Turned Out Saga (21 page)

Alexis, not one to really masturbate, decided to do just that.

She closed her eyes and imagined Thomas' tongue circling around her clitoris, stroking it, and dipping inside. From the thought alone she could feel a warmth travel up through her thighs. She squeezed them together and tried to suppress the pleasure but then decided to go with the feeling, to allow the emotions that were going to come. She had on a thin nightgown and placed both palms over each nipple as she ran her palms over her nipples in circles and started pinching them.

Alexis allowed her hands to go lower as she pushed her hips up off the bed and pulled her gown up over her waist. She stroked her pussy through her panties gently at first, but wanting to feel the pressure from her own hand she pressed harder using mostly the bottom of her palm.

Realizing the pleasure she could give herself, she pushed her panties to the side and ran the fingers of her right hand between her pussy lips. She didn't want to put them inside just yet. She was enjoying teasing herself more than she thought she would and she wanted to make this moment last. With her left hand she played with both nipples.

At this point, Alexis wasn't pretending or trying to imagine that it was Thomas or any other person trying to please her. She was pleasing herself and thinking,
Shit, this can become a habit. I don't need a man. All I need are my two hands
. Masturbation wasn't something she participated in, but she'd heard women say all they needed were their fingers and she was about to find out how true it was.

She then took one of her fingers and dipped it into her pussy. She dipped it in and out, pumping her hips up and down, loving every moment of it. She'd keep her fingers deep inside her for a couple of seconds and move them in circles.

Alexis could feel her heart beating and her breath coming quicker and quicker. So she pulled her fingers out to catch her breath and start all over again. This time, she used both hands, one to move the skin from around her clitoris and the other to touch it. The first touch caused her to jump.

She relaxed her body and tried it again. She thought about how Khalil would touch her there with his tongue, moving it in circles, so she copied the movement with her finger. She wondered if that's why she fell so hard so fast. Was it because of his oral skills? When he made love to her, she experienced her first real orgasm; the kind that made her body shake, quiver and jerk–the kind that made her call out. She couldn't believe that she'd missed out on that. Heck, she'd been having sex since her last year of high school. Just thinking about it made her feel a rush in her stomach and that caused her to move her hand away. She took another deep breath.

She tried it again, but first she put her finger in her mouth to make it moist and put it back on her clitoris. Whenever she felt her clitoris becoming dry she'd put her finger back in her mouth, wet it and back on her clitoris. She was ready to cum. She was ready to feel the explosion that would take over her body and leave her exhausted.

Her heart was racing, her nipples were stinging, and she could feel an energy building up from her feet to her thighs, to her back and finally to her pussy.

Alexis surprised herself by screaming out loud as she arched her body and put two fingers inside her to feel the moistness that was dripping from deep inside. She felt her body relax and sink into the bed as she left her hand cupping her pussy. She closed her eyes and sighed.
Oh my God, I can't believe this. I can't believe I actually made myself cum. I'll never judge another person that say they masturbate. This may have been my first time doing so, but it won't be my last.

Alexis felt the need to call someone up and tell them about this experience. The orgasm made her feel as though a weight had been lifted, even if it was temporary. Guilt? Did she feel any? Not at all.
Damn, does that mean I'm going against God?
She hoped not and if it did, she knew that He would forgive her.

When Alexis moved her hand the tears finally fell, and with the tears came feelings of hopelessness. She wondered if she would ever get it right with men. What was she doing that was wrong? Why couldn't a man stay faithful to her? Was she not good enough? Did she wear a sign on her forehead that read, I'M A FOOL, YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ME?

Alexis shook her head and tried to erase these thoughts. “I will not go there, I will not go there, I will not go there,” she repeated over and over until she fell asleep.

The second Alexis entered The Red Oak, which was the new hot spot in town; she saw that it was crowded. Normally she wasn't into crowds, but since this was the new her, she'd have to deal with it, accept it, and make the most out of it. As she excused her way through the crowd she took in the cream and gold decorum. The tables were set with what appeared to be satin material, candles, and a slim vase with one lily, which gave the appearance of an upscale club. The lighting was dim and the music was old-school R&B, which suited the twenty-five and over crowd just fine.

Alexis glanced around and was relieved when she spotted Champagne who already had two Martini glasses in front of her.

“What's up girl?” Alexis greeted as she bent over to give Champagne a kiss on the cheek.

“Nothing. I ordered us each a Watermelon Martini.”

“Thanks girl,” Alexis said as she sat down.

