Page 44 of Cherish

“Right. I remember you. It’s nice to see you again. I’m Vivienne, Sandy’s cousin.” She gives me a firm handshake before dropping my hand.

Jason’s friends call him back, and he kisses my lips before he tells me he’ll be right back.

We finally get champagne from the bartender, and we both stand there sipping our beverage.

“So, Vivi, you want to meet my two friends? They’re kind of crazy, but we’re looking for a fourth girl for our little girl group. One condition. You have to like women who speak their mind and hope to one day take over the world. You in?”

She turns to me, smiles just as broadly as she did before. We clink our glasses, link our arms together, and I take her to Mellie and Ananda.

“What are you looking at, angel?” Jason says about an hour later as we’re sitting down for dinner. He offers me a bite of his jumbo shrimp, but I shake my head as I continue to watch.

“Sandy and her sister. Sister goals.” Tash has been by her sister’s side all night, either getting her drinks or making sure her nose has no shine. At this very moment, Sandy is shooing Tash’s hand away as she tries to wipe her face, but Tash is undeterred in her duties.

Even this afternoon while we were out, Tash and Sandy’s mom doted on her so much, I felt this longing for my own mother.

“Do you have a sister?” Jason asks slowly. “You never mention your father.”

I drop my fork and slowly look away from the sweet scene.

“I’ve never met my father. I just wish I had someone that I shared DNA with who would love me that much. The mom and sister. They’re amazing.”

“Yeah, they are. But siblings are overrated,” he says. “Feel free to take mine. Jake’s like a brother, you can have him too. Way more trouble than they’re worth.”

I smile at him, his sweet intentions clear.

“You don’t have to say that to make me feel better. We all have our circumstances, and this is just the hand I was dealt. I’m okay, I promise.”

He smiles at me. The slow, playful, sexy smile that I love so much. He leans in, and I offer him my cheek, thinking he’s about to kiss me. Only he doesn’t. He reaches over and pierces a piece of my chicken with his fork and shoves it in his mouth. Before I can even react, he does it again, taking an even bigger piece this time.

“This is what having a sibling is like,” he says, mouth full of my food. Then he takes his hand and messes up my hair.

“Hey!” I smooth my hair back in place, but in the time it takes me to do that, he’s practically finished my meal.

“You’re supposed to be my boyfriend, not my brother, creep.” I try to take one of his shrimp, but he blocks me.

“Boyfriend? I don’t think so.”

“Excuse me?” My heart races, but I know from the look on his face, the way he’s looking at me with adoration, that there’s no reason for the pounding going on in my chest.

“I’m no boy, angel. I’m your man. You’re my woman.” He no longer has the playful smile. He’s intense now, looking deeply into my eyes. He grabs my hands and places them on his chest, right above his heart. “Got it?”

“Got it, my man.” I lean in, uncaring about our tablemates, and give him a small peck. “How about I get us some more of that chicken?”

“Good idea, m’lady.”

“But before I go, I need to know why the wedding planner keeps looking daggers at you? And don’t think I didn’t notice that Vivienne has a thing for you as well.” I smile at him to lighten the mood, but I cross my arms and wait for him to answer.

“The wedding planner hates me. I guess at one time, I went out with her friend and never called her back. She hates me on principle, I guess. And Vivi is practically a kid, and definitely not my type. You know who’s my type? You are. Come here.” He pulls me to him and kisses me gently on the lips. Satisfied with his answers, I kiss him again before leaving the table in search of more food.

The rest of the night is magical. We eat, drink, and dance. Jason introduces me to his friends as his woman. The only time he leaves my side is when Jake’s father takes a bunch of the men inside for some of his expensive brandy. While he’s gone, I dance with Mellie and Ananda. Vivienne joins, along with Sandy, Tash, and their mom. It is one of the most perfect nights of my life.

We stay until practically everyone has left. The night ends with us sharing crème brûlée while I sit on Jason’s lap. It is just us and the family since Ananda and Mellie left with another group.

I’m happy and excited by the time we leave the Clark compound. Eager to get back to the beautiful hotel room and strip my man of his clothes, I practically drag him to his car. He gives me a kiss filled with promises to come before opening the car door for me.

We practically run through the lobby to the elevator. By the time we get to the room, our lips are fused together. He unzips my dress as I unbutton his still crisp white shirt, and when my dress pools at my feet, I kick it aside. He captures my mouth again, a kiss filled with passion and want. Just as I unbuckle his pants, there’s a loud pounding on the door.

“JD, you ass, open the door!” I’m nearly blinded with lust, but I recognize Jake’s voice. More pounding, followed by laughter and loud whispering. “Open up.”

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