Mindstroked

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

The Robeson Foundation

Warm · Senior Member

Aurelia Jase

*Aurelia impatiently sits in the most uncomfortable of chairs waiting on this J.D. Lincoln that she had heard so much about over the past few months. As his assistant holds a conversation on the telephone, Aurelia raises her left eyebrow looking her direction as if the expression would somehow bring Mr. Lincoln before her sooner. Dear God, my time is MONEY! She makes no attempt to disguise the disgust she feels for having to wait on ANYONE. Aurelia Jase waits for NO ONE...Still, the opportunity to attach the name of her family's four-star hotel, The Jase, to a scholarship foundation is attractive enough to allow for a few more minutes of her time.*

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

JD glides through the back entrance of his office and find that Janine, as is her custom, has anticipated his actions to the "T", providing him with the brief dossier of his appointment and requisite file photo.

JD knew the name, and knew that HE would have no reason to reach out to a white, old moneyed, female, hotelier for anything, especially in regards to the Robeson foundation, so he acquired that natural dour and curt countenance that had been the scourge of the media during his football career.

He found himself bursting into the reception area where he found Ms. Jase sitting there looking as prim and entitled as he had anticipated. He gathered whatever conciliatory tone he could muster and strode up to her and locked eyes with her.

"Mrs. Jase? I am Jeff Lincoln, APPARENTLY we have an appointment I was unaware of, so I apologize in advance for my tardiness and lack of preparation. If you could join me in my office I assure you the remaining time will make up for this lapse in execution."

He offered his hand and waited for her response.

Warm · Senior Member

*As she looks up into that stern face, Aurelia is reminded of her great-grandfather's stiff demeanor, one that she sees in herself often. She then squints slightly, drawing up her jaws as she does so, so that her face appears to be in a mouthless grin when he extends his hand to her. This allows her enough time to leave his hand outstretched just long enough for him to know that she is not impressed with him, that she is superior. Shortly thereafter, she accepts his hand with her own and actually uses her mouth for a real grin this time.* "That's MISS Jase, dearthemoneyismine." *Aurelia strings the last words together as if they are a prepared chain of links which she has pulled out many times to bludgeon ANYONE who would ever suggest that she had married into money.* "Mr. Lincoln, I do believe our meeting will prove to be advantageous for us both."

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

"dearthemoneyismine" rang in his ear for a little while.

The rest of it trailed off a bit as he gathered himself to avoid his initial impulse...

to put her and her big money offer and her arrogance out on the street with a No, she couldn't possibly see coming.

No, JD...pull yourself together. Play nice with the woman...keep your business together.

JD took a deep breath and swallowed a huge dose of pride.

"I'ma let you have this one, but I aint gonna put up with this foolishness for a coupde of bucks." he thought to himself.

He broke into a slow smile.

"My humble apologies, MISS Jase. Come with me to my office and let us be about the business at hand."

He ushered her into his sparse but classic office and showed her to her comfortable chair. JD paid no attention to any beauty she may have had, as white women weren't his type...especially haughty filthy rich arrogant ones who had issues with gender identity.

(Re-edited with apologies)

-- Edited by PHXWordsmith at 14:11, 2007-09-16

Warm · Senior Member

*A tinge of disdain flashes across her face as Aurelia briefly examines the chair before deciding that the few moments she would have to endure its quality, or rather its lack thereof, are of little consequence. She sits down with perfect posture, folding her hands in her lap.* "Mr. Lincoln, I am certain that you have heard of The Jase as I am sure that you know I am quite capable of substantiating the proposal which was made to you prior to my arrival. The amount that I am prepared to offer to the Robeson Foundation in the name of The Jase will provide for many scholarships, so I trust that you will accept." *Aurelia's face appears void of expression just as she had been taught to look when making business transactions.*

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

It took all the muscle control that 4 years as an All-American football player in college could provide JD to keep from rolling his eyes throughout his skull, which by now was past warm and escalating towards hot with some inexplicable emotion that he didn't have time to contemplate at the moment.

