by D. Camille
Sean pulled out his phone and began typing furiously.
Jordan frowned. “What are you doing?”
Sean looked up. “I'm getting the jet ready to get you out of the country.”
“You know, you're not funny.”
Sean looked back up at him. “Who's trying to be funny right now Jordan? You've clearly lost your mind and it's my duty as your best friend to try to save you.”
Jordan stood and walked over to his window overlooking the city. “I haven't lost my mind Sean. I've lost my heart; to a beautiful, sexy, smart, talented woman who happens to be one of my best friend's sister.”
“What happened between you and Ray?” Sean asked.
Jordan shrugged. “I told him I was going to date Sage. He threatened that if I hurt her he'd kill me; basically, just how I thought it would go.”
Sean looked curious. “What prompted you to tell him last night?”
Jordan glanced at him then back out the window. “I had to,” he said quietly.
Sean stood and came over to the window. “You had to?” Jordan gave him a look.
“Noooo. You didn't. You and Sage? Last night?” he gasped. “I told you it was dangerous.”
“We didn't have sex,” he confirmed.
Sean smiled. “But you did something if you felt you had to tell Ray last night,” he surmised.
“Ray says we're not cool,” he said rubbing his chin.
“That bothers you.”
“Yeah.”
“What are you going to do?” Sean asked.
Putting his hands in his pockets, Jordan responded. “Work on a relationship with Sage and hope that Ray comes around eventually, because nothing is going to stand in the way of being with her.”
Sean looked over at Jordan and saw the determination on his face. He hoped this situation rectified itself quickly and no one got hurt in the process.
Jordan checked his phone then asked. “Did they start the build out for Sage's gallery today?”
“Yes, they're down there now.”
“She's here. I need to check it out,” he said heading towards the door.
Downstairs at the gallery space Jordan and Sean found Sage in the mist of the construction. She was wearing jeans, Timberland boots and a T-Shirt with Africa on it. She had a scarf tied on her head with her braids hanging down underneath. When Jordan saw her he smiled. He made his way over to her with Sean in tow.
“Hey pretty girl,” he said and she turned to him a huge smile on her face.
Jordan leaned down and gave her a brief kiss on the lips.
“Hi,” she said looking up at him.
“Hey Sage,” Sean interjected.
She turned. “Oh, hey Sean, nice to see you.”
She turned back to Jordan.
“Were you coming to see me?” she asked.
“Yes. I knew you were here.”
Sage looked surprised. “Are you keeping tabs on me?”
Jordan shrugged. “I keep tabs on everybody,” he responded. Sage didn't know just how true this was.
Jordan took her hand. “Can you come and talk with me for a minute?” he asked.
“Sure.”
He led her out of the space and into the lobby area.
“How did things go with Ray this morning?” he asked studying her.
“I didn't see him. He was already gone when I got up this morning,” she explained.
“Hmmmm.....” Jordan replied.
“Was he very angry?” she asked.
“That would be a yes,” he said taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. “But that's not why I wanted to talk to you. I want to take you on our first real date tonight.”
She smiled at him. “Okay.”
“Can I pick you up at eight?” he asked.
“I will be ready.”
“Wear something comfortable,” he instructed.
She laughed. “Where are we going?”
He shook his head. “It's a surprise. Tonight I'm going to work my Black Magic on you.”
“Oh...is that what you call it?” she asked.
“Don't sleep baby. It's known worldwide,” he boasted.
“Whatever Jordan,” she said pulling her hand away.
He pulled her back closer. “Okay. Tonight you'll say, 'Oh Jordan the Black Magic is real'!” he whispered.
Sage laughed so hard tears came to eyes. “Okay Jordan. See I'm from Africa. I could work some real magic on you.”
He whispered again in her ear, “You already have baby.” He touched his lips to hers.
“I'll see you tonight.” He winked at her then looked over at Sean waiting by the door and indicated he was done.
Sage watched the two men in their tailored suits head towards the door. She shook her head. Black Magic indeed. She couldn't wait to see it.
Chapter 8
Later that evening Sage was sitting in Ray's living room waiting for Jordan. She hadn't seen Ray all day. She'd sent him a text and he'd responded that he was working. She hoped this was true and he wasn't plotting anything for her and Jordan.
Jordan arrived and Sage was surprised to see the shiny black limousine parked out front. She looked down at herself. Jordan had told her to wear something comfortable and then picked her up in a limo. Go figure. Jordan got out the car dressed in jeans and another Jordan shirt and sneakers. The Rolex on his arm gleamed in the evening sun.
“This is a surprise,” she said reaching the car.
“The first of many tonight baby,” he said helping her into the car.
Inside the plush interior seemed to swallow her up. She inhaled Jordan's cologne and turned to him.
“Hi Sage,” he said smiling at her.
“Hi Jordan. This is very nice,” she said scooting a little closer to him.
Jordan slid an arm around her waist and pulled her all the way over next to his side.
“That's better,” they both said together then smiled.
