Chapter 7
A small (okay, not so small) twist.
After a late-night marathon of bingeing on recordings of Breaking Bad, I’d crashed into my bed.
A deep sleep that, even if Carter had brought someone home, I wouldn’t have heard it.
A soft knock on my wall woke me up. I groggily opened my eyes.
It wasn’t the knock of morning sex, more like someone trying to get in.
Was Carter trying to communicate with me?
I picked up my cell.
Then I realized the knocking was rocks against my window, and I quickly replied.
Give me a sec. 10:45 am
No. Come out as you are. 10:45 am
I just woke up. 10:46 am
Exactly. Want to see how you look when you first wake up. Don’t even look in the mirror. 10:47 am
I read his last text as I looked in the mirror attached to my bedroom door and frowned at my appearance.
I wore an oversized Minnie Mouse t-shirt that barely covered my ass.
Thankfully, I’d braided my hair into two neat French braids last night.
At least I didn’t have white marks around my mouth or eyes.
I’m going inside if you're not out here in three seconds. 10:47 am
Shit, boy. I'm coming. 10:48 am
On my way to the balcony, I noticed that Grey’s door was open, and his bed was empty.
Good. I didn't want to explain going outside dressed like this because Carter asked me to.
The hot air cooled by the water greeted me as I stepped through the sliding door and leaned over the railing to see a shirtless Carter lounging, wearing only his boxer briefs.
His hair was still in a fro and not braided up.
Carter complimented, “Mm... Good morning.”
I resisted crossing my arms across my braless breasts that peaked from the beach air. “Are you trying to get me in trouble or break my window?”
“The windows are strong, and I saw him getting into his car. I know you’re alone.”
“How did you know I was asleep?”
“Because you didn’t respond when I first texted you.” He smiled without showing his teeth.
I retorted, “Maybe I didn’t see my phone.”
“Now that I have your number, I bet that phone is glued to your side. In fact, I suggest you keep it next to you. Wouldn’t want your man to see my texts.” Carter looked at me, gauging my reaction.
“You like that I have a man, don’t you?” How easily that lie slipped through my lips.
“Come ride me,” he said as if I hadn’t spoken, as his eyes leisurely swept my body. “It would be so simple in that t-shirt and panties. We can fuck right here, and the people on the beach won’t have a clue what we’re doing.”
“No,” I immediately answered, more from fear of losing my senses than the true longing I had to do as he suggested. “If I give you what you want, I don’t get what I want.”
Carter rose from the chair and faced me from his balcony.
His well-defined pecs and abs captured my attention, and I had to drag my eyes back to his face.
“Why do you want more from me? I saw you with him last night. Hugged up and shit. He has star potential like me. You not trying to leave him for a nigga you don’t really know.
So why not kick it with me and have the best of both worlds? ”
Now would be a good time to confess. We could laugh about it, and Carter would be with me. And the three of us could be friends. I bit my lip, debating whether to tell him the truth.
“Shit,” he softly groaned and covered himself. “Got me hard again.”
I frowned before I realized that I’d been biting my lip.
Carter thought I was teasing him instead of thinking about being truthful.
I really did have power over him. Well, at least his body.
I slowly raised my shirt to reveal my pink boy shorts that hugged my ass and the top of my thighs—stopping right below my breasts.
Carter’s jaw tightened, and he removed his hand so I could see the tentpole in his shorts.
His stiff erection emboldened me, and I tilted my head. “You’re right. Not leaving him for a nigga I don’t know.”
He nodded slowly. “Maybe we can rectify that.”
The front door beeped. I smiled at Carter. “I got to go. He’s home.”
“Wait,” he protested.
I stepped back. “I can’t. Text me later.”
Gleefully, I hurried back into the apartment as Grey walked through the door, holding four plastic bags of groceries.
“Morning. Need help?” I asked.
“Um...not with you dressed like that.” His eyes glanced up and down my body, and he quickly looked away.
“Oops, forgot what I was wearing. Stepped outside to get some air.” I tried to grab one of the bags from him, and he held firm. “Let me help.”
“Can you just go put some clothes on?” He snapped and wouldn’t look at me. Then I noticed how the bags were now protectively in front of his shorts.
Pulling my shirt lower over my legs, I rushed to my bedroom.
I stopped in front of my floor-length mirror and checked myself out again.
Exercise and confidence made my body and skin glow.
The humid air curled my baby hairs around the edges of my French braids.
I looked even different to myself. I’d just made two men hard in a matter of minutes by just being me.
Grey knocked, and I peeked my head around the door. I focused on his still reddened face as he apologized, “Hey, sorry about that. Didn’t expect to see you like that. Used to you being fully dressed. Even wearing a bathing suit, you have a long cover-up.”
We’d never been uncomfortable around each other, and I didn’t like seeing Grey embarrassed. “Sorry, too. I’ll make sure I’m dressed before leaving my room.”
“Dress how you want. This is your home. Don’t want you to feel like you have to hide yourself because of me. I can control myself. It won’t happen again,” he promised.
I teased, “So I can walk around butt ass naked?”
“Do whatever you did before. And I know you and Chelsea weren’t walking around naked.” He raised a brow.
“You don’t know that. Have you ever lived with us?” I replied.
“Word?” His eyes piqued with interest.
I laughed. “Glad to know you’re still a pervert.”
He shrugged with a sheepish grin. “Hey, if seeing two naked women every day is the trade-off for living with two hormonal women, it’s the sacrifice I’m willing to make.”
I opened the door wide enough to shove him for his hormonal comment and fell into Grey.
My breasts were pressed against his muscular, broad chest as he caught me, and his hazel eyes appeared green in this light.
I don’t think I ever noticed the gold flecks that made them sparkle.
We stared at each other for a moment too long.
I looked away first and used his toned arms to right myself.
His heated gaze remained on me as I backed up in my room.
And I became fully aware that the man I’d known as a boy had just noticed me as a woman.
I said quietly, “Chelsea and I’ll make sure we’re dressed before we leave our room.”
“I will, too. We can discuss house rules once Chelsea gets here.” He suddenly grinned and rubbed his hands together. “By the way, I bought your favorite lime sherbet, so we can make Sprite floaties later.”
“Yeah.” I clapped my approval. “I’ve been craving your famous Sprite Floaties.”
“I know.” Grey winked and walked back to the kitchen.
I closed the door to my bedroom, and Carter’s words came back in a rush.
You're not trying to leave him for a nigga you don’t really know.
“But Grey’s just my friend, right?” I whispered to the air, waiting for a response that never came.