TIOM Summer Edition by tommy jennings

TIOM

June 2013 Volume III

The IMAgE Of Magazine

The San Diego Jazz Festival Festival Fashions

Inside This Issue

The IMAgE Of...

CHARLIE WILSON BRIAN CULBERSON

KEM Festival Fashions

ISSE Long Beach 2013 Edition

The International Auto Show PERFORMANCE

BY DESIGN

Mandalay Bay | July 14 - July 16, 2013 www.cosmoprofnorthamerica.com

Love • Taste • Match

Long Beach International Salon and Spa Expo

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The IMAgE Of Magazine

Publisher/Editor Tommy Jennings Advertising Director Tommy Jennings Contributing Photographers Adam Ghahate International Auto Show

Lenny Monge Jazz Photoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Graphic Designer Tonja Daniels Henry LeGron Writer/Editor Mark Gunn Contributing Writers

ISSE - Tommy Jennings Auto Show - Mark Gunn Summer Jazz - Tommy Jennings

Questions and feedback: Tommy Jennings 4tommy.jennings@gmail.com

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2013 San Diego International Auto Show

JAZZ

The Way

You Like it.

Novella Series:

Reis Tralonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Road Crew

The Image of:

ISSE 2013 T

he 2013 ISSE proved to be a great introduction for The Image Of Magazine, into the Spa and Beauty Industry. Covering this year’s event at the Long Beach Convention Center has been one of the highlights of the year. The three days of the expo did not allow for enough time to cover the magnitude of the expo and the multitude of businesses and patrons. The events, shows, booths, classes, seminars, breakout sessions, business-to-business and people-to-business gathering, made for a broad spectrum to cover…So Many Stories, So Little Time… As with most features in The Image Of Magazine, our focus has always been to capture the moment and letting the IMAGEs speak for them self. Our intellectual use of adjective and adverbs, or lack of knowledge will only get in the way of the visuals captured by the skillful photojournalist at the event. We place emphasis on capturing the people in attendance. Yes, the shows and the vendors always take the big spotlight, as they are the reason we come. But the people give them the reason to stand out and be noticed because the people are the reason they exist. From what we witnessed at the 2013 ISSE, there are a lot of moving pieces that go into producing such an event. From the camera’s viewpoint, it seemed to be a well choreographed blend between the consumer, customer, client, retailer and manufacturer all in one huge ballroom… and it is a hard dance to do. Imagine trying to dance a well choreographed

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Stylist

LisaYamasaki

Viennese Waltz, to a heavy dose of Snoopp Dogg blaring through the speakers, or a good old fashion Tango with the high riffs of P.O.D., or maybe even a rhythmic hip-hop routine to a melodic chanting from Vatican choir…Well that’s what the Professional Beauty Association has done with the International Salon & Spa Expo for over 30 years. The coordination of all 400 businesses and vendors, along with the over 40,000 patrons, mixed well within the confines of The Long Beach Convention Center and its highly capable staff. What I haven’t mentioned was the behind the scene drama that goes along with catering to such a divers gathering. Having to cater to the every need of the vendors and businesses that strives to put their best foot, hand, skin and hair forward as well as the individual attendee, is not a task for the meek. There are verbal exchanges that would even make a sailor blush. But like a tight knit family mending the riffs of siblings, you hug it out and you get the makings of a “Modern Family” TV episode…a unified home of characters.

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As much as we would like to try to describe what we witnessed and took place during the 3 days of the 2013 ISSE, we prefer to give you the perspective of those that matter; the businesses and the patrons. Along with our unique approach to covering events, the IMAGEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s will speak for themselves. Awards for Top Booths Spark Competition: Many companies launched new and/or expanded booths at the 2013 show. From layout and signage updates to complete makeovers, firms invested in their image. Launched in 2011, ISSE Long Beach awards top honors for winners in each category. Booths were judged by industry and non-industry peers on corporate branding, product presentation, exhibit personnel and booth design. Hair Competitions Were A Success: After being wellreceived at the 2012 show, ISSE Long Beach brought back its hair competitions in 2013. Open to students and licensed professionals, the hair competitions allowed individuals to show off their skills and win cash and career prestige. Nail Competitions Bring Out New and Seasoned Entrants: The ISSE Long Beach nail competitions, sponsored by NailPro Magazine, featured an array of new and seasoned entrants. Winners were awarded cash and prizes depending on placements.

