Cocking my head, I grin. “Hmm, I’d say you’re doing both fine.”
Looking between us, she smiles and shakes her head. “You make me calm and I forget that I’m talking to a man.”
“Should I be offended?” Laughing, I hold her a little tighter.
Flustered, she tries to move from me. “ Umm, arrr, snap. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.”
“Baby. There’s nothing better sounding to my ears than you being comfortable around me.” Drinking my beer, I relax. “Although maybe I’m doing something wrong if I’m not coming across manly enough for you.”
Beer spurts out of her mouth and we both laugh.
“Oh no, I know you’re a man. A very large man.” A hand covers her mouth and her eyes are wide in shock at her own words.
Squinting my eyes together in curiosity, I smirk. “Hmm, how would you know?”
Her cheeks redden and she tries to get up. “I mean, thick. Arghhh…” Her body shakes. “Damn, no, I mean big and long.” Slapping her hand over her face, I can’t stop laughing. “I’m not talking about down there.”
“You’re doing so well with your description, can you tell me more?” Her body’s shaking ‘cause she’s laughing with me now.
“Heck. You know you’re God’s gift to women. No woman would pass looking at you, staring at how dangerously handsome you are.”
Raising my eyebrows, I grin. “Maybe?”
Phoebe shoulder punches me and she scoffs. “Stop looking for compliments.”
“Coming from you, baby, I’ll take all I can get.” I knew she noticed me and her body reacted to my touch. I only have to put a finger on her and her body responds with the tightening of her legs, her breathing increasing and pinkness to her cheeks but it’s good to hear her say it for us both to hear. Small steps but ones that are necessary for her to trust me.
“Come on. Let’s get to bed. It’s been a huge day and tomorrow I’m going to find where your brother is.”
Holding her hand, she walks with me. “You can sleep in my room and I’ll take the guest bedroom.”
“Your apartment is stunning, Ocean. Did you decorate it?” Entering my room, her hand grips me tighter with nerves.
“If you mean by choosing the black and orange decor, then yes, but there’s not much here. I like minimalism.”
“Me too.”
“There’s a bathroom there. I’ll be down the hall if you need me.”
Scanning the room, she walks to the window. “We’re so high up, all of the lights below are beautiful.”
“Beautiful isn’t the word I’d use. I’d say mesmerizing, magnetizing, and enthralling.” Looking at Phoebe, my breath hitches. Innocent, damaged, and enchanting. Standing behind her, I then study the lights with her.
“Will you stay with me in here?”
I don’t have to be asked twice. “Anything you want.”
What am I doing?
I’d invited Ocean to sleep in the same bed as me.
I haven’t slept in the same bed as anyone.
Never.
Even when I was young, Dad wouldn’t let me sleep next to Mama. If I was sick, having a bad dream or needed comfort, the most I got was a gentle stroke to the head for about five minutes.
What am I supposed to do? Lie on my side? Face away from him? Would I dare get close to him? Will he expect anything from me? Do I want him to try anything?
My bravery from the other night wasn’t with me tonight. I felt raw and emotional listening to the ladies.
I want what they have.
But how?
“I’ll let you get comfortable and I’ll be back in a minute. Okay?”
Nodding my head, he must be able to feel my uncertainty. But I’m positive his words were aimed at me moments ago.
He thinks I’m enthralling.
My pussy squeezes thinking about his voice and his words, a small tinge of sweat lines my forehead. Damn, I could be in trouble.
Ocean’s bedroom is huge. I’m ninety-nine percent sure my entire apartment could fit in this room alone. Black and small orange splashes adorn the furnishings, and the empty walls are a stark white. The enormous bed I’d so brazenly invited him to stay in with me is sleek and modern.
“Snap. What was I thinking?”
After a very quick shower, brushing my teeth, and surveying how immaculate his black and orange bathroom, with silver fittings and bedroom are for a single man, I hop into bed covered in a T-shirt of his. His delicious and unmistakable smell lingers on it.
Running through my head is the conversation of today with my new friends, not the fact that my brother nearly killed me again or that Ocean would be lying next to me in a few minutes. Sitting listening to Lace, Emerald, and Crystal, so much love flowed between them and their men. Each going through their stories about rescuing and assisting one another at times, taking deadly matters into their own hands at the risk of losing everything. I sat on the couch with my mouth wide and open for the majority of the afternoon. It was like listening to CSI stories except they had lived it. And stood by their men during it.
There’s an ache deep in my chest as sadness washes over me.
They’d found their Mr. Right.
Could Ocean be mine?
Pulling up the sheet, I close my eyes. Breathing in deep to steady my wayward thinking. There’s no point going back to that part of my life now.
Startled, my lids re-open, a comment pops into my head. “Our men don’t bring friends here.”
What did Lace mean? And the way Melody explained Ocean disappearing from my life, my chest aches thinking of how many hours I spent thinking he had moved on because he was tired of my babyish behavior and disgusting family.
A smooth voice interrupts my inner monologue. “Baby, you look comfy in there.” Strolling in, self-assured, sensual, and intense, my pussy jumps to life again and the deepest part of me clenches in the most mouth-watering fashion with the rasp of his sexy voice.
“How could I not be, king-size bed, fluffy quilt, and four pillows?” A flush heats my cheeks, being under scrutiny of his heated gaze.
“What can I say, when I sleep, I want luxury.” Lifting his shirt off, his tattoos intrigue my mind and arouse my wanton body.
My mouth waters and my eyes stay on his decorated skin.
“I like having you in my bed,” Ocean whispers, his eyes stuck on me.
Pooling in my belly is an unbridled hunger and passion.
Trying to compose myself, which is absolutely futile, I splutter out a question. “Do your t-tattoos have a meaning?”
Undoing his belt, I’m treated to his tanned skin. I can’t tear my eyes away and blinking is definitely out of the question.
How have I gone from not talking to men, stuttering and blubbering my way through years of lonely agony yet around Ocean, I am now able to talk and I openly gape at him?
A spark, lit by Ocean, has finally awakened me.
“Phoebe, I love you looking at my body.” Calmly, Ocean walks to the bed. A gravitational pull keeps my pupils on him. I lick my lips, looking at this pure male so close to me.
“I like how my name sounds when you say my real name.”
Ocean’s eyes switch to a lighter brown and I know he appreciates me talking honestly to him.