Champagne was glad to see Alexis and surprised to see her in a formfitting dress, when normally she dressed conservatively. They hadn't talked in over two weeks and after what took place at the airport, she had started wondering if it was because Alexis was through with her. She wondered if she had crossed the line.

Champagne tried calling Alexis numerous times and either Alexis didn't answer the phone or when she did she told her she was busy. Champagne knew that meant to back off. She was going to give Alexis one more week and then she was going to knock on her door and make her converse.

Not one to beat around the bush, Champagne asked as she sipped her Martini, “So, what was up with that kiss you gave Thomas at the airport?”

Of course she was concerned about her friend's well-being, but ever since the kiss, Champagne had wanted to ask her that question. She surely couldn't leave it on the answering machine. After all, she knew Alexis was going through it emotionally. Who could blame her? She was obviously hurt and needed time to process the damage done to her heart. The pain was noticeable because of her behavior and her not reaching out.

By not calling Champagne or really taking her calls it was understandable that Alexis was feeling dejected, despondent, and distant. Who wouldn't want to be left alone at a time like this? Being best friends and not communicating like they normally do left Champagne concerned about their friendship and Alexis' state of mind. But instead of hounding Alexis like she wanted to, she chose to let Alexis work through it.

Not that she had any choice because Alexis wasn't ready to open up and after hearing Alexis tell her when she was ready to discuss it with her, she would, Champagne decided, leave well enough alone. So, Champagne let it go and moved on. She made the decision to just be there the best way she could for Alexis, in spirit. The way she figured it, when Alexis was ready for her support, an ear or a shoulder, she would be just a phone call away.

So when Alexis finally called her, Champagne was pleased. She missed her friend and wanted to talk about what transpired and when Alexis suggested they meet for drinks, Champagne was surprised. She asked Alexis was she sure she wanted to meet for drinks or should they meet for dinner.

“What? A sister can't go out for a drink?” Alexis asked her.

It wasn't that a sister couldn't go out for a drink. It's just that Alexis wasn't one to drink unless it was a special occasion.

So Champagne told her yes and they agreed to meet at The Red Oak.

Seeing Alexis sit across from her, Champagne realized just how much she missed her and how worried she was. She wanted to find out what the hell was going on with her friend and she wanted to catch her up on her and Zyair. They had finally set an “almost” date for the wedding.

“So,” Champagne asked, “what's up with you not returning a sister's phone call, cutting me short when you did and making me stress out? I was worried about your ass and again what was up with that kiss you gave Thomas?”

Alexis didn't answer right away. She continued to sip on her drink and glance around the room. After surveying their surroundings, she told Champagne, “Girl, I don't know what came over me. I think I temporarily lost my mind.”

Champagne didn't get it. “So, you tongue someone down because you're losing your mind?”

Alexis didn't like her tone. “Are you judging me? Is that what I'm hearing?”

“No, no. I'm not judging you. You know that's not my style. Shit, we all have our stuff with us.” Champagne still hadn't told Alexis about her bisexuality. Yep, that's what she had labeled herself and the reason she hadn't told her was because like Alexis, she didn't want to be judged.

“I'm just surprised that's all,” Champagne told her.

Alexis didn't respond right away because her attention was elsewhere.

“Oh, girl, look at all the men up in here,” Alexis said, “especially that one over there.”

Champagne looked around and was not impressed with the abundance of men. Just like Alexis she wasn't a club attendee because being in her thirties she felt like she was too old. She felt that people went to clubs to pick up potential bed mates and that was not something she was interested in. After all, she had the pick of the litter when it came to men.

Champagne turned around to see what or who had Alexis' attention and noticed him right away. Even she had to admit, the man Alexis was staring at was a looker. He was well over six feet and cocoa complexioned; with the most immaculate goatee Champagne had ever seen. You could tell beneath what appeared to be a shirt made for his physique that he went to the gym on the regular and when he laughed, which he was doing wholeheartedly, his dimples showed across the room.

Now a man that fine has to have a whole bunch of issues with him. There has to be some kind of drama in his life.

“He's definitely fine,” Champagne remarked.

The next thing Champagne knew was Alexis had placed her glass on the table and stood up.

“Where are you going?”

“I'm going to introduce myself. Where do you think I'm going?”

Champagne sat stunned as she watched Alexis head toward Mr. Handsome.

I can't believe she's doing this. It's so unlike her to be so aggressive.
Champagne watched as Alexis approached him and tapped him on his shoulder. Then again, maybe she shouldn't have been surprised because Alexis told her that when she first met Khalil, she went up to him.

