“She looks beautiful, don’t you think Tia?” Tracy said loudly.
“Exquisite,” she replied, “Don’t you think Aaron?”
“Anyone wants something from the bar?” he asked abruptly, but didn’t wait to see if they did. Tia and Tracy laughed.
Shanna looked at the women across from her and rolled her eyes. She knew Aaron dated that woman before he came back to her. Shanna had to admit she was beautiful, but she wasn’t about to let Aaron get away from her again. He was her bread and butter, if she could just get him in her bed, but lately he was the perfect gentlemen; to her chagrin; which was not Aaron’s style. She noticed right away the change in him the last time they were together. No, she thought, Aaron’s not getting away this time.
Aaron leaned against the bar, and watched Asia performing. Damn, he missed her, but like every one said, he made the choice. Lately he found himself questioning his judgment in leaving her. He still was not sure how he felt about Asia. He did know he didn’t love her. He cared about her, he even desired her, and no woman has ever made him feel like she did. But love her?
Wayne came to stand beside him, ordering a white wine. Wayne looked over at Aaron. Aaron tensed. He knew he was getting that wine for Asia. Was he was trying to get Asia drunk? Aaron wondered. Aaron tensed with instant rage. Since that night he and Wayne almost come to blows, he and Wayne stayed away from one anther. It burned him up not knowing if Wayne and Asia were intimate. Asia was his. He needed to know, and he wanted to know now.
From across the room Martin saw Wayne and Aaron at the bar.
“Come on Calvin,” Martin said, “Wayne and Aaron are at the bar together, you know he thinks Asia is with Wayne.”
Tia and Tracy looked over at them frowning as Martin and Calvin rushed from the table. The stuff would hit the fan if the girls found out about the fight Wayne and Aaron had almost gotten into over Asia.
Martin and Calvin joined them at the bar. “Hey Wayne,” Martin said shaking his hand.
“Asia looks good up there, huh,” Wayne said smiling looking at the stage.
“Yes, she does,” Martin, replied.
Aaron tensed and step to Wayne, Martin put his arm out to stop him. Aaron pushed it away.
“Wayne!” Aaron said coldly. Wayne looked over at him.
“Yeah man,” Wayne said looking over at him.
“Are you with Asia? Are you fu...?”
“I told you before, Aaron don’t say it...” Wayne said in a warning tone, sitting the glass down.
“Not here Aaron!” Martin hissed angrily at him. Calvin stepped beside Wayne.
“You need to stop disrespecting her, before I...”
“Before what? Aaron said heatedly. Wayne took a step to Aaron; Calvin put his arm out.
“Damn it, I said not here!” Martin voiced through clenched teeth.
“Are you and Asia together? Aaron asked angrily.
“Go to hell Aaron, you made your choice so...!”
“Are you fu…?” Aaron interrupted.
“I warned you Aaron,” Wayne said shrugging Calvin’s arm out the way. “But I can certainly mess you up!”
“Take your best shot!” Aaron replied boldly.
Martin and Calvin stepped between them, trying to hold them back.
“Damn it, I said stop it!” Martin blurted out to the both of them.
Both men stood glaring at one another.
Asia saw Aaron and Wayne at each other. She went to Ross, telling him to play “Whip Appeal,” with a long intro. Ross started playing, Asia stepped down from the platform walking over to where Aaron and Wayne were, the partiers making a path for her curious as to what was going on. She stood behind Martin and Calvin. She tapped Martin and Calvin on the back, stepping in front of them. Asia stepped between them, placing her hand on each man’s chest, looking from one to the other, smiling seductively, and then she started singing. She dropped one hand turning to face Aaron, stepping closer to him. Wayne smiled at her backing up. Asia concentrated on Aaron. She stepped close to him, rubbing her body seductively against him. Aaron looked down at her, as she gyrated her body against him, singing; Aaron’s mouth fell open. Asia danced tantalizingly against him. She took his hand, pulling him with her, passing an empty chair pulling it with her placing it in the middle of the cleared dance floor. She stood in front of Aaron, and gently pushed him in it. Asia danced around him as she sang. She sat on his lap, and laid back, exposing her full leg to him and to the guest, still singing. She rose, and stood in front of him singing and dancing, enticingly and suggestively. All Aaron could do was stare at Asia amazed, as his body reacted to her performance. She walked slowly behind him; leaning over his shoulder, her hands gliding down the front of his chest as she sang; kissing him gently on his ear. She was in front of him again, her petite body rolling and waving gracefully. Aaron heart begun to pounded profusely in his chest. He all but shut out the audience they had, focusing only on Asia, and the tantalizing way she was dancing. His eyes raked over her boldly, and Asia knew he was watching her intently. This pleased her. She wanted him spellbound.
