Chapter 1 LUST AT FIRST SIGHT

EVE

"Eve..... Evvvvvvvve!"

Waking up from my slumber proves a bit of a feat for me, because my brain is slow on the uptake.

When I'm finally able to, I sweep my sleep - hazed gaze up and down her body and notice with horror, the apparition before me.

She's wearing a tight, short black mini dress that plunges low --- very low, in front to show a deep decolletage. My mouth hangs open as I notice the sky - high neck breaking heels she has on.

Chewing on some gum and periodically making smacking noises, she looks like a street - side hooker.

I'm still a bit disoriented as I struggle to sit up and try to form a coherent sentence in the process.

"Wh . . . " A pillow is thrown at my mouth, cutting off the words I am about to say.

"Get the fuck up, we're going out now. It's a Friday night, you're not going to meet your future husband cooped up in your parent's house."

I groan and take a second look at her. She is a sight for sore eyes... Not!!!

I honestly don't have the heart to tell her she looks like a street hooker.

Ebere has always liked the 'hooker' look anyway, claiming it makes her stand out from the rest of the crowd.

"Earth to Eve! Get your butt off, we're gonna hit the club tonight."

Is it really possible to find your future husband in a night club?

You be the judge!

She's already rifling through my closet, throwing clothes unto my bed. She holds up a pair of bum - shorts and a crop top for me to see.

"Oh, no way!" I pipe up from my perch on the edge of the bed. "I am so not wearing that."

And getting up, I pick up all the clothes that she has thrown on the bed and deposit them back in my wardrobe without folding them.

Ebere lifts one eyebrow in question at me, claps her two hands with a disdainful look on her face and sets one of them on her hips.

"Wetin dey worry this babe sef?" (What's wrong with you?)

Shine your eye na (be wise),

See as your body just dey waste." (Your body is wasting). She says this last statement, touching my hips.

I sigh in exasperation.

"Ebere, I have not said I won't go, I just don't want to look like a hooker, like y.... " I was going to say like you, but stop myself just in time.

Ebere is my best friend, my only friend as a matter of fact.

I don't want to lose her over a little issue. I am ready to concede, just a little anyway. Maybe, like, allow her do my make up, because she is great at it.

The next one hour I am subjected to torture. She peruses my clothes and tells me what to wear.

After choosing something somewhat modest, she does my make up and straightens my kinky afro hair.

It hangs shoulder length down my back. By the time she's done, I stand in front of the mirror and I'm barely able to recognise myself.

Let's just say I don't look like me.

Minutes later we are in an uber, speeding towards Victoria Island to club dizzy. The streets are free this night, thankfully!

In a matter of minutes, we arrive at the club and I stand awkwardly in front, waiting for Ebere to pay and join me. I feel some apprehension run through me as I stare at the imposing - looking building.

Am I really doing the right thing by coming here?

Making my mind up to go back home, I turn around but run smack, into Ebere.

"Oh no you don't," and with her mouth pressed into a firm line, she practically drags me into the dimly lit club.

Loud music hits my ears instantly and smoke -- so much smoke and the smell of alcohol.

It's quite a pungent mix.

Half - naked girls writhe on the dance floor, trying their best to outdo each other in who grinds better against their partners.

Every where I look, couples are glued to each other.

Ebere is already moving to the dance floor leaving me standing awkwardly alone.

- @ -

SEGUN

I bob my head to the music as I see a girl giving me the eye.

Naah shorty, not about to go down that road once again.

The VIP section is fraught with different shapes of girls trying to catch the eyes of their next customer.

I'm just here to chill with my friends. No pressure!

"Omo men Segun, see this babe." I hear Dipo exclaim.

I'm exhaling smoke from my mouth, a shishar cord extends from my hand. I'm just perfecting the drawing of a bird with the smoke when I feel a sharp tap against my lap. The smoke tendril bends out of shape and dissipates into the air.

A hiss of annoyance whistles from my lips. This is something I have been practising on for some months now and I had almost cinched it.

"Guy, what is it?" I ask, annoyance filtering into my voice.

"See that babe," Dipo says excitedly, pointing down to a lone figure standing apart from everyone on the dance floor.

"Na babe I never see before?" (Have I never seen a girl before?) I ask, turning to look at him.

Femi unplugs his lips from one of the two girls sitting on either side of him. "For where the babe dey?" (Where is the girl?) He asks, peering at Dipo.

"Shattap there Femi, see as your hands dey full, you still dey look for another babe." (Your hands are full and you're still looking for another girl). Dipo gives him a stinging look.

