by Chris Tolian
(05/28/03)
Sweat stings my eyes as pupils dilate in the sudden darkness.
Stagelight echoes burned into my retinas. Pull trumpet away from my lips, metal
warm and slick. Final note bouncing around the club, ricocheting off the
brick walls, applauding yelling crowd and spilled alcohol.
I move among shadows behind the curtain. Pause under the glaring "NO
SMOKING" sign to light a cigarette. Deep drag. Feel my wet clothes
hanging off me. Denim work shirt unbuttoned over soaked white T-shirt.
Buttonfly jeans hang low, slipping off my hips. I look down at my horn. Silver
glistens in the dim red lighting. A whispered request by the next band
to borrow the instrument. Mangled brass mess held up for sympathy. I
laugh, handing over the trumpet. Promises of a safe return. Light another
cigarette, searching for a door to the alley and cool fresh air.
I pass a tiny alcove crammed with a desk and mirror. The singer I have
just played with sits, wiping perspiration from her face. I slow. Tight
beaded braids frame dark roasted almond eyes, full lips. Graceful neck
exposed, glistening honey coffee skin. Catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror.
Ruddy coloring further blushed from the night's exertions. Wavy brown hair
all shaggy. I wink and smile. Hazel eyes, green surrounding streaked brown
and gold, lock briefly with hers.
I mutter, "Great show. Amazing voice. Have to play again sometime."
Mmm.
Through the musk of our sweat I catch a hint of ...watermelon...peach?
Whatever. Smells damn good. I blush furiously. Face burning as I
realize I'm leaning over her shoulder. She returns my smile, fingers wrapped
around one of the braids.
I stumble to the exit. Lean against the cool stone outside. The alley
quiet. Music floats mellow and gentle through the door. A single streetlight
throws half shadows over everything. Eyes closed, cigarette resting on
swollen, tingling lips. Door opens.
"Got another smoke, mon cher?" Smoldering lush voice. Damn gorgeous
voice.
I open my eyes. Damn gorgeous woman. Hand over semicrushed pack of
Winstons. She laughs. Clear and uninhibited, throwing her head back.
Yellow bandana now covers the braids. Silvery shirt cut high. Gold glitters in
her exposed bellybutton. Damn.
"That whole playing together thing..." Voice trails off. Head cocked to
one side. Questioning.
I take a step towards her. Meet her gaze. So deep. I wink and grin. She
grins back and grabs my head, pulling our mouths together.
Door opens and we pull apart quickly. Mumbling. Zip. Sigh. Splash.
Sound of running water. She laughs silently into my chest. I smile. Zip. More
mumbles -- did they ever stop? The door opens. Closes. Relief that the
intrusion is over.
My hands settle on her hips. Feel the sky blue panties showing above
lowslung jeans.
"Mmm..." Incoherent breath against my neck. Lips press into my flesh.
Hands roam over my lower body, fingers tugging at the buttons of my jeans. My
hands mimic, sliding along her skin. We grind against each other, lips
seeking to taste, engulf. Unbuttoned flys rubbing add erotic overtones.
Staggering against the wall, she slips a hand around me, stroking.
Kisses become more urgent. My abused lips tugged by her teeth. Tongues playing
staccato off one another. I pull her pants down just enough to feel the
curve of her body. Surprising wetness. She moans and turns her back to
me, pressing against my arousal.
I ease into her. Heat. Our bodies an extension of the music we played
earlier. I echo her plush velvet movements. Rising and falling,
swirling melodic counterpoint. Intimate, secret call and response. Staying tight
against her I feel all of her. My left hand explores under her shirt.
Breasts. Nipples erect. Right hand runs over her stomach, teasing the
gold ring. Drop lower. Tiny patch of hair. Smooth smooth skin. I play with
her exposed clit as we rock back and forth. Her hand snakes around my head,
pulling my face into her watermelonpeach scented neck. Taste the salt
of her sweat. Her hand covers mine, guiding me into tiny circles.
Hands grip tighter. Hair pulled painfully. Nails raking my neck.
Slamming hard against me, her pace quickens, pulling me along. Movements stop
violently as I melt into her. Bodies convulse. Tiny sharp breaths blow
into the night air.
She relaxes against me. Fingers releasing their grip, playing with my
hair. Pull apart lazy like. Eyes connect and we smile. Her beautiful face all
teeth and sparkling eyes. Black and white may seem like such a
contrast. But, both are only shades of the same color. Different timbres, same
song. Beautiful mocha jazz blend. I offer another cigarette. Dark eyes
glitter with dancing fire.
"Hmmm..." Long inhale of smoke. "Anytime you want to play together.
Hmmm..."
I grin. She laughs. Clear and deep. We head back in for the second set.
Damn.
