liv. GERMANY.
February 22, 2018. | Third Person POV.
Cologne, Germany.

The ride to the airport was unusually quiet—well, at least on Sedona's end. She sat by the window, an oversized hoodie pulled low over her forehead, baggy sweatpants swallowing her legs as she scrolled aimlessly through her phone. But the real tell? The gospel music blasting through her earbuds at full volume.

Monica side-eyed her from the seat across. "You do realize you're being real obvious right now?"

Sedona didn't look up. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Mmmhmm." Monica popped her gum, arms crossed. "So you suddenly woke up this morning feeling extra holy? That's what we doing?"

Sedona ignored her, turning up the volume on her playlist. The rich harmonies of Kirk Franklin filled her ears, but they did nothing to drown out the thoughts in her head—the heat still lingering from last night's conversation with Kendrick. He had her twisted, and she knew it. The problem was, he knew it too.

When they arrived at the airport, Sedona kept her hood up, sunglasses in place, fingers tight around her phone like it was her lifeline. She wasn't ready for this. Him.

But life, as always, had other plans.

The moment they stepped inside, she spotted Kendrick and his team near the private check-in counter. He was in casual sweats too, but he still looked unfairly good— blue hoodie snug against his frame, jaw set in that quiet, unreadable way of his.

Dave noticed them first, his eyes flickering between Sedona and Kendrick before a knowing smirk stretched across his face. He snorted. Loudly.

"Yo, what is this?" He gestured between them. "Why y'all standing like y'all got a restraining order on each other?"

Sedona shot him a glare. "Mind your business."

"Nah, this is my business now. I need answers."

Kendrick finally spoke, his voice even. "Man, shut up."

Dave grinned. "Ooooh, so that's what we on? Aight. Say less."

Sedona kept her gaze locked on her phone, scrolling through nothing just to avoid looking up. But she could feel Kendrick watching her. The weight of his stare pressed into her skin, raising the temperature she was desperately trying to keep cool.

"You good?" his voice was low, directed at her.

She nodded, still not looking up. "Yep. Great. Blessed and highly favored."

Kendrick huffed a quiet laugh, barely audible. "That why you got gospel on full blast?"

Her fingers twitched over her phone screen. "Trying to stay focused."

A beat of silence. Then—

"On what?"

Her eyes snapped up then, meeting his. The heat between them was instant, crackling. Her breath caught. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes? His eyes told her everything.

She swallowed. "My priorities."

Kendrick tilted his head slightly, watching her like he could see straight through her little act. He said nothing. Just smirked—smirked—before glancing away, hands slipping into his pockets. "Alright, D. Whatever you say."

She clenched her jaw, gripping her phone so tight her fingers ached. This flight was about to be hell.

By the time they were on the flight, the tension had reached an all-time high. Sedona, who had a pretty good idea about the game Kendrick was playing, felt the need to up the ante—just a bit. 

She was seated beside him, of course. Fate was cruel like that. Dave and Monica were a row behind, already settled in and side-eyeing the unspoken war happening in front of them. Sedona glanced at Kendrick out of the corner of her eye, his focus on his phone, his posture relaxed—too relaxed. He was trying to play it cool, but she knew him better than that. 

She knew exactly how to get under his skin. 

When the flight attendant came by with the drink cart, she saw her chance. Instead of asking Kendrick to hand her a bottle of water like a normal person would, she leaned over him, reaching across his lap with a drawn-out stretch that had her back arching just enough, a soft sigh slipping out of her mouth—almost a moan. 

From the corner of her eye, she saw his jaw tighten, his fingers gripping the armrest so hard his knuckles turned white. She nearly smirked but kept her expression innocent as she settled back into her seat, twisting the cap off her bottle. 

She made a point of taking a slow sip, her throat working as she swallowed. She knew he was watching—she could feel his eyes on her. And when she peeked over, his gaze was dark, heavy, his lips pressed into a thin line. 

Perfect. 

Sedona let her head fall back against the headrest, earbuds in, blasting gospel music because the Lord knew she needed the strength to keep this up. But it was all worth it to see Kendrick shifting uncomfortably in his seat, his fingers flexing against his thigh, his jaw clenching every few seconds. 

