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“What’s the problem, Bambi?” he asked.
“People are looking at me.”
“Because you’re the most beautiful woman in the room. Guys can’t take their eyes off Cleopatra and the women wish they could look half as good as you do. Don’t worry, though,” he said, leaning down to whisper in her ear. “I’ll make sure they know you’re mine.”
Cassie rolled her eyes. “Whatever.” But the nervousness left her features. “Now, are we gonna keep making the kids wait or start running after their misses like we’re supposed to be?”
Jamal laughed. “It’s called rebounding, Bambi. And yes, we shouldn’t keep them waiting. Just stand under the goal and catch the ones that go in. I’ll get the other ones. After all, I don’t want you to mess up your pretty makeup.Oramazing dress. Something tells me you couldn’t run and chase down balls in it.”
Cassie blushed. “Nope. Most definitely can’t run. Can’t really breathe either. I wish Aria had made me into a basketball player or something, I don’t know, less revealing.”
“Not me,” Jamal said. “In fact, next time I’m around your friend I’m going to have to thank her.”
“For what?”
“For putting you in that costume. I can see every curve on that gorgeous body of yours.”
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Cassie couldn’tbelievewhat Jamal had just said to her. They were at a kid’s carnival for shit’s sake. Even so, her body responded to his words in a way that she had never felt before. Her heart starting hammering in her chest and the thought of his words set her body on fire. She tingled inallthe right places, wanting nothing more than to undress him until she could see him naked, in all his amazing glory.
What is wrong with me?!She thought.I don’t ever get like this with a man.However, even as she asked herself the question, she knew what was going on. The man had started to get under her skin.
She watched him get a rebound and toss the ball to the next kid in line. “Awesome! You’re Jamal Jenkins and you play for the Thunder,” the kid said, looking awestruck. “Can I get your autograph?”
“Sure thing, kid. You just gotta make this free throw first,” he said with a ruffle to the kid’s hair. “You look like a pretty good shooter.”
“Not as good as you,” the kid, who was dressed like a pirate said. “You’re the best shooter in the whole world.”
Jamal bent down so his face was level with the child’s. “That’s only because I practiced. A whole lot. You look like you practice, too. Am I right?”
Pirate nodded his head so hard his pirate hat looked like it was about to fall off. “Yes, sir,” he said. “I have a goal in my backyard where I practice every day.”
Jamal smiled. “Then when I’m old and retired, I might be seeing you on Sports Center.”
The kid’s smile said it all. He took the ball, dribbled twice before shooting. The ball went right in the hoop.
“See there?” Jamal said, grabbing the ball and handing it to the kid, pointing him to the basket of prizes he could choose from. “Most definitely the next NBA rookie of the year.”
“Thanks, Mr. Jenkins,” the kid said, picking a Stars Wars mini-notepad of the basket. “Can you sign this?”
“Sure will. You just have to promise to give me your autograph when you make it big.”
“It’s a deal,” the kid said, reaching for Jamal’s hand and shaking it. I’ll see you on TV.” And with that, the kid walked off to another booth.
Cassie melted. She couldn’t help herself. For him to be good withhiskid was one thing, but for him to be good withallkids was – well, it touched her in a way that no other character trait in a man could. Maybe it stemmed from the fact that her father was the total opposite of that. In every way. Cassie learned early to hide the bruises so people couldn’t ask questions. Her dad also started to think of creative ways to beat her without the bruises showing.
“Why you lookin’ at me like that, Bambi?” Jamal asked.
“I’m not looking at you any way,” she said.
“Yes, you are.”
“How am I looking at you?” she asked, putting both hands on her hips and trying her best to glare, although she knew it wasn’t very convincing.
“Like I’m the tiny, adorable puppy you won at the county fair. Want to load me up and take me home, Bambi? I can promise you I won’t mind.”
Cassie rolled her eyes. “You wish,” she said, even though her heart was saying something totally different. It was saying,yes, please. Take the man home before he changes his mind.
