Page 53 of Perfect Rhythm

NYX

I was barely able to walk off the elevator and into Shade’s penthouse.

I was so full from the food we’d eaten on the way, and I’d already nodded off three or four times while we were in the car.

But I had to come alive and get Shade settled in.

Then, once I knew that he was comfortable enough to fall asleep, I would get myself cleaned up and relax as well.

“Come on,” I said as I pulled him off to his room and into the bathroom. “Get out of those clothes. I’ll get the water going.”

He hadn’t said much since we’d left the hospital, and rightfully so.

I knew he had a lot on his mind, and ever since Jassi’s accident, the rides back and forth from the hospital had pretty much been the same.

He would hold my hand while staring out the window, pondering his thoughts.

I didn’t dare ask what he was thinking because I already knew.

I wish I could do something more to alleviate the guilt that lingered inside of him. But I knew I couldn’t. The only thing that could chip away at that was Jassi. He needed her to wake up and tell him that everything was okay.

I prayed that moment would come soon.

After standing in front of the shower and making sure the water was warm the way he liked it, I turned around.

I gasped, surprised to see Shade standing in the middle of the bathroom with nothing on.

Granted, this wasn’t the first time I’d started the shower for him.

But he usually stayed in his boxers until I left the bathroom.

I cleared my throat. “It’s ready for you.”

He nodded in understanding, then walked past me to step inside.

I swallowed hard, my eyes unable to look away from the part of him that hung low...so low.

Stop! This isn’t the time for that.

But as if it felt me staring, it rose to attention, and again, I gasped.

Fuck, I need to go.

Before I could make a move, Shade grabbed my hand and pulled me toward him.

He didn’t speak. Instead, he just looked at me with heavy eyes. Although his dick was pointing at me, I could tell sex wasn’t quite what he was looking for.

He wanted comfort.

Giving him a gentle smile, I released my hand from his grasp and pulled my shirt over my head. Seconds later, I was free from every article of clothing that once separated us.

I slipped inside of the shower and stood behind him.

Quietly, I lathered the washcloth with soap and pressed it against his back. He dipped his head under the water and took a deep breath.

There was so much tension in his shoulders.

I pressed my fingers harder against the parts of his flesh that I felt needed it the most. He groaned with every push.

Stepping back, my eyes lingered on his lower back, mesmerized by the work of art beneath my fingertips.

Shade was beautiful in every way. So masculine. So firm. But although his outside was strong, I knew his insides were weak.

“I got you,” I whispered as I moved in closer to him and wrapped my arms around him from behind. “Let go of everything you’re carrying. Jassi’s going to be okay.”

For a moment, there was nothing…just heavy silence.

Then a sound cut through it.

A sob.

I froze, unsure if it was real.

But when I heard it again, and I saw his body shaking, the truth hit me like a punch.

Shade was crying.

I hurried around him and pulled his heavy frame closer to me.

Even his sobs sounded strong. But I needed him to let that go. Just for now, I needed him to be weak for me. I needed him to feel free enough to let go.

“Let it out. It’s just me and you. No one else is watching. No one is judging you.”

Then, as if the floodgates had opened, I watched the man that I’d seen stand tall and unshaken, break down in front of me. His arms tightened around me as a sound tore through his throat, and the weight of holding everything in finally crushed him.

This wasn’t just pain…it was guilt, rage, fear. But it was so fucking beautiful.

I didn’t believe that men had to be emotionless to be strong. Men hurt. Men loved. Men felt…just like we did.

Any man that could let go and be free with his emotions was a man that had a fucking heart, and that was exactly the kind of man I wanted.

After a long silence, Shade lifted his head from my shoulder.

When he looked at me, there wasn’t an ounce of shame in his eyes—just a quiet smile that said more than words could.

He slid his hand across my cheek, brushing my wet hair out of the way like he needed to see me clearly.

I could tell he wanted to say something, but instead he kissed me. It was long, sensual, and soft.

It felt good. It felt like love.

