“I can handle anything, pretty girl.”
Liquor and lust launched me up onto my tippy toes despite wearing heels. The boundary that kept me from seeing Loso as anything more than my brother’s best friend collapsed beneath my shoes. Loso’s lips were as soft as they looked, coated with the reminiscent taste of the cinnamon mint he had sucked on. I had never been blind to his eye-catching traits, but now, they were all I saw. His large hands slapped my ass, birthing a trembling moan from the depths of my throat. I teased his tongue with mine, yet Loso tugged me closer, making me feed it to him. Seconds later, reality set in, prompting me to snatch out of Loso’s arms. Our bewildered eyes collided like two kids caughtwith their hands in the cookie jar. All the saliva on my tongue evaporated as my fingertips touched my lips.
“Oh shit. Loso, I’m?—”
“You’re good,” he said quickly.
“We’ve never kissed.”
“There’s a first time for everything.” He pointed above his head. “Blame it on the mistletoe. Aye, let me take you home.”
I shook my head. “I’m . . . good. I think it’s best if I get an Uber.”
“Then I’ll wait with you. That’s not a request.”
A burst of air shot from my mouth. “Okay. I’m going to run to the ladies’ room first.”
Nothing else was said as we parted ways. I grabbed my things and rushed to the bathroom, hoping it wasn’t packed. As soon as my swollen lips caught my eyes, I shut my lids. I don’t know what drove me to kiss Loso, and I didn’t know if I regretted it. I wondered if he kissed me back because he was drunk, too stunned to push me away, or if he wanted it. No matter how much liquor drove me to kiss him, there wasn’t enough in the world to make me ask why he returned the gesture.
“Blaze,please pass me the pink tape.” I pointed in her direction. “That’s the least you can do since you’re just sitting here.”
“Don’t do me like that. You know I’m not the artsy type,” she replied while handing me one of the four tape dispensers around Stevie’s living room.
I came over three hours ago in my candy cane pajamas, and we had been sipping spiked eggnog and wrapping gifts ever since. When the ladies joined my family, not only did I inherit two sisters, but they also helped create traditions I lookedforward to. For the last three years, we hung at the house while the members of S.O.E took their kids to take pictures with Santa and pick out gifts for the women they loved.
“I’m so happy we’re almost done. The kids will be back soon.” Stevie groaned. “I can’t believe Christmas is around the corner, and we’re still wrapping gifts.”
I rolled my eyes. “That’s because your babies and my brothers are spoiled. As quickly as time flies, have you guys thought about what we’re doing for the New Year?”
Blaze shook her head from side to side. “We usually go to the clubhouse. The set up you coordinated last year was beautiful.”
“Thank you, but I’m not doing that again. Even when I said I wouldn’t work during the party, I ended up on my feet the entire time. Thank God, the Sons of Eshu paid me well.”
Stevie tossed her butt length braids over her shoulder. “The kids are getting older. Maybe we should let the little ladies decide.”
My plump lips spread into a thin line. “Yeah, then we’ll be taking another vacation a week after you guys get back.”
“That’s okay. We’re not paying for it.” She giggled. “Let me talk to Shiloh and see what he has in mind. Between our five, and everybody else’s kids,wemay need to leave them with the men and go out on our own.”
Blaze dropped a deep belly laugh into the top of her flute. “You know the fellas aren’t going for that shit. Messing around with them, they’ll pack up the kids and meet us before we land.” Her hazel orbs raced to her bestie. “I know you remember when they popped up on us at the club a few years ago.”
Stevie held out her hand, admiring the princess cut diamond on her ring finger. “I knew then that man would never let me go. Sometimes, I think he bought me this rock to weigh me down if I tried to leave.”
“Nah, he bought it so other niggas know you aren’t going anywhere. I love that for you.” I clapped, growing excited at the thought of my next gig. “Whew! I can’t wait until I get the chance to coordinate a wedding with no budget!”
Stevie waved her fingers in the air. “Speaking of weddings, how are things going with Loso?”
“Loso?” My head hit a swivel. “Who said anything about him?”
Blaze pinned me with a piercing gaze. “Why are you yelling? What did Loso do to you?”
“Do to me? Nothing. Never. I wouldn’t let Losodoanything to me.”
Stevie’s lips pinched together. “Okay. I don’t know what you heard me say, but I don’t think Loso’s that bad.”
“Best friend, you don’t think anyone isthatbad.” Blaze rolled her eyes. “Though Loso may be solid in most areas, big daddy keeps more than one bitch around.”
“Exactly!” I exclaimed.
