“Tuh. Niggas know how I get down in there.”
I rolled my eyes because I knew he meant it.
Carlton returned with our leftovers. “I hope you enjoyed your evening,” he said, turning to me with a warm smile. “Miss, I hope we’ll see you again soon.”
“What about the bill?” I asked.
“Jasmine, don’t insult me,” Cash replied, looking at me like I’d lost my mind.
I laughed under my breath.Was this what dating a real baller feels like?Because I could get used to it.
His car was already waiting when we exited the restaurant. We drove a short distance before stopping in front of a small cocktail bar called The Emerald Lounge. Early 2000s hip-hop played as we walked in.
“What up, Mike?” Cash greeted the security guard at the door.
“Cash Money, my nigga!” Mike dapped him up, then gave me a once-over and nodded.“This you?”
Cash pulled me into his side. “All me.”
“I see you, bruh.” Mike grinned as he pulled back the velvet curtain.
The lounge was small and intimate, lit in a soft green glow. Chocolate velvet booths lined the walls. The music was at the perfect level—it was loud enough to vibe to, but low enough for conversation.
Cash led me to a private corner with plush couches.
“What you drinking, baby?” he asked.
“Surprise me.”
I watched him walk away, wondering if he knew how easily he commanded a room. Several people came over to shake his hand or dap him up as he waited for our drinks. Another couple walked in and sat at the bar. The man spotted Cash and went over to greet him, but the way Cash’s jaw tightened told me he wasn’t too thrilled to see him.
The woman with him was stunning. She was tall, with mocha skin, in a black mini dress. Her pin-straight hair fell down her back, and she tossed it over her shoulder like she didn’t realize she was the baddest bitch in here. On anyone else, the deep plunge in her dress would’ve been tacky, but on her it looked like haute couture. She was way too beautiful for the plain-looking dude she was with.
Her eyes met Cash’s, and a flash of something passed between them, but she didn’t speak.
What was that?
Cash came back with our drinks and placed mine in front of me.
“You know them?” I asked, trying to keep my tone light.
“Who?”
“That couple.” I tipped my head toward the bar. “You know them?”
“The dude works for me. Don’t know his girl.”
“She looked like she knew you,” I muttered. She’d been stealing glances at us since Cash sat beside me.
“Come here,” he said, pulling me into his lap. “Why you look like you in your head?” He shifted me so my legs were draped over his. I stole one last glimpse at the bar—the couple was gone.
I sipped my drink.“Mm. This is good.”
“Are you good, though?” His voice dipped lower as his lips brushed my shoulder. His fingers began tracing a slow path up my calf, sending heat surging through me. He moved deliberately slow, teasing, until he reached the hem of my dress.
I adjusted myself in his lap, suddenly aware of how shallow my breathing had become.
“I asked you a question, Jasmine.” The rasp in his voice sent a jolt through me as his fingers toyed with the edge of my dress.
