Page 4 of Audra: The Prequel

“Lanisha,” she said, arching an eyebrow.

“I knew that.” A smile slid across his lips.

“Uh-huh.” She didn’t seem upset, which was good and bad. He didn’t want her to be offended, but at the same time, women let him off the hook too much.

“You having a good time?” he asked.

“I’d have a better time if I could have a moment alone with you, to talk,” she replied.

That’s right, he had promised her alone time and flirted with her and several other women in attendance—before Audra showed up and jacked his attention like a mugger with a gun.

“Maybe later? I need to circulate a bit and make sure everyone’s okay.”

“I understand, but don’t forget me.” She trailed a hand down his tattooed arm.

“I won’t.” He watched her sashay away, her pert bottom looking extra nice in denim capris. Life was good.

When he swung his head in the direction of Audra, he didn’t see her. His eyebrows snapped together. Where was she? She didn’t leave, did she?

He turned in a complete circle, and when he still didn’t see her, he walked over to Jacob. “Hey, have you seen Audra? She’s a sexy chocolate sister. Kinda short.She was with a blonde in a hot pink dress.”

“I wouldn’t mind having some sexy chocolate.”

“Did you see her or not?” Damon asked, not in the mood for his jokes.

Jacob smirked. “Why?” He took a sip of beer.

“I want to talk to her, that’s all. I hope she hasn’t left.” He swiveled his head left to right, scanning the room.

As the sun was going down, more people had arrived, and his condo was packed, resembling a club-like atmosphere with the loud music. He didn’t know most of these people, which under normal circumstances was fine, but Audra was short, and the crowded space made it difficult to find her.

“Are you inlove?” Jacob teased.

“Goddamn, I want to talk to her, not marry her,” Damon said irritably.

“You better not. All your other women will have a meltdown if you become monogamous.”

“I don’t have other women,” Damon grumbled.

“Tell them that, not me.” His friend chuckled. “To answer your question, I’ve seen Audra. She and her friend—Claudia—went out to the balcony. You better move fast if you want to get those digits. I saw Eddie heading out there, and you know he moves fast.”

An unreasonable amount of animosity toward his friend waved through Damon. Eddie was probably the biggest player on the team, and he didn’t discriminate when it came to race. If he saw a woman he was attracted to, he made a move on her. Damon couldn't allow his friend to swoop in on the one woman he was genuinely interested in.

With grim determination, he made his way toward the balcony, stopping a couple of times for a quick chat with guests. A number of people were outside, standing around or seated on the patio furniture—drinking, eating, and talking. He spotted Audra right away with her friend, and then there was Eddie, all up in their faces.

As he approached, Audra turned her eyes to him, which prompted Eddie to look over his shoulder to see what had caught her attention.

Slapping his friend on the shoulder, Damon said, “What’s up, Eddie? Everybody okay out here?” With the music locked behind the glass, conversation was easier.

“Yeah, I’m good, man.” Eddie was actually Eduardo, a mixed-race Cuban with dark hair and swarthy skin. The ladies loved him and his damn accent.

“Ladies?” Damon kept his eyes on Audra.

“I’m okay,” she said.

“Me too, although I could eat more of those shrimp things,” her friend said with a laugh.

“There’s plenty more of those in the kitchen. Eddie, could you show her where the food is? I’ll keep Audra company.” Hand still resting on Eddie’s shoulder, he squeezed, sending a signal to his friend.

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