Game recognize game . . . ain't 'chu eva heard that one before? Games seem to be the main agenda in this novel about two characters living in the backdrop of Atlanta who feel the need to "one up" each other until they can no longer play those cards. Mia Smith is a woman on a mission . . . she's independent and making her own way, taking no nonsense. However when she comes across Khalid's path, her "way" is now shaken, especially when true feelings begin to evolve. Her life is slowly coming together with her "new" man in a way she didn't believe possible. But when her hidden past comes back around to wreck havoc on her new found happiness, she follows her instincts and tries to protect Khalid at all costs. Khalid Alexander is an educated, corporate "brutha" who has women at his fingertips. He's a single guy who "enjoys" being the type of bachelor most men wish they could be. However once he meets Mia, she changes his world. The "love 'em and leave 'em" attitude can't withstand what he is now feeling . . . which is love. Now that his heart is clouded with the sensation of love, he hesitantly lets his guard down. When Mia makes a drastic move, he's suddenly back where he was before. In the "love games" that they play, will these two stay "lost" or will they finally be "found" The choice is up to them . . .

Once Lost ... ... Now Found

By Charlan M. Johnson

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2011 Charlan M. Johnson
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4685-0532-0

Chapter One

July, 2000

Mia Smith

It was twelve o'clock noon and Atlanta's R&B/old school radio station KISS 104.7 was playin' loud through the tall stereo speakers in the small soul food diner. The song "I Try" by Angela Bofil finished playin' and "Skin Tight" by The Ohio Players started while the lunch crowd rolled in. Al, the owner and manager of the diner, came ova then.

"What 'chu standin' 'round for ... gon' and get them orders." Now why he gotta come up on me like that ... I cut my eyes and frowned while chewin' my Wrigley's Doublemint gum. Then I looked out at the growin' crowd and sighed.

"I ain't even in the mood ta deal wit' this ..."

"Well you betta get in the mood 'cause you got orders ta take ..." Then he frowned at me.

"You lucky you still got this damn job." He pushed me in my back and I almost swallowed my gum as I coughed and stared 'im down. This some bullshit ... I should quit on this mu'fucka but I need the extra cash ... Then I shook my head. He wouldn't even be actin' like this if I hadn't of cut 'im off from gettin' this pussy ...

Al and I ain't cool now but we was once. We joked and flirted wit' each otha but I was doin' the shit for fun and figured he was too but then Al took it ta the next level. It was right afta the breakfast rush and ... hold up ... lemme 'splain somethin' ta ya first.

Ta waitress at Al's you gotta wear old school uniforms like what Alice used ta wear at Mel's diner on the 70's show Alice 'cept our shit is darker pink. It's a polyester dress that zips up the front and stops above the knee, wit'a stiff collar. It clings ta a mu'fucka like glue so if you ain't got the body you gon' look straight crazy ... but if you do then it'll show off e'erything you got and since I got a 5'6 body shape like LisaRaye's was in The Player's Club but thicker ...

Anyway, Al took action by sayin' he could work on it wit'out gettin' tired. Now I ain't fina lie ... that had me interested and since I wasn't kickin' it wit' nobody, I took the bait. Shit ... Al may be 51 but he got a sexy, fit caramel skin colored body and a fat 6-inch dick that can do some thangs. Afta talkin'one day, that shit was on and he did know how ta work on it so I was always down. E'erything was good ta go 'til we was almost caught by his wife.

We always kicked it at his house and his wife was neva a problem 'cause she was always workin'while her husband was always fuckin' me. Okay, so we went ta they house down in Riverdale and his wife decided ta call the diner afta we had left. Somebody told her he'd gone home for lunch so Ella ... his wife ... decided ta bring her ass home, too.

Al was hittin'it from the back and them 6 inches was talkin' real good when we heard her car pull up in the driveway. Al's dick went down and he backed out of it all scared while I picked my clothes up real quick and went in they closet ta hide. I put my shit back on while he ran his ass downstairs. Then they ate lunch togetha while I sat in they closet mad as hell.

