Page 25 of Anything Necessary for Her (Crenshaw Kings #9)

“That’s you, Peep. You the one perfect and peaceful thing in my life, and I don’t wanna fuck it up. Same time, I don’t wanna let you go. I think if I did, I’d just be functioning, not living.”

“Then don’t let me go,” I suggested. “Enjoy me the way I’m enjoying you.”

“I like you.” He nodded.

“I like you too. You’re so smart, and you take good care of the people you love, even when they don’t deserve it,” I whispered. “And you fine as shit.”

We laughed in synchrony as he fell back, pulling me with him so that I landed atop his body.

“So you’ve never done anything ?” He frowned. “Not even head, both ways?”

“Nope.” I shook my head.

“You don’t even know what you fucking like then.”

Pressing my chin into his chest, I said, “I will figure it out along the way, but I wasn’t about to let a lame nigga smash just so I could learn what I liked.”

Grinning, he nodded and said, “Real shit.”

Few days later . . .

“Alright ladies, please understand that it was very difficult for Douglas and I to choose who deserved which parts. Also, understand that there will be more shows and more time for you to perfect your craft!” Carolyn announced over the ballet studio as she hugged the lists containing who’d been casted and for what in the Giselle show.

We said nothing as we waited with bated breath while Douglas pinned both sheets to the wall so we could all see.

“Please do not knock me over!” Douglas screeched because as soon as he was done, we stampeded over, shoving and impolitely barging through to see it.

“Oh my gosh!” I hollered, seeing I’d gotten a solo. However, that quickly died out when I saw I would also be doing a sequence with Nikita. “Carolyn?—”

“Yes, you and Nikita will be doing the pas de deux.” Carolyn cut me off, eyebrows tapping her hairline as she stuck her nose in the air, signaling at me not to complain.

“Carolyn.” Nikita laughed as a cacophony of voices overlapped in the background, discussing the lists. “A pas de deux is typically one male and one female dancer. We are?—”

“Yes, you will have your dance partners, and you will do it together. If this is an issue, Miss Johansson, then we can always get someone else to do it. I should remind you, the auditions were very close.” Carolyn waited for Nikita to protest, but all she did was give a tight smile and curt nod before walking off. “Banks?”

“Nope, I’m fine. I’m just happy I got the solo.” I smiled.

A wide grin expanded across Carolyn’s face before she yanked me closer, saying, “Congratulations! You did wonderful at the audition.”

“Thanks.” I gave her the same curt nod once she let me go, before I sauntered off.

Nikita and I exchanged unpleasant looks before she turned away, and I could only sigh, retrieving my phone from my bag.

Me: I got the solo but also have to do a pas de deux with Nikita.

Low-Low: Congratulations . . . you gotta do a what?

Me: Lol like a duet dance…

Low-Low: Upstage her ass, Peep.

Me: I will. :)

Putting my phone up, I got in position after hugging Kailey who was so excited for me.

Mid-practice, Carolyn’s eyes darted to the entrance, making me turn around to see Low’s fine ass standing in the doorway, clutching roses in his hand.

“Can I?” I asked Carolyn.

“Five-minute break, everyone! Some of you are too distracted by your parts to focus anyway!” She turned away and pranced over to Douglas.

Making my way over to Low, I couldn’t help the smile I felt tiring my cheekbones already.

“For me?” I reached for the flowers, inhaling his cologne that I had become accustomed to.

“Nah, for Nikita. Didn’t you say she got the paz day . . . whatever the fuck that was,” he joked, making me snatch the flowers as he cackled.

We embraced, and I could’ve melted right there, the feeling causing me to close my eyes in euphoria. I hadn’t stopped thinking about how he unintentionally made me cum every time I had to stretch.

“Thank you, Low-Low. This was so sweet.” I beamed, admiring the flowers.

“I ain’t even know if you liked flowers or what kind you like, but if this ain’t it, I will make sure it’s right next time.”

I regarded him, passingly, staring up into his handsome face that held a little bit of shyness behind the ruggedness as he waited for my reply.

“No, I love roses, especially red ones.” I smiled, leaning up for him to brush his mouth against mine.

“I got this too.” He dug into his pocket to pull out an oblong box.

Handing it over to me, he took the flowers momentarily so that I could have free hands to lift the top. Inside was a pretty gold necklace with a diamond pendant in the shape of pointe shoes.

“Low,” I spoke softly, sweeping my fingers across it before taking it out.

He helped me put it on, and as soon as I turned around, he brought me into him, holding me tightly.

“I had to drive all the way to where the white folks be at for that one,” he let me know, causing me to laugh in his arms.

“Well, I appreciate it. Thank you.” I pecked the corner of his mouth.

“Five minutes are up, ladies!” Carolyn shouted, causing moderate pandemonium as my peers hurried to stuff their snacks back into their bags, took last minute water sips, and ended their phone calls.

“I’ll call you.” He kissed my forehead and then turned to leave, making me lightly grasp his fingers so he’d look back.

“I didn’t ask, but are you on some player shit, fucking different girls?”

“At times, but I haven’t been as of late.” His eyes ping-ponged around my face as if he were trying to read me.

“Keep it that way.” I winked at him as I started back toward where everyone was.

He said nothing, just watched me with a minute smirk.