Again, his business mind, forged in a life surrounded by urban entrepreneurs, and shaped by a double degree program in college prevailed, with an assist from a heaping dose of inherent respect formed by the iron fist of a mother who took no mess from anyone and had never raised her voice at a soul she didn't give birth to, even a ex-husband who contemplated violence against her more than once and followed through exactly once, to disastrous results for him.

Again, JD breathed a long slow discreet breath.

"Miss Jase, you will have to forgive me for not being familiar with the specific terms of your proposal. I returned from a retreat out of the country late last night and today is officially my first day at work here at the foundation, which doesn't officially begin operations for another 5 weeks and hasn't even issued a formal solicitation. Frankly, ma'am, I am a bit taken aback at the sheer volume of this proposal, in terms of money, and while it is indeed both encouraging and humbling that a person to whom I share no common bond is willing to contribute a sum such as this sight unseen of the foundation, I am afraid I cannot in good conscience give you an answer to this proposal today."

JD felt random nervous ticks all over his body itching to reveal themselves. He pushed away from the desk and crossed his legs. In an attempt to de-formalize the environment. He decided to follow his instincts.

"Yanno, Miss Jase, I hope you will allow me to be frank and honest with you." JD removed his glasses and stood and walked around his desk and sat next to Aurelia and took her hand softly. He looked her in her steely grey eyes and blinked ever so slightly.

"Miss Jase this offer is probably bigger than any offer I anticipated by any organization by a factor of one hundred. I don't know any more about you than a brief paragraph from Wikipedia can provide and we ALL know how reliable it can be at times." JD gave her a warm chuckle in an attempt to defrost Aurelia, who clearly was relentless at playing this upper crust female mogul act to the hilt.

"Miss Jase I am also confident that you know even less about me, or my foundation, so you will have to pardon my natural skepticism on your proposal; not that you don't mean well, or that you are not capable of producing such a sum, but that you lack the true understanding and purpose of the Robeson Foundation and what we wish to do. With your permission, I would like to arrange for a time where you and I can meet on less formal terms at the time and place of your choosing for us to meet and discuss exactly what the scope and mission of the Robeson Foundation is and what role you and/or your company can play."

Then JD blinked again and softened his gaze towards her just to see how she would respond, and used her first name just to see how stuck on herself she really was.

"Aurelia this is my baby. I gave up a career in professional football at least 5 or 6 years ahead of my time because I felt that THIS was where God wanted me to be. I sank a majority of the money I had saved over my career into this foundation because I wasn't about to compromise its mission in an attempt to sustain itself. The mission of this foundation is one carefully crafted by my own background as a child and at the risk of sounding either arrogant or paranoid, I cannot afford to be bought. I hope you understand what I am saying."

JD blinked again to pause and attempt to read her response, letting go of her hand to see how her body would respond.

Warm · Senior Member

*As he starts to look into her eyes, Aurelia mentally checks over her to-do list while listening to his spiel about how cautious he is about her offer. Just as she is about to get up to leave, he chuckles, sending a wave of disgust washing over her like raw sewage. Although she realizes that what he is saying is important to him, she pays little attention...until she hears him refer to her by her first name. Just who does he think he is?! As soon as he releases her hand, she rises from her chair and looks down at him as if looking at a child.* "Mr. Lincoln, you may send me a brochure detailing your...organization." *At that, she sharply turns from him and makes her way to the door.*

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

"Now Hold on a minute", JD barked in a rare moment when his mouth started working before his mind could intervene.

Miss Jase, did you think you could just stroll in here and drop off a check? I understand that you are the ruler of your domain and what you say goes, but this isn't your domain. This is all I have right now, and I don't treat it lightly. I apologize for whatever it is that has offended you, and I will send you the information you requested. I do wish you would spend a little less time finding things to take offense to and a little more time talking to me about what it is you are feeling.

