"Apparently, if you're trying to get me to save his ass."
"I'll let it rest for now. Just think about it."
Asao started moving again. "Ay, don't do that shit again. Give me warning and let me decide," he yelled behind him, elevating his voice to reach Niles over the music.
Niles’s hand went in the air along with his chin as clarity that he wouldn't ambush Asao again as he locked in his destination, a pretty little thing who had been following his movements. When he was close enough, Niles leaned down and whispered something into her ear that put all thirty-two of her teeth on display.
Asao wasn't sure if they had communication before that interaction but whatever the case, Niles had his hand on her back and guided her through the crowd to the bar. Dom was nearby with his body pressed against a little baddie who he now had pinned between him and the space where she stood next to the wall. Asao decided to use the opportunity to check out something of his own.
Moving through the crowd, he chopped it up with a few industry people. None of them were artists but folks who moved behind the scenes. Every so often he swept the club, trying to make sure she was still in the same spot at the bar. Her face was relaxed and she smiled a lot as she chatted with the woman at her side. He could tell her girl was a little past her limit from the way she clumsily moved on the stool where the two were posted up.
He got caught up a few times on his way with mindless conversations, mostly people wanting to be seen with him or asking for favors he wouldn't agree to or deliver on. When he finally shook free and reached the bar, she was gone. A wave of irritation hit him out of nowhere which had Asao laughing at his own damn self.
Why the hell am I so pressed about this woman?There was no logical answer, not one that would justify the effort he put in. Like now, he was heading to the main dance floor. Women loved to get drunk then do too much. It brought the wrong kind of attention, which set them off because men loved crossing lines and disrespecting them. How could it be avoided when she was dressed like a damn vixen, body tight, eyes low from the alcohol, and moving like…
"Shit," he whispered under his breath. There she was, one arm folded across her stomach while the other waved in a lazy motion above her head. The way she seductively hugged her waist and moved her hips had his pants growing tight. Her girlwas moving sensually next to her, but in a more clumsy manner. She was drunk off her ass, but it was cute, not sloppy. Maybe because the homegirl was equally sexy but nothing likeher.
As soon as the thought cleared his mind, her low eyes were on him. Those full lips parted slightly and he watched her move. It was a little more defined, like she wanted to prove a point. Shit, she did. He didn't dance; it wasn't his thing. He wasn't even sure if he could but the thought of touching her had him considering it. Then…
Hands circled his waist from behind and he felt the warmth of a body. His face tightened when he looked over his shoulder to find Tori.The fuck?
He quickly peeled her arms from him, holding firmly to the right and pulling her into view. "You know better," he grated, teeth clenched and eyes tight.
"What?" The fake ass innocent act didn't help her case. She knew the deal. This wasn't it.
"Get the fuck away from me before I embarrass you." He kept his voice even, but the way her breath hitched was a clear sign that his eyes expressed his true sentiment.
"Is this what we are now? I can't even speak to you in public, Sao." She was whiny, almost childlike, but her feelings were also hurt.
He peered at her through angry eyes, which caused Tori to drop hers. "You didn't speak. I've never stopped you from being cordial. You walked up and threw your body against mine as if we’re cool on that level. Not the same and you know it; so chill with the pity party."
"We're not cool on that level? You just had your dick in me, Sao. I'd say that's pretty damn cool." Her voice was louder than he appreciated but the bass from the song playing drowned her out. Not even those inches away could likely make out what they were discussing unless watching their faces to read lips.
"Go home, Tee. Or at least get the fuck away from me before this ends badly."
"Sao?" Her pleading eyes met his. She wanted to make a scene. That possibly meant someone capturing the moment and giving Tori exactly what she wanted. Attention. A connection to him. He refused to hand it over, no matter how pissed he was.
"How did you even know I was here? I didn't post shit."
"I didn't. I just came out and…"
"Cut the shit." He knew Tori better than she knew herself and she was lying. Her eyes moved around too much as her leg bounced. Laughing lightly while shaking his head, Asao lifted a finger, moving it close to her face. "You stay on that stalker shit. Do I need to handle that legally?" His brows lifted before inching in closer, causing Tori's mouth to fly open.
"What? No. Why would you even say that?"
"Go home, Tori. I'm not fucking with you like that. Don't force me to switch up on you. Don't be so caught up in who you see now that you forget who I was." Without needing a response, he walked away.
Asao swept the area one last time but the woman he had been in pursuit of was gone. It didn't matter at this point because his mood was shot. He headed back up top to have a few drinks before it was time to pull out. He promised Dom and Niles he would kick it with them and he was a man of his word.
Regardless of hisrun-in with Tori, the night was eventful. No one really fucked with him and he got the chance to catch a little buzz and kick it with his people. They were currently on the lastleg of the night which was food that would likely have all of them praying for forgiveness in the morning.
"Ay, I'm about to take a piss. Order me a number three," Dom tossed out, brushing past Asao and Niles as they stepped inside Phat Fish. It was a nice little spot they hit up often because they were open late and the food was decent.
"Shit, let me get a number eight but extra fries." Niles didn't bother waiting for Asao’s response. Instead he turned toward the back and wasn’t far behind Dom, leaving Asao responsible for feeding the three of them. He was cool with it because they were his people and had returned the favor a million times over. Not that either of them were keeping score because that wasn’t how family worked. Regardless, they all knew they were covered.
When he reached the counter to place their orders, those damn legs, thin material, and exposed skin got his attention. He wasn't sure if he was tipsy or just glad as fuck to see her again, but he took full advantage in a bold way.
His body pressed against hers and his palms met with the counter. Her posture straightened and stiffened. He was pretty sure her breath hitched as well but his reflexes weren't quite on point enough with the alcohol in his system.
