UNLOCKED 🔓

The screen went black.

Ten minutes. He said ten minutes.

My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird, each thud echoing in the quiet of my apartment. A sudden flicker of panic slammed into my chest, making my hands shake as I smoothed down my black top. For a brief lingering second, my mind drifted to the soft curve of my stomach and the subtle rolls along my back. I wasn't insecure, I loved my body and knew how to hold my own but standing on the edge of bringing a late night fantasy into reality made every inch of me feel exposed.

Buzz.

My phone vibrated on the bed. A text from Cedric

Cedric: Outside. Door's unlocked like I told you, right?

I held my breath, realizing I hadn't even unlatched it yet. Rushing to the entryway, my red nailed fingers quickly turned the deadbolt, the loud click echoing through the space.

Before I could fully pull my hand back, heavy, deliberate footsteps stopped on the carpet outside. The door swung open, and there he was.

I offered a shy, small smile my breath catching in my throat. My absolute first thought? God, he’s handsome.

Cedric towered over me, his broad frame instantly making my doorway feel tiny. He wore a simple tee shirt, but it did nothing to hide the heavy artwork beneath dark, intricate ink spilled up his neck and peeked past his sleeves, leaving no doubt that his entire body was covered underneath. The digital screen had never done his real-life presence justice.

His dark eyes locked onto mine, taking in my black hair and the sudden quiet in the room, a slow, dangerous smirk spreading across his face

My chest rose and fell as he closed the space between us, shutting the door behind him with a firm, deliberate thud. He didn't just step into my apartment he dominated it.

Reaching past me, his arm brushed my shoulder as he flipped the deadbolt shut. The metallic click echoed loudly in the quiet room.

"don't tell me you're suddenly shy?" he asked, his voice a deep, low rasp that hit far harder in person than through any phone speaker.

"After sending a picture like that?"

A teasing smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as his dark eyes dragged slowly down my body, taking in my curves, my black top, and the subtle tremble of my breath. He took one step closer, trapping me loosely against my living room.

"You look even better than the photos, Mara," he murmured, his eyes locking back onto mine.

"Now... where'd all that big talk go?"

His towering presence was suffocating in the best way possible, but I refused to let him see me sweat. I squeezed through the tiny pocket of space between us, stepping directly into his personal bubble until the tips of my boots touched his.

I tilted my head up, my eyes locking onto his with a slow, confident smile.

"I don't recall backing down, Cee," I whispered, reaching up to slowly trace the lapel of his jacket. "You just caught me off guard. You're... taller than I pictured."

Cedric’s smirk widened, his breath hot against my forehead as he looked down at me. "Disappointed?"

"Not even close," I murmured.

My red nailed fingers slid from his jacket onto the exposed skin of his neck, right over the dark ink trailing up toward his jaw. His body instantly steeled under my touch, a sharp, quiet hitch catching in his throat. The playful smirk vanished, replaced by an eye contact so intense it sent a shiver straight down my spine.

"Careful, Mara," he gritted out, his hands coming down to rest heavy and warm on the curve of my hips. "You touch me like that, I might just lose it."

I leaned in closer, my chest brushing against his as I let my thumb trace the edge of his jawline. "Then lose it, Cee. Isn't that why you rushed over in ten minutes?"

His breath hitched, his grip on my hips tightening just enough to pull my body flush against his solid frame. The dark, dangerous glint in his eyes told me I was playing with fire, but for the first time in my life, I wanted to burn.

"You really love playing with danger, don't you, mon gros bébé?" he rasped, his eyes dropping to my lips.

"Only when it looks like you," I whispered back.

Before the last word could fully leave my mouth, Cedric let out a low growl, closing the final inch between us as his lips crashed down on mine.