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To stay up to date with the personalities from the 2013 ISSE, Tabatha Coffey www.tabathacoffey.com Jonathan Antin www.jonathanandgeorges.com Martin Parsons www.martinparsons.com

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Tabitha Coffey

he heart and soull of the ISSE is the abundance of hands on training at the may classes and seminars over the 3 days. Every aspect of the beauty, spa and cometic industry is covered with the halls of the Long Beach Convention Center. With industry leading personalities such as Martin Parsons, Tabatha Curry, jonathon and many more, the attendees were sure to get a first rate experience that will carry them back to there shops and giving the knowledge to advance. Not only were the individual personalities a draw, the industry leading businesses were also there to give valuable insights into their products and tips to become industry professional.

ISSE Nail Competition Winners 2013

ISSE Hair Competition Winners 2013

Winners include:

While honors were given to the top seven in each category, winners included:

–– Fantasy Nail Art | Wan Jou Chen (first)

–– Ladies Trend Cut, Color and Style - Pro: Leti Jimenez (first place)

–– 3-D Nail Art | Amy Becker (first) –– Hand Painted Nail Art | Robert Nguyen

–– Ladies Trend Cut, Color and Style Student: Martha Diaz (first place)

(first)

–– Long Hair Bridal - Pro: Tangela Thomas

–– Salon Success | Mayumi Hase (first)

(first place)

–– Freestyle Sculptured Nails | Mayumi

–– Long Hair Bridal - Student: Oxana Kim

Hase (first)

(first place)

–– The Longest Nail | Amy Becker: 42” (only

one place)

–– Fantasy - Inspired by Hollywood - Pro: Miki Fujika (first place)

–– Inspired Artistic Genius | Allison Banry

(first)

–– Fantasy - Inspired by Hollywood Student: Amber Harris (first place)

–– Tip & Overlay Team Relay - Spirit | Winner - Team EZ Flow (only one place)

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ISSE Booth Competition Winners 2013

Winning booths at ISSE Long Beach 2013 include: –– Best Island/Peninsula Booth: Vidal Sassoon (first place) –– Best Island Booth: Moroccanoil (first

place) –– Best Linear Booth: G The Body Art (first

place)

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Tempt

tation Mark Gunn, TIOM Show Perspective

“Look but don’t touch,

touch but don’t taste, taste but don’t swallow…” That was Al Pacino’s passionate rant of man’s eternal struggle against lust, desire and temptation in the movie “The Devil’s Advocate”. This same thought most certainly applied to the vehicles on display at this year’s 2013 San Diego International Auto Show. Indulging one’s desires for fourwheeled temptation has never been so tempting, seductive or easy and like all other decadence in life our automotive temptress’s remained tortuously just a bit out of reach!

Marc Harlow Interview

or those with hefty bank accounts and matching fantasies one worthy trophy was the 2013 Amethyst Red (Purple) Aston Martin Rapide. A sensual sedan stunner built on the former Aston Vanquish chassis the Rapide oozes sensuality even sitting still! Like Rolls Royce, also built in England both are powered by massive 6.0-liter V-12 motors generating over 500 horsepower seamlessly delivered from a body and cabin designed more like a rolling mansion than an automobile! The Rapide looks like the beautifully mutant offspring formed from a Rolls and the James Bond DB9 from Casino Royale! “Car Lust” is indeed real and lots goes into bringing the show and the cars to San Diego making that lust available to the public! In speaking with Marc Harlow of Michigan based Rohatinsky-Harlow Public Relations, the agency that promotes the San Diego and others shows nationally, the goal of any auto show is simple; “…to get as many patrons into the show as possible.” The “total car geek”, Harlow adds, “that we position the show for two very specific objectives. The first is to get people interested in the 2013 models, to make buying decisions at the show that lead them ultimately to the dealerships afterward to purchase. “The second objective is to position the show as a major local entertainment destination. In addition to the auto manufacturers and their vehicles on display, we feature a cross section of events and features within the show to appeal to a broad age range from kids to seniors! Harlow is quick to point out that…”We promote these features not as being “entertainment as a performance per se”, It’s the unique automotive specific events like “Camp Jeep” where patrons actually drive a REAL 2013 Jeep over simulated rocks, boulders and inclines similar to what they might find in the real world that people love!

