Shemmy slipped out of the Eko Hotel ballroom as fast as her legs could carry her. The red ankara dress clung tightly to her thick sexy curve The silver threads sparkled under the corridor lights like tiny stars. Her light yellow skin felt hot and flushed. Too hot. Her heart pounded so loudly she could hear it over the distant music.
Daevyd Kng stayed right behind her. His tall slim frame moved like a protective shadow. One hand stayed pressed on her lower back. Protective. Possessive. Warm through the thin fabric of her dress.
They did not speak a single word until they reached the quiet side exit. The cool night air hit them like a relief. Lagos night traffic hummed in the distance. Neon lights from the hotel sign painted their faces in red and gold.
Daevyd pulled her gently into a small private lounge just off the main hallway. The door clicked shut behind them with a soft final sound. The noise of the party became nothing more than a distant hum. The room was dimly lit with one soft lamp. Leather couches lined the walls. A small bar stood in the corner.
She turned to face him. Her full breasts rose and fell fast under the dress. The gold necklace he had given her rested warm between them. Shining against her light yellow skin.
Are you okay he asked. His deep voice was low and rough like gravel wrapped in silk.
She nodded slowly. But her yellow cheeks were still burning hot. That was Tunde Adebayo she whispered. The Tunde. Everyone in Lagos knows him and fears him.
Daevyds jaw tightened hard. His chocolate skin looked stretched tight under the soft lamp light. I know him very well. He is a shark in the investor waters. He wants what he cannot have. And right now he wants you.
His dark eyes dropped slowly to her full lips. Still hungry from the almost kiss they had shared on the dance floor moments earlier.
She stepped closer without thinking. Her thick curves brushed against his hard slim chest. The contact sent electricity straight through her body.
Then why does it feel like the whole of Lagos is watching us she asked. Her voice came out softer than she wanted.
Her phone would not stop buzzing inside her small clutch bag. Notifications kept coming in. Messages. Tags. Comments. She pulled it out with fingers that would not stop shaking.
Photos were already everywhere on social media. Her and Daevyd on the dance floor. Bodies pressed so close. His hand on her waist. His lips near her ear. The images looked intimate. Romantic. Dangerous.
Lagos new power couple the captions screamed. Tech king and fashion queen equals pure fire. Daevyd Kng moving mad with the thick designer babe from Ikotun.
Shemmys light yellow skin went pale in an instant.
Femi is going to kill me she breathed. My brother warned me just yesterday.
Daevyd took the phone gently from her hand. His long fingers brushed against hers. The touch was gentle but full of heat that made her stomach flip.
Let them talk he said quietly. I do not care what Lagos says about us. I only care what you feel right here right now.
He pulled her closer. His slim hard chest pressed fully against her soft full curves. They fit together perfectly. Dangerously perfectly.
She looked up into his dark eyes. Searching for truth. Needing it more than air.
Daevyd Nadia called me before the party she said. Her voice cracked just a little. She said you two have unfinished business. And now Tunde wants me to drop you completely for a Paris contract.
Her phone buzzed again. Louder this time. Insistent.
Another post appeared. This one from Nadia Okoye herself. A screenshot of the dance floor photo. Fire emojis everywhere. The caption read some girls are just temporary. Real ones stay. And the location tag was right here at the Eko Hotel.
Shemmy showed him the screen. Her hand trembled.
Daevyds face changed in a second. It hardened like Lagos concrete under rain. His eyes went cold then hot with anger.
Nadia is my past he said firmly. A dead past I buried months ago. But she loves drama more than she loves breathing.
He cupped her face with both hands. Big warm palms cradled her soft yellow cheeks. His thumbs stroked gently.
I want you Shemmy Esther. Not the fashion girl everyone sees. Not the business deal. Just you. The real you from Ikotun with the big dreams and the even bigger heart.
His thumb brushed slowly across her full lower lip. The movement was tender. Full of promise.
She shivered from head to toe. Her knees felt weak. The small lounge suddenly felt too small. Too hot. Too full of everything she had been trying so hard not to feel since the day they bumped into each other.
Come with me tonight he said suddenly. His voice urgent. Leave this party behind. I know a quiet place where no one will find us. Where we can talk. Really talk.
She should have said no. Femi warning still rang loud in her head. Her mothers voice from their Ikotun days whispered be careful with these Lagos boys they move fast. But her body and her heart said something different.
