Erotic City (15 page)
“You will burn in hell.” The caller hung up.
Diva Sexton responded quickly, “Sorry about that, Milan. Callers, please watch your comments. We don’t have to bleep that word, but, Miss Kennedy is a guest on our show and we should show her some respect.”
“It’s okay. Our lifestyle is always going to be seen as sinful. It’s here to stay though. Sorry.”
The Diva said, “And I’m sure with you being a woman, and a young woman, you get a lot of that.”
“The good thing is that more women are the ones running the clubs. That means women are becoming more liberated. We women are way too uptight about sex and there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Years ago it was the man who wanted it all the time. When the movie
She’s Gotta Have It
came out, it was groundbreaking because we didn’t think of women in that way. We need to free ourselves from our guilty conscience. And the lifestyle is becoming more and more mainstream. It’s not going anywhere.”
“You know I agree that with marriage being such a sacred intuition, thinking in terms of an alternative lifestyle is like mixing oil and water. There will be a backlash from puritanical America. But I think the taboo is lifting.”
“I hope so. This is all about how we view our own sexuality. Sex clubs are legal. They require a business license and a permit to operate. It is simply your choice with another’s consent.”
“Okay, we’ll take a couple more calls. Your name and your question please.”
“Hello. My name is Beverly and I’ll be honest. I go to your church. I just wanted to tell you that no matter what they’re saying, you know, among the people in church, I think it’s just as wrong to sin Monday through Saturday and then on Sunday come in there judging people like you. Some people probably masturbated before they came to church on Sunday morning.”
“Wow,” the Diva said.
“I’m just saying, some probably cursed people out when they drove to church, and lie to people as they walk inside of the Lord’s house. All of that is sin. All sins being equal, I’d never judge you.”
“Well thanks, Beverly. I appreciate that.”
“Don’t let anybody make you feel ashamed. Just because there are some things we don’t agree with or understand doesn’t mean we have to try to shame people.”
The Diva said, “You’re right about that. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinions.”
“When you live in a glass house, don’t throw stones. So you go ahead on, Miss Kennedy. I might come check out your club myself.”
“Hey now.”
“And come to church for you and no one else.”
“Thanks.”
“And I’ll just say this before I go. All I know is if God turned away every sinner, the church would be empty. Thanks for your time.”
“Thanks for calling,” Diva Sexton said. “Line four, you’re on.”
A woman said, “That other caller was right. You’re a female pimp.”
“Excuse me, ma’am, but what is your name?”
Click.
“On that note, I think we’ve covered the pros and cons fairly well. It definitely seems people feel strongly about it either way. But we want to thank you for taking the time to come out and share your knowledge about the swingers lifestyle and about your club, and we thank you for taking the questions, Milan.”
“I appreciate you for having me. Thank you.” Milan had a tiny smile on her face, yet gave a light sigh.
As the Diva continued on with the show, Milan no sooner walked away from the microphone and said good-bye to the producer than Lavender called. She walked down the hall while reaching into her purse, answering her phone while also reaching for her keys.
She stepped out of the building and down the street. Lavender said, “I just know that wasn’t spank-my-ass-and-call-me-slave Beverly.” His energy was high.
“Okay?” Milan laughed as she stepped to her car and got inside. “You see I didn’t bust her out.”
“Yeah, but I know she’s gonna hear about that in church on Sunday.”
“I doubt it. It’s not like anybody’s gonna say it to her face anyway.”
“True. She’s brave.”
“Listen, I’m on my way. I’ll see you in about an hour at the restaurant to meet Hunter.”
Lavender sounded like he was mobile, too. “Why don’t you go back home and I’ll pick you up. I’m headed that way now.”
“Sounds good. I’ve gotta talk to you anyway.”
“About what?”
“I’ll tell you in a minute.” She started the engine and pulled off.
“Okay. And you did a great job, by the way.”
“Thanks,” she said as they disconnected. She stared ahead and thought back to her interview. The last caller kind of sounded like Ramada, but Milan wasn’t sure. Either way, she knew how people saw her. The business she was in was not easy to swallow. Just before she reached for a CD, the song on the radio was Mary J’s, “Just Fine.”
