Falling Into Place

"Kendrick, you won't believe what I just heard!" he exclaimed.

"What's up?" Kendrick asked, his brow furrowed slightly as he opened his wardrobe to grab his clothes.

"Kelly's been arrested!"

Kendrick's hands halted mid-motion, his eyes widening in stunned surprise. "No way! Really?"

"Yeah, man!" Emmanuel replied.

"The girls spilled the beans once they found out Mandy was safe and Faustina was dead. They ratted out the mastermind, and the cops wasted no time tracking Kelly down. They caught her trying to hop a bus to Lagos!"

Kendrick quickly resumed searching for clothes. "I'm on my way, bro."

"Make it quick, man!" Emmanuel urged, before Kendrick ended the call and swiftly began rummaging through his wardrobe.

Kendrick hastily picked out some clothes and flung them onto his bed.

Just then, Mandy emerged from the bathroom, her eyes widening as she took in Kendrick's frantic activity.

She frowned, sensing something was up. "What's going on?" she asked.

Kendrick turned to her, his expression serious. "It's Kelly - she's been arrested, and I need to get to the station ASAP."

Mandy's eyes widened. "Can I come with you?"

Kendrick approached Mandy, his eyes pleading, and gently grasped her shoulders.

"Please, Mandy, I'm begging you - stay here. I don't want you to come with me."

Mandy frowned slightly. "But I want to know the truth about Faustina's actions," she said.

Kendrick shook his head. "No, Mandy, I can't risk it. Please stay here and wait for me to get back. I'll fill you in on everything later, I promise."

"But—" Kendrick's finger gently pressed against Mandy's lips, silencing her.

"Please, Mandy, no buts," he whispered, his voice soft and pleading, his eyes filled with a quiet intensity.

"For my sake, just this once, stay back."

Mandy's frown deepened as she gazed into his eyes.

"You'll be right there with me, so nothing will happen," she said.

Kendrick took hold of her hand, his touch warm and gentle. "Even so, I can't shake off the feeling that Kelly might try to harm you."

"I won't be harmed, Kendrick, I promise. I just need to ask her some questions, that's all. Nothing will happen to me, I swear."

With that, she gently extricated herself from Kendrick's grasp and took hold of his face, her hands cradling his jaw.

"I promise, nothing will happen to me," she said, her eyes locked on his.

"You'll be right there with me, and I'll be fine, I promise."

Kendrick's eyes still held a hint of uncertainty. "But I can't-"

"I'll be fine, please let me come along, please?" Mandy asked.

"Amanda—"

"Pleeease..." she cut him off, her eyes wide with longing.

"But I-"

"Nothing will happen to me, please, please, please, please, please..." she continued to plead.

"Fine," Kendrick finally relented.

"But you have to stay with me at all times."

Mandy nodded vigorously. "I will, I promise! So go freshen up already, let's go!"

"Pinky promise me," Kendrick said, extending his pinky finger, seeking a seal of commitment.

Mandy released Kendrick's face from her gentle grasp and sealed her promise with a pinky vow.

However, Kendrick's expression remained uncertain, his eyes clouded with doubt.

"Go freshen up now, go!" Mandy said.

She pulled him towards the bathroom with a playful tug.

As they reached the door, she opened it and gently nudged him inside.

"Be quick," Mandy said, but as she tried to close the door, Kendrick's hand shot out, his fingers wrapping firmly around the edge, holding it ajar.

Mandy's brow furrowed in annoyance. "What's holding you back now?" she asked.

"I'm still not convinced it's a good idea for you to come with me," he admitted.

Mandy released a patient sigh, her breath whispering through the air.

"Come on, Kendrick, I'll be perfectly fine," she reassured him.

She gently pulled his hand away from the door and shut it.

"Hurry!" she called out.

Then, she wandered over to his bed and sat down, her thoughts drifting to the moments ahead.

Minutes later, Mandy stood up from the bed and meandered over to the table, where she began browsing through some books.

She was so engrossed that she didn't even notice when the door creaked open and Kendrick stepped out, a towel wrapped around his waist.

