In These Streets

Chapter 21

The evening air was slightly cool but still pleasantly warm as the yacht sailed on the Pacific, along the coastline of California. Stars twinkled in the sky as dusk settled in, but the lanterns and strings of lights on the boat made us glow on the water.

Everyone was enjoying themselves. There was a table off to the side of the deck filled with shrimp, lobster, oysters and caviar on silver platters. There were wooden cheese boards with different types of cheese and bread, mounds of fruit and a chocolate fountain.

It was decadent and Darius seemed happy with the extravagance. I almost got the impression he went all out to impress me.

"Yo, Ambra, come dance," Genesis called drunkenly from the dance floor.

She had steadily been drinking champagne from the bottle, as there seemed to be enough for everyone, and was now swaying on her feet in metallic silver platforms. Even drunk, she looked breathtaking in an emerald one-piece bathing suit and her hair flowing wildly around her waist, thick and curly.

I laughed from my position on a couch by the food table next to Darius.

"I don't think I can dance like you when you're like this," I called back.

She dramatically popped her booty, jiggling and twerking it to an enthusiastic group of guys who whooped with delight.

Darius stroked up my arm with his thumb, then gestured for the chief stew to bring some champagne. He popped the cork and poured some into a crystal flute, offering it to me.

"You don't like the champagne? You've barely drank," he said.

I took a sip. It was light and delicious.

"It's really good, Darius. I just don't want to get drunk tonight. I want to remember it sober," I explained. "Besides, you've barely drank either. What's your reason?"

He grinned, dimples flashing. "Same reason."

"Whatever," I laughed.

He pulled me onto his lap and nuzzled my neck as I squealed. "It's true, baby. I don't want to forget nothin' with you tonight. But I do wanna dance with you," he declared against my throat.

He gave me a wet kiss on the side of my neck as he grabbed my sides, tickling me.

"Okay! Okay, fine! I'll dance! Stop!" I shrieked with laughter as I tried to scoot off of him, champagne sloshing onto the deck.

He chuckled, the sound smooth and deep.

I glanced around, certain we were a spectacle but everyone was too drunk to pay attention to us. I saw Cigar doing a round of shots off a girl's butt cheeks with a group of guys hyping him up, and I rolled my eyes. I also noticed Darius's younger brothers in the crowd, smoking joints and grinding on a few girls. The music was loud and the air smelled like weed but it was an atmosphere I was getting used to, even enjoying.

"I'll get you some more champagne, then I want that ass on the dance floor," Darius said, reaching for the bottle.

"You're so bossy," I complained good-naturedly.

"You like that shit." He stood, holding the full flute of champagne in one hand and held out his other for me to take. I took it and stepped towards the dance floor but he wouldn't budge. "You been wearing that thing all evening. You have to take it off if you're gonna show me some moves."

"It's a beach cover-up. And there aren't any rules that say we have to wear bathing suits to dance."

His lips twitched. "It might as well be. Everyone else is just in their suit."