Page 137 of Emergence and Ascendance

"I love this damn song," I yelled, now fully speaking from experience which had Tezni side-eyeing me.

"I bet you do, hoe. I'm so jealous."

I laughed and shrugged. "You're the one who told me to be all in. Don't be mad."

"I'm not mad; I'm jealous. Similar but not the same. I'm also happy for you." She threw an arm over my shoulder and dropped a kiss on my cheek.

I leaned into her. "I love you too, friend."

Jai kept our drinks flowing, and by the time Sol reached his final song, we were both tipsy, hoarse, and having the time of our lives. Tezni pulled me up to dance and we moved together, completely free and not caring that we had no coordination because of the liquor in our systems, laughing and falling into each other. When the lights went down and he thanked everyone for coming out, we dropped onto the leather seating and I felt exhausted.

"That was so damn good."

"Best concert ever."

Jai appeared with water and a small platter of appetizers. "From the house. The owner wanted to make sure his VIP guests were taken care of and Sol will be coming by to say hello in a few minutes."

"Sol is coming here?" Tezni's eyes got big as hell. Even I wasn't expecting that.

"Mr. Devereaux made sure he knew you were special guests."

Tezni looked at me and rolled her eyes. "If you don't fuck him tonight, I will."

"Girl." I barked a laugh and she narrowed her eyes.

"I'm serious, friend. You know how I feel about taking one for the team."

"And you know how I feel about ruining friendships. Stay the fuck away from my man."

"You know I would never."

I did because we were better than that.

We met Sol, took pictures, and I was pretty sure Tezni slid him her number knowing that man was very married and didn't play about his wife. I guess she figured it was a once in a lifetime deal so she was shooting her shot.

Miles was waiting outside and we both crashed on the drive back to the house. But one thing was for sure, I was going to properly thank my man for this because my night had been perfect.

When Tezni and I made it back to the house, it was quiet. I was still feeling the energy of our night, so a smile was on my face when I hugged my girl, told her I would see her in the morning, then made my way down the hall to Christian's room.

As soon as I walked in, I found him in the sitting area, slouched on the sofa, laptop open but his eyes were on me as soon as I closed the door behind me. Intently, his curious browns scanned me from head to toe before a ghost of a smile eased onto his face.

"Did you have fun?"

I nodded and stepped out of my heels. "We had the best time, and now I'm going to thank my man for making it happen."

His eyes slowly crawled over my body, lingering at my chest and moving down to my thighs before he reached my face. I blew him a kiss before I headed to the bathroom.

We’d drank, danced, and sang lyrics at the top of our lungs, so my arms and legs were sore and my feet ached but I had no complaints.

By the time I had the water on and had peeled out of my dress, Christian filled the bathroom door. I felt the heat of his gaze while he enjoyed the visual so I decided to give him a show. I stepped into the glass enclosure and turned my head, grinning at the silhouette of him through the fogged glass as he was now leaned against the counter.

I sighed and relaxed as the steamy spray massaged my back and neck. I stood directly under it for a few minutes, allowing it to work out the tension and soreness of my muscles before I let my hands move over my skin.

I pressed my palms flat against my hips and moved them up my stomach, caressing my skin until I reached my breasts. I gripped them firmly and moaned when my nipples got tight. The lingering alcohol in my system still had me buzzing, so the contact felt good.

With my eyes closed, I smiled and circled each one with my thumb then pressed hard, which had me arching my back before I dragged the pads of my fingers over the curve of each breast, massaging and kneading them.

"Is this for me?" I smiled when I heard the deep rasp of Christian's voice. I half expected him to join me, but when I turned my head, I saw the blurred outline of him still leaning against the counter.

---