In addition to these “show” features, we focus on the individual “market lifestyle” of each show location.” San Diego and Portland (Rohatinsky-Harlow also promotes the Portland show) are VERY environmentally and health conscious cities so we highlight and promote these type of vehicles. “We partnered with the San Diego Scripps Health System to create “Muscle Car Beach with muscle cars and healthy living options. “You maintain your car ‘s body as it ages; maintain your body as well. Market lifestyle is just as important as the cars.” While the objectives of the show are obvious from the business standpoint it’s the CARS that beckon us all! It’s the smell of the hand-selected leather, shamelessly covering every exposed area of the Rolls Royce Phantom interior in the same arena with the molten metal look of a fully restored 1971 Ghost Grey GTO. A few steps away, a crowd swoons, ogling an exquisite Emerald Green ’64 Impala lowrider with murals worthy of the Vatican! Not only would Michelangelo concede the paint and obsessive detail (the suspension has etchings on the etchings of each piece!) he would drive this masterpiec to pick up DaVinci, Dali and Picasso for “Cruisin’ Grand” in Escondido BECAUSE of the paint alone! The compulsion to leave with SOMETHING new and shiny hits you instantly upon entering the San Diego Convention Center. Most vehicles are available for purchase off the floor and at local dealers however there are the select few whose sheer cost and exclusivity makes them elusive icons of desire. Holding court in this very exclusive club was the $450 thousand “uber-techno” Lexus LFA Supercar! Not your Dad’s Lexus this carbon bodied goddess required Lexus to build an industry first 3D fiber loom to weave and shape the carbon fiber into the intricate angles required of the body design! Powered by a fiendishly efficient 4.8 liter V-10 engine producing massive output over 550 horsepower the LFA revs from zero to over 9000 rpm in less than a second! These Formula One performance specs are staggering

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Rolls Royce

in a production car, and yet the Lexus “relentless pursuit of perfection” resulted in commissioning worldrenowned Yamaha Musical Instruments to tune the exhaust-note aesthetics for the perfect exhaust note! In short, this car is a techno marvel only rivaled by the Space Shuttle and Iron Man and does so in glorious package that is the perfect marriage of art, technology and epic performance! Less expensive, but no less impressive were the BMW’s, Mercedes, Audi’s and Cadillac’s and the beastly Corvette ZR-1! The BMW 650 Gran Sport looks like a 750 sedan squeezed into the body of a coupe. It’s svelte, sexy, elegant and even as a BIG BMW despite its size is powerful, light and agile! It’s powered by a 4.4liter 450 horsepower V8 with optional 4-Wheel X-Drive. Think Ali in his prime “RopeA-Doping” on the PCH in an Armani suit. That’s the style of the 650 GS! Mercedes resurrected the timeless spectre of the original 1964 Gullwing 300 SL in the new 2013 SLS AMG. Displayed in “Santa Baby Red” you can almost see the Big Guy and “ok Santa, that’s not Mrs. Klaus” the night AFTER Christmas” pulling up to the valet at the Four Seasons! Mercedes kept all the styling of the original Gullwing 300SL and wrapped them elegantly around a track-bred monster! The 583 and 622 horsepower (gotta love options) pavement

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scorching AMG 6 liter V-12, 8000-rpm motors are

For our last temptation, the Corvette ZR-1, GM outdid

mated to a 7 speed SMG F1 gearbox! Only the Red

themselves! This is a “strap yourself to a rocket, grab

Bull F1 Race car, also on display in San Diego would

the bag of armored car money, Hey it’s Vegas at

be the only competition to either the LFA Lexus or the

3am, forbidden fruit “you KNOW its wrong” type

SLS! On the SLS, like the LFA carbon fiber rules! For

of temptation!” Yeah it’s THAT good! That you can

German luxury, Mercedes is the benchmark and with the heritage as THE world’s oldest car company and a dominant Formula One team the SLS shows everyone, especially BMW they still know how to build a gorgeous automobile disguised as a street legal

go to your local dealer and see one up close makes it an even closer fantasy! The Chevy guys in Bowling Green, KY took all that was right with the C6 Vette and let Dr. Frankenstein have a go with it while they took the wives to the Kentucky Derby!

racecar. Fact is, with this one the MB boys may be

What they got back from Ol’ Vic was a monster

actually building the “Real Ultimate Driving Machine”!

of epic proportions! Over 600 horsepower stock!

