Page 48 of Tainted

The partially ajar closet revealed an orderly row of clothes. The drawers were meticulously organized, everything in its place, and nothing that suggested a shared life or even shared moments. Cologne bottles lined the island, along with jewelry. Very expensive jewelry and one lone hoodie thrown across it thatlooked like he left it there in a rush. Bringing the sleeve to my nose, it smelled just like him.

“Man, tell them nigga’s this isn’t a fuckin’ democracy. Do what the fuck I said.” Kenyon’s voice neared with a harshness that made me panic. His conversation halted while I was standing in the entryway of the closet.

“Handle it because they don’t want me to.” He growled, hanging up. “What the fuck are you doing in here?” he asked, his voice deep and commanding, like a sudden roll of thunder.

I froze, my heart jumping into my throat. For a second, I couldn’t find my voice, my mind scrambling for an excuse, a reason, or anything that would make sense. “I-I was just?—”

His serious expression cracked into a slow, teasing smile. “Relax. I’m just messing with you.”

The relief hit me like a wave, quickly replaced by a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. My cheeks flushed as I realized he enjoyed watching me panic. Without thinking, I reached out and smacked him. “You’re such an asshole!”

He laughed, catching my wrist before I could hit him again. “And you’re not a thief, just nosey as fuck.”

“I was looking for you.”

“Nosey and a bad liar.” He let go of my wrist, still grinning as he wedged past me, stepping out of the jeans he had on and tossing them in the basket.

“Says the man who barricaded me in an office until he got his way,” I countered.

“What do you need?”

“What?”

“You said you were looking for me. What do you need?” he reiterated.

“Oh. Um, a towel and washcloth so I can shower.”

“You know how many closets your nosey ass passed on the way to mine?”

“It would’ve been rude to go through your stuff.” My sassy response made Kenyon toss a smirk over his shoulder as he appraised the clothes rack.

“Yet here you are in my closet. Did you find what you were looking for?”

Kenyon was forced to turn around because my brain couldn’t compute a response when I didn’t even hear the question. I was lost in the visual of Kenyon Keyes standing there devilishly handsome, his broad shoulders carrying the width of his frame. The veins decorating his skin were extra. Then I started thinking about veins in other places. Was the head thick and meaty? Was it long and thin or short and fat? Did it curve? I prayed he was circumcised. Now, my mouth was open as if waiting to taste him.

“Focus, Zara Nicole,” he instructed, with a touch of humor around his mouth.

“J-Just tell me where I can find a towel and washcloth, Kenyon Keyes.”

“Second door on the left.”

I padded down the stairs, my bare feet brushing against the wood as I went to the bathroom. Kenyon's house was quiet, almost too quiet, but I needed the solitude for a moment. My thoughts had been racing, replaying the worst argument my parents had ever had.

It was the day before everything changed. I was young, so it didn’t make sense then, but they argued abouthim. I still wasn’t sure who he was in the story, but Dad fussed about how dangerous he was. Mom knew but was torn for whatever reason. That day had become a core memory, so when I got old enough, I asked her if they were arguing about my biological father, but she never gave me a straight answer.

The cool water washed over my skin, grounding me. I dried off and unraveled my braids, giving myself a side part. Slipping my smaller hoops in my ears, I headed downstairs.

Kenyon was sitting on the couch, his back against the cushions, arms stretched along the top like he was waiting for me.

“It's about time. Do you have your ID?”

“Yes, why?”

“You look twelve when you take all that shit off. I don’t need people thinking I kidnapped you.”

Relief deflated my chest as I inched closer. “Why are you so annoying?”

He patted the couch, and I was so sucked into Kenyon’s world that I complied without hesitation.

---