After another few minutes of his squirming, she feigned concern, placing a gentle hand on his forehead. "Are you okay, Kenny? You're starting to look flushed." Her voice was laced with innocence, her eyes wide and sweet. 

His eyes narrowed. "I'm fine." 

"You sure?" She tilted her head, brushing her fingers lightly across his temple. "You've been fidgeting a lot." 

His jaw ticked, a muscle feathering beneath his skin. "I said I'm good." 

She gave a tiny shrug, letting her hand fall away. "Okay. Just checking." 

Kendrick's gaze lingered on her, his eyes tracing the curve of her lips before flicking back to her eyes. "You think you're funny, huh?" 

Sedona grinned. "I have no idea what you're talking about." 

He leaned in just enough for his breath to ghost against her ear. "Keep playin', Sedona. See where that gets you." 

Her pulse quickened, but she kept her face composed. "I'm just trying to be a good girlfriend and check on your health. No need to get all defensive." 

Kendrick's lips twitched, the hint of a smirk. "A'ight. Bet." 

She didn't think much of it—until a few minutes later, when his arm stretched along the back of her seat, his fingers lightly grazing her shoulder. It was subtle, casual even, but the heat of his touch seeped through the fabric of her hoodie, branding her skin. 

She tried to focus on her phone, scrolling aimlessly, but he was so close, his cologne wrapped around her, invading her senses. He smelled too good. It was distracting.

Then, as the plane hit a patch of turbulence, Kendrick's hand tightened, fingers pressing just a little harder into her shoulder, his body leaning into hers. 

"My bad," He murmured, his lips dangerously close to her ear. "Didn't want you to get scared." 

Sedona's breath hitched. "I'm not scared." 

His chuckle was low, dark. "No?" He let his fingers drag across her shoulder as he pulled back, the touch fleeting but devastating. "My bad then." 

She clenched her jaw, her body betraying her as a shiver raced down her spine. 

She was losing. Badly.

The rest of the flight was a game of subtle touches and stolen glances. Whenever she'd lean away, he'd shift closer, his leg brushing hers, his arm pressing against hers. Every touch felt intentional, deliberate, a taunt wrapped in casual gestures. 

And the worst part? He looked so damn unbothered, his expression perfectly neutral, eyes focused on the movie playing on the seat screen. 

Meanwhile, she was seconds away from self-combusting. 

Sedona tried to play it cool, tried to focus on her gospel playlist, and pretended his presence wasn't wreaking havoc on her senses. But every move he made, every whisper of his touch had her nerves on fire. 

She was reeling, her mind spinning as she remembered how she had left him hanging last night, how she had been the one to pull away. Was she being unfair? She didn't know what to do, or how to fix this without losing control completely. 

The plane began its descent, and she felt a wave of relief, ready to escape this torture. But as they prepared for landing, Kendrick leaned in one last time, his lips brushing her ear. "Next time you reach over me like that, you better be ready for what happens after." 

Her heart stopped.

Before she could respond, he pulled back, his expression cool and unbothered, his eyes glued to the window as if he hadn't just shattered her composure with one sentence. 

Sedona stared at him, mouth slightly open, completely speechless. 

Oh, she was in so much trouble.

—

Once they arrived at the hotel, Sedona wasted no time setting her things down in her room. She was still feeling the fire from the plane ride—the electric tension that Kendrick had ignited and left to smolder. She needed to blow off some steam before the show that night, and she knew just the way to do it. 

A run. 

Not just any run—a two-mile, possibly three-mile sprint to burn out the heat that was still curling in her stomach. And if she were being completely honest with herself, she wanted company. His company. 

After changing into her running gear—a fitted sports top and high-waisted leggings that showed off her curves just right—she tied her hair into a sleek ponytail and knocked on Kendrick's door. 

It took him less than three seconds to open it, his brows lifting when he saw her attire. His eyes did a slow, unhurried sweep from her head to her toes, and she had to bite back a smirk when she saw the way his jaw flexed. 

"You coming or what?" She asked, leaning against the doorframe, feigning nonchalance. "I need to blow off some steam before rehearsal, and I figured you could use the exercise." 

Kendrick folded his arms, leaning against the door, a sly grin tugging at his lips. "Oh, I need the exercise?" 

