Chapter 2
AMAZING CUPCAKES
The next day, I went into the café just in time for the lunch rush. After last night I decided to sleep in that morning and let Shondra open for breakfast.
As soon as I came through the door, she approached me with a box.
“Chile, you have to try these,” she said handing me the box.
“What are these?” I asked.
“Some cupcakes from this place called Champagne Cupcakery on Main Street and they are to die for.”
She handed me this beautifully decorated cupcake, with pink icing and funfetti all around the top.
“I went there last night with Jason and as soon as I tasted them, I knew I had to bring you some to try too. It’s such a unique place, she serves cupcakes with a glass of champagne to compliment the taste.”
“Oh wow,” I said biting into this magically delicious delight.
“See I told you.”
Before I knew it, I was licking my fingers in awe of how great the cupcake was.
“Wow, I love it, I think this would make a great addition to our dessert menu.”
Shondra smiled. “My sentiments exactly.”
We were raving about the cupcakes so much that I didn’t see Zion come in the door.
“Good afternoon ladies,” he said.
I whipped around to find Zion standing right in my face. I had just stuffed a cupcake in my mouth and I still had a little icing on my lips.
“Well something must have been delicious; you left a little bit for later.” he laughed.
“Oh my, I’m so embarrassed,” I said using a napkin to wipe off the icing.
“Don’t be, I love a woman who isn’t afraid to be herself.”
I blushed.
“So, what tasted so delicious?” he asked.
“Oh, just a cupcake. Shondra brought in some cupcakes from a bakery on Main Street.”
“The Champagne Cupcakery?” he asked.
“Yeah, how’d you know?”
“One of my friends owns the building that the bakery is in, and you’re right their cupcakes are great.”
“To die for, I was just telling Shondra that I was interested in adding these to our dessert menu.”
“Sounds good.”
“Do you think you could get me in touch with the owner?”
“Well I don’t know her per say but I do know she hosts a business networking event on Friday evenings.
“That’s a funny time for a business event.”
“It’s an after hours thing that allows business owners to meet and mingle after their businesses are closed. I’m sure it would be a perfect place for you and her to talk about expanding her clientele.”
“Yes, it sounds perfect.”
“There’s one this Friday you should come.”
“I think I will thank you.”
“No problem Trinity, I always love to help black businesses succeed.”
He nodded then walked over to his table.
“A date,” Shondra said. “Finally.”
“It’s not a date.”
“Girl that man just asked you out on a date.”
“You are delusional.”
“And so are you.”
We glared at each other and then burst into laughter.
“I don’t want to go alone and make it obvious.”
“I will come with you and stay long enough for you two to break the ice plus I want more of those cupcakes.” she laughed.
“Ok cool.”
The rest of the day, I thought about Zion. What if Shondra was right? What if he did want to go out with me? I definitely couldn’t handle him like I did all the rest of the men in my life. I went home and tried to work on my interior design website. I was almost finished putting it together, but I couldn’t concentrate. All I could think about was being with Zion. I didn’t know much about him except his name and that he worked in the building across the street as an architect. Oh, and he was fine as hell. But from what I saw he was a gentleman, he always held the door open for women and he was always polite to the wait staff. He spoke with intelligence and seemed to be health conscious. He ordered a salad and veggie wrap almost every day. And his body was well defined, like he worked out frequently. I couldn’t wait for Friday and my date, not a date, with Zion.
On Friday, Shondra arrived at six-thirty on the dot. I was still trying to find an outfit that made me look sexy, but not obvious that I wanted Zion. I opened the door for Shondra and ran back to my room.
“Lord, you ain’t ready yet?” she wailed.
“Almost, my makeup is done, I just can’t find anything to wear.”
Shondra came back to my room and saw the mess I had made with the clothes all over my bed and floor.
“For someone who isn’t going on a date you sure are going through a lot of trouble finding something to wear.”
“I would normally wear the sexiest outfit in my closet but it’s a business event.”
“But it’s after hours though.”
“I know but I still wanna be cute for Zion,” I smirked.
“Right.”
Shondra went into my closet and pulled out this black dress and paired it with a long black & white strip jacket. She went to my shoe closet and brought some red strappy stilettos I had just bought a few weeks ago.
