THE INCARCERATED STRANGER

 

Chapter 19

 

RILEY

 

“You don’t have to order pizza; I’ve bought it for you,” a voice calls from the hallway, startling her as she makes her way to the living room.

“You scared the sh**t out of me! Don’t do that ever again!” she snaps, irritation flashing in her eyes. He chuckles, a playful glint in his gaze, and they head toward the living room together. Wait—how did he know she wanted pizza?

“How did you know I want pizza?” she asks, turning to look at him, curiosity piquing.

“I just guessed,” he replies with a casual shrug. She frowns, crossing her arms. You don’t just guess what someone wants and get it right like that.

“Well, I don’t want pizza anymore,” she says defiantly, turning her back to him. 

“What? Are you serious?” he asks, disbelief coloring his tone. She can feel his eyes on her as she tries to ignore him.

“What do you want then?” he presses.

“Why don’t you guess, just like you guessed I would want pizza?” she challenges, raising an eyebrow at him.

He squints his eyes, considering her for a moment. “Do not make me kiss you that attitude away, Aya. Now get your thick arse on the chair and eat,” he says playfully, a smirk on his lips.

She swallows hard, thoughts drifting back to the kiss from earlier. Suddenly feeling shy and flushed, she can’t help but smile at his teasing tone as warmth spreads across her cheeks. The tension between them shifts into something lighter, filled with unspoken words and lingering glances…

They eat the pizza in silence, the only sound being the soft crunch of crust and the occasional sip of soda. He keeps stealing glances at her every few minutes, and she can feel his intense stare lingering on her.

“Who was making you smile like that earlier?” he suddenly asks, breaking the quiet. She looks at him, disbelief flickering across her face.

“Why do you want to know?” she replies, raising an eyebrow.

He frowns at her response, and she rolls her eyes, wiping her hands on a napkin before downing her drink.

 “I’m going to bed,” she declares, trying to pass him by. But he reaches out and pulls her back toward him.

“What’s wrong with you?” she asks, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice.

“I asked you a question, and you just roll your eyes at me,” he replies, his tone a mix of annoyance and curiosity. She falls silent, not ready to engage with him just yet.

“Who was making you smile like that, Miss Qwane?” he presses again, leaning in closer until his face is inches from her neck. She can feel his warm breath against her skin, sending shivers down her spine. Instead of answering, she closes her eyes, lost in the sensation of his closeness.

Then he plants a soft kiss on her neck. She tilts her head slightly to give him better access, inviting the warmth of his lips. 

“Do you want me to stop?” he asks softly, his voice barely above a whisper. She shakes her head quickly, urgency in the movement. A smirk plays on his lips as he kisses her neck again, and she feels herself growing weak under his touch.

He brings his lips to hers then, capturing them in a gentle kiss. She kisses him back instinctively.

He carefully wraps his hands around her waist, getting up  from the chair without breaking the kiss. His fingers glide smoothly over her body, rubbing her gently as she melts into him, soft moans escaping her lips in between their kisses. Each sound she makes ignites something deep within him, and he groans in response, feeling the heat rise between them.

As her moans fill the air, he presses his body against hers, feeling the undeniable hardness against her belly. 

 He pulls away from the kiss, cursing under his breath as their foreheads rest against each other. There’s a tension in the air, and something deep inside her urges him not to stop. She craves more; the wild side of her screams for him to keep going.

“Open your eyes,” he whispers, his voice low and enticing. She shakes her head, refusing to comply, pressing her thighs together as an overwhelming heat radiates through her. She feels her wetness threatening to drip down, a clear sign of her desire. 

With a surge of boldness, she presses her lips against his once again…

He pulls out and stares at her, and she meets his gaze, a mix of desire and uncertainty lingering in the air. 

“We cannot do this,” he says, breaking the silence. 

“But why? I want it,” she surprises herself with her boldness. 

“Not in this place, Ayakha. If we’re going to do this, it will definitely not be in this house,” he replies firmly. She nods shyly, disappointment washing over her as she looks down.

He gently lifts her chin, making her meet his eyes again, and presses a soft kiss on her forehead. That simple gesture sends a flutter of butterflies through her stomach. 

“You look cute when you’re horny,” he teases, a smirk playing on his lips as her cheeks flush with warmth.

“Let’s get you showered and into bed,” he says, scooping her up effortlessly. She gasps in surprise, but he just smiles, carrying her toward her room.

 “You need to wash up and change out of those messy shorts,” he adds playfully as they walk together, anticipation buzzing in the air.

 She finishes her shower, slipping into a fresh pair of pajamas. He tucks her into bed like she’s a child, the silence hanging between them since they entered the room. 

“Where did you go earlier?” she asks, breaking the quiet.

“I went to meet up with Sage and the others. I believe my brothers aren’t the ones who led me to jail, but they’re definitely among those who want me dead,” he replies, his expression serious.

“Why would they want you dead? You’re their brother,” she says, confusion etching her features. He simply shrugs.

“I still have to figure that out. For now, we’re focused on finding the enemies who got me locked up,” he says. She nods, absorbing his words.