She shrugged, crossing her arms, which just so happened to lift her chest a little higher. "Yeah. I mean, you were struggling to keep still on that flight. Thought maybe you had some energy to burn off." 

His eyes darkened, a flash of something hot flickering across his face before he masked it with a casual smile. "Let me get changed." 

A few minutes later, he stepped out of his room in a fitted athletic Nike gear that made him look a bit too good. Sedona swallowed, averting her gaze before he could catch her staring. 

They made their way to a nearby park, starting with a light jog. It was easy at first—too easy. Kendrick ran beside her, his pace relaxed, matching her step for step. 

She glanced over, arching a brow. "You know, I didn't bring you out here to babysit me. You can keep up, right?" 

His lips quirked. "I'm just letting you set the pace, Seddy. Didn't know you wanted a race." 

She scoffed, picking up speed. "I got more stamina than you think. I run while singing to build endurance. Pretty sure I can leave you in the dust." 

"Oh, word?" He matched her speed easily, his long strides catching up without breaking a sweat. "Guess we'll see about that." 

It was on. 

Sedona pushed herself faster, her sneakers hitting the pavement in a steady rhythm. Kendrick was right there, just a step behind, his breathing controlled and even. 

They wove through the park, dodging pedestrians and weaving between trees. Sedona's heart raced, not just from the exertion but from the thrill of the chase, the way Kendrick's presence seemed to charge the air around her. 

She risked a glance back, flashing him a teasing smile. "Try and keep up, Kenny!" 

His answering grin was pure mischief. "You're gonna regret that." 

He surged forward, his pace doubling as he pulled ahead of her, his laughter echoing as she cursed under her breath and sped up to catch him. 

They raced through the last stretch, neck and neck until they reached the end of the trail, both of them panting, hands on their knees as they caught their breath. 

Sedona straightened first, wiping the sweat from her forehead. "Not bad... for an old man." 

Kendrick let out a breathy laugh. "Old man? I just smoked you on that last stretch." 

She rolled her eyes. "Only 'cause I let you." 

He stepped closer, his chest still heaving as he looked down at her. "Keep tellin' yourself that, D." 

His eyes were bright, his smile wide, and for a moment, she forgot how to breathe. But she couldn't let him know that. Not when she was supposed to be getting her mind off him. 

"Whatever," She muttered, turning on her heel. "Come on. We need to shower before rehearsal." 

His voice was low behind her, a playful lilt to his tone. "Together?" 

She stopped dead in her tracks, her cheeks flushing. She spun around, narrowing her eyes. "Don't get cute." 

His laughter followed her all the way back to the hotel. 

—

After showering separately (thank God), they met downstairs to head to rehearsal. The car ride was quieter, more relaxed now that the tension had lessened. But the air was still charged, and Sedona knew they needed to clear the air before things got even more complicated. 

She hesitated before speaking. "About the other night..." 

Kendrick turned to look at her, his expression unreadable. "Yeah?" 

She chewed her bottom lip, then sighed. "I didn't mean to leave you hanging like that. I panicked. It's just... with me being in this weird place of 'celibacy'—" she made air quotes around the word, "It threw me off. I didn't swear off sex or anything, it just... happened. I mean, ever since my breakup with Marco in October, I've just been... chillin'." She shrugged, her gaze fixed on her hands. "It's February now, and I didn't think much of it until you came along."

She looked up, meeting his eyes. "Now I'm in a relationship with you, and you... you just affect me in ways I wasn't expecting. Like... at all." She laughed lightly, almost nervously. "This three-month rule I set is starting to feel like a challenge more than a natural course. But that doesn't mean I'm giving up easily."

Kendrick watched her, his expression softening. "I was wonderin' what that was about." His voice was low, measured. "I told you I was good with waiting. I meant that."

"I know. I just didn't want you to think I was playing games," She admitted, her fingers twisting together. "I don't want to mess this up."

He reached out, his hand brushing hers before intertwining their fingers. "You're not messing anything up, D. But next time? Don't just dip out. If it's too much, just say that."

She felt a wave of relief, her shoulders relaxing. "Okay. Deal."

He leaned in, his face just inches from hers. His voice dropped, low and deliberate. "But if you get me all worked up again and leave me hangin'... there's no tellin' what's gonna happen afterward."

