Second Time Around

by Darrin Lowery

  “I could never tire of you.” He placed his hands on hers lovingly and smiled at her.

  This was why she liked him. This is why she might even love him. He constantly complimented her. He constantly validated her. He never shied away from telling her how he felt. He never took her for granted. He never let her down.

  Things were still new, however. They had only been dating a number of months. It’d been great, but Korie began to wonder if she could she truly love a man she had only known a short time. She then wondered if it were possible to love two men.

  “So what are you going to do again? I mean, what’s with the beer?”

  Vaughn began cutting up his steak. He smiled when she asked. He loved it that she was so inquisitive. Had she been anyone else he would be wondering about insider secrets or a competitor trying to pump information from him. Vaughn never told anyone outside of Brandon what he was thinking. It was one of the things that kept him on top. He knew that Korie asked because she cared.

  “Well, Germany actually makes about five thousand brands of beer.”

  “Wow”

  “Yeah, and I’m thinking about buying a number of companies.”

  “And bringing their brands to America?”

  “No. Actually, I just want to own the companies.”

  “Why?”

  “To monopolize a part of the beer market. I would allow them to continue to be competitive against one another, but the few I would buy would all be under the same umbrella.”

  “Again, why?” Korie was trying to understand Vaughn’s rationale.

  “Just to make more money. It would be like buying both Coke and Pepsi here in the U.S.”

  “Instead of having a Coke customer or a Pepsi customer, you would have both.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Hmm. Sounds easy enough.” Korie began eating her food.

  “Not exactly. The Germans are not exactly fond of Americans taking over their companies and they are less likely to like the fact that a black man will be the sole proprietor.”

  “So how do you handle that?”

  “No one knows me in Germany. No one knows that DeVaughn Harris is black. So, I’m going over there with Brandon and we’re going to take one of our staff over to pitch the proposal.”

  “Let me guess. That person will be white?”

  “And German.”

  “Isn’t that dishonest?”

  “It’s business.” Vaughn smiled at Korie.

  “So when do you leave?” she asked.

  “Tonight.”

  “Tonight?” Korie was surprised and upset at the same time. This was very little notice.

  “Yeah. I have to strike while the iron is hot.”

  “So when will you be leaving?”

  Vaughn gave her a look as if he didn’t want to answer. He gave her a half smile.

  “Vaughn?”

  “Uh . . . I’ll be going as soon as we’re done with dinner.”

  For such a powerful man, Vaughn seemed nervous to tell her. As usual, Korie understood. She was more understanding than she had ever been with Darren when he had business to take care of. She didn’t see, however, that the two men were very much alike when it came to business. She didn’t see how their lives paralleled one another.

  “Okay. Will you call me?”

  Vaughn smiled. He smiled and was happy that he found a woman who was secure in her relationship, a woman who was understanding and supportive when it came to his business.

  “I’ll call you every day.”

  “Okay.”

  The two finished their meal and talked until it was time to go. Vaughn had his driver take Korie back home. Vaughn had a second driver take him to the airport.

  Korie came home. She was deep in thought as she walked down the hallway to her apartment. She was upset that Vaughn just sprang his leaving on her with very little notice. By the same token she was happy that he would be gone. It would give her time to think. Vaughn could offer her the world. What woman wouldn’t want that? She would be a fool to walk away from Vaughn and all his millions.

  Still, she could live the simple life with Darren. They would work for everything they wanted, but they wouldn’t have to work hard, and they would be in love. They could pick up right where they left off. The first thing that Korie wanted to do when she walked in was to sit down in a hot bath and think for a while. All she wanted to do was have a glass of wine, maybe a hit or two from a joint, and sit in silence in the living room and think about the dilemma she was in. It was a good problem to have; two successful black men who both wanted to give her the world. Most women would be jealous that she had one successful black man. She had two. She fumbled for her keys in her purse as she reached her door.

  I care deeply for both men. I want both men, but I can only have one. Vaughn is the logical choice, but Darren is not making this easy. Why did he have to show up at my place this morning looking all good? Why did he have to do that? Twenty-four hours ago I was sure what it is that I wanted. Now I don’t have a clue. Darren is not making this easy . . . not at all.

  Korie opened her door and was immediately hit with the scent of fresh flowers and vanilla.

  “What the—?”

  She opened the door and the apartment was dark. Candles were lit everywhere. Each one had the scent of vanilla.

  A Y-shaped path of roses was on her carpeted floor. One path led to the bathroom and the other to her bedroom. Music began to play softly.

  Korie could smell him.

  She could smell his Chrome cologne. The music began to play louder. There was fresh fruit on the dining room table and a bouquet of orange roses on the cocktail table. Orange roses symbolized passion. Back in the day, if she came home to orange roses, it meant that she and Darren were going to go at it—hard.

  She shook her head. She was smiling, but she shook her head.

  He had some nerve.

  He always did.

