fame there were posters of R&B stars Usher, Monica, Xscape, and other various popular music artists. The 19 inch television and stereo both sat atop a black work desk next to a five tier black bookcase. It was filled with romance novels, fashion and hair magazines, school books, and a few childhood dolls that she had yet to part with.
The dresser, chest of drawers and night table were all adorned with small trinkets, nick-nacks, framed photos of those closest to her. There was a picture of her grandmother on the nightstand next her bed. He knew she kissed the photo every night.
R& B singer Monica’s song “ Don’t take it personal ” played through her radio speakers.
Casey stared blankly at him waiting for him to state why he was in her room. “What?” she asked with a smirk.
Frowning, he eyed the clothing that covered the top of her bed. The purple comforter almost lost beneath the mountain of clothing, stuffed animals and massive pillows she had on top of it. “My mom wanted to know if you wanted her to heat you up something to eat.”
Casey shook her head. “Naw, I’ma get something while I’m out,” she answered.
“Out? Where you think you going at this time of night?” he questioned angrily as his eye made contact with the digital radio reading of the time. He couldn’t shake the notion of her having a boyfriend, or what he thought she was doing with this boyfriend.
Casey laughed and while secretly hoping to make him jealous she said, “Curtis is taking me to the movies.”
Daemon sucked air through his teeth. “Do you know what time it is?” It was already after nine pm. “What movie you think you going to this late?”
Casey sighed and shook her head. “D, you are so funny. It’s Friday night. Date night. I’m sure you remember what that is, right?”
Was it Friday already? He’d been so busy organizing and planning that the entire week had flown by without him even noticing it. Ever since he’d broken up with Tamika, his girlfriend of two years he’d been focusing all of his attention on his studies in Business Management, working in his uncle’s mechanic shop and selling drugs.
“I guess it is,” he murmured more to himself than her. When he looked over at Casey again, he was shocked to see her pulling her jeans over her hips. Daemon swallowed the lump that had begun to rest in his throat. Casey was going on as if he wasn’t even in the room. Her friends were definitely having too much influence on her, Daemon decided. He made a note that he would have to speak to his mother about that.
It was easier for him to contemplate talking to his mother than thinking about how hard he’d gotten watching her little show. She didn’t understand how much he fought with the inner male who just wanted to be let loose on the new prey. Daemon didn’t know how much longer he’d be able to fight against it. If she slanted those seductive dark brown eyes his way like she was pleading with him to be taken, she probably would be. Daemon shook his head to clear it.
Casey was down on her hands and knees, searching beneath her bed for her boots when she finally looked up at him and said, “If you don’t have anything else to say, you can leave.”
Daemon felt the muscles in his stomach beginning to clench as he watched her tight behind strain against the denim.
“Well?” she inquired, standing up.
“I don’t like what’s going on with you, Casey,” he began.
It’s working , she thought and made a mental note that he used her whole name. “And what would that be?”
How could he explain it without giving up that he was attracted to her? “This new attitude you have. And a boyfriend? When you get a boyfriend?”
Casey threw her head back and laughed hard. “Are you serious? I’m not supposed to have a boyfriend?”
Either way he answered, Daemon knew they’d end up arguing. So he chose his words wisely and truthfully. “It’s not that,” he admitted. “I just realized that