Let Them Kneel (kaelani and Julian) novel Chapter 62

Wrapped in a towel, Kaelani moved through the motions—dressing in a soft tee and jeans, nothing fancy. Just enough to feel covered. Present. Human.

She stood at the bathroom mirror, brushing her teeth, then patting her face dry before smoothing on a light layer of moisturizer. Her skin care routine was simple, practiced, automatic. A small act of control in a world where everything else felt unsteady.

She parted her hair with deft fingers and began weaving it into a braid.

Tight.

Neat.

Contained.

Just like her.

Because now wasn’t the time to fall apart.

Now was the time to stuff all those feelings back into the box they came from.

To seal the lid.

To lock it tight.

She’d learned a long time ago—weakness was dangerous.

The world didn’t feel sorry for the broken.

It didn’t offer kindness or healing.

It sent vultures.

And vultures didn’t just feed on pain.

They exploited it.

Used it to twist the knife.

To shatter what little strength you had left.

And that…

That was one thing she would never give anyone the power to do.

Kaelani locked the door behind her and stepped out into the crisp morning air, the sky still bruised with shades of lavender and pale gray. She drew her coat tighter around herself and crossed the quiet street to the bakery.

Saturday.

She just reached for the next bowl of ingredients and kept moving.

“Morning,” Tessa greeted, the bell above the bakery door chiming softly as she stepped inside.

Kaelani glanced up from the counter, offering a small smile. “Morning,” she echoed, eyes flicking over her friend’s outfit — the same one from yesterday.

She raised a brow. “You stayed the night at his place again, I see.”

Tessa gave a sheepish nod, brushing a loose curl behind her ear. “Busted.”

Kaelani paused, reaching for a tray of pecan shortbread and sliding it into the oven. “You two are getting kind of serious, huh?”

Tessa shrugged, but the blush creeping up her cheeks said more than words. “I guess we are,” she murmured.

Kaelani leaned her hip against the counter, tilting her head with a quiet smile. “I’ve never seen you with someone this long.”

Tessa chuckled, ducking her head. “Yeah, well… I really like him.” Her voice softened, her smile turning dreamy. “And the sex? Kaelani… it’s incredible.”

Kaelani gave a soft laugh, brow raised. “Oh?”

“I used to think it was only good when it was all hard, fast, a bit animalistic,” Tessa admitted with a mischievous grin. “But him? He makes love to me. Slow. Gentle. Like I’m… sacred or something.”