Page 25 of Thirst

Amari shrugs. “I can just tell from how upset she looks every time I turn her down and give my attention to you. Envy has a certain look. She can't help it. You're dope, and she's aware that everyone knows it.”

After a sigh, I shake my head. “Damn.”

“What's the matter?” Amari inquires.

“How do you keep doing that?”

“Doing what?”

“Knowing exactly what to say. It's like you've been studying how to be quick-witted in flirtatious conversations with women for a hundred years or something.”

He chuckles. “Well, I'm actually a hundred-fifty-six years old. I've had plenty of time to master it.”

I laugh, still shaking my head. “See, there you go again. Quick with the comebacks. I think that’s why I like you. You're quick on your feet. Always ready to say what needs to be said. Oh, and the way you told Von that you'd do whatever it took to make him shut up. Priceless. He is not used to being talked to like that. I know he's down there in a rage and probably taking it out on somebody else.”

“He’ll get over it,” Amari says without a care.

“You gotta be careful with Von. He's a big dude, and he used to be a pimp. For real. He's about that life. If he has a problem with you, he’ll try to come check you.”

“He had his chance down there. He didn't take it.”

“I noticed he backed off instead of stepping up. That was wild.”

“I guess he’s not as about that life as he thought he was. But even if he had tried something, there's no way I was gonna lose a fight in front of you. No chance.”

“So, you were really willing to fight him over me?”

“If it came to that, but he didn't want it.”

As “Earned It” by The Weeknd comes on, it dawns on me that all I've been doing since we sat on this couch is shaking my head in awe and smiling like a kid opening her presents on Christmas. Once again, Amari hasn't missed a single step. An attractive man shouldn't be this impressive. He can't be fine, protective, funny, dominant, and rich all at the same time. He's literally the perfect example of too good to be true, yet it has all been true up to this point.

I lick my lips as the hook sings, “Girl you earned it,” and a smile forms.

“Well, Amari,” I say with a raised brow as I plant both feet on the ground. “You definitely earned your right to come up here with me. You had to fight away Shay and Von trying to tag team you, you had your lap dance cut short and almost had to square up with Von. You’ve paid seven hundred and fifty-dollars and haven't even been given a complimentary shot to show for it all. So, now that you've made it into the room, what do you really wanna do?”

Amari licks his lips. “I told you I'm down for whatever you wanna do.”

“But I wanna know what you wanna do. Maybe it'll make it easier for me to decide what I want.”

I watch him think on it for a moment, his eyes finding the floor before jumping back up to me.

“Well, they did cut off my lap dance.”

“Yes, they did. I’d say Fantasies owes you one on the house.”

“Mmm. I couldn't agree more.”

“Would you like to collect right now?”

He nods. “Absolutely.”

Smiling, I get up from my position next to Amari and return to his lap. We lock eyes as I lower myself down to him, placing a leg on both sides of his body and scooting up until we’re chest to chest. I start grinding into him, going all-out now that we’re behind a closed door.

“Wanna know the best thing about being up here?” I ask. “In the Viper Rooms, you're allowed to touch.”

“Yeah? You want me to touch you?”

I nod.