Page 122 of Kentrell

They all saw it. The shift in her. The shift in me.

But it didn’t matter. I didn’t come for them. I came for her.

Truth is, I didn’t mean to show up on her doorstep again. Not for real.

I tried fighting the urge to see her by hanging with the guys. Let Wani talk me into coming through his crib—spades, drinks, usual bullshit. Kensei, Lex, Wave, and Oshon slid through. A couple bitches too, none worth remembering by name.

Star was missing in action. Normally, that wouldn’t mean much. But after what I’d just found out, it had me wondering what she was really on. And to keep from snapping, I hit Zoe’s line.

She said her homegirls were over and planned to stay the night. I guess that was her way of telling me not to come. Respect her space.

And I tried. I swear I did.

I even played it cool when she sent that goodnight text—soft, short, sweet. I told myself that was enough. Shut shit down early and headed home. But the second I stepped inside, I knew it was a wrap.

Her scent still lingered in certain corners of my house. In the hall. On my damn pillows. On my coat.

Sleep? That wasn’t happening.

So, I got back in my truck and let it take me where I could breathe. Where the noise in my head went quiet.

Her.

I couldn’t sleep alone no more. Not with the memory of her body still clinging to mine. Not after I’d touched her, tasted her, devoured her against that door like I was claiming what always belonged to me.

So, I pulled up.

Unannounced. Uninvited.

She let me in anyway.

Her friends had jokes at first. Then questions.

Mars came out swinging with the slick comments.

Ayesha kept cutting her eyes like she was running mental background checks.

Even Stacia, who looked like she didn’t speak unless necessary, leaned in when I spoke.

I ain’t give them everything.

Just enough to let them know I wasn’t playing with Zoe.

And when I’d had enough of the questions, I did what I came there to do—took my woman upstairs.

Stripped her outta them silk pajamas she wore like she knew what they did to me.

Undressed myself slow, kissed her everywhere I didn’t get to the first time.

Then wrapped myself around her and knocked the fuck out, finally.

Now, she was up. Early.

Hair tied up. Skin glowing. That robe hanging loose like it was daring me to open it.

Today was the day we planned to hit the road. She booked us a suite—something bougie, quiet, somewhere just for us. I’d been counting down all week. But what she didn’t know was, I changed the plans. Upgraded ‘em.

We wasn’t driving to the place she picked.

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