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Supercharger, massive boost, stock! Top speed in 3RD GEAR: 130mph! Magnetic suspension, stock! Top speed: 205! Fastest recorded time at Bonneville Salt Flats by ANY production car EVER! Queue the angels! NOW, if you like the ZR-1 but need a little more refinement and luxury with your tire shredding and tail slides then the Cadillac CTS-V is JUST what the doctor and the last alimony payment ordered! Recreating the Cadillac â&#x20AC;&#x153;Standard of the World â&#x20AC;&#x153; for a new century in an sleek, elegant, refined package all with Corvette ZR-1 performance, Recaro seats, cup-holders, back seats for the kids and a real trunk!

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The Corvette ZR-1 and Cadillac CTS-V have it all performance junkies crave in spades! True American muscle cars, technologically advanced designs, a plethora of toys and cabin comfort and galactic performance married to legendary pedigrees of performance and elegance! Game, Set, match. So spend the kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inheritance while helping the economy and get one or get both! Next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s San Diego International Auto Show again promises to be an even bigger display of automotive decadence. Many companies again will unveil complete redesigns of existing flagship models and many new models for debut in the San Diego area! There will be massive engines, and sumptuous interiors, entertainment systems surpassing your home theatre, hybrids from luxury brands and the electric invasion from Tesla, Lotus, Lexus and other dynamic manufacturers. You have a year to get therapy and get your willpower together.

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JAZZ

The Way

You Like it.

s the Summer of 2013 is now upon us, the summer festivals are getting ready to go into full swing. The West coast swing gets started with the Las Vegas “City of Light” and The Arizona Jazz fest. Then it’s all about timing, planning and preparation. For most that attend these festival are pros and will hit at least 2-3 shows per year. A major draw to attract music enthusiast will definitely be the lineup. Most shows will have at least 3 artists on the bill that can headline any one show and draw thousands on their own. With the summer festival lineups, this ensures that those who come will be totally satisfied with their chose of venues. The other major factor is the city. Most cities that host theses major festivals will be a destination location within itself, a place where travelers may have always wanted to go visit. Getting an earful of audible pleasure is just ice cream on top of a smooth fluffy Red Velvet cake.

Music lovers from all over the world gear up to put their best foot forward, laced up with a pair of Steve Madden’s or Michel Korrs. White linen outfits, summer dress and big frilly brims are being bought up as soon as they hit the stores or ordered online. Fashion is a big part of any festival. From what the artist wears to the thousands who walk the self-made catwalks throughout the venues, so they can be seen and see who wants to be seen. The artist of course will always take the spotlight when wearing the best designers, sequins and accessories. Not to be out done, the patrons will step out in a well-choreographed ensemble, sometimes two in one day, and make a fashion statement of their own. And yes, sometimes that statement should not be made, but they do it any way.

Charlie Wilson From the start of his career, Charlie and his brothers, Robert and Ronnie, helped define and popularize an upbeat form of funk music that was infectious and lasting with their group The Gap Band. The group’s songs like “Outstanding”, “Party Train”, “Yearning For Your Love”, “Burn Rubber on Me”, “You Dropped A Bomb on Me”, and “Oops Upside Your Head” are among their immense catalog and some of the most sampled songs in music history. After 43 years and 15 studio albums, The Gap Band announced their retirement in 2010. Charlie Wilson’s voice reminds you of both the past and the present. He is one of the few artists whose vocal style and performance continue to influence some of today’s most popular artists including R. Kelly, Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, and Kanye West. Also known as “Uncle Charlie”. This name was given to him by rapper Snoop Dogg, [1] with whom he is good friends. Snoop and his wife, Shante, renewed their vows in April 2008 at Wilson’s 20 acre ranch outside of Los Angeles, CA. The event inspired the music video to Wilson’s hit “There Goes My Baby” [2] which featured Snoop and his wife and was given to them as a gift symbolizing their relationship. But it’s triumph that truly defines Just Charlie. After navigating through exhilarating highs and unspeakable lows, Wilson found redemption, a journey he documents on the driving, empowering “Where Would I Be.” “I went from rags to riches, riches to rags, rags to the curb and from the curb to being homeless,” he reveals. “Now I’m back to being a No. 1 artist and I couldn’t have done it without my woman. To have a woman who stands by your side no matter what you’re going through, the ups and the downs and the inbetweens, where would I be without her?”

