Page 68 of Perfect Rhythm

“A day or two? I’m going to need more than a day or two.”

He shook his head and stood. “Nah, I don’t think so.”

“Shade, I was with Eli for a long time. That means I have baggage. Not only that, I need to process everything that happened. That’s going to take more than a few days.”

He let out a breath. “Okay, fine. A week then.”

I laughed, but he didn’t return the sentiment.

“You’re serious?”

“Of course I am.”

“Shade, I can’t just jump into one relationship and go into another. I don’t operate like that. Besides, I don’t even know if I’m ready to be with a man like you.”

“A man like me? What kind of man am I?”

“You’re an artist, and I’ve worked with plenty. Y’all can’t be trusted. Why would I put myself in the same position that I’m currently walking away from?”

“Because I’m not them, and I damn sure ain’thim,” he said referring to Eli. “I don’t sell dreams and then go fuck around. If I say I want you, it’s because I mean that shit.”

“Or it could just be because you want to fuck me, and if that’s the case...” I took another step forward, “let’s just get that part out the way.”

He lowered his gaze to mine, his expression unreadable.

“No doubt, I definitely want to fuck you, but I want to do that shit when you’re my woman.”

“Well, I hate to break it to you, that’s never going to happen.”

Shaking his head, he slid his finger under my chin and lifted my head slightly. “But it is, and when it does, I’m going to wait until you’re riding my dick to say I told you so.”

I swallowed hard, the thought of being on top of him damn near making me cum right in front of him.

“See,” he whispered.

I forced myself away from him. “Being attracted to you doesn’t mean I want to be in a relationship with you.”

“But you do.”

“Whatever,” I shot back. “If you really want to get my attention, how about you show me that you can be a good friend?”

“Too easy.”

“That means, just being here and listening. No trying to stick your dick in me.”

“Like I said, too easy. In case you’ve forgotten, I told you that I would never do anything that you didn’t want or allow me to do.”

“Mmhmm...that means your tongue too.”

He tensed. “Nyx?—”

“You have to agree, or we end this right here.”

He dropped his shoulders, disappointment settling in his eyes. “Fine.”

“Thank you,” I replied with a content smile. “Given everything that’s going on with Skye right now, I could really use a friend. She doesn’t need to be bombarded with all of my issues.”

“What do you mean? What happened?”