Cougars

by Earl Sewell

  “No.”

  “Damn.” Travis couldn’t imagine having sex at that age.

  “And get this, the woman who cracked my first nut was much older than me.”

  “How much older?”

  “She was a grown-ass woman.” Alex had paused. “You remember that movie that came out a while ago called The Inkwell starring Larenz Tate?”

  “Yeah, I remember it. It’s the one where the married woman has sex with—wait a minute… You lost your virginity to an older, married woman?” Travis had asked, finally making the connection.

  “Damn right, I did,” Alex had said, “and that shit was the fucking bomb!”

  “Can’t she go to jail for that?” Travis had scratched his head.

  “Who was going to fucking tell? I damn sure wasn’t and I knew for a fact she wasn’t. Hell, her husband was never around; he was always traveling on some business trip. I was walking home from football practice one day and she asked if I could help carry some storage boxes from the house to the garage. I said sure. Once that was done, I was all sweaty, so she asked if I wanted to come in for a cold drink. I didn’t think anything of it and followed her back inside the house. She had on some tight shorts and when she bent over to get my drink from the refrigerator, her chocolate ass cheeks bubbled out. At that moment, everything King Solomon told me came into play. I knew she was teasing me to see how I’d react.

  “I started telling her how good she looked and if I was her man, she’d never be lonely. She laughed because she thought I was too young to know anything about having a woman. I told her that I knew enough about women to understand that they need their man to pay more attention to them. She then decided to make herself a cocktail and after a few drinks, my fingers were exploring her juicy pussy. She cracked my nuts and my entire world changed.”

  “How?” Travis had placed his elbows on the table and had leaned forward.

  “Well, for starters, my confidence level in everything skyrocketed. She showed me everything: where a clit was, how to eat her pussy, suck on her breasts and even taught me the rhythm of the stroke. I’ll tell you, Travis, there is no melody sweeter than the sound a woman makes when your dick is inside of her.”

  “What does it sound like?” Travis had asked curiously.

  “It depends on the woman. Some shout and others cry or whimper. They make all kinds of sounds that you won’t hear unless you’re deep inside stroking the walls of her pussy with your dick.”

  “So what happened to her?” Travis had continued to probe.

  “She moved. Her husband got a job in another state. She told me to go blow some young girl’s mind with what she’d taught me.”

  “Did you keep up with her? Did she give you her phone number or anything?”

  “No. I wasn’t in love with her, Travis. I understood the nature of our relationship. I wasn’t trying to marry her. I wanted to have sex and the trade-off for her centered around the feeling of being desired—an element that had gotten lost in her marriage.”

  “So is that how you get the women? You make them feel truly desired?”

  “It depends on the woman. Some women already know they’re hot while others have reservations about their own beauty. Some women just want to fuck while others are looking for you to put a ring on their finger. Those are the ones I run away from.”

  “So what type of woman do you like better, older or younger?”

  “It’s funny you should bring that up.” Alex had repositioned himself in his seat. “Because something weird happened recently that I want to talk to you about.”

  “How weird?”

  “Well, how can I put this…” Alex had leaned closer to Travis and had begun to whisper. “You know that I nailed one of my professors, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, she introduced me to this secret society.”

  “What kind of society?” Travis had asked.

  “A secret one; I just told you that,” Alex had whispered.

  “What in the hell…you’re not making any sense.” Travis had looked at Alex perplexed as he’d scratched the stubble on his chin.

  “It sounds pretty straightforward, don’t you think?”

  “Okay.” Travis had paused in thought for a moment. “So she put your information on this list, or profile or whatever; what does that mean?”

  “Here is how it works. There are career women out there who don’t have time for a family or a relationship, but enjoy having uncommitted sex, especially with young men. If they initiate contact with you, they’ll send you a text message with the name of a hotel and a time to be there. You go to the hotel and wait in the bar area alone. The initiator will find you by looking for a handkerchief that you’re supposed to place on your leg. If the initiator likes what she sees, she’ll make contact. If not, she’ll send you a text message saying no thanks.

