Page 29 of Perfect Rhythm

NYX

“Thank you,” I said as Shade handed me a glass of wine and sat down next to me.

“I know that was a lot to hear.”

“ A lot is an understatement.” I scooted further back against the couch and tugged on the throw blanket that he’d placed around my shoulders. “I just can’t believe how stupid I was. I knew Eli had his ways, but I never thought?—”

“First off, don’t let that nigga’s fuck up make you feel stupid. That’s on him. Not you.”

“Yeah, but if I had been paying attention, I would’ve seen the signs or something. But I was in my own little world, and he was out here making a fool out of me.”

Shade shrugged. “You were doing what you were supposed to be doing. If he couldn’t stay ten toes down and be loyal while you were handling business, then he didn’t deserve you.”

I sighed. “You’re right.”

“I know I am. Now, what do we need to do so you can start getting over this nigga for real?”

I laughed. “Damn, you don’t waste any time, do you?”

“Nah, I don’t. But you don’t have to worry, I’m still sticking to the little friendship deal that you asked for. No pressure.”

A smile spread across my face, and I dropped my hand on his shoulder. “Thank you. Just spoil me for like three days and make me forget about all the bullshit.”

“Say no more.” He kissed the top of my head and rubbed my back gently.

“You know I’m joking, right? I don’t actually need anything.”

“Joking or not, you might as well make yourself comfortable. You’re not lifting a finger for the next three days.”

“Shade, I said I was just kidding.”

Shrugging, he stood up and pulled his phone from his back pocket. “Don’t say shit you don’t mean around me.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but he was out of my sight before I could form a sentence.

What the hell is he about to do ?

I looked around the room, then over at Trace as he stepped back inside with a smirk on his face.

“Ain’t shit funny,” I shot back.

“I didn’t say it was.”

“You didn’t have to. I can see the amusement in your eyes. What is he about to do?”

He shrugged, his folded hands not leaving the space in front of him. “I don’t know. But whatever it is, I’m sure you’ll like it.”

“I don’t want to like it.”

“Sure you don’t.” Again, the smirk returned. “Relax, he’s not going to cross any lines. Well, unless you ask him to.”

“I’m not going to ask him to. We’re friends, so we’re going to do friends shit.”

“Mmhmm.”

“I’m serious, Trace. Just watch.”

“I’d rather not. The last time I?—”

Closing my eyes, I shook my head. “Don’t say anything else. I already know where this is going.”

“Glad you know.”

Shade returned with a huge grin on his face. “Alright, I got you taken care of.”

“And by taken care of, what exactly are you referring to?”

“Well, it’s obvious you need to relax. All of that bullshit got to have your muscles tense as shit. So, I scheduled you a massage, a facial, a manicure, a pedicure, and?—”

“Thank you. But I really don’t feel like going anywhere.”

He jerked his head back. “Why would you think you need to go anywhere? Didn’t you hear me when I said you won’t be lifting a finger? That means you’re not grabbing any keys either. Everything’s coming to you.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yeah,” he said, a confused expression still resting on his face.

“I snap my fingers and whatever I need, comes to me.” He nodded toward a middle-aged woman holding a thick white terry cloth robe with matching slippers and a towel.

“This is Maureen. She’s going to show you to the guestroom upstairs, so you can get comfortable. ”

“Oh, wow!”

“Mmhmm. Just think of it as a mini vacation. I’m not going to hassle you. I’m just going to take care of you. Anything you see here is yours. Every person who works here is yours. There’s nothing you can’t do or ask for, understood?”

I nodded, a little uncertain of how I should take all of this or if I should take anything at all.

I’d just gotten back in town. Being away from my home for days wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.

But given how a lot of shit had gone down over the last several hours, being at home sounded like a terrible idea.

Bloggers were probably lurking around, and knowing Eli, he probably was too.

He still had a key to my place, so the chances of him using it were pretty damn high.

“Okay, I’ll stay. But, I do have to leave for my father’s birthday dinner. My mother will kill me if I miss it.”

“Of course, I’ll have Antone take you and bring you back whenever you’re ready.”

My eyes widened. “No, you don’t have to do that. I can drive myself.”

“I’m sure you can, but as I mentioned before?—”

“I know, I know. I’m not lifting a finger,” I said while playfully rolling my eyes. “Fine. But can he drive me in my car?”

“You don’t have enough tint on your windows. That’s going to change soon too.”

I laughed. “You’re going to have darker tint put on my car?”

“No, I’m going to get you a new car.” The words floated effortlessly off his tongue.

“What? No. I can’t let you do that.”

“You’re not letting me do anything. You said you want to be spoiled for three days, that’s what I plan to do.”

“But a car, Shade? That’s insane.”

“What can I say? I like doing insane shit.”

I grabbed his arm. “There’s no way I can allow this.”

“Too late. Your Mercedes will be here before you go to the dinner, and I’ll have Demi drive you.”

“Demi? Who’s Demi?”

“That’s my other driver, who is now your driver.”

“For the next three days?”

“No, for the rest of your life.”

My mouth dropped. “You’re taking this spoiling thing to a whole new level.”

“You asked for it, and I don’t half ass shit, so...”

“Yeah, I see.” I shook my head, the mention of a Mercedes just now settling into my mind. “Wait a minute, how did you know to get a Mercedes?”

“Like I told you before, I know how to get the information I need.” He planted a soft kiss on my cheek. “Now, go get comfortable. I had Ashari pick up a few things for you. They should be hanging up in the room.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. It’s not anything too crazy. Just a bunch of comfortable shit. Oversized graphic t-shirts, pajama pants, fuzzy slippers. Shit like that.”

I sighed, my eyes starting to water.

I felt like my heart was about to leap out of my chest. He had no idea how much the little things he’d just mentioned meant to me. Making sure I was comfortable never seemed like much of a concern to Eli. It was always about him.

I nibbled on my bottom lip, still staring at him.

“Don’t look at me like that?” He sighed.

“Look at you like what?”

“Like you’re about to fuck me with your eyes. We’re not on that type of shit, remember?”

I cleared my throat. “Oh, right. My bad. It’s just, I really appreciate all of this. It’s very sweet.”

“You deserve it.” He kissed my forehead and slid his hand down my arm.

I felt my pussy jump. “Um...okay. I’m going to go shower.”

“Sounds good. Everything should be set up by the time you get done.”

“Okay.” Smiling, I stared at him as I walked backward.

“Nyx, quit playing with me before I forget about all of this friendship shit and fuck you right here on my living room floor.”

Amused, I turned around and walked away.

With the way I was feeling, if I’d stayed in that living room a second longer, I might have let him.