“Hey, I like that jacket,” she said as Raven tossed it into the fire.
“It’s an ugly ass jacket.”
The shirt she wore was suddenly torn, showing off her arms. Out of nowhere Raven had a knife and was cutting at her jeans. It was way too warm anyway. Ugly Beast had warned her about the heat, but she hadn’t listened. Most of the women that stayed at the club were in bikinis. They had all looked so comfortable. She wished she’d listened, but right now with Raven helping her, she felt more herself.
“Ow,” she said, rubbing at her head. Raven had pulled the band out of her hair. “I could have done that.”
“Girl, you need to know how to work your body.”
Abriana glanced over at the men, but more specifically one man, Ugly Beast. He was sitting with the club, many of whom she didn’t recognize, but the women there were getting a hell of a lot of attention.
She hated the spike of jealousy at seeing him watch them. Did he want them? Running fingers through her hair, she turned to Raven. “Why?”
“You think I can’t see right through you. You’re upset, and you don’t even have a clue how to show it. It’s pitiful. These men and even the whores will walk all over you if you don’t stand up for yourself.” Raven stepped back and clapped. “Perfect.”
“Wait, this is stupid. I need to go back to his room.” She walked a few steps, thinking about the night before. Talking with her father always made her feel like shit. He had that natural ability to always make her feel like less of a person. When Ugly Beast had come to see her, she had felt … something. He came to his room to see her, to make sure she was okay. That had to mean something, right?
Ugh, she was so confused.
They didn’t have sex last night, or this morning.
She hated all of the questions and confusion. She wasn’t used to being like this, or being nervous.
Raven grabbed her arm, stopping her from escaping. “No, you don’t.”
“This isn’t me, Raven. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. If he wants to be with all those women, he can be. It’s not up to me to stop him.”
She took another step away, but Raven wouldn’t let her move.
“I get it. You’re not used to fighting for what you want. Abriana, you’re not in your old world anymore. You don’t have to ignore shit because you don’t like it. Do you trust me?” She looked at her friend and nodded her head. “Good. Follow my lead.”
“He doesn’t like me like that!” She pulled her hand away.
“No, then why are you still here, huh? He’d have packed your ass off home. He likes you, Abriana, but like all stubborn fuckers, you’re determined to do your own thing.” Raven pulled her close. “We’re just going to have some fun, do some dancing. Trust me.”
The music suddenly became louder, and Raven pulled her into her arms.
“This is wrong.”
“What? We’re having some fun.”
“Has he slept with any of those women?” Abriana asked.
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t have to lie to me. I can take it.”
Raven sighed. “Yes, he probably has fucked them all, Abriana. Don’t take it personally.”
“I’m not.” She hated to know the women were getting all the attention. With her bland looks and body, she had always been ignored. Not a moment in her life had she been special. “I want to go to my room.”
“Not happening, princess,” Raven said. “I want to dance, and you’re dancing with me.”
The only light from the night was that created by the fire. Raven pulled her across the yard to where the other women were. Several of them were already completely naked and grinding on each other.
Much to Abriana’s embarrassment, Raven pushed them out of the way. The moment the other women realized it was Raven, they backed down. Suddenly, Raven grabbed her ass, and with a little yelp, she had Raven’s leg between her thighs.
“Don’t look at them. Think about me.”
“I shouldn’t be doing this.”
“Yes, you should. Have fun. Let go, Abriana. No one here is going to punish you for having fun and loving it. Let your hair down.” Raven sank her fingers into her hair, and drew her close. They were a breath apart, and if she moved less than an inch, they could have kissed.
The song changed, and Raven, with all of her strength, pulled her back, twirling her. Letting go was not something she was used to. The last time she allowed herself to let go, sing, and dance, her father had punished her for the embarrassment she caused. She had thought she was home alone, and she’d played her music loud in her bedroom. He’d been there, and afterward she wasn’t allowed her music. He had controlled every element of her life.