  She took off her shoes as she always did and noticed that his were next to where she just dropped hers. She followed the path slowly and noticed that his jeans were on the couch. His shirt was on the floor by the bathroom. She looked in the bathroom first. There he had her bath drawn. In it were bubbles and more rose petals. Candles were all over the bathroom. By the tub was an ashtray with a neatly rolled joint in it.

  She looked in the bedroom and he was on top of the bed. He had on black silk boxers and white socks. He was looking just as good now as he was this morning when he came unannounced.

  What is it with brothers and socks in bed? she thought while smiling.

  Other than that, he wasn’t sporting anything else but his twelve-pack and a smile. His hands were behind his head and he was lying there as if he were king.

  “Hey babe,” he said. He was all smiles, all teeth.

  “Hey babe, my ass. How did you get in my house?” she said playfully.

  “You never changed the locks.”

  He held up his keys. They were the same keys from when they lived together more than five years ago.

  “Hmm. Something told me to have the locks changed.” She held back a smile.

  “You can’t mean that,” he said smoothly.

  He got up from the bed and walked slowly to her, holding her shoulders and kissing her deeply on the mouth. He kissed her passionately while running his fingers through her hair. His hands found her backside and she felt his passion against her. He felt her warmth as well. He undressed her as they kissed. He took each item and tossed them into the bedroom. As she stood there naked, he kissed her shoulders, her neck, and down her midsection. He then took her hand and guided her to the bath.

  The water was just right.

  The candles gave her a peaceful glow.

  The herb was Jamaican. It was top shelf.

  The white wine was her favorite brand.

  She relaxed in the tub. When she was done relaxing, he bathed her. He gave her a sponge bath.

  The warm water was relaxing and it cares
sed her body. He washed every inch of her. He was sure to give special attention to her special places. He held her hand and guided her out of the tub. He kissed her everywhere as he dried her off. Each place the towel touched, he kissed.

  He guided her to the bedroom, but not before finding a bottle of body lotion to give her a massage. He laid her on her stomach on the bed, then placed the warm lotion in his hands and slowly and vigorously gave her a full body massage. The scent was country apple. As the music played, Korie found herself resting more peacefully than she had in years. She was caught between a pleasant rest and an intoxicating high. She didn’t know if it was his touch, the wine, the herb or certainly all three. She did know this; she didn’t want it to end.

  He massaged her neck, back, shoulders, buttocks, and thighs. He rubbed her calves and even her feet. Before, when they were dating years ago, he never did her feet. Now it was part of his repertoire. He even had his technique down and didn’t tickle her any as he touched her. His touch was electric. It was desired. He rubbed her entire backside with the lotion from head to toe and back again.

  Then she felt the warmth of his mouth.

  He is not making this easy. Not easy at all, she thought.

  She clenched the pillows.

  Well into the night she smiled.

  Until all the candles burned out.

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Jayna had been going to church since her breakup with Brandon. Her heart was broken and she asked God to make her whole again. She dressed more conservatively and she changed herself completely on the inside. She had a good time at church and headed home. After church there were a lot of men there who tried to get at her to ask her out, but she declined them all. She wasn’t there for that. Naturally, many men began telling her what they could offer her. She explained to each of them politely that there was nothing any of them could offer that she couldn’t get herself. She explained that she was in church to work on her, not to hook up with anyone.

  A lot of the more beautiful women that were in the church were there for the wrong reasons. Many decided that it was time to leave the bad boys alone and get a Christian man. Others had sinned so bad or come so close to a near-death experience that they were scared into giving God a try. Other women were like Jayna. They were not quite sure what it was they were looking for, but they knew whatever it was, was at church.

  Jayna drove home. She played some gospel music on CD. The CD seemed to bring her peace. She came home, undressed, and booted up her laptop. She had a world of things to do, business-wise. She poured herself a single glass of wine and looked at spreadsheets for a presentation she was giving tomorrow. Then she thought of Brandon. As much as she tried to get him out of her head, she couldn’t. She held back tears and simply said a single prayer. It was the same prayer that she said each time her thoughts were of him.

  God, please. I know anything is possible through you. I know that I have no right, but I want him back. If it’s your will for us to be apart, I accept that, but I am asking that you send him back to me when I’m ready. I’m working on me. God, please work on him. Soften his heart. Please help him to see the potential that we have together. Please help him to see how much I love him.

  She said her prayer and left it at that. Weeks ago she sent him an e-mail explaining her faults. It explained that she was sorry and it also explained that she was in therapy for her issues. The e-mail explained that she was going to church and that she loved him; that she wanted to be with him. She explained that if he would have her back in his life she would never betray his trust and that she would be a dutiful wife.

  She used the word wife.

  She felt it was appropriate.

  In her mind, it was what God told her to do.

  She thought to herself that perhaps it was true that you couldn’t change a ho into a housewife. Men said that all the time and Jayna could think of no word that better described her than whore. Still, she had changed. She had begun changing on the inside, and she was better for it.

