Fireworks 1 and 2

Chapter Twenty-Three

    "You're quiet," Bri observed as she changed into a two-piece turquoise and black swimsuit. She stood near the foot of the bed in the bedroom Mia had claimed for herself. Bri's face was free of makeup and her hair was pulled up into a sleek bun. She'd rubbed oil onto her body and now her medium brown skin glistened. She was a bit more slender than Mia was, but had a nice shape, with curves both on top and bottom. She rubbed her hands together and walked over to where Mia sat on the edge of the bed.

    Mia looked up at her.

    "What's wrong with you?" Bri demanded.

    Mia shook her head.

    "Please tell me you're not bothered about that thot that approached him outside."

    "I'm not," Mia muttered, adjusting the top of her pink bikini.

    Bri rolled her eyes. "Mmmhm. Lying to me won't make you feel better."

    "What will?" Mia asked, sighing and looking towards the bedroom window.

    Bri thought for a minute. "Hitting him where it hurts," she said, bending at the waist and lifting Mia's suitcase off of the floor. She set the suitcase on the bed and flipped the top open, rummaging through Mia's clothes. "I know you have better swimsuits than that. I've seen them."

    "Putting on a different swimsuit is going to make me feel better?" Mia asked, her voice filled with doubt.

    "No, but his reaction to the swimsuit will," Bri said smartly, holding an index finger up in the air. "This." She held up a white, one-piece swimsuit with strategically placed cutouts. "Put it on."

    Mia accepted the swimsuit from Bri and took it to the adjoining bathroom. She changed quickly and frowned at her reflection in the mirror. "My ass looks huge in this," she called out to Bri.

    "Good!" Bri shouted back.

    Mia laughed and adjusted the swimsuit, tilting her head as she evaluated the image in the mirror. She took a deep breath and stepped out of the bathroom.

    "Yas, bitch, yas!" Bri exclaimed with a snap of her fingers. She circled around her friend with a smile on her face, nodding in approval. "Slay, slay, slay. Are you ready?"

    No. "Yes," Mia replied, grabbing the folded blue bath towels that rested on top of the bed. She followed Bri out of the bedroom and down the hall. "You weren't kidding when you said you wanted to try out the pool."

    "I've dreamt about this pool," Bri said, laughing. She arched a glance over her shoulder. "Ay, don't judge me. I can feel you judging me."

    "I'm not judging you at all." Mia tried to calm her nerves. They were going to attend a backyard party. No big deal. She followed Bri down the stairs.

    "I can feel your nervousness from up here," Bri said. "Stop it."

    "I'm not nervous," Mia lied.

    "Just repeat the mantra in your head. I'm a bad bitch, I'm a bad bitch, I'm a bad bitch," Bri coached her.

    Once they reached the foot of the stairs, they rounded the bannister and headed down the hall leading to the living room. Bri slid open the patio door and stepped out onto the stoned patio. Mia followed suit and closed her eyes, enjoying the warm California breeze that rolled across her skin.

                                                                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Drake reclined on a patio chair, dressed in black and white swimming trunks and a black tank. Two women kneeled beside him, buzzing in his ear while he scrolled through his cell phone. He smiled and nodded at the women when appropriate.

    OB popped up behind him, catcalling. "Yo man...check out your girl," he said and let out a loud cackle. He disappeared as quickly as he appeared.

    Drake furrowed his brows and lifted his gaze from his phone. He glanced towards the patio door and sat up straighter in his chair. Bri stood with her back to him, talking to Mia. Mia stood just outside of the door with her face tilted up to the sun, bathing in its warmth. Naturally, breathtakingly beautiful. A white swimsuit clung to her every curve, setting off her rich, golden brown skin. Her straight, black hair hung over one shoulder, just below her bust line.

    The two women seated near him finally realized that he wasn't paying attention to them. They followed his gaze and exchanged annoyed glances.

    Drake watched as Bri led Mia over near the pool. Mia glanced over in his direction, but not for long. She turned her attention back to her friend as she trailed behind her, tucking long strands of dark hair behind her ear. His eyes traveled down the curve of her back and drank in the sight of her rounded rear end.

    Mia adjusted her swimsuit, moved the fabric to cover breasts that were threatening to spill out at any given moment. The sight of her, in all of her curvaceous glory, made his chest tight. A muscle in his jaw twitched as he watched her looking down at the water. She turned her head and threw a look at him over her shoulder. The wind blew her hair across her face. All he could see was her dark, soulful eyes, but from this distance he couldn't read what was in them. He returned the stare without shame, very deliberately dragging his eyes down the length of her. Lust filled his eyes and he didn't attempt to hide it.

    A corner of her mouth lifted as she lowered her eyes and stepped down into the crystal clear water.

    Thewomen at his side were talking loudly, trying to gain his attention back, butit was too late. They'd lost his attention and someone else had gained it.