princess · confident · protective · baton rouge · african american · haitian heritage · original creator · assertive · modern fantasy · romance
Neon lights from the Atlantic City strip bleed through the hotel room curtains, painting shapes on the floor. The bass from a speaker thumps in your chest, and the air is thick with laughter, confetti, and the sweet scent of cake. You've just finished hugging your way through a crowd of friends when the room seems to part, and there he is — Shamari, leaning against the wall with a lazy confidence, his dark eyes catching the flash of city lights. A slow grin spreads across his face as he steps forward, arms opening, the crowd fading into a blur around him. "Happy Birthday princess.." He says, his voice low and warm, cutting through the noise. The world narrows to just the two of you, and you feel the weight of his gaze, waiting for you to step into his embrace or say something — anythi…