Warm · Senior Member

*With her back facing Lincoln, Aurelia scowls at the thought of telling anything personal to a stranger especially one who fails to see the grandeur that is Aurelia Jase. Instead of wasting her time putting him in his proper place, she continues to walk to the door.* "I'll await the information with the utmost of enthusiasm, Mr. Lincoln." *Having made no effort whatsoever to mask her sarcasm, she makes no other comment and walks out of the door, not bothering to close it behind her.*

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

"What to do, what to do?" JD muses to himself.

At this point he is almost intrigued, the same way he was when he found his father's Rubik's cube and heard the stories about them back in their heyday.

He darts down the back stairwell, four flights to the ground lobby and out the side door and into the courtyard hoping to find her

The leisurely elevator did its part and he was able to beat her to the front door.

"Miss Jase, I started to just let you walk away but I just couldn't. I realize that I have approached this all wrong. I admit I have never had the pleasure of meeting a woman, no a person, such as yourself. Kindly show me how it is we can interact successfully. Clearly you saw something in my endeavor that prompted you to arrive here unannounced. Show me how to engage you successfully and I will follow your lead."

He bows fully at the waist and stands up right awaiting her response.

"I assure you that I mean no sense of sarcasm."

-- Edited by PHXWordsmith at 04:43, 2007-09-17

Warm · Senior Member

*Watching Lincoln bow, Aurelia cannot help feeling that he is being submissive in a way that her husband never could be. That is absurd, Aurelia. Men will always be intimidated by women of power. Accept it. As he stands up straight, she looks into his eyes and raises her left eyebrow.* "My arrival needs no announcement, Mr. Lincoln." *Her intent had been to maintain her rock solid iciness, but her voice betrays her as her words escape with a softer tone than she had used before.* "What I saw was an opportunity to move my hotel from four stars to five. Goodday." *She walks past Lincoln hoping that her lie makes up for the betrayal of her voice.*

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

"I accept." JD blurted.

JD wasn't a psychology major in college, but he knew when he saw a bad bluff.

"You have your goals, I have mine." JD said slowly and coolly.

JD advanced towards her and tried to balance his growing confidence with the necessary contrition and deference towards Aurelia.

"Show me how we can make these goals happen together and I will become an invaluable member of your team in the way you seem to have envisioned."

JD now assumed the posture of a man who was strong beyond measure, but clearly subservient to this particular woman, for now.

-- Edited by PHXWordsmith at 11:01, 2007-09-17

Warm · Senior Member

*Aurelia listens to Lincoln as she walks to her chauffeur-driven, black Rolls Royce Phantom. Just as she hears those magic words, "show me", she stops at the back door, which the chauffer holds open for her, and almost smiles but thinks better of it lest her chauffer see her delight. She then turns to Lincoln and calmly speaks to him as she gets into the car.* "You will hear from me soon, Mr. Lincoln." *Her chauffeur closes the door.*

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

"Soon it is", JD says to himself.

He stands there and waits for the Phantom to completely disappear from sight. Then JD walks back up to his office and wonders what all that was about.

It is now 10am and JD has a whole day to fill. He fills his half gallon water bottle with some spring water and sets about moving furniture and organizing his office to fit his whim.

He is appreciative of all that Janine did to get his office open, but she was back to balancing his check book and manning his calendar, which was to be left completely blank through the end of the month.

After a few hours of pushing furniture around and disconnecting and reconnecting Computers, JD sets about hiring an office manager.

Warm · Senior Member

"To The Jase, Sebastian." *Aurelia sits back and allows a myriad of work-related thoughts to launch an attack on her mind so that she does not think about that young man who somehow escaped her signature philipic known to all who are blind to the pedestal upon which she sits...The caterer will be arriving this afternoon to discuss plans for next week's banquet...He did bend slightly to my will...Mr. Cliveton does not care for the floral arrangement, so it must be changed...He has a nice physique...and strong hands...* "Stop the car, Sebastian!" *Her cheeks redden with a combination of anger and embarrassment as she waits for her chauffeur to open exit the car and open her door. Once the escape hatch is opened, she jetisons from the Phantom and takes a deep breath, exhaling slowly shortly thereafter. Although Sebastian would never question her actions aloud, Aurelia offers a weak explanation once she sees a quaint coffee shop a few shops down from where she stands.* "My curiosity simply must be satisfied. No bother, Sebastian. I will get the coffee...myself."

