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Flipping my hair over my shoulder, I quickly popped out my hip and put the most vicious curve in my back.

Lifting my Asian-inspired umbrella higher in the air, I protected myself from the downpour of rain.

Once I was set in place, I used the hidden remote I was holding to begin snapping pictures.

I kept the pose while changing my facial expressions for about twenty frames.

At least one was sure to give what I was looking for.

I inhaled the refreshing scent of rain and smiled.

Rainy days were my absolute favorite. While everyone saw doom and gloom, I personally saw renewal, joy, and hope.

I could literally feel it in the air, wrapping my body in a blanket of serenity.

That’s why I was out here taking pictures.

I had the perfect outfit, and my hair was freshly laid.

I couldn’t let a perfect photo opportunity go to waste.

Walking back to my camera, I quickly bent down to review the photos I’d taken.

Just as I thought, there were more than enough to use in my final lineup.

After unscrewing the camera from the tripod, I quickly shifted it to video mode then folded the tripod up to tuck under my arms. I slid the remote to my camera in my pocket so I wouldn’t lose it again.

They could be hard to keep up with at times. I would know. I was on my fifth one.

I ran my hand over my long ponytail to make sure there were no stray hairs before turning the camera on. Because of the flip screen that allowed me to see myself, I could tell I was in perfect frame for the sign on the building behind me to be seen.

“Okay, my SweetHarts, your girl just finished snapping some fire pics for the Gram. Even solo dolo, I’ma get the job done.

You gotta know that about me by now.” I laughed at myself with a shake of my head.

“Anyway, I am at Maison du Soleil. Ready for a nice, fluffy, warm, and buttery croissant. And before you ask, of course, I’m going to have coffee, too. ”

Spinning quickly, I rushed to the door and yanked it open.

I inhaled the invigorating scent of coffee beans and instantly felt at ease.

My foot lifted to carry me to the counter when suddenly, I was sliding across the floor.

My camera and tripod went one way, and I went another.

I slammed into a hard surface that sent my body flying backward.

“Sss. Fuck,” someone hissed then cursed.

I squeezed my eyes shut in preparation for my inevitable fall, but it never came.

Slowly, I peeked through my lashes to see what was happening.

The first thing I noticed was his dazzling, diamond-studded grin.

The second thing I noticed was the smell of his cologne.

Every single note latched to the air between us, drowning me in his essence.

The third was how much more handsome he was in person. The red was working well for him.

“You sure know how to make an entrance,” he teased in a deep, sexy tone.

I blinked twice, trying to gain my bearings. “Thanks for catching me.”

I steadied my breathing as he helped me stand on my own. He was standing so close his breath tickled my cheek. I glanced down at his arms still wrapped around my body.

“Um, you can let go of me now.”

He shook his head. “I’on really want to, though. You’re soft, you smell good, and I kinda like holding you in my arms.”

I instantly became disgusted, realizing he was like every other man that was only able to see my beauty.

“Ew, boy, get the fuck off me.” At the same time, I spoke and lifted my arms to break free of his hold. “No free feels.”

He patted his pocket with a wink. “What’s it gon’ cost me ‘cause I got it on me.”

I glared at him with a roll of my eyes. “You don’t have enough money in the world to buy me.”

“You sure about that? I’ve seen some of the niggas you fuck with, and they’re in a lower tax bracket.”

I took the time to really look at him. Kianis was well over six foot five with an athletic, muscular build from years of professional basketball training.

His medium-brown skin was well kept for a man.

He had sharp facial features, high cheekbones, and short, neatly trimmed hair that was curly at the top with audacious red hair.

His dark brown eyes were a mixture of intensity yet playfulness.

His facial hair was also as cleanly kept as the hair on his head.

The scar above his right eyebrow created a natural Soulja Boy slit in his long and thick hairs.

I think I read in an article that it came from playing a rough street ball game when he was a preteen.

I liked the edge it gave him but that tattoo…

It had to be the most unique detail about his appearance.

He had to be a warrior to get the words I AM in bold letters across the front of his throat.

The longer I stared at him, the slicker my hands became.

My heart rate increased. So did the amount of saliva in my mouth.

Even though he was nice to look at, he was too much for me.

I literally wouldn’t survive another bad boy.

Instead of replying to his smart remark about my previously failed and public relationships, I gave him the finger.

The image of me sliding across the café reminded me of my camera. I rushed over to where I spotted it lying on the floor.

“No, no, nooooooo,” I whined, seeing the shattered glass. “I just got this one.”

I’d completely forgotten about Kianis until he spoke from behind me. “Shit, don’t trip. I can buy you another one shawty.”

My top lip lifted and twitched.

“I don’t need your money,” I spat over my shoulder. “I’m very capable of replacing my own camera.”

I hated when men threw money at me because they almost always expected it to earn them some cool points. Around these parts, that wasn’t enough to survive, and that’s why none of them lasted.

He lifted his hands in surrender. “My bad then. I was just trying to help.”

“Well, you’re not, so can you please leave me alone?”

I didn’t allow him the chance to respond as I marched over to my tripod. I tucked it back under my arm, prepared to get the fuck out of here now that my mood was ruined when a gentle tug on my wrist halted me.

“You just going to leave like that, Charm? I know you see me trying to shoot my shot and shit.”

His audacity to touch me a second time really set me off.

“You athletes are so fucking entitled. First, keep your hands off me, and second of all, I’m not interested.”

His head jerked back as his right eyebrow tilted upward. “Not interested? I’m Kianis Kinga, baby. All bitches are interested.”

I frowned and folded my arms. “Yeah. Well, your first mistake was thinking I’m a bitch. Get the fuck out of my face ‘cause I don’t care who you are. Jesus himself couldn’t make me fuck with you. I know your type.”

A smile lifted his cheeks, exposing that adorable dimple in his left cheek. It took all my strength to not physically react to him. After the way I snapped on him, there was no way in hell I was going to let him know that I found him attractive.

I inhaled sharply when he flooded my senses with his irresistible scent for the second time. Hooking my chin, he forced me to look up at him.

“Humph. We’ll see about that, pretty girl. I don’t know who you’ve fucked with, but I promise that nigga ain’t me.”

He winked then brushed past me and headed to the door. The bell above it jingled as he pulled it open. He glanced at me once more.

“You gon’ fall in love with me, Charm. I promise you that.”

With that final and bold declaration hanging heavily in the air, he confidently strolled out.

I didn’t want to, but I found myself watching the crowd that surged the second he stepped out front.

The last thing I saw was the flash of multiple cameras.

With a sigh, I shook my head and looked at my shattered camera lens.

I prayed that my memory card wasn’t damaged because my vlog for the week would be lost, ultimately fucking up my posting schedule.

Turning toward the counter, I decided to just get my hot chocolate.

I needed a little slice of happiness to try erasing this turn of events and running into him…