AG

"May I?" I asked her, my voice barely above a whisper. She nodded, and I leaned in, capturing her mouth with mine. Her soft, plush lips parted, and I sucked her bottom lip gently, feeling the heat between us rise. She slipped her tongue into my mouth, our tongues danced together in a rhythmic tango of passion.

Her taste was like nothing I'd ever experienced—sweet, hinting at the jalapeño she'd had with dinner. It was like she was a perfectly crafted cocktail, and I was eager to get drunk on her. I deepened the kiss, my hands sliding around her waist, pulling her closer. Her body melded to mine, our hearts beating in sync with the music playing softly in the background.

I had to break the kiss. This is enough. I gotta take my time with her. I peppered kisses on her chin, her neck, her collarbone. My dick was steel and concrete. I know she felt it. I'm not here to fuck, though. Intimacy is important right now.

Nova's breathing grew ragged, her pulse racing under my fingertips as I trailed kisses down her neck. She arched into me, her body begging for more. I could feel her heat, her desire. "Artis," she murmured, her voice thick with need. "What do you want?" I whispered against her skin.

"You," she breathed. "Just you." Her simple answer was like a key unlocking a dam of desire I'd been holding back. I kissed her again, this time more urgently, as if I could devour her whole. Our tongues danced, exploring every corner of our mouths. The world outside the penthouse ceased to exist.

My hands roamed over her body, savoring the feel of her curves. I cupped her breasts, feeling her nipples harden against my palms. She gasped into my mouth, and I knew she was as lost in the moment as I was.

But as much as I wanted to let go and claim her, something held me back. It wasn't just the fear of crossing a line or the fact that we were in the middle of my penthouse—it was the understanding that this was more than just a physical connection. Nova was different. She was special. And she deserved more than a quick fuck on a first date.

So, with every ounce of restraint I could muster, I pulled back, breaking the kiss. She looked up at me, her eyes hazy with lust. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice a sultry purr.

"We need to slow down," I murmured, stroking her cheek with the back of my hand. "This isn't just about sex, Nova. I want to know you. I want to explore this...whatever this is." She searched my eyes, looking for any hint of deceit. But all she'd find was the truth. "I'm not a one-night stand kind of guy," I said, my voice firm. "And I'm not going to treat you like one."

Nova took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling with the effort. "Okay," she said, nodding. "We're exploring." she whispered.

I stared into her eyes, searching for the right words. "Yes" I admitted. "Are you ok with it?." She nodded. "Yes."

With that, I stood up, lifting her to her feet. "It's 4 a.m. Do you want to go?" Or would you like to stay and cuddle with me until we decide to wake up and go to work later? "The choice is yours," I said with a smile.

Nova hesitated, her eyes searching mine. Finally, she said, "I'd like to stay," her voice soft. I nodded, "Of course," I said, leading her to my bedroom.

I rummaged through my dresser, pulling out a clean t-shirt and a fresh pair of boxers. "Here," I said, handing them to her. "You can sleep in these." She took them with a smile, disappearing into the bathroom to change.

When she emerged, she looked like a goddess in my oversized shirt, the fabric clinging to her curves in all the right places. Her hair was loose, cascading down her back like a waterfall of midnight silk. I couldn't help but admire her as she made her way to the bed, her legs bare and beautiful.

I stripped down to my boxer briefs, trying to ignore the bulge that was growing more obvious by the second. I slid into the bed next to her, the sheets cool against my overheated skin. She snuggled up to me, her head on my chest, her hand resting on my abs. The feel of her skin against mine was like a cool breeze on a hot summer day—refreshing and tantalizing.

We sat there in silence for a while, our breathing syncing up and our hearts beating. It was a strange feeling, this mix of comfort and desire. I didn't know where we'd go from here, but I knew one thing for sure—I didn't want to let her go.