Turning back to me, he says: "Go check her out man, her body is banging. Thank me later."

He smiles and grabs the shishar cord from me and takes a drag of it, exhaling smoke through his nostrils.

I sigh and look at the direction he pointed. I'm not able to see well, so I get up to go lean against the railings, craning my neck forward. I honestly can't pass up the opportunity of seeing a fine piece of ass.

But just then, the long chain I'm wearing slips and falls from around my neck to the ground floor.

Without thinking, I heft myself with one hand over the railings and jump down. I land on my feet, with one leg braced to take my weight while the other is spread out for support.

I get up slowly, blinking as I encounter a pair of female legs. My eyes walk their way up them. They are slim and long, longg, so lonng. . . Geez man, get a grip!

My eyes continue to travel up those legs to the tight short candy - red skirt she is wearing. Her hips flare out wide in them.

Damn! She's got some hips and thighs on her.

My gaze slides up her body once again.

Look at the tiny waist on you, Mamacita.

I lick my lips appreciatively and continue checking out the rest of her body, stopping at her chest.

Not bad, just the way I like it.

My appraisal of her body continues up to her face.

Beautiful! Look at those full, succulent lips.

They are presently turned up at the corners. A dimple pops up at the sides of her cheeks.

What a face, what a body!

"Are you done checking me out?" One hand is on her hip, an eyebrow is lifted and her mouth is curled up in amusement.

I chuckle, extending a hand.

"Hi, my name is . . . "

"Batman?" She asks, smiling widely now. 'Impressive move - the jump from that height." She says with a tilt of her head.

"Thanks, it was no big deal.

Would you mind having a drink with me? I'm with some friends of mine up there at the V.I.P section." I finish, with a hand pointing upwards.

"Well um. . ." She looks around, as if searching for someone, and then looks back at me uncertainly. "I don't know you." She shrugs. "You're a total stranger."

I laugh out loudly above the din of the music, throwing my head back. When I'm done, I move closer to her.

"Princess, I don't bite." I smile, attempting to put a hand around her waist.

"The name's Eve," and she side - steps me and walks off.

I watch the sway of her hips with hawk eyes till she disappears in the direction of the toilet.

Lord! She's a total siren. Whew!

I pick up my chain which is still lying on the floor and walk back up to meet my friends.

There are hoots and claps of disapproval as I sit down.

"She no gree for you?" (She didn't listen to you?) Abi you don loose your touch? (Have you lost your touch?) Dipo asks. Switching to English, he continues. "You've never lost a challenge before, are you just gonna give up now?" He looks at me quizzically.

"Nope! They don't call me 'The king' for nothing, she's going home with me tonight." I reply, confident of my skills.

"That's my guy!" Dipo smiles, clapping me on the back.

"I know say you no go fall my hand, she must fall." (She won't get away from you, you will get her).

"She's proving hard to get, but that one na small thing." (That's a small thing). I reply, giving him a determined look.

"Guy, hand her over to me if you no ready, I've got skills, as you can see." Femi pipes up from his end. He indicates with his hands at the two females still fawning over him.

"Femi, those one's don't count na, you know wetin them be." (You know what they are), Dipo argues.

Taking hold of an unopened hennessy bottle, I ignore the bickering between the two of my best friends and get up to walk down the short flight of stairs.

The DJ starts playing '90's songs and Snoop dog is currently rapping his 'Nothing but a G - thing baby' song.

I see her dancing and swinging her hips and hands in tandem to the beat. She's also rapping along to it.

A girl after my own heart.

I watch her for a bit, admiring her.

I've had enough sitting and watching, so I get up and walk over to her and begin dancing at her back. She whips around so fast she almost falls. I steady her and she looks up at me, a frown on her face.

"You again?" Her eyes flash with anger. "What do you want?"

I grin and edge closer to her.

As if on cue, the song changes to R.kelly's - 'your body's calling me.'

"I believe R.kelly has answered on my behalf." I say, cupping her chin.

I'm much taller than her, even in her heels, so she tilts her face up to meet mine. Her eyes widen in shock and her lids lower to my lips. She's staring at them as if she wants me to kiss her. I wouldn't want to disappoint her, plus those pink lips are begging for my mouth on them. Needing no further invitation, I close the little gap that is left between us.

"Wha.. what are you doing?" She asks, sounding breathless, her lips parting.

