Page 10 of Perfect Rhythm

ELI

“Are you okay?” Nimah asked, handing me a glass of wine before sliding into bed beside me.

I sighed before taking a sip. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“You don’t seem fine. You were...distant.”

I turned to her, frowning. “What do you mean? Did I not satisfy you tonight?”

“What? No. That’s not what I’m saying. You were amazing. It’s just...I could tell your mind was somewhere else.” Her fingers traced lazy circles on my shoulder. “You’re usually such a talker, baby. Tonight, you didn’t have much to say.”

I shrugged, knowing she was right. I usually let my mouth do as much work as my hands. But tonight, I didn’t have the energy. The only thing I could think about was letting go of everything I’d been holding in, and thanks to Nyx, that was a lot.

My shoulders dropped.

I’d fucked up big time. I should’ve been more careful about how I moved around the city with Nimah.

But after a few months of playing house while Nyx was gone, the lines got blurred.

So much so, I didn’t even notice a blogger lurking around taking pictures of us.

But now that my girl was back, I had to get my shit together.

Seeing Nyx all over Shade like she didn’t have a man? That fucked me up.

“I’m guessing you have a few ideas on how to make it up to me,” Nimah said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

She climbed onto my lap and lowered her mouth to mine.

I pulled her deeper into the kiss, my hands tracing the smooth curve of her back. Nimah was stunning. I’d never met a woman like her. Sweet, gentle, and fiercely independent. There were so many things we connected on, and acting was one of them.

When we first started working together, we kept things chill.

Yeah, I was attracted to her, but I wasn’t trying to get at her like that.

I was focused on my career and my woman.

But after Nyx left for Shade’s tour, my ass got lonely, and we were barely talking.

Not to mention, I was seeing way too many videos online of her having a good ass time without me.

It was like she didn’t give a damn that we were spending months away from each other.

Granted, it wasn’t the first time, but this time felt different.

She seemed way too damn happy to be gone, and that shit got to me.

So, I ended up spending more time with Nimah.

One thing led to another, and an early morning session of us going over lines turned into me having her bent over in her trailer.

“I love you,” Nimah whispered.

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. Did she just say what I think she did? I eyed her for a second, waiting to see if she would say it again. But she didn’t.

Nah, I’m tripping.

I slid my hand into her hair and kissed her passionately.

At first, she accepted my kiss, then she jerked her head back. “Eli, did you hear what I said?”

Fuck.

“Yeah, babe, I heard you.” I gave her a gentle smile, then pulled her back toward me. “Now, come here.”

She pulled back again. “Well, aren’t you going to say it back?”

My eyes widened.

As much as I loved spending time with Nimah, and I enjoyed what we had, loving her wasn’t even a thought in my mind. Nyx was the only woman for me.

Nimah shoved me in the chest before hopping up. “Wow, Eli. Just, wow! I can’t believe you let me say that shit.”

“Wait a minute, how is this my fault? I didn’t make you say anything.”

“You may not have forced it out of my mouth, but you’ve definitely played into it for a long ass time.”

“Look, don’t get me wrong, I love what we have here. Being with you makes me feel amazing, but you know my situation.”

“Oh, you mean the situation that’s got you over here all fucked up?”

“What?”

“Oh, come on, Eli. I know why you’re upset.” She sucked her teeth as she snatched her silk robe from the floor. “You’re in your feelings about the video that’s going around with Nyx and Shade.”

Damn, has everybody seen that shit ?

“Okay? And?”

“ And I think you have every right to be. Any man would be upset about seeing something like that.” She shrugged. “Which is why I think you should end things with her. It’s obvious the two of you aren’t on the same page.”

“What do you mean?”

She looked at me like I was crazy. “Eli, you’ve been screwing me the entire time she’s been gone, and from the looks of things, she’s getting some action on the side too.”

I frowned. “Alright, you need to chill with that shit.”

“Chill? Eli, she was all over Shade, and it didn’t look like it was the first time. They looked comfortable as hell.”

I could feel the anger rising in my chest. I wanted Nimah to shut the hell up. Despite the hard time I’d given Nyx, I knew how loyal she was. She might do and say a lot of crazy shit, but cheating wasn’t one of them.

Irritated, I slid out of bed and grabbed my clothes. “You’re big tripping.”

“How am I tripping?”

“Because now you’re just talking out the side of your neck. You’re pissed that I didn’t say what you wanted to hear, so now you’re trying to get under my skin.”

“No, I’m trying to give you the fucking truth. Your relationship with Nyx is dead. The sooner you see that, the better.”

I frowned.

I was witnessing a side of Nimah I’d never seen before, and I didn’t like it.

The time we spent together was supposed to be drama free.

We didn’t talk about Nyx unless I initiated the conversation, and it ended when I said so.

That was what made our little situation work, and now that Nimah had decided to unleash her thoughts on the matter, it was clear that our time had come to an end.

Fully dressed, I looked at her. “I’m about to head out.”

“Seriously? You’re leaving?”

“Hell yeah, I’m leaving. I’m not about to sit here and listen to you spew some shit that you know nothing about. You can’t force me into loving you, Nimah. Your pussy is good, but it ain’t that fucking good.” I shook my head in disbelief and walked toward the door.

“You son of a bitch,” Nimah shouted.

I barely had time to register her footsteps charging across the floor before I turned and ducked. A glass vase flew past my head and exploded against the wall behind me.

“What the fuck?” I called out. But before I knew it, I was dodging another one. “Yo, you need to relax.”

“No, you need to get the fuck out my house.”

“Gladly.” I rushed out of the bedroom and down the staircase.

“I fucking hate you, Eli.”

My eyes widened at how quickly she’d changed from a sweet, innocent woman to some deranged bitch that would stab me if she was close enough to a knife.

I was too scared to turn around, but I could hear her footsteps behind me.

Once I made it to the living room, I noticed several more vases.

“Shit, I’ve got to get the fuck out of here,” I whispered.

“I swear to God, Eli,” she yelled, making it to the last step, “I’m going to?—”

I slammed the door and rushed to my car. Whatever she had to say, I wasn’t interested. I’d seen enough.