Seeing Mandy snooping through his stuff, a sly grin spread across his face as he walked over to her.

He stood behind her. Then, he slid his arms around her waist, pulling her close, and she let out a startled gasp.

His hold tightened, and he nestled his head on her shoulder, his breath whispering against her skin.

Mandy's back pressed against his chest, and she could feel his heart beating steadily.

She stood motionless, her eyes wide with surprise, and gazed fixedly at the painting on the wall.

"I really don't want you to come with," kendrick said as he swayed Mandy gently from side to side.

But Mandy simply smiled serenely and placed a reassuring hand on his arm.

"Just let me," she coaxed, "everything will be fine."

"I'm just worried," Kendrick admitted softly.

"I know you're worried, but I have to know about Faustina," Mandy said.

Kendrick's grip around her waist tightened, his fingers pressing into her skin as he pulled her closer.

"Can't I just fill you in on the details?" he asked.

Mandy shook her head. "I want to ask her myself," she said.

With a gentle twist, she turned around to face him, his hands still cradling her waist.

Their faces were inches apart, while Mandy's gaze lingered on Kendrick's chest, where the contours of his muscles were exposed.

She couldn't help but notice how smooth and toned his skin was, and a faint flush rose to her cheeks.

Kendrick observed her admiration with a gentle smile, his expression unfazed by her scrutiny.

His concern for Mandy's safety was top priority, and he couldn't shake off the feeling that Kelly might be a threat to her.

But with the police around, he figured she'd be okay. Still, he couldn't help but worry.

Mandy, sensing his tension, gently placed her hand on his chest, feeling the tighteness, smoothness, and softness of his muscles.

"You go the gym regularly?" she asked.

Kendrick nodded, "Yeah, I try to when I can."

Mandy's smile grew as she admired Kendrick's chiseled chest.

"It's just so smooth," she purred, her fingers tracing the contours of his muscles, making Kendrick's smile widen in response.

"Why do you have to be so irresistible right now?" Kendrick whispered.

Mandy's gaze locked onto his, her eyes sparkling with a seductive glint.

"I'm just exploring," she teased.

Kendrick's heart raced as he pulled her closer, their faces inches apart.

Mandy's eyes blazed with desire as she gazed into Kendrick's piercing eyes, her hand reaching up to tenderly cradle his jaw.

Kendrick, meanwhile, was melting into her gentle yet electrifying touch.

He knew he had to rein himself in - Mandy was still recovering, and he didn't want to hurt her. But, man, he wanted her something fierce.

He struggled to tame his desire, not wanting to scare her off or push her too hard.

Instead, Kendrick's hands wrapped around Mandy's back, pulling her close to his chest for a warm embrace.

He settled into the hug, making sure they were snug, before whispering sweetly, "Love you."

"So much," he added, his arms tightening around her, sending a delightful flutter through Mandy's chest, causing her smile to bloom wider.

As she wrapped her arms around Kendrick's neck, she felt the warmth of his hug envelop her, and she closed her eyes, savoring the tender moment.

They lingered in the warm embrace for a few seconds, until Mandy gently broke away, saying, "You need to get ready."

She walked over to the bed and sat down, her gaze fixed on the TV as Kendrick watched her with affection.

He began to get ready, stealing glances at Mandy every now and then, until he was finally dressed, looking dashing and smelling incredible.

Mandy couldn't help but notice, and she complimented him with a smile, "Looking good."

Kendrick beamed with pride, his face lighting up with a warm smile in response.

"Let's go now," Kenderick said.

With that, they left his room and hopped in his car, chatting comfortably as they drove to the police station.

Upon arrival, they both stepped out and headed inside, where they found Emmanuel engaged in a conversation with Officer Mariam.

Kendrick grasped Mandy's hand, his grip pulling her alongside him as they approached the officer's desk.

His captivating scent commanded attention, making his presence impossible to ignore.

Both the officer and Emmanuel looked up, their eyes locking onto him, and Emmanuel swiftly rose to his feet.

