Chapter 5
SKYE
Peace. That was all I needed.
I was so exhausted I could barely think straight, yet somehow still too wired to sleep.
Leaning against the railing of Ocean’s balcony, I stared below at the water, watching as two couples danced the night away on a yacht. They looked happy, in love, and free.
I sighed, imagining what that kind of happiness felt like.
“What’s up, beautiful? How you feeling?” Ocean said, sliding his arms around my waist from behind.
He dipped his face into my neck, the smoothness of his skin against my back making me painfully aware that he didn’t have a shirt on. And to makes matters worse, he smelled amazing. His scent, clean and sharp with a richness that had no business smelling so good.
I wanted his lips to melt against my body and trick me into doing what I’d promised myself I wouldn’t. But Ocean wasn’t going to cross that line. He had a way of doing what he knew I needed without crossing the boundaries that I’d set between us.
“I’m good,” I lied.
He turned me around slowly and placed his finger beneath my chin to lift my head. “Talk to me. It’s been a crazy ass night. I know you’re not good.”
He was right, I wasn’t good.
Now that everything had calmed down, my emotions were all over the place.
“I feel...weird. I feel stupid.”
“Why?”
“Because...I let my guard down. I thought this shit with Mecca was over. I thought I could relax in my own home. But again, I was attacked and—”
“That shit wasn’t your fault. What went down had absolutely nothing to do with you, and everything to do with those bitch ass niggas.
Your crib is supposed to be your safe space.
The fact that they took that away from you is on them, and trust me, I’m going to make sure they pay for it.
” He shrugged. “Well, I already handled one. As soon as I get a chance, I’m going to handle the other. ”
I took in a deep breath, my body melting from the lingering threat behind his words. Every time I was reminded of how easily Ocean was willing to fight for me, it made my heart ache. Because why couldn’t this kind of care come from someone who could actually love me the way I deserved?
I cleared my throat. “I should go shower. I feel dirty all over again.”
Ocean dropped his hand to grip mine. “Don’t let that bullshit get to you. I don’t want you to worry about them or any other nigga walking up into your space again. In fact, I don’t think you should go back there. Too much has happened.”
I sighed. “Thanks for the suggestion, but where am I supposed to stay? The only other person I would even consider living with is in her own little love bubble, and I’m not interested in being a third wheel.”
“Shit, just stay here.”
“I’m sorry, what?” I leaned closer to make sure I heard him correctly.
“I said, stay here. There’s more than enough room, and I know you like it here. You can get comfortable in your cozy socks, drink hot chocolate, and people-watch as much as you want.”
I smiled.
People-watching was one of my favorite things to do, and from Ocean’s balcony, I could see it all.
His condo sat in the perfect spot, and he was right, I did love it.
But that was beside the point.
“Ocean, I can’t stay here.”
“Why not?”
“Because this is your place, and the last thing I want to do is intrude on your personal space.”
“You wouldn’t be intruding. I’m hardly ever here to begin with. You would literally be doing me a favor while I’m going between here and home.”
“Oh, so you want me to be your maid and keep house?”
He poked me in my hip. “Quit playing. You know damn well that’s not what I’m saying. I saw your crib. You don’t dust enough for my liking.”
“Oh, wow. Damn.”
He laughed. “Nah, I’m just fucking with you. But for real, you’ll be safe here, and that’s all I care about.”
I slid out of his grasp and walked back over to the railing. It was definitely a good suggestion, and everything about this place was amazing.
But I couldn’t. It was too much.
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m going to have to decline. I’m sure once the security system gets all set up, I’ll be fine.”
“You sure?”
“Yes, I am. But I’m glad to know you’re so concerned about my safety.”
“Of course.”
I rested one hand on my hip. “Tell me something.”
“Anything.”
“Do you get this protective over all the women you slide your dick into?”
Laughing, he stepped back, giving me a full view of the six-pack I’d been trying to avoid looking at.
Despite the cool temperature, his body seemed to be unbothered.
There wasn’t a goosebump in sight.
My eyes dipped lower, mesmerized by the way his blue pajama pants hung on his waist. I could literally see the curve leading to his dick.
“Why are you laughing? I’m just asking a question.”
“Nah, with you, it’s never a question. It’s the start of a conversation that’s going to go a lot deeper.”
“Hmm...so are you saying you’re afraid of a little deep convo?”
“With you? Not at all. I’m always down for whatever we’re about to get into.” He smirked, and I shook my head, fully aware of the not-so-hidden meaning behind his words.
“Good. So, answer the question.”
He shrugged. “There’s no simple answer to that question.”
“Seems pretty simple to me. Either you do or you don’t.”
“I protect what’s right whenever I can, and I’m never going to allow a woman to be hurt or disrespected in my presence.”
I nodded, pleased with his answer.
“But my protection comes in two forms, and you get the highest level of it. You get what’s beyond just making sure a woman isn’t being disrespected in my presence.
You get the kind of protection that only my flesh and blood get.
So, to officially answer your question, no, I don’t get this protective over every woman I slide my dick into.
There’s only space for one, and before I met you, that space didn’t exist.”
A lump formed in my throat.
Whenever Ocean spoke to me, he spoke in a way that made me feel like I was his.
But I wasn’t crazy enough to think that could ever be true.
It wasn’t a conversation that we’d had, but it went without saying.
I knew him. I knew his reputation. He was no different from any other man I’d allowed into my life.
I may have been blind to the red flags before, but I wasn’t blind to them now.
“Well, I’m glad to know I’m so high on the list of the ones you’re willing to protect. Thank you.”
“No thanks needed.”
Nibbling on my bottom lip, I held his gaze.
There was so much to be said for the way he looked at me, his eyes making me turn to mush on the inside.
Does he look at other women this way? I shook my head. It doesn’t even matter.
“Do you mind if I go in your room and grab something to sleep in?” I asked.
“Not at all. You know where to find what you’re looking for.”
Indeed I did.
I almost hated how familiar I was with his home and how he never blinked at the way I wandered through it freely.
It had been that way from the start. With his reputation, I just assumed he wouldn’t want a woman lurking around his place.
But he was always so unbothered. And somehow, the more comfortable I got, the more content he seemed.
I cleared my throat. “Well, I’m going to call it a night. Thanks again for everything.”
“You got it. Rest well. I’m here if you need anything.”
“I know.”
Smiling, I went inside.
If I could fuck that man without falling harder than I already have, I would.