The Affair

Chapter 2

Kendra rushed down the hotel hallway, her heart still pounding, her lips still tingling from his kiss. She didn’t stop moving, didn’t give herself a second to think—because if she did, she might just turn around and go back to that suite.

Instead, she yanked her damp shirt over her head, shivering as the cold fabric clung to her skin. It was uncomfortable, but she didn’t care. She just needed to get out of there.

The elevator ride down felt agonizingly slow. As soon as the doors opened, she strode through the bustling airport, weaving through tired travelers and airport staff. She made her way to the luggage bay, scanning the carousels until she spotted her worn black suitcase making its way around the belt.

Yanking it off with more force than necessary, she wheeled it toward the exit, stepping outside into the crisp night air.

A row of cabs lined the curb. She hurried toward the first one, pulling open the door and sliding inside.

“Where to?” the driver asked.

She rattled off her mother’s address, barely registering the words as she sank back against the seat.

Her breath came fast, uneven.

What the hell just happened?

Her fingers grazed her lips as if trying to hold onto the ghost of his kiss. It was intoxicating—deep, hungry, perfect. A kiss that made her forget everything else.

Who was he?

Her mind raced through the possibilities. A businessman? A politician? Someone famous? That hotel suite wasn’t just expensive—it was VIP level. And the way he carried himself, so confident, so in control… he wasn’t just some ordinary guy.

The thought made a shiver run through her.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed in her lap, dragging her out of her thoughts. She glanced down, stomach twisting when she saw the name flashing on the screen.

Mom.

Kendra sighed and answered. “Hey, Mom.”

“Kenny!” Her mother’s voice was exasperated. “Where the hell are you? You were supposed to be here hours ago!”

Kendra winced. “I know, I know. I’m sorry—my flight was delayed, and then they lost my luggage for a while, so I sat at the bar while I waited and… I lost track of time.”

Her mother huffed. “That damn airline. I swear, every time—” She paused, then her tone softened. “Are you okay, sweetie? You sound a little… off.”

Kendra swallowed, forcing a laugh. “I’m just exhausted, Mom. Long day.”

“Well, you better not be too exhausted. You’re meeting Mark first thing in the morning,” her mother reminded her. “I told him all about you, and he’s really looking forward to meeting you.”

Kendra groaned, rubbing her temple. “Right. Can’t wait.”

Her mother either didn’t catch the sarcasm or chose to ignore it. “He’s a wonderful man, Kenny. I think you’ll really like him.”

Kendra hummed in response, but her mind was already elsewhere.

Because as much as she should be thinking about meeting her mother’s new fiancé tomorrow…

All she could think about was the stranger in the VIP suite.

And the way he had made her feel.

—

The cab rolled to a slow stop in front of an average but well-kept two-story home. White with navy-blue shutters, it had a wide front porch with a porch swing on one side and two potted plants framing the entrance. Five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a big backyard with an in-ground pool—a house Kendra had grown up in, one filled with both the happiest and the hardest memories of her life.

She barely had time to pay the driver before the front door burst open and her mother came rushing out, barefoot despite the chilly night air.

Rebecca Stone was stunning, the kind of woman who turned heads without even trying. She had long, thick black hair styled in soft waves, deep blue eyes that sparkled under the porch light, and an effortless, warm smile. She wasn’t just beautiful—she was elegant, sultry, and youthful, her figure curvy in all the right places. Even in her forties, she carried herself with the kind of confidence that made men stop and stare.

And Kendra?

Kendra was her mother’s mirror image, just younger.

She had the same voluminous dark hair, though hers had a slight natural wave that she sometimes straightened. Her eyes were a rich chocolate brown, deep and expressive, framed by thick lashes. Her skin was smooth, sun-kissed, a natural glow to it. She had full lips, high cheekbones, and a delicate but strong jawline—features that made her look striking, even without makeup.

But where Rebecca had a mature elegance, Kendra had a youthful fire. Her body was toned yet curvy—narrow waist, full hips, long legs—the kind of figure that made her ex-boyfriend claim she was dangerous to be around.

And right now, she was exhausted.

“Kenny!” Rebecca called out, her arms already open before Kendra could even shut the cab door.

Kendra barely had a second to react before her mother wrapped her in a tight hug.

“Mom,” Kendra groaned, though she didn’t pull away.

Rebecca leaned back, cupping her daughter’s face with both hands, studying her like she was searching for signs of distress.

“God, I missed you,” she said, brushing Kendra’s hair back. “You look thin. Have you been eating?”

Kendra rolled her eyes. “Yes, Mom.”

Rebecca sighed, finally letting go and stepping back. “You’re soaking wet. What happened?”

Kendra hesitated. She wasn’t about to explain the whole ‘mystery man, spilled drink, VIP suite, almost-hookup’ situation.

“I, uh, spilled my drink,” she said quickly. “No big deal.”

Rebecca narrowed her eyes but didn’t push. Instead, she grabbed Kendra’s suitcase and nodded toward the house.

“Come inside, I made your favorite.”

Kendra sighed but smiled. “Chicken parmesan?”

Rebecca grinned. “Of course.”

As Kendra followed her mother inside, she couldn’t shake the feeling that things were about to get very, very complicated.

As Kendra stepped into the house, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. Nothing had changed. The same warm beige walls, the same framed family photos lining the hallway, the faint scent of vanilla candles her mother always burned—it was as if time had stood still in her absence.

Her gaze drifted to the living room, where Ethan sat sprawled across the couch, completely engrossed in a video game. The glow of the screen illuminated his face, his fingers moving rapidly over the controller. He hadn’t even acknowledged her presence yet.

Kendra smirked, rolling her suitcase further inside before crossing her arms. “Well, well, if it isn’t the little gremlin himself,” she teased.

Ethan barely glanced her way, still focused on his game. “Oh great, you’re back,” he deadpanned, but there was a slight smirk tugging at his lips. “I was starting to think you finally realized we were all better off without you.”

Kendra scoffed, dropping her bag beside the couch before ruffling his hair just to annoy him. “You wish, brat.”

Ethan groaned, swatting her hand away. “Ugh, stop. You’ve been gone four years—should’ve made it five.”

She chuckled, flopping onto the couch beside him. “Missed me, didn’t you?”

“Like a hole in the head,” he muttered, eyes never leaving the screen.

Kendra leaned back, taking in the familiar comfort of home. Despite their constant bickering, she had missed this—the playful banter, the easy familiarity. But what she hadn’t expected was how different she felt coming back. College had changed her, life had changed her. And yet, here, everything remained the same.

At least… for now.