4
Nicholas
“Hey, pretty girl!” I announced as I walked through the foyer of my mom’s townhouse.
“Look at my boy,” she said, walking around the counter of her kitchen island to greet me.
My mom went in and out of rehab programs for years before spending a couple of years in prison. When I was probably twenty-one, she came back into my life with a renewed sense of purpose. Now she spent most of her time crocheting, cooking, and cursing people out.
Once a month she even hosted a book club for women in recovery at her house. I loved the woman she grew into when she got rid of the demons. I wrapped my arms around my mom just long enough for my baby to steal the show.”
“GiGi!” Amira squealed, throwing her arms around my mom’s waist, causing her to abandon our hug in favor of her only grandchild.
“I was just about to tell your daddy he better had brought my baby with him. We got things to do and people to see.”
“You know this girl wasn’t going to let me get by without bringing her to see her GiGi.”
“Don’t be jealous of my baby, Nick Nick. You know I love you too.”
“I know, Ma,” I said, kissing the side of her head before backing up.
“Get on out of here and let me and my baby get to cooking.”
“All right, Mama,” I said, kissing her head before picking Amira up.
“Buenos tardes, princesa.”
After kissing my daughter goodbye, I headed back to the casino. It was a long drive, but the perks of having a remote location made the ride worth it. With Amira squared away, images of the alluring, mocha goddess from yesterday came to mind. I had given the mechanic the go ahead to repair her car, but I had yet to talk to her again. I could have easily had my people to track her down, but I was hoping that she would show her face tonight.
Evening was my favorite time at the casino. After sundown, the atmosphere transformed to something cool and sexy that made me feel right at home. The low hum of music work as background music for rooms filled with lust, intoxication, and ambition. The combination set the scene for a great night.
I usually made at least one lap through the building, just to put my eyes on things up close and personally. Not too many people knew who I was at the casino, and I preferred to keep it that way. The staff and everyone in my circle knew how much I valued my privacy and moved accordingly.
As I was making my rounds, I kept a steady route to the bar. I liked Sonny, the middle-aged bartender that worked in the high rollers section. From time to time, I would chop it up for a few minutes before heading back to my post.
Cashville was the busiest hotel and casino in the region, but it was also the newest. With that in mind, we were always thinking of ways to keep that energy. Recently, we struck a deal to get some musical and comedy acts to come through on a regular basis so people could see a show in one of the ballrooms. There was too much back-and-forth communication involved for me, so I was completely hands off for the logistics of it. Reed spearheaded the whole process, but I was definitely on board.
I didn’t rush as I moved through the building taking in my surroundings. I was never in a rush, but something made me linger on purpose. Carefully, I scanned my surroundings, making sure everything was in order as I made my way to Sonny.
That was when I saw her.
I would have noticed Jameela among a million people. I still couldn’t get over how perfect her name was. Her deep brown skin seemed to glow against the flimsy fabric of the red dress that hugged her curves, making her command the attention of everyone in range. I didn’t like that shit, but I knew she was fine as hell the moment I saw her. It was what drew my eyes to her. That ass and the sway of her hips caught my attention, but her eyes and her smile held it.
Tonight, her long braids were pulled up in a high ponytail, giving me full view of her face. Wide set eyes perfectly framed her heart-shaped face, making it hard for me to decide if her eyes or those pouty lips were my favorite part of it.
I watched from a distance as she sidestepped a staggering drunk. She scanned the room like she was on high alert. I wondered if she was looking for me. I didn’t even know that she was coming tonight. I was glad she took me up on my offer, even if she did look completely uncomfortable and out of place.
She was hyperaware of her surroundings, probably from a rocky upbringing. I knew the look in her eye all too well. Fromher posture and rapt attention to everything moving, I knew she was on high alert.
I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but I felt like I knew her from somewhere. She didn’t mention having ever met me and even made a point to keep referring to me as a stranger. Jameela didn’t feel like a stranger to me. In her, I felt a familiarity that only came with people I knew personally.
I paused in my tracks as she and two other women moved from their post near the elevators and proceeded through the crowd. I felt my heart drumming in my throat as she moved through the lobby with the kind of grace that couldn’t be taught. I debated whether I should disturb her now or give her time to get a little more comfortable.
I was still working a few things out in my head. When I first laid eyes on her, I just wanted to know who the hell she was. After a brief encounter, I was left wondering why I was so drawn to her. I felt like I needed to know her. Well, I didn’t do the whole getting to know each other shit anymore. I couldn’t even let her leave the liquor store without me at least finding out her name. Now, I wanted more.
She and her girls moved past the bar just as I was sliding onto the barstool. For a fraction of a second, she glimpsed in my direction and blessed me with a smile that stilled my heart. Our eyes connected for a beat, before she quickly looked away. Just when I thought she was going to play coy, she gave me her eyes again.
I smirked, throwing back my double shot of bourbon as I tried to focus on what Sonny was telling me. Now that she was in my sight again, there was no doubt in my mind that she was right where she belonged.
