Page 29 of Crave

“You were just using me as a diversion that night.”

“Bullshit. I went to find you at the bakery. I ran into you here tonight. I’ve done nothing but think about you since the night of the party. That’s not a diversion.” The band announces a short break. As soon as they step off the makeshift stage, Bruno Mars’24 Caratstarts to play. “Dance with me.” I get up, offer her my hand, and to my delight, she takes it.

Unlike the first time we danced, I don’t walk away and leave her standing on the dance floor. I keep her close to me and feel her body against mine.

I briefly look over, and JD is on the dance floor with Ebony and Diana, while Tash is standing over by the bar watching me and Sandy. She smiles at me again.

The song ends, and Mariah Carey’sWe Belong Togetherbegins. When she starts to walk away, I grab her wrist and pull her to me. While Mariah croons, I hold her gaze. I don’t know if it’s the alcohol, but she’s loosened up. Her hands roam across my chest, and my heart practically beats out of it. As she touches me, my dick starts to swell, and my pants tighten. I pull her closer, so she can feel what she does to me. Her eyes widen a fraction, her mouth forming a silent O, but she doesn’t try to pull away. In fact, I think she moves even closer to me, pressing her firm breasts against my chest.

I finally break our gaze and rest my chin on top of her head. I hear a small sigh of contentment. My dick gets even harder when I feel her nipples pucker against my chest.

She looks back up at me, a blush against her cheeks, and quickly looks away. I grab her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze again. I lower my head to kiss her lips, but she moves away.

“I don’t think we should,” she whispers.

“I know we should,” I say before I capture her lips with mine. Before I can deepen the kiss, some drunken idiot bumps into us. Sandy takes that moment to walk away from me, leaving me standing alone in the middle of the dance floor.

She walks towards the rest of our party, who are now standing at the bar. JD is looking at me with his eyebrows raised and a smug look on his face. Ebony waves me over, and I join the rest of the group.

“We’re going to the restroom, then we’re going to Dee’s for cake. Meet us at the door? We took an Uber here, so we’ll order one when we get back.”

“No need, ladies. My car’s big enough. I can drive you.”

As they walking off, Sandy turns to look at me, but Tash pulls her away as they all talk at once.

I pay the bill, JD and I grab our jackets, and we wait for the ladies by the door.

“Coincidence, my black ass. How’d you know she’d be here?”

“I’ve been stalking her Facebook page all week. She went live and announced she would be here,” I confess.

“Let me guess, you met her at the party and she witnessed that scene between you, Troy, and Tracy?”

“That about sums it up.”

“Now she’s reluctant to give you the time of day.”

I just shrug. “I’m persistent.”

“But why? Are you just trying to fuck her, JC? Don’t mess with that girl like that.”

“I have no problems finding a woman to fuck. I wouldn’t need to do all of this.”

“Then why? You haven’t dated in five years. You wouldn’t even entertain the idea, so why now? Why her?”

“Have you seen her?”

“Yeah, she’s beautiful, but she’s not your usual type.”

“Why? Because she’s black? Don’t start with that shit. I don’t care about that.” Still angry at Sandy’s accusations from last week, I’m ready to defend myself to JD.

“No, because she’s not one of those one night stand types you go for whenever you feel the need to fuck. So, you’re really into her?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“Wow. I guess I’m just surprised, that’s all. I’m going to be totally honest here, man. I knew you’d get back in the game eventually, but she’s not who I would have ever thought you’d be into. And no, it’s not because she’s black. It’s just that she’s the total opposite of the woman you thought you were in love with all these years.”

“Stop fucking bringing up Tracy,” I hiss as I look around to make sure Sandy’s nowhere in sight. “Look, I don’t give a shit about Tracy, so shut the fuck up about her. I don’t think I can ever forgive them, especially Troy, but I’m tired of it all. I’m tired of reacting.”

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