“So does this Black Magic include a kiss?” she asked.
“See...it's working already,” he commented
“Shut up,” she said before he kissed her. Jordan pulled back and looked at her.
“How did things go at the gallery?”
Sage settled against his side. “Great. I can't believe how fast things are moving. I know it has something to do with you though, so thank you.”
“I'm just a man who gets things done. That's all.”
“I'm not complaining.” She wrapped her arm around his waist. “How was your day? What part of the world did you conquer?”
“Just the northern hemisphere today.”
“Slacker,” she teased.
Sage had her hair in two long braids and Jordan began to toy with the ends of them.
“Do not take my hair down Jordan,” she warned.
“Why not?”
“Because I don't know where we're going and I don't want to get there looking like a wild woman.”
“I like your wild woman look,” he said still toying with the ends. “Later?”
“Maybe.” She smiled.
“I love your hair. How long did it take for you to grow it like this?” he asked.
“I've never cut my hair. I just get the ends trimmed.”
“It's beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
He started taking the ends apart.
“Jordan!”
“What? It's later now.”
Sage pulled her hair out of his hand. “Maybe if you tell me where we're going, I'll take it down now.”
Jordan touched the ends again. “Maybe if you take it down now, I'll tell you where we're going,” he said watching her.
“So you want to tease me huh?” she said loosening a part of one braid as he watched intently. She loosened a little bit more and he was captivated. A bit more and it became a hair striptease.
She climbed onto his lap straddling him. “If you want more Jordan, you have to give up something,” she whispered.
Jordan settled her into place on his lap with his hands on her butt. “What do you want?”
She loosened more of her braid almost halfway through. “Where are we going?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I need more. This is big,” he whispered.
She eyed him speculatively and finished taking down one braid. Now one side of her hair hung down to her shoulders but the other side was still confined in its braid. Jordan reached up and touched the loosened side.
“Okay Jordan, give up the goods,” she said as the car stopped.
Jordan turned to look out the window. “We're here,” he said smiling.
“You cheat! This had better be so good,” she warned.
He pulled her closer on his lap. “It always will be. I promise.”
The driver rapped two times on the hood as Sage slid off of his lap.
“Wait right here.” Jordan opened the door and exited the vehicle.
Sage took the time to put her braid back in and when Jordan returned to get her he looked at her hair and smiled a sly smile.
“Ready?” he asked.
She nodded and he helped her out of the car. Sage heard the sound of the water as soon as she got to her feet. She looked ahead and saw the ocean.
She smiled happily. “You brought me to the ocean?”
“I know how much you love the sound of water and the ocean,” he said taking her hand and leading her towards the beach.
Sage had worn some loose fitting capri's with a matching blouse and flat sandals. At the beach's edge they stopped and removed their shoes. Shoes in one hand and holding hands they walked down near the water.
“Is this the surprise?” she asked.
Jordan sighed. “You're going to be hell at Christmastime aren't you?”
“We never celebrated that.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Really? That's interesting.”
“It's really more of a commercialized American thing,” she explained.
He shook his head. “Will you walk with me?” They began walking along the water. Every now and then the tide would come up and wet their feet. The sun was slowly beginning its decent.
Jordan looked out over the water at the glowing red orange ball.
“Why do you call Ray Sun God?” he asked.
She smiled. “In our Khemetic beliefs we believe that we are connected to everything created. Ray is named after the Sun. The original Sun God is called RA. But rays come from the sun as well so he is the Sun God. He represents power and heat,” she explained.
Jordan shook his head in understanding. “And you are?”
She swung his hand in hers. “Well I am twofold. Sage is a healing herb that comes from the earth. Sage also means wisdom. So I represent healing and wisdom,” she finished with a smile.
Jordan looked down at her. “Wow. That's deep.” They walked some more.
“So is Khemet like a religion?” he asked.
Sage shook her head. “No. It's just beliefs. It has to do with being true to yourself and living in harmony with all creation.”
“So do you believe in marriage and family?” he asked.
She lowered her head as she walked. “I don't believe in marriage as it is lived in this country. I don't believe I have to give myself away to another person. We are all individuals. I don't have to become a part of someone else to be whole. What I can do is share myself completely with someone whose energy and spirit compliment mine.”
“Have there been many whose energy and spirit have complemented yours?” he asked.
She slid a look at him. “Meaning?”
He shrugged. “Meaning...how involved have you been in the past?”
It was getting darker as they continued to stroll.
“Honestly Jordan, not very.”
“Which explains why Ray is so protective of you,” Jordan commented.
“Partially I guess. He's never known me to really date. I've had a boyfriend before, but it didn't work out.”
The water rushed their feet again as darkness started to come upon them.
“May I ask why?” Jordan asked.
Sage stopped and looked out over the darkening water. “I caught him in bed with another woman,” she said looking away. “He and I didn't share physical love and he agreed that was okay and that he would wait until I was ready but while he was waiting, he really wasn't.”
