Page 24

“Because you want to go home and get some of that whip appeal put on you. You wanna be up under Gavin,” I teased in a singsong voice.
“Not really. Just a bit tired, is all,” Raegan returned in a deflated voice.
Eriss and I took turns teasing Raegan as we arrived at Club Amethyst. By the time we walked through the door, we had gotten Raegan back in her normal mood, ready to party. She danced on the floor while we made our way to the bar. We placed our drink orders and made small talk while we waited. Once we got our drinks, Eriss headed straight for the dance floor.
I turned back to the bar and slowly sipped my drink. I knew I needed to get off the stool, leave the bar, and hit the floor. After all, I had been the main one to suggest coming to the bar to re-enter the dating world. And now, I sat all alone at the bar, nursing my drink. Finishing it off, I hopped off the stool and danced to the floor to find my girls.
Seeing that they were both occupied with some males when I arrived, I chose to dance alone. I didn’t need a partner. Swaying my hips in the opposite direction of my arms, I angled my head down to the right, closed my eyes, and allowed the music to revive my spirit. The soulful music came to an end as the DJ made an announcement.
“We’re going back. Taking you way back to another time and place. Ladies, we’re kicking that drama outta your lives!” he shouted into the microphone.
Women all over the club screamed and started working their bodies to the hype beat. I was already bouncing to Mary J Blige’s “Family Affair.”
I felt someone dancing behind me as I bounced my butt to the lyrics as Mary told us to get on the dance floor. I ignored the person because I loved the way I lost myself in music whenever I danced.
I rolled my hips around and dipped down before coming back up again. Whoever was behind me, I vibed with his energy and timed our movements. Large hands placed themselves on my hips hesitantly and then gripped tighter as I backed up into him.
I had worked up a sweat and felt my braids coming loose from my bun. I didn’t care as I swung my head from side to side, matching the dual movement of my hips. The lyrics made me feel free and uncaring. I was just a woman out having a good time and dancing with some random guy who made it that much more interesting.
“My fellas out there tryna get close on a honey, we’re gonna switch it up just a bit. She says this one’s all for you, fellas.” The DJ’s voice boomed over the microphone as Janet’s “All For You” poured out through the club’s speakers.
I walked to the edge of the dance floor, never turning to see my mystery partner. Just as I reached the edge of the dancefloor, someone grabbed my hand and pulled it back. I recognized the scent of the mystery man and turned back around to plead off dancing, but my breath hitched in my throat.
Confusion shot through me like the burn of a strong vodka, and I blinked before I narrowed my eyes. I’d had a couple of drinks, but I didn’t have that many. Surely, I wasn’t seeing things. When Casimir released that sexy chuckle, I shook my head. “What’re you doing here?” I asked.
“Having a celebratory night out at my favorite spot. Breaks the monotony,” he replied, pulling me to him.
“Umm, was that you?” I asked, pointing my thumb over my shoulder at the dance floor.
Casimir pulled his bottom lip into his mouth, and those onyx eyes flashed in the darkness of the club as he nodded. “I wanna share this dance too.”
“No,” I replied. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” I turned around and walked away from him. I had made it only a few steps before he caught up with me and tugged me back toward the dance floor.
“Why not?” he asked, dropping his hand from my wrist to my waist and swaying slightly with me. “We’ve already shared one.”
“Not to my knowledge.”
“You always dance with strangers like that?”
“No. I usually dance by myself, but you . . .”
“You didn’t turn around and look at me or stop me. So, what’s the problem now?”
“Do I really need to explain it?”
“Yeah, I think you do.”
“You’re my client, Casimir. You know that’s forbidden,” my mouth replied, but my body told a different story as my hips swayed from side to side, and my abundant breasts bounced to the beat.
My heart thundered inside my chest, and a warm, uncomfortable heat soared throughout my body. My eyes roamed over the black silk shirt that clung to his form, dropping down to the tailored tan slacks that hugged his thighs and outlined traces of his manhood.
“So’s the way you’re looking at me right now,” he challenged, a smirk tilting his lips slightly.
My eyes instantly flew back up to his face as I tried desperately to compose my features. I continued to dance with him, and no more words were spoken as we enjoyed the fun beat of the song.
When it was over, he escorted me to the bar, where he ordered us another drink and invited me to his table to share some “important news.”
Although I knew that I shouldn’t go, my curiosity got the best of me, and my feet followed where my mind knew they shouldn’t go.