I had been so careful for so long that it was like second nature to me now. I could ignore temptation. But since I had been on Rhythm’s Instagram, I had not been able to stop thinking about her.
I thought about her mouth. I thought about her eyes. I thought about the way she looked soft and grown at the same time. I thought about her body in a way I had not allowed myself to think about anybody in a long time. I thought about what it would feel like to pin her down and make her speak in tongues. I thought about her saying my name like she meant it.
“So, you not getting no pussy?” Legend pressed.
I stared into my glass for a second before I answered. “Nothing consistent.”
Icon watched me. “Because you haven’t met another woman who makes you feel that kind of consistency.”
That wasn’t a question. That was him reading me.
I exhaled slowly. “No woman has given me that feeling again,” I admitted. “Not since Tempo.”
But in my head, Rhythm’s face flashed again, and it felt like my body already knew what my mouth wasn’t ready to admit.
I had not even met her yet, and I already wanted her, like it was a mistake I’d enjoy making.
RHYTHM BROOKS
Two days later, I was walking into a meeting Aria set up with someone named Sincere Bellamy, who was sponsoring Mothers of the Block. He wanted us to meet so he could explain what the sponsorship entailed.
She was treating me like this was normal for me, like I did this every day. I’d been painting for a long time. I’d sold a few pieces here and there. But I didn’t feel secure in the art world. The gallery world Aria moved in was different. They used language I didn’t speak, and price tags I couldn’t even entertain.
Outside, the wind cut across my face disrespectfully, like it had a problem with me personally. I tucked my chin and pulled the hood of my short fur coat tighter over my locs, letting the fur hide me as I hurried toward the building.
Halfway there, I heard my text message notification chiming in my purse.
Since my mom had the kids, I wanted to make sure she didn’t need anything before the meeting started.
I pulled my phone out with cold fingers and checked the screen.
It was a text message from Kodi:When can I see you?
I rolled my eyes so hard. Kodi had not gotten the picture. For days he’d been texting and calling. I’d been ignoring every attempt to communicate with me that wasn’t about the kids. I answered questions about drop-offs, school stuff, and doctor appointments. That was it.
I stared at the message a second longer, then locked my phone and slid it back into my pocket.
I stepped into the building and basked in the warmth for a few seconds.
Aria had given me instructions to go to the front desk, check in, and then follow her directions to Sincere’s office.
My boots sounded louder than I wanted them to on the polished floor as I made my way to his office door. I knocked, and a beat later, the door opened.
And I forgot what my name was.
Sincere Bellamy stood there like he’d stepped out of my fantasies and into real life. He was taller than I remembered from the town hall meeting. He was wearing his signature frames. His beard was full and neat, moisturized the way men only did when they cared about details. And he smelled expensive. He was dressed casually, but it still looked like runway fashion on him. His jeans fitted enough to show the shape of his strong, muscular legs. His gray shirt clung to his torso, and I could see the outline of his abs.
I blinked once and realized I was just standing there.
He gave me a polite smile. “Rhythm?”
My mouth opened, but nothing came out that sounded like a normal adult woman.
“Hi,” I managed, and it sounded small. Then I rushed the next part like I could outrun my embarrassment. “Yes. I’m—Aria sent me. I’m Rhythm. I mean—my name is Rhythm. I’m sorry.”
He didn’t laugh or smirk. He just stepped back and opened the door wider like he hadn’t noticed my brain short circuiting.
“It’s alright,” he said. “Come in.”