Ella finally left but I was too through by then and had decided ta quit his ass. I told 'im the next day and this mu'fucka went off. He tried threatenin' my job, thinkin' I'd give in, but I came back on his monkey ass. I threatened ta tell his 48-year old, Georgia-Pacific Executive workin' wife about all our days of fuckin' in they bed ... then the nigga backed down.

Now we 'on't even speak and he be actin' like a pussy, like how he's doin' today. I wasted my time on this nigga ... tryna get brand new on somebody wit' his simple ass ...

"You lucky you still got a wife ... she 'on't know how we used ta get down but she can find out. Don't play yo'self 'cause I still 'member where y'all stay at."

"You tryna threaten me, bitch? You got me fucked up ..." I just gave his ass the finger and went out ta table 8, where the olda man put his menu down.

"May I take your order?"

"I'd like the lunch special with green beans and two slices of cornbread instead of one."

"You want the catfish, pork chop or the white or dark meat fried chicken special?"

"The dark meat fried chicken special ..." I marked his order, told 'im drinks was in the corner and he winked, tryna flirt while I frowned.

Quinesha, the otha girl who waitresses wit' me, was handlin' tables on the left side so I went ta my second as people poured in. I put they orders through ... tryna get 'em out 'cause my shift ends at 5:30 p.m. and I catch the MARTA train out ta Doraville for my second job.

Three hours layta, I was in the dressin' room at the Superb Tail Gentleman's Club puttin' on my g-string when the owner came in. Delsa's a 70-plus year old black lady who used ta be a topless dancer back in the day. She looks a lot like Eartha Kitt ... is a feisty lil'lady and treats us really good here. She clapped her hands and looked at e'erybody.

"Ladies, there's a convention in town and a lot of those men are here tonight. We want to accommodate all of them so they'll spend big money in our fine establishment. Understand?"

E'erybody said "yes" and she left as I put on a neon green mesh bikini top, pulled the mesh daisies up my thighs and fixed my g-string on my hip. Me and a Mexican girl name Desiree had a set togetha. We hung on the pole togetha, openin' our legs wide and then stripped each otha naked 'fore rubbin'on each otha wit'babyoil while the song, "Nasty Girl" by Vanity 6 played.

Dolla bills was bein' thrown on stage while we danced and I bounced my ass in patrons faces while they threw more money at me. Then the DJ switched the music and Ready for the World's song, "Tonight" started playin' as two black girls ... one light and one dark ... came out.

I took my money ta the back and then put on a fitted short black dress before goin' back out. I went up ta a patron and asked if he wanted a lap dance when I felt somebody pull on my dress. I turnt around real quick and seen a 60-ish year old light skin dude starin' at my body.

"I'd like a lap dance ..." I seen 'im before ... Then I realized it was the nigga I had waited on at Al's earlier. Shit what's he doin' here ... Don't nobody know I strip so I hoped he wasn't 'bout ta blow up my secret.

"How you doin' ... you wit' the convention?"

"Yes ma'am and this must be my lucky day seein' you twice! Damn, I should've known you were a stripper with a body like that ..."

I felt relieved and then took a good look at 'im. I'm fina make some money off yo' ass ...

"What's yo' name?"

"All the ladies call me 'Lonzo." All the ladies ... nigga please ...

"Okay 'Lonzo ... you want a lap dance ... follow me ..." We went ta a VIP room and he sat down before I bent down, makin' sure he seen my titties. Since the patrons ain't allowed ta touch us, I was 'bout ta work this old man ova for real.

"I know you want more than a lap dance but it's gon' cost you some real paper ..."

He nodded while starin' at my titties.

"I got it ... I just wanna have you naked all to myself ..." I stood back up and pinched my nipples ... as they got hard, he stared while lickin' his lips.

"It'll cost you two bills ..."

