25 page)

“We’re alone again. Ask,” he said
finally.

Monette cleared her throat because he
continued to stare at her. “Some of the girls at Second Chances
will be out of high school in May. They’re deciding on college or
vocational schools. We know a few don’t want to do either. So,
we’re talking to them about careers.”

“Got it. You want them to start thinking
about jobs,” Jayson said.

“More than that. I gotta hand it to her.
Danica doesn’t come up with the same-old, same-old approach. She
wants them to consider starting their own businesses. Would you
teach a short course on entrepreneurship?”

“Me teach a class.” Jayson rubbed his chin as
he considered her request.

“We’re not asking for a big time commitment.
Just maybe a four-hour course spread over a month. I know how busy
you are, but Second Chances is only a fifteen- minute drive from
your garage.” Monette continued selling the idea as she watched
him.

“Really?” He smiled at her as one dark
eyebrow lifted.

“I’ll get any materials you need, do all the
research. Anything to make this easier for you.” Monette took a
deep breath. “Just think it over.”

“Yes,” Jayson said simply.

“Well. That was easy.” Monette gave a nervous
laugh when she realized he was staring at her again. She fidgeted
with a napkin for a few seconds. “I thought you’d put up more of a
struggle.”

“I’ve been thinking about doing something
like this for awhile. You know, something more than writing a check
to some charitable organization. Your work with kids and on the
radio has inspired me to get off my butt.” Jayson’s smile deepened
until a dimple appeared on his right cheek.

Monette looked away to keep her mind off
kissing him. “Remember that I’m doing community service. I didn’t
get into this out of the goodness of my heart.”

“You care about those girls and helping other
people. It doesn’t matter how or why you got started. At least not
to me.”

“I appreciate that” Monette said. She looked
at him and was hooked by the kindness in his gaze.

“Okay. Let me know when and we’ll work out
the details,” Jayson said quietly.

“I’ll talk to Danica about it and get back to
you,” Monette murmured, unable to escape the enchantment he seemed
to be weaving around her.

Jayson sat back when the waitress returned.
She put down the glasses of lemonade, assured them dinner would
come out soon, then left. “Ask.”

“I did.” Monette blinked at him.

“No, you didn’t. You want to know about the
love life comment I made earlier.” Jayson smiled at her.

“That shy guy just up and disappeared.”
Monette put the glass to her mouth to cover her attack of
nerves.

“Not so shy when I really like someone.”
Jayson leaned across the table to cover her right hand with both of
his.

“I don’t know, Jayson.” Monette glanced away
from the intensity of his cocoa eyes.

“We’re not that different, Monette. Don’t
even go there,” he said quietly.

“Let’s compare arrest records then. Monette
six, Jayson zero. Have you worn leg shackles lately? Spent any time
in prison? Tell me all about it.” Monette tried to make it into a
joke but couldn’t carry it off.

“Why do you define yourself based on those
things?” Jayson would not let go when Monette tried to pull her
hand away.

“That’s what the world sees despite my
so-called success. I’ve seen too much and done some things ... the
book I wrote doesn’t tell it all.” Monette choked. “You wouldn’t
understand.”

“Give me a try. Please.”

Monette looked into his eyes. She wanted to
believe in him. Something in the way he gazed at her stirred a
protective feeling. “You have no idea what you’re getting into.
Tell you what. Why don’t we be friends?”

“No, you didn’t just give me the ‘let’s be
friends’ line before we even got started well. Forget it.” Jayson
shook his head with a look of resolve.

“Maybe I’ll make the decision for you,”
Monette replied. She already knew the answer before he shook his
head again.

“No, you won’t. And I won’t make it easy for
you either. I’m going to woo you.” Jayson smiled.

“Woo me?” Monette laughed hard. “I can’t
believe you just said ‘woo.’ ”

“You’ve got me talking crazy, girl. I’m not
even supposed to be here. I decided to concentrate on the business,
my baby girl, and just have a nice fling every now and then. Less
complicated. You messed up the plan.” Jayson smiled at her.

