I had his cum dried on my thighs, his bite marks on my breasts and neck, his handprints bruised into my hips. I was sore. Exhausted. Thoroughly fucked.
And I’d never felt more alive.
“We should clean up,” I said, looking at the evidence of our night scattered everywhere. Flour on surfaces that shouldn’t have flour. The counter we’d fucked on. The floor near the freezer.
“I’ll help.” He helped me find my clothes, then we both moved fast, wiping down every surface, erasing the evidence of what we’d done.
We cleaned in rushed silence, stealing touches, sharing small smiles despite the time crunch.
By 4:50, everything looked normal. Like I’d just been baking. Nothing suspicious.
He pulled me into his arms one last time before we left.
“This wasn’t just sex,” he said quietly. “You know that, right?”
My throat tightened. “Prime?—”
“I know you got secrets. I know you’re running from something.” His thumb brushed my cheek. “But I’m notgoing anywhere. Whatever you’re dealing with, we’ll handle it. Together.”
Guilt crashed over me. He didn’t know who I really was. Didn’t know the danger he was in just being near me.
“You don’t understand?—”
“Then help me understand. When you’re ready.” He pulled me closer. “But don’t push me away. Not after this.”
I wanted to tell him everything. But fear kept my mouth shut.
So I just nodded. “Okay.”
We loaded the rolls into insulated bags, locked up the diner, and got to his car just as the clock hit 5:15. We’d made it out with forty-five minutes to spare.
He drove me back to my place as the city woke up. Garbage trucks rumbling. Early morning joggers. The sky turning from black to deep blue to pale pink.
He walked me to my door, kissed me one more time—slow, deep, like he was memorizing the taste of me—then waited until I was inside.
I watched him drive away from my window.
Then I slid down the wall and let myself feel everything.
The pleasure. The fear. The hope. The guilt.
I’d just given myself completely to a man who didn’t even know my real name.
And I had no idea how I was going to survive when he found out the truth.
27
ZAHARA
Today was one of those days where I only worked the morning shift. Therefore, I got home in time to work on some marketing for Sweet Zin. I posted photos on Instagram and responded to DM’s. My popularity was expanding and I knew that I would sell out again at the next farmers market. And if the mayor’s gala went well, I knew that I could expect more orders. I really needed a commercial kitchen because sneaking to bake at Grits was not sustainable.
As I continued working on my business my thoughts drifted to Prime, remembering his hands all over my body in that kitchen. I had broken my damn rule. Not to let anyone in. But, he was so irresistible. Those eyes, those lips, those hands and that dick. The way he cares for me. But I was lying to him. I was hiding a dark secret and if he knew the truth, would he be able to accept it? This is why I wasn’t supposed to get close. I’m supposed to keep my head down and focus on raising Yusef.
Lost and confused, I pulled out my phone and texted my sister.
“I’m falling for him and I don’t know what to do.” Just as I hit send, I heard Yusef’s key in the lock. The door opened and therehe was. Another bruise blooming across his cheek. His glasses were cracked across one lens. His lip split. Again.
“Yu…” My voice came out broken.