Milan bounded her head to the beat and tapped her thumbs along the steering wheel and sang along, “
I ain’t gon let nothing get in my way / No matter what nobody has to say.
”
She added, “Exactly.”
“U Got the Look”
Friday, April 25, 2008
10:14 p.m.
W
hile Milan and Lavender wrapped up the evening meeting with Hunter Wyatt, Jarod checked things out downstairs at the club and Brian made his rounds upstairs.
Jarod stepped past the larger-than-life bouncer at the front door and went outside into the nighttime air, keeping an eye on the valet guy who hurriedly returned from parking a car.
A very tall, very curvy woman stood near the circular driveway, looking up at the well-lit sign as Jarod approached.
“How are you?” His glances were full. He focused on the ample, fleshy part of her body from behind.
“Good.” A slight evening breeze whisked through her dirty-blonde hair.
“Can I help you?” he asked.
She took a step closer. “No, I’m just looking for the owner.”
“She’s not in. Can I help?”
She smiled. “No.”
He nodded. “Are you coming in?”
Her hands gestured in agreement with her words. “Oh no.” She held tight to the leather strap of her miniature N-initialed black purse.
He took a step closer. “Why not? No harm in looking.” She was eye to eye and inch for inch to his six two frame. “You’re a big girl, right?” He looked down at her two-inch heels.
“I guess you could say that.” She hesitated. “You meant that in a nice way, right?”
“Most definitely.” He offered his hand. “I’m Jarod.”
She extended hers. “Nancy.”
He held on for a brief moment, taking in her stare head-on, and released his grip. “Nice to meet you. How do you know the owner?”
“Oh, I just wanted to see her business. I’ve heard so much about it. Mainly on the radio this afternoon.” She began to walk toward the door as he walked beside her. She read the notice near the door about being an Equal Opportunity Lifestyle Organization.
“Yes, I heard it when I was in my car earlier. Pretty interesting.”
“It was. So, I’m just curious.”
“Then I suppose it’s good if all the curious folks come in.”
“I guess so.”
“Here’s how it works. We charge a hundred-dollar membership fee for women. Is this your first time?”
“Yes.”
“Once you pay the membership, the first-time door charge is free. Normally it’s fifty for single women. It’s the single men who get charged a hundred each time they step in here. Couples are cheaper.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. You are single I assume?” He opened the door and stood aside for her to enter.
“Yes, I am.” She paused for a few moments, stepped inside, and smiled, looking around at the deep-gold walls and the very contemporary setup. “I guess there’d be no harm in just checking it out for a minute.”
Jarod stood at the entry booth. “I guess not.”
The bouncer checked her with his metal detecting wand, also rummaging through her tiny purse.
Jarod spoke to the front desk girl. “Rita, can you help this young lady join the City please? She’s a first-timer.”
Nancy stepped up.
“Sure.” The girl pointed to the side. “Would you mind stepping right over there to the computer and entering your information in the fields. It’ll only take a minute.”
“Okay.” Nancy stood aside and entered her name, address, and date of birth and checked each box that applied to the membership agreement and clicked enter. She stepped back to the girl as Jarod kept close watch.
“May I see your ID, please?” Rita asked.
Nancy opened her purse and took out her driver’s license. “Here you go.”
“And if you would just sign here.”
“Can I have a copy of this? I like to have a copy of whatever I sign.”
“No problem. And that’ll be a hundred dollars.”
Nancy nodded as she signed. She looked back at Jarod at the same time she handed the woman her money.
“I’ll see you inside,” Jarod said, noting the fact that she caught him staring.
“Yes you will,” she said, giving him a sticky smile.
Jarod stepped away with a look that said,
That’s what I’m talking about,
and he went on inside.
Rita gave Nancy a copy of the agreement and a purple membership card. “Here you go. We have a coat-room here if you need it. Valet, in case you didn’t use it this time, is free. They just work for tips. Once you go through those doors, there’s a bar area. You should bring your own and give the bartender your five-digit membership number and they’ll write it on the bottle.” She pointed to the number on Nancy’s card. “You’ll see a big dance floor and a lot of rooms, with a bunch of naked people in them. The orgy room is nude only and requires that you leave your clothes in our lockers. And we have condoms here and in all the rooms.” She pointed to a large glass bowl on the counter. “And we say safe sex or no sex. Condoms are a girl’s best friend. Enjoy.”
