by
Rockstar Swagger
_____For all the wealth Cien had acquired in her young life, she would trade it all for one simple luxury. Love. She was battle weary from the grind of stressful women who wanted to be with her for every reason except for the right one. At twenty-five, Cien had done quite well as owner of a slew of auto repair shops. Cien was always good with her hands. Before she was able to walk in her first pair of heels, she knew how to change a flat and was adept at engine repair.
_____She owed her talents to her father. Secretly she was daddy's little girl, whatever she wanted dad always provided. After her mother died, it was just the two of them. Her dad took up the slack as mother and father. Cien never went a day without feeling loved. She supposed this is whence she inherited her desire to return the favor. As she went through her monthly reports, she wondered aloud if she would ever lay eyes on the one that wouldn't care if she flipped burgers for a living.
_____It was only eight in the morning and Jaden's day was already challenging. The movers called to say that they were running three hours behind. With a little spare time, she decided to go to the gym. After doing thirty laps at the pool, she headed back to home. About a mile away, her engine went dead. Jaden had a bit of a dilemma. The only thing she wore was her bathing suit and sarong. She never imagined that her roadster would conk out on the side of the road. To make matters worse she left her cellular phone home. Jaden remembered passing an auto repair place a couple of blocks down. She got out and walked to the serenades of honking horns and whistles.
_____Cien always craved coffee around 9:30 each morning. Today was no exception. She was about to make her way to the espresso bar. She was met by a commotion in the mechanic workroom. Her usually diligent working staff hovered around one customer. Cien assessed the situation and what a lovely situation she was.
_____She was 5'5 of lean, lithe, loveliness. Cien loved a women who spent time doing physical activity. This woman could be Angela Bassett's sister. They shared the same skin tone and high cheekbone structure. The only difference was that the woman dressed in a bathing suit had lighter brown eyes and a short curly fro. Cien stopped her perusal and went into professional mode. "How may we help you miss?"
_____Jaden thought, You can help me by not being so damn gorgeous. This was her type of woman, 5'8 with long Iversonesque braids, breasts and a butt to boot. This woman had class stamped all over. She was coordinated from her sweat suit to sneakers. Jaden was mesmerized by her cafe au lait complexion and almond shaped eyes. Her lips were made for kissing. They were full and pouty. Jaden believed in first impressions and of all days she is caught looking like a sports illustrated reject. Jaden never one to be ruffled found her voice. "My car died on me. Can you help me?"
_____"I can help you but you have to tell me two things: your name and the location of your car."
_____Jaden smiled for the first time that morning. "The name is Jaden and my car is parked on Hope Road."
_____Cien drove Jaden back to her car and instructed her to start her engine. It was dead. Cien popped the hood and instantly noticed that her one of her battery wires were loose. "I think I’ve found your problem."
_____Cien went to her truck for her tools as she returned. She noticed that Jaden was checking her watch. "I will finish, so you can get you back to your husband."
_____"What makes you think that I have a husband?"
_____ Cien responded as she tightened the cable. "Okay… so you can get back to your wife."
_____Jaden watched Cien's muscles ripple as she worked. "The same question applies."
_____"Jaden, you are much too perfect not to be attached to someone."
_____"What makes you think that I am perfect?"
_____Cien closed her hood before moving forward. "You know what you possess."
_____Jaden responded knowingly. "This much is true but the answer is most people aren't prepared to study what I already know."
_____Cien extracted a card from her pocket. "Let me say that if your car ever has problems. You know where to find me."
_____Jaden had finally settled into her new home. She sipped on a glass of chardonnay as she celebrated the purchase of her first home. Jaden had worked hard the past year getting her real estate business off the ground. So much that she had neglected her social and sex life. She had been celibate for 12 months, 5 days and 7 hours. Jaden laughed, as she was able to personally calculate that particular void. She had sworn off relationships because she couldn't seem to master them along with work. Her last girl couldn't understand the long work hours. She accused her of cheating and neglect. She may have been guilty of neglect, but she wasn't a cheater. She tried to balance Ria and real estate but it didn't pan out. After Ria left, Jaden threw herself into her work, closing the deal on three homes with enough left over to buy her mother a condo in Westchester. At the age of twenty-seven, Jaden was on top of the world. The only thing missing was a Mrs.
_____
_____Cien treated her father to dinner and the movies. As they exited the theatre, she saw Jaden. Apparently, the man she was with knew her well because he was hugging her. Cien eyes followed every curve in the jeans that hung to that well defined body.
_____Jaden looked her way as Cien's eyes made their way to her face. She left her friend at the concession stand before coming over. Jaden warmly greeted Cien and her father. It was obvious that her father was enchanted with her. Jaden noticed that Cien hadn't said much. "Cat got your tongue?"
_____Cien pointed to Jaden’s male friend. "Is he your date?"
_____"Does he look like my date?"
_____"Why do you answer questions with a question?"
_____"It's part of my charm."
_____Cien didn't have time for games. It was obvious that this conversation was a waste of time. "Jaden, my father and I have reservations. I guess I'll see you around."
_____Cien pouted all through dinner. It was apparent to her father that she was interested in Jaden. He told her straight up that if she wasn't going to get at her. He would.
_____Monday morning Cien was greeted by a vase of sunflowers on her desk. The card read: The answer to your question is no. He is my brother. -Jaden
_____Jaden included her business card. Cien called her and once she was connected she told Jaden that they would be having dinner that evening. She didn't disappoint Cien by her choice of a black strapless dress with six inch stiletto's that showed off beautiful calves. Cien looked very dapper in a fitted turtleneck sweater, Gucci slacks, and loafers. Tonight they would be chauffeured. Dinner was filled with easy conversation ranging from their childhoods, to the pros and cons of a black woman owning their own business.
_____They both agreed that the title of boss was a wonderful perk. Jaden concluded that Cien was excellent at giving orders. "I amused by the way you demanded that I have dinner with you tonight."
_____"I'm did ask you."
_____"No you commanded. FYI, I don't take orders very well.
_____"To lead you must learn how to follow."
_____Jaden had to ask. "Where are you leading me?"
_____"To my house, for coffee and desert, if that is agreeable to you."

