by Blue Saffire
“Yeah, I’ll be ready.”
“And you know we’re taking your car. No way am I showing up in my Corolla if you got a Maserati,” Kim teased.
“That’s cool,” Crystal laughed. “I can take it back to the lot before class in the morning.”
“Okay, cool, so I’ll see you in a few,” Kim sang, hugging Crystal.
“See you. Thanks again Kenny if you want to come out tonight, I can get you in too. Kim will tell you about it I need to go,” Crystal said as she walked toward the door. She didn’t even look in my direction.
As soon as she walked out of the door Kim popped me in the back of the head. I turned to scowl at her, but found a killer look on her face. I didn’t know what she was so mad about, I was the one that just got blown off.
“What’s wrong with you?” she hissed.
“Whatever, Kim,” I grumbled.
“Don’t, whatever me. That girl likes you and you showed your black behind in here today. I don’t even know this person sitting here. When you find Lee, tell him I’m looking for him.”
“Seriously,” Kenny chimed in.
“How y’all just taking her side?” I muttered. “Why I ain’t know she riding like that?”
“Kenny, please tell me he didn’t just say that,” Kim gasped. “This is about her car?”
“Sis, don’t even bother. Somebody is getting in his head,” Kenny answered. “He thinks she wants him to trick on her.”
“Boy, Crystal don’t need your money. You got it twisted. Oh well. I don’t see the point in explaining now. You done messed that up anyway.” Kim shook her head at me and rolled her eyes.
I got up to go for the door. I had enough to think about. I wasn’t going to sit here and listen to them.
Crystal was done with me? So be it. I was done trying to figure her out. I would just stick to my project and nothing more when it came to her.
As I got in my car, Sean sent me a text about a party. I was in the mood to release some stress. I was absolutely going out. I rushed home to get ready. I needed to meet Sean in time to get into the club. This was one party my rookie status wasn’t going to get me in.
Chapter 9
Get this Right
I showered, putting on a fresh pair of slacks and a black dress shirt. I made sure to get fresh from head to toe. I’m not big on buying crazy jewelry, but I did buy a diamond bracelet and watch. I put them on, on my way out the door.
It took me longer than I thought to get to the club. Sean kept sending me impatient text messages. When I pulled up, he was out front surrounded by a bunch of women. I stepped out of the car and on to the curb to meet him.
“You had like five more seconds and I was going in,” Sean taunted.
“Whatever, man,” I chuckled. “I’m ready to clear my head.”
“Shorty bookworm?”
“Not tonight Sean,” I cautioned.
I followed Sean into the club. When we stepped inside, Sean wrapped his arm around the waist of the hostess that led us up to the VIP area. The place was crawling with wall-to-wall freaks checking us out. None that caught my eye though. I wasn’t sure why I’d agreed to come out after all.
As we sat at our table I noticed a table across from us. I knew the guy in the center with people surrounding him. I’d met him through some friends. He was a well-known rapper in the area.
His table wasn’t just filled with people. They had bottles everywhere. I remembered him because he was a cool dude. I decided to go over and say what’s up. I was pretty sure he would remember me.
“Hey, what’s up, KG?” I said as I sauntered up to the table.
“Oh, my man, Lee Johnson. What’s good?”
“Nothing, man, chillin’,” I answered, stepping a little closer.
As I moved in, Kim came into view. I was stunned for a moment. I recalled her and Crystal mentioned getting together.
“Yo, this is my new friend, Kim,” KG said with a blinding smile.
“Man, I know Kim. She’s like my sister.”
“Word? It’s a small world,” KG replied as he gave me five, pulling me over to his side. “So you probably know my little cousin then. Yo, Derrick, tell Coco, come here. I want her to meet someone.”
KG smelled like he’d already taken a few bottles to the face. His speech had even started to alter. Kim wouldn’t even look at me but I noticed the smirk on her face.