She watches as my head bends down slowly towards her. I'm giving her time to move away, to stop me, but all she does is close her mouth. That doesn't deter me though, as my mouth closes over her's hesitantly, checking for some form of resistance.

Seeing none, I deepen the kiss, tilting her head backwards.

Her eyes close of their own volition and I gently coax her lips open with my tongue and she allows it, opening it up tentatively. This is enough for me, as my tongue slides in, sweeping away all her defences.

It seems like candy has suddenly exploded in my mouth - I have honestly never experienced such sweetness from a kiss before.

Her hands snake round my neck, and she moans as I deepen the kiss. Hearing herself, she freezes and drops her hands from around my neck.

My eyes are are still closed, but I pry them open to see her looking flustered.

Her eyes look a bit glazed over and I'm sure mine look the same, if not worse. I still have my hand round the back of her neck, so I gently remove them and move back.

She seems to suddenly come alive, because she blinks once, twice and then pushes me away.

I put up my hands in the air as a form of surrender. "I'm not going to apologise for that. I've wanted to do it since I first set eyes on you."

She raises her hand to slap me, but I hold it. "Tsk tsk, such fiery temper. What am I going to do with you now, hmm." I move close to her again and nuzzle her ears with my mouth. This sends spiky thrills down my spine and I feel her shudder.

"If you're quite finished assaulting me, kindly let go of my hand," she says through gritted teeth.

"On one condition," I reply, moving back.

"What?" She asks, a frown marring her beautiful feautures.

"That you have a drink with me.

You might as well know I'm very persuasive when I want to be, and I won't take no for an answer." I reply with a smirk.

She sighs. She seems to be lost in thought for some seconds, probably waging an inner battle in her mind.

"Okay fine! Now please let go of my hand." She struggles for her hand to be released and I do so with a smile.

Picking up the hennessy bottle from the ground, I say to her with a wave of my hand."This way."

With her in front of me, I bend my head to look at her butt.

Damn! That ass is banging!

We get to the bar and I put the hennessy bottle on the table. I ask for some glasses and pour a generous helping for both of us. Gulping down mine in one fell swoop, I watch as she sips daintily at her's.

I pour myself another glass and raise it to my lips, but then I catch her looking at me through lowered lids. I pretend like I'm immersed in my drink while I watch her looking at me.

I see how she takes in the features of my face and I wonder how she see's me.

I'm dark skinned with low cut wavy hair and sporting a teddy. I hear chicks love guys with a full - on beard.

Well then, feast your eyes on mine, princess.

I see her taking in my silk Italian vintage shirt and the long gold chain round my neck. When she catches a peek of my tattoo, her eyes widen.

What's up princess, you don't like tats?

She continues her appraisal of me as her eyes graze my black distressed jeans. Her eyes are so sensual, they make me feel suddenly hot.

I move a bit on the stool, trying to cover up the sudden bulge in my jeans. Luckily, the section of the bar we're sitting in is quite dim.

She continues looking at me - down to my black wet look shoes and she smiles appreciatingly.

Now she's got me all hot and bothered so I lean forward and my gold stud earrings catch the light and flashes across her face, confusing her for a bit. I smile at her, showing white teeth.

"Are you done checking me out, princess? I could remove my shirt for you to see more."

I grin widely.

"Do you always call every girl you meet, princess?" She asks, suddenly annoyed that I caught her checking me out.

I shrug. "Only the beautiful one's."

She gulps down the remaining of her drink and winces. I know for a fact that the harsh liquid must have burned a fiery path down her throat. She suddenly stands up. "Okay, I've had a drink, now I'm off." One hand is on her waist and I can't help but caress her hips with my eyes.

"Stay with me!" I say suddenly, holding unto her wrist.

As if on cue, the song changes to Black street boy's - Can I get you home with me tonight.

I lean close to her, so close I'm able to smell her. She smells of hennessy and some heady perfume.

My beard grazes her cheeks as I whisper into her ears. "Come home with me tonight, I promise to make you feel good."

She shivers involuntarily, and I

notice this as I move back a little to look at her. Our eyes clash and mine darkens with lust - they hold promises of a night filled with raw passion.

I can't stop myself, I'm drawn to her as my fingers begin to trace a path across her cheek and down her neck. It begins to make its descent lower until it gets to the swell of her breast. She holds my hand from any further descent and throws it forcefully away from me.

Rearing back, she puts all the force of her body into it and gives me a stinging slap across my face.

"Save those lines for some prostitute, because this princess right here, is not up for grabs."

And she walks off for the second time, leaving me astounded and wanting to know more about her.