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

JD struggled through the rest of the morning, trying in vain to focus on the tasks he had set before himself.

All he could focus on were questions.

Who was that?

How did she find me?

What is her angle?

How old is she?

The questions flowed so quickly they started to pile on top of each other and flood his thoughts and submerge all sense of focus.

"No point in fighting the feeling", JD sighs to himself and puts his feet up and relinquishes his subconscious to thoughts of the mysterious stranger who dominates his consciousness.

Warm · Senior Member

*Outside the Phantom Aurelia feels less imprisoned by her thoughts. Such strong yet gentle hands. I do wonder how those hands would...* "Um...yes...a Hacienda La Esmeralda." *The look of confusion on the barista's face evokes a laughter that is much too powerful and medicinal for Aurelia to control.* "My God!" *She continues to laugh.* "What WAS I thinking?" *She swings around toward the door, walks out of the little coffee shop to the Phantom, where Sebastian holds the door open, shuts it behind her, and takes his place behind the wheel.* "Let us resume our course, Sebastian."

-- Edited by Warm at 18:15, 2007-09-22

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

"And then Aurelia placed her slender leg on the arm of JD's chair, exposing her garter and..."

JD was aroused from an embarrassingly salacious daydream by the ringing of his cell. It was Janine.

"Why aren't you calling me at the office?"

"I figured you would be out with the billion dollar Bi", Janine snapped.

"Hey Hey Hey!....whats the matter with you?" , JD retorted angrily.

"Me? When did you start censoring me, Mr. suddenly protective of the Poor denigrated white billionaire", Janine laughed as she spat out the term as derisively as she could muster given the fact that she could barely breathe.

"How about you call me at the office when you are ready for a civil and constructive conversation." JD said coolly and hung up his cell phone.

Warm · Senior Member

*As soon as Aurelia walks through the doors of The Jase, she feels safe from her own thoughts' attack. After a few steps she sees her favorite caterer briskly walking toward her.* "Jaaaaaase, daaaaaaarling! Oh, you are simply raaaaaavishing! Deeearest, I have the most amaaazingly scrumptious delectables.! Come, daarling!" *She follows Tristan Everett without a word and tastes several of his samples.* "Jase, darling, what's the matter? It neeeeever takes you this long to decide. I've failed you, darling."

*She frowns at his pathetic display of sadness and rolls her eyes.* "Tristan, dear, you know these people as well as I do and are quite capable of making this decision on your own." *She leaves Tristan standing in a mixture of confusion and delight and heads for the penthouse where she phones the front desk.* "I am NOT to be disturbed."

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

"To phone or not to phone...THAT is the question", JD said to himself as he polished up his brochure for the Robeson Foundation.

With only the smooth sounds of a jazz station on the Internet to keep him company, JD zipped through the editing of Janine's thorough and fairly ornate Brochure.

JD was quite pleased with Janine's work and made a mental note to reward her appropriately when he was done being mad at her over the way she acted on the phone earlier.

But THIS....was a masterpiece. and with that he sent it off to the printer, with orders to print off 250 copies, one with a special purpose.

Warm · Senior Member

*Her skin wrinkled from an extended soak in a rosewater bubble bath, Aurelia lies across the penthouse's king size bed and stares at the telephone. It will not leap into your hands, Aurelia Jase! As if someone could see her, she hides her naked body under the white comforter and grabs the telephone before she can change her mind. He is only a man. She dials the number for the Robeson Foundation.*

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

Having completed his brochure...JD relaxed from his time of hard work to settle in and meditate on what comes next...