His gaze shifted to Mandy, and a warm smile spread across his face.

"I'm so relieved to see you're fine," Emmanuel said.

Mandy nodded, her response barely above a whisper, "Thanks."

"You two can have a seat," Emmanuel said, his gaze lingering on Mandy as he stepped aside.

Kendrick's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing slightly at the way Emmanuel's attention lingered on Mandy.

He released her hand, and they both sat down, Mandy following Kendrick's lead.

"I'll leave you both now, take care," Emmanuel said, his voice a bit rushed as he hurried off to class.

As Emmanuel departed, Kendrick turned to the officer and nodded in greeting.

"Good morning, Officer," he said, and the officer responded with a nod of her own.

"Morning to you too," Officer Mariam replied, her gaze shifting to Mandy, who was intently studying the documents on the table.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, and Mandy looked up, meeting her gaze.

"Uhm I'm feeling good," Mandy responded.

Officer Mariam nodded, her expression thoughtful. "That's good to know."

She then turned her attention back to Kendrick. "Let's get started, shall we?"

Kendrick nodded. "So," she started.

"You're the reason behind Kelly's actions?"

Kendrick nodded once more, his jaw set. "Yes."

Officer Mariam took a sip from her tea, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Well, we've informed you that we have Kelly in custody, and I must say, we're thrilled to finally have a member of that family in our grasp."

Kendrick's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?" he asked.

Officer Mariam's expression turned grave.

"I mean that Kelly's family is notorious for kidnapping and extortion. They're known as the Ejiofors, and they've been making headlines for all the wrong reasons."

Mandy's eyes widened, her gaze darting to the officer as she processed this shocking revelation.

She remained silent, but her mind raced with questions. Could this really be true? she wondered.

Officer Mariam continued. "We've received intel about the Ejiofors' illicit activities, which include kidnapping wealthy individuals or their children and extorting large sums of money through threats."

Kendrick's eyes narrowed. "What the heck?"

Officer Mariam nodded solemnly.

"After thoroughly investigating Kelly and her family, we're relieved to have finally apprehended one of them," she said.

"This breakthrough will undoubtedly send a message to the rest of the family, and they'll either surrender or face the consequences. We'll ensure that justice is served."

Kendrick's frown deepened, his expression incredulous. "So, you're telling me that Kelly comes from a family of kidnappers?" he asked.

Officer Mariam nodded curtly. "Exactly. Now that we've identified the mastermind and their motives, you're no longer needed in this case, Kendrick. We'll handle the rest."

"But, Officer..." Mandy suddenly spoke up.

The officer turned to her, attentive.

"Regarding Faustina, do you know if there was a specific reason she collaborated with Kelly?"

Officer Mariam's expression turned thoughtful, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"We're still investigating the motives behind their partnership, but we do know that Faustina took her own life after realizing she'd been implicated in the attempt on your life, Mandy. We found her fingerprints on the hammer used in the attack."

Mandy's brow furrowed in confusion. "But why did Faustina work with Kelly in the first place?"

Kendrick sensed Mandy's perplexity and gently took her hand in his, offering a comforting gesture.

"Can we see her?" he asked the officer.

Officer Mariam nodded, her expression serious. "You can visit her for a short time, but I must warn you, she's quite unstable."

Kendrick and Mandy exchanged a knowing glance, and Kendrick nodded thoughtfully.

"I'm aware of that," he said calmly.

Officer Mariam nodded and stood up.

"I'll escort you to the interrogation room myself. She's being held there."

"Okay," Kendrick replied.

They all rose from their seats and followed Officer Mariam down the corridor, their footsteps echoing off the walls.

As they approached a door, the sound of Kelly's muffled yells grew louder, her frantic cries and struggles to break free from the restraints evident even from outside the room.

"I'll accompany you inside, just in case she does anything reckless," Officer Mariam said, her hand on the door handle.

Kendrick nodded, his expression resolute.

With a deep breath, the officer pushed open the door, and they stepped inside.

