possess him. Apparently her hormones weren’t as easily controlled as her head, she realized as her breathing leveled out.
CHAPTER 7
After the session with the counselor, Crystal brought Jalessa back to her place for another night. Knowing Shonté would be home soon, Crystal proceeded to her regular monthly beauty shop appointment.
She’d considered rescheduling it, but felt in need of some rejuvenation. Crystal had used Dena’s shop since moving to the city. The front of the full-service salon was set up with tables and chairs for manicure and pedicure services, and in the back, technicians gave facials, body massages, and hot wax treatments. Hair styling stations lined both walls of the shop before full mirrors while gospel music drifted in from the speakers tucked away in the walls. Professional women of all ages filled the shop, getting looks that ranged from mildly trendy to traditional.
The receptionist recognized Crystal as soon as she walked through the door. “Miss Taylor! I tried to call you earlier to let you know Dena had to leave early today. Would you like to make another appointment?”
With a lot of gel, Crystal had managed to get her hair subdued this morning, but it needed something more. Her disappointment must have showed. The manager, Tanya, spoke up from her station behind the reception desk.
“I’ve got an opening. Why don’t I take care of you?”
With effusive thanks, Crystal hurried into the styling chair, letting Tanya drape a black plastic cape around her neck and shoulders.
Tanya ran her hands through Crystal’s mane of hair with efficient thoroughness.
“I see these roots need a touch-up. You want your usual relaxer and styling?”
The reflection Crystal caught in the mirror struck her speechless for a moment. Round face, hair in a conservative side-parted flip, minimal make-up. And the clothes under the cape? Staid and business-like. She looked old!
Last night Marcus and Jalessa had asked her how much older she was than Shonté. When she tried to give Jalessa one of her nightshirts to wear to bed, the girl had been barely able to suppress a shudder. Earlier she had been gushing over Shonté’s clothes, her eyes glowing with admiration for the petite, stylish young woman. Crystal couldn’t blame her—who wasn’t overwhelmed by Shont é’s beauty and cheerful nature? But listening to the other two females talk fashion had made her feel like a dowdy matron.
Resentment bubbled up inside her. She was tired of being taken for granted. Why couldn’t she be the bad girl once in a while?
Excitement curled prickles of tension inside her. Crystal Taylor was going to be adventurous tonight.
“I think I’d like something a little different today,” she said to Tanya.
Tanya gave her a quizzical smile. “Really? How different?”
Crystal waved her hands to indicate her openness. “Make me into a new woman.” She spotted the customer in the next chair. “Why don’t you give me twists like that lady over there?”
Tanya’s nose wrinkled up in a little laugh. “Extensions?”
“Yes. Why not?” said Crystal, slapping the arms of the chair.
“Why don’t you go for the works then? Manicure, brow wax, and facial.”
Crystal took a deep breath. “Okay, I will.”
Starting today, she’d be a sexy sistah, shake up her life. After all, she’d let loose with her wild sexual side. What was the big deal about a little change of style?
Tanya talked while she laid out her supplies. “So what brought this on? You got a new man?”
“Maybe I’m looking for one,” Crystal kidded with a laugh.
“Well, whatever the reason, it’s good to try something fresh now and then. Keeps us from getting old, doesn’t it?”
“Right,” said Crystal.
First, she had a facial and wax. Once the twisting began, she had her manicure and pedicure. The twisting went on seemingly forever, a process of sheer boredom for the person in the chair. Eventually Crystal drifted off into a
CHAPTER 7
After the session with the counselor, Crystal brought Jalessa back to her place for another night. Knowing Shonté would be home soon, Crystal proceeded to her regular monthly beauty shop appointment.
She’d considered rescheduling it, but felt in need of some rejuvenation. Crystal had used Dena’s shop since moving to the city. The front of the full-service salon was set up with tables and chairs for manicure and pedicure services, and in the back, technicians gave facials, body massages, and hot wax treatments. Hair styling stations lined both walls of the shop before full mirrors while gospel music drifted in from the speakers tucked away in the walls. Professional women of all ages filled the shop, getting looks that ranged from mildly trendy to traditional.
The receptionist recognized Crystal as soon as she walked through the door. “Miss Taylor! I tried to call you earlier to let you know Dena had to leave early today. Would you like to make another appointment?”
With a lot of gel, Crystal had managed to get her hair subdued this morning, but it needed something more. Her disappointment must have showed. The manager, Tanya, spoke up from her station behind the reception desk.
“I’ve got an opening. Why don’t I take care of you?”
With effusive thanks, Crystal hurried into the styling chair, letting Tanya drape a black plastic cape around her neck and shoulders.
Tanya ran her hands through Crystal’s mane of hair with efficient thoroughness.
“I see these roots need a touch-up. You want your usual relaxer and styling?”
The reflection Crystal caught in the mirror struck her speechless for a moment. Round face, hair in a conservative side-parted flip, minimal make-up. And the clothes under the cape? Staid and business-like. She looked old!
Last night Marcus and Jalessa had asked her how much older she was than Shonté. When she tried to give Jalessa one of her nightshirts to wear to bed, the girl had been barely able to suppress a shudder. Earlier she had been gushing over Shonté’s clothes, her eyes glowing with admiration for the petite, stylish young woman. Crystal couldn’t blame her—who wasn’t overwhelmed by Shont é’s beauty and cheerful nature? But listening to the other two females talk fashion had made her feel like a dowdy matron.
Resentment bubbled up inside her. She was tired of being taken for granted. Why couldn’t she be the bad girl once in a while?
Excitement curled prickles of tension inside her. Crystal Taylor was going to be adventurous tonight.
“I think I’d like something a little different today,” she said to Tanya.
Tanya gave her a quizzical smile. “Really? How different?”
Crystal waved her hands to indicate her openness. “Make me into a new woman.” She spotted the customer in the next chair. “Why don’t you give me twists like that lady over there?”
Tanya’s nose wrinkled up in a little laugh. “Extensions?”
“Yes. Why not?” said Crystal, slapping the arms of the chair.
“Why don’t you go for the works then? Manicure, brow wax, and facial.”
Crystal took a deep breath. “Okay, I will.”
Starting today, she’d be a sexy sistah, shake up her life. After all, she’d let loose with her wild sexual side. What was the big deal about a little change of style?
Tanya talked while she laid out her supplies. “So what brought this on? You got a new man?”
“Maybe I’m looking for one,” Crystal kidded with a laugh.
“Well, whatever the reason, it’s good to try something fresh now and then. Keeps us from getting old, doesn’t it?”
“Right,” said Crystal.
First, she had a facial and wax. Once the twisting began, she had her manicure and pedicure. The twisting went on seemingly forever, a process of sheer boredom for the person in the chair. Eventually Crystal drifted off into a
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