I looked around quickly to see if I saw Crystal, but I came up short. I only noticed the big bodyguard dude that must have been named Derrick. He was heading back our way with a female wrist in his hand, as he pushed through the crowd to get to us. I knew it was a female wrist because of the fingernails and the diamond tennis bracelet on it.
My mouth almost flew open when Derrick made it to us, stepping out of the way. Crystal stared back at me. When she saw me the smile on her face faded.
She looked amazing. I had never seen her dressed like this. She was wrapped in a black dress that plunged down to her bellybutton and left little to the imagination. That hourglass figure was on full display. The gold platform heels on her feet made her short thick legs look like chocolate candy.
KG patted me on the shoulder, waving Crystal forward to his other side. I was too stunned to move let alone say a word.
“Coco, this is my boy, Lee,” KG slurred, “Lee, this is my cousin, Coco.”
“I know Lee already. I know you didn’t call me over here for him,” Crystal said sounding fully annoyed.
“Oh word? Sorry, cuz. Excuse me waitress, please get my moody cuz another drink. She still acting too uptight,” KG called out.
I chuckled at that. Crystal was always uptight. I had only seen her relax the few times we were alone together.
She looked at me and frowned. I needed to talk to her. Seeing her tonight reminded me of how much I liked her, how much I wanted her. I was stupid to behave the way I did over the car.
Crystal moved to sit next to Kim, KG retaking his seat. He leaned into Kim’s ear on the opposite of Crystal. Whatever he said brought a smile to Kim’s lips. I noticed the space beside Crystal.
Flagging down the waitress, I ordered a drink. Smoothly, I strolled over, taking the seat at Crystal’s side. She stiffened and shifted all the way towards Kim.
I wasn’t deterred. I leaned to whisper in her ear, causing her to become all the more rigid. I sighed before I spoke a word. Throwing caution to the wind, I manned up on my mistake and pushed forward.
“Crystal, I’m sorry about earlier. Can we talk?” I started.
She turned to face me with her eyes narrowed.
“I don’t even know what that was earlier,” she hissed. “I don’t have time for games, Lee. We are done.”
“I was trippin’ over some bullshit, I don’t even understand. I just want to talk.”
She turned toward the waitress that arrived with her drink, taking it. Her hand shot up in a gesture for another. She downed the drink in her hand, turning her eyes to look at me for a minute. A frown took over her pretty face and she turned away.
The waitress showed up with my drink at the same time as Crystal’s second. I watched her finish that one too, before she grabbed Kim to move for the dance floor. I took a sip of my drink and fell back against the seat.
“Don’t look like that. Coco don’t give nobody no play,” KG chuckled. “She’s into school. All this rap and athlete shit doesn’t faze her. She still not tryin’ to hear what dudes out here spitting.”
My curiosity goes through the roof. Just so happens KG was drunk enough to tell me anything I wanted to know. I wasn’t going to miss out on this opportunity.
As I thought of a plan to pry, I continued to watch Crystal on the dance floor. She sent away guy after guy, not even bothering to give them a second glance.
We were in a VIP full of guys with money. I recognized some of the heavy ballers she was swatting away. None of that seemed to phase her.
“KG, tell me something.” I leaned in his direction, still wat
ching Crystal. “Where she get that nice car from?”
“Oh, are you kidding? Coco’s daddy’s little girl. He buys all them cars,” he laughed. “Only thing I ever seen my uncle say no about was paying her tuition. He ain’t think she was going to finish. She used to be my partner in crime, until she started school.”
He kept calling Crystal, Coco. Something about it rung a distant bell that I couldn’t put my finger on. I did, however, understand why Kenny thought I needed to ask her more about her family. Crystal could care less about my money if she was spoiled by her father. I also remembered her saying something about her father not thinking she would finish school. She was doing this degree on her own.
I watched as she turned down another guy that tried to dance up on her. I decided right then and there…I wanted her. I was tired of listening to Sean’s raving in my head. This girl was perfect for me in every way. I was the one guy in the club she couldn’t say no to.