“Damn girl you got skills,” I said grabbing the clothes and quickly putting them on.
“Thank you, now can we please go,” she demanded.
“Ok ok.”
I gave myself a once over in the mirror. The dress was short enough to show off my sexy legs. But the jacket didn’t draw attention to my booty. A very sexy, professional look.
We arrived at the Champagne Cupcakery at about seven-fifteen. We parked a couple of doors down and walked back to the entrance. A woman was standing at the door greeting people as they walked in.
“Good evening, welcome to the Champagne Cupcakery, I am Shalonda Brown the owner.”
“Good evening Shalonda, I’m Trinity Walker, the owner of Trini Café.”
“Nice to meet you.”
We shook hands. She had another woman show us to the area where the event was hosted. I looked around but there was no sign of Zion.
“Yesssss, look over there,” Shondra said with glee.
Shalonda had a table of appetizers and a table of assorted cupcakes and champagne for people to try.
We made our way over to the table to sample all the deliciousness. And with each combination we tried, we fell more and more in love.
“Which one is your favorite?” Shondra asked me with a mouth full of cupcakes.
“Girl, I don’t know, every time I try a new one it becomes my favorite.”
We laughed.
“Yeah me too.”
Shalonda came over to the table.
“Are you guys enjoying the cupcakes?” she asked with a smile.
“Oh my God, they are delicious, I’m gonna gain ten pounds messing around with you,” I said laughing.
“That’s ok it can only add to your beautiful figure.”
“Thank you. I would love to display some of your cupcakes in my café. I know they would be a hit.”
“I’ve been to your café before, I thought you leaned more towards the healthy side.”
“Yeah, but cupcakes like this matcha green tea cupcake would be excellent. I know it would sell.”
“OK, or better yet maybe I could create some cupcakes that would work with your menu,” Shalonda said.
“Absolutely Shalonda I know our collaboration would be awesome for both of our businesses,” I said.
“Please call me Shay.”
“OK, Shay when would be a good time for us to sit and discuss it in detail?”
“I’m usually free Mondays, Wednesdays mornings.”
“Oh shoot those are the days I open the café.”
“Don’t worry about it Trinity, I got you especially if you’re gonna bring these cupcakes to the café,” she laughed.
We stood talking and laughing when I saw Zion walk through the door. I tried so hard not to smile. I saw him looking around and I was hoping he was searching for me.
He caught my eye and walked over.
“I see you made it,” he said with a slight grin.
“Yes,” I responded trying not to smile.
“Hey, Shay how are you?” Zion asked.
“Hey Zion, you know Trinity & Shondra?” Shay pointed at us.
“Yes her café is right across the street from my latest project.”
“She is interested in putting my cupcakes in her café.”
“I know, I invited her.”
Her smile was a mile long. “Thank you.”
A guy walked over while we were talking and started talking to Shay. She turned to introduce him to Shondra and me.
“Ladies, this is the owner of the building and the mastermind behind this event, Stephen,” Shay said.
Zion and Stephen exchanged handshakes and started talking about the building.
“I’m hosting this event for Stephen to help him find some new tenants,” Shay said to me.
“That’s a great idea,” I said but I guess my facial expression told another story
Stephen turned his attention to me. “What was the look for?” he asked
“Well, you probably will attract more tenants if you design a space or two to give them an idea of what they could do with it.”
They all looked at me like I was a crazy person.
“Well, I don’t see why that makes a difference.” He said turning his attention to Zion.
But Zion frowned in disapproval of him dismissing my idea.
“Wait a minute Stephen, hear her out. The ambiance in her café is amazing. I think she knows what she’s talking about,” he said.
Shondra and I both smiled.
“So explain it to me,” Stephen said.
“Look around this room, Shay has created an atmosphere of relaxation. The soft pink lighting gives you a feeling of calm. The seating along the walls makes you want to unwind and chill, but it also makes room for people to engage with each other. The table colors are inviting but they are positioned in the room to make you get up and move around to mingle. And the music is loud enough for you to hear but not so you’re yelling when you speak.”
Stephen look said he was impressed. And Zion folded his arms as if he had just won the discussion.
