Page 29 of Sun Kissed Moments

“What? Are you serious? It’s almost nine.”

I shrugged, shot a quick text to Mekhi, and climbed out of bed. “I’m leaving in thirty minutes.”

Nooki jumped up, but before she could follow me, her phone rang.

“Shit!” she snapped. “This better not be who I think it is.”

While she answered her phone, I chuckled and headed to my closet to change into something that would be comfortable but still cause my man to swallow his tongue.

Twenty minutes later, I was dressed, but Nooki lay across my bed, caking on the phone. With no time to spare, I twiddled my fingers at her and dashed out the door, wearing the chain, bracelet, earrings, and ring Dane bought me for my birthday. I looked and felt amazing. Mekhi waited for me and had the door open. I slid right into the sedan without the slightest incident.

Five minutes later, I received a text from my mother.

Mom: Where are you on your way to?

Me: Just running somewhere really quickly. I’ll be back.

I sent the message, then immediately regretted it. My mother needed to get a life and stop being so concerned about mine.

Thirty minutes later, Mekhi pulled up to the club, and almost immediately, I groaned. As suspected, the building was overflowing with patrons. Security was scattered throughout the front of the building, though, daring anyone to roll up on some bullshit.

I spotted Dane standing taller than most of the people lining the entrance. He spotted my car, too, and made his way towards me. Giddy, I waited patiently for him to open my door. Just like that, tears coated my eyes as he took my hand and helped me out of the car.

Here goes nothing, I thought. People were already shouting Dane’s name, and as soon as they recognized me, they were going to lose their minds.

Sure enough, it took one fucking person to notice my profile. She shouted my name loud as hell, alerting everyone to my presence. Undeterred, Dane and his security led me inside the club. I held on to him as if my life depended on it.

Kar Tell’s album bumped loudly through the speakers, causing the building to shake. The rumble made my heart beat faster. It didn’t slow down until we were in Dane’s VIP section, and I was in his arms.

My man wrapped me up and rocked me like we’d been away from each other for decades. He cupped my face and kissed me like there weren’t several people in his section staring at us. I draped my arms around his waist and kissed him back just as fervently as he kissed me.

“You think me being in love wit’ you is a game?” he asked between kisses. “You got me fucked up, Justina.”

I shuddered at the look in his eyes. He led me to one of the couches, where he sat down and brought me to sit in his lap. To think, I wasn’t the least bit nervous to be draped over him as people snapped pictures and recorded us. Dane seemed unfazed by the chaos we created as he motioned a bottle girl over. One minute later, I had a drink in my hands.

Suddenly, my skin crawled. Discreetly glancing around, I wondered where the strange feeling came from. Dane’s hand rested on my thigh, and he squeezed it to get my attention.

“You okay?” he asked.

Nodding, I replied, “I’m perfect.” And I was.

As my gaze slid back over the scenery, Shy T’s face appeared. Although Kar Tell was Dane’s artist, this was a listening party, so I wasn’t surprised that Shy T showed his face. Almost as quickly as I saw him, security obstructed my view of Shy T and his crew. Good, I thought, even though I knew Shy T wasn’t stupid enough to cause problems in this climate. It was fuck him anyway. I was right where I wanted to be.

My time with Dane ended all too quickly. Leaving him and heading back home was somber as hell. Recalling the way I sat on his lap, vibed to the music, and enjoyed a few drinks made me want to turn this car around and have Mehki take me to Dane. I’d fly with him to London. That was crazy as hell considering I had my own fucking album release approaching. I’d been so wrapped up in Dane that the anxiety of releasing a new album wasn’t even on my mind.

I arrived home and thanked Mekhi for coming out at this hour. As I walked through the front door, my mama waited for me in the foyer. Her unannounced pop-up irked the fuck out of me, but I knew exactly why she was here. The look on her face wasn’t pleasant, so I braced myself for the rant she was about to go on.

“Where were you?” she asked as if she didn't know. That was going to piss me off.

Just then, a message came through my phone. It was from a private number. I almost deleted it without viewing the images attached, but I opened it.

Pictures of Dane boarding his jet with Kady in tow caused my blood to instantly boil. Stalking off towards my room, I didn’t need my mama to see me explode the way I wanted to. I chuckled to myself, but it was nothing funny in the act. Heated wasn’t even the word. Here I was, believing every damn word Dane said, and he was…he was…

“Fuck!” I swore as tears dotted my eyes.

“Justina Knight. I know damn well you’re not in here crying.”

Quickly, I wiped my tears, whirled around, and partially glared at my mama. “Why are you in my room?”