She’d told me so herself. I chugged down my drink. Standing, I set my sights on the dance floor.
I walked up behind Crystal, placing one hand on her hip. The other, I boldly slid into the opening of her dress to rub my thumb against her smooth stomach. She stiffened at my touch, turning to react to whoever dared to touch her. I quickly pecked the side of her lips, when her face came into view. I could feel as she relaxed when it registered with her it was me. I pulled her body closer to me and started to dance with her.
She turned her entire body to face me, wrapping her arms around my neck. Her orbs searched for something in my eyes. When she found it, she lifted herself up to kiss me. I returned the kiss, not holding back how much I wanted her. A moan slipped from her lips, carrying over the music. Reaching down, I slid my hand up her thigh. My mouth curved into a smile as I devoured hers.
“Come home with me,” I pulled away to whisper in her ear.
She stood staring up at me. I could see the no in her eyes, but I felt the yes on her lips. She had to say yes. From that fire kiss, I knew she wanted me as much as I wanted her.
“Crystal, I want to take you home with me.” I said after her lack of response.
“Okay,” she said softly.
“Let’s go,” I told her, leaning in to kiss her once more.
“I have to take Kim home first,” she replied me.
“You can’t drive her like this. I’ll drop her home.”
“I’m not leaving my car here,” she frowned.
I sighed. “I’ll leave my car and I can drive yours,” I offered.
“You’re not driving my car,” she snorted.
I pulled her closer, rubbing my hand up and down her back. I wanted to go. This was frustrating. I’m not used to girls worrying about their cars. They either didn’t have one or not one nice enough to worry about. Crystal definitely had more to drink than I was comfortable with. No way was I letting her drive.
“I want to take you home,” I groaned into her ear.
“I know,” she whimpered back. “We can wait. I won’t drink anymore.”
“I have you word on that? ‘Cause you’re coming home with me,” I said not giving her time to answer, before kissing her passionately.
“Yes, I’m coming home with you,” she panted.
I could almost inhale the vibes coming off of her. This woman was no joke. I knew with everything I am, one night with Crystal was about to ruin me for life.
I wanted to leave then, but I would wait. She needed to sober up. I just hoped the time it would take her to do so wouldn’t give her time to change her mind.
We danced a little more, before returning to KG’s table. When we got there the waitress brought over refills of the drinks we had earlier. I pulled out a hundred and asked for some bottled water. I had a feeling KG had ordered another round but we weren’t taking. I wanted Crystal to be ready to go as soon as possible.
“I like you,” she whispered in my ear. “Don’t play games with me, okay?”
“I want you. I’m not playing any games.”
“You gonna let me take care of you, baby,” she almost purred in my ear. Damn. I’m crazy about this woman. Did she know that?
“Yeah, Crystal, I’mma let you take care of me,” I replied, cupping the back of her head to draw her into a kiss.
After a few seconds she pulled away, putting her finger to my lips. She was shaking her head at me. My brow lifted at the sudden rejection. She couldn’t be changing her mind already. She smiled as laugh bubble up from her lips. She nodded her head toward KG.
“He has a big mouth. My father is picky about who I date, when I date,” she winked at me. “Relax, don’t worry, Daddy. I didn’t change my mind.”
I bit my lip. I wanted to kiss her so badly. Just the way she talked to me had me ready to explode. She always had this way of making me feel like a man around her. Crystal wasn’t for boys. She made me want to man up and do right by her.
Time dragged by as we sat, whispering in each other’s ear. I kept watching to see if her cousin paid us any attention. Sneaking a peck in here and there. Over an hour went by, before I noticed a change in Crystal. It was the exact moment my entire night was almost destroyed.
“Hey, Lee, is that you?” A voice called from behind me.
I turned to see Sean with his arm around Rachael’s shoulder. I had forgotten all about Sean. However, it was Rachael trying to get my attention. I clenched my jaw praying she didn’t say or do anything that would ruin the course the night was on—let alone any chance I had with Crystal.