She nodded.
Yes.
They slipped out the back entrance of the hotel. Daevyds driver was already waiting in the black SUV. The engine purred softly. They climbed into the back seat. The cool leather felt good against her heated skin.
In the back seat their hands found each other again. Fingers locked tight. Silent. But the air between them crackled with unspoken words and rising desire. The car moved through Lagos night traffic. Neon lights from billboards flashed across their faces. Victoria Island lights. Lekki lights. The city never slept and neither did the fire building between them.
Fifteen minutes later they reached Elegushi Beach. The driver left them at the private entrance and drove away quietly
The moonlight painted the sand silver and soft. Waves crashed gently against the shore. No crowd. No cameras. Just the sound of water and the distant hum of the city behind them. The air smelled of salt and freedom.
Daevyd took off his tuxedo jacket. He rolled up his sleeves slowly. His chocolate arms glowed in the moonlight. Strong. Toned.
He spread the jacket on the sand for her like a gentleman.
She sat down. Her thick curves sank softly into the fabric. The red dress rode up just a little on her thighs. She did not pull it down.
He dropped beside her. Close. Shoulder to shoulder. His tall slim frame radiated heat that wrapped around her like a blanket.
Talk to me he whispered. His breath warm against her ear. Tell me what you are really scared of tonight.
She stared at the dark ocean. Waves rolling in and out like her own heartbeat. Fast. Then slow. Then fast again.
Everything she said softly. My family back in Ikotun thinks I am playing with fire. Tunde can make my career explode overnight but at what cost. And Nadia she sounds like she still owns pieces of you. Pieces I do not even know about.
Daevyd turned to face her fully. His dark eyes burned brighter than the moon above them.
I never belonged to Nadia he said. She was a mistake from my early Lagos days. When I was hustling hard and did not know what real connection felt like. She wanted the money. The status. Not me.
He took her hand gently. Placed it flat on his chest. His heart slammed hard and steady under her palm.
This beats for you now he said. Only you Semilore. From the moment you bumped into me at that conference.
She felt it. The steady strong rhythm. The truth in every single beat.
Her fingers curled into his shirt. Pulling him closer without thinking.
I am scared Daevyd she whispered. But I want this. I want you so much it hurts.
His hand slid slowly to her waist. Squeezed the soft curve there. Possessive. Hungry. Full of everything he had been holding back.
Then stop running from it he murmured.
His lips hovered over hers. So close she could feel every warm breath. The scent of his cologne mixed with the sea air.
The waves roared louder around them. Like they knew exactly what was about to happen.
One second passed. Then another.
Their mouths were almost touching. Hot. Desperate. Ready to seal everything they had started.
Then her phone rang. Loud. Sharp. Cutting through the night like a knife.
She glanced down quickly. Femi calling again and again.
And a new message from an unknown number flashed on the screen.
She opened it with trembling fingers.
It was a photo. Taken just minutes ago. Her and Daevyd sitting close on the sand. His hand on her waist. The moon shining down on them like a spotlight.
The text underneath read enjoy the moon while it lasts thick girl. I am coming for what is mine.
Signed with one letter. N.
Shemmy felt ice slide down her spine in an instant.
Daevyd saw the message over her shoulder. His face turned dark like a Lagos storm cloud rolling in fast.
Nadia he said through clenched teeth.
He stood up fast. His tall frame tense. Eyes scanning the shadows around the palm trees behind them.
She is not just whispering anymore he said. She is watching. Right now.
Shemmy grabbed his hand tightly. Her thick curves pressed against him as she rose to her feet.
Daevyd her voice shook with real fear. We are not alone.
The waves kept crashing. But the shadows behind the palm trees moved. Slow. Deliberate. Full of purpose.
A figure stepped out into the moonlight. Just far enough to be seen clearly.
Light skinned. Long hair blowing gently in the sea breeze. Beautiful but cold.
Nadia.
She smiled. Cold. Beautiful. Dangerous.
Hello love she called across the sand. Her voice carried on the wind. Miss me.
Shemmys heart stopped completely.
Daevyds grip on her hand tightened until it almost hurt.
The moon still shone bright above them. But the night had turned completely black with secrets.
And the woman who could destroy everything they had just started was standing right there.
Watching.
Waiting.
Ready to burn their Lagos love to the ground.