Page 172 of Own It

The night had started with a private and very luxe dinner before the driver Rakim paid for drove us to the club in Hollywood where we had our own fly ass section with top-shelf liquor and juice.

“Listen, this song hits harder after tonight!” Serene shouted to me as best as she could since the music was so loud.

“Right!” I grinned.

“Tell Rakim thank you! For real! He didn’t have to do this since neither of us are broke!”

“I will tell him. But my man doesn’t like me going in my own pockets,” I spoke truthfully and not in an attempt to be braggadocios. It was just a fact.

As soon as Rakim knew I was leaving the house, whether for work or leisure, he broke me off. If I was going to the mall, he’d give me his card, but the last time, he’d given me one with my name on it, just attached to his account.

“I heard that!” Serene stated as she started to make herself a drink.

“I need some water! I’m too lit!” Kasia shouted while still shaking her ass, causing Shardaya and I to laugh.

“Same. I think I lost some of my tolerance. I haven’t drank like this since before Talid’s diagnosis. But I feel good and in a celebratory moooood,” Shardaya sang.

I studied her for a moment, simpering. She was so strong and a good person, too, I’d found out. I thought she’d dislike me once she learned that I was her husband’s trifling ass neurosurgeon’s daughter, but she was able to separate us, thankfully.

“I’m glad. I’m so happy he is doing better,” I said, and Kasia nodded to agree, while Serene danced in the distance near the balcony, holding her drink in the air.

“Thanks to your dad.” Shardaya smirked.

“I’d say thanks to Rakim, but I guess my dad did his part too.” I sighed, not wanting to think of him. Even the alcohol flowing through my bloodstream couldn’t help me escape the sour feeling in my stomach every time I thought of my father.

“I’m guessing she doesn’t get out much.” Kasia jutted her chin out toward my sister, making the three of us giggle drunkenly.

“She doesn’t. That’s literally why I wanted to come out. My sister is a pediatrician, mother of two, and a wife, so she deserves to let loose a bit. After this, we’re gonna go to Rakim’s place and have like a sleepover,” I spoke, excited about what was to come.

I felt responsible for making sure my big sister had a great night. And since I basically lived at Rakim’s big ass mansion and he’d be working on whatever tonight, I thought having a grown-up sleepover with her would be fun. I didn’t want her having to go home and face responsibility after such a free night.

“That sounds fun as hell.” Kasia poked her mouth out.

“Wanna come?” I offered. “You both can.”

“Rah won’t mind?” Shardaya queried.

“That’s my house,” I jested somewhat, and the ladies snickered, high-fiving me. Rakim called it that and told me to start acting like it, unless I wanted something else.

“Speaking of the devil.” Kasia looked toward the entrance of our section, and when she scoffed, I knew Josias was in the building.

Turning, I felt butterflies swarm my belly at the sight of Rakim. Being drunk made it even more intense.

He was so damn fine, with his arresting presence as he swaggered in, tall and built as ever. His onyx skin seemed to glimmer in the low lights of the high-end club as I rose to my feet to close the gap between us.

Before I even made it to him, he picked me up, pecking me as I locked my arms around his neck.

“Wasn’t trying to be one of them clingy niggas who infringe on girls’ night, but since I won’t see you until the morning, I wanted to come fuck with you.” He nuzzled his face into my neck as I basked in the feel of his strong arms wrapped around me, and his cologne. “Just need like ten minutes, then I’ll dip.”

“You don’t have to.” I kissed his full lips deeply, loving his fade with waves. Everything about him was just . . . damn.

He smirked sexily, and though “Me Vs Me” by Moneybagg Yo was playing, it might as well have been a love song with how I was feeling.

“Nah. I got shit to handle and wanna let you have ya time. I’ll see you around two.”

“A.M., right?” I hiked a brow. He bobbed his head, chuckling a little bit.

“Leave me the fuck alone, Josias,” I heard Kasia say, and once Rakim let me to my feet, I saw him towering over her, all in her face.