Brandon sealed those pretty lips of his and stepped ahead of me, forcing the doors open with his presence alone. The automatic timer forced them closed once we were in the parking lot. My nostrils flared as the flesh on the inside of my mouth rolled between my teeth.
Loud music welcomed me into the night. The sound of my heels came to a halt near the awaiting vehicle. A time would be had tonight. This, I was sure of.
The pearl black ride was sickening. Its beauty was ravishing. It blended so well with the night. The crimson-colored brake pads were the perfect touch.
“A Lamborghini?” I asked, forging my surprise.
There wasn’t much I didn’t know about Brandon. I’d done my research. Nothing was impressive, not even his choice of vehicle. I had the same car. However, mine was reserved for the following year. The public didn’t have access to what I had. Not yet, at least.
His was pearl. Mine was matte. It was ghostly in the late hours. While it was hard to spot past eight-thirty at night, one could hear me coming from a mile away.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Been in one before, Kimberly?”
I shook my head, lying through the perfect teeth God had given me.
“I haven’t.”
Play sheep. Preserve the wolf.
It was the method to my madness when involved with men. I chose to appear harmless, helpless, and clueless as a boost to their ego. I was rewarded well.
You catch more flies with honey.
It wasn’t until those inflated egos needed to behandledthat I unleashed the wolf within.
“First time for everything,love.”
I lowered my body into the car. Brandon raced around to the driver’s side. The second his foot touched the pedal, he revved the engine. The hairs on the back of my neck stood. The sound was so familiar. It was the reason Teddy made the purchase. He loved seeing the smile on my face as I watched Roulette race down the freeway.
The liberation I felt was inexplicable. I’d tried to put it into words a hundred times, but couldn’t. Fortunately, I didn’t have to. Chemistry just knew. He always did.
I pulled the seatbelt across my body, preparing for takeoff. It was swift and rightfully so. In my opinion, there was no sense in having the engine if you weren’t going to use it. We put so much of my family’s past behind us, clearing the lot of the loft and heading straight for the freeway.
My right hand caught the fierce wind, welcoming the turbulence it offered. With my eyes closed, I etched the feeling of limitlessness in my brain for the eighteen hundredth time. My body swayed to the sound of Future and Sza. The collaboration was an instant hit in my head.
Four songs played on the stereo before we pulled into the parking lot ofPrime House. The chophouse was a true staple in our circle, owned by a business associate and someone Chemistry was rather fond of.
Hadn’t I known better, I would call Abel a friend of Teddy’s, but Teddy didn’t have friends. He had sisters. There were too many emotions to manage and too much work involved with usto have any more friends. His brother-in-laws were the closest he had to friendships, yet they were still connected to his sisters. All of them.
“Ma’am–” the valet attendant urged my exit by extending a hand in my direction.
I accepted his offer and stood on my feet right beside him. He was merely five foot nine inches. Effortlessly, I towered over him. Height was a given in my family. My father’s legs were long like stilts. My mother was nearly five eleven. My siblings and I had it honest.
“Thank you.”
“Kimberly,” Brandon called out, beckoning for me.
By his side, I allowed his fingers to rest between mine.
Physical touch. I studied him like an open book.
“Good evening, Ma’am. Sir,” the hostess greeted us with a brimming smile.
Her eyes landed on Brandon and never left.
Stand the fuck up.
