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The club is crowded when I enter, and I automatically stop when I see Everest hanging out behind the bar. How he manages to do his homework through all this noise and chaos is beyond me, but I think he just likes being close to Rhys.
I pull up the divider and skip toward him. “Baby Hill!”
“Hey!” Everest smiles brightly and sets his homework on the ledge beside his chair. When he notices my face, he frowns. “You okay, Skylar?”
“Oh, yeah, totally,” I say, waving away his concern. “Just wanted to say hi before I went to see Cass. Do you need anything? I could unlock one of the offices upstairs for you if you need to concentrate.”
He shakes his head. “No, I’m good. Thanks for thinking of me, though.”
“Okay!” I quip, leaning up to kiss his cheek before I leave. “Have a good night! Stop by the stage and say bye before you go!”
He blushes and nods. I take that as my cue to leave and head to the stage. I have to shoulder my way through all thepeople enjoying Cassius’s amazing music. I don’t even make it past the front of the stage before he sees me. In a move that’s so entirely heroic, he hops off the platform like a superhero and races toward me. I can’t deny it makes my heart swoon, and I rush to him. He opens his arms to me, and I jump, wrapping my legs around his waist. Catching me easily, he starts kissing my cheeks.
And everything clicks into place.
“Are you okay?” he shouts in my ear. His hands move to my ass, holding me steady as we walk toward the back stairs. “Sunshine, did he hurt you?”
I shake my head, my smile as reassuring as I can manage. “No. Just feel a little stupid, is all.”
When we get behind the stage, he sets me on top of a speaker but doesn’t let me go. He runs his hands up and down my thighs, pressing deep into me, and I lull my head against the crook of his neck. He always smells so good. Like something spicy mixed with the scent of strawberries, thanks to the shampoo we both use.
I feel safe. I feel at home. I feel protected.
I feel loved.
“Thank you,” I mumble against his neck, giving the skin there little nips. When I pull back, I pucker my lips. “Kiss please, Cassy.”
He slams his lips against mine without hesitation. I relish it. The warmth that overcomes me is sweet. I take it greedily, running my tongue along his, whining softly when his bruising grip moves to my hips. Throwing my arms around his neck, I pull him closer, tightening my legs around his waist, and my cock hardens when he growls.
He pulls back breathlessly. “Do you want to go home, sunshine?”
I nibble on my swollen bottom lip. Cuddling with Cassius until I fall asleep sounds wonderful, but I can’t make him lose out on any money. I shake my head and kiss him once more. “No, thank you. Can I just watch you work until it’s time to go home?”
He analyzes me warily, but ends up-nodding. Squeezing my hips, he’s reluctant as he steps away, and I’m even more reluctant to let him leave me, but I get it. There’s work to be done.
Turning to go, he stops. He drops his forehead against mine and cups my cheeks. His nose touches mine as he mumbles against my lips. “Remember, whatever he said, whatever you’re thinking, it’s not true. You’re perfect. My perfect ray of sunshine.”
I nod, and he kisses my forehead before returning to the stage. I think about his words, and even though I don’t believe them most days, the fact that he does is enough.
At least for now, until I fuck it all up again.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Cassius
I miss Skylar.
Sitting in Knox’s fancy car, I pull up my messaging app again. It says he still hasn’t opened my snap that I sent five minutes ago. I chew nervously on my bottom lip. I never should have left him. He’s been very fragile these last couple of days after that disastrous date. I should have just gone to work with him like a best friend would and not been so selfish?—
“Toxic codependency at its finest,” Knox mutters, turning down the street.
I narrow my eyes. Hanging out was his idea, but all we’ve done so far is just ride around Miami. “Fuck off. He’s going through something right now.”
“Isn’t he always?” When he turns and sees my look, he sighs. “Sorry, man. It’s just that there’s always something new with Skylar, you know? Sweet guy, but he puts himself in these situations by going after assholes.”
Story of my fucking life.
Still, I don’t let him know that I agree with him, simply on principle alone. I sit back and watch as Knox takes us into a crowded parking lot. I’ve never been here before, so my eyebrows hike up in curiosity.
