Unedited Teaser...this is still a work in progress, things may change.
5 yrs ago...
She took another sip, letting the bass of the music thump through her chest, ready to find her next story when…
Her eyes landed on him.
The atmosphere shifted, a wave of big dick energy taking over the space. She could feel it from the banister as Kodak Black’s “Skrilla” boomed through the speakers. Instantly, she became entranced with the man leading the pack below.
In the club boppin’ with my niggas
All of us rockin’ on ‘em jiggas
You ain’t talking money, I don’t hear ya
You ain’t gotta touch me, I don’t feel ya
She tried to peel her eyes away, but his crew mobbed through the club with all eyes on them. He wasn’t polished like the men she’d become used to from college. No expensive suit or perfectly groomed beard. Instead, he wore a black leather vest with nothing but his tatted chest underneath, gold and diamond chains catching the club lights, designer jeans sitting perfectly on his tall frame. His brown skin was beautiful, and the club lights made him look like a dream and a nightmare wrapped into one. When he laughed at something one of his boys said, she caught the flash of gold fronts.
“My God,” she whispered as his crew settled into the section across from ours. They immediately began popping bottles as he sat back and reclined like he owned the place. His locs weren’t long, but they were enough for him to toss his head back when he moved them from his face.
Everything about him screamed danger. The kind her mother had specifically told her to avoid unless she wanted to be visiting someone in prison. But his smile said something different, like he had a sweet side. A side that could make her laugh, melt, and relax. His smile made her pulse quicken in ways that had nothing to do with the champagne. But she could see the darkness behind them. She could read people, and the man below her was hurting but putting on a brave front.
Time slowed as she watched him command the room—every step measured, every gesture confident. The other men didn’t just follow—they waited on his cue. Then, like he could feel her eyes on him, he looked up.
Their eyes locked across the crowded space. Hazel, intense, with a slight squint that could’ve been amusement or assessment. He didn’t look away, didn’t pretend he hadn’t been caught staring back. Instead, one corner of his mouth lifted in the kind of smirk that said he was used to women stopping in their tracks for him.
Shit.
He stood on the couch and lifted his bottle of champagne, never taking his eyes off her.
“Found you!” Shadow appeared at her elbow, following her line of sight. “Oh, hell no. I know you’re not looking at them.”
“Who?” she asked, playing innocent while trying to get her mind together. He’d officially fucked up her plans for the night. Curiosity was going to kill the cat, hopefully, pun intended.
“Girl, that’s the crew I was telling you about. Street racing, chop shops, the whole nine. Fine as hell, yes, but not your speed. Those men will have you pregnant and confused.”
“I’m just looking,” she said, but even she didn’t believe that lie. She wasn’t looking at them… she was looking at him.
“Uh-huh.” Shadow grabbed her arm. “Come on, let’s get back to our section before you do something stupid. You’re leaving Monday, remember?”
But it was too late. He was standing on the couch, bottle raised like he was toasting to her specifically. The audacity of it made her stomach flip in the best way. Three more shots later, liquid courage coursing through her veins, she found herself walking down the stairs.
The bass vibrated through her chest as she approached their section. His crew noticed her first, a few whistles, some appreciative nods, but he just watched with that same intense stare that had caught her attention from the balcony.
“You lost, sweetheart?” His voice was deeper than she’d expected, with just enough rasp to make her skin warm.
“No,” she said, coming closer, close enough to smell his cologne; it was sweet and top-of-the-line. It didn’t match the dangerous edge he projected. “Just wanted to see if you were as cute up close. Could’ve been getting catfished from up there.”
His boys exchanged looks, clearly amused by the beautiful lady before him, who was flexing her boldness. He leaned back, studying her with those hazel eyes that seemed to see more than she was comfortable with. They saw more than anyone had seen. A life of paying for everyone's mistakes would do that to you.
“And?”
“Jury’s still out.” She sipped the champagne in her hand, hoping it would cool her off, but it didn’t. She grinned, loving the way his gaze dropped to her lips then back up. “But I’m willing to continue the investigation.”
That earned her a real laugh, low and rough. “You the police, baby?”
“No, never.”
“Good. We don’t fuck with twelve.” He grinned, putting his hand behind his ear so he could hear better. “What I call you? Besides mine for the night.”
His tall frame rose and towered over her as that question made her mind go completely blank.
“L'Oréal,” she lied smoothly.
More later...
Do we want to play a guessing game? Who is she?
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