The air was thick with the stench of Kelly's sweat, her frantic shouts and struggles to escape the restraints creating a chaotic atmosphere.

Kendrick grasped Mandy's hand tightly, and together they followed the officers into the room.

As soon as Kelly saw them, her eyes went wide with shock.

"You!" she shrieked, her gaze fixed on Mandy.

"You're alive?!"

She tried to leap from the chair, but an officer swiftly restrained her, forcing her back into the seat.

Another officer quickly bound her wrists and ankles with ropes, securing her to the chair.

"Let me go!" Kelly bellowed, struggling against the restraints.

"Please, have a seat," Officer Mariam said, her hands gesturing towards two chairs opposite Kelly.

Kendrick's grip on Mandy's hand tightened as they walked towards the chairs, his eyes fixed intently on Kelly, who was glaring straight at Mandy with a fierce intensity.

They sat down, Kendrick still holding Mandy's hand, and Officer Mariam stood behind them, a vigilant presence.

Kendrick continued to stare at Kelly, his eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity.

But Kelly's gaze remained fixed on Mandy, her jaws clenched tight in anger, her shoulders heaving with restrained fury.

"You think you can escape again just because you managed to once?" Kelly sneered.

"Shut the fuck up," Kendrick snapped, his tone harsh.

Kelly's gaze shifted to him, her expression faltering for a moment, and her eyes softened.

"K-Kendrick," she called out softly.

But Kendrick was unfazed, rolling his eyes in disgust.

Kelly's gaze lingered on Kendrick, her eyes searching for something, but he refused to meet her gaze.

But then, officer Mariam cleared her throat, breaking the silence.

"Kelly, Mandy here would like to ask some questions."

Kelly's gaze shifted to Mandy, her expression dismissive.

"Why would I bother answering any questions from you, fool?" she sneered, eyeing Mandy annoyedly.

"You'll answer any question she asks," Kendrick jumped in, "even if it's the dumbest question, got it?"

Kelly's gaze snapped to Kendrick.

"I'll answer any question, even if it's the stupidest, but only if it's coming from you, not...her," she glanced at Mandy with disdain.

"I won't give her the satisfaction."

Then, she smirked at Kendrick. "So, darling, what do you wanna ask me?"

"To hell with you," Kendrick stated, his abruptness instantly erasing Kelly's smirk.

He then turned to Mandy, his expression encouraging.

"Go ahead, ask her," he said.

Mandy nodded, her eyes fixed on Kelly, and cleared her throat.

"It's about Faustina. I want to know what motivated her to collaborate with you."

Kelly's response was unexpected - she burst into laughter, her voice filling the room with a manic energy.

"You mean that puppet of mine, the one who foolishly took her own life after attacking you?" she asked, her giggles growing louder as Mandy's frown deepened.

"What do you mean by 'puppet'?" Mandy asked.

"What else, you dimwit? Huh?" Kelly's words were followed by another burst of laughter.

"That fool thought she could buy her dad's freedom with a paltry sum of money!" Kelly's laughter continued, but her expression soon turned serious.

Officer Mariam's eyes narrowed, and she exchanged a glance with another officer, who nodded in agreement.

"So, you're saying your family kidnapped her father, and she paid for his release, but you didn't let him go?" Officer Mariam.

Kelly's face turned cold. "Why would we release him? Those cheapskates offered us a measly amount of money, a handful of sand, and you expect us to free him?"

"Oh," Mandy said, taken aback.

"So you manipulated Faustina into doing all sorts of things just to secure her dad's release?" She asked softly.

Kelly snorted in response. "Do I need to spell it out for you, fool? You're just too slow to keep up!"

"Shut up, Kelly," Kendrick intervened, and Kelly flashed him a glance.

"You're one foolish individual," Kendrick said.

"When you're rotting in prison, I hope you'll finally come to your senses and realize the harm you've caused, and maybe even feel some remorse."

"You can't talk to me like that, Kendrick!" Kelly protested.

"You know how much I love you, you can't say that, I—"

"I don't care about your love, Kelly," Kendrick cut her off.