Jordan continued to hold her hand. “I'm sorry that he hurt you. Betrayal is a hard thing to go through.” Sage wondered if he was speaking from experience. It sure sounded like it.
Sage started walking again. “Why do you call it physical love?” Jordan asked.
“Because you can make love to a person's mind just as you can make love to their body.”
“Have you?” he stopped looking down at her.
“I've had mind sex before,” she answered gazing at the water.
Jordan turned her back to face him.
“And physical love?” he inquired.
She shook her head in the negative.
“Never?” he asked.
She shook her head in the negative again and walked away continuing in the direction they were walking. Sage had never told anyone she was a virgin. Not Ray, who just assumed she was and would be all her life. Not her friends. Not even her ex. But she had told Jordan just in the midst of a regular conversation. It wasn't like she was ashamed. She just knew it made her different, maybe even weird to some to be twenty-five and a virgin. She wasn't afraid to share physical love, she'd just not found anyone she felt worthy to share it with.
Jordan caught up with her and took her hand in his. “Thank you for sharing that with me,” he said softly.
“Do you think there's something wrong with me now?” she asked.
“Before you told me I thought you were perfect,” he said as they continued to walk.
Suddenly he stopped and turned to stand in front of her. “Now it's been confirmed,” he said bending down to kiss her. It was now almost dark on the beach as Jordan took her hand and continued walking.
“Jordan, if this Black Magic is a walk on the beach...then I don't think it's earned its reputation,” she teased.
“Remember what I said, 'Oh Jordan, the Black Magic is real.'”
“Riiiiiight,” she said laughing so hard she had to bend over. When she straightened she saw a light in the near distance on the now secluded beach. Where had all the people gone? Had they walked into a private beach area?
“Jordan I think we've gone too far,” she said alarmed.
“Nah...keep walking,” he said pulling her along.
When they got close enough Sage saw a beautiful white canopy on the beach looking out over the ocean with white draping blowing in the slight wind. Underneath the canopy was an exquisitely decorated table for two with candles and flowers. She put her hand to her heart.
“Jordan,” she whispered.
“Uh huh...let me hear it,” he prodded putting his hand to his ear.
She looked at him for a moment, then back to the setting, then back at him. “Oh Jordan, the Black Magic is real!” she exclaimed.
He lifted her into his arms. “Don't ever doubt me pretty girl.” He kissed her and carried her over to the table. Once there he lowered her to her feet and pulled out her chair for her to sit before taking the seat across from her.
Sage gazed in awe as the beauty of this scene; the ocean in front of her; Jordan across from her; this beautiful table next to her and the canopy above her.
“Oh Jordan. How?...”
“I'm a man that makes things happen,” he said simply winking at her.
He pulled out his phone and punched in a few strokes. The next thing Sage knew an entire crew of white shirted servers appeared. Her mouth opened in astonishment. Food was served and beverages were poured then just as quickly as they had appeared they were gone.
“Now you're just showing off,” she told Jordan.
He smiled at her across the table. “Sage, you are the most b
eautiful woman I have ever met.”
She rested her elbow on the table and her chin in her hand. “What did I tell you about lying to me Jordan?”
“I'm not.”
“That can't possibly be true Jordan. I'm sure you met hundreds maybe even thousands of women in your travels. I don't believe that.”
He stared back at her over the candles. “Sage beauty is not simply a face or a body. It's the entire makeup of a person - body, mind and spirit. That's why I can honestly say to you that you are the most beautiful woman I have ever met.”
Sage lowered her gaze. “That's such a sweet thing to say. Thank you Jordan.”
He leaned back in his chair and smiled at her. “Can I take your hair down now?”
Deadly charming; that's what he was. He knew exactly what to do and say to get what he wanted but Sage could honestly not deny him now. Not as she gazed around at this beautiful scene created just for her.
“Yes Jordan. You can take my hair down now.” She shook her head at him.
Jordan slowly rose from his chair and came around the table to stand behind her chair. His hand moved to the end of her braid and began loosening it. Soon he had booth braids loosened and her hair free and krinkled hung to her shoulders. He touched it and then moved it away from her face exposing her ear and neck. “Beautiful.” he breathed. “So beautiful.” A brief kiss on her lips and he was back in his seat eating his dinner.
Sage thought to herself as she had in the beginning; Jordan was lethal. She could find herself falling very, very, deeply in love with him if she wasn't careful, something that she’d never done. The mere fact that he had challenged Ray and lived to tell the tale spoke to his power. She looked across the table at him. Yeah...Jordan did possess Black Magic.
After dinner Jordan had a blanket and pillow spread on the sand near the water. He and Sage sat side by side looking out over the water. Sage closed her eyes and thought of home. When she opened her eyes again Jordan had stretched out with a pillow underneath his head. She looked down at him.
“I can see why you love the water Sage. It is very soothing,” he said watching her. “Do you miss your home?”
Sage pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. “Yes, sometimes. I guessed that if I was going to live in the States, I needed to at least be close to Ray. He's my connection to home in a way.”