Chapter 10
Hand and hand, Zanova and I made our way through the lobby until we reached the ballroom.
Two men dressed in suits scanned our wristbands before allowing us to enter through the double wooden doors.
I smirked, seeing that Zanova was wearing a green band.
It had me thinking if she’d meant to pick that color or if her friend had something to do with it.
I went with my second thought because I highly doubt Zanova was into shit like this.
The meet-and-greet wasn’t your ordinary party.
This was exclusive as hell; the type of scene where the velvet ropes and private tables were just the surface, and nothing was off-limits.
The bass from the music vibrated through the floor and into my chest, lights flickering across the crowd in streaks of gold and purple.
Each guest picked a colored wristband that described what they were willing to partake in tonight.
Green meant you were open to play and approachable, which was the color Zanova was wearing.
Black was for dominant energy, which I was wearing tonight.
I didn’t give a fuck about the rest of the colors.
All I know is that I planned to see if Zanova was really down to play.
“What type of party is this?” Zanova looked up at me, her eyes full of curiosity.
I chuckled, knowing I was right about her wristband. “You didn’t read your invite?” I smirked with raised brows.
“No. Why?”
“Let’s just say… this isn’t your typical champagne and cocktails mixer. This is a playground, baby, where rules are optional. And boundaries… Well, they’re mostly suggestions.”
Her eyes widened, a blush creeping up her neck. “Playground? You mean sex is going on here?” she said in a gasp, unsure if she should laugh or run.
I laughed quietly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Yeah. If that’s what you are comfortable with.
” I smirked. “People are here to let go, explore… See where the night takes them. You picked a color to tell the crowd what you’re down for…
” I nodded at her wrist. “Well, anything. Green means approachable and open to play. You’re not shy about experimenting, huh? ”
She looked down at her green band, then back at me.
“What?! No! I didn’t know. Ooh! I’m going to choke Nyala.
I knew that heffa was up to something!” She tried removing the band, but she couldn’t.
I knew that once you snapped them on, they could only be cut off, which happens when you leave the party for the night.
“Chill, baby. There is no pressure. I figured you had no clue. If you don’t feel comfortable, we can leave.”
She took a breath before answering. “No, I’ll stay.”
“Look who finally made it!” Nyala came strutting up with Ryan by her side, both grinning like they were the hosts of the damn party. “I thought you’d chicken out, friend.” She smirked at Zanova.
“You know you’re going to hear my mouth later, right? You tricked me.” Zanova was visibly flustered as she shot daggers at Nyala with her eyes.
I dapped Ryan up, still watching the two best friends exchange words.
“No… I just didn’t tell you what type of party it was.” Nyala laughed, completely unbothered. “You are wearing this gown, huntayyy!”
“Ain’t she, though?” I licked my lips, staring down at a Zanova. My hand slipped to the small of her back and rested at the top of her ass. Her body tensed for a split second, but she didn’t move away. That alone had my blood stirring.
Nyala fanned herself dramatically. “Oh, y’all about to start some trouble tonight. I can already tell. Hey, Ryan. Aren’t they looking like ‘couple goals.’” She teased us, giving me a knowing grin.
“Hey, Zanova. It’s good to see you again,” Ryan said, eyes flicking from Nyala to me, then to her.
“Same,” she replied, forcing a polite smile before excusing herself and tugging Nyala off to the side.
“Damn, Mir,” Ryan said, watching them walk away. “I can see why you were chasing after shorty. She bad as fuck. Whew! And that’s what you call, ass for days!”
I cut him a look. “Nigga, don’t get knocked the fuck out.” I was serious as fuck. Ryan may be cool, and Zanova may not be my girl yet, but I’ll definitely shoot his ass over speaking out the way about her. He could save his remarks for Nyala.
He laughed, throwing his hands up. “Oh, that’s wifey now, huh?
If you are ready to square up behind her, I can dig it.
” He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Man, I’m trying to lock down Nyala, but shorty ain’t the relationship type.
She told me she just wants to explore.” He shook his head, glancing over at her with a lovesick look.
“Exploring my ass. After hitting that good-ass shit between her legs, I’m already shopping for a ring. ”
I laughed and shook my head. “My boy, you whipped.”
“And you ain’t?” He shot back with a grin. “I saw that video going around. Y’all looked like y’all both were ready to take each other down in that bakery, bruh.”
