Ocean barked out a laugh and then slapped my ass so hard it stung. “No, smart ass.”
“My second theory was that you all sacrificed some poor virgin and drunk their blood.” I paused, my gaze narrowing as I eyed him. “I’m not a virgin, by the way. I got rid of that when I was sixteen, so…”
Ocean just stared at me.
“Sorry,” I mumbled nervously, resting my hands on his shoulders. “You were saying?”
He brushed my lips with his before continuing, “In keeping with the tradition that started with the original crew, to lead the family, the chosen heir had to marry and bear children. Blood in. My family’s grown from a lone immigrant to a small gang to a powerful syndicate, but not much else has changed in the last ninety-six years.”
“But with you, it will be different?” I ask, feeling a spark of hope bloom in my chest. I was also reeling a little with the knowledge that the Fola was almost a century old.
“I hope so.”
“That’s where I come in?”
He nodded and nuzzled my shoulder. “That’s where you come in. My father is getting old, and I’ve already taken over most of his responsibilities, but he’s still the Boss. His word supersedes all. Including mine. I have to be careful. If my father catches wind of what I plan, he could still choose someone else, and then none of us will be safe.”
I was quiet for a while as I pondered everything he told me before nodding. “My brother stealing from you… is that the only reason you chose me?”
“You are the reason I chose you.”
“Because you want to fuck me.”
“Hell yeah.”
I wasn’t adept enough at masking my feelings to keep my disappointment from showing on my face.
Ocean suddenly dipped the sponge between my legs, and my sorrow was quickly muddled with desire as he gripped my chin with his other hand. “But I have a feeling that if I took you against the wall right now, I still wouldn’t be free of you.”
The sheer agony and want pouring from his gravelly tone made me shudder.
“I can get sex anywhere, sweetheart.” He squeezed my chin harder when I stubbornly tried to look away. “But I could search this entire universe and never find another you. My world is…cold and lonely, Coby. Every conversation is a game. Every encounter is a power play. And I’m no better. It was all I knew, but then I met you.” He gave me an adorably crooked smile. “Sort of.”
For years, all Ocean and I had were prolonged looks and secret longing, and the knowledge that we could never have more because he was in business with my brother, and Iwould cut off my own arm before I did anything to jeopardize Roshaun’s dream.
“I saw how warm you were, and how much you cared for your brother more than yourself. I saw how you gave without expecting anything in return. The world should be bowing at your feet, Coby Perry, but instead, you’re constantly overlooked and shoved aside. I promised myself I’d change that if I ever had the chance. If you ever let me in, I wouldn’t be the center of your world. You’d be the center of mine. I would worship you.”
“You want to…worship me?”
“More than anything. Give me five years to prove it. If I fail to measure up, you can leave my ass and walk away a wealthy woman.”
“Will I be safe?”
“No, Coby.” My previous dread swiftly returned in the wake of his brutal honesty. “I won’t lie to you. You will never be safe from the moment you are mine.” He took my chin in his hand when my nervous gaze shifted to the side. “Look at me.” My eyes flew back to his. “I will die before I let anyone harm you.”
I…believed him.
I didn’t tell him, though, and Ocean didn’t press the issue. He finished cleaning me, and then we left the shower. I wandered out of the bathroom after brushing my teeth while Ocean pulled out his electric shaver. Against my will, I found myself eyeing the closed bedroom door. The battle with my curiosity was short-lived, ending the moment I heard the quiet buzz of the shaver.
As I wandered over to the door, I kept sneaking glances over my shoulder like Ocean might materialize and drag me back by my hair. My hand was trembling by the time I reached the door and curled my fingers around the sleek handle.
A surprised puff of breath escaped me when I pushed down on the lever, and the handle actually turned.
Now that freedom was staring me in the face, my heart began to race, and I was once again reminded of how insane it would be for me to marry Ocean.
I barely knew him.
He was dangerous.