Champagne continued to watch to see how it would all play out. She saw him turn around and watched as they exchanged a few words. She noticed Alexis laughing.

A few seconds later, Alexis came walking back in Champagne's direction.

Before Alexis even had a chance to sit down, Champagne said, “Girl, I can't believe you did that.”

“Did what?” Alexis asked with a sly look on her face. “All I did was introduce myself.”

“Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. When did you become so bold?”

Alexis laughed. “Girl, this is a new me. I've made the decision not to allow men to lead me. It's time for me to be the leader, to take the first step, it's time for . . .”

Alexis stopped midsentence and was looking over Champagne's shoulder. The frown on her face made Champagne turn around. Alexis was staring at Khalil, who was dressed in a casual but tailored suit that looked expensive, even from a distance. Champagne looked around to see if his wife was in the vicinity. She didn't spot her. He was actually standing by himself with a drink in his hand perusing the area. Although Champagne could see why Alexis was attracted to him, she still couldn't stand him. It was obvious he hadn't noticed them yet, because if he had, she was sure he'd come over and Champagne did not want that to happen.

“It's time to go,” Champagne said. The look on Alexis' face told a tale of a woman scorned and she didn't want a scene.

Alexis shook her head, breaking her trance. “We don't have to leave. I came out to have a good time and a good time I will have.”

“Are you sure?”

“As sure as ever. I refuse to let him ruin my night. Plus, we're about to have company.” Alexis nodded her head to the right.

Champagne turned again to see who she was talking about. Heading toward their table, making their way through the crowd was Mr. Handsome and a friend.

Alexis couldn't help but to sneak another glance Khalil's way. She wanted to confront him, but knew she wouldn't. So, it was a relief that company was heading their way, although unpleasant and unexpected.

“I invited them to sit with us,” Alexis told Champagne.

This invitation threw Champagne for a loop. “You know you're wrong for this. You should have asked me first. I thought this was our night out together.” She couldn't care less if they heard her or not.

What Champagne wanted to do was walk away but she wouldn't do that to her girl. One, she wouldn't want it done to her and two, with the way Alexis was acting, she didn't think it would be a good idea.

“Hey ladies,” Alexis' new friend greeted.

Champagne looked at him and his friend, who was just as handsome. She did have to admit to herself that if she were on the market, he definitely would have been her physical type.

“I'm Shamel and this is my boy, True.” He was looking at Champagne when he said it.

Alexis moved closer to Shamel staking her claim.

“What's up, sexy?” True asked Champagne as he swallowed her with his eyes.

Champagne decided to play nice, make conversation but not lead him on. She was here with Alexis and she might as well make the most of it. There was no sense in adding to the myth that black women are bitches.

“Come on,” Shamel said, “let's go upstairs to the VIP room.”

Shamel led the way, followed by Alexis, Champagne and then True. Champagne could feel True staring at her ass the whole way up. She thanked God that she wore pants. She hoped that this man did not become disrespectful because she would have no problem putting him in his place. However, her intuition, sixth sense or her third eye as she sometimes called it, was telling her, she was going to have to let him know that this was not that kind of party.

When they reached the top of the steps, the bouncer gave Shamel daps and let them right in.

When they walked in Champagne glanced around. She appreciated the color scheme which was purple and gold; royalty colors.

Shamel led them to a table and pulled out a chair for Alexis as True pulled out a chair for Champagne.

Once everyone was seated, Shamel asked, “So what are you ladies doing after you leave here tonight?”

“What are you doing?” Alexis asked, with a seductive undertone.

What the hell?
Champagne looked at Alexis, who purposely would not look her way. Champagne knew Alexis could feel her staring at her. The old Alexis would never have behaved this way, walking up to a strange man, inviting him over to their table, and basically throwing herself at him.

“Maybe you ladies would like to join us?” True suggested, getting straight to the point.

“I have to get home to my man,” Champagne said, hoping to squash any ideas he may have had about them getting together. “I do have a man, you know.”

Alexis gave Champagne a “why you gotta blow up the spot” look.

She looked like she wanted to go off on her but instead she told Champagne, “Damn, girl, loosen up. We're just trying to kick it.”

“That's right sexy,” True said. “You've got a man and I've got a woman. What's the big deal?”

Before anyone could say another word, Champagne heard a familiar voice asking, “So? What do we have here?”

It was Thomas and not too far behind him staring in their direction was Khalil. She hoped they had not spotted one another.