Page 58 of Cuffed By Your Love

“Now picture me kissing your temple, telling you I got you. ’Cause I do. Ain’t nobody getting through me to touch you, Jonay. Not Kam, not his drama, not nobody. You’re covered.”

Tears slipped out again, but softer this time. “Covered,” I echoed like a prayer.

“That’s right,” he said. “Now, breathe with me. In… and out. That’s it. Good girl.”

I exhaled slowly, the tension in my chest loosening. My lashes grew heavy, his voice like a lullaby laced in steel.

“Tomorrow, you show me those messages,” he murmured. “But tonight? Just sleep, gorgeous. Let me be the last thing on your mind, not him.”

“Mhm,” I hummed, my voice trailing as sleep pulled me under. “Last thing.”

“Sweet dreams, baby,” he whispered, his voice the last anchor I felt before drifting. “I’m right here.”

And for the first time in a long time, I believed it.

Sunlight slipped past my curtains, warm streaks across my sheets, and for the first time in what felt like forever, my chest didn’t feel like it was carrying bricks. I stretched, yawned, and blinked at the soft glow around me.

Then my phone buzzed on the nightstand. The name lit up bold as day:Detective Fine Shyt.

I snorted, covering my face with my pillow. Lord, if this man ever saw what I saved him as.

Sliding it open, I read his words:

Detective Fine Shyt :

Good morning, Gorgeous. Can’t wait to see your pretty ass at lunch.

And remember, any time, any place, if you need me, call. Don’t ever hesitate.

I smiled so wide it pulled at my cheeks, biting my lip as my thumb hovered over the keyboard. For a second, I just sat there staring at his words, letting them soak in. The way he moved so easily between hood, sweet, protective, and patient, was dangerous, dangerous in the safest way I’d ever known.

I typed back, fingers shaking with a grin I couldn’t hide.

Me:

Morning, Detective Fine Shyt. You really tryna have me blushing before my feet even touch the floor?

The bubbles popped up immediately.

Detective Fine Shyt :

Damn right. If I can get you smiling first thing, my job’s already done. Now get up, baby. Today’s ours.

I pressed the phone to my chest, laughing at myself, my blush, my everything. This man… he was trouble wrapped in safety.

And for the first time in a long time, I didn’t mind being in trouble.

The Texas sunwas trying to cook people like rotisserie birds. My AC was tapping out, blowing lukewarm air, but I made it to Little Legends Day Academy just in time to pick up my mini-me.

EJ’s backpack that I forgot earlier in the morning sat in the passenger seat with his little Black Panther lunchbox peeking out the top, and the leftover scent of Fruity Pebbles still clinging to his booster seat.

Miss Rhonda hit me with that usual tight smile like, “Yo’ son got jokes, but you fine, so I’m letting it slide.”

“Daddyyyyy!” EJ came sprinting full speed, shoelaces untied, and fruit snack residue all over his lips like he had been living his best kindergarten life.

I scooped him up mid-air and spun him once. “What up, lil’ man? You been good?”

“I ain’t even fight nobody today,” he said proudly. “Only a little push. But he was cheating in Uno.”