Najee glanced down at her. “I’m chilling. Just needed a second.”
“I understand,” she said, brushing her hand across his chest. “You look so good tonight.”
He smiled. “Thank you, baby. I appreciate you for tonight.”
“You’re more than welcome.”
Leaning down, he gave her a kiss that showed her just how appreciative he was. It was heavy and sensual, matching the rhythm of the song now playing. Lyrics about being a dog and a mutt were exactly how Najee was feeling. His hand gripped her ass, and lips grazed her neck.
“Babe,” Renae half-giggled and half-moaned as he sucked on her neck. “Don’t put a hickey on me.”
“Let me suck on something else, then,” Najee requested.
She knew he was serious, and with the liquor in his system, Renae knew in a few minutes or less, he’d be trying to find an office or closet for them to sneak into. As good as that sounded, she could wait until they got home.
“Later,” she assured, pulling away some. Najee looked down at her with pure arousal in his eyes. Renae kissed his lips. “Promise.”
He ran a hand over his waves and stood straight. “A’ight.”
Downing the rest of his drink, his hand found the small of her back. Renae swayed to the song playing and talked his ear off about some of his family. She was surprised to see some of them. Najee was halfway listening when his full attention was summoned elsewhere. He didn’t know what made him look toward the entrance of the lounge, but he was glad he had.
Orielle stepped inside the lounge with her girls in tow, garnering the attention of those close by. They were late, thanks to a wardrobe malfunction, but they were here. Their tardiness didn’t take away from their stunning presence or the greetings they received. Mainly Orielle.
She knew a handful of people in attendance, and their happiness to see her had everyone wondering who she was. All eyes were on her as she and her cousin, Tayah, Saleem’s sister, hugged. Tayah stepped back, taking in her appearance.
The black one-piece clung to her body, showcasing her toned physique and curves. The back was cut out, showing off her smooth, defined back, while a cropped mustard-colored leather jacket sat off her shoulders. It was just enough color to offset the required dress attire. Though the weather was a bit chilly, Orielle didn’t dress for it. She dressed for the occasion and didn’t half-step.
She’d contemplated not coming, and still didn’t plan to stay long, but once her hair was straightened, she made up her mind. Thankfully, she had because Najee had a few choice words for her. Ones that shouldn’t have been uttered with Renae right beside him.
“Damn,” he mumbled under his breath.
“What’s wrong?” Renae asked.
Nothing was wrong except the distance between him and Orielle. Whatever Cheyla said to her and Zoey had them laughing, and her smile had Najee locked in. The way she swung her hair over her shoulder, glancing around the room as if she were looking for him, shifted his stoic expression. He couldn’t hide his smirk if he tried.
His fingers flexed before he removed his hand from the small of Renae’s back. Heat crept up the back of his neck as he stared her down. Najee didn’t even try to hide that he was watching her. Waiting for her to feel his presence without acknowledgingher. And she did, thanks to her roaming eyes of curiosity and nervousness that hadn’t subsided.
Najee commanded her attention with a silent urgency only they could hear. Telepathy created from everything left unsaid. Orielle gave him a small wave, and Najee’s head lifted upward, acknowledging her with a nod. The motion finally made Renae pivot, wondering who had him stuck. She followed his gaze, and her nostrils flared.
“Who invited her?” The disgust in Renae’s voice wasn’t as bad as the answer she received.
“I did.”
Najee left no room for her to wonder. He’d extended the olive branch and wanted Orielle here.
She chuckled humorlessly. There wasn’t shit funny about the fire burning her chest. “Let me find out you were fucking on her and that’s the real reason you went to jail.”
“Fucking on her? You sound ridiculous,” Najee snarled, glancing her way.
“I mean, convince me otherwise. The same bitch you were supposedlytaking up for,” she said, flexing her middle and index fingers on both hands. “Who caused you to lose fourteen months of your life is here to do what? Celebrate you? Yeah... okay.”
“Did I go to jail for violating my probation or for beating a nigga’s ass?” Najee asked so calmly, it made the hair on Renae’s arms stand.
She sucked her teeth. “Don’t do that. You were?—”
“Nah. You don’t start whatever bullshit you trying to be on. We’re here to celebrate me, so that’s what we’re doing. I ain’t trying to hear nothing else you talkin’ about.”
That was the end of the discussion. Najee wasn’t trying to be disrespectful but accusing him of something he’d never done wasn’t going to fly. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked athim before trying to storm off. Najee gently grabbed her hand, making her face him.
