Page 120 of Perfect Rhythm

We reached the door, but I stopped and turned to face him. “You know you look fine as hell tonight, right?”

He smirked, eyes sweeping over me slowly. “Had to come correct. Can’t be standing next to you looking average.” His gaze lingered. “You're lucky I respect you.”

“Oh yeah? Why is that?”

“Because the shit that’s going through my mind right now is so far from respectful. The way I want to fuck you—” he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “You know what? Let’s just go.”

“Nah, go ahead and finish that sentence.”

“Trust me, you really don’t want me to. If I do, it won’t be with words.”

I took a step closer, my voice low. “Then whatwillyou finish it with?”

“You already know the answer to that.”

“But I want you to tell me.”

His lips brushed my ear as he whispered, “My tongue.”

Goosebumps spread across my skin, and for a second, I almost saidfuck that listening party.

But that wouldn’t have been fair to Jassi.

47

SHADE

“Damn, so you and Nyx are a thing now, huh?” King said as he leaned against the railing of the VIP section.

I shrugged. “It’s complicated.”

“It didn’t look too complicated when y’all walked in here. Y’all looked happy as hell. I bet Eli’s on the other side of the club punching the air right now.”

He laughed.

“I don’t give a fuck what his bitch ass is doing. As long as he ain’t doing it over here.”

“I hear you.” King nodded. “I’m pretty sure he’ll keep his distance tonight.”

“After the lame ass shit he pulled, he better.” Waving all that off, I changed the subject. “But hey, what’s up with you? I saw something on the blogs about you and Brookia trying to work things out.”

He shook his head, then tossed back what was left of his drink. “Don’t believe everything you hear. That shit is a wrap. Not only did she get pregnant by another nigga, but she chose a crazy motherfucker at that.” King sucked his teeth. “This foolreally out here putting hands on a woman because she’s not down with his bullshit. That’s crazy as hell.”

“Yeah, I know. I still can’t believe Mecca tripped out like that.”

“Honestly, I’m not even surprised. People get psycho when they can’t get what they want. Brookia’s been calling my ass nonstop, begging me to talk things out. But we don’t have shit to talk about.” He shrugged. “Before we got engaged, I told her if I ever caught her cheating again, I would be done. She swore to me that I had nothing to worry about, and she was done with that life.” He shook his head slowly. “She was really going to let me think that baby was mine. Pumping my head up about how good of a father I was going to be. Telling me that she was so glad that we were about to have a child together. Man, she was kicking all kinds of bullshit my way.”

My head dropped.

I knew how foul some men could be, but coming from a woman? That shit hit different. I couldn’t even imagine.

“Well, at least you found out before the baby was born.”

“Hell yeah! I would’ve lost it had I found out down the line.”

“Yeah, I know.” I turned my head just in time to catch Nyx smiling, her hand lifting Jassi’s arm to get a better look at her charm bracelet. She traced one of the charms with her eyes like it was the prettiest thing she’d seen all night.

I had to admit, seeing Nyx mesh so well with my sister gave me a good feeling. I could already tell she would fit right in whenever she met my parents.