Saint Baptiste 1-2 by Miss Candice | Saint was a whole menace, but I understand Naoki, I understand

Saint Baptiste is Jahad’s brother. Naoki Childs is Sienna’s bestie. Yes, this is yet another series connected to Soul Ties by Miss Candice.

These two were only supposed to be fooling around and having fun. Both of them caught feelings they refused to admit out loud. Naoki wanted more. Saint refused to commit to a relationship but did everything for her including paying all her bills. She got tired of feeling rejected every time he left her bed in the middle of the night, so she blocked him on everything.

I don’t know what she thought that would do considering she was godmother to his brother and Sienna’s children and they were always around each other. But hey! If you like it, I love it, Sis.

Saint legit hated that ‘his Oki’ (because she belonged to him, duh) wasn’t submissive and was headstrong but that’s also what drew him to her. He was her weakness and she was definitely his. Both of them had things they were battling internally. Him, the pressures from being thrust into head of the family business when Jahad stepped down. Her, family trauma that includes sexual assault.

Saint refused to commit, said he wasn’t built for that and his role as head of the family business didn’t allow for that. He’s always been a playboy but Naoki scares TF out of him. Try as he might, he cannot get enough of her. Ever. He can’t even be with another woman UNLESS he thinks about Naoki while he’s with her.

Naoki kept herself closed off to avoid feeling. She wanted to let Saint in but by the same token, she believed the lies that the person who brutalized her told her about herself and her worth. The only time he got to see her vulnerable was the times she cried in her sleep, and he comforted her without her knowing. Saint won me right there because no matter how hard he tried to be, that, above all else let me know the deal.

Finding out that Saint left her bed to end up at Pandora’s shattered Naoki and sent her on a continuing quest to get an invite. Saint had told her for years he had her on a banned list because he didn’t want anyone but him to ever be with her. She finally got her coveted invite from Mahogany, only for it to slip through her fingers.

But chile, the way Saint owned Naoki was wild lol. She could be mad AF but the minute he touched her she was so goddamn weak. I understand Naoki completely. The creole alone would do it for me.

She finally decided she was done. Even started hanging with someone new. But baby when she threw it in his face that the only reason he wouldn’t take her to Pandora’s was because he knew how dudes would have their way with her and he said he was coming to take her. I said awwww hell. He legit took her there to play in her damn face then got his feelings hurt when she got her lick back. Saint was wild AF for that. I’m still pissed he even tried her like that. But let me just say, Saint didn’t play about Naomi at all, he was childish and petty, but he was only gon’ let it go so far. She always acted so unbothered, but when he finally saw her in a vulnerable state, outside of her dreams, it broke his heart to see her hurt.

Saint really was crazy though lol he was always taunting and threatening Naoki. This man had full blown sweet nothing conversations with her kewchie but talked to her with disdain in his voice at the same time 😂 But truth be told, Naoki had that man whipped like a mutha. Try as he might, no matter what, he wanted and needed her.

The dynamic between these two can only be described as beautifully broken. They both wanted the same things but neither trusted themselves enough to receive it. Until it was too late…

Thankfully for them both, the universe has a way of giving you exactly what you need, when you need it.

I loved when they both finally let go and embraced their love authentically. This was a really good series.

TW: sexual assault, family trauma, toxic relationship dynamics

Rating: Saint was unhinged about Naoki and honestly? I love that for them both.