He gave me two one hundred dolla bills and I smiled. He's got big money ... good ... Mtume's song, "Juicy Fruit", was playin' as I lifted my dress so he could see my full ass. Afta I took it off, I clapped my ass for 'im as he stared ... then I bent ova and took my g-string off before makin' my ass jiggle as I spread my cheeks, lettin' 'im see my pussy while he whistled low.

I turnt ta look at 'im while cuppin' my titties and pushin' 'em together. I licked my nipples and took each one in my mouth ... bitin' 'em ... while he rubbed on his hard dick print.

"Damn baby ... your body is beautiful ..." I leaned back against his body and rolled my hips on his hard crotch, like I was fuckin' 'im as I heard 'im moanin' in my ear. Then I opened my legs wide and leaned down ta the floor, makin' my ass jiggle while bouncin' hard on his crotch and before long, that nigga came in his pants. I slid away from 'im and then stood back up. He was lookin' at my body while wipin' his face.

"I've never done no shit like that before ... you got me embarrassed ..."

He was still starin' at my naked body as I smiled and went ta his ear.

"That's okay but it's gon' cost ya extra 'cause you came ..." He nodded as I grazed his lobe wit' my teeth and moaned in his ear.

"I need anotha bill, daddy ..."

This nigga went in his wallet and gave it ta me wit'out sayin'a word. I licked his ear again and moaned deep in it 'fore I backed away. While I got dressed again, he still stared.

"You work tomorrow night?"

"Yeah and if you want this VIP room, you gon' have ta pay again ..."

"Oh I got the money, baby ..."

I turnt around and lifted my dress, clappin' my ass again ta make his mouth wet while he stared.

"I'm countin' on it ... see you tomorrow night, 'Lonzo."

I pulled my dress back down and left, goin' out ta ask for lap dances or VIP dances. As the night went on, I did my usual "ass claps" while patrons sat back makin' comments like:

"Damn baby, yo' ass like jello ... look at it bouncin' around!"

"Baby, you hurtin' me wit' all that ass you got ... put it on my lap, gurl ... don't tease a nigga like that ... lawd have mercy!"

"That ass clappin' up in here ... it's givin' itself a damn standin' ovation!"

I worked 'em, shakin' my ass good while they sat back hard as hell. These niggas think my titties and big round ass is who I really am ... so I'ma use all this ta get paid ...

I left the club 'round 1:26 that mornin', caught the bus ta Buford Highway and walked ta the train station. Thirty-five minutes layta, I went through North Avenue station in a hurry. I'm tired as hell ... I went ta my furnished studio apartment at Peachtree Apartments on Peachtree Street between midtown and downtown. It's close ta catch the MARTA since I ain't got no car and it's my own place. I got on the elevator wit' two otha niggas and pushed the seven-button. The elevator started movin' up the floors when I heard a whistle.

"Damn, you got a fat ass ..."

"Shit yeah she do ..."

"All nice and round ... mu'fucka's just purty ..." Just then the elevator came up on my floor and the doors opened.

"You need this dick, baby ... I got 'chu ..." I ain't even say nothin' ... just went down the hallway ta my door ...

Khalid Alexander

I glanced at the clock, reading 5:32 a.m. so I rolled back over and saw Ashley Palmer lying naked next to me. Damn, I forgot she was here ... I looked at her naked back and moved the covers, staring at her small, round ass. She still knows how to fuck a brutha, that's for sure ... I pulled the covers away and cupped her ass, palming it as she moaned before waking up.

She rolled over, giving me a sexy smile before putting my dick in her mouth. Good girl ... I lay back and pulled her long brown hair to the side, watching her. She moaned while sucking me as my dick got hard and then I rolled a Magnum XL condom down my shaft before she rode me. We both came quickly and afterwards, she leaned down for a kiss but I moved away. She immediately frowned and sat straight up, crossing her arms against her breast.

"What's wrong?"

"I gotta get ready ..."

I pushed her away, went in the bathroom and locked the door before taking the condom off. I stood in front of the toilet and then turned on the faucet as Ashley banged on the door.

