“Neither did I, but I’m here,” I uttered dryly. “Nice to meet you, too.”
I didn’t know if Tynisha was coming for me and, just in case she was, I wasn’t in the mood this night. From what I’d seen of her, she was very much a mouthy woman with lots of attitude, She played up her Jamaican roots when she wanted to expose her raffish persona. And when she wanted to present as demure and model-worthy, she’d highlight her Korean heritage. When I Googled her last summer after meeting Stenton and Alton, what confused me was that her father is Jamaican, and her mother is Korean, but she uses her mother’s surname, Lang. Pretty pretentious if you ask me.
Tynisha wore indigo blue jeans that fit her like a glove with a knitted halter-top and 5-inch thigh-high boots. Leave it to the fashion designer to wear a summer top in the middle of winter and it be appropriate material. Tynisha always dressed well from what I saw of her: it was her profession. Me, on the other hand, I wore my Chuck E. Cheese uniform top with dark khakis, looking all of twelve. Not that Tynisha was much larger than me, but at least she had style that enhanced her tiny frame. I felt like the very mascot she referred to me as. The only reason I didn’t dwell on it was because even on my best day, I couldn’t measure up to Tynisha’s style. She was a stylist to the stars, for goodness’ sake.
“Shit, Mascot. You need a sedative.” She raised the bottle, appearing extremely tipsy herself. “Want some?”
I don’t know why, but my eyes automatically went to Stenton, who was posted up on the wall with the platinum honey. His eyes were on me…and my brief conversation with Tynisha. He nodded his head firmly. That was strange. When Alton offered me a drink back in Alpine, Stenton vehemently said no. My eyes traveled back over to Tynisha who had caught his notion and grabbed a glass to pour some for me. When she handed it to me I took a huge gulp, feeling somehow it was of Stenton’s will.
She walked away and went toward the kitchen. “Everybody out! The host says it’s time to call it a night!” I heard someone yell over the crowd.
I turned in an attempt to search for the initiator of that demand, but only found Stenton, towering over me in a greater proximity than I’d seen him with the platinum chick. My breathing automatically increased at the discovery of his all-consuming presence and entrancing Bergamot scent.
“Why do you seem so uptight?” he asked directly into my neck. “You haven’t smiled once since walking through that door.”
“Neither have you,” I whispered, already taken by his company.
“Trust… I’m happy you’re here. Now I can relax.” I felt the sliver of his tongue on my neck.
“Peace, Stent.”
“Goodnight, love birds.”
“Great gathering.”
“Thanks for having me over.”
“Congrats.”
All of those messages I heard from just beyond Stenton, whose large frame hovered over mine against the wall.
“Stent,” I moaned. “Stop. We’re not alone.”
“Yes, we are. And even if we weren’t you couldn’t keep my hungry mouth from you. I’ve missed my Ni?a,” he growled then his tongue was back on my neck.
“Wait…wait!” I pushed at his hard chest.
His head pulled up and his scowl was on me when he howled, “What the fuck, Zo?”
I licked my lips as I glanced around. People were gathering their coats and heading out the door just a few feet from where we stood. I didn’t want all eyes on me while I was making out with him. So easily could I get caught up in his fragrance. Also, I didn’t want Stenton getting all worked up for nothing. I found my way back to his inquisitive glower.
“It’s just that I don’t want to get too carried away. I have to leave soon,” I whined. “It’s late.”