“Stick with less complicated. I sure as hell
can’t give you that. Look up complication in any dictionary and
you’ll see my picture.” Monette loved the way his fingers curled
around her hand. The sturdy feel of them seeped into her, making
Monette believe that life could be good. “I’m being selfish by not
walking away from you.”

“I call it sensible to do what makes you
happy. Or maybe I’m assuming too much?” Jayson prodded.

“I don’t know anything about being with a man
like you,” she said quietly.

“I’m not an alien from another planet, you
know,” Jayson gently teased.

“In some ways you are. You know what I mean.
I don’t have experience with nice guys who work hard, live right,
and have no dark secrets.”

“School is now in session.” Jayson lifted her
hand to his mouth and placed a tender kiss on each finger.

Monette watched him, mesmerized by the
action. Head bent down, Jayson’s dark brown wooly curls enticed her
to touch them. She was about to when the waitress approached
holding a large oval tray. Jayson let go with a sigh of regret. The
waitress expertly set the dishes before them.

“Holler if you need me. Enjoy your food.” She
left again.

They finished their meal, pausing for small
talk. Monette thoroughly enjoyed her fish all the while relishing a
serene, normal date. The atmosphere in Riverview became romantic
and intimate as the sun disappeared. Small lamps on each table
transformed each one into a cozy nook for the diners. In spite of
the crowd, Monette felt as though they had a special private space
around them. Jayson kept Monette laughing with stories about things
he’d found in cars. By the time they ordered coffee, her stomach
ached from laughing.

“You’re too much. I haven’t laughed so much
in a long time. This is a nice break from my life.” Monette sighed
with pleasure.

“One day soon you’ll leave the halfway house.
It might seem like forever, but it will happen,” Jayson said.

“I hear that from my lawyer, but when you say
it...” Monette stared at him for a time trying to find the words.
She put a hand over her heart. .. I feel it for real right
here.”

Jayson brushed a finger along her right
cheek, then sat back. “Good, because it’s coming true. Now how
would you like to hear some great, old-school rhythm and blues
tunes?”

“I’ve never been one to turn down a chance to
party, but I can’t go in a bar. I’m on parole, remember?” Monette
shrugged an apology.

“I’m talking about my place. A very reputable
establishment, I assure you. If you don’t want to go, we won’t.”
Jayson’s smile faded at the look she gave him. Despite his words,
the sound of disappointment was in his voice.

“Well, I uh ...” Monette wanted to be alone
with him; that was the problem. Once again she wondered if she was
wrong to drag Jayson into a life with so much drama.

“Look, since you’re not feeling this right
now, let’s just take a walk on the levee instead.”

“I’m not trying to play hard to get, Jayson.”
Monette felt a need to explain.

He shook his head as he motioned to the
waitress. “Don’t sweat it. I want everything we do to be right for
both of us. I’m patient when it’s worth the wait.”

“Damn,” Monette whispered low while he was
busy talking to the waitress.

Everything he did and said started a fire
deep inside her. Talk about pushing all the right buttons, this man
wrote the book where she was concerned. She began to wonder if
Jayson had the Monette Victor instruction manual memorized. If so,
then what would he be like in bed? Just the thought sent a finger
of electricity up her spine. When he turned to her and smiled after
pocketing his change, Monette made her decision.

“I’d really like to hear that music
collection,” she said quickly before he could speak or she would
change her mind again.

“Great.” Jayson stood, held out his hand, and
led her out of the restaurant.

They were quiet on the ride to his house.
Provocative hip-hop love songs from his compact disc player set the
tone for the trip. The speakers thumped from the heavy bass beat,
making the leather seats vibrate. By the time Jayson parked the
truck at his condo, Monette felt weak with desire. Jayson glanced
at her with a question in his dark eyes. Monette slid close to him,
wrapped Jayson in her arms, and kissed him hard. Her tongue parted
his sweet full lips. He groaned in reply, as though relieved not to
hold back any longer. When the kiss ended, Jayson breathed heavily
as he touched his forehead against hers.

“We’d better not go in if you’re not ready
for more. Because, baby, I couldn’t be alone with you in my house
without.” He broke off as if going on would be too much.

