“This nigga ain’t had you back for two seconds, and he’s already actin’ like he forgot he was cryin’ just yesterday.”
I fell out laughing this time. Zoo and Sin were a mess, but they loved each other. What tickled me the most was that Zoo didn’t even deny it.
“My man is about to dance with me,” Mimi said to which Sin mugged her.
“No we ain’t. You finna go over here and sit yo’ ass down somewhere. All we came to do is congratulate PJ. We’re leavin’ in ten minutes.”
Mimi smacked her teeth. “We just got here!” she whined this time.
“I’on give a damn. You got nine minutes now, so let’s go congratulate Bri so we can bounce.”
“I’ll see you late, Peeg. Mama and Daddy are at Sin’s house anyway. I’ll go hang out with them.”
I hugged Mimi again. “I’m just glad to see you here. I’m leaving in a minute, too.”
“Okay, boo. Make sure my sis makes it home safely, Zoo,” Mimi issued.
“You know it,” he answered. He dapped Sin, then Mimi and Sin were off.
“What you drinkin’ tonight?”
“Whatever you’re drinking,” I responded. “I really want to go home and sleep.”
“Aight, let’s grab one drink, and I’ll get you home.”
Satisfied with that, I followed Zoo to the bar. As we drank, Bri and Brooklyn approached us. I hugged my best friend, congratulating her for the one-hundredth time. Neither one of us would understand the gravity of what we’d accomplished until days, maybe weeks from now.
Somewhere during the hour, I found myself in Zoo’s arms as he and Brooklyn talked. Bri and I recounted some of the best plays of the night, but both agreed that we were glad the season was over. Her plans were to jump right into studying other plays to incorporate for next season. My plans were to dive headfirst into school… And spend time with Zoo. He’d spent so much time with me, doing what I loved to do. Now, it was time for me to spend time with him.
My back was against his chest, and his hand rested on my stomach. It was strange how we gravitated to one another. The unspoken claim we had on each other was evident. I was comfortable here, being held by the only man I contemplated giving my innocence. Well, no longer contemplating. I was definitely about to let Zoo lay me down. His dick felt so good pressed against my ass.
Turning in his arms, I slinked my arms around his waist. Whatever he was saying to Brooklyn died on his lips as his gaze flew to mine. His eyes sparkled, literally. I could look into Zoo’s eyes forever because they were that damn sexy. Why I’d been suppressing everything I felt for him was stupid on my behalf. I was done playing with him, especially after almost losing him.
Tugging his beard, I brought his thick lips to mine. The surprised look on his face lasted a split second before I kissed him. I thought he was holding my tightly until he held me even tighter.
I wasted no time opening my mouth for his tongue, which tasted of Hennessy. He’d only had one drink. The fact that he said and did exactly what he told me he would didn’t go unnoticed.
Kissing Zoo reminded me of the first time I dribbled a ball. I was unsure yet bold in claiming what I knew was something I could love. I loved Zoo. There was no doubt about it. When his hands palmed my ass, everything in my brain went up in flames.
I broke the kiss before he wanted me to.
“Why’d you stop?” he asked while nibbling at my lips.
For one thing, I felt his dick getting harder. For two, I was sure Zoo’s dick could do serious damage.
“You gotta be ready for that, Baby,” he said, reading my mind.
Damn.
CHAPTER 12
PENELOPE
Two weeks later...
"What's on your mind?"
"Huh?" Zoo asked, briefly glancing up from the paper he'd been staring at for the last ten minutes. He was on the same paragraph too long now. Two weeks had passed since the championship game. I’d been hassled with interviews, cameos,commercials, and plenty of new sponsor deals. It had been so hectic that Zoo and I hadn’t done much of anything except travel.
