Chapter 7 #3
I ran my hands down the sides of my body, feeling the smooth texture against my fingertips, as I tried to quell the nervous flutter in my stomach.
I bit my lip, debating whether I could actually pull this look off.
The short dress being abnormal for me didn’t stop the confident and radiant feeling, though.
As I applied some Savage Fenty clear gloss to my lips, my phone started to ring.
I looked down, and the screen flashed an unknown number.
A small, involuntary smile tugged at my lips, and my chest fluttered for reasons I didn’t want to fully admit.
“Hello?” I answered, trying to keep my voice casual.
“So you block my number, making me have to call you from different numbers for you to answer my calls, Nova?” A rough, familiar voice snarled on the other end.
“For one, why are you calling me to begin with? We are no longer together, Jerome. We are divorced. I am no longer your problem.” I sighed.
“I told you… that will never happen. And why I go by the house, and it has a For Sale sign out front? You trying to sell our house, Nova?”
“I’m trying to sell my house,” I said, calm but firm, letting the finality of it hang between us. “What’s it to you?”
There was a pause, and a hiss of frustration could be heard from the other end. I let it linger, no longer obligated to explain anything to this man. I wasn’t about to argue, expound, or justify shit. Not today.
“Where did you move to? It better not be with no nigga! If you are, I swear—”
“Swear, what? I’m single and can see and fuck whoever I want. Bye!”
I hung up, letting the phone drop back onto the dresser.
My chest fluttered from the freedom I’d claimed in the mere two minutes on the phone with him.
I gave myself one last once over before heading into the second bedroom that Nyala was in.
She came over to my suite to do my makeup and decided she might as well get dressed here instead of going back down to her suite.
She stated her junior suite wasn’t as big as mine, but still had the panoramic view.
“Aw, bitch! Is that my best friend? You are wearing that outfit, boo!” She gushed over me.
“Me? Look at you,” I said, eyeing her short, hot pink lace dress. Nyala had all of her goods out, and like me, the only thing she wore under her dress was a bikini. Hers was a neon green and looked perfect against her complexion. “You look so good, boo.”
“Thanks, friend! We are going to turn heads tonight. Let’s go… I’m trying to get the party started early.”
We left my suite, and decided to skip lobby, exiting through on of the side doors and walking onto the beach.
The bonfire was directly behind the hotel, enough distance between the massive back patio and the ocean.
The sand felt great between my toes as my feet sank into the gritty substance as we moved closer to the oversized fire.
The DJ was spinning good music, and the vibe was perfect for someone who was on vacation.
“Oh my god! Everything looks so beautiful,” I said, looking around.
“Right! Let’s go sit at the bar.” Nyala looped her arm through mine, leading us through the crowd on the sandy beach.
We snagged two empty stools, and Nyala ordered four shots of a tequila, and what are the odds that it was Samir’s brand.
I wasn’t a heavy drinker unless it was wine, but I knew my girl planned to have me lit before the night even started.
I picked up a small glass, sniffed the sharp, spicy scent, and tossed it back.
The alcohol burned all the way down, heat spreading through my chest.
“Damn! That shit’s strong.”
“Exactly what you need to loosen up. Now take the other one!” Nyala laughed.
I ordered a glass of wine to chase the tequila, and soon we were dancing in our seats, rapping along to Cardi B. Nyala grabbed my hand, and we stood, moving to the beat. The alcohol gave me that extra push, that liquid courage, to wind my hips as if I were alone.
“You better fuck it up, frannn! Show these bitches how we do it in Melville!” She hyped me up as she twerked.
I was mid-twerk when my eyes landed on a familiar face in the distance. My heart skipped, and I blinked a few times to make sure I wasn’t tripping. No way he was here. What were the odds?
When the song ended, I quickly straightened and turned around, catching my breath only to see a fine-ass man standing behind me.
“Damn, shorty. You got some moves. Can I buy you a drink?” His voice was deep and smooth.
I was about to answer when another voice cut through the air. “Nah, homie. Take a hike. She’s good.”
Slowly, I turned, and my eyes scaled the fine specimen.
Samir stood there, looking like pure sin wrapped in white linen.