A shiver ran down her spine, heat pooling low in her belly. "Is that a threat?"

Kendrick's lips curved into that heart-stopping grin. "Nah. Just a promise."

Sedona's heart did a flip, her resolve wavering for a split second before she caught herself. "Cute. Real cute." She looked away, biting her lip to hide her smile.

"I try," He teased, leaning back and watching her with those eyes that saw way too much.

She shook her head, leaning back in her seat, desperately trying to get her heartbeat under control. This man was going to be the death of her.

—

The tension in the car eased as their conversation flowed into safer, more casual territory. They bounced from topic to topic—everything from Kendrick's thoughts on the upcoming NBA playoffs to Sedona's hot take that Civil War was the best Marvel movie of all time with Black Panther landing in at second. 

"Wait, wait, wait." Kendrick held up a hand, eyes wide with mock outrage. "You're tellin' me Civil War is better than Iron Man 3?" 

Sedona rolled her eyes. "I didn't say that. I said it's the best standalone Marvel movie in terms of facing dilemma and how lies can change a friendship. T'Challa changed the game especially when he popped up in Civil War. That movie is iconic." 

Kendrick scoffed, crossing his arms. "Iconic? Sure. But better than Iron Man 3? Nah." 

Sedona's jaw dropped. "Who's actually even paying attention to Iron Man 3. Shit was a snooze fest."

He laughed, his head falling back against the seat. "It's a classic! Without it, there wouldn't even be a Marvel Cinematic Universe." 

She narrowed her eyes. "Alright, fine. You might have a point. But Black Panther still clears." 

They went back and forth, playful bickering that felt easy, natural. It was a relief after the tension that had been clouding them. 

Then, as the laughter died down, Sedona huffed, leaning back into her seat. "You know what else is overrated? Fifty Shades of Grey." 

Kendrick raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You got beef with Fifty Shades now?" 

She scoffed, crossing her arms. "It's a mockery of BDSM and sex in general. You can tell the writers had no clue what they were doing. It's like they Googled a few terms and just ran with it. I read the book and it's decent."

Kendrick's eyes twinkled with curiosity, a sly grin spreading across his lips. "And what do you know about that?" 

Sedona didn't miss a beat, her gaze locked on his. "A little. I could show you more than I can tell you." 

The words hung in the air, thickening the tension that had only just begun to fade. Kendrick's jaw tightened, his eyes darkening just a bit as he watched her. "That right?" 

She shrugged, playing it cool despite the heat rising in her chest. "I mean... if you're curious." 

He leaned in, voice dropping low. "You playin' a dangerous game, D." 

Sedona's lips curved into a wicked smile. "You scared?" 

Kendrick's laugh was low, almost a growl. "Not even a little." 

Her heart thumped hard, pulse quickening at the intensity in his gaze. The air in the car felt heavier now, charged with a current she couldn't quite name. She bit her lip, looking away just to catch her breath. 

Kendrick shook his head, leaning back with a chuckle. "I'ma remember that, Sedona. You better be ready to back up that talk." 

Sedona kept her eyes on the window, a smirk playing on her lips. "Oh, I'm ready. Question is... are you?" 

He didn't answer, but the look he gave her said everything she needed to know. This little game they were playing? It was far from over.

Eventually, the conversation drifted, and Sedona leaned her head back, staring at the ceiling of the car. "I miss my house," She murmured, more to herself than to him. "Feels like I've been on the road forever." 

Kendrick glanced over. "You homesick?" 

"A little. I miss my kitchen, too. Been craving a home-cooked meal." Her eyes lit up, a thought striking her. "You know what? When we get back to L.A., I should cook something for you. A one-on-one kind of thing. Just us." 

Kendrick's brows lifted, a slow smile spreading across his face. "You wanna cook for me?" 

"Why not?" She shrugged, trying to play it cool. "You know that I'm nice in the kitchen. I could throw together something special." 

He looked genuinely interested. "Oh yeah? What you got in mind?" 

"That depends. What do you feel like eating?" 

He rubbed his chin, pretending to think it over. "You know... I'm in the mood for some soul food. Can you handle that?" 

Sedona's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Boy, please. I'll have you licking the plate. What you want? Mac and cheese? Fried chicken? Collard greens?" 