  “That sounds insane!” Travis had gazed at Alex as if he’d lost his mind, but another part of him was very intrigued.

  Alex had grinned. “I know, but it’s so much fun. You don’t have to worry about calling her up the next day, or sending her flowers, or even remembering her birthday. It’s an arrangement to fuck off some frustrations and that’s it.”

  “Have you done this already?” Travis had asked.

  “Damn right I have and I love it.”

  Travis had finished his food and thought about what Alex had just told him. He wanted to tell him how bizarre this society was, but he couldn’t. Hanging around Alex allowed an untamed part of him to come alive. He surreptitiously wished he were as experienced as Alex. He’d grown a little weary of being a virgin as well as focusing only on his studies.

  “Why do you have that odd look on your face, Travis? What are you thinking about?”

  “I don’t know. I mean… Do you think you could get me on the list?” Alex had laughed out loud.

  “I don’t think you’d be able to handle it,” Alex had said earnestly as he slowly shook his head.

  “I can handle myself. I’ve done some things in the past.”

  “Like what? Looked at a porn site?” Alex had continued to mock him, which only aggravated and made Travis more determined to prove himself.

  “I want to get on the list, Alex. I’m not playing.”

  “You’re serious, aren’t you?” Alex had stopped laughing.

  “Hell yes. I want to do it.”

  “I don’t know, Travis. I haven’t really been doing this that long and I’m not sure I can get you in.”

  “Don’t bullshit me, Alex.” Travis wasn’t going to allow Alex to disregard his request.

  “Okay, man. Have it your way. I’ll see what I can do.”

  A FEW DAYS LATER, Alex had informed Travis that he was able to get him on the list. Wanting to look more mature than his years, Travis had used an emergency credit card with an eight-thousand-dollar limit that his parents had given him. He had purchased several expensive suits and shoes. Within a month, he had received a text message asking if he was available for a rendezvous at the Doubletree Hotel in Berkeley. Nervous, but determined to step outside of his comfort zone and into a double life, Travis had agreed to the meeting.

  When he had arrived, he had taken a seat on a brown leather sofa in the waiting area and had picked up a copy of a daily newspaper nearby. He had placed a red handkerchief on his left leg so the person would be able to spot him. A short time later, a stunningly beautiful, middle-aged woman of mixed heritage with a fit body stood before him and had asked, “Did you receive a text message earlier today?” Her British accent was steady, calm, and direct. Travis, on the other hand, was extremely anxious. It had taken him a moment to find his voice.

  “Yes. I did get your message.” He nervously had folded up his newspaper.

  “Then let’s go. Follow me,” she had said. They had walked over to the elevators and had stepped inside. She had pressed the tenth-floor button and had stood behind him.

  “Ummm, I’ve never done this before,” Travi
s had said. “What’s your name?”

  “You know that question is against the rules.” She was firm with him.

  “That’s right. I’m sorry, I forgot.”

  “Someone did explain the rules, didn’t they?” she had asked, placing a hand on his right shoulder.

  “Yeah, I know the rules. I’m just a little edgy, that’s all.”

  “I hope that doesn’t mean you’re going to have performance issues.” She had stepped closer to him and had placed her hands on his behind, then had squeezed. Travis flinched nervously as she stepped around to face him.

  “Oh, no. Not at all, trust me, I don’t have any trouble getting hard.” Travis had laughed nervously as he had wiped sweat from his forehead.

  “You’re a virgin, aren’t you?” She had smiled naughtily at him.

  “No I’m not.” Travis had denied it.

  “Yes, you are. There is no need to lie about it. Everything about your manner says inexperienced virgin.” Travis had remained silent because he didn’t want to blow it.

  “It’s okay. I have a soft spot for bashful boys. In fact, I’ll probably enjoy giving you your first real orgasm. It’s kind of empowering, spreading open the pillars of my paradise to a young man ready to graduate into full masculinity.”

  “I promise I won’t mess this up for you.”

