“Alright, alright. Get a room,” I teased.
Nyx giggled before handing Ocean a small bag of ice and looking at me. “Speaking of rooms...there’s fresh sheets on the bed?—”
“No need,” Ocean stepped in. “She’s staying with me.”
Nyx’s brows lifted. “Oh, really?”
“Yes,” I replied. “But only until the security system that Ocean insists on me having, gets installed. So don’t get the wrong idea.”
“And what idea is that?” She smirked.
“Don’t even try it. I know how you think.”
Ocean shrugged. “Shit, let her think whatever she wants.”
“No. It needs to be clear that you and I aren’t messing around like that. We’re just friends.”
“Oh, right,” he groaned. “You can relax, Nyx. Your girl and I aren’t fucking anymore.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, then grabbed Ocean’s unbruised hand. “Let’s go.”
I didn’t need him to say another word.
“Call me when you get there, Skye. And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“Damn, Nyx, why you blocking?” Ocean said with an amused grin.
I rolled my eyes. “Trust me, she’s not blocking anything. It’s not happening.”
“But I just beat a nigga’s ass for you. I know how much you like that type of shit.”
“We all do.” Nyx frowned.
“Yeah, well, I’m not letting that cloud my judgment tonight. I’m going to the condo, taking a shower and going to bed. I’m exhausted.”
“Yeah, okay,” Nyx said.
“Whatever.” I tightened my grip around Ocean’s hand and pulled him toward the door.
I don’t give a damn what his charming ass does. I’m not fucking him.
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.