“I’m ready.” Monette stroked both his cheeks
with her palms.

Despite legs of melted rubber, Monette
managed to follow him inside. Jayson closed and locked the door,
then turned on the dimmer lights and his sound system, then went
down the hall. Music flooded the room, and a sensuous beat led into
the rich voice of Gerald Levert singing classic torch songs.

Jayson returned with a small foil package.
Monette nodded gratitude when he showed it to her. Without
speaking, he took Monette in his arms and they danced. Their hips
pressed together as they swayed to the rhythm. Monette kissed him
once, then more. She frantically set out to taste every inch of his
neck as she unbuttoned his shirt. Hands shaking, Jayson helped her
undress him until he was naked. Still fully clothed, Monette
stepped back to admire the smooth bronze prince before her. She
took off her top slowly, allowing him to watch. Breathless, she
dropped it to the floor, and then unhooked the front of her lace
bra. When she rubbed her nipples, Jayson growled but did not move.
Thrilled by the raw hunger in his eyes, Monette took a long time to
push her dark red lace panties down. First over her hips, to her
thighs, and finally she let them fall around her ankles. When she
stepped free of them then kicked them away, Jayson dropped to his
knees before her. His tongue traced a line of heat down her belly.
With a cry Monette leaned into him. He gently brought her down to
the floor. Like a connoisseur Jayson licked, nibbled and sucked
until Monette called his name. When he’d had his fill of tasting
her, Jayson applied the condom and mounted her. Suddenly he was
impatient to have it all.

“Let me in,” he moaned as he thrust.

Monette clung to him, feeling that he meant
so much more than the physical. And she needed him to be with her
in every way. His passion to have her swallowed her whole until she
shook deep inside. With every stroke Monette gave up being alone.
With every sigh she let go of a past hurt. What Jayson was giving
her had the power to wipe away her doubts that love could be like a
dream. In a flash Monette knew she’d never made love before. Made
love as a phrase became blindingly clear in an instant. She was
lifted up, spun around, and left wide open to everything he wanted
to give. Monette heard a voice that sounded like hers yet was one
she barely recognized. Senseless with desire, she moaned, shuddered
and rode a wave that seemed to have no end.

“Monette,” Jayson called out through clenched
teeth.

They came together in that instant, both
pushed over the edge by the salty sweet taste of pure lust to be
one body. Sweat drenched them both. When they finally lay still,
all they could do was pant. The cool brush of air from the ceiling
fan made them sigh in unison. Jayson pulled away enough to look
into her eyes.

“Damn that felt good,” he murmured.

“Me, too,” was the most Monette could get
out. She pressed his face against her breast, unwilling to give up
any part of him just yet

Slowly she regained a sense of her
surroundings. The sleek feel of the carpet beneath her body
cushioned her.

Monette breathed in the scent of his skin,
perspiration mixed with aftershave lotion. She squirmed against his
lean, muscular bulk on top of her.

“I’m too heavy, baby.” Jayson still seemed
reluctant to break contact in spite of his words.

“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a
big-hipped, healthy woman. Stay right where you are.” Monette
kissed one of his shoulders.

“Have mercy, but did I notice.” Jayson gave a
groan of satisfaction.

“Well, I guess we shouldn’t spend the rest of
the evening sprawled on the floor like two crazy people,” Monette
giggled.

Jayson lifted himself with care from her
body. “Okay. How about a shower?”

“Oh, yeah. I better get myself cleaned up
before I go back to New Beginnings. Those women will take one sniff
and know what I’ve been doing.” Monette put her head back and
laughed. After all, she didn’t really care what they thought.
Jayson laughed, too. Though she was sure he didn’t quite see the
real joke. Not that it mattered. She was too happy having a real
reason to laugh for the first time in years.

They walked down the hallway naked and
holding hands as though they were strolling through a park. Every
action they took for the next hour was deliberate. The way Jayson
scrubbed her back, the way she smoothed the soap lather along his
thighs, every action brought on a delightful reaction. Monette
participated and watched outside herself at the same time. When it
was finally time to leave, she did not feel sad.