Kendrick's mouth watered just hearing her list it out. "All of that. Especially the mac and cheese. If it ain't cheesy enough, we might have a problem." 

She scoffed, crossing her arms. "Oh, it'll be cheesy. Trust me. But you better come hungry 'cause I don't cook light." 

"Oh, I always come hungry," He said, his voice dipping just low enough to make her heart skip. But he didn't let the moment linger, continuing, "And since you're offering, I might have to reciprocate. I can throw down in the kitchen too." 

Sedona arched a brow. "Oh? I'll make sure I come prepared then." 

Kendrick chuckled. "We'll see." 

"We shall." She nudged his arm, her smile softening. "So it's a plan, then? When we get back to L.A., we'll do a little cook-off?" 

He shook his head. "Nah, not a cook-off. Just... I'll cook for you one night, and you cook for me the next." His gaze softened, his voice dropping. "Sound good?" 

She held his gaze, her heart flipping at the tenderness she saw there. "Yeah. Sounds good." 

A comfortable silence settled between them, but then she grinned, a wicked glint in her eyes. "Oh, and you have to try my tiramisu." 

Kendrick's brows shot up. "You make tiramisu?" 

"Damn right, I do. Got the recipe from a friend who's Italian, but I tweaked it a bit to my liking." She leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I'm telling you—it's like sex in a bowl."

Kendrick's eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. "Sex in a bowl, huh?" 

She didn't miss the way his voice went husky, the way his eyes lingered on her lips. Feeling a little bold, she nodded. "Mmhmm. One bite and you'll be hooked. You'd think you've make it to heaven."

He leaned in, his face just a breath away from hers. "Guess I'll have to find out for myself." 

"You will. Trust."

"For someone who's apprehensive about sex, you sure are mentioning it a lot."

Sedona's face grew flushed, but she kept her cool, raising an eyebrow in defiance. "Just because I'm sticking to the three-month rule doesn't mean I can't talk about it."

Kendrick chuckled, shaking his head. "Uh-huh. Whatever you say, D."

As the car pulled up to the Lanxess Arena, the sprawling venue coming into full view, Sedona's playful demeanor shifted. Her shoulders squared, eyes sharpening with focus. She exhaled, steadying herself. This was game time.

"But before any of what we're talking about can happen..." She murmured, her fingers absentmindedly toying with the zipper on her jacket. Her eyes never left the arena. "Off to work we go."

Kendrick's gaze followed hers, his own expression turning serious. "You ready?"

She turned to face him, determination etched into every line of her face. "I was born ready."

A small smile tugged at his lips, pride evident in his eyes. "I never doubted it."

With that, the car door opened, and they were met with the bustling energy of backstage personnel, security, and the hum of anticipation echoing through the arena walls. Sedona adjusted her hoodie, pulling it back just enough to let her curls breathe, then stepped out, Kendrick right behind her.

As they made their way inside, she felt the familiar rush—the electricity in the air, the adrenaline pumping through her veins. It was showtime.

Monica and Dave was waiting from them, walking ahead as they talked logistics and checked in with the team. Meanwhile, Kendrick stayed close, his presence grounding her, reminding her that no matter how big the stage got, she wasn't alone.

They reached her dressing room, a door marked with her name in bold letters. Sedona paused, her fingers grazing over the plaque. Moments like these still felt surreal, even after all the shows, all the accolades.

Kendrick noticed her hesitation, his voice soft. "Crazy, huh?"

She nodded. "Every time. It never gets old."

"That's 'cause you're doing what you're meant to do." He stepped closer, his hand brushing hers. "Go out there and own it."

She looked up at him, her heart swelling with gratitude. "You always know what to say."

Kendrick's lips curved into a knowing smirk. "I got a way with words."

Sedona laughed, the last remnants of nerves melting away. "Yeah, you do." She straightened, her confidence returning. "Alright, I better go get ready. You staying to watch rehearsal?"

"Wouldn't miss it." He leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "I like seeing you in your element."

Heat rose to her cheeks, but she masked it with a playful roll of her eyes. "Don't distract me, then."

"No promises." His eyes twinkled, mischief lurking beneath his calm exterior.

Sedona shook her head, backing into her dressing room. "You're trouble."

