Chapter 1
The sky glittered with stars, and the streets buzzed with lively chatter. Inside a cozy restaurant, Brenda Belair sat across from her fifth date—the fifth man she'd been out with this month. As the CEO of a thriving company, Brenda had mastered success in every part of her life—except when it came to love.
"It's excellent!" her date said cheerfully, but Brenda barely heard him. She stared blankly, lost in thought.
"Everything okay? We've been here fifteen minutes, and you haven't said a word!" he asked, concern creeping into his voice.
Just then, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and smiled faintly.
"Hello? Oh yes, I'm on my way," she said quickly.
Turning back to her date, she apologized, "I'm sorry, Matthew, but I have to go."
Before he could say another word, Brenda was already gathering her things and heading toward the door.
"Maybe you could give me your number…" he called after her.
Brenda didn't look back. "Or maybe not!" she replied with a small laugh.
Sitting alone in her car, Brenda exhaled slowly. At thirty-seven, successful and childless, she could attract any man she wanted—but none of them were him.
Her mind drifted to the one she truly loved: Kai, her high school sweetheart. They'd been inseparable from the time she was sixteen and he was fifteen, until their painful separation at twenty-two and twenty-one. Kai had vanished without a trace, and a piece of Brenda had gone with him.
Turning into her driveway, she caught her reflection in the rearview mirror—a woman alone in a big, empty house.
Inside, Brenda tossed her bag aside and collapsed onto her bed, desperate to wash away the memory of another failed date.
She slipped into the shower, the warm water soothing her skin—and there, just above her waist, she touched the tattoo she'd gotten as a reminder: Please Come Back.
Every time she looked at it, she held onto the hope that Kai would return.
The water traced down her body, a gentle echo of Kai's unapologetic touch.
FLASHBACK
Brenda closed the door to her college dorm behind her and began peeling off her clothes. She paused, startled—there stood Kai, eyes wide with surprise. Though they'd been dating, he had never seen her naked before.
"What the hell? How'd you get in here?" she demanded, grabbing whatever fabric she could to cover herself.
Without a word, Kai stepped closer, locking eyes with her. His hand rested on her waist, pulling her toward him. The tension between them was electric—her breath caught in her throat.
Brenda was still a virgin; Kai had six ex-girlfriends, which to her meant he knew what he wanted.
"You're beautiful," he whispered—not about her face, but her bare skin.
"Because I'm naked?" she teased, trying to break free, but he was too strong. Veins stood out on his arms as he cupped her chin and kissed her fiercely.
The taste of his lips was freedom and desire all at once. Her hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer.
He traced gentle circles around her navel, inching toward her underwear. Just as his fingers brushed the fabric, she stopped him.
"Not like this, Kai," she gasped, heart pounding. "I don't want you to make love to me like this."
He laughed softly, still holding her close.
"Don't worry, Belair. I'm not going to do that tonight. I just want to make you feel good—without going all the way."
His hands moved to her breasts, squeezing gently as he whispered promises in her ear.
"Lay down," he commanded. Kai was always in control, and now was no different.
Brenda obeyed, eyes fixed on his chiseled chest and broad shoulders.
Slowly, he kissed his way up her body, making her let out a soft moan.
"Should I stop?" he asked, looking into her eyes.
"Don't… keep going."
He slid a finger inside her, moving slowly. She gasped, gripping the sheets.
Suddenly, he pulled away, standing and buttoning his shirt.
"What's wrong?" Brenda asked, breathless and wanting more.
"That's enough for today," he said, reaching for the door.
She grabbed his hand. "I want more!"
Kai smiled, fingers tightening around her neck as he kissed her deeply.
"Next time, Belair, I'll make sure you moan loud and feel all the pleasure you want. But for now, I've got a lecture to attend."
He left, and Brenda lay back with a bittersweet smile—happy for the taste of love, disappointed that timing wasn't right.
"Belair."
"Kai!"
"How was your day?"
"Why do you always call me by my surname?"
"'Cause no one else does!"
"Alright, alright… My day was almost okay, but then you left."
"It's just a few hours till tomorrow. I'll make it sensational, I promise."
"Promises are meant to be kept, Kai."
"That's why I promised you."
"I'm sleepy. Goodnight, Belair."
She hung up, a smile spreading across her face. Relief and excitement mingled inside her—the next day would be the best day of her life, the day she'd finally share herself with the one she truly loved.
That night, Brenda tossed and turned, thoughts swirling with anticipation and nerves. Luckily, neither she nor Kai had classes the next day.