"I want you locked up in a filthy cell and treated like the trash you are. You're going down for this, and you're gonna regret ever crossing me."

Kelly's eyes flashed with anger and fear as she struggled against the restraints.

"You'll pay for this, Kendrick! Whether you like it or not, I'll come for you! Just remember my words, I'll—"

"Be quiet!" Officer Johnson yelled.

Kelly's gaze darted to the officer.

"Do not tell me to be quiet! My dad will make you all pay for this! He'll make your lives a living hell, he'll—"

"He'll what?" Officer Mariam interrupted, her eyes boring into Kelly's.

"He'll ruin your careers, he'll make sure you regret ever crossing us! You'll pay for this, all of you!"

Officer Mariam's expression remained skeptical, her eyes never leaving Kelly's face.

"Is that so? Well, Kelly, I think you'll find that we're not easily intimidated."

"You see, Kelly, we've heard it all before. The threats, the boasts, the attempts to intimidate. But let me tell you something, Kelly. We're not impressed. We're not afraid of your dad or his supposed power."

Kelly's face reddened, her eyes flashing with anger. "You don't know what you're dealing with! My dad will—"

"I think we do, Kelly," Officer Mariam interrupted.

"We've done our research. We know all about your dad's business dealings, his connections, his reputation. And let me tell you, Kelly, he's not as untouchable as he thinks he is."

Kelly's eyes narrowed. "You're just trying to scare me. But it won't work. My dad will always come out on top."

Officer Mariam smiled, a small, tight smile. "We'll see about that, Kelly. We'll see about that."

Amanda remained frozen, her gaze fixed on Kelly with a look of utter disdain.

She was incredulous that Kelly had mistreated Faustina so badly, and deep down, she longed to see Kelly punished severely for her actions.

"Come on, Mandy, let's go," Kendrick said, breaking the spell as he pulled Amanda's gaze towards him.

As he stood up, Kelly's eyes narrowed, fixating on the way Kendrick's hand tightly grasped Amanda's.

She began gritting her teeth, her anger simmering as she watched Amanda rise to her feet.

"Mandy, listen to me!" Kelly spat, her eyes blazing with obsession as she fixed Mandy with a menacing stare.

"I'll have Kendrick at all costs, he's mine and mine only!"

Kendrick simply rolled his eyes and began pulling Mandy away, but Kelly's outburst only intensified.

She began yelling, her voice shrill and hysterical, which only seemed to enrage the lead officer.

With a swift motion, the officer slapped Kelly across the cheek, the sound echoing through the air.

"That's enough, Kelly!" the officer warned.

...

Kendrick finally busted out of the station with Mandy, and he couldn't help but notice how down she looked, her eyes fixed on the ground.

He stopped in front of his car and turned to her, "You're still thinking about what Kelly said, huh?" He asked.

Mandy took a deep breath and nodded, then she looked up at Kendrick.

"I never thought for a second that Faustina could've been in such a messed-up situation that led to her actions."

Kendrick grasped her shoulders.

"Don't sweat it too much, Kelly and her parents are gonna pay for all their crap, okay?"

Mandy nodded slightly, her eyes still clouded with concern. "I just can't believe Kelly would stoop that low," she said.

Kendrick's expression turned serious. "Kelly's got some serious issues, Mandy. She's been toxic for a while now. But we're gonna make sure she faces the music, okay?"

Mandy looked up at him, her gaze searching. "You really think the police will do anything about it?"

Kendrick nodded confidently. "Absolutely. We've got evidence, and Officer Mariam's got a personal stake in this case. Kelly's going down, Mandy. And her parents are gonna pay for their part in it too."

Mandy took a deep breath, a small smile on her lips. "Thanks, Kendrick. Just knowing you're here for me makes me feel a little better."

Kendrick smiled back, his eyes warm. "Now let's get outta here and grab some something to eat, okay?"

Amanda nodded, and Kendrick released her shoulders, walking around to his side of the car.

He opened the door and said, "Come on, already! I'm starving over here!"