When the song was close to the end, she pulled him up to his feet; she stepped closer to him, singing directly to him looking into his eyes, as her body rocked against his. Asia felt his arousal, and smiled up at him; she then turned sharply, gyrated down to the floor, and slowly rose up her bottom grazing his harden manhood. Aaron’s breath caught in his throat, Asia heard it and smiled smugly. With his hand in hers, careful to stay close so his obvious erection was not seen, she walked with him following close behind and seating him at his table. She signaled to the band, to play the ending longer giving her time to return to the stage. When Aaron was seated, she looked deep in his eyes; leaned over and kissed him, her tongue invading his beautiful mouth, slowing pulling away.
Asia looked over at the friends.
“Nice save,” Martin said smiling.
Asia winked and smiled back at him, and walked back to the stage to the rhythm of the music, moving sexy and provocatively. The people were on their feet applauding and shouting there approval.
Aaron couldn’t pull his eyes off her, still reeling from her performance. Aaron looked at Tia. “Did you teach her that?” he asked.
Laughing Tia shook her head. Aaron turned to look at Asia again. Everyone at the table was laughed and joked with Aaron; Shanna was fuming.
Aaron stared at Asia, his eyes traveling her petite body. How he wanted to feel her body against his again. He felt himself getting more aroused when memories of how they made love together invaded his psyche. Everyone at the table watched him watch Asia. Tia and Tracy were grinning, Calvin and Martin were laughing. Aaron looked over at them, and then he grinned sheepishly. Shanna looked at Aaron getting tired of being ignored by Aaron. She had to do something to distract him.
Wayne came to the table, all the men stood up. Martin and Calvin stood near Wayne and Aaron. Tia and Tracy looked at them frowning wondering what was going on.
“Its alright,” Wayne said to Martin.
“Are you and Asia together?” Aaron asked him again in a calmer tone.
“Look Aaron, I care about Asia, she not that type of girl, we are just producing music together, but I will tell you this, I will protect her with my life that you can bet on. There’s only one person Asia loves and you know what, he is a fool if he can’t love someone as special as she is; so no Aaron we are not together in the way you think,” Wayne said. I’m sorry about the other night; I don’t ever want to upset Asia like that again.” Wayne extended his hand. Aaron looked at Wayne’s extended hand, after a second he clasped his hand.
“Aaron you better get it right, before you really lose her,” Wayne added.
“No man, I’m sorry; I just lost it when I saw you holding her hand.” Aaron admitted apologetically, “I forgot her fear of the dark.” Martin and Calvin breathed a sigh of relief.
“Come on Aaron this is a party, lets get our ladies and dance.” Calvin suggested. The
men pulled them to their feet. Tia leaned to Martin.
“Is everything alright?” she asked. Martin smiled at Tia. “It is now.”
Aaron turned his attention to the band ignoring Shanna.
“That’s a nice weave she has,” Shanna stated nastily.
“Its not a weave,” Aaron said absently, his attention on the stage.
“And how would you know?” Shanna asked sardonically.
Tia stopped hearing Shanna remark about Asia, “He should know.”
The band had finished the set. Aaron eyes followed Asia as she stepped from the stage and sat with an older man who sat at a table reserved for the band.
“That’s Clive Brown, a recording executive for Royal Records; he came to see Asia and the Coz performance. Wayne thinks he might sign her.” Tia informed them excitedly. Wouldn’t that be great?”
Asia sat at the table with Wayne and Clifton
“Your great, young lady,” Clifton said impressed. “You think you want to record some music for us?” he asked smiling.
