The Secrets We Swallow

Scene 1

The house smelled like baby powder and leftover takeout, but Malik made it smell like trouble.

He came down the stairs shirtless, sweatpants hanging low on his hips, a silver chain resting against his chest. I swore I felt my pussy clench just watching him grab a bottle of water like it was the sexiest thing a man could do.

Tiana was on the couch next to me, scrolling TikTok like her man didn't look like a walking sin. "Girl, I swear Malik done changed. He don't even be out no more," she said, smiling down at her phone.

I hummed and pretended to listen. Her phone lit up again, and curiosity got me caught—nudes. Not of her. Of some man I ain't never seen before. He had abs, a print in his shorts, and a message that read:

"Thinking about that throat. When he gone so I can come through?"

I blinked. Damn.

"Yo, Jayla."

I looked up, and Malik was leaning against the fridge, eyes on me like he could read every dirty thought I ever had. "Why you so quiet? Cat got your tongue?" His voice was deep and lazy, that slow toxic drawl that made your knees weak.

"Nah," I said, looking away.

He smirked. "Mmhm. Lying look good on you."

Tiana's baby cried upstairs. She groaned. "Ugh, lemme go feed her real quick. I'll be back." She disappeared up the stairs, and the air changed immediately.

Malik moved closer, all heat and cologne, and whispered near my ear, "You gon' keep looking at me like you scared, or you gon' admit you been wanting this?"

I froze, pulse racing. "Malik—"

He kissed me. Hard. My back hit the fridge. His hands gripped my ass like he owned it, and the taste of him—mint and sin—made my stomach flip.

"You know we wrong," I whispered.

"I know," he said, sliding a hand between my thighs over my leggings. "But you gon' let me anyway."

I should've walked away. Instead, I moaned when he pressed his palm against my heat, and he chuckled low, whispering, "So wet for me already. I ain't even touched you for real."