  “I know you won’t. Because I’m going to take the time to show you all of the miracles and wonders of a woman’s body. Consider it a gift from a stranger.”

  The following morning, Travis had awakened to find himself all alone in bed. His British lover was gone. On the nightstand, she’d left a note for him that read: Thank you for a pleasurable evening. Remember what I’ve taught you.

  Travis never saw the British woman again, but she opened up an entirely new world for him. Alex was right. After the experience, his confidence level skyrocketed. Travis, being the perfectionist that he was, spent countless hours reading literature on the art of making love. With his newfound skills and interest, he embraced his new lifestyle and his love for mature, intelligent, and sexy women. Then after the incident with the woman from Rio, he realized that his hedonistic indulgences were keeping him from fulfilling much more ambitious goals.

  After college Travis went on to graduate school but Alex’s life took a different turn. He was on track to go pro, and even had the Philadelphia Eagles highly interested in him. But then all types of false allegations surfaced and Alex’s name was mentioned. Even though Alex was cleared, it weakened his chances of playing professional football. Travis asked Alex what happened but at that time, his wound was too raw and Alex was too emotional to discuss it. One year after he’d graduated from college, Alex was invited to attend a football camp for the Dallas Cowboys, but wasn’t able to secure a spot on the team.

  Chapter 3

  Jasmine

  The following morning Jasmine awoke feeling a little jetlagged from traveling across a time zone. Although the time difference was only an hour, she still felt as if she needed more sleep. She glanced over at a digital clock sitting on the nightstand and focused her vision on the time.

  “Shit, it’s already eight-thirty. I’m supposed to be in the lobby to meet everyone by nine o’clock.” She huffed before tossing back the sheets and sitting upright. She reached for the remote, aimed it at the television and pressed the power button. She flipped the stations until she found the Weather Channel.

  “Ninety-five degrees and sunny; it’s going to be a hot and sticky one. My hair is going to end up looking messy if we hang out in the hot sun all day shopping high-end stores in Manhattan. That’s Tiffany for you though.”

  The girl certainly qualifies as having champagne taste and a beer-belly budget. She loves to tell everyone how much she’s paid for merchandise, even if she’s paid too much for it. She believes telling someone the price makes it seem more valuable than it actually is. Jasmine grumbled at Tiffany’s values as she rose to her feet and went into the bathroom.

  After an invigorating shower and face time in front of the mirror, Jasmine exited the bathroom and unzipped her suitcase in search of something to wear.

  “Okay, I want to look fabulous, but I don’t want to upstage Tiffany because she’s put on a few extra pounds. She’s gone from a healthy size ten to a robust fourteen.” Jasmine began laughing at her impolite comment. “Be nice, Jasmine. Tiffany is celebrating her birthday and you shouldn’t be so critical,” she said to herself.

  Jasmine finally decided on wearing her denim capris, her brown leather sling-back sandals and a simple top. No sooner than she’d put on her clothes and began squirting on some of her Cool Water perfume, her cell phone rang. She looked at the caller ID. It was Tiffany.

  “Happy birthday, darling,” Jasmine answered.

  “Thank you! I’m just too damn sexy and fine at forty. Where are you? We’re waiting on you.” Her voice was jovial and full of life.

  “Beauty takes time, honey. I’ll be there in a moment.” Jasmine laughed.

  “Well, beauty had better get her narrow ass on down here before she gets left.” Tiffany was trying to sound tough, but Jasmine knew her friends wouldn’t leave without her.

  “I’ll be there in a moment. I’m walking out the door now,” Jasmine informed her as she slid her key card into her pocket and grabbed her purse.

  When Jasmine arrived in the lobby, Millie was trying to convince Tiffany to grab something to eat in Times Square.

  “I don’t want to eat in Times Square. I want to go up to Harlem and eat at Amy Ruth’s Restaurant.”

  “But Tiffany, you know all of that soul food cooking isn’t good for you,” Millie reminded her.

