Page 45 of Perfect Rhythm

NYX

Surprisingly, I slept like a baby. Not a single worry flooded my mind, and it felt like pure bliss. Then again, three back-to-back orgasms would do that to you.

It was ridiculous how easy it was for me to use Shade as the primary source to get off. Although it felt ten times better when he was present to do it himself, I didn’t mind using the vivid memories of him to get the job done.

I almost called him several times in between though. Just to hear his voice in my ear right when I was about to cum. But I decided that torturing him like that wasn’t fair.

My phone rang on the nightstand.

It was Skye.

I wasted no time answering. “So, what’s up? Did you do it, or did you come to your senses and just thank Ocean with a hug before sending him on his way?”

“Babe, you don’t send a man like that on his way. You get naked and thank him with your pussy over and over again.”

I slammed my hand against my mouth. “You really did it?”

“You damn right I did it, and I loved every minute of it. But surprisingly, he wasn’t as rough as I expected him to be. I mean, he was rough, but there were moments where it almost felt like we were making love.”

“Oh God, you only got the dick once and you’re already catching feelings.” I shook my head. “Skye?—”

“Relax, Nyx, I’m not catching feelings. I was just saying that it was that good.

And for the record, I didn’t just get the dick once.

When I say that man dicked me down all night and several times throughout the night, I mean just that.

I’m pretty sure we fell asleep a few times in between and went at it again as soon as our eyes opened.

” She sighed. “After everything I’ve gone through, last night was exactly what I needed. ”

“So, what now? Are you two?—”

“No, we’re not. Last night happened, and that’s it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure. I was very clear about things, and so was he,” she replied.

“Look, I know you witnessed me go through all of that craziness with Mecca, but I promise you I’m not going down that road again.

I’m not allowing another man to make me feel like I’m anything less than number one in his life. ”

“Good.”

She had no idea how happy I was to hear her say that.

The idea of her getting caught up with someone like Ocean made me cringe.

I wanted her to just spend some time focusing on herself.

That was what I’d been doing since Eli and I broke up, and it was truly for the best. Despite me wanting to change my mind every day and take a chance on the possibilities of what could be with Shade, I was hanging in there.

“So, when did he leave?”

“Just a few minutes ago. He asked me if I wanted to go grab some breakfast, but I declined. I didn’t want to be tempted to find another reason to screw him again.”

I laughed. “Smart.”

“Hey, your girl’s trying.” I heard the doorbell in the background. “Hold on,” she whispered. There was a pause, then the sound of a door opening. “Mecca, what the fuck?—”

Her words cut off, and suddenly, I heard shit crashing everywhere.

“Skye! You good?”

No response.

I jumped out of bed and rushed to find some clothes, my phone still glued to my ear.

“You think you can just fuck another nigga right under my nose and get away with it?” I heard Mecca shout. “Nah, it ain’t going down like that. That’s my fucking pussy.”

“Get...get the fuck off of me, Mecca.”

Skye had barely gotten the words out, so I knew she was fighting.

“Just hang on, Skye, I’m coming.”

I had no idea if she could hear me. I wanted to call the police, but I didn’t want to risk ending the call and not being able to hear what was happening.

I texted Shade.

Nyx: Call the police now.

Shade: What’s going on?

Nyx: Mecca’s at Skye’s. He’s attacking her.

That’s all I could say. I kept my phone on speaker all the way to my car and then plugged it in when I got inside.

More glass shattered, and then...the line went dead.

Nothing could’ve prepared me for what I walked into. Shattered glass covered the living room floor. Vases were in pieces, their contents spilled and scattered.

It definitely looked like Skye had fought for her life.

“What the fuck would make Mecca do this?” I said, looking at Shade. “It’s one thing to be pissed off, but to attack someone because they don’t want to be with you...that shit is off.”

Shade slid his hand down the back of his head. “Man, I don’t know what the hell this fool got going on.”

I folded my arms over my chest, waiting for Skye to finish up with the police officer who was questioning her. I’d heard most of the story, and from the sound of things, Mecca had camped out in front of her house all night, waiting for Ocean to leave.

Fucking psychopath .

“Thank you, ma’am,” the officer said as he stood up from the couch. “Are you sure you don’t want to go to a hospital?”

She waved him off. “I’m fine.”

But she wasn’t fine. Her neck was marked with the shape of Mecca’s hand, and her cheek was swollen, the skin darkening where he’d slapped her.

“I’ll walk you out,” Shade told the officer.

Still shook by the sight of her, I walked over to the couch and sat down. “Are you okay?”

“No, I’m not okay. That motherfucker came in my home and tried to kill me. What is wrong with him?”

“I don’t know.”

“I...I don’t even know what to say. I never expected him to take things this far. Never!”

“I know.” I wrapped my arms around her shoulders. “But it’s okay. You’re filing charges, right?”

“Of course, and I’m getting a fucking restraining order.”

“Good.”

“Here,” Shade said as he handed her a glass of water. “I know you’re probably drained right now.” He looked around the room. “I hope you don’t mind, but I had Trace call up one of his guys to stay here and look after you.”

“I don’t mind.”

“Thank you,” I mumbled.

“No problem.”

“Well, I’ll let you two chat. I’m going to make a few calls so I can see about getting this shit cleaned up.”

Skye nodded.

“I’ll be right back,” I told her as I stood up. “Hey, Shade, wait up.”

“Yeah, what’s up?”

I didn’t know how to ask what I was about to ask, but the look in his eyes made me feel like I had to. Although the rumors weren’t loud, I’d heard enough to know about who Shade had connections with. The use of the word clean wasn’t always as innocent as it sounded.

“When you say that you’re going to make some calls to get things cleaned up, are you just talking about her apartment, or are you talking about?—”

He placed his finger against my lip. “I know what you’re about to ask me, and I would rather you didn’t.”

“I just want to know. Are you calling?—”

He stopped me again. “I’m calling who needs to be called.”

“And who is that?”

“Nyx, I’m not going to answer you, so you can stop asking.”

“You’re calling them , aren’t you?”

Finally, he looked at me and shoved his hands into his pockets. “What if I am? Would that be a problem for you?”

I looked away for a moment. After seeing Skye’s face and her apartment, I wanted Mecca dead.

But Skye had already done a police report, which meant his ass was going to jail.

There was no point in doing something that could land Shade in prison.

Then again, the Moving Boys weren’t the type that left a trail of breadcrumbs behind.

But still...I didn’t want to risk it.

I placed my hand against his arm. “Let the police do their job. I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

“Trust me, I won’t. They know what they’re doing.”

“Yeah, but I would feel better if you just weren’t involved.”

He blew out a heavy breath, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Fine. If that’s what you want.” He looked me over, and I nodded. “I guess I’ll just be calling a cleaning crew then.”

“Thank you.” Smiling, I kissed his cheek and hoped like hell I wasn’t making a mistake.