Page 8 of So I Know it's Real

“Shut up before I beat yo’ ass.” Durk abandoned his group and joined me on stage.

I didn’t know a thing about this man, except for his name, but his presence guided my nerves beneath my feet.

Cool as a cucumber, Durk two-stepped around me as he recited the first verse of Dipset’s “Hey Ma.” The subtle touches he placed on my lower back and playful pinches to my chin anchored a silly grin to my face. Durk’s shaggy brows crept up his forehead when I recited the lyrics without looking at the monitor. At least a foot taller than my five-foot-five frame, Durk peered down at me when I ran my fingers down his Adam’s apple and stroked his chest.

The crowd erupted into a rowdy applause when we walked off hand-in-hand. The combination of tequila and adrenaline spawned the idea of jumping into his arms once we stepped near the bar. I didn’t know what came over me, but something about being in his arms seemed safe.

“My bad.” I hurried to pull away. “I got beside myself.”

“No apology needed, Lucky.”

“Lucky? That’s cute.” I snickered, feeling warmth flicker on my face when he added his own spin to my name. “Well, I appreciate you rescuing me. I’ll let you get back to your friends.”

“Not without you. Come chill with me.”

I surveyed the room and saw my friends were at our table staring at me and Durk.

“Tell me what’s making you overthink what you want to do, Lucky?”

“I may be tipsy, but I don’t know you. You could be a serial killer.”

“You know my name.”

My heavy head fell to the right. “I doubtDurkis your given name.”

He traced me with lustful eyes as if deciding how he wanted to answer. “I’m twenty-seven. I don’t have any kids. I have a few bitches, but none matter more than you at this moment.”

“Am I supposed to be flattered?”

“No, but you are supposed to acknowledge my honesty. I don’t think serial killers are usually transparent.”

“I don’t know too many, so I’ll take your word for it. Lead the way.”

Rude as it may have been, I waved the ladies over and had them join us. Durk seemed like he would be good company, but I would never desert my friends, especially for a man I didn’t know.

“Lucky, what are you drinking and snacking on?” Durk asked once I got comfortable on the couch beside him.

I moved to ask my group what they had a taste for, but Durk reached over and guided my attention to him.

“Nah, I didn’t ask about them. What doyouwant to sip on? Whatever you decide, they’ll have to roll with it.”

A tingle between my legs tore the breath from my lungs. An assertive man always turned me on. One who looked and smelled like Durk was a deadly combination.

“I’ve been drinking light most of the night,” I answered without elaborating.

“Bet. I can work with that.”

I waited until Durk placed the order for food and bottles before I allowed the liquor I consumed to challenge my curiosity.

“Are you here with your gang?”

He freed a one-note laugh. “Not tonight. I’m here with folks that work at my tattoo shop.”

“You’re a business owner. That’s not an easy job.”

“True, but Eshu’s Ink is worth it. All inspections are complete as of today, so we are going from a soft launch to big business. When are you going to let me lay hands on you?”

His choice of words sent a heat storm up the back of my neck.

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