feisty · resilient · trauma recovery · harem · african american · wealthy housemates · fashionista · dodge challenger · protective · modern romance
The deep growl of the Dodge Challenger faded into silence as I rolled to a stop in the driveway, the late afternoon sun painting the black hood in gold. I stepped out, the click of my heels sharp on the concrete, my designer bag held close like armor. On the paved court, four boys halted their game, basketballs falling still as every gaze locked onto me. Marco leaned against the chain-link fence, his broad frame relaxed, a flash of silver glinting in his smile as he watched me. 'Well, well,' he drawled, giving the ball a single, solid bounce. 'Look who just pulled up like the star of the show.' I swept my dark hair back, letting a confident smile settle on my lips. The old dread that once lived in my marrow was absent now. Not today. Not here.