“I think you will be one of us for a long time, Oni. If you prove your loyalty to the family, you will have a place here long after the summer ends. For now, we’ll take it a day at a time.”
I think about leaning in to take her lips, but remind myself not to mix business with pleasure. I need Oni. If I’m going to impress my uncle this summer, I need her to do it.
I have plans. Big plans for Oni Raven and none of them involve having her in my bed or my arms.
“Come on, I’ll take you to your room.”
CHAPTER 3
Living a Dream
Rico
“This will be your room,”I say as I open the door for Oni to walk in.
I chose one of the rooms down the hall from mine. I keep telling myself I want to be able to keep an eye on her, nothing else. She’s safer close to me.
“Thanks. I wasn’t expecting all of this,” she says, moving farther into the room.
“Why not? Did you think I was going to stick you in a broom closet or place you in front of a fireplace?”
She shrugs. “I didn’t know what to expect. Certainly wasn’t expecting a queen-size bed and all this.”
Anything for my girlalmost slips from my lips. I’m not even sure where the words come from. I’ve been enjoying my time with her, but things can never go anywhere between us.
She’s a fucking kid. In life, in my world, in age compared to me. I know I had to grow up faster than most, but I would still be three years older than her if I had been raised like a normal guy.
I lean into the doorjamb of the room with my arms crossed over my chest as I watch her. She’s spinning around as she takes it all in with her backpack held tightly to her chest. This time, I’m really getting a chance to take her in.
She has to be about five-five to my six-three. She’d probably fit right into my arms perfectly. I push off the doorjamb, wanting to find out. As I move toward her, I start to release the first four buttons on my dress shirt.
She freezes and looks up at me. Her big brown eyes are so pretty with their oval shape. She has long, natural lashes that bring your attention to the shape and reddish-brown hue of her gaze.
I drop my eyes to her lips. They are so full and plush-looking. I want to devour them right here on the spot. I wonder if she knows how pretty she is.
“I should probably get in a shower and some sleep,” she says softly.
I clear my throat. “Everything you need will be right through there. If you can’t find something, my room is the one with the double doors right at the end of the hall.”
“Okay, thanks,” she says and licks her lips.
I reach to cup her face, searching her eyes. I wonder if she’s ever been kissed. Do I have it in me to have a taste and forget her after tonight?
Fuck it.
I lean in to find out. Her lips are taunting me to take them. I’m a breath away from sealing the deal when my phone rings, halting me.
I bite out a curse as she pulls away and spins for the bathroom I pointed out. I guess that’s for the best. Bringing my phone to my ear, I snarl into it.
“What?”
“We have a problem. You’re not going to like it.”
“Go on,” I snap and turn to leave the room.
I hate when people take something that should be simple and turn it into some shit I need to clean up. Everyone knows I don’t have tolerance for bullshit. I have to be ruthless to get to where I want to go.
Especially since I’m nineteen running a crew. Most of my guys are around my age, but I have a few men my father gave me who have been with him for years. I use them to deal with the younger guys.