His hands slid through my hair, our lips falling further and further in sync with each other. I could feel him against me, and my insides started to flutter with want... need .

My mind kept thinking about what we’d agreed to.

But in this moment, none of that mattered.

If he asked me to be his right now, I would, and not just because his dick was involved.

But because he had allowed his emotions to run free in front of me.

He trusted me, and that made me feel like he wouldn’t hurt me.

I lowered my hand between us and wrapped my hand around his dick, then stroked it slowly.

His mouth broke away from mine as he let out a deep moan. I looked up at him with my bottom lip tucked between my teeth, watching as his head fell back in pleasure.

I could watch him all fucking night, stroking him until my hands went numb.

Keeping my gaze on him, I lowered into a squatting position, not stopping until my face was in front of his swollen vessel.

Still, he remained in place, enjoying my strokes.

I eased him back, so I wasn’t directly under the water.

When he felt the warmth of my mouth around him, his gaze lowered to mine. Shock traveled over him, and a grin spread across my face. Then, I closed my eyes and sucked on him like my life depended on it. The mix of water and his thickness heightened my senses.

Pure fucking bliss…that’s what he tasted like, and it was a recipe that I was desperate to try over and over again.

“Fuck!” he growled, his hand slamming against the glass to keep his balance. “Your mouth is too fucking good, baby.”

I smiled inwardly.

I knew how much Shade needed this. I’d watched him walk around on edge for days. Now, I just wanted him to relax. I wanted to suck him dry and leave him with no other choice but to fall into a deep sleep until he was fully recharged. Then, I wanted to do it all over again.

“Oh shit, I’m about to cum.”

I moved my mouth faster, desperate to have all of him release inside of me.

But he forced himself back and lifted me from the floor.

“Shade—”

“Nah,” he said as he held me against him and reached to turn off the shower. “I already know where this is going, and I’ll be damn if you get the last laugh.”

I giggled. “The last laugh? I didn’t consider this to be a joking matter.”

“Yeah, well, me being the only one to get off is definitely a joke.” As soon as we made it into the bedroom, he dropped me on the bed and hovered over me. “Turn that ass around.”

I rolled my eyes playfully, then did as I was told.

As soon as I was over and on all fours, he slapped my thick cheeks, then he yanked me towards the edge of the bed.

The rush that surged through me was almost too much to bear.

But it wasn’t his dick that claimed me first.

It was his tongue.

I almost fell to my stomach from the sensation, but Shade gripped my hips and held me in position. I could hear the smacking sounds as he slurped and sucked on my swollen lips. I was dripping wet for him, and no matter how much he took in, more continued to flow.

Again, he slapped my ass, and I let out a loud squeal from the pain that quickly melted into pleasure. “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!”

“Mmhmm, all fucking night,” he whispered.

“Yes, all fucking night,” I shouted.

I wanted to take his pain away. Even if it was only for one night. I wanted his mind off the things that would plague him in the morning.

“This can’t stop,” I heard him mumble.

“What...what can’t stop?”

“This... us .”

My eyes rolled back as he slid beneath me and lowered my pussy onto his mouth.

I didn’t know how he was managing to hold himself, especially with his lower half still hanging off the edge of the bed. But something told me this was light work for him. Effortless. Controlled. Like he was built for this.

He squeezed my hips guiding me to slide my pussy from his mouth to his nose. Each time my flesh met with his nostrils, he would sniff and hold me there for as long as I would allow.

“I swear to God, you better not allow another bitch to ride your face like this.”

“Shit, you don’t have to worry. You’re the last woman that will ever cum anywhere near this face. Trust me.”

I giggled, knowing that he meant every word.

I could feel my insides tingle as he pushed me even harder against him. My hips rotated, no longer caring if I was smothering him, and like it was nothing at all, he took me in.

“Yesssss!” I called out as I exploded on his tongue.

He dug his fingers into my flesh and held me in place, sucking on me until there was nothing left.

My body was about to go limp, but then I felt a finger slip inside of me, sparking a new wave.

I was ready to go again.