Heavy finally added some words to the conversation. “So, what you trying to do? Invest in some new shit?”
In his mind, that was the only option. Or Nash could stay his ass at home. There was no use in talking about something if niggas didn’t have a solution.
“I ain’t against it,” Nash said, mind working. “A lounge or something more laidback with a strict dress code and age requirement.”
It was doable. Heavy was already calculating how much money it’d make off a small investment. If his cousin was serious, Heavy was all in. Nash carried on, explaining how it’d be a good look for the city, but Heavy had tuned him out. His eyes were locked on Cyren across the room.
He watched as she flipped her natural hair off her shoulder, which was out and wild in loose curls. Heavy spotted the glow of her skin from his section. It was just as bright as her smile as she laughed at something Gabi whispered in her ear. Seeing her smile caused the weird feeling, Heavy had been experiencingin his chest, to resurface. It’d been faint before she spent the night at his crib but was now prominent, making itself known. Whenever Cyren was on his mind, and even when she wasn’t, she was tugging at his wire heartstrings.
“You good?” Mhazi asked, peeping his cousin’s concentration.
He wasn’t sure what it was on, but Heavy had completely zoned out. The nigga who bumped into Cyren the first time, obviously couldn’t take a hint. He was trying to get her attention the same way Marc had. Another lame attempt. Another lame nigga thinking he could approach what should’ve never even been in his line of vision in the first place.
Cyren was out of every nigga’s league in there. She was in Heavy’s, making up her own regulations and calling the shots. Even from afar, she had Heavy’s undivided attention. He rubbed his fist, brushing over his once bruised knuckles. They’d finally healed from beating a nigga’s ass weeks ago, but he didn’t mind damaging them again.
He watched as Cyren told the dude it was okay, thinking it was an accident, but Heavy knew better. He had plenty of space to stand around her and not purposefully keep brushing up against her. Heavy gritted his teeth when Cyren shifted the second time it happened. The subtle step she took to the side and the look she gave Bre made him wait.
Don’t cause a scene,Heavy tried telling himself, but it all went out the window when the nigga bumped into her again. He moved so abruptly out of their section and down the steps, Mhazi’s hand went to his hip.
“Aye, cuz. What’s up?”
People shifted out of his way without Heavy having to say a word. He didn’t think twice before shoving the nigga with just enough force to stumble, making him spill his drink. Heavy’shand settled gently on Cyren’s lower back as he moved her to the side some.
“Yo, what the fuck, man?” the dude groaned, looking down at his stained shirt and half-empty cup.
“You don’t fucking see her standing right here?” Heavy sneered so eerily calm that the hairs on Cyren’s arms stood up.
The guy looked at Cyren and gulped, realizing he’d fucked up. “I-I—” he began, stuttering, but was cut off.
“Take yo ass on somewhere or you ain’t gon’ be able to see shit but the back of your eyelids.”
Still trying to compose himself and make sense of what happened, the dude walked off. Heavy’s nostrils flared as people stared at him, chuckling at how he’d just embarrassed someone. He’d made his message clear without having to even raise his voice. Utterly confused, but turned on even more, Cyren touched his bicep. Heavy glanced her way and took a deep breath.
“Hey,” Cyren cooed, smiling. “Relax. I’m fine.”
Clenching his jaw, Heavy licked his lips and exhaled, visibly calming down from her touch. Her words, not so much. “You sure?” he asked.
Cyren nodded. “Yes. I was just about to cuss him out and look at you coming to save the day.”
Heavy didn’t find shit funny about a grown-ass man being disrespectful to his woman or any woman. On any level, he was going to intervene and let Cyren save her words for something much more useful. Like telling him why she didn’t have any panties on underneath those little ass shorts.
Gripping her ass cheek, Heavy pressed himself against her and leaned into whisper in her ear. “Don’t get fucked up. Where your panties at?”
“I have on a thong, baby,” she answered, giggling.
Wanting confirmation, Heavy discreetly— or what he thought was discreet— slid his hand up her shorts and inbetween her cheeks. Smirking once he felt the string of material, then fixed her shorts and kissed her cheek.
Cyren’s eyes were wide. “Rashaun...I know you did not just do that.”
“I did. Do something,” Heavy said, grinning. He’d literally eaten her ass the day before, so his hand sliding up it was nothing.
All Cyren could do was shake her head. “You’re too much. I didn’t know you were coming out.”
They’d talked earlier in the day, and he hadn’t mentioned anything about the club.
“I didn’t either. Last-minute shit with my cousins,” Heavy explained.
Cyren peeked around him, landing her eyes on Nash and Mhazi. They were introducing themselves to Gabi and Bre. Noticing a woman approach them with a frown on her face, Cyren hoped she didn’t have to beat someone’s ass tonight. She was a lover more than a fighter but her hands still worked.
