Page 125 of Deeper

Zander heaved a sigh as he ran his knuckles up and down my arm. He searched the party, tension lifting from his shoulders. We would be okay. “Let’s take some pictures and make some memories.”

There were photographers set up to take guests’ pictures against a vivid green artificial hedge, as well as a photobooth station nearby.

We waited our turn before taking our place in front of the hedge. Zander stood behind me, going and placing his arms around my waist and angling his head to where he was staring at me. The heaviness in his eyes had me blushing.

“Beautiful!” The photographer had already taken our photo.

Zander wasn’t paying this any mind. He leaned closed and kissed my neck, holding me tight. I smiled for the camera, trying to keep it together. He posed with me for a few more photos before letting the next group take their place in front of the lens.

The party was still going on, but neither of us cared. I stood and snuck Zander a kiss and melted when he brought his arms around me.

“Zander, my man.” Remy Dymond materialized next to us, going and greeting Zander with a pat on the shoulder. “We’re about to go smoke out, you tryna come?”

Zander released me. “Uh, yeah, you’re okay on your own, Bi?”

I was nervous, and alone at a party where I knew no one, but I didn’t want to spoil this big connection for him. “Of course, I’ll be fine.”

“I got this record I’m tryna put you on, 6LACK on it too, it’s easily gon’ be a smash if you touch it,” Remy said.

Zander bobbed his head. “Send it over with the open verse and I’ll see what I can do. If not, I’m sure you and I could get in the stu’ and cook something up.”

“Ah man, heard you. Say less.” Remy held his hand out and I watched as he slapped palms with Zander before pulling him in for a quick pat on the back. And then Remy noted me, smiling all friendly.

Zander’s arm came around my waist naturally and Remy noticed.

“Damn, I can’t even just look?” Remy joked.

Zander wagged his finger. “No. Did you not drop that song with Galen about stealing girls, mate?”

Remy’s grin was all telling. He coolly licked his lips, eyeing me with a sheepish shrug. “You know what they say.”

“What?” I wondered.

“Dymonds are a girl’s best friend.”

His cute little joke made me laugh. “Oh my God, stop!”

Remy was handsome, yet pretty, too, with his dark facial hair against his brown complexion. He was smooth, a lady’s man according to hip-hop blogs, but respectful to say the least. It wouldn’t be hard to imagine him stealing girls with his wealth, looks, and rapping skills.

Remy laughed and started backing away. “A’ight, man, let’s go.”

He took off and met up with a group of men, going and waiting on Zander to leave me.

Zander came and stood in front of me, a gleam in his eye. “You look so fucking good, Bi.”

Remy was waiting, but Zander was only interested in me. “Thank you.”

He was in my ear. “Say the word and we can go find a room.”

My knees went weak and I leaned away. “Zander!”

“I’m ten seconds away from taking you off somewhere and pushing that skirt up.”

I moved some of my skirt out of the way, giving Zander a nice peek at my naked thigh. Taunting him. “Oh yeah?”

Zander’s amusement was deadly. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I chanced a look around us. No one was paying us any attention. Remy included as he was lost in conversation with his friends.

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