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I side-eye her, wondering what’s happening with her throat. Like, is she coming down with a cold, or?
Oh, shit.She has a thing for Jeremiah Taylor. She has said little thirsty remarks about him in the past, like how good he looks on the field or how she can’t believe he’s still single. But now that they stand face to face, they both look like they need a private moment.
“I didn’t know there were two of you,” Jeremiah breaks the silence. “Wayne, you’ve been holding all of the beautiful gems close to your vest. I can tell from looking at you that you’re Leslie’s sister,” he says to Jasmine.
Her eyes light up as a mischievous grin spreads across her face. “Yes, I am. And you’re the hot wide receiver that everyone is talking about tonight. You did great out there.”
“You think I’m hot? So, that means you were watching me?” Jeremiah’s cheeks rise, and he lets out a soft chuckle. He almost looks like he isn’t in control of his actions. This isn’t the self-assured, cocky Jeremiah we see in interviews. This is a man who sees something he wants and isn’t sure he can have it.
“Of course, I was watching you, silly. Everyone in the stands watched you and the rest of the team bring the Saints another win. But yeah, I’m always watching you and your….” She quirks a brow as her eyes leave his and wander down to his chest. “Your skills. You’re a hot commodity in the NFL.”
“That’s the second time you’ve described me as hot. Do you want me to show you just how hot Jay Taylor can be—”
Wayne coughs, interrupting whatever is happening between Jeremiah and Jasmine. “So, you weren’t watching my skills, baby sister?” he tries to pivot Jasmine’s attention from Jeremiah.
I cosign, “Right, we’re here to watch Wayne.”
“I told you before that you’re here for Wayne,” Jasmine snipes, then turns to Wayne. “Sorry, big brother, but you two are engaged, and I’m still looking for my person. And like I told Les, I have my eyes on someone.” Her eyes drift back to Jeremiah with interest.
Jeremiah takes her admission as permission to step into her personal space. She’s standing close to the stone wall, and he places an arm on the bricks beside her. “When you say you have your eyes on someone, do you care to elaborate on that?”
She lifts her hand and gently presses into the center of his chest. “Actually, I don’t care to elaborate. And you’re standing close enough to me to get burned. Unless you want me to show you just how hot Jasmine Banks can be….” She flips his words on him, bites down on her lip, and gives him a hooded stare, causing Jeremiah to let out a little grunt. She then turns to me and asks, “Are you ready to go?”
Wayne gives Jeremiah a ‘back off’ glare, then responds, “Yeah, you guys are doing too much, so let’s head to the Zanga bar.”
He hadn’t mentioned going out, but I’m pumped that we’re about to do “normal” couple stuff. What is developing between Jasmine and Jeremiah slips from my mind as I stare up at Wayne. I feel like a revived woman, free and loved. And I show Wayne how good I feel by reaching up to touch the sides of his face.
“Give me those lips.” I stand on my tiptoe and tug at his cheeks until his lips come down on mine. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer. I doubt he has any idea how happy I am. He may never truly understand how something as small as going to the bar together can be so big to me.
Wayne breaks the kiss long enough to say. “Mm, if you keep doing that, we won’t make it to the damn bar.”
I moan, wanting to go out but unable to stop kissing him.
Wayne breathlessly pulls back. “We gotta stop it, baby. There are still reporters lurking around here. I agreed to make our relationship public but didn’t say I would make my dick print public.” He chuckles.
Jeremiah butts into our conversation. “Dang. It’s like that? Well, shit, sign me up. I’m trying to fall in love too.”
“You guys need a room,” Jasmine says as Jeremiah takes her hand. She looks at me and announces, “I’m going to ride with Jeremiah to the bar.”
I look closely at my blushing sister. She does things on the fly, but this is Jeremiah Taylor, who doesn’t just play football well. It’s well rumored that he plays women like they’re a game too. “Are you sure?” I ask Jasmine, wondering who she is right now.
She glances at Jeremiah and replies, “I’m positive. See you there.” She will definitely have a story tomorrow. I just hope it’s one she will be happy about.
“See you there,” I say before Wayne tugs me out the door and to the car, but not before he barks, “You’d better take care of my little sister, Jeremiah.”
Chapter Sixteen
WAYNE
It’s Been a Pleasure
The bar is lively, with highlights from the game displayed on every TV and wall in the place. We’re all in the VIP section, living up the moment like football rock stars. I haven’t let Leslie out of my sight. This is our first time out around the fellas, and I feel overly protective of her. Even though some of the guys have come over and spoken to us, we have remained near the bar talking and drinking.
“Jeremiah and Jasmine are pretty cozy over there,” Leslie says, nodding toward them as they sit on a red lounger laughing and talking.
“Yeah, they are really cozy,” I agree while also silently acknowledging that J is not usually like this with women. By now, he would have a harem sitting on that same red lounger, with them all stroking his ego. I have no doubt the usual stragglers that come in looking for him are disappointed to see he’s connecting with Jasmine.
“Look at him touching her hair,” Leslie says with narrowed eyes. “Your mother and Marjorie complimented my twists today, which made me realize you haven’t mentioned them since you’ve been home. What’s up with that?” she asks before taking a sip from her margarita, then leans back, twirls one of her twists into her slender brown fingers, and asks, “Do you not like my hair, Wayne?”
