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“And that’s your right. It’s totally okay.” Denali pulled her hair behind her ears. “But I don’t have the bandwidth for anything that’snotgoing to be serious. I’ve wasted twelve years with a man who promised me everything and had no intentions of following through. I can’t make that mistake again.”
“I can respect that, but I’m just not sure I won’t regret letting you go so easily.” Closing the space between them, Elite placed his hands on her waist. “There’s something here. Tell me you don’t feel it.”
Denali rested her hands on his chest as she licked her lips. “I feel it. I’m just scared to. I’m still trying to completely unravel myself from my ex, so I’m not saying I’m rushing to be in a relationship.”
“Then what are you saying?”
Her mouth twisted to the side as she considered her words before releasing them. “I’m saying I want to take my time, but I want to take my time with someone who wants the same thing as me. Even if we don’t commit any time soon, I’d like to be with a man who actually wants commitment.”
“Aight, so how about we take our time and get to know each other to make sure we would even be a good fit together? If we decide that we are and I’m still not ready to take things to the next level, we can call it off. I don’t think either of us is in a position to move too fast right now, but I understand what you’re saying and I’m the exact same way. I know how it feels to be overly devoted to someone or making a relationship work and they don’t meet you halfway. You can trust that I won’t put you through that.”
“Okay. I can agree to that. But I know my worth and that you want me. If you’re still not ready in a couple of months, I’m sticking you in the friend zone.”
Elite laughed as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “You won’t be satisfied with another man as your man if you had a true friendship with me. He wouldn’t stand a fucking chance.”
“I can say the same about you with me. So this should be interesting.”
“Can I have a kiss?” he asked, resting his forehead on hers.
“Friends don’t kiss.”
“I’m not in the friend zone yet.”
Denali’s head flung back as she laughed. “If we’re not friends, what are we?”
“Something better. I just haven’t figured it out yet.”
??????
After leaving Greg and Cassie’s home, Denali joined them for karaoke. She couldn’t believe Elite could really sing and was caught by surprise when he and Supreme performed a few songs. The bar, on karaoke nights, almost turned into a club. Depending on who was singing and what, the space right in front of the stage became a dancefloor. While Supreme and Nicole danced, Elite and Denali played darts and pool.
Words couldn’t express how refreshing it was for him to not only be with a woman who enjoyed the same things as him but also connected with his family. Denali and Nicole instantly hit it off, and she was able to tease and converse with Supreme in the playful way that his brother was known for.
“Ain’t no way in hell I’m going to make that shot,” Denali said, staring at her last solid ball.
“That’s an easy ass shot, Denali.”
“Not for me! You helped me make the last three anyway.”
Elite chuckled, covering his mouth to hide it. “But you tried, and that’s all that matters.” Making his way behind her, Elite lifted her stick. “Here. I’ma just show you because telling you ain’t really working.”
Denali laughed as she nodded in agreement, unable to hold her moan in at the feel of his body pressed against hers. He always made sure he smelled good—warm, spicy, alluring. She brushed her nose against his neck before kissing it.
“Aight, na’. Keep on.”
“I will. You could bend me over this pool table, and I wouldn’t even give a fuck.”
Elite released a hearty laugh as he bent her back slightly. “I know that’s the liquor talking.”
Not denying it, Denali shrugged. So far, she’d had a few shots of tequila but that was it. He liked the fact that she didn’t drink mixed drinks. She said it was because the extra liquid would keep her from eating or drinking as much, which made sense. As much as he and his people could consume, Elite was glad she had a system that would allow her to hang with them all night.
“So your aim is good,” Elite said, covering her hands with his.
“You smell really good.”
“Denali, focus, so we can end this game.”
“Okay, okay.”