“What’s up, Rachael?” I said blandly.
“Nothing, just talking to your boy, Sean here,” she chimed.
“I’m ready, baby,” Crystal whispered in my ear.
I turned to look at her and smiled. So was I. I wanted away from Rachael and Sean. I was pissed he even brought Rachael over to this table. I couldn’t for the life of me understand what the fuck he was thinking.
“Hey, Crystal,” Sean crooned.
“Hey, Sean, nice to see you again,” Crystal waved, but the greeting don’t match her eyes. She turned back to me, lowering her voice. “Did you know he asked Brantley to get my number for him? He’s a creep.”
She whispered the words in my ear, sending my blood boiling. I had a bad taste in my mouth. I turned to Sean and frowned. Things were starting to become very clear.
I wrapped my arm around Crystal, ignoring her earlier concern. I took her lips in a possessive kiss that showed I was staking my claim. She smiled when I pulled away, her lips swollen from my kiss and her eyes sparkling.
Crystal shifted to get Kim’s attention. She whispered something in Kim’s ear. When Kim looked over Crystal’s shoulder a smile greeted me this time. She whispered something back to Crystal, the exchange continuing for a few minutes.
I don’t miss Kim’s eyes flickering in Rachael’s direction. A nasty frown coming across her face when she caught sight of her. Kim knew more about Rachael than she was saying—I was sure of that much. I wanted nothing more to do with Rachael. I had the one I wanted and she was about to leave with me.
“Let’s go. Kim is leaving with KG,” Crystal whispered. “She’s going to distract him so we can leave.”
I stood up, waiting to ensure she was steady when she walked slightly ahead of me. If she wasn’t we were going to prolong the exit a little more. She moved with ease, much to my relief.
I took note of the way Sean’s gaze lingered on Crystal. I tightened my fists at my side. All along he’d been bad mouthing her just so he could try to get with her.
“You out son?” Sean called.
“Yeah. I’ll leave the bird watching to you,” I snorted, grabbing Crystal’s waist as we walked out.
When we got outside the club, we both handed the valet our tickets for our cars. Crystal was definitely sober. I could tell by the way she looked up at me seductively. The part of her that she didn’t trust with me had come out to play. Her mind was made up.
Her car was the first to arrive. I walked her
to her door, placing one last kiss on those delicious lips before she got into the driver’s seat. Once she was safely in the car, I closed the door and tapped on the window.
“When we get to my place, you can park in the garage. I have two spots,” I informed her.
“Okay, baby, see you there,” she giggled and revved her engine.
I stood up to back away from the car. She took off as soon as I cleared her door. Impatient wasn’t the word. Where the hell was my car? It took way too long for the valet to return with my ride. I jumped in as soon as he arrived, taking off after Crystal.
Chapter 10
Turned Out
I didn’t catch up to her until I got to my building. I found her waiting, parked at the side of the garage entryway. I rolled down my window to get her attention, waving for her to follow me in. Revving her engine just like outside the club, she trailed me into the lot the minute she saw me.
I pulled into my spot, pointing out my spare space for her to take. She pulled in, popping out of her car. I walked over to her and she locked her arms around my back. Our lips collided the moment we were in reach of each other. I wrapped my arms around her, taking over the kiss while slowly backing her toward the elevator.
“What took you so long?” she murmured. “I thought you changed your mind.”
“They took forever with my car,” I chuckled. “I didn’t change a damn thing.”
I cupped her face to show exactly where my head was at. It would take a lot more to keep me from seeing this night through. There could have been a flood, fire, and hurricane involved and I was still going to make it to her.
I broke the kiss when the elevator chimed at our floor. Her eyes were filled with so much lust, I thought I’d bust through my pants to satisfy the flames staring back at me.
“Good, because I’ve wanted you since the first time I saw you,” she said as I led her off the elevator. “I bet you didn’t know that.”
A mischievous smile covered her lips with her revelation. I was stunned, not for the first time that evening. She was right, I had no idea.