Page 30 of Draco

“Not when I’m behind the bar. Niggas already trying to talk to you. I’m not dealing with Draco talking shit because you came here and got faded.”

I chilled with Bear for close to an hour before the butterflies in my belly came alive. My back faced the door, but I could sense the second Draco entered the clubhouse. My heart pounded against my ribs, and my nose tingled at the scent of sandalwood.

“Yo’ man is here,” Bear teased.

I couldn’t see myself, yet I knewmy brown skin was coveredin red.

“I know. I can feel him.”

“Before he snatches you up, I have to ask. Can you make one of those yarn things for my lady?”

I felt my brows creep up my forehead as I asked, “One of what? A hat? A purse?”

“Can you make both? She likes stuff like that. Her colors are green and brown. I’m not worried about the price.”

With every word he spoke, my esteem for Bear matured. As big and tatted as he was, I would never have believed he could be such a softy.

“I got you, Bear.”

My limbs turned to Jello when Draco walked up and hugged me from behind.

“Are you good, Nugget?” he whispered in my ear.

I freed a sigh of relief as if Draco being close made my body light.

“I’m better now. How did you get in here? The police cleared the block?”

He nodded while eying Bear. “Everything good in here?”

I watched the human Teddy Graham glance at Oz near a pool table then over to me. As subtle as I could be, I shook my head. After the way Draco responded during the night of Bear’s party, I needed a break from the bar fights.

“Frankie is sitting here in one piece. I’d say everything is good.” He shrugged as he walked off.

Draco spun me around in my seat, leaving me no choice but to face him. He looked good in a pair of dark pants, a Lacoste crewneck, and shoes that matched.

“I know shit was hectic at the house,” he started.

My head slanted to one side as I stared at him. “How do you know that?”

Draco ran his thumb down my cheek. “Your tears left a stain. Are you feeling better?”

I twisted my wrist back and forth as to say so-so.

“All right. What would make it better?”

I tapped my chin and batted my eyelashes. “Bowling?”

“Bowling,” he repeated, his voice full of skepticism. “All right. There’s a spot on Belly Ave.”

Though I didn’t believe Draco would agree so easily, Iwas thrilledthat he said yes. We were holding off on sex because I thought we needed to get to know each other. What better way to do that than sharing something I loved with him?

The spot was twenty minutes from the clubhouse, and every second, I basked in the sensation of my cheek pressed against Draco’s back. Most times, I was apprehensive about climbing on his bike, yet at this moment, that’s all I wanted to do—be close to Draco. It was obvious I wasn’t going anywhere. Deep down, I didn’t want to.

After Draco paid for our game and shoes, we got comfortable on a couch near our lane. There weren’t many people in the building, and the ones whowere hungout near the pool tables.

“You’re going to guide me through this, Frankie. I’ve never been bowling.”

“Really? You’re missing out. I think I was a part of a bowling club in my past life.”

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