“I shouldn’t, Shade. I really shouldn’t.”
But it was too late. The door was open.
10
ELI
“Are you okay?” Nimah asked, handing me a glass of wine before sliding into bed beside me.
I sighed before taking a sip. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“You don’t seem fine. You were...distant.”
I turned to her, frowning. “What do you mean? Did I not satisfy you tonight?”
“What? No. That’s not what I’m saying. You were amazing. It’s just...I could tell your mind was somewhere else.” Her fingers traced lazy circles on my shoulder. “You’re usually such a talker, baby. Tonight, you didn’t have much to say.”
I shrugged, knowing she was right. I usually let my mouth do as much work as my hands. But tonight, I didn’t have the energy. The only thing I could think about was letting go of everything I’d been holding in, and thanks to Nyx, that was a lot.
My shoulders dropped.
I’d fucked up big time. I should’ve been more careful about how I moved around the city with Nimah. But after a few months of playing house while Nyx was gone, the lines got blurred. So much so, I didn’t even notice a blogger lurking around taking pictures of us. But now that my girl was back, I had to get my shittogether. Seeing Nyx all over Shade like she didn’t have a man? That fucked me up.
“I’m guessing you have a few ideas on how to make it up to me,” Nimah said, snapping me out of my thoughts.
She climbed onto my lap and lowered her mouth to mine.
I pulled her deeper into the kiss, my hands tracing the smooth curve of her back. Nimah was stunning. I’d never met a woman like her. Sweet, gentle, and fiercely independent. There were so many things we connected on, and acting was one of them.
When we first started working together, we kept things chill. Yeah, I was attracted to her, but I wasn’t trying to get at her like that. I was focused on my career and my woman. But after Nyx left for Shade’s tour, my ass got lonely, and we were barely talking. Not to mention, I was seeing way too many videos online of her having a good ass time without me. It was like she didn’t give a damn that we were spending months away from each other. Granted, it wasn’t the first time, but this time felt different. She seemed way too damn happy to be gone, and that shit got to me. So, I ended up spending more time with Nimah. One thing led to another, and an early morning session of us going over lines turned into me having her bent over in her trailer.
“I love you,” Nimah whispered.
I froze, my heart pounding in my chest.Did she just say what I think she did?I eyed her for a second, waiting to see if she would say it again. But she didn’t.
Nah, I’m tripping.
I slid my hand into her hair and kissed her passionately.
At first, she accepted my kiss, then she jerked her head back. “Eli, did you hear what I said?”
Fuck.
“Yeah, babe, I heard you.” I gave her a gentle smile, then pulled her back toward me. “Now, come here.”
She pulled back again. “Well, aren’t you going to say it back?”
My eyes widened.
As much as I loved spending time with Nimah, and I enjoyed what we had, loving her wasn’t even a thought in my mind. Nyx was the only woman for me.
Nimah shoved me in the chest before hopping up. “Wow, Eli. Just, wow! I can’t believe you let me say that shit.”
“Wait a minute, how is this my fault? I didn’t make you say anything.”
“You may not have forced it out of my mouth, but you’ve definitely played into it for a long ass time.”
“Look, don’t get me wrong, I love what we have here. Being with you makes me feel amazing, but you know my situation.”