_____As soon as Jaden's high heels touched Cien's Persian rug. It was all over. Cien pressed her against the door and kissed her beginning with her head to her shoes. She expertly peeled Jaden's dress from her brown skin. Jaden had never been so wet for any one. She couldn't get enough of taste, touch or feel of this woman. She knew that Cien wanted to control the evening but she had been without for a very long time. Jaden removed Cien's top, sliding those pants over those sexy hips. Cien didn't have on any panties. Made life easier for her.
_____Jaden and Cien kissed for about 10 minutes. Jaden's tongue trailed from neck, to flat stomach, to where she wanted to be. She attacked Cien's clit with the expertise of a sexual nymph. Cien had trouble breathing. Her nerve endings had nerve endings. The feelings that Jaden created made Cien more intense that usual. She carried Jaden to her bedroom, where they sucked, teased and freaked on powdery silk sheets. After Cien strapped up, Jaden straddled her on a Victorian chair where they stroked for hours. The deeper Cien went, the rougher Jaden wanted it. Cien was amazed at this woman's passion. Jaden let her know who it belonged to and how good she was making her feel. Cien had never come so many times in one night. Jaden had never come so powerfully with anyone else.
_____A month had passed after that single night of passion. As much as she tried Cien couldn't get Jaden off her mind. She had to because Jaden had been missing in action since that blissful night. Cien had called her a couple of times only to get her voicemail. Cien wasn't into stalking. She went to Jaden's house once but she was not there. That ended her search. Jaden called her with the excuse that work was keeping her extra busy. She would call her when she could. That was two weeks ago. Cien understood the demands of having your own business, but she couldn't be that damn busy. If Jaden wanted to, she could have made time for her. That she hadn't bothered Cien.
_____Cien was on Jaden's mind for the all of those hundred hours that she had already logged for the month. Meetings, viewings and contracts were keeping her away from Cien. Jaden left too early in the morning to call and by the time she returned home, Cien was asleep. She called Cien when she got a minute, often times someone would be calling her or she would be on hold waiting for Cien to pick up. This scenario had gone on long enough. Tonight, Jaden would be leaving early no matter what.
_____Cien was home watching the Knicks lose again. As she was about to curse at the screen, the door bell ring. She looked out and couldn't believe who was on her doorstep. She opened the door to a waiting Jaden. Cien didn't say anything.
_____Jaden spoke. "Baby I am so sorry. Please believe me when I tell you that I felt everything you felt the night we made love. The only reason that I haven't been with you is because of work."
_____Even though Jaden appeared sincere, Cien’s ego was still bruised. "I am supposed to believe that all you have been doing is working. You left me hanging for weeks and now you show up to tell me that you have been swamped. If you wanted to be with me you would have found a way."
_____"Cien, I am here."
_____"You should have been here... then."
_____"Do you want me to go?"
_____Cien did not say anything. Jaden picked up her purse to leave. Cien watched her as her she put her hand on the knob. She caught her before she could open the door. "What made you come to me today?"
_____"I was missing you. I am sorry and I promise this will never happen again." Jaden pulled keys from her purse and gave them to Cien. "For the nights that I come home late, I want you near."
_____Cien carried her working girl upstairs to unwind.

The End

Copyright © 2004. Used by permission of author. All Rights Reserved.