Page 69 of Rose
She couldn’t stop seeing William’s face.
Couldn’t stop remembering how it used to feel to love. To be loved.
And now—this.
That kiss cracked something open, and the flood poured in.
“I’m so sorry, baby. I’m sorry,” she whispered into the silence, her voice trembling, her chest hollow.
She didn’t know if she was apologizing for feeling... or for finally not feeling numb.
One man was taken from her.
And another one was forcing his way in—uninvited, unrelenting, and impossible to ignore.
Chapter 8
Her favorite place. With her favorite person.
Today couldn’t have been more perfect.
And what made it even more special—it was her 28th birthday.
“Will, where are you taking me?” Ahzii laughed, her voice playful as her heels sank into the warm, soft sand. “I know we’re on the beach.”
She was blindfolded, her hand firmly gripped in his, trusting him as he guided her. The wind caught the hem of her red floral dress, brushing it gently against her ankles. Her freshly straightened hair flowed down her back like silk, catching the light of the setting sun. Each step forward sent her heart fluttering, her heels pressing deeper into the sand with every breathless laugh.
“Patience, Beautiful,” William murmured, his lips brushing her ear.
The sound of his voice, that deep rasp vibrating against her skin, sent a delicious shiver down her spine.
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. It was the kind of evening that only Miami could deliver—warm enough to feel like summer, but cool enough to bring a breeze that danced across her skin like a kiss. The sky was starting to melt into hues of amber and soft lavender, painting the world in romance.
The entire day had felt like a dream.
From the moment she woke up, William made sure she felt loved—pampered, adored, spoiled. Kyre had shown up early with an itinerary she hadn’t approved but didn’t dare question. Hair. Nails. Makeup. Appointments scheduled back to back, all paid for. She didn’t even wear makeup like that, but when Kyre mentioned William requested it... the curiosity kicked in.
Hours later, she returned home glowing—and found a surprise waiting. Draped across her bed was the dress she now wore: a rich red fabric that hugged her curves in all the right places. Gold jewelry sparkled beside it, along with strappy heels and a note in his handwriting that simply said, ‘Wear this. I’ll be waiting’.
They had just left her favorite restaurant, full from dinner and laughter, and Ahzii could have sworn the night was over. It had already been perfect—no, magical—and all because she spent it with the man who made her heart feel like it finally had a home. So when William said he had one more thing planned, she tilted her head in confusion, wondering what else he could possibly do.
Now here she was, blindfolded, heels sinking into soft sand with every careful step, heart beating a little faster with each one.
She tried to rely on her other senses. The breeze brushing her shoulders. The rhythmic crash of waves nearby. The faint scent of salt and ocean in the air. They were outside, by water. That much she knew. And from how her heels dipped into the ground beneath her, she knew exactly where they were.
The beach.
A wide smile crept across her face.
That was the one thing she loved most about Miami—the endless beaches and breathtaking views. Moving here from Houston had been hard at first, but the ocean always calmed her. Always brought her peace. And William knew that.
He guided her slowly forward, one hand gently in hers, the other resting on her lower back. “Almost there,” he murmured against her ear, and she swore her whole body blushed at the sound of his voice.
The closer they got, the more the air changed. She could hear the faint shifting of someone nearby. The soft shuffle of movement. And then—she stopped. She could feel the shift. Like something sacred stood in front of her.
“Alright,” William whispered, his tone now a mixture of nerves and excitement. “Wait right here for me, beautiful, okay?”
Ahzii nodded, still blindfolded. Her breath caught slightly. There was something in the air—anticipation maybe—but her body tensed with butterflies. “Okay,” she whispered back.
