“For me, it’ll be free.” Brittany paused for a beat. “You want dirt on Ocean?”
“I want info on the entire Ellison clan.” Aaliyah responded. “From mom and pops to the brothers.”
Aaliyah was about to play a dangerous game and Brittany wasn’t sure if it was one she would win. “Everything you could want to know is on the internet, Liyah.” Brittany countered. “I’m sure if you look hard enough you’ll find it.”
“I don’t trust what the Internet says. No one does straight reporting anymore. If they’re not leaning right, they damn sure are leaning left. I need someone who has no connection or affiliation to either party to give me info. I need everything possible on the Ellison’s.”
Brittany didn’t want to ask but she felt compelled. “Blackmail?”
“No,” Aaliyah shook her head, knowing Brittany couldn’t see it. “I want to know who I’m dealing with.”
“Okay,” Brittany complied, “I’ll see what he can find. Just to warn you, though, some of the stuff he might find won’t be pretty. If you’re able to stomach some hard, ugly truths about Ocean’s family, be prepared.”
Truth was, Aaliyah wasn’t prepared. She knew how powerful Thomas was. She wanted to know how far his reach went. She had a feeling Ocean being a part of the Senate was only a small move in the game of chess Thomas played. “I’ll try.” She heard a knock on her door and swallowed hard. She knew it was Ocean behind it; still, the rush within her rocked her core. She was only in her towel and felt compelled to answer the door wearing just that. “I gotta go, Britt. Give Paul my love.”
“Keep me posted or I’ll pry more info from Paul.” Brittany laughed before she hung up.
Aaliyah got up and straightened her shoulders. She tucked her towel in more and walked squarely to her bathroom door, where she opened it to face a smiling, sultry Ocean.
My heart…Aaliyah’s eyes took a quick stock of Ocean’s body. He stood over six feet tall, with dark brown hair, and dazzling blue eyes. He was dressed in dark slacks and a white open collar shirt that conformed to his magnificent body.
His hair was a messy bed head style, appearing as he just put some water in it and ran a hand through it a few times. He was never about the glitz and glamour and hated even to wear makeup when had to do appearances. Low-key was always his style.
Ocean wasn’t just attractive; he was flat-out delicious.
His blue eyes were focused on her brown ones as he let himself into her bathroom and carefully stalked her as Aaliyah walked backwards and sat down on a vanity chair. No man had ever shaken her to the core the way Ocean did.
She honestly doubted no man ever would. “I’m still getting dressed.” She held his gaze.
Ocean stood by the bathroom door and folded his arms, though Aaliyah wasn’t sure if it was because he was comfortable or annoyed. His stance gave no indication what way he leaned. “Am I wasting your time being here?” His voice was calm, but his mouth was a straight hard line.
“What gave you that impression?” She crossed her legs and folded her arms to match. “I’m getting dressed.”
“No woman takes over an hour to shower,” Ocean’s face revealed nothing.
“This woman does.” Aaliyah softly replied. She thought she was being facetious in her reply but a sexy curve of Ocean’s lips revealed he loved the challenge. “Why are you here?”
“I’m here to see if you were okay, that’s why.” He replied, keeping his distance at the door. “And if you needed anything.”
“No,” she held up a hand, “why are youhere? Like here in Atlanta, here. What’s your purpose of being here?”
“I thought I explained that back at the shop?” Ocean’s eyes revealed a smidgen of annoyance. “Was I not clear enough?”
Ocean’s lips were perfectly clear. As they took control of Aaliyah’s, his tongue played with hers with expert precision. Only a whiteboard with black lettering would be clearer. “What are you going to tell your father about us?”
“His opinion has never mattered,” Ocean replied.
“But it does, Ocean. It does.” She replied. Aaliyah’s heart burned with anger as she remembered how smug Thomas looked as he informed her she was no longer needed in Ocean’s life. If he got up and sucker punched her, the impact might have been less than the verbal blow he’d delivered. “Your father won’t hesitate to destroy me so he can get what he wants and if he wants you in the White House, I’m a distant memory.”
“I don’t want to run for the White House.” His blue eyes turned dark. “I have no desire to ever run for the presidency. I’m not even sure I want to go beyond a first term here.”
“Bullshit,” Aaliyah snapped, “you’re likable and quiet. You’ll get re-elected based on that alone.”
“I thought you didn’t care what I was up to?” His blue eyes crinkled.
Aaliyah bit her lip and looked away. “My point is, no one is going to elect you with me on your arm.”
“Contrary to your popular belief, no one cares about senator’s wives.” He walked closer to her. “And you’re giving yourself way too much credit for something that may not even happen.”
