Page 135 of Plus Size Player

He glanced over. “From that smile on her face, I’d say so.”

I looked up at him. “And what about you? Are you having a good time?”

“Yeah, I am. I always have a good time with you. But it’s been real cool meeting your friends and seeing you with your people.”

“They love you.”

A smile pulled on his lips. “Oh, for real?”

“What’s not to love? You’re perfect,” I blurted out.

His smile grew. “You think I’m perfect?”

Stepping back, I rolled my eyes and gestured to him. “Look at you. You’re smart and sweet and charming and funny and sexy…”My eyes swept up and down his body as my sentence trailed off, lingering on the last adjective.

Russ looked good in his navy blue pants and matching shirt. His dark brown tie, belt, and shoes pulled his look together and kept him from looking too matchy-matchy. The quality and tailored cut of the expensive threads fit his sculpted body perfectly. The colors complemented his dark caramel complexion, which seemed to glow under the moonlight.

I forced my eyes back to his. “And the dick is immaculate.”

He burst out laughing. “Yoooooooooo!”

The fireworks exploded in the sky, and I shifted my focus. The elaborate display over the lake was so pretty. Bright streaks of white danced high above the trees. The sky was so dark it looked black, except where the moon peeked over the trees and made it look purple. There weren’t many visible stars in the sky, but the fireworks made up for that.

“Did you see that one?” I asked excitedly, pointing to the “Happy Birthday” formation. “It’s so beautiful.”

“You’re so beautiful.”

I glanced over at him and saw his eyes were on me. Grinning, I bumped him with my hip. “You’re missing the show.”

“I’m watching the one that matters.”

A new flurry of fireworks went off, but my eyes stayed trained on him.

He studied my face. “I love when you get that look.”

I smiled up at him. “What look?”

He cupped my cheeks. “That one.”

“Why?” I whispered.

“I love seeing you happy.” His fingers skated across my skin as he moved down to my neck. He held my gaze and his thumbs slid down my throat. “And I’ll do anything to keep you happy.”

My heart skipped a beat. “I like the sound of that.”

He brought his lips down to mine and gave me the sweetest, most romantic kiss. I felt that kiss throughout every inch of my body. When he pulled away slightly, his face hovered over mine. There was such adoration and love in the way he looked at me, andI felt emotionally raw. I wanted to tell that man I’d be his girlfriend, that I loved him, that I was ready to suck the skin off him.

My lips parted.

“Nina!” Jazmyn called out, pulling me from my trance.

I’ve had too much to drink,I thought as I swallowed my feelings and turned toward my best friend’s voice.

Jazz and Aaliyah waved me over to where they were near the dock.

“Go be with your friends,” Russ told me, brushing the back of his hand against my cheek. “I’ll be right here.”

My stomach fluttered.

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