“Thanks, but I won’t be needing to,” Nancy said, stepping toward the tall doors to erotic land. “I’m only here to watch.”
Rita buzzed her in while the bouncer checked her out.
Nancy saw seductive visions of people mingling in the purple room. The music was J. Holiday’s smooth, slow groove, “Bed.” She made a beeline to an area just to the side of the dance floor and sat down on a white-cushioned bar stool. She sat with her back straight as a board. Her hands rested on her lap, covering her purse. She took it all in.
A black woman walked up and said, “My man said you have a nice ass.” She eyed Nancy below her waist.
“Please tell him thanks.”
“If you want to tell him yourself, he’s right over there.” She pointed.
Nancy looked over and smiled. “Thanks.”
The healthy-looking woman, who wore a brown bikini and heels, stepped back to the sofa next to her man. They both sat back and stared her way.
“So this is what all of the buzz is about?” asked a woman sitting next to Nancy. The woman held on to a cup containing clear liquid. It was filled with straight and smooth, p.i.n.k. vodka. It was eighty proof with caffeine. She nursed it slowly as traces of her Corvette red lipstick kissed the cup.
“I guess so.”
“Would you like some of my drink? I brought vodka.”
“Oh, no thanks.”
They both faced the large dance floor. Both sat with their legs crossed.
“Your first time here?” the woman asked.
“Yes. How’d you know?”
“You have that first-time sticker on your forehead.” She smirked.
Nancy grinned generously. “Oh really?”
“I wore the same one last week.”
“I see.”
Jarod spoke from behind Nancy’s left shoulder. “I think they call it the virgin look. The nervous newbie look. Someone’s gotta bust your first-time cherry.”
Nancy turned toward him. “Jarod, right?”
“Yes.”
She pointed from him to the woman next to her. “Jarod, this is . . .”
The woman said, “Heidi.”
“Hello, Heidi.” Jarod nodded her way.
Nancy put her hand out toward the woman, who looked even more delicious than the scent of her fragrance, called Be Delicious, smelled. “I’m Nancy, Heidi.”
They exchanged handshakes.
“Nice to meet you both,” Heidi said. “I was in here before with my new man but we just watched. He said he wanted me to keep myself on the sidelines. I decided then that I would come back alone.”
“Oh really. So, is he history now?”
“No. I just snuck out. He thinks I’m at Wal-Mart.”
“Wow. Sounds like this’ll be a quickie then,” Nancy said, looking half impressed.
Jarod leaned closer to both ladies and asked, “So, what are you into, Heidi?”
“What am I into?”
“That’s a question you’ll hear a lot. That, and do you want to play.”
Heidi raised her perfectly waxed eyebrows. “Oh okay. Well, Nancy, whatta ya say? Do you want to play?”
Nancy’s throat got stuck on a simple swallow of saliva and she shook her head. “Wow. No. I’m just observing.”
Heidi said, “Okay. Well, I guess now you know you’ve got someone to play with when you’re ready. For a little while anyway.” Heidi brought her drink to her lips and sipped. Her long fingers choked the cup. Her nails were a plum color and she had a pink tourmaline ring on her middle finger.
Nancy noticed all of it. “Yes, I guess so. Thanks.”
Jarod spoke close to Nancy’s ear. “See how that works.”
“I do.”
He asked, “Would you like a tour?”
“Sure.” Nancy looked to her right. “Heidi, would you like to come with us?”
“Sure.”
The ladies stood, securing their small purses under their arms. Heidi kept her drink in one hand and grabbed Nancy’s hand with the other.
Looking back to notice Heidi’s cute face and small waist, Jarod walked one step ahead of them. “Follow me.”
“If I Was Your Girlfriend”
Friday, April 25, 2008
11:18 p.m.
M
ilan and Lavender rode in his platinum BMW 750 while heading south on 75 to the club. They’d had a two-hour dinner with Attorney Wyatt at Justin’s in Buckhead, and then talked business over drinks.
Milan spoke while scrolling through her BlackBerry. “At least he’s petitioning to have the negligence charges dismissed. But as usual your girl Ramada is trippin about it. Now that she has Judith Berg as her attorney, this is not gonna be easy.”