Meditation led...as it always seems to for JD, to sleep...and with his sneakered feet on the desk, JD got a good nap in......

suddenly the office phone rang and startled him.

He gathered himself, letting it ring a few times and Answered it as authoriatively as he could

Good Afternoon, Robeson Foundation, how may I assist you?

Warm · Senior Member

*After the third ring Aurelia holds the telephone away from her ear and looks at the telephone incredulously. Just then she hears Lincoln's voice and quickly puts the telephone back to her ear.* "Ahem...Aurelia Jase, Mr. Lincoln. Do find your way to The Jase tonight at 8:30 so that we can discuss your...foundation further. Dinner will be served promptly, Mr. Lincoln, so do not be late." *Where she would usually hang up, leaving the command to stand on its own, she rests her head on the pillow with the telephone lying on her ear as she waits for him to say something.*

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

"I shall be there directly, Miss Jase." JD replied obediently.

"Are there any particular requests that you have for me? I do not want to disappoint you." JD replied deferentially

Warm · Senior Member

*Aurelia experiences an odd combination of pleasure and disgust at the thought of Lincoln's desire to please her, for while she enjoys her throne atop a diamond pedestal, she gets lonely looking down at the masses at times. Stop this at once, Aurelia Jase! This...man...is at your feet where he belongs!* "No particulars, Mr. Lincoln." *She pulls the comforter up to her neck and holds onto it tightly as she prepares to say goodbye. Hoping that he does not notice the long pause, she clears her throat and speaks.* "Until then, Mr. Lincoln." *She quickly hangs up the telephone.*

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

JD hangs up the phone and sets it on Auto Answer.

He locks down the office and drives over to his gym, paying particular attention to the time.

He then engages in a stirring weightlifting session, in which he is almost engrossed in admiring himself in the mirrors of the facility.

then it's on to the Barber shop, where his very own barber, Troi, shaved his head and face and gave him his weekly facial. She couldn't help but notice he was exceptionally quiet and pensive.

She, harboring her own crush, chose to say nothing for now...and focused on making sure his look was perfect.

JD exited the shop giving Troi her usual exorbitant tip and kiss on the forehead, and then he went by the drycleaners to get his custom fitted suit and shirt which he always had at the ready. He Swung by Macy's and got his shoes shined and purchased a brand new Tie and a new cologne.

Then he got home showered and laid across his bed Setting the alarm to awake 90 minutes before the appointed time.

Warm · Senior Member

*On the balcony Aurelia sits naked with her feet propped up in the chair opposite her. She leans her head back and closes her eyes as she eats pineapple wedges that were brought to her minutes ago. As the sweet juice of every bite plays with her tongue, she thinks of how long it has been since she has...A knock on the door draws her away from the depths of her loneliness. That must be Lyle. She gets up from her chair, goes into the room, grabs her robe from the bed, and walks to the door, where she looks through the peephole and opens the door.* "Lyle, darling."

"Miss Jase, this one is all you."

*She examines the black halter-top Lyle Anson original and grabs it away from him like a little girl taking a new doll from her mother on Christmas morning.* "It is delicious, Lyle." *Without hesitation, she hands the dress back to Lyle, drops her robe to the floor, retrieves the dress again, and puts on the dress, admiring herself in the mirrors. With her hands on her hips, she turns from one side to the other, savoring the way the dress hits her assets.* "See Matilda on your way out, Lyle." *Satisfied with his work, Lyle leaves Aurelia to love herself. Aurelia removes the dress and goes back to her pineapples.*

*At 8:21 PM Aurelia sits at the bar waiting for Lincoln to arrive.*

-- Edited by Warm at 03:53, 2007-09-25

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

At 8:05 JD spies out the shadows of the Jase for the best place to lurk and ensure that he saw Aurelia before he could see her.

He was taking a risk, as a 6'2 black man, even one as stunningly dressed as he was should never get in the habit of lurking in luxury hotels, but he was determined to make the entrance on his terms.