I saw the video Ryan was talking about, and I couldn’t say that I was mad. I actually was feeling the shit. I’d even shared the shit to my story on IG. The internet was eating up the videos and pictures of us at her bakery, and I couldn’t front—we did look fucking good together.
I smirked, raking my fingers through my beard, my gaze drifting back to where Zanova was standing. She looked tense, still giving Nyala a piece of her mind, but even pissed off, she glowed.
“Man, I don’t know what it is about her. She has this innocent energy about her, but there’s fire underneath all that thickness. She doesn't even know what she does to a nigga… That’s the dangerous part.”
Ryan chuckled. “Yeah, that kind of woman could mess around and humble a man really quick.”
I nodded, still watching her. “Zanova is one of those rare types of females. The type that’ll have you thinking differently. And that’s exactly why I can’t let her slip by.”
“I feel you. I just hope Paige doesn’t try to run this one off. You remember what happened to the last shorty she caught you with.”
“I ain’t worried about Paige. She needs to be more worried about her baby and that nigga she laid up with. They’re both lucky they’re even breathing.”
Just when he was about to respond, Zanova and her girl were walking back over. Ryan grabbed Nyala by the hand and told me he would get up with me tomorrow. I guess that was a sign they were about to disappear and do some nasty shit.
Zanova and I went to the bar and got ourselves a drink.
I could tell she still wasn’t feeling this party, so after we ordered our drink of choice, I suggested we leave, and she quickly agreed.
I walked her back to her room. The elevator ride was quiet.
Neither of us spoke until we reached her suite.
She opened her little purse thing and pulled out her keycard to unlock her door. The soft beep echoed, and she pushed it open, the light from inside spilling out into the dim hallway.
Then she turned to look at me, her voice low. “I’m sorry for making you leave the party. Thanks for escorting me back to my room. If you want to go back, you should.” She looked up at me with those big brown eyes.
“Nah, I’m good. I think I’m going to go to my room and probably watch a movie or something.” I leaned down and placed a kiss on her cheek. “You have a good night, Ms. Pierce.” I turned to walk away but stopped when Zanova called my name.
“Samir, wait…”
I turned back around, my brow raised. She stood halfway out her doorway, biting down on her bottom lip like she was debating if she should even speak.
“What’s up? You good?”
“Um…” She tucked a loose braid behind her ear. “It’s still early, and I’m not really tired yet. You want to come in and watch a movie with me? I promise, I’m good company.”
I smirked, stepping a little closer. “Oh, I get it. You want to Netflix and chill. I must warn you, though, I don’t give it up on the first date.”
She laughed at my joke, shaking her head. “Boy, please.”
“I’m just saying… I don’t want any funny business when that movie gets good.”
She playfully rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. “You coming in or not?”
“Depends.” I took a step forward until I was standing right in front of her. “You gonna behave?”
“No promises.”
I chuckled under my breath and brushed past her into the suite.
While Zanova excused herself to change, I slipped off my jacket and kicked off my shoes before sinking into the sofa.
I grabbed the remote from the coffee table, hit the Netflix button, and started flipping through movies, trying to find a good one.
When her door opened, I glanced up and damn near lost my breath.
Zanova came out in some spandex shorts and a thin-ass tank top.
All the makeup was gone, leaving soft skin and natural beauty.
She crossed the room barefoot and sat beside me, tucking one leg under her with ease, like she ain’t have a nigga stuck like chuck.
“What are we watching?” she asked casually as if she didn’t steal my focus completely.
I cleared my throat, eyes back on the screen. “Still figuring that out,” I said, scrolling while completely distracted by her.
“Ooh! Dirty Dancing! Let’s watch that… It’s one of my favorites. But Breaking is one of my all-time faves!”
“Hell no! I ain’t watching that sappy shit. Pick something else.”
“Come on, Samir! That’s a classic.” She pouted, folding her arms with a fake attitude she knew damn well I couldn’t ignore.
“Man, you lucky you’re fine.” I handed her the remote.
She laughed, all proud of herself as she hit play. “You’re gonna thank me later. This movie is legendary.”
“Yeah, legendary for putting grown men to sleep,” I said, leaning back against the couch. I slid an arm around her waist and pulled her closer, surprised when she didn’t resist. “Come over here. No one puts Baby in the corner,” I said, quoting a line from the movie.