“That is so crazy that you have a tattoo in Swahili!” Star continued, ignoring the football conversation that was taking place just a couple of feet from her, seizing the opportunity to talk to him one-on-one. She lifted her shirt slightly to reveal smooth, walnut-toned skin. There was a tattoo down the side of her ribcage.
“‘Free’ in Swahili,” she told him, running her fingers down her skin as she eyed him.
Destiny turned and looked at her again, then up at Brian, before angling her back to them once more, clearly pissed. He knew she wouldn’t say anything though. It just wasn’t her style. She never vied for his attention. She didn’t have to.
“Pretty dope,” Brian told Star. She smiled and reached up, running her fingers along the bottom edge of his tattoo, her fingers gently grazing his skin.
“I really love this though,” she said, lowering her voice a little and smiling seductively.
He wasn’t surprised at her brazen flirting, even though she knew he was with Destiny. The women in Miami were bold and not easily deterred. Destiny glanced back over her shoulder again, eyeing the girl’s hand on his shoulder. She couldn’t stop a frown from covering her face. Brian met her eyes, but she quickly looked away.
He smirked, slightly shaking his head, subtly moving away from Star’s too eager touch.
“Thanks,” he finally replied.
This girl was really tripping, touching on him and shit with Destiny right there. He needed to break up the conversation, like now. He shifted away from her, turning toward Destiny who was in an overly animated conversation with Nathan and Dorian, as she did her best to ignore them. He really hoped he wouldn’t have to hear about this later.
“The Jets can win this game,” Nathan was saying. “They have a better offense.”
“But they can’t stop the pass,” Destiny countered.
She looked at Brian, her expression muted. He met her eyes, pulling at her belt loops so that she was back against his chest. She resisted for a second, but just a second. He kissed her temple.
“Or the run,” Dorian chimed in. Brian saw Star move to the opposite side of Jennifer, barely hiding a pout.
“Or special teams,” Brian laughed, inserting himself into the conversation. He wrapped one arm around Destiny’s waist as he rubbed his thumb lightly over her belly button through the material of her tank top. He took his drink back from her and held it in his other hand, quickly downing it.
“The Jets just suck,” Jennifer said definitively.
Nathan groaned dramatically, widening his eyes in exaggerated defeat.
“Come on, Jennifer, you can’t team up with them!”
She shrugged. “It’s not your fault they suck. Don’t take it so personally.”
Destiny laughed and Dorian shot Jennifer an appreciative look, which she readily returned.
“That’s why you can’t ever win in the Fantasy League,” Brian spoke up in agreement. “You’re too emotionally attached to your teams and players.”
Nathan frowned, waving him off. He glanced behind Destiny.
“I thought Lina was with you,” he said.
“She was, but she had to go pick up her boyfriend,” Destiny answered.
He seemed disappointed and Dorian shot him a look.
“And that’s why you don’t have a woman, because you’re too emotionally attached to being a punk ass,” Dorian said, smirking.
“Fuck you, Dorian,” Nathan snapped, which only caused Dorian to laugh harder.
“You ready?” Brian asked low in Destiny’s ear.
She tilted her head to look up at him, her expression still subdued.
“You sure you’re ready?” she asked, keeping her voice low. “You seemed a little occupied, looking at tattoos.”
She glanced at Star, who was now talking to Nathan.
He shook his head. “Nope.”
“Yep,” she countered, meeting his eyes again. Her expression was vulnerable and he didn’t like it.
“You occupy me,” he told her truthfully, staring down at her.
“Like Wall Street?” she asked after a minute.
He pulled her back tighter against his chest and chuckled, nuzzling her temple with his nose.
“You’re so corny.”
She grinned slightly. “That’s why you like me though.”
“I think I might more than like you,” he admitted, causing her to smile. “Let’s go,” he said in her ear, deliberately making his voice low. “I need you to show me how much you missed me today.”
She smiled and turned in his arms, staring up at him. “I think I can do that.”
She reached for his hand and intertwined her fingers with his. The hungry look she gave him made his blood quicken.
“We’re out ya’ll,” Brian said immediately, ignoring Star’s disappointed gaze. “See you at the house, D.”
“Alright,” Dorian answered, not looking away from Jennifer.
He almost told Jennifer he’d see her there too, since she was clearly going home with Dorian tonight. Destiny bit her lip, smiling up at him and his stomach tightened in immediate arousal. He sped all the way home.
2