As he saw her arrive, his whole body came alive.

His WHOLE body.

She was simply electric in her black dress and he realized his intuition was correct and black was the color of the night.

he did strike out and go monochromatic with the pastel lavender tie and shirt...as his cell phone vibrated to signal the alarm of 8:25 he decided to make his entrance.

He emerged from the shadows and summoned every ounce of testosterone and strode confidently to her side.

He had decided after much deliberation that the only way to lead this woman was to serve her first.

He spent the last hour between 7 and 8 challenging himself over the racial aspect of this relationship and decided he would jump off that bridge when he came to it.

He strolled up behind Miss Jase and said in a low voice.

"Good Evening. I come bearing a gift for you"...and presented her with a Platinum trimmed black Mont Blanc Fountain pen engraved with the name Robeson Foundation.

Warm · Senior Member

*At the sound of Lincoln's voice, Aurelia puts her hand to her chest with the tip of her index finger touching her neck and that of her pinky just above her cleavage, a gesture she has always used to steady herself without seeming startled. She glances at the pen for a mere second, long enough to take in its simplistic elegance, long enough for her to appreciate Lincoln's taste, long enough for her to wonder what other "gifts" he could have in store for her. She then looks directly into his eyes and takes the pen with her free hand.* "Thank you, Mr. Lincoln." *She purposely expresses her gratitude flatly as not to let an ounce of the lust she feels escape into her voice. After a moment she turns back to the bar and uses her new pen to write something on a napkin which she hands to the bartender who motions for the maitre d'. She then turns back to Lincoln while waiting to be seated.*

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

"I trust my timing was suitable. I hope this evening finds you well, Miss Jase, and allow me to thank you for your invitation. This is a remarkable hotel you have here, although it would never be remarkable enough to do justice to your name, Miss Jase."

He then flashed the smile that won the hearts of millions on Madison Avenue, before his most conspicuous disappearance and awaited the maitre'd while placing his hand on the small of her back to assume the position of male companion, guiding her to the table...one part valet, one part predator.

Warm · Senior Member

*The warmth of Lincoln's hand thrills Aurelia as the two make their way to their table, so she is glad to be in front of him so that he does not see the glimmer of passion in her eyes. Once she approaches the table, she stands beside her chair, waiting to be seated.*

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

JD pulls the chair out and shows Aurelia the due deference. Once she is seated, he sits across from her and fixes his eyes on her...all of her.

"Thank you again for inviting me Miss Jase, to what do I owe this pleasure?" JD said smoothly.

Warm · Senior Member

*Although it might seem humanly impossible, Aurelia straightens her already perfect posture even more and looks directly into Lincoln's eyes when she hears the question.* "It is OBVIOUS that my words have fallen upon deaf ears, Mr. Lincoln!" *She frowns and squints her eyes at him as she rises from her seat.* "Goodnight!" *She turns away from him with her chin slightly raised and walks away from the table. How dare he pay so little attention to my wishes!*

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

JD Blinks slowly and Rises to meet her and athletically gets between Aurelia and the door.

he reaches for her hand and takes it in his....

He lowers his eyes to meet hers.

"Miss Jase, now is the time to show me how to work with you. There is SO much we can accomplish, if we work together and my foremost task is to fulfill the role you have envisioned for me. I cannot do that if you aren't forgiving of my shortcomings. "

"Please"
, *he kneels and kisses her hand*

"show me the way, Miss Jase"

Warm · Senior Member

*The thunderous pounding of Aurelia's heart threatens to expose the lascivious thoughts that are impishly prancing around in her head as Lincoln's lips touch her hand. CONTROL!!!* "Mr. Lincoln, you're..." *Just then he utters those words that had once before sent her into a tizzy. Control...yourself...Aurelia Jase...* "You are...obstructing my path...Mr. Lincoln." *Every ounce of disdain that she had meant to pour out onto Lincoln is chopped out of her voice by her surprising loss of control. With her hand still in his, she tries to move around him.*

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

"Sigh....as you wish. I will go now. You know where to find me when you need me again."

