Page 22 of Dali: The Demolisher

“Why you ain’t let me know you were bringing a date?” He looked back, causing me to look in that direction. “If you would have told me, I wouldn’t have invited Kas.”

Our families had been close for decades so it didn’t surprise me that he’d invited her, especially since I knew Ken would be here. However, when I invited Geneva, I wasn’t really thinking about Kas being here. I figured she wouldn’t come since she’d been avoiding anywhere she thought I would be, and I’d been doing the same to avoid her.

“It’s cool, cuz, but thank you for looking out.”

“You sure?”

I nodded as I looked down at Geneva. “Positive.” Lowering myself to her ear, I told her, “I’ll be back, aight?”

“Okay, boo.”

I decided to go ahead and speak to Kassadee to get it out the way. She looked absolutely beautiful, but that was no surprise. The ginger-colored dress she had on matched her hair and eye makeup. It fit her like a motherfucking glove, showing off the curves I’d fallen in love with. My dick hardened the closer I got to her. Before I stood in front of her, her scent invaded my nostrils.

Kassadee was intentional about her style of dress and perfume when she was single. She dressed for the male gaze and chose perfumes that would make a man’s mouth water. If her scent wasn’t fruity it was boozy. Tonight, she smelled like apple brandy, and I’d be lying if I said her scent didn’t make me want to hold her close, rub my nose against every inch of her, and get drunk off the liquid I could make leak between her thighs.

Speaking of her thighs, they were on full display because of the mini dress she had on. My mind instantly flashed back to the last time they were wrapped around me while I made my home deep in the pit of her wet, fat, warm pussy. Her slanted eyesstared at me as I finally stepped in front of her, and I saw the moment she stopped breathing. Every time I knew my presence or appearance aroused her it was a boost to my confidence—tonight was no different. With a smile, I licked my lips and tried to keep a little distance between us, but with the way she was looking at me that was nearly impossible.

“Hi,” she spoke quietly.

“You look beautiful, Kas. And you smell good as fuck.”

Her head lowered briefly as she blushed. When she met my eyes again, she said, “Thank you. You look really good too. I love this cream on you.”

I looked down at myself absently, taking in the short-sleeved button-down shirt and slacks I’d chosen for the evening.

“Thank you, baby. Uh… I didn’t know you were going to be here. I have a date. Will that make you uncomfortable?”

“Oh.” She squeezed the back of her neck and shifted her eyes. “N-No. You’re single. You can do what you want.”

I don’t know why I thought this would be the time she showed her possession of me. Why I thought this would be the time she showed she wanted me. That she showed she understood the power she had over me. Kassadee could have told me to take Geneva home right now and I’d do it with no hesitation. Instead, I nodded and massaged my chin.

“Have a good night, Kas.”

Nodding, she lowered her head and avoided my eyes. With a huff, I turned and headed back to my table. When I sat back down, Geneva asked me if I was okay. I didn’t realize I was frowning until her pointer finger rubbed the space between my eyes. We mirrored each other’s smiles as I relaxed in my seat.

“Yeah, I’m good,” was what I said, but the opposite was the truth.

Still, it wasn’t fair of me to treat Geneva any differently just because Kassadee had arrived, so I gave myself a quick mental talk and tried to return to the mood I was in before we talked.

I finished rolling my blunt and headed outside to light up. I asked Geneva if she wanted to come because I didn’t want to keep leaving her at the table, but she said no. It was weird trying to integrate her into my life and family, but I was sure we’d get the hang of it for the time being. Even if we were just dating and having sex, she would need to be comfortable around my people. A few of my cousins had been friendly toward her and engaged in conversation, but Geneva wasn’t the most talkative person and I believe she preferred being alone if she wasn’t with me.

Weed breaks had an unspoken language amongst cousins. I didn’t have to say anything for a few of them to know what I was about to do. We all made our way outside and started rotating our blunts. Kennessy and two of Germany’s friends had come out too.

My favorite female cousin came out with Kassadee, and I could tell by Kassadee’s expression that she wanted to stay inside. Journee tugged her forward by her right hand, snickering as she stared at me. Rolling my tongue across my cheek, I chuckled through my frustration. If anyone knew how awkward this shit was for me, it would be Journee. She’d already mentioned Geneva didn’t seem like my type and that she expected me to be here with Kas after I introduced them earlier. Now, her ass was just being messy.

“Wassup, sis?” Kennessy spoke, pulling Kas in for a hug and kissing her temple. “When you get here?”

“Just a few minutes ago,” she replied, accepting the blunt he offered.

We avoided each other’s eyes for a while until Germany and his friends went back inside. That left no one between us. She looked at me for a brief moment before tuning back intowhatever Journee was rambling about. I couldn’t stop myself from staring at the side of her face.

“I missed you,” I blurted, and that confession was like the moment everyone had been waiting for. Everyone stepped back and gave us space, though I wasn’t sure that was what she wanted.

“I missed you too.”

“I regret I even told you the truth.”

Her chuckle was low as she took a step in my direction, causing me to step toward her as well.

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