Page 259 of Kentrell

Her mouth opened… but no words came.

I sat back, started the truck, and pulled back onto the street.

“Now wipe your face,” I muttered, eyes locked on the road. “Call Raven, tonight and set that shit up.”

TWENTY

ZOE

I felt…good today. Not just decent or functioning, but good. Like my body finally caught up to the peace I’d been trying to fake my way into. No more nausea. No more random waves of exhaustion. My so-stomach virus seemed to have passed, and all I wanted was to get back to life. Back to me.

Back tous.

I glanced at the empty side of the bed, the sheets still warm from where Kentrell had laid hours ago. My fingers brushed over the spot, tracing nothing and everything at the same time. If someone had told me weeks ago I’d be waking up in a mansion wrapped in silk sheets, stomach fluttering for a man likehim—I would've laughed.

But this morning? This morning we made love like it was a promise. Slow. Intentional. Kentrell held me like he was sure, kissed me like he was still learning me—but already addicted. A stark difference from last night, when he swore my onion boil was nasty… knowing good and well he scraped the bowl clean.

I slurped it down.

And did the same to him.

Kept my word on the new tricks I said I’d show him if he didn’t like the food. And judging by the way he left his imprint between my thighs—the way his weight pressed into me, his breath brushing my cheek right after I moaned?—

“I love you.”

Over and over and over again. Because I meant it.

Said it without fear. No overthinking. No second-guessing. I just needed him to know.

He didn’t say it back.

But that didn’t bother me. Not even a little.

Because I know my man.

Know how his heart’s been forced to survive behind steel and silence. Words ain’t how he shows love—but presence, protection, intention? That’s his language.

And since that moment, he’s only leaned deeper into me. Held me longer. Looked at me like I wasn’t just his peace—I was his home.

So no, I didn’t need him to say it.

I just needed him to keep doing what he’s been doing.

Showing me.

Proving me right.

I slipped my legs over the edge of the bed and stretched, catching sight of my reflection in the full-length mirror. Bonnet missing between the sheets, hair tousled, lips still a little swollen from our kisses, and a glow that had nothing to do with highlighter. I looked like a woman in love.

Because I was.

And for the first time in a long time… I wasn’t afraid of what came next.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand, and like a fool in love, I smiled before I even picked it up.

My Honey

You up?

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