JD rises an leaves as quickly as he arrived.

Warm · Senior Member

"Hmph!" *As soon as Lincoln leaves, Aurelia calls Sebastian to pull the Phantom around to retrieve her. Once inside the Phantom, she crosses her legs and arms and pouts. I will NOT allow this...this...MAN to dictate my feelings! I am AURELIA JASE! Her pout becomes a frown. What now, Aurelia Jase?

At home in bed, Aurelia pulls the covers over her naked body to her neck and hugs her pillow. She falls asleep hoping for comfort in her dreams.*

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

JD Makes a stop by a local eatery to eat before heading back to his home.

Deep down he wonders where he went wrong. Then he blows it off by Turning up his car stereo and lowering his top on his convertible.

He found time to flirt harmlessly and silently with a woman in the car next to him before Pulling into his garage and turning in for the night.

"Nothing ventured nothing Gained", JD mumbled to himself as he deleted Aurelia Jase's name from his cell phone.

Then he drifts off into sleep admiring the silhouette of Miss Jase in that mesmerizing dress that is permanently seared in his memory

Warm · Senior Member

*Aurelia sits up in her chair and looks directly into Lincoln's eyes as she slaps her ace down on the table.* "Ha! Beat that!" *Her jaw drops as he coolly lays down an ace of his own.* "Hmmph!" *She then unties the red ribbon on her black cami as if she needs more room to breathe. As her chest heaves in anger, she bends down to let her ample breasts, of which she has always been proud unlike other girls who developed early, bulge out slightly with their newly acquired freedom. Her breasts tauntingly move to the rhythm of her pounding each time a card hits the table.* "I...DE...CLARE...WAAAAAAR!" *She flips over her last card just as Lincoln does so. Still leaning over she looks at his king and throws her jack in his face as she climbs onto the table and crawls toward him. Once she is close enough to him, she bites his bottom lip as he rips the red ribbon out of her cami.

Just then Aurelia awakens from her dream and wipes the sweat away from her forehead as she lies looking at the ceiling in her bedroom.*

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

The morning arrives and JD arises on schedule, completely ignoring the salacious dream he had, a dream involving his own caramel skin, glistening with perspiration intertwined with Aurelia's vanilla skin.

JD Shook it off and Got dressed in one of his classice debonair business casual ensembles, Immaculately laundered and pressed dress khakis, a blinding white cotton shirt and chocolate loafers with a matching belt.

JD got into his office extra early and started the long arduous process of compiling a mass mailing.

He made a point to ignore any snippet of Miss Jase lurking in his subconscious.

JD's dogged focus led to a disciplined day which amounted to zero calls or long term thoughts about Miss Jase.

Warm · Senior Member

"Mr. Cliveton, I am so glad that the floral arrangement pleases you...Yes, of course, I will be in attendance...Yes...Goodbye, dear." *Her hand does not leave the telephone once she presses the OFF button. No, you will not do it, Aurelia Jase. Instead of calling Lincoln, she makes calls to arrange entertainment for the upcoming banquet.*

"Excuse me, Miss Jase. Lyle Anson has arrived." *Aurelia's love of new items makes this news the jewel of her day, so she greets Lyle with a diamond smile and kisses both of his cheeks.*

"To the penthouse, darling!" *Once behind closed doors, Aurelia dons evening gown after evening gown, trying to find the one that is worthy of her.* "Yum! This one, Lyle. This one."

*A day before the banquet, Sebastian delivers a banquet invitation to the Robeson Foundation.*

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

JD reads and re-reads the invitation.

The initial electricity he greeted the invitation with, has given way to a cool detatchment as he reaches into his walk-in closet for his black custom made Tuxedo. with white shirt and tie.

"Here goes nothing." he said as he strolled into the lavish surroundings, invitation in hand.