Her breath grew even on my chest, a sign that she was finally starting to drift off. I pulled her closer, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair. This was new territory for me—caring about someone beyond the bedroom—but with Nova, it felt natural, like slipping into a pair of well-worn sneakers.

The city below us began to stir, the sounds of traffic and distant sirens a lullaby for the sleepless. But in that penthouse, with her in my arms, I felt more at peace than I had in a long time. And as sleep claimed us both, I silently vowed to explore this feeling, to see where it would take us, no matter how scared I was of the unknown.

Nova, some weeks later

I was in 9, playing with some ambient sounds. I had the purple light on. I've noticed that the studio colors are all associated with the colors of chakras. Purple is the crown chakra, which connects with the divine and your higher self. My fingers on the keyboard filled the space, echoing off the soundproof walls.

Artis hadn't made it in yet, so I took my free time to be creative. I added some bass to the ethereal sounds, feeling the vibrations resonate through my body. I sat back in the chair, adjusted my ball cap, and nodded my head to the beat. I hit my non-nicotine vape; I was vibing out.

When I heard the door click shut, I didn't bother to turn around. "This sounds sexy," his voice said, a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. I knew it was Artis without even looking. The scent of his cologne, a blend of coconut and musk, filled the air, making my senses come alive.

"Thanks," I said, not taking my eyes off the soundboard. "Just playing around." He chuckled, his footsteps heavy on the floor as he approached. "You're a natural," he said, his hand landing on my shoulder. The heat of his touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, making me shiver.

I turned to face him, his tall frame blocking the light from the hallway. He was dressed casually in a white T-shirt, expensive jeans, and Jordans. His dreads hung loose, and a pair of shades atop his head. Jingling those damn keys. "You look rested," I smirked.

"I got my beauty sleep," he replied with a wink. "Couldn't keep my mind off you, though." The way he said it made my stomach flip. It had been a week since that night at the penthouse, and our relationship had been a delicate dance of flirtation and professionalism. We hadn't crossed that line, but fuck I wanted to. Our chemistry is a live wire ready to spark at any moment.

"How's the secret project coming?" he asked, his eyes scanning the equipment. "It's...different," I said, a little nervously. The truth was, I'd been pouring my heart and soul into it, hoping it would be good enough to impress him.

He stepped closer, his warmth enveloping me. "Let's hear it," he said, his voice a low rumble. I took a deep breath and played the track I'd been working on. The music filled the studio, the bass thumping in our chests.

As the last notes faded away, he was silent for a moment. Then, he leaned in, his breath hot on my neck. "You're a prodigy, Nova," he murmured. "I knew you had it in you." His words were like a balm to my soul, soothing the doubts plaguing me.

He stood behind me, and his hands were on my shoulders, gently massaging the tension away. "You deserve this," he said. "And so much more." Then, before I could react, he leaned down and kissed me, his lips demanding and sure.

I melted into him, my hands finding their way into his hair. His tongue swept into my mouth, claiming me in a way that made me feel like I'd been waiting for this all my life. When we finally broke apart, we were both panting, our bodies pressed together.

"Nova," he whispered, his voice hoarse with need. "Would you?..Um-I," he stuttered. And with that, He took the heavy chain from around his neck and fastened it around mine."I want you to wear this," he said, his eyes intense.

The weight of the chain was surprising, but the warmth of the metal against my skin was strangely comforting. When I looked down at the glittering "AG" logo, and diamond encrusted Cuban links my eyes went wide. "This is your chain, Artis," I said, trembling.

He shook his head, smirking. " well..It is," he said, "but it's on your neck now. I'm making our shit 'Chain Official'" He said nodding and grinning." The implication was clear—he was claiming me in his own subtle way. I felt a thrill run through me, a mix of excitement and nerves.

"Does this mean we're...?" I trailed off, not sure how to put it into words.

Artis chuckled, his hand sliding down to rest on my hip. "It means I want you to be my baby," he said. "You wanna be my baby, my girl, my woman?" he asked, kissing my neck.