  This must be how Mary Magdalene felt.

  Jayna thought about every man that she bedded. She thought about her own self-esteem and self-worth. The more she thought about things, the more she beat herself up for being so loose, so open. She then thought about how Brandon must have felt upon finding out that many men who he knew and had done business with had been with his woman in the biblical sense.

  She brought shame to their relationship. Worse yet, she brought shame to herself. For a while, she thought she was just exercising her independence. For a while, she considered herself just a strong black woman doing what men do all the time. Had she been a man, she would have been considered a player. Had she been a man, she would have gotten kudos for all the people she slept with. Had she been a man, society would be more accepting of her promiscuity. As a man, she wouldn’t have to deal with such a double standard.

  But she wasn’t a man.

  She was a woman.

  And right or wrong, there were two standards. A man who bedded a lot of women was a player. A woman who bedded a lot of men was generally labeled whore. It didn’t matter how independent she was, how much money she made, or how many degrees she had. Sleeping around defined her as a whore. Just because she was good in business just made her a business-minded whore or a whore with a good head on her shoulders and a lot of promise between her legs.

  All afternoon, Jayna beat herself up. All afternoon, she thought about the things that happened and all that her relationship with Brandon had the potential to be. Still, she could not change the past. What was done was done. She thought to herself that perhaps she was wrong in asking God for Brandon back. Perhaps it was time for her to move on.

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Brandon and Vaughn boarded their flight for Germany. The two men had wine and chicken as they rode in first class together. They went over the business plan and talked with their associate, Jerry Howard, who would be the front man for their takeover. Jerry was an entry-level man with a lot of drive. He wanted to impress Mr. Harris and Mr. Lloyd and saw this as the perfect opportunity. After reviewing the plan for the sixth time, Vaughn and Brandon dismissed Jerry back to coach. The two men then discussed their personal matters.

  “So, how are things going with you and Korie?” Brandon asked.

  “They’re great. They’ve never been better.”

  “Great.”

  “Have you heard from Jayna?”

  Brandon let out a sigh. He missed her. He missed her a great deal, but didn’t know how to admit it.

  “No. No, not for a few weeks now. She sent me an e-mail stating that she was sorry.”

  “Is that all that she said?”

  Vaughn sounded concerned. It was the same concern that a father would give to a son.

  “Huh? Oh, no. She also said that she was in therapy for her issues and that she was giving her life to God or something.”

  “God, huh? It sounds like she’s serious about turning her life around.”

  “Maybe. Who knows? I guess.”

  “Do you miss her, Brandon?”

  Vaughn’s concern was clear. In so many ways he could tell that Brandon was hurting. He wasn’t distracted, and he was still on top of his game, but it was clear that he was hurting.

  “She was loose. She and I not seeing each other is probably the best thing.”

  “That’s not what I asked you, son. I asked you if you missed her.”

  His tone was sharp but sincere, tempered with concern for his protégé.

  “Brandon, do you miss her?”

  Brandon looked out the window. There was nothing to see that far in the air, but he did miss her. He saw her in the clouds, in his mind, and in his dreams. He missed her like the flower missed the rain.

  “Yeah, boss. I do.”

  “Then call her, son.”

  Vaughn had no idea what was compelling him to tell Brandon to give Jayna a second chance. After all, he agreed with the breakup. It was clear that his c
oncern was the same as a father for a son. Vaughn also thought about how empty he would feel if he were to lose Korie. There was also Korie’s influence on him. What if Jayna was the one for Brandon? What if she was meant to be his wife? Vaughn didn’t agree with Jayna’s lifestyle. He especially didn’t like the way Brandon had been embarrassed. He also knew, deep down, no matter what Jayna’s transgression was, he had no right to judge her.

  “Call her, Brandon.”

  “After everything that she did? After the way that she embarrassed me?”

  “Yes.”

  “How do I bounce back from something like that? How do I just let her back into my life?”

  “I don’t know. But let me ask you another question. Do you love her?”

  “How does a man fall in love with a woman who has bedded so many men? How does a man love a woman who brings that level of shame to the relationship?”

  Vaughn laughed a little again. He looked at his protégé.

  “Once again, you didn’t answer my question. So let me ask you again. In fact, let me rephrase the question. Before you found out about her past, did you love her?”

  “You know I did. That’s why I got her the ring.”

  “Because you loved her, and it felt right.”

  “Well, yeah. It felt right then.”

  “And now?”

  “And now, I don’t know.”

  “You don’t know or you do know and you’re pissed off about it?”

  “What? I don’t follow.”

  “Did you love her and stopped loving her after finding out? Or do you love her still and because your pride is hurt, you’re pissed off?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “You know.”

  “Then I guess I’m in denial.”

  “You need closure with this issue, son.”

  “How do I get that?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe try the same thing that she’s trying.”

  “You mean go to church?”