Asia looked over at Wayne and hugged him. After shaking Clifton hand Asia and Wayne rose weaving in between the tables, going to Tia’s table, and she was smiling broadly, Wayne following close behind her. Martin, Calvin, and Aaron rose.
“Royal Records want to sign us!” she said excitedly.
Tia, Tracy, and Asia hugged, talking to at once. Eddie, Thomas, and Michael joined them at the table.
“What’s going on?” Eddie asked curiously joining the group.
“Royal Records wants to sign Asia.” Tia told them, excitedly. They all hugged Asia congratulating her. Asia was trying her best to ignore Aaron.
“After that performance, your going to need some bodyguards, especially from,” Eddie tilted his head towards Aaron. Everyone laughed.
Aaron came to stand behind her. She could feel his presence. Her eyes closed, and she let out a shuddered breath, and then opened her eyes. Everyone there witnessed the exchange, as did Shanna.
“Congratulation Asia,” Aaron said softly from behind her. She turned and looked up at him. Her heart was pounding in her chest when she looked into his eyes. How she wanted to kiss his mouth; just touch him again.
“Thanks,” she said and lowered her head. Aaron raised her chin with his finger.
“I’m happy for you,” he stated, looking into her green eyes. Just then, Shanna came and stood beside Aaron hooking her arm in his. Aaron dropped his hand, and looked over at Shanna.
“Shanna, Asia, Asia, Shanna,” he introduced halfhearted.
“Hello,” Asia said, turning away. “Hey we got to get back, we haven’t told the band yet, see you later.”
Aaron watched as she walked away, he eyes taking in the curves of her body and the gently sway of her hips. Shanna’s tugging at his arm, distracting him. He looked over at her. What was he thinking to bring her here? At one time, Shanna was a lot of fun, but he knew what Shanna wanted, and he had lots of it. He only dated her because he knew her type all she wanted was the good time and good life nothing else, he wasn’t in jeopardy of her falling in love; all she wanted was his money. Aaron watched as Asia hugged Ross, and the other band members, startled by the realization that he didn’t like other men touching her. He frowned and sat down heavily in his chair.
The band had started up again. Asia sang, danced, genuinely having fun with the audience. She started sing Phyllis Hyman’s ‘Somewhere in my Lifetime.’ The band started the intro, her head down. She sang. The dance floor was packed with couples holding each other, swaying to the music.
“Come on Aaron,” Shanna said pouting, “Dance with me.”
Aaron rose and followed Shanna to the dance floor. Purposely Shanna chose a spot in from of the bandstand, where she knew Asia would see them.
Asia looked out at them, as Aaron held Shanna, her head resting on his shoulder, her arms around his body. Aaron looked up at Asia as she sang. Asia eyes met his, holding his gaze as she sang. Shanna was unaware, that Aaron watched Asia as she sing as her voice tantalizing and seducing him. Aaron knew she was singing to him and only him. Her eyes never waver from his eyes, as the song took over, her face expressing the emotions the song evoked from her. When she threw back her head and held the note, the other couples stopped dancing, just holding each other swaying to her voice, watching her electrifying performance. They applauded.
“Go head Girl,” someone yelled out.
“Sing that song,” another called up at the stage.
Shanna looked over at Asia and cursed. She then looked up a Aaron, who’s eyes were held by Asia. Shanna reached up and turned his face. Aaron glanced down at her, and pulled his face away, his gaze back on Asia. When the song ended, Asia blew Aaron a kiss. Shanna grabbed Aaron’s arm pulling him with her; seething. Aaron was mesmerized.
“Sing “For You,” someone yelled from the dance floor. Asia smiled, and turned her back taking a sip of wine.
“This song is for anyone who’s ever been in love,” she spoke softly in the headset. Aaron and Shanna sat. Shanna didn’t seem to happy.
“Didn’t work huh,” Tia said to her smiling smugly.
“Excuse me,” Shanna haughtily. Tia didn’t respond. Shanna decided she didn’t like this Tia.
Martin and Calvin were on the dance floor with their wives. Shanna was fuming. She wasn’t going to let Aaron go without a fight. He could keep her in the life style she had grown accustomed to; he was her meal ticket. Aaron attention was on the stage. Asia searched the room for Aaron; she wanted him listen to the words to this song, because this was exactly how she felt about him. Their eyes met and locked, and she reached her hand to him from the stage, as she sang the song, tears brimming in her eyes, but her eyes never left his face. Shanna tried to distracted him but Aaron wouldn’t be deterred. Shanna sat there pouting.
