I grunted, picking up my drink and taking a sip. “Never that.”
“Yeah, that little disgruntled look says women troubles. And the fact that you turned down that little hot ass back there says a lot,” she continued, glancing over her shoulder at the woman who’d been trying to get my attention since we’d first taken our seats up there. She was now talking to another dude. I guessed she figured I wasn’t taking the bait.
“Spill it. Who is she? What’s she look like?” Tori inquired.
I shook my head, looking down into my half-empty glass. “I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.”
She sucked her teeth. “Jason,do you know?”
Jason gave her an incredulous look. “Girl, you know I ain’t telling my man’s business even if Ididknow something, which I don’t.”
Damn right, he didn’t. I hadn’t mentioned anything about Chanel since that time in the gym. I damn sure hadn’t told him about bringing her to my home after the gala a few weeks ago. But it was a savory memory I had tucked away in the recesses of my mind, only coming out to play at night when I wanted nothing more than to feel what it was like to fully sink myself in between those luscious ass thighs of hers.
I looked up to see Jason frowning at me. Hard. I smirked, realizing he somehow must’ve known my thoughts had strayed to his sister. I wouldn’t rub my attraction to his sister in his face, but shit, I couldn’t help what thinking about her did to me.
“Hmm,” I heard Tori say as I refocused on my drink. “Isn’t that Chanel? Who’s that with her?”
My head immediately popped up at the mention of Chanel’s name. I followed Tori’s gaze, scanning the crowd, until I spotted that bob hairdo. I could only see her from the back, but the way the ass was sitting like a watermelon in the dark black romper and the thickness of those thighs—thighs I’d committed to memory—I knew it was her.
“Yeah, that looks like her, but who the hell is that with her?” Jamal’s voice was full of incredulity.
I didn’t bother looking at him as I couldn’t take my eyes away from the contours of her body. When she turned around, I was able to take in the rest of the outfit. The romper stopped slightly less than mid-thigh and was flowy with short sleeves and deep cleavage. She’d paired it with the same color choker. I swallowed at how good she looked.
“That’s her best friend, Gabby,” Jay answered Jamal’s question.
Jamal grunted for some reason. I finally shifted my focus to look at the woman Chanel was with. She was taller than Chanel and had a leaner physique, with skin the color of brown sugar. She’d dressed in a pair of tight jean shorts and peach colored bodysuit. What made her stand out was the lavender hair that reached down to her cleavage. She was beautiful, but my eyes shifted right back to the woman beside her.
“I didn’t know Chanel would be here tonight. Let’s invite them up,” Tori began, probably excited at the idea of not being the only woman in VIP.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tori motion for security. She whispered in his ear, pointing to Chanel and her friend. A few seconds later, I saw the security guard hustling down the steps and making his way through the crowd. It took him some time to get through the packed crowd. When he finally made it to Chanel, he whispered something in her ear and then pointed toward where we were seated. She glanced up and noticed a waving Tori. Her face relaxed into a warm smile, until her eyes collided with mine. The smile dropped a little. I didn’t give away any reaction as I took another sip from my drink. Seconds later, she and her friend were making their way toward the VIP section, their walk made smoother by the assistance of the security escort.
“Hey, Chanel, Gabby. I didn’t know you two would be here!” Tori stood to greet her, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Tori moved to Gabby next, hugging and giving her a kiss.
I took the opportunity to discreetly examine Chanel’s thick, toned legs. Those damn dance classes must’ve been working.
“Hey, cousin, you looking good.” Jamal stood to greet Chanel.
“Hey, Mal. This is my friend, Gabby.”
I noticed Jamal give Gabby a weird look. I wondered what that was about, but not for too long. It only took me a little while to recognize that Chanel was avoiding eye contact with me.
“Hello, Chanel. How unexpected to see you here tonight,” I said as we stood.
“Um, hey, Xavier.”
“Xavier.”
I looked over Chanel’s shoulder to see her friend grinning at me, assessing me from head to toe. I could tell my name had been brought up at least once between these two. I grinned at that knowledge.
“I’m Chanel’s BFF, Gabby,” she introduced, sticking out her hand. She was grinning, but I didn’t get a seductive vibe from her. More like a protective one.
“Come sit with us, ladies. You drinking anything?” Tori asked.
“An amaretto sour for me,” Chanel answered, skirting away from me, toward Tori.
“Sex on the Beach for me. Excuse me,” Gabby added while trying to get past Jamal.
The weird look remained on his face, while Gabby frowned.