"And you like it." He winked just as the door closed, leaving her heart pounding and a smile she couldn't quite shake.

With a deep breath, Sedona turned to face herself in the mirror. This was her moment. Time to show the world exactly who she was.

Game face on. Showtime.

—

Rehearsals ran like a well-oiled machine, every beat, every note syncing flawlessly. Sedona moved across the stage with the precision of a seasoned pro, her vocals powerful and emotive, drawing in everyone within earshot. Kendrick watched from the sidelines, his expression unreadable but his eyes following her every move. 

The concert itself was electric. Lanxess Arena was packed to capacity, the roar of the crowd echoing off the walls. Sedona commanded the stage, flowing effortlessly from one hit to another. From the sultry tones of Distraction to the emotional depth of Fool For You, she had them in the palm of her hand. Her energy was magnetic, her stage presence unmatched. 

Kendrick's set was just as explosive. The crowd went wild as he spat bar after bar, his flow precise and delivery raw. His chemistry with the audience was undeniable, feeding off their energy and giving it back tenfold. When he brought Sedona back out for their duet, the arena practically shook. Their voices intertwined perfectly, igniting the stage with an intensity that left the audience screaming for more. 

After the show, they retreated to the green room, buzzing from the adrenaline high. The space was filled with industry faces, some of the biggest names in music who had come to watch them tear the stage apart. Photos were snapped, laughter filled the room, and accolades were tossed around with genuine admiration. 

Dave and Monica mingled with the crowd, while Kendrick stayed close to Sedona, his hand casually resting on the small of her back, anchoring her amidst the chaos. She leaned into him slightly, her body relaxed now that the hard part was over. 

But as the night wore on, exhaustion crept in, and it was time to head to Amsterdam for the next show. They piled into the sprinter, Sedona now stripped of the glitz and glam, comfortably dressed in baggy all-black attire. Her curls were pulled into a messy bun, and she sighed in relief, feeling the weight of the night finally lift. 

The ride to the airport was filled with laughter, jokes bouncing around as they recapped the night. Dave did a terrible impression of one of the backup dancers, and Monica nearly choked on her drink from laughing too hard. 

Then, almost out of nowhere, Sedona nudged Kendrick, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Remember that scene from Friday?" 

Kendrick's face lit up instantly. "Which one?" 

Sedona cleared her throat, deepening her voice to mimic Smokey. "You got knocked the fuck out!" 

The sprinter erupted in laughter, Dave nearly doubling over. Kendrick played along, feigning a sense of unserious as he reenacted a completely different scene. "We ain't got no sugar..." 

Sedona joined in, mimicking Smokey, "No sugar? Damn. Y'all ain't never got two things that match. Either y'all got Kool-aid, no sugar. Peanut butter, no jelly. Ham, no burger. Daaamn." 

They went back and forth, reenacting the entire scene with flawless timing, their laughter filling the vehicle. It was lighthearted and silly, and for a moment, all the tension that had been lingering between them vanished. 

Sedona's sides ached from laughing so hard, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. She leaned against Kendrick, catching her breath. "We're ridiculous." 

He grinned, his arm draping over her shoulders. "Yeah, but you love it." 

She looked up at him, her gaze softening. "Yeah... I do." 

His eyes held hers for a beat longer before Monica's voice broke through. "If y'all don't quit flirting and let me sleep, I'm putting y'all out. Walk to the damn airport."

Sedona snorted, pulling her hood over her head. "Whatever, hater." 

Kendrick chuckled, his arm tightening around her just slightly. "Next stop, Amsterdam." 

Sedona hummed, her eyes growing heavy as she leaned into his warmth. "Can't wait." 

And as the sprinter sped through the city lights, laughter still echoing within its walls, she felt that familiar, unmistakable spark. Whatever they were—whatever they were becoming—she was all in.

—

©kashdemi
Volume I- Redamancy.
Chapter Fifty-four.
— ０２／２０／２５
———————

They want each other so bad. Like really bad. I think it's important to showcase relationships in this light especially within the writing scene... it almost never happens. Most people either just fuck and done and keep it moving. I wanted to try something different.

Thoughts on the chapter? Thoughts on their growing relationship? And what do you expect for the next one?

Stay tuned for the next chapter, & til next time!
-shea