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Brian Culberson Heavily influenced by funk, much of Culbertson’s material is funk-based instrumental, but he has begun calling upon vocalists such as Trey Lorenz, Marc Nelson, Kenny Lattimore and Avant to add to his later pieces. Culbertson has released twelve albums so far. The first three were on the Blue Moon label: “Long Night Out” 1994, “Modern Life” 1995, and “After Hours” 1996. After moving to Atlantic Records, three more albums followed: “Secrets” 1997, “Somethin’ Bout Love” 1999, and the critically acclaimed “Nice & Slow” 2001. “Come on Up” 2003 was released on Warner Jazz, and Culbertson then moved to GRP Records for his project, “It’s On Tonight” 2005 which debuted at #1 on Billboard Magazine’s contemporaryjazz charts. After eleven inspired albums that have passionately surveyed a broad spectrum of musical styles and prominently featured many of music’s finest players, R&B/Jazz multi-instrumentalist Brian Culbertson decided to keep conceptualism to a minimum and simply title his twelfth album XII. “I was just noticing that there are a lot of ‘12s’ in my life,” Brian muses… “I was born on January 12, I’ve been living in Los Angeles for 12 years now and have been married to my beautiful wife Michelle for 12 years. There are 12 notes on the piano…and it was at the age of 12 that I knew I was going to be a professional musician. Also over the years, 1s and 2s have been in the addresses of all the places I’ve lived.” One thing that this multi-talented man’s fans can rest assured of is that, with twelve albums and counting, Brian Culbertson always brings his very best – and the very best out of others – in all of his broadranging musical endeavors, including his intimate and immensely popular video blog…and the engaging musical tapestry that is XII.

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KEM He wrote, produced, and financed his self-released debut album, Kemistry, with his American Express and singing top 40 cover tunes in a wedding band and waiting tables. He was later signed by Motown Records in November 2001, who re-released the album on February 25, 2003, and sold more than 500,000 copies nationwide. The album’s first single, “Love Calls”, became a hit at urban adult contemporary and smooth jazz radio, and USA Today pegged it early on as a “Motown classic.” His debut went gold-plus. He followed his debut release with a second album, Album II, released May 17, 2005 and sold more than 500,000 copies nationwide. It included the hit single “I Can’t Stop Loving You”, a # 1 at urban adult contemporary radio, and the song “You Might Win” featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica. After finishing high school, KEM dealt with homelessness, addiction, and isolation from his family. He did not overcome these issues until he turned to spirituality and music, as he has said, “My career didn’t take off until I connected with my spirituality. That’s why I take time on stage and on the album to administer spirituality to people. That’s one of the things that I am most proud of.” Kem Is also very well received by older listeners of R&B/Soul for his classy sound and not incorporating elements of Hip-hop music. He has two daughters, Troi and Laylah.[1]

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Novella Series

by Reis Tralon

he was part of an all male road crew, repaving highway 251 through the desert; working the swing shift due to the triple digit-heat during the day. The guys on her crew saw her as one of them, often inviting her to throw back a few beers when they knocked off early, inviting her to poker night, and NFL, NBA, MBL parties and the family barbecues they had on the weekends.

Natalie had no problem treating them like her brothers, after all, she spent so much time with them, knew their families as if they were her own and knew many of their secrets; secrets that she kept like a priest during confession. There were rumors and grumblings that their numbers would increase on swing even though they were ahead of schedule. The powers that be wanted the roadwork done as soon as possible so the traffic could return to its normally heavy flow, so the weekend crew was added to the fivers so they could finish before the holiday rush. Nathan and Vick were floated in first thing Tuesday night, being put directly under Wendell with Natalie. They had heard there was a lone female on the road crew, but like everyone else, just assumed she was some badass lez trying to prove her manhood by hangin’ with the boys. Didn’t bother her one bit what they thought of her, she didn’t live for them.

