Page 7 of Sinful Restraint

“Nah,” Titan said.

“But, Titan, come on. Hel?—”

“Nah,” Titan repeated. “The last time I helped you out, yo’ girl had a friend who purchased a room at my resort, Primal, for one night every week for three months hoping she’d catch me on the property. All of the staff was on high alert, and I’m too big to be runnin’ through the lobby to hide at my work establishment.”

Lil Mike couldn’t even argue with him since … well, no one argued with Titan. Nor did anyone think Titan actually hid from ol’ girl. My guy ain’t hide for nobody.

“My boiiii,” Lil Mike exclaimed, dabbing my fist. “Care to help a brotha out?”

“Yeah, let’s go,” I told him, standing straighter.

“For real?” he asked, surprised I agreed.

“Nigga, nah.” I shoved him in his shoulder. “Did you forget that the last chick I met when we were at that hookah lounge robbed me, then had the nerve to show up to my bank and claim she was my wife? That bitch cost me hella money and you ain’t pay me either.”

“For what?” he asked.

“Emotional damage, muthafucka.”

“Man, quick whining,” he huffed, about to turn to Storm next.

“Yo’ Kevin Hart lookin’-ass betta not even glance my way,” Storm stated, sipping his drink. “I still have nightmares from the last time we went out together. You had that random ass woman trying to sign up for every class I teach when she wasn’t even enrolled in the university. She even snuck in a few times.”

“She wanted to fuck a professor,” Lil Mike argued. “You should be happy I threw that pussy yo’ way.”

Storm frowned. “If I ever get fired, I know you’ll be the reason.”

“A bunch of sensitive assholes out tonight I see.“ Lil Mike clasped his hands together. “Ronan. Bruh. Do you think you can go five minutes without scaring off those women in the corner?”

Ronan nodded in excitement since we never picked him to wing-man for us. “Yeah, man. I got you on that shit. Don’t worry. I’m good. I got it. Don’t sweat it. I got yo’ back. You know it.” Ronan did a little dance. The same one-two step he’d been doing since college. “I got you, Lil’ Mike. Just tell me what you need. I’m go?—”

“Damn, nigga, just shut the fuck up already,” Lil Mike bellowed. “Why the fuck do you just keep goin’ when you talk?”

Ronan played sports while we were in school and was decent at everything. The problem was he was lame as hell and evena jersey couldn’t give my homeboy game. Any time he got attention, him doin’ what he thought was cool just made it worse.

Damien pushed up from the railing, taking pity on Lil Mike. “I got you, man. Let’s go get you someone to take home tonight.”

Damien was a ladies’ man, and we all knew Lil Mike was sensitive about his height and always felt like he needed backup. I didn’t miss how pissed Ronan looked though.

“Don’t sweat it, Ronan,” I told him. “None of us get females as fast as Damien.”

Ronan tried to shrug it off, but he was butthurt. “I’m good,” he lied. “Even better than good. I’m great. I ain’t wanna talk to any women tonight anyway.”

“Me neither,” Edric said. “I got a date tomorrow, and I’ve been tryin’ to get at this Big Booty Judy for weeks.”

“I got a date, too,” Ronan chimed in. “And her ass is big as hell, too. Maybe it’s the same woman.”

“Doubt it,” Edric said. “She’s a teacher.”

Ronan’s eyes lit up. “My girl is a teacher, too.”

The other guys and I shared a look, trying not to laugh at Ronan, aka Mr. Me Too, since every time one of us said we were dating somebody, suddenly his ass was too. But even across the rooftop helping Lil Mike, Damien ain’t miss a beat. He leaned over to the DJ, and a minute later “Mr. Me Too” by Clipse started playin’ on the speakers.

I laughed, prepared to roast the hell out of him, but something made me pause. I felt her before I even turned my head, her energy electric and undeniable, cutting through the noise like a switchblade.

When a path for my vision of her finally cleared, it was like the whole damn rooftop slowed down.Fuck. Why does she always look so good?Drip unmatched. Skin as smooth assilk. Thick curves and a confidence in her walk that had me rethinking all of my priorities.

My tongue slid over my teeth as I exhaled slowly, my eyes locked on her when she spotted me. She was a goddamn problem walking to me like that in her beige bodycon dress.

---