  “Millie, stop arguing with her. She’s got her mouth all set to eat at Amy Ruth’s and we should just go. It’s her birthday and it’s what she wants to do,” argued Lauren who was trying to diffuse the situation before it blew up into a shouting match.

  “Hey, I’m really looking out for her. I want to make sure she sees another birthday. Don’t you think I’m doing the right thing, Jasmine?” Millie said, not willing to back down.

  “Oh no you don’t. I’m not co-signing that check with you, Millie. If that’s what Tiffany wants to do, we shouldn’t be trying to change her mind.”

  “Thank you, Jasmine,” Tiffany said as she started moving toward the exit.

  “Okay, I’ll go along with the will of the group. But when we’re all sitting around the waiting room while she’s having open heart surgery, I’m not going to say a word.”

  “Millie, that’s not nice,” Lauren said. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you acting so snippy?”

  “Forget it.” Millie dropped the subject and her attitude.

  “Amy Ruth’s, here we come,” Jasmine bellowed as they all exited the hotel.

  When they arrived at Amy Ruth’s, everyone ordered the type of food they had a taste for.

  “Oh my goodness, it is so great to be here with you guys. I feel like the chicks from Sex and the City,” Tiffany said as she took a bite of her waffle.

  “Oh yeah, and what character would I be?” asked Millie.

  “Miranda,” everyone said on queue.

  “And I would be like Carrie. Mild-mannered, yet always analyzing everything and looking for understanding,” admitted Tiffany.

  “So that leaves Samantha and Charlotte,” Jasmine said as she glanced at her sister, Lauren. “Neither one of us is like those two.”

  “Damn, is that thunder and lightning I hear?” Tiffany looked out of the window.

  “And what’s that supposed to mean?” Jasmine asked as she took a sip of orange juice.

  “Girl, you know that you have some Samantha-like tendencies.” Millie busted her girlfriend out.

  “I am nowhere near as promiscuous as Samantha.” Jasmine didn’t like the comparison.

  “No, but you damn sure flirt with men like her,” said her sister, Lauren.

  “She would know better than any of us. She’s lived with you most of her
life,” Millie said.

  “So I guess that means you’re Charlotte, the sensitive and prissy rich girl who secretly likes kinky sex,” Jasmine shot back at Lauren.

  “I think that pretty much sums me up.” Lauren continued to laugh.

  “Hey, do you guys realize that we are all now in our forties, unmarried, well, with the exception of Millie, and we don’t have any children.”

  “I’m so thankful that I don’t have children. It’s entirely too hard to juggle a demanding career and change a diaper,” Millie chimed.

  “With the amount of money you make, Millie, you can get a nanny to do that,” Lauren said.

  “Do you really want a nanny to raise your child?” Tiffany asked. “I mean, doesn’t that take away from the mother experience?”

  “I guess that’s why none of us ever became mothers because that’s an experience we didn’t want,” Millie said.

  “Well, I don’t agree with that, Millie. I really wanted to have children at one point. I wanted to be a mom and take the kids to the zoo and water park. I think I would’ve been a good mother.”

  “Well, I know one thing is for sure, it’s too late now because I’m entering menopause.” Lauren leaned back and threaded her fingers though her hair.

  “You guys know what this means, right?” Tiffany asked.

  “No, what does it mean?” Jasmine played along.

  “It means that we’re Cougars. We’re women who aren’t afraid to date younger men and who refuse to be judged by what other people think. We make no apologies for our lifestyle, we know what we want and we’re not afraid to go get it. We’re healthy, radiant, desirable, and financially secure,” she said excitedly.

  Lauren frowned. “Why do we have to be called Cougars? Why can’t we just refer to ourselves in the way you just described? Cougars sounds so predatory, like we’re desperate women who’ll jump the first hard dick that happens to come swinging along,” Lauren said.

  “I kind of like the name,” Tiffany laughed. “It’s sort of empowering if you ask me and now that I am a Cougar, I’m much more comfortable in my skin. Plus after sex I can look over and say, ‘Don’t you need to be somewhere right now?”