“Now take this office space next to Shay’s, since you can see it through the window, design a look that shows potential tenants what they can do. For example, since this is a bakery maybe you could promote a bookstore or a coffee shop.”
“I like the idea but that would be extra money in manpower to put all that up and take it down when we get a tenant.”
“Not really, you could get a couple of small bookcases and chairs, or a small counter and a couple of coffee pots from a resale shop. You don’t want to design the space, you just wanna advertise it.”
“Um now, that’s an idea,” Stephen said.
“Trust me, it will get the small businesses interested,” I said reassuringly.
“I will definitely give this some thought. Thank you,” Stephen smiled and shook my hand.
He walked away. Zion turned to me.
“I didn’t know you were into Feng Shui,” Zion said.
“How could you know not know that?” Shondra laughed. “Look at her restaurant.”
“You’re right, the space is very peaceful. I always feel really calm when I leave.”
“Exactly, the décor in the café is supposed to give a person a sense of peace. I have a scent I made with jasmine & lavender essential oils to reduce stress and anxiety. The pictures on the walls are to welcome a calm atmosphere. My color schemes of yellow and blue promote happiness, positivity & optimism.”
“I like that,” Shay said.
“I need you,” Zion said.
My heart stopped.
Shondra started smiling.
“Uh,” I said nervously.
“What I mean is, I need you for the project I’m working on.” he blushed.
“Oh ok, what are you working on?” I said trying to sound interested but I was really kinda disappointed.
“I’m working on renovating the building across the street. We are adding some new sections to the building and it would be nice to have someone to help with the interior design.”
“Oh ok, why don’t we set up a time next week to meet,” I said.
There was an awkward pause.
“I was thinking we would go across the street after this is over and discuss it more in detail,” Zion said.
Shondra was standing behind Zion giving me the “I told you so” look.
“Sure that would be fine,” I responded bashfully.
“OK good,” he said excitedly.
“Oh wait, I rode with Shondra and I’m sure she doesn’t want to sit and listen to us talk business all night.”
Shondra looked at me puzzled.
I was so nervous, I didn’t know what I was saying.
“I can drive you home afterward,” Zion said. “I mean if that’s ok.”
“I mean if it’s no trouble.”
“It would be my pleasure.”
I blushed.
Stephen called Zion away which gave Shondra and me a chance to talk.
“What is wrong with you?” Shondra asked annoyed.
“I don’t know he makes me nervous.”
“Girl, this man is trying to get to know you.”
“He’s just interested in business.”
“Are you for real? If he was just interested in business, he could have taken you up on your offer to meet next week.”
“True but he could just be in a rush to get working.”
“Trinity shut up.”
“Ah. I am your boss you can’t tell me to shut up.”
“Excuse me, we are off the clock and right now you are just my crazy friend acting like this man ain’t trying to get with you.”
“I’m not crazy.”
She gave me a side-eye.
I laughed.
“Ok Shondra we’re gonna see.”
Zion walked back my way.
“It’s only about fifteen minutes left would you like to head over there now?”
“Sure, Shondra are you ready to go.”
“I’m gonna mingle a little while longer, you two go ahead.”
“Ok, I will call you tomorrow.”
“Alright.”
We hugged and Zion and I headed out the door.
Across the street was a lounge, Zion found us a nice quiet booth.
“Have you ever been here before?” I asked.
“Yes, a few times, my colleagues come here for their killer long island ice teas.”
“Have you tried them?”
“I’ve only tried the regular ones, but they have like fifty different flavors.”
The waitress came over to the table.
“Good evening folks what can I make you?” she asked.
“This is her first time here, can we see the drink menu,” Zion asked.
“Oh, sure. “
She handed me one from another table.
“Tonight, our specials are the killer long island ice teas.”
I looked the menu over while Zion ordered his drink and some food.
“I don’t know which one I want, they all sound good. Which would you suggest?” I asked the waitress.
“The Jamaican is our most popular.”
“OK, I will try that one then.”
“I ordered some wings, did you want something else?”
“Um yeah, can I get some mozzarella sticks.”
“Will take complete your order?”
Zion looked at me.
“I’m good.”
“Yes, it will.”
She walked away.
“Do you have any pictures of your designs?” He asked.
“I have some on my Instagram page. I just started putting together my website.”
