Page 45 of Lost In London

That’s what my friends and I did.

To me it was normal.

Until Olena…

“Damn, you sexy as hell.” A deep voice thundered close to my ear.

Male compliments had stopped being so welcoming after Elgin. It wasn’t until Cassian started hyping me up, referring to me as Tha Don, that I got comfortable again hearing them. Still, I’d clam up but not this time. The liquor had me feeling good, Megan Thee Stallion made me feel like a true H-town Hottie, and this mysterious man, who was finer than sin might I add. He made me feel sexy and desired. Did I want to go home with him at the end of the night? No, but damn it felt good to dance in a mans arms. It was the perfect combination to have the time of my life at this moment.

“Thank…”

“Come on. They’re about to sing happy birthday.” Olena and her jealousy never let me finish thanking the stranger. As she dragged me back upstairs to our VIP area I looked over my shoulder and thanked him anyway.

Tonight we celebrated Olena’s friend Julianna’s thirtieth birthday at Club LIVE in Miami. A party of about twelve of us gals dressed to the nines in our satin ruched high split nude dresses. Yep, we all had the same dress on but in twelve different shades of nude. I wasn’t at all complaining since I looked good as hell in it. Plus I didn’t have to pay for it.

“Everyone gather around so we can wish our girl a fuck’n fantastic birthday and take some pictures.” Brooke, Julianna’s sister, had to be the queen of the functioning alcoholic club.

All of the birthday festivities started around one this afternoon with facials and a massage at a spa. Wine and shots were given throughout our time there. Unlike the rest of us who enjoyed one glass of wine and two shots, since it was our first stop on the party list, Brooke took the wine bottle to the head and had at least six shots by the time we got on the party bus to head to our pole dancing class.

Wrapping her arms around my waist and resting her chin on my shoulder, Olena kissed my cheek sloppy right as we started singing happy birthday. This type of affection was fine. Again, I was used to this level of touchy-feely from my friends. Nothing out of the normal. It only became a problem when her wandering hands and mouth kept trying to give everyone a preview of a porn flick that she and I would never make.

Trying to keep a smile on my face while moving her hands from my boobs to my waist, I caught Julianna’s long-lost gaze and it wasn’t on me but on her best friend, my so-called girlfriend. When we got to the make a wish part, she stared at Olena for so long that even I became uncomfortable and put some space between us.

I took my slice of cake and wine to the velvet couch only to be followed and have Olena sitting on my lap. The girl was tipsy but a far cry from drunk. I’ve seen and dealt with her drunkenness before and this wasn’t it.

“Open up for me.” What she meant to sound like sex made me irritated but I welcomed her fork of cake. Only she fed me more than cake.

Trying not to choke on her tongue that she shoved in my mouth, I grew even more frustrated and pissed at the flashing lights from one of the girls taking pictures and commenting on how cute we were.

Wasn’t anything about this cute.

“Damn, Olena. Seriously.” Pissed off, I dropped my cake on the table and marched across the VIP area to the bathroom. Thank God the line wasn’t long and I was able to find a stall to sit and breathe.

All I had to do was call Benny and he’d pick me up in a hurry. Knowing him he was probably outside waiting anyway. Pulling out my phone I checked my messages.

Cassian: Have fun but too much fun

Cassian: Don’t let that girl slut u out

Cassian: If u bump coochies I’m moving u out my room

Cassian: Don’t do it LoLo

Cassian: Reconsider. Read some litera

Cassian: Keep ur heart & coochie 3 stacks

I tried to hold it in but I burst out laughing, almost falling off the toilet. This fool was a complete nut.

Promising that I still had my virtue, I responded and went down my chat list and stopped on Quincey’s and my thread. He’d texted me every day since I left his house to check up on me and each time I saw his name pop up on my screen I had to remind myself to breathe.

Not only was the man a celebrated educator but he was a planter; a gardener. That’s like saying Kofi Siriboe was a gardener because that’s what it felt like. A Black king tending to the fields and lilies.

A wet dream come true.

Every time I encountered him I found something more amazing about him. He’s a very calculated man with his words, something that I truly loved. He made me feel so secure and safe. His need to ask permission before he did something and when he licked my face clean…

I still quivered from that.

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