Page 120 of Kentrell

But he didn’t take it.

Instead, he reached out, slid an arm around my waist, and kissed me like he hadevery rightto.

And he did.

After the days and night we’d spent wrapped around each other—the things he’d done to my body, inhishouse andmine—he had every right to touch me like this. Toclaimme in front of my cousin, in front of whoever was watching.

And when his lips met mine, warm and sure, I didn’t pull away.

I melted.

Into his chest. Into the kiss. Into the man who smelled like dark woods and good trouble.

“Who’s at the door—oh, shit!” Mars’s voice rang out behind us, but I didn’t move.

Didn’t flinch.

I barely even heard them.

Not until Kentrell slowly pulled back, leaving me dazed and breathless, did the room come back into focus. My girls were all standing behind us now, looking like a live studio audience.

I cleared my throat, trying to gather what little composure I had left. “Uh, Kentrell, this is everybody?—”

“You already know my cousin, Ayesha.”

He gave her a subtle nod.

“And this is Mars?—”

“Hey, sexy!” Mars cut in, flashing a grin and instantly lightening the mood.

I laughed. “Let me know if you want me to put her outside. She can be… a lot.”

Kentrell kept his arm around me, eyes locked on mine as he responded low and smooth, “Nah, I’m good.”

“And that’s Stacia,” I said, gesturing toward her.

“Hi, Kentrell!” she sang his name like a high school girl with a crush, making him chuckle under his breath.

“How y’all doing?” he said, acknowledging them all at once.

“Fine!” they chorused like a well-rehearsed girl group.

“But not as fine as you!” Mars added, earning another round of laughter.

I could feel Kentrell’s eyes still on me, his attention lingering like heat on my skin. I turned to look up at him, unable to resist.

My heart was skipping every beat, out of rhythm and full of joy, just from him beinghere.

“So, Kentrell,” Stacia said as she turned down the hallway, “come on in—we gotta check you out.”

“Oh yeah?” he replied coolly, watching my girls head toward the living room.

Only when they were far enough ahead did he move, guiding me with him like I was his shadow.

“Are you staying the night?” I whispered.

He glanced down, voice low and gravelly.

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