I let him tie it around my eyes, blocking out everything. Felt the car turn. Turn again. Finally stop.
“Stay here,” he said to Yusef. “I’ll be right back.”
I heard him get out. Come around to my side. Open the door and help me out.
“Prime, what are you doing?”
“Just walk. I got you.”
His hand was firm on my waist, his heat seeping through my thin shirt as his thumb traced small circles against my hip. I heard a door unlock, metal sliding against metal, then felt him guide me forward, his chest briefly pressing against my back. The air changed—cooler now, quieter—and his breath warmed my ear as he leaned close.
“Aight,” he said, his voice close to my ear. “You can look.”
He untied the bandana and I blinked, adjusting to the light.
And then I saw it.
A commercial kitchen. Brand new. Stainless steel everything. Industrial ovens. A huge mixer. Prep tables. Storage space. Everything I’d dreamed of.
“What…” I couldn’t form words. “What is this?”
“Your kitchen,” he said simply. “For Sweet Zin. So you don’t have to sneak around no more. So you got your own space to build your business.”
Tears blurred my vision. “Prime, I can’t—this is too much?—”
“It’s yours. The deed is in your name. You own this now. And you can start using it right away.” He pulled me closer. “Especially since your big day at the gala is this weekend. Figured you’d need somewhere to bake.”
I burst into tears. Full-on sobbing. Because this man—this dangerous, violent, beautiful man—had just given me my dream.
“Thank you,” I gasped between sobs. “Thank you, thank you?—”
“Stop crying, Goddess.” He wiped my tears with his thumbs. “This is supposed to be a happy moment.”
“I am happy. I’m so happy I don’t even know what to do with it.”
He smiled. That rare, genuine smile that transformed his whole face. “Kiss me.”
I did. Threw my arms around his neck and kissed him like he’d just handed me the world.
Because he had.
“EW!” Yusef’s voice came from the doorway. “Y’all nasty!”
Prime broke the kiss, laughing, and playfully shoved Yusef. “Boy, get out of here with that.”
“I’m just saying!” Yusef was grinning though. Looking between us with something like hope in his eyes.
We spent the next hour exploring the space. Prime pointing out features. Yusef asking questions. Me crying at random intervals because I still couldn’t believe this was real.
My own kitchen. My own space. My dream coming true.
All because of him.
That night,after he drove us home and Yusef went to bed, Prime followed me to my room.
“Don’t leave,” I said softly, closing the door behind us.
“I won’t.” His eyes were already dark with desire.
