“Nah,” he replied, closing the small gap between them. “Don’t hide. You are too beautiful to hide from the world.”
He leaned in, his forehead resting against hers for a brief, quiet moment of peace in the middle of the high-society chaos. His lips brushed hers, soft, and her breath caught. Her hand gently touched his chest. And then she pulled back. Her eyes were wide, pulse racing.
“We can’t” she implied, looking down at her lap.
Kenji didn’t force it. He nodded once, giving her space but without moving away. “Okay.” His voice was low, steady. “But just know… I've been wanting to do that all night. I couldn't resist that urge.”
Tasha looked away, swallowing hard. Becausedamn.She secretly wanted to kiss him as well. From the moment Kenji picked her up with that fresh haircut and smelling like a world of peace. He was the kind of sexy that made her weak. His dark skin, his height, the calm power behind his every move. Kenji was the type of fine that made the seat of your panties disrespect you.
And that kiss?
It wasn’t even a deep kiss. But it still had her whole soul sitting up straight…even though it wanted to fold.
Tasha had never beento a real baseball game before, not one with skybox views and players who made more in a week than she’d seen in a year. But here she was, walking through the exclusive entrance of the Braves stadium with Mrs. Riggs, as if she belonged there.
It was Sunday afternoon, and the sky was baby blue with just enough sun to make everything feel golden. The kind of day that smelled like popcorn, sunscreen, and money.
Kenji was already in uniform, jersey crisp, cap low, chain glinting beneath his neckline. He looked like a walking billboard for every woman’s fantasy. As they were escorted to his section, her heart began to race. She was so excited. Once she was seated, her eyes were locked on the field, and there he was.
Dark.
Tall.
Handsome as ever.
Kenji stood near first base, glove in hand, locked in, chewing gum, and focused. Until he turned just slightly… and tilted his chin up. Like he knew she was watching. Like he felt her.
She waved, just a small one, and he gave her a nod back. Kenji’s mother, sitting near her, leaned in with a friendly smile. “So, I guess you're his girl now.”
Tasha paused, lips parting to answer, but what was the truth? She didn’t even know yet.
“I’m… umm…we just friends,” she said.
And that was enough.
The game was already in the second inning, and the crowd roared as it was finally Kenji's time to bat. Tasha leaned forward, clutching the edge of her seat. “Ohhh lo lo look. It’s Kenji time to bat.”
Mrs. Riggs chuckled beside her, unbothered and proud. “Mm-hmm. That’s him. Watch what he does.”
The stadium went quiet for a half-second as the pitcher wound up. The ball came flying, Kenji twisted, made contact, andcrack, it soared over center field.
“Hooo shit!” Tasha jumped up. “Go go go… yes, Kenji. Go. Go.”
“Yes! Home run,” Mrs. Riggs shouted, jumping up and down. “You know, that’s number twelve this season,” she informed, leaning over to tell Tasha. “My son is batting .337 right now. His slugging percentage is high, too.”
Tasha fluttered her lashes, motioning her index finger and thumb together. “Clock it! You better say those stats. Yasss!”
She laughed, handing Tasha a cold bottle of water, while still watching the field. “These people know I don’t play about my son.”
Kenji rounded the bases with that cool, collected ass jog that saidI do this shit, and the stadium erupted. Fans yelled his name, and cameras tracked him back to the dugout, where teammates gave him high fives, helmet taps and some even gave a quick slap on the ass. He didn’t look their way yet, but Tasha noticed the little smirk tugging at his lip.
“Oh, he showin’ out,” Tasha whispered, with a fuzzy feeling inside.
The Braves held their lead all game. Kenji made a clean scoop at first base in the 6th, and by the 8th, he hit a double that cleared the bases. 3 RBIs in one swing.
“Boy out there puttin’ in that work,” Tasha said, eyes wide.
“He locked in,” his mama said proudly, sipping her lemonade like it was wine. “And I ain’t never seen him lock in like this... not til you.”