The band picked up the tempo of the music, and she was singing and dancing.
“Asia is have a good time,” Tia, commented smiling after returning to the table.
“It time everyone, raise your glasses.” Asia said exuberantly.
Everyone quieted. And gather in front of the bandstand.
“Get the person you love and hold them close, you never know when you could be alone,” she replied.
The countdown started. Her eyes stayed on Aaron, her eyes lingering on his, his eyes holding on hers.
“3-2-1, Happy New Year!” Asia shouted. She smiled at the couples that were hugging and kissing, as they Auld Lang Syne played behind her.
Asia looked at Aaron, and felt sadness. Shanna wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. She couldn’t take it anymore; she left the stage.
Martin and Tia saw her. Tia went over to Aaron.
“Do you realize how she looked forward to the holiday season with you, Aaron?” Tia informed him irately.
“Look Aaron with me now, so...” Shanna said to Tia.
“You shut up,” Tia interrupted, glaring at Shanna.
“Aaron, I love you, I really do, but you hurt the best thing that has happen to all of us.” Tia turned and walked away. Aaron looked over at Martin, who just shrugged his shoulders.
“She’s right,” Martin added.
Tia found Asia, in the shadows crying.
Asia looked at Tia, “It hurts, I thought I would be able to handle seeing him with someone else, and I was doing good, until he kissed her, I was wishing it be me.” she said miserably.
“I’m so sorry,” Tia replied earnestly. “Are you done?” she asked.
“I’ve got one more set; I’ll stop by the table after, okay.”
After the last set finished Asia headed for her friends table. Aaron watched as she approached the table.
“Happy New Year everyone,” Asia said shyly. Her eyes met Aaron across the table. Shanna watched the exchange; she had to get rid of Asia.
“Aaron lets go,” Shanna said to him. Aaron didn’t hear her; he was to focused on Asia.
“You were great up there Asia,” Aaron com
plimented.
“Thanks,” she said, and lowered her head. Someone pulled up a chair for her to sit. Shanna was livid. Everyone catering to this bitch, it was obvious they wanted her with Aaron.
“I’m happy for you with the record deal,” he said to her ignoring Shanna completely.
Tia and Tracy watched Shanna, and chuckled.
“Thank you, me too,” Asia replied smiling, “If it weren’t for you Aaron, I…”
“You do realized there a lot of singers out there, they come and go, a dime a dozen.” Shanna stated curtly, interrupting her.
Asia looked her in her eyes. “Yes, Sandra, there are, but what accomplishments have you to speak of, unless you call looking for a rich man an accomplishment, oh, but have you any progress yet?” Asia asked her demurely.
Tia and Tracy tried to cover their chuckle when Asia purposely mispronounced her name.
“Its Shanna,” she said, and rose from her chair. “Let me tell you something.”
Martin looked over at Aaron.
“Not again,” Martin said to Tia.
Asia stood up. “I’m sorry, Chandra.”
“Aaron is with me now,” Shanna told her, “And let me tell you this, Aaron may stray, but he always comes home,” Shanna said pointing to herself. “I know what he needs and how he needs it.”
“That’s enough Shanna,” Aaron warned.
“Is that so,” Asia replied nonchalantly. “Some advice; you better keep him on a shorter lease Shelly, because he seems to stray a lot. Why is that I wonder? Maybe your not quite sure what it is Aaron wants or needs, but be assured Shari, you shouldn’t feel any threat from me, Aaron is free to pursue what he chooses. Just a little advice between us girls, don’t need him, he doesn’t like it,” Asia said sarcastically glaring at Aaron.
“Goodnight everyone.” Asia turned and walked away, not looking back. Her friends were surprised. Asia has claws. Tia and Tracy were proud of her. The men were stunned.
Asia was trembling, as the tears streaming from her eyes, as she walked from the table, stopping to grab her shawl. Asia was so angry that she didn’t realized she was outside. When she realized where she was she begin to panicked.
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