Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 124836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
“Yes, but don’t tell Chen. Anyway. . .I was hoping you could keep an eye on him, maybe take care of him if he needs it.”
Fen’s eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly composed herself. “Of course. I’d be happy to help.”
Then I leaned forward as Chen watched us.
Fen turned his way.
Chen gave her that goofy grin and then screamed, “Fen!”
Oh God.
Fen laughed. “Hey, Chen.”
Just then, DJ Hendrix lowered the music. "Ladies and Gentlemen!"
The crowd quieted down.
"It's the moment that we have all been waiting for!” DJ Hendrix shifted to Nelly’s “Hot in Here.”
A cheer erupted from the crowd.
"Get ready for Chef Foo versus Banks, the sizzle of the century!" DJ Hendrix blared some sort of horn. “Who will win?! Stay tuned and get seated, baby. Because it is on!”
Chapter thirty-three
The Grill Off
Lei
As the Grill Off started, the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange. The moment the last sliver of sunlight disappeared, the blue lanterns and fairy lights strung in the trees flickered to life.
Anytime a gentle breeze went by, the glowing lanterns swayed and sprinkled light across the guests who mingled around the cookout.
Starving, I sat at the judge’s table, feeling the light buzz from the gummy Moni had slipped me earlier.
“How are you feeling, baby?” She leaned against me.
“Good.” I looked at her and licked my lips. “Really good.”
She chuckled. “Why are you licking your lips like that?”
I got closer and whispered in her ear, “Because I want to fuck you right now.”
“I would take you up to my room and give it to you, but we have a serious duty—”
“We don’t.”
“We’re judges.”
DJ Hendrix’s voice boomed into the microphone. “Hey there, party people! Everyone grooving on the dance floor, go on back to your seats so we can get this Grill Off started. Chefs, get ready to get on the stage, please.”
I glanced back at Moni and slipped my gaze down to her breasts. “Let’s just get someone to substitute for us—”
“Absolutely not. This is a respectable judging position. Be patient, baby.” Chuckling again, she gave me a soft kiss on the cheek.
It was sweet, but it wasn’t enough.
I didn’t even check to see what was going on around us. The warmth of her lips still lingered on my mouth.
Without thinking, I gently reached for her wrist.
She widened her eyes. “What?”
“Alright, everyone,” DJ Hendrix lowered the music. “Now let’s get to know our judges!”
I pulled her closer, let go of that wrist, cupped her face with my hand and kissed her deeply.
She moaned against my mouth.
DJ Hendrix cleared his throat on the microphone. “Excuse me, judges! We hate to interrupt any passionate moments but. . .”
Moni leaned away from my mouth.
I sneered. “Get back over here.”
“No.” Moni scooted her chair away. “Lei, everyone is watching us.”
Some of the audience hooted at us.
Others whistled.
DJ Hendrix started saying something, but I ignored it all and kept my voice low. “After this Grill Off, I’m taking you away and fucking you.”
“You better calm down.” She hit my arm. “I see gummies make you horny.”
“I was horny before the gummies.”
She hit my arm again. “Would you pay attention? He’s been introducing us.”
I turned my attention to everyone who was clearly watching us.
DJ Hendrix laughed into the microphone. “Alrighty then. That’s the judges and as you can see, they are hot and ready to get this Grill Off going!”
Jo shook her head at us. “Moni, I thought you didn’t like public displays of affection and all that jazz?”
“I didn’t like you tonguing down your girl at the dinner table while we were all trying to enjoy Thanksgiving.”
“So, you were fronting then?”
Moni waved her away. “I’m ignoring you.”
The staff emerged from Lotus Blossom and gracefully weaved through the crowd, expertly balancing trays of silverware and neatly folded cloth napkins in their arms.
Soon, they were at our table, giving us our items.
I checked on Chen who was in deep conversation with Fen. I had no idea what he was saying to her, but she kept chuckling so it must have been decently humorous.
Granted, I was too high to truly assess anything.
Everything around me felt surreal, as if I were floating above my own body, watching myself move through space. My senses were overwhelmed, but not in a way that felt chaotic—more like a rush of vibrant colors and sounds, all blending together in a perfect harmony.
The world pulsed with energy.
The music felt like it was vibrating through my veins, syncing up with my heartbeat.
My skin tingled with warmth, as if the very air were embracing me.
Plus, I couldn’t stop smiling.
Every breath I took filled my lungs with an intoxicating sense of joy.
Fuck. I’m glad Jo told us only to do half a gummy. I can’t imagine more than this.
I made a mental note to ask Duck how much he gave Chen.