Kendrick jumped in, and Mandy followed suit, getting in on the other side.

They both buckled up, and Kendrick started the car, beginning their journey to get some food.

As they drove along, Mandy suddenly asked Kendrick, "By the way, Kendrick - I mean, Ikem - I don't have a phone or any of my belongings, do you know that?"

Kendrick glanced briefly at her and said, "We'll just get you a new phone, and we can swing by your old place to grab all your belongings."

Mandy nodded, "Hmm, okay."

But then added, "But is it possible to get me the same model as my old one? - Camon 30. I don't want my dad to find out something happened to the one he bought for me."

"Whoa, hold up there!" Kendrick exclaimed with a chuckle.

Mandy felt that her request might be too extravagant.

"It's okay, really, if we can't get that exact brand," she said.

"I know it's pricey, but you can choose a phone that you think is right for me."

Kendrick's grin widened as he replied, "No worries, I've got this! I just wanted to see your reaction. I've got everything under control."

Mandy's eyes widened in surprise, "Are you really going to get me the same model?"

Kendrick nodded, and Mandy's face lit up with a smile. "Thanks so much!"

Kendrick nodded. "Well, now, how about a little reward?"

Suddenly, he abruptly stopped the car, but fortunately, their seatbelts were secure, preventing them from jerking forward.

Mandy glanced at him, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"What do you mean by a little reward?"

Kendrick pointed to his cheek, sending a flutter through Mandy's heart.

"Wh-what do you mean?" she stuttered, her face growing warm.

"Don't play dumb, Mandy. You know exactly what I want."

Mandy shook her head, feigning innocence. "No, I don't."

"Of course, you do," Kendrick said with a smirk.

Mandy shook her head again. "I don't know anything," she insisted, turning her face forward, her eyes fixed on the road ahead.

Kendrick raised an eyebrow and sighed. "I guess I'll just have to take matters into my own hands."

Mandy's eyes flew wide, and she instantly glanced at him, watching as he unbuckled his seatbelt.

Her pupils darted back and forth, her mind racing with uncertainty, and all she could manage to stammer was a faint "uhm..."

Before she could gather her thoughts or utter another word, Kendrick leaned in, his hand reaching out to gently caress her cheek.

Then, he pressed his lips to hers, catching her off guard with a soft, sweet kiss.

He captured her lips with his, his mouth teasing hers as he sucked on her lower lip, sending shivers down her spine.

Then, he pulled away, satisfied.

"Let's go eat now," he said, as he buckled his seatbelt, leaving Mandy's heart racing and her lips tingling from the gentle yet electrifying kiss.

...............

*Evening

Amanda's POV

...............

I was lying in bed, facing the ceiling, with my brand new phone in hand.

I was logging into my old accounts, and luckily, Kendrick had my old phone with the SIM cards, so I easily accessed my apps and scrolled through my contact list.

Kendrick wasn't around; he had dropped me off after we finished moving all my belongings from my former lodge, and then he headed out to run some errands, saying he'd be back in an hour or two.

Just then, the creaking of the door handle caught my attention, and I glanced over to see the door swinging open.

Kendrick stepped inside, carrying a white nylon bag with some visible contents - a red and yellow item caught my eye.

"I'm back," he announced, flashing me a smile as he closed the door behind him.

He walked over to his desk, set the bag down, and began to remove his shoes and socks.

As Kendrick approached me, my eyes widened in surprise.

He drew nearer, his smile growing wider, and before I could even react, his hands slipped under my shirt, touching my bare waist.

His arms wrapped around me, exposing my stomach to his gentle caress, making my heart race with a mix of excitement and nerves.

He leaned in, his chest pressing tightly against mine, and laid his head on my chest.

"I missed you," he whispered, his voice muffled against my chest.

I raised an eyebrow. "You were only gone for an hour or two, and you missed me already?" I teased.

But his grip only tightened, his hold on me filled with an intense passion that sent shivers down my spine.

"Was I gone that long?" he asked.

"It wasn't really long, but yeah."

"It felt like forever," he said.

