Chapter 17
SKYE
I couldn’t stop smiling as I sat across the table from Ocean, eating the breakfast he’d prepared.
The fact that this man knew how to fuck me until the sun came up and cook me a delicious meal to start the day had me in a trance.
“The dick was that good, huh?” Ocean smirked. “You can’t even stop grinning long enough to shove that French toast in your mouth.”
Sucking my teeth, I shrugged. “Whatever. It was cool.”
“Oh yeah? That’s what we’re doing this morning?”
I broke out in laughter. “Relax, I’m just kidding. You know the dick was good.”
“Yeah, I do. But it sounds better when you say it out loud.”
He grabbed a napkin from the table, then dabbed the corners of his mouth.
“Whatever. I’m sure you have more than enough women to stroke your ego.”
“But only one stroke matters.”
I shook my head. “Why are you so nasty?”
“Why is your pussy so good?”
I leaned forward, my elbows on the table. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you not to answer a question with a question?”
“People tell me a lot of shit. Doesn’t mean I have to listen.” He reached for my plate. “You done with that?”
“Yeah. It was really good. Where did you learn to cook like that?”
“I taught myself.”
“Really?”
“Yep. Cooking is my second love, and breakfast food is my meal of choice.”
“Oh, wow, I never would’ve guessed that. Why am I just now finding this out?”
“Because I don’t just cook for anybody.”
Smiling, I tucked my bottom lip between my teeth. “I learn something new about you every day.”
“As you should. All good things, I hope.”
“So far.”
“Damn, so you think you’re going to find out something bad?”
“Well, there is that one thing.”
“What one thing?”
“You know.”
He gave me a confused gaze. “No, I don’t.”
“Ocean, really? You’re going to make me say it out loud?”
“I mean, if you want me to know what you’re talking about, you don’t have much of a choice.”
Wow, I couldn’t believe this man was standing in front of me in all of his fine ass chocolate glory, acting like he didn’t kill somebody.
“Ocean, you killed a man.”
“Oh, that.”
“Yes, that.”
“I mean, it’s not really a bad thing if I did it for a good reason.”
I nodded slowly, somewhat agreeing with his response. “Good point.”
He smiled. “See, that’s exactly why this shit is going to work. You get me.”
“Or maybe I’m just a little crazy too.”
“Oh, shit,” he said, hurrying toward me, eyes lighting up. “Don’t tell me you’ve got blood on your hands too?”
“Nah, but I’m not afraid to get them dirty if I need to.”
“Hmm. Good to know.” He snatched the last piece of bacon from the plate in the center of the table. “But you’ll never have to. I got you.”
I stood up, closing the space between us. “Are you always going to be this good to me?”
“Always.”
He pressed his mouth to mine, letting me taste the smoky flavor that still lingered on his tongue. The moment carried me away, and I felt myself right back in his bed, caught in the rhythm of the thunder.
“Baby,” he whispered, “You’re seconds away from being spread out up on this table.”
“I wouldn’t mind that.”
He chuckled. “Normally, I wouldn’t either. But today’s Ol’ School’s birthday. I’ve still got to go pick up his cake and grab the puppy from my aunt’s house.”
“Oh, that’s right. Do you mind if I come with you? I would love to meet him.”
“Not at all. In fact, you can ride with me to handle everything else too.”
“You sure? I don’t want to be all clingy. I know how men get about that stuff.”
He slipped his arm around my waist and kissed me softly. “Go get ready. It’s me and you today.”
Fuck me for being so giddy.
This shit couldn’t last. At some point he would get sick of me. He had to.
I headed toward the staircase, then spun around. “Oh, I talked to my mother again. The dinner is set for next Friday.
“Cool.”
“You’re still coming with me, right?”
“Of course.”
I sighed in relief. “Okay. Good.”
“Now, go get ready. We need to be headed out within the next hour,” he said, looking at his ringing phone.
“Okay, I’ll be quick.”
I scurried up the stairs and grabbed something cute but comfortable to throw on.
It didn’t take me long to get myself cleaned up and ready to go.
Still on cloud nine, I returned to the living room, ready to settle into the rest of the day. Instead, I was met with silence and no sign of Ocean anywhere.
I pulled my phone from my purse to call him, but a missed text was already on my screen.
Ocean: Sorry. Something came up and I had to leave. I promise I’ll make it up to you.
My shoulders dropped, and all my excitement disappeared.
“So much for a perfect day,” I whispered as I fell back on the couch.
A knock sounded at the door.
I shot up, my eyes flying around the room.
I didn’t know what to do.
It could’ve been anybody on the other side, but if it was another bitch, I wasn’t going to be able to hold my tongue or my fist.
They knocked again.
“Shit, shit, shit.” I walked toward the door, but before I could open it, a key slid into the knob.
Annoyance washed over me.
Really? They have a fucking key?
I slammed my hand against my hip, ready to pounce on whatever bitch thought she could stroll in like she owned the place.
“Ocean, I hope you’re not here because—” Jasmine froze, eyes going wide as they landed on me. “Well…this is quite the surprise.”
“Um...hey.” Relief washed over me as I gave her a pleasant wave.
“Hey,” she whispered, looking around the room. “Is Ocean here?”
“No. He stepped out for a bit.”
She gave me a confused gaze. “And he left you here? Alone?”
“Yep.”
Her confusion turned to shock, and it quickly became clear that this wasn’t something that was done often.
“Um, sorry, I’m just not used to…well, never mind.” She waved me off. “How are you doing? I heard about what happened.”
“I’m good. Thank you for asking.”
“Was it Mecca?”
“Huh?”
“Was Mecca the one that kidnapped you?”
“Oh, no.”
“Well, who was it?”
I cleared my throat, not really wanting to go into too much detail. “Honestly, it was just a big misunderstanding. How are you doing?” I blurted, desperately wanting to change the subject.
“I’m good. I feel pretty much back to normal. I might have an ache here or there, but for the most part, I’m good.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear that.”
“So...um...what’s going on with you and my brother? Are you guys—”
“We’re just friends,” I said before I could catch myself.
Although Ocean and I were testing things out between us, I wasn’t ready to share that with anyone else. If things didn’t work out, which was highly likely, I could walk away quietly and without embarrassment.
“Hmm, okay,” Jasmine said before walking toward the living room closet. “Well, I just came by to grab my scarf. I left it here the other day.”
I didn’t respond. I was too focused on the message I was sending to Ocean.
Skye: Please don’t tell anyone about us. As far as everyone else knows, we’re still just friends.
Ocean: Why? Is this about me leaving? I told you I’ll make it up to you.
Skye: No. I’m just not ready to tell people. I want us to figure things out first.
I stared at the little bubbles, which popped up and disappeared three times before a message finally came through.
Ocean: Cool.
But I knew it wasn’t cool. Ocean was never short with his words when it came to me.
“I’m about to head out,” Jasmine said, yanking me from my thoughts. “Good seeing you. Glad you’re okay.”
“Good seeing you too, and thank you.”
She nodded and headed for the door, stopping once her hand wrapped around the knob. “You know my brother doesn’t have female friends, right?”
I cleared my throat and forced a grin. “Well, he does now.”
Her smirk said everything. “Yeah…okay.”
I kept a straight face until the door shut behind her.
She’s not convinced.