we’re outta here. I might even let Brandi drive the ride. Yeah,” he said, admiring his plan. “Then I’ll ride her.”
“Hey, what about Smitty?” I asked, my lust diminishing long enough for me to remember my friend.
“Fuck him. Besides, there’s not enough room in the ride for all of us. His runt ass can catch a cab with his radioactive shirt.”
“That’s foul, cuz.” This was one of those times I really didn’t like my cousin, despite him being family.
I looked around our vicinity, but didn’t see Smit. This was wrong.
We returned to Diane and Brandi with their drinks, continuing where we left off. I talked, but didn’t contribute to Jay’s lie. Sensing I was holding back now, Diane took a sip of her drink and pulled me into her. She kissed me hard, opening her mouth to share her tongue, as well as the sweet coconut rum. I kissed her back, my tongue meeting hers as our bodies came together. She was more intoxicating than the liquor I’d had tonight.
Next thing I knew, the four of us were heading out of El Ami and straight for Jay’s Beamer, which was parked across the street. Jay had his arm around a giggling Brandi, while Diane was skipping toward the car with me willingly in tow. Jay hit his remote, disarming the alarm and unlocking the doors. He appeared to be serious about letting Brandi drive. I looked at Diane’s ass as she bent over to enter.
But I couldn’t dog my boy like that—or put up with any more of Jay’s lies tonight.
I could’ve just called Smitty if he’d paid his cell phone bill, but ...
“Hey, I just remembered. I gotta run back inside.”
Jay locked on me with his eyes, implying, “Don’t do it.”
“My agent’s in there and we gotta ... talk about my new deal,” I said weakly, tossing Jay a slight bone. Weak. Real weak. “I’ll catch up with you guys later.”
The ladies erupted in a series of groans and gasps. I could read Jay’s lips as he silently mouthed, “Punk ass.” Diane got out of the car and tried to convince me to leave with them. I let Jay stick to his story and apologized to Diane before the three of them drove off down La Cienega. Diane did give me one last long, wet kiss and placed my hands on her ass in an attempt to sway me.
It almost worked. I don’t know where my strength came from.
I did get her number, though.
Now, I not only had to locate Smitty and explain why we had to cab it home, but I had to figure out how to get back inside El Ami. Looking at the line now gathered outside, I knew it would take more than I had to get back inside.
I was left with the smell of Diane’s perfume on my shirt to give me some solace.
Yeah.
Some solace.
15
Glover
Florida. The sunshine and palm trees—minus the smog.
I lowered the window to feel the breeze. “Beautiful,” I whispered as we crossed Biscayne Bay en route to the Palms Hotel & Spa.
The limousine was waiting for us upon touchdown at Miami International. No surprise, as Lionel was the master of organization. Our flight in from LAX had been quiet and uneventful, allowing us to get a nap in.
With my digital camera, I snapped some pictures of the tranquil waters. The driver slowed just enough to indulge my tourist moment. Lionel sat across from me, his mind solving whatever puzzle was before him at the moment.
This trip was going to be different from the others. I could tell.
We arrived at our exquisite hotel, checking in and having our bags delivered to our ocean-view suite. I’d felt like a little girl all the way up to our room, but once the attendant received his tip and left us alone, that was over.
It was time for Lionel to make me feel like a woman.
“One question. Am I going to have to wait any longer?” I asked, my hand still resting on the door I’d just closed.
Lionel responded immediately by pinning me against the door. I couldn’t escape. Gripped the door handle anxiously. Stroked the polished chrome as if it could respond.
“No,” he answered.
Frances O'Roark Dowell
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