He chuckles, that chuckle before he turns me around gently. His hand slides over my breast like he already knows it’s his, pressing me against the vanity with a kind of slow urgency.
“Nickoi…” I say, smiling even as my voice trembles.
“You nuh sound like you want me stop,” he whispers, eyes locked on mine.
His look is heat. His touch is fire. His presence? Dangerous. “Mi just say—” The words vanish as his lips claim mine.
It’s soft at first. Patient. But then his hand grips my waist and the other explores me like he’s remembering every inch. The kiss deepens. His tongue finds mine and I swear my knees weaken. My fingers reach for his face, holding him there, deepening it like I’m starving and he’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to eat.
“Nickoi,” I moan into the kiss, barely breathing. I want more.
He pulls back just long enough to trail kisses down my neck. My head falls back, a soft sound escaping me. The tension is thick. My body’s warm. Too warm.
Then his phone rings. He hisses. Frustrated. Pulls back, checking the screen. “Yah?”
He’s talking to the makeup artist, I can tell. His tone is calm but he’s still watching me from the corner of his eye like he wants to finish what he started.
When he hangs up, he presses one last kiss to my jaw. “Candy deh yes ,” he says, then slips out the room.
“Okay,” I whisper, still breathless.
I head to our room, already showered, already glowing. My black silk pajamas hug my body, and my feet slide easily into my slippers. Nickoi’s over by his closet as I grab my foundation and head down the stairs.
In the living room, Candy’s already talking to Lizzie. The energy is light, warm, and girly. I smile. “Good afternoon,” I greet, settling into the chair.
“Good afternoon,” they both echo, eyes lighting up when they see me.
Candy starts setting up. Brushes. Lights. The whole glam scene.
“What time graduation?” she asks.
“Four,” I reply.
“Yuh have any idea weh yuh want?”
I shake my head. “Just soft glam. Nothing too loud. I want it pretty, but not extra.”
She nods like she already sees the vision. “Say less.”
I stay awake as she works on my makeup, she wants me to twist my face in particular ways as she applies the makeup. It feels like sex. My thoughts curls a smile on my lips. Thank God mommy is on FaceTime the whole time so I don’t get a chance to sleep even though I really,reallywanted to.
When she finishes, both she and Lizzie are practically squealing. “Pretty bad enuh,” Candy says, stepping back with her hands on her hips like she just painted art.
I start smiling, heat blooming under my skin. “And it’s just soft glam, nothing too extra and she a nyam it up,” Candy adds, eyes wide with admiration.
“A fi real,” Lizzie chuckles beside her.
I still haven’t seen my face and the curiosity is burning me alive. But deep down, I already know. I feel pretty.
Candy’s grinning. “Mi really want try a full glam pan yuh sometime… yuh would a nyam dat up.”
She snaps a few pictures, her camera shutter clicking fast. Then she flips her phone around to show me. My breath hitches.Is that me?My skin looks like honey. My eyes soft but strong. Lips glossy and full. I look grown. I look ready.
I reach for the mirror, and the reflection nearly makes me emotional. Candy leans in. “Mi wish mi coulda use yuh fi a photoshoot gig mi have. You and this other girl woulda shell it. Yuh think Nickoi woulda say yes?”
I smile, surprised. She serious? “Maybe…” I say, right as I hear footsteps.
“Zara, mi know yuh used to being late fi everything but yuh cyaah late fi this,” Nickoi calls out.