I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. "Artis, yeah" I whispered playfully, "I do."

His smile grew wider, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Good," he said, his thumb tracing circles on my skin. "Because I've got big plans for you, Nova."

Just as I was about to ask him what he meant by that, the door to the studio swung open, and Cam walked in, his eyes glued to a tablet in his hand. "Yo Ar—" he started before his gaze flicked up and took in the scene before him. His eyebrows shot up, and he took a moment to process what he saw. "Wow," he said, his voice laced with a hint of surprise.

I felt a flush creep up my neck as I realized we'd been caught in a compromising position. I quickly stepped away from Artis, my heart racing. "What's up, Cam?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

He looked at us, then back down at his tablet, before his gaze settled on me again. A smirk played on his lips, but he didn't say anything. He just nodded, "ight, ..so Artis. Ol' girl in your studio, looking for you." he said with a hint of ---something in his tone.

Artis's eyes narrowed. "Who is it?" he asked, his grip on my hip tightening.

"It's Destiny," Cam said, not taking his eyes off me. "She says it's important."

The name hit me like a cold shower. Destiny? The woman he'd been with in the photos? The one who's messy 'friendship' was strewn all over the media. My heart sank, and I stepped away from him, suddenly feeling very exposed.

"Get rid of her" Artis said, his voice steady.

Cam nodded, a knowing smirk still on his face. "I'll tell her you're busy," he said, leaving. "She won't go for it though."

The unspoken challenge in his words hung in the air like a cloud of smoke. I could feel Artis's tension as he watched Cam go, his eyes never leaving me. It was like he was trying to convey something without speaking. A silent promise or maybe a warning.

When the door clicked shut, Artis turned to me, his expression unreadable. "Nova," he said, his voice low and serious. "I need to handle this."

I nodded, feeling suddenly cold. "Go ahead," I said, sounding more confident than I felt. "I'm going to finish this up."

But did I? I wasn't sure. My mind raced with questions. Who was Destiny to him? What did she want? And why did her presence make me feel like I'd just been slapped in the face with reality?

He studied my eyes for a moment before nodding. "I'll be right back," he murmured, and with that, he strode out of the studio, leaving me with a storm of thoughts and emotions.

I turned back to the soundboard, my fingers fumbling over the knobs. But the music had lost its magic. My mind was racing with questions I didn't have the answers to. What did Artis mean by "big plans"? Was I just another conquest for him, or was there something real here?

The door opened again, and I tensed. It was Cam. I hadn't spoken to him since he left me at City Blue over a month ago. I didn't say a word. He stepped closer, eyeing AG's chain around my neck. "What's all this," he said, nodding at the chain. I stayed silent.

Cam smirked, "Looks like you're moving up in the world, Nova." His tone was teasing, but his eyes held something else. Jealousy? Rivalry?

"What do you want, Cam?" I asked, irritation creeping into my voice.

"Just wanted to check on you," he said, his eyes sweeping over me. "Make sure you're okay with all this."

"I'm fine," I snapped. "What's your problem?"

He leaned against the wall, his arms folded over his chest. "I don't have a problem," he said. "I just know how Artis can be."

And what's that supposed to mean?"

He shrugged. "You don't know the game, but I have a feeling you're about to figure it out soon enough baby."

"I know enough," I said, returning to the soundboard. "I can handle myself."

He stepped closer, his voice dropping. "Can you handle Destiny?" I shrugged without even looking at him. I smiled. "I need to get back to this, Cam." "You know where the door is, love." I popped my earbuds in and sat back in my chair. I took a long pull from my vape.

The bass from my music vibrated in my chest, blocking out any noise from outside. I was lost in my own world, trying to compose something that would express the chaos in my heart. It was like a symphony of doubt and hope, playing out in the form of beats and melodies.

The door opened again, and I knew it was Artis before he even spoke. "Nova," he said, his voice tight. "Come with me."