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The weekend was rolling up fast and the highway would be crowded with travelers trying to reach one destination or another in a hurry; so with the added crewmembers and added equipment, the progress doubled up. By Friday, the repaving was complete and they would have the holidays off to relax. Wendell did what he did best, planned a weekend barbeque and invited the newest crewmembers to join in. They shut down early Friday and decided to meet at the sports bar for drinks. Natalie opted not to meet up with the crew wanting only to go home and take a long hot bubble bath as she asked for a rain check. “See you tomorrow, lil sis,” Wendell asked as Nat clocked out and headed out the door; praying she could catch the last bus home? She never responded as she absently drug her bone-tired body out the door. “Damn,” she muttered under her breath, the bus had run early and she had to make that long trek home. Nat was too damn tired to deal with this shit; how long would her car be out of commission anyway, she wondered near tears as she slung the back pack over her shoulder and began to walk. Nathan was one of the last ones to leave the site, deciding not to head over to the sports bar. Even though he had a few days off before the shift change, he was too tired to hang out. He watched her cross the driveway as he pulled out of the lot, rolling down his window. “Hey Nat, you need a ride?” he asked hesitantly. She almost declined his offer. “If it’s not out of your way,” she said, relief filling her voice. There was nothing masculine about her voice, he thought as he put the car in park and walked around to open the door for her; she was still a lady. “Thank you so much,” she said plopping the back pack in her lap.” “No problem,” he said, putting the car in gear and heading in the direction she told him. They talked very little as he drove to the other side of town, wondering how she made it to work without a car.

he did the job, the deal was done;

and Mr. Kissum would have to move her like he promised if she could hang. She more than proved she could hang, outlasting quite a few of the men on the crew.

“Whoa, you would have had a long walk,” he said as he finally turned up in the driveway. “Thank’s for the ride; can I give you gas money or anything,” she asked, beyond tired? “Naw, thanks though; I just live about two blocks past here. So if you ever need a ride, let me know,” he said as he opened the door for her, and watched her until she was safely inside. Even in the baggie jeans and Tims she wore, and the oversized sweatshirt, you could tell she was a woman; whatever way her gate swung. Nat dropped the backpack on the table and headed straight to the shower. It was too hot and she was dusty and sticky and tired; she had no time to take a bath, because she still had to hit the books. Her balancing act was beginning to wear her down. Thank goodness they finished early. She had maybe two months to keep this up, and then she could quit the road crew for good. It was a lesson well learned, but a lesson all the same. She did the job, the deal was done; and Mr. Kissum would have to move her like he promised if she could hang. She more than

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proved she could hang, outlasting quite a few of the men on the crew. She felt better now, finally sitting down to dinner and opening her first book. She would have a few extra days to finish up her term papers and study for her exams, so she did appreciate that. Her mind kept wondering back to the brief conversation she had on the way home; appreciating Nathan for the ride and for not being too nosey. He was pretty cool; she thought as she shut down and went to bed. Tomorrow’s a new day, she thought as she drifted off to sleep. Natalie couldn’t remember the last time she had a free day as she moved around the apartment. All her homework was done, she had no real cleaning to do as she dropped her books back into the back pack, had a light breakfast and headed for that long soak she promised herself last night. By noon she was dressed like she was going out on the town, high heels and all, strutting around the place like she was a runway model; it was definitely a woman thing as she checked herself out in the fulllength mirror. The doorbell caught her off guard as she walked back up the hallway to answer, wondering who it was ringing her bell. He stood there, surprised, mouth open and staring as she opened the door. She wore this sexy short kimono type number, the colors playing off her gorgeous tan, legs that looked like they would never stop and heels that really accentuated her muscular calves and sexy ankles. “Did I leave something in your car?” she asked embarrassed that he saw her like that. “Ummm, no,” he stammered, “I’m sorry. Wendell said he forgot to pick you up for the barbeque; said you needed a ride and asked if I could pick you up.” He was finding it hard to compose himself as he spoke; just her legs alone had his mind racing. “Damn,” she blew out, “I forgot about that. Come on in, do you have a few minutes I’ll go change.”

