Risking It All by Ambrielle Kirk Page B

we went out without her,” Julissa answered, starting on her mixed vodka drink.
    “Don’t listen to the two of them. When Shanice and Julissa get together, they become two wild ass women ,” Ed t eased. “She’s a different chick all together when she’s not around that jerk , Michael.”
    “Hey!” Julissa protested. “Michael is not here to defend himself.”
    “Alright, sorry. ” Ed held up his hand, getting her drift. “I like the Liss a when she’s not with Michael. T hat’s all I’m trying to say. ”
    “You’ve made ya point, Ed, ” Julissa replied , literally throwing daggers.
    Shanice tapped her on the shoulder, asking if she wanted to join the rest of the girls in the restaurant to freshen up .
    “We’re going to the ladies room. We’ll be on the dance floor in a few if you men would like to join us,” Re nee said, as they got up .
    “I would have told Ed off for calling Michael a jerk. He doesn’t know Michael like that,” Shanice said, when they were in front of the mirrors checking their hair and makeup.
    “Ed’s always acted that way towards Michael,” Julissa said.
    “He and Quinton are too fine. You can tell they come from the same bloodlines,” Olivia exclaimed, reapplying her lip gloss.
    “I agree. Quinton is the total package. My pussy was getting wet just looking at him. And those lips looked scrumptious. He can get it anytime, girlfriend or not,” Renee said, adjusting her tube top.
    It didn’t take them long to make it out to the dance floor to mingle . The three of them were dancing tog ether, but before long they became separated in the thick crowd.
She swayed and rocked her hips from side to side, letting her mind drift off to enjoy the moment . As soon as she thought she was free to enjoy the music by herself, a man tried to dance with her. She wasn’t with all of that; she was only here to have fun.
    “You want to dance? ” The unsuspecting male whispered into her hair.
    “If you can keep your hands to yourself,” Julissa remarked.
    “What? You married or something?” The guy asked, suddenly stepping in front of her, still dancing.
    “Do you see a ring on my finger?”
    “Damn! Feisty ! I like that,” The guy continued two-stepping in front of her. “What’s your name?”
    “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
    “I would. You’re sexy as hell. You already got a man?”
    “Yeah.” Just as Julissa said that, she felt a pair of hands wrap her waist.
    “You alright?” It was Quinton.
    “Whoa, man. Sorry. Didn’t know.” The guy was gone just like that.
    “Thanks. I owe you one,” Julissa said.
    “What?”
    “You ran that guy off.”
    “Is that good or bad?” Quinton teased.
    Julissa playfully swatted his shoulder. “It’s a good thing.”
    “I was gonna ask you for a dance, but I don’t want to get turned down like that,” Quinton said.
    “Don’t worry, I won’t. I like you enough,” Julissa said.
    “Oh, yeah?”
    They danced to the beat, and Jul issa moved her body as if she and Q were the only one on the dance floor. He was actua lly a very good dancer. On beat with the music. Even d id more than the two-step.
    N ot one time did Quinton’s eyes leave her face and body. Julissa wasn’t used to so much eye contact an d intimate attention . Something about the moment was captivating and there was intimacy that she had never felt before.
    When the upbeat song went off, a slow song came on. The lyrics flowed through the speakers causing couples to pack the dance floor. Not wanting to be the only couple with such a wide gap between them, Julissa stepped in closer to Quinton and he placed his arms around her waist . She followed suit and her hands went up to his back. The tension between them became intense and the way his eyes locked on hers made her feel as if she was going to faint right there on the dance floor.
    “You alright?” he whispered.
    “Yes.”
    “You got kind of stiff all of a sudden. Loosen up, Julissa. I promise I wo