"Khalid, open the door ... I gotta go to work, too ... open the door!!"

I got in the shower and grabbed my Lever 2000 soap while smiling. Good pussy and a good ass nut ... what a great way to start the day ... I laughed and soaped my body while her banging persisted. She came through 'cause she knew I'd dig that ass out like I used to back in college ...

We met while attending A&T University. Ari, who went to high school with me back in Brooklyn, was her roommate our sophomore year. Ari dated my guy Brian from Silver Spring, so the three of us along with a girl named Yvette from Long Beach used to hang out. Yvette also stayed in Ari's dorm and we kicked it for a minute but I let her go and she got hurt behind that.

Since I knew Yvette still had feelings, sometimes I'd go by her room just to fuck or get a headshot and she always obliged. I stopped by Ari's room after dealing with Yvette one time and Ashley was in there studying. Ari introduced us and Ashley barely gave me a nod so Ari got upset and checked her after I left. The next day Ashley walked up to me and Ari ... spoke to me and then walked away. Ari laughed and told me Ashley thought I was still dating Yvette so that's why she barely spoke before. After Ari told her what was up, Ari said Ashley quickly confessed that she'd been eyeing me on campus because she thought I was a fine TDB.

"TDB ... what's that?"

"Tall dark brutha, Khalid ..."

"Oh a'ight ... I've heard that shit before but didn't know what it meant."

"I'm sure you have since you're a tall, dark skin brutha."

"Yeah but half the girls I hear it from I'm not tryna deal with ..." Then I thought about Ashley's lil' light skin body.

"But I am willin' to deal with Ashley, though ... who's gettin' the ass?"

"Nobody ... she was seein' some dude back in her hometown but they broke it off."

"Where's she from?"

"Indianapolis, Indiana and you need to ask her for any other info ..."

"A'ight ..."

I approached Ashley and we went out three days later, dating for about two years before breaking up shortly after graduation. Recently while out looking around at Perimeter Mall, I ran into her and her face lit up.

"Khalid ... hey ... how you doin'?"

"I'm good, Ashley ... you?"

"I'm good ... so I see you still livin'down here."

I nodded while checking out her sundress and high healed sandals with French manicured toes.

"Yeah I'm still here ... what about 'chu?"

"I stay here ... I finished my paralegal certification back home and then came back when I got a job at Barnett and Din law firm ... what about 'chu?"

"I finished my MBA at Athens University ... got my CPA certification and now I'm a Senior Financial Analyst over at Peach Finance."

Her perfectly arched eyebrows shot up and then her smile got sexy.

"That's good, Khalid ... damn, you doin' it up big. I'm glad I ran into you ... can I get your number? Maybe we can do dinner sometime." She pulled out her cell phone as I nodded again.

"Sure."

She called that night emphasizing how happy she was to see me again and said she wasn't dating anyone. I didn't divulge my dating status information but agreed to a few dinner dates.

We went out twice ... once to Sean "Puffy" Combs' restaurant, Justin's, and out to Houlihan's because she wanted a slice of their cappuccino cake with coffee ice cream. Both times, I met her at the restaurant and each time she wore something that would make any brutha look several times. Ashley has a body bruthas would beg to lay with and she knows it.

Even though she looked really good on both occasions, it didn't bother me that her clothes hugged her petite, 5'4 Stacey Dash looking body shape or that she licked her full pouty lips seductively while speaking. Each night I gave her a hug, said goodnight and walked away. She asked me out twice afterwards but I declined and didn't hear from her again until last night.

It was raining outside when my doorbell rang and I checked the peephole, seeing her. I asked how she had gotten past the front gate but all she did was grin so I reluctantly let her in. She immediately unbuttoned her knee-length rain coat, standing there naked with a devilish grin on her face as I looked her over and got hard. Then she sucked my dick and it was on.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Once Lost ... ... Now Foundby Charlan M. Johnson Copyright © 2011 by Charlan M. Johnson. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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