The short-sleeved set fit him too damn well, the open shirt showing off smooth, tattooed skin and a platinum chain that gleamed against his chest. The firelight from the beach flickered across him, highlighting every line and muscle that outlined his broad chest.
His cologne was warm, intoxicating even. It slid through the night air and wrapped around me like a memory I didn’t ask for. My pulse kicked up as my thighs pressed together on instinct. He looked so damn good, it was disrespectful.
“Nigga, find you another bitch—” The stranger squared up, mouthing off, but before he could finish his sentence, Samir’s fist connected with his jaw. The man flew back, slides flying off, before two suited guys rushed over and carried him away.
“Samir! Are you crazy?!” I glanced around, embarrassed.
“Crazy enough. That nigga should be thankful. He’ll be sleeping good tonight.”
I crossed my arms, glaring up at him. “What the hell are you even doing here? Are you following me?”
He tilted his head, that smug smile still in place.
“Nah, when the time comes, beloved, there will be no need for me to stalk you,” he said smoothly, voice laced with arrogance.
“To answer your question, though… I was invited. The hotel owner’s a business partner.
We’re launching Fuego Azul here tomorrow, as well as in all of the Armstrong hotels and casinos. ”
He took a step closer, his cologne hitting me like a drug I swore I’d quit.
“Now that I’ve answered your question, why are you out here showing out, Ms. Pierce?
You look sexy as fuck, though. Good enough to eat.
” Samir’s eyes dragged down my body in a way that made my pulse spike even though I tried to act unbothered.
“Oop! That’s my cue. I’m going to go find a cat to feed some milk to.
And I see one that looks promising. I won’t be far, friend.
Call me if you need me.” She leaned toward my ear and whispered, “Remember… what I said. Don’t think.
Just go with the flow. Go ride that nigga dick. And try not to fall off.”
“Nyala! You just going to ditch me?” I hissed, trying to keep my voice low as Samir’s gaze stayed locked on me.
“Girl, please. You don’t need me right now.
Looks like somebody already got your full attention, and from the way he’s looking at you, I’d say you got his too.
You deserve a little dick… I mean fun.” Nyala kissed my cheek before looking at Samir, leaving me speechless at her last comment.
“Take care of my friend. I’m a sharpshooter. ”
“I got you.” Samir chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh, and Ryan is back at the hotel. He drunk off his ass. His room number is 1029.”
“Oh! That’s even better! Later, y’all!” she sang as she sashayed toward the hotel.
“I see your girl is a character.”
“She’s about to be a dead character.” I wanted to choke Nyala, leaving me alone with Samir.
“Are you scared to be alone with me now, Ms. Pierce?”
“Should I be scared?” I asked, lifting my chin, trying to sound braver than I felt.
“Not when you’re with me.” His voice dropped, low and velvety, as he ran his hand down my cheek. Stopping to grab hold of my chin, he tilted my head up to look at him. “I promise not to do anything you don’t want me to do, Nova baby.”
The words “Nova baby” slid off his tongue like honey, and the look in his eyes wasn’t just playful; it was possessive. His thumb brushed over my bottom lip slowly, like he was testing the boundary between restraint and temptation.
“Then maybe you shouldn’t look at me like that,” I whispered, my voice trembling in spite of myself.
Samir smirked, leaning in until his breath grazed my ear.
“I can’t help it. You’re a gorgeous woman, and I’m very much attracted to you.
That’s dangerous for a nigga like me. I know I said I’d keep shit business, but I changed my mind.
I want you, Zanova. Seeing these niggas look at you in this outfit made me glad I left my gun in my room, ’cause I’d probably have shot ol’ boy for even breathing the same air as you. ”
I froze, heat rushing through me. His words were bold, reckless, and too damn honest. I wanted to be mad—to say something smart—but my body betrayed me. I had to press my thighs together because I was turned on.
“Samir…” I whispered, trying to sound firm.
He tilted his head, lips brushing my skin. “Yeah?”
“You can’t just say stuff like that.”
He grinned, and his voice replied, low and unapologetic. “I just did. Let’s take a walk… I want to smoke.”
Not giving me a chance to respond, Samir grabbed my hand and led me down the beach, away from the festivities. As the waves crashed against the shore, I swallowed hard, letting his words sink in. For the first time since we met, I didn’t want to fight him. Not tonight.