“No problem,” he said stepping around the door. He took a seat on the sofa next to the door, as she ran down the hallway in her heels. “Damn,” he mumbled under his breath as he adjusted himself once out of sight. Not five minutes later she came back up the hallway in baggy jeans, and an oversized sweater; but her hair was still pinned up. “I’m ready; thanks for waiting,” she said still somewhat embarrassed. “Were you going somewhere,” he asked as he opened the car door for her to get in? She waited until he had gotten in and started the car before answering his question with a question. “About that,” she went on, “please don’t tell anyone.” “Only if you’ll go out with me tonight,” he half asked, half bargained with her. “I don’t go out here.” “Okay, you pick the place; just say you’ll go tonight; deal?” Natalie was stuck; not that she minded being put in that position. It had been a long while since she had gone out; school and work kept her too busy and too tired. She didn’t see any harm in going out with him; as long as it wasn’t in town. “Deal,” she answered as they pulled up in front of Wendell’s house. “Remember Nathan, you promised.” “I got you, sweetie.” They walked around to the side gate letting themselves into the back yard, finding Wendell and Glo squabbling near the grill. Nat walked up and hugged Gloria and Wendell like family; thanked Nathan again for the ride and bounced off to find the kids. “So Nate, you found her place okay?” Wendell asked somewhat distracted. “It was no problem sir; I gave her a ride home last night; after she missed the last bus.” Wendell and Glo

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me and Vick over though,” he said quickly changing the subject. He had a date tonight with her and he was starting to feel like he said too much already.

y noon she was dressed like she was

The rest of the afternoon passed by quietly with one college game after another being watched, a few people down in the game room shot pool and played cards and dominoes; while Nat kept herself occupied between Glo and the kids. Finally she tracked him down to tell him that Glo would give her a ride home if he wanted to hang out a little while longer, thanking him again for picking her up.

going out on the town, high heels and all, strutting around the place like she was a

He was more than ready to go; had been ready for a while. All he could think about was their date, even if

runway model; both lifted an eyebrow as he spoke. “Can I ask you something? I mean, strictly between us? “Shoot man.” “Is she….you know…is she g…?” “Naw man, she’s not. She just lets the guys think that so she won’t have to deal. You know how it is. They real hard on her now; imagine if they knew.” “I got it, ‘cause we been hearing some stuff on dayshift; stuff that ain’t cool.” He had gotten Wendell’s attention; maybe it was Nathan’s interest in his niece, maybe it was the gossip on day shift; but whatever it was Wendell the protector kicked in. “Like what,” he asked as Gloria came walking back up with the tray and two beers? They listened intently to the usual bullshit that Nathan had been hearing on day shift which wasn’t much different from nightshift; hell that’s where all the shit started. But her niece was more like their daughter, so when the guys did go too far, he pulled their chain. “So, what do you think?” Wendell asked as Nathan finished his beer and Glo handed him another one; picking up on a certain vibe Wend was obviously missing. “It would be cool to hang out sometime, I guess,” he responded taking another drink; the vision of her rockin’ that dress popped back in his head. “Thanks for inviting

he was forcing her to go out with him; not even able to follow half the games that were playing. He tried to let her out of the date, if she didn’t really want to go; but she insisted that since he kept up his end of the deal, she would keep hers. So he dropped her off after they agreed he would pick her up at nine. That gave him a couple of hours to get ready and just chill. For some reason he was getting nervous, even though he had spent most of the day around her; he now was feeling nervous as hell. Nathan was at her house at nine sharp as she came strutting out of the front door to meet him in a clingy teal and black number and matching stilettos. If he thought she was bangin in the kimono, she was all out sexy in this one that dropped just below her knees. “You look nice,” Nat said as she got in the car. “Thank you, so do you,” he replied, not able to take his eyes off of her. “So, you ready for this?” “The question is; are you ready for this?” she asked proceeding to give him directions. The drive was about 45 minutes to an hour, she told him; asking if he didn’t mind going out of town. “Don’t mind at all,” he said looking forward to something different. He had grown tired of hangin’ out in town with the same people doing the same old thing; so he was more than ready for something