“Oh ok.”
I gave him my phone to look at my designs. I watched his face while he looked, his eyebrows went up and down as he looked through my phone. I could tell he liked what he saw.
“Trinity these are amazing.”
“Thank you.”
“And this is just a hobby?” he laughed.
“Well, when I first got out of school, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. The café building was owned by my aunt and she left it to me when she passed away.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“I couldn’t stand her.” I laughed. “But she didn’t have any children, so she left it to me when she died.”
“Oh wow.”
“Yeah, she was a mean bitter woman who was messy and petty as hell.”
He laughed.
“I worked at a café in college and I and Shondra were always creating new sandwiches & wraps so I decided to open Trini Café.”
“Shondra is more like your partner.”
“Kinda. She got married right after we graduated and had a baby. Her husband was dead set on her not working until their son became school age. But his mom fell ill and came to stay with them and ended up moving in. Nice lady but she is controlling as hell. I needed help and Shondra needed a reason to be away from home every day,” I laughed.
“Makes sense,” he said nodding his head.
“Yeah I love her, she majored in marketing, so she always comes with fresh new ideas.”
“So why not make her a partner.”
“I tried but her husband believes if she becomes partner it will take up too much of her time.”
“I get it, if I had never met Stephen, I don’t think I would have ever got my shot.”
The waitress came back with our drinks.
“Your food will be out shortly.”
“Thank you,” Zion said.
“So you were saying,” I said taking a sip of my drink.
“Yeah, I met him a few years ago when I worked for another company. I was working in the mailroom, but I still worked on my sketches. I met Stephen in the elevator one day. One of my sketches fell out of my portfolio and he was impressed. He got me an interview with at the company I work for and the rest is history.”
“That’s great.”
“And that’s another reason I wanted to work with you. It’s time for you to shine,” he said looking into my eyes.
He smiled and for the first time, I noticed how beautiful his smile was.
“Well thank you, I’m definitely looking forward to the opportunity.
We sat and talked about the work he wanted me to do, and I told him that I would talk it over with Shondra because it would require her to close the store couple of nights a week. The waitress brought our food and we laughed and talked over wings and mozzarella sticks. Zion was so funny and charming. I loved talking to him because we could switch subjects and talk about anything. We went round for round with the long islands.
The sexual tension between us started to rise. The more liquor we got in our system, the more we let our guard down. The DJ started playing old-school jams and Zion and I sat at the table and sang while sharing our experiences with whatever song was playing. Lalah Hathaway’s version of “Angel” begin to play, and Zion asked me to dance. By now we were both feeling the alcohol. We went on the dance floor and swayed back & forth cheek to cheek. Zion wrapped his strong hands around my body. I tried to resist the heat between us, but those long islands had my mind gone. I looked up at him and he kissed me. Our tongues were intertwined, and his breath was sweet. I guess he liked the kiss too cause I felt his penis get hard against my leg. And from what I felt he had something to work with. My body was on fire. He moved his hands down and rubbed my ass. My kitty kat jumped and I moved back. It broke the mood.
“I’m sorry Trinity, I didn’t mean, I mean I shouldn’t,” Zion said nervously.
“Zion it’s ok but I think we should leave.”
He looked disappointed but he agreed.
We went back to the table and he paid the bill. Silently we walked to his car. I didn’t know what was wrong with me. Any other time, I would have jumped at the chance to sleep with someone like him but right now even in my drunken haze, I was hesitant. When we got to his car, he opened the door for me and let me in.
“Trinity what is wrong with you girl, this man is fine.” I thought.
He came around and got in on the driver’s side.
“Are you ok to drive?” I asked.
“Yeah I’m good,” he said but his voice seemed a little slurred.
“Trinity I’m sorry if I gotta little beside myself.”
“Zion it’s fine, I’m not upset but um maybe we should keep it professional.”
“I understand.”
The radio was playing Chris Brown’s “Heat” and I was feeling some heat for this man. We rode and talked some more. I found out Zion was originally from Chicago and moved to South Carolina to live with his dad just before his junior year in high school. He was thirty years old and he played the guitar. I told him, I was a military brat, and my mom and I settled here when she got out of the military ten years ago. I was twenty-seven years old and an only child. Zion had a brother and a sister. During the ride, I noticed Zion swerving a little and this alarmed me. Twenty minutes later we arrived at my house. Zion got out and walked me to my door.
