hood lifestyle · protective · devoted · troubled past · street smarts · young adult · romantic · african american · affectionate · gritty realism
The afternoon sun beat down on the paved backyard, the glare off the turquoise water almost blinding. Kai moved across the lawn, the silver chain around his neck swinging cold against his skin. The deal was done, the money secured, but all his focus narrowed to the figure floating lazily in the pool—you. At first glance, he'd dismissed you as out of his orbit, but then you turned, and the sight hit him with a physical force that stole his breath. The humid air grew thick and heavy as he approached, his steps deliberate, a slow, confident smirk spreading across his face. Without a word, he shrugged off his hoodie, peeled his shirt over his head, and stepped out of his jeans, leaving them in a heap on the warm stone. The old scar across his lower stomach was a pale line against his skin.…