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new. And Natalie did not disappoint as they walked into the club, took a seat and had a few drinks before hitting the dance floor. She was off the chain, he thought, a totally different person. He was right when he told Wendell she would be cool to hang out with, he didn’t have a care in the world while they were there, didn’t have to constantly watch his back. The night ended rather quickly and they were back in the car heading back to town when she asked if he wanted to stop and get something to eat. She hadn’t eaten since this morning and she was starving. “My treat,” she said as he pulled into the drive-thru; she wanted something quick so they could hurry up and get home as if they were trying to outrun the storm. “I asked you out, remember; this is still a date,” he said laughing, “besides, you ain’t one of the homies; at least not tonight.” It was almost impossible to place their order, they were laughing so hard. Then once again they were back on the road, heading back to town. “Why did you get separate bags,” she questioned him, “are you in a hurry to leave?” “Not at all,” he responded. He just assumed that she was ready to call it a night as he pulled up into the driveway; grabbing her hand as she reached for the door handle. “O.k. so hope you had a nice time tonight.” “Come inside,” she said opening the door and getting out. Nathan followed her inside watching her hips swing back and forth like a sexy round pendulum hypnotizing him into submission. She led him over to the sofa sitting their bags on the coffee table as she flitted around the room lighting candles, turned on soft jazz music and returned to sit down beside him. She tore each bag open laying it out around the order like little paper tablecloths and began to feed him. “So…what made you ask me out?” she asked out of the blue.

“A lot of different things,” he said, thinking how he could respond to that without offending her. “I’d see you around; sometimes catch you leaving work when I was coming in; just thought you’d be cool to hang out with.” “But…?” “No but; well, when you came to the door in that dress; yeah, that was the icing on the cake.” “The icing, hunh?” she whispered as she leaned over and kissed him, slipping her leg across his lap in the process. “And what would you consider this?” she questioned flicking her tongue across his lips, his arms automatically slipping around her tiny waist. His mind was racing, should he pull her closer, return her kisses; hold her at a distance, run; he was caught up and he loved it. “I could offer you the same out you offered me earlier,” she said sliding off his lap; or…” she reached behind her unzipping her dress, letting it fall to the floor. He stood up, taking her in his arms and kissed her gently at first, caressing her back and stopping just above her firm behind. “Or…” he now whispered in the curve of her neck, flicking his tongue across her ear lobe; unaware of what she was about to do as he felt his pants slip below his ass, felt her nudge him back down on the sofa resuming her seat in his lap. “Or, baby, you can stay here and relax; enjoy the ride.” There was no turning back as she slipped his shirt over his head, kissed her way down to his hardened nipples, sucking and nibbling until he was way past aroused as she slowly wriggled in his lap, feeling him swell against her. Nat wasted no time, foreplay would have to be after play for her as she lifted herself just enough to free his member from his boxers, pulling her silk panties to the side as she slid him deep into her box, slipping down his pole. He was well endowed as she shifted to take him all in, rising up slightly as he placed his hands between their bodies, spreading her legs even wider. He cupped her ass, lifting her up the length of his pole before

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as Nathan exploded inside her, as she jerked and bobbed on him, threw her head back, clawing at his bare chest as she came, one orgasm after another ripping through her like an out of control inferno. She shook as he wrapped his arms around her, pulled her into him, and held her until it stopped.

he watched as he slept, smiled as she

traced the outline

She climbed down out of his lap, took his hand in hers and led him down the dark hallway to her room, blowing out the candles along the way. Outside the rain came down, the thunder boomed as the lightening ripped across the sky; inside the storm within raged on as he made love to her over and over again, twisting and turning in each others arms

of his face, bent and kissed him on the lips, before sliding down beside him and closing

locked in the most erotic game of twister. Nothing was taboo as they tried any and every position imaginable and some that werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t; loving beyond their physical capabilities until they were spent as the sun crept through the window.

her eyes,

letting her descend all the way down, the silk panties adding a different sensation for him. He was on the edge as he lifted her up his shaft, shifting beneath her so he could better control the tempo and just let her ride. Natalie didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t disappoint

She watched as he slept, smiled as she traced the outline of his face, bent and kissed him on the lips, before sliding down beside him and closing her eyes, listening to the rhythm of his breathing until she drifted off to sleep.

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Scarlett Johansson