“Can I go to Eastern Cape for two days? I want to see my father. I miss him,” she says, glancing down at the blankets. He sighs, considering her request.

“When do you want to go? I can accompany you and stay at a hotel until we come back,” he offers. She frowns, wanting to tell him she prefers to travel alone but decides to keep quiet and nod instead.

“Get some sleep then. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says softly. She watches him as he leaves the room, and as the door clicks shut, sleep begins to creep in, making her eyelids heavy until she finally drifts off.

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MANGALISO

 

He wakes up early today, the sun barely peeking through the curtains. Feeling motivated, he decides to go check on his businesses and see how everything is running. After a refreshing shower, he steps out with a towel wrapped around his torso, droplets of water glistening on his skin. 

Standing in front of the mirror, he admires his reflection, taking in the hard work he’s put into maintaining his physique. His face is neatly trimmed, giving him a polished look. 

He slips into a tailored suit, the fabric hugging him perfectly and transforming him into a real businessman.

With everything done, he grabs his car keys and steps out of his house, feeling a sense of purpose. He hops into his car, the familiar scent of leather welcoming him as he settles into the driver’s seat. As he turns the ignition, the engine roars to life, and he pulls out of the driveway, a smile creeping onto his face.

He drives through the city, the streets buzzing with life. The sun shines brightly overhead, casting a warm glow that energizes him as he navigates through familiar routes. Each turn brings back memories of late nights and early mornings spent building his first business—Adorne Jewellers.As he nears the store, he can’t help but feel a swell of pride. Adorne Jewellers isn’t just a business; it’s a symbol of his hard work and dedication. It’s where it all began—the foundation that allowed him to explore new ventures and chase his dreams.

He parks in front of the elegant storefront, its display windows showcasing stunning pieces of jewelry that sparkle in the sunlight. He steps out of the car, straightening his suit jacket as he walks toward the entrance. The sight of the shop fills him with nostalgia; every piece inside tells a story.

Pushing open the door, a small bell jingles overhead, announcing his arrival. The familiar scent of polished wood and precious metals greets him as he steps inside. His employees look up from their tasks, their faces lighting up with recognition.

“Good morning!” he calls out, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

“Morning, boss!” they reply in unison, their energy infectious.

He strolls through the showroom, admiring the glimmering displays and engaging with customers who are browsing. This is where his passion for jewelry began—the artistry and craftsmanship that captivated not only him but also countless others.Hee talks to a couple admiring an engagement ring, he feels a sense of fulfillment wash over him. This is what it’s all about: connecting people to moments that matter…

One necklace captures his eye, its delicate design glimmering under the lights. He walks toward it, admiring the intricate craftsmanship. Suddenly, an image flashes in his mind: Ayakha wearing the necklace, looking stunning and radiant. A smile spreads across his face, and he chuckles softly to himself. What is this woman doing to him? He has never been the type to get lost in thoughts about a woman, especially when it comes to something as personal as jewelry.

Miss Qwane has him wrapped around her finger, and whatever connection they share, he hopes it becomes clearer as time goes by. He’s not the kind of man who chases after women; instead, he believes that his actions will show Ayakha just how much she affects him—that he wants her all to himself. As stubborn as she is, there’s something about her that ignites a fire within him in ways he never expected.

Chuckling again at the thought of her, he finds himself momentarily lost in daydreams until Nkalipho appears beside him, breaking his reverie. 

“Who is the woman that is making you smile like a retard?” Nkalipho asks with a teasing grin.He turns to face Nkalipho, rolling his eyes. 

“None of your business! And who said it’s a woman making me smile?” 

Nkalipho bursts into laughter, clearly enjoying the banter. The playful exchange lightens the moment, but his thoughts drift back to Ayakha and the undeniable connection forming between them.…

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He is tired, having spent the day running errands and checking on his other businesses. Everything appears to be perfectly fine, and now he can finally rest and make a call to someone who can help him with the plan he discussed with Sage the other day. The sooner this gets done, the better. 

As he drives to the safe house, a sense of anticipation builds within him; he has something for Miss Qwane, and he hopes she will like it. He parks the car outside and heads toward the house, his mind racing through thoughts of their last conversation.

Upon entering, he finds her in the living room with another girl. 

“Am I interrupting something?” he asks, locking his gaze onto Ayakha’s eyes. She quickly avoids his stare, clearing her throat nervously.

“N...no, not at all. Pari was actually leaving,” she stammers. The girl nods, downing her drink before getting up to kiss Ayakha’s cheek.

“It was good to see you, friend. We will talk,” the girl says as she walks past him.

“Good to finally see you, Mr. Mazibuko,” she adds with a polite smile before closing the door behind her shapeless figure.

He turns back to Ayakha, annoyance bubbling beneath the surface. 

“If you’re ready to die, tell me and I will gladly kill you myself, okay?” His tone is stern,she gasps . He walks toward the kitchen to grab a glass of water.

What was she thinking inviting her friend over to the safe house? He understands that it’s her friend, but doesn’t she realize how risky that is? What if his brothers were following her? What if whoever is after her life finds out where she is? The tension in his chest tightens as he contemplates the danger lurking just outside their carefully constructed sanctuary.

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