"I was going crazy without you, baby."

I couldn't help but smile, my hand drifting to his head, gently stroking his cornrows.

"That's crazy," I said.

He mumbled a soft "no isn't" in response, his eyes remaining closed, his face relaxed in contentment.

He seemed lost in the moment, savoring the connection between us.

Then I playfully tapped his shoulder. "You're heavy, Kendrick, move away," I said.

"Nah, I'm good," he responded, his grip tightening even more.

"Uhm, come on, move away," I insisted, trying to wriggle free.

"No way, I'm not moving," he repeated.

Then, he raised his head, adjusting his position so he could gaze down at my face.

"If I was that heavy, you'd have pushed me off by now," he said with a smirk.

"You must be enjoying this," he added.

I felt my cheeks flush, my gaze heating up under his intense stare.

I gulped down the lump in my throat before stammering, "I didn't want to be rude."

But Kendrick seemed to see right through my lie.

He leaned in closer, our noses almost touching, and I had to press my head deeper into the pillow to maintain even a sliver of distance between our lips.

Yet, Kendrick continued to close the gap, his eyes fixed intently on my mouth.

"You like it when I touch you, don't you?" he asked suddenly, making me feel utterly exposed.

"Wh-, ho-" I stuttered, struggling to find the right words.

Kendrick's eyes met mine again, and his smirk grew wider.

He slowly freed my waist from his grasp, but his arms didn't stray far.

Instead, he placed his elbows on the bed beside me, his hands grasping the mattress on either side of my body, effectively pinning me down.

I didn't feel any urge to resist, though. Then, he gently took the phone from my hand and set it aside, his eyes never leaving mine.

As we stared at each other intensely, my gaze grew warmer, my heart racing in my chest.

My lips parted on their own with a soft click, and Kendrick's eyes darted to them, then back to my eyes, then back to my lips again.

He tilted his head sideways, and my eyes widened as I watched him part his own lips, wider than mine, and his gaze continuously flickered between my lips and eyes.

He began leaning in, his face inches from mine, until his lips finally landed on mine, and he instantly began sucking on them, sending shivers down my spine.

I found myself drifting into the moment, my eyes closing slowly as I began to return the kisses.

Kendrick's pace quickened, and I struggled to keep up, but soon I was matching his intensity.

He deepened the kiss, his tongue tangling with mine, and I felt like I was losing myself in the sensation.

His hands roamed my exposed waist, his fingers tracing the curves of my bare skin.

He caressed my skin with an intensity that made me feel like he was trying to memorize every inch of me, every bone and every curve.

Then, his hands began to trail upward, sending a tingling sensation through my body, prompting me to open my eyes.

My gaze fell upon my chest, where his hands were now gently caressing my boobs which were barely covered by my bra.

My eyes widened as I felt the warmth of his hands against me...that feeling.

He continued to gently caress and massage, and I couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.

As he continued, my lips relaxed, and I yielded to his lead, my head gently bobbing up and down as he kissed me with tender passion.

But as his hands moved further to unhook my bra, I gently guided him back, my hands on his shoulders, creating some space between us.

I wanted to savor the moment, but also maintain my own boundaries.

He gazed into my eyes, his lips still flushed from our kiss.

Then, he tenderly freed my bra and smiled sweetly.

He wrapped his arms around me, drawing me close as his breath whispered against my neck.

"I'm sorry if I went too far," he whispered.

"It's just that..."

"It's fine," I replied with a smile.

He exhaled, his warm breath dancing across my neck, before whispering, "I promise to always ask first, babe."

"I just love you so much, sweetheart," he said.

"I love you," he repeated.

My smile grew wider as I basked in his love. "Love you too," I replied, and his arms around me tightened.

I felt a sense of joy and contentment as I realized that things were finally falling into place.

I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for our relationship, and I looked forward to exploring it together.

But rather than getting caught up in uncertainty, I chose to savor the present moment.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, closed my eyes, and let out a gentle sigh of surrender, allowing myself to be fully present in his embrace.

The End.