Chapter 16

Cherisse

KEIRAN’S EYES WERE on her, burning into her skin.

Calm. Cool. Collected.

Her mantra since she’d sat down across from Jerome, who had awkwardly turned out to be Keiran’s cousin. She should have aborted the whole thing then, but her masochistic streak wouldn’t let her, apparently, and she couldn’t help comparing Keiran and Jerome, even though the only thing they had in common was their smooth brown skin. Jerome was clean-shaven, and right now, Keiran had more stubble going on, which wasn’t ideal for her wayward thoughts.

Soft. It looked so soft.

Fuck.

Cherisse kept up her nods and smiles, occasionally joining in when she was asked something, but barely. Too caught up in her thoughts. This wasn’t her. She was good at this, great at making small talk, came with the job when you had to put yourself and your business out there. But she was too aware of Keiran stationed behind his laptop as he cranked out song after song. And the damn kiss that hung between them.

Then dessert.

It was her fault, really. She hadn’t even thought about the cupcakes when she’d decided to make them. Red velvet. Fucking hell.

Don’t think I’ll look at red velvet cake the same again.

Keiran’s eyes had gone wide when his mother opened the dessert box, then that smirk. God, how she hated it, and yet, it sent a flash of heat through her body, had her remembering those lips moving against hers. He sure as hell wasn’t helping by swiping his finger through the frosting, sucking said finger into his mouth, then saying, smile still firmly in place, “My fave.”

“Hey, cuz.” Jerome’s drawl ripped her away from the memory of that damn finger disappearing into that sinful mouth.

When had he left his DJ post? And did he have an endless supply of those short-sleeved t-shirts that always seemed to fit him just right? This one was blue and snug, just at the curve of his biceps. Keiran sank into the chair opposite her. Cherisse could feel her mother’s displeasure from here. Everyone had so obviously been told to leave them alone. Not a single person had come over to join them after they’d sat. It was weird, being put on display like this, but Jerome had taken it in stride, so she’d rolled with it too. Keiran clearly didn’t give a shit.

“‘Sup, J?”

“Nothing much, just enjoying the company of this lovely lady here.”

“Hmm,” Keiran hummed, leaning back in his chair, hands resting on his stomach. They exchanged a loaded look that Cherisse had no means of deciphering, then Keiran said, “Lucky man.”

“From what I hear, you’ve been lucky too.” Jerome grinned. “How’s the party planning going?”

“Great.” He fixed her with that infuriatingly amused stare. “Our mouths are getting quite the workout...”

Cherisse choked on her potato salad, face surely turning red as she coughed. She reached for her glass of lime juice and took a huge swig.