“You needed it.” His hand found hers.
The car was waiting for them at the curb—a black Range Rover with tinted windows and enough space for their luggage and then some. He loaded their bags while she climbed into thebackseat. He spoke with the driver before joining her. She was back to wondering where he was taking her.
After another thirty minutes, she recognized they were getting close to something. The roads got smaller, more winding. Trees thickened on either side. Then he turned onto a private drive, and she sat up straighter.
“No way...”
“Just wait.”
The drive opened up into a clearing, and her breath caught. A sprawling ranch resort spread out before them—rustic but clearly expensive, with a main building and several villas scattered across the property. She could see horses in the distance, a lake, endless green. This wasn’t your mom and pop ranch. This was luxury, and it showed in every detail.
“What is this?” she asked quietly.
“Black-owned luxury ranch resort.” He helped her out of the car. “Figured you been everywhere for work, but probably never had time to be somewhere for the vibes.”
She looked at him with so much adoration, it made her almost weak. “This is incredible.”
“Wait till you see the villa.”
Their villa was tucked into the back of the property, private and quiet. He unlocked the door and let her walk in first.
She stood in the middle of the living room, turning slowly to take it all in. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the hill. A kitchen she could cook in, but there wouldn’t be any of that. Furniture that looked comfortable instead of decorative. Through the sliding glass doors, she could see a deck with a hot tub.
“Ro...” She turned to face him, and her throat was tight. “This is too much.”
“Nah.” He set their bags down and came to her. “This is exactly right.”
“Nobody’s ever—” She stopped, tried again. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything.” His hands found her waist. “Be here with me, and kick back. That’s all I want.”
She looked up at him, this man who’d somehow become everything she hadn’t known she was looking for. “Okay.”
He gave her the rest of the afternoon to settle in, to explore the villa, to breathe. When she explored the villa, she found the deepest tub she’d ever seen, and it was on the back deck. She loved how this place was set. The next villa was far away, allowing them to have privacy.
The tub filled up as she connected her phone to the speaker. She couldn’t wait to soak. She found all types of Black-owned bath salts. She settled on Lemon and Honey. She also found some tea that could be smoked. She was in heaven.
Once the tub was full, she slid in, lit the prerolled cone, and watched the sun move across the sky, listening to the quiet. No traffic, no sirens, no city noise. Just wind and birds and peace.
When he came out to find her, he called out, “Ken, baby?”
“Out back.”
“I should’ve known. You feeling good?”
“So good. Are you going to get in with me?” she asked, reaching out for him.
“Nah, but I’mma smoke some real shit and kick it with you. I know this playlist.”
She laughed. “You swear you know me.”
“So this ain’t the come in and shut up playlist?”
She flicked water at him, and he smiled, seeing her happy. For fifteen minutes, he sat out back with her as they sang to moody music and relaxed until it was time for dinner. She rose from the tub, and he dried her off slowly. His eyes never left hers.
“I gotta wait until after dinner to get between them thighs?”
“No, you can do and have whatever you would like.”