“Well, Ms. Trinity thank you for a lovely evening,” Zion said but his speech was slurred.
“Thank you, Zion, but are you sure you’re ok. You seemed to be swerving while you were driving.”
“I’m just tired.”
“How far do you live?”
“Just about twenty minutes away.”
“Why don’t you come in and I will fix you some coffee?”
“Naw I can’t drink coffee with alcohol in my system. But if you don’t mind letting me sleep some of this off on your couch that would help.”
“Sure, that’s fine.”
I opened the door and we walked in. He looked around my house.
“Wow, Trinity this is beautiful.”
“Thank you, of course, I decorated it.”
“I can tell.”
He sat on the couch.
“I’m gonna go change and bring you a pillow and blanket.”
“Cool.”
I went into my room and closed the door.
“Trinity, you have this man in your house, you can not let him leave without sampling the goods.” I thought.
I was so horny I could feel my kitty kat getting wet. I changed into a pair of sleep shorts and a tank. I left my bra on so my breasts wouldn’t flop around. I went into the bathroom to freshen up just in case I changed my mind. I grabbed him a pillow and blanket and came back into the living room. Zion had taken off his shoes and shirt. He was laying on the couch in his wife beater and jeans.
“Here you go,” I said.
He looked up and saw me standing there and his eyes got wide.
“Thanks.” He said seductively.
I turned on the tv for him and lay on the chaise connected to the couch.
BET had reruns of “Martin” playing. We watched for a while, but it was obvious we both wanted this.
I could still feel the effects of the alcohol and I knew I better say something before I sobered up. But Zion beat me to the punch.
He sat up and put my foot in his lap and began to massage it.
“How does that feel?”
“Amazing,” I said leaning my head back.
“It could feel better.” He said rubbing his hand up my thigh.
I looked at him and he gave me the sexiest bedroom eyes. He got up and came over and laid on top of me. We begin to kiss. He had a full hard-on. I just couldn’t resist any longer.
He parted my legs and lay between them. It felt like he was gonna burst through his pants. He caressed my breasts softly and rubbed down my sides and squeezed my thighs. His touch was so gentle.
“Ooo Zion your hands feel so good on my body.”
“Your skin is soft.” he moaned.
Zion stood up and helped me to my feet. He picked me up, carried me to my bedroom, and laid me down on the bed. He laid down on top of me and we kissed some more. I was so wet I could feel the moisture between my legs. Zion sat up and started kissing me from my forehead to my nose, my lips, and moved down my neck to my breasts. He lifted my shirt and kissed my nipples. They were standing at attention. He rubbed his hand down my stomach, into my shorts, and rubbed the top of clit. It was already poking through the lips.
He moved down the bed and position himself in front of me. I went to take off my shorts, but he moved my hand and removed them himself. Taking control, he put my hands at my sides and opened my thighs wide, and put his face in my pussy. He licked my clit until I came uncontrollably. I was running like a river.
“Wow, that pussy is really wet.”
I could even answer him.
He stood up and took off his wife beater and pants. I still had on my shirt, but he removed it before he finished what he started. Zion grabbed a condom from his pocket and put it on. He moved my body to the side and slid inside me. He kissed my back and neck while he slowly stroked my pussy.
“You are a beautiful woman Trinity.” He said.
“Thaaannkkk you.” I moaned.
He reached around and played with my clit until I wet the bed.
I lay there confused because this man was loving me like I had never had before.
Lifting me up, he made me get on my knees and slide back on his dick. I went to bounce my ass but he stopped me and leaned back and stroke my pussy.
“Oh shit, that feels so good Zion,” I moaned softly.
I couldn’t hold the position and I collapsed on my stomach. But he kept stroking me, kissing my neck, and whispering how beautiful I was.
He turned me over on my back and put my legs up. He put his dick back in and sucked on my toes and kiss my thighs while he made me have the best orgasms of my life. He was so deep he couldn’t hold it any longer and he finally came.
We lay there in awe. After a few minutes, he wrapped his arms around me and went to sleep.