Warm · Senior Member

*A glance away from a garrulous guest yields a sight of J.D. Lincoln. She smiles smugly to herself and looks back at her guest.* "Pardon me, dear." *She interrupts him without any explanation and walks away. Aurelia's emerald dress caresses her hips and kisses her upper body as she saunters toward Lincoln. Once she is beside him, she leans toward him so that he may hear her whisper.* "You are among the richest of the city and others from all over the country in honor of the late Richard Cliveton. Do take advantage of this opportunity to network." *Without another word she walks away.*

-- Edited by Warm at 19:33, 2007-09-30

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

JD Takes his time watching Aurelia walk away. Once she disappeared behind a mass of opulence, JD shows Aurelia a different side of him.

He makes a point of glad-handing and networking just within earshot of her. He brought several business cards and alternately flirted with the women and engaged the men, using his celebrity as a football star to gain the ear of some of the wealthier gentlemen and even renewing some acquaintances from his days in the NFL.

He finally found himself holding court in a throng of the wealthiest fans of his alma mater he had ever seen, reminding him that it was his brilliant idea to base the foundation in the city of his alma mater and not the city of his NFL team.

He made a point of holding this court right next to Aurelia Jase's table and positioning himself between two trophy wives who were especially engrossed in him and the conversation.

Warm · Senior Member

*Aurelia steals glances at Lincoln as he sprinkles his pixie dust about the room. Impressive enchantment, Lincoln. Other talents remain to be seen. As he sits at the table beside hers, she swears that she can feel his body heat mingling with hers although they are at least four feet apart. Her temperature had started to rise the moment she noticed the power Lincoln has over the crowd, and now the mercury is about to burst her biological thermometer. Still, she shows those around her no physical signs of her fever; however, she does excuse herself from the table and walks over to Lincoln's table. She then looks from one end to the next, smiling at everyone.* "Dears, I am so glad you could make it. I am sure that Mr. Cliveton is pleased." *She nonchalantly places her right hand on Lincoln's right shoulder as she continues.* "Please, continue to enjoy yourselves, for the night is but a wee babe." *She gives his shoulder a slight squeeze and walks around to the other tables giving a similar hostess goodnight speech. Once she has made her rounds, she walks toward the doorway, brushing Lincoln's back with her hand as she passes him.*

"I'm staying in the penthouse tonight, Sebastian." *She presses "End" on her cellular telephone and gives a messenger an envelope to deliver to Mr. J.D. Lincoln.

See what else The Jase has to offer. The suite number is on the keycard.

Aurelia Jase

Aurelia grins on the way to the penthouse as she thinks about the dreams she will have knowing that Lincoln is sleeping just one floor below her.*

-- Edited by Warm at 04:54, 2007-10-02

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

JD furrowed his brow at her invitation, not because he wasn't intrigued, but because he wanted to see if a power grab was in order.

All this gladhanding reminded him of his own standing, and while clearly he wasn't on par with Miss Jase in the bank account, he was every bit her equal on planet Earth.

Perhaps she needed to be reminded.

So he made his goodbyes and Ta-Ta-For-Nows, and headed up to the Penthouse, where he knocked softly on the door.

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

Having heard no answer...he looked at his suitecard and saw that he was down one floor.

JD Sheepishly retired to his room, stripped out of his tuxedo, took a long hot shower....pondered what might have been...in more ways than one...and went to bed dreaming lustily for hours.

Warm · Senior Member

*Aurelia sits in a private breakfast nook reading her newspaper as she waits for Lincoln to respond to the note that was placed under his door in the wee hours of the morning inviting him to join her.*

PHXWordsmith · Veteran Member

JD returns from the magnificent fitness center in The Jase after a light morning workout...to find the note he must have stepped over upon leaving at the crack of dawn.

JD started to get dressed, then thought better, choosing to freshen up and change into another set of workout clothes one that is classy enough to be worn in public but still will give Aurelia a look at him that she hasn't seen.

JD arrives at the Breakfast nook with his guns blazing and his smile brighter than the morning star.