Page 31 of Crown: Phase 4

“You just have to put in the work, baby. He’s merciful.”

“I hear you.”

“In the meantime, you’re perfect in my eyes. That’s gotta count for something, right?”

“Shit, counts a lot. With your love and approval, a nigga can cope.”

Nivéa smiled. “Awe, I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“How much?”

“More than I can put into words.”

“When did you feel it?”

“Feel I loved you?”

“Yes, and why?”

Nivéa was still learning Crown, taking moments like this to study everything about their journey.

“It was plenty of moments.”

Nivéa’s perfectly arched brows knitted in curiosity.

“The night you stopped fuckin’ wit me, I realized losing you wouldn’t just hurt me…it would take a piece of my heart with you. Then the shit with yo’ ex came up. I realized then I cared about you deeply because I was willing to put myself between you and anything that wanted to hurt you. Go to war with the whole Hills ’bout you.”

Crown looked away, gazing at the fireplace. Nivéa watched him closely as he pointed to it, torn between his heartfelt speech and the way the diamonds on his pinky finger danced. He looked so good.

“But it wasn’t until I came home, laid you down in front of this fireplace that I knew my feelings ran even deeper. I remember looking at you while I was in you, feeling your heartbeat against mine, and something just clicked. It wasn’t just infatuation. I loved you and wanted to spend the rest of my life with you.” His eyes found hers.

“Why I love you? Shit, ma…how I’m supposed to put all that into words?” He shook his head, getting his thoughts together.

“I love you because you came into my life and made it better. I love the way you love me. The way you ride for me, even when you learned exactly who the fuck I truly am. It’s everything. It’s your heart. Your maturity. Your beauty. Your style. Your ambition to have your own. The way you take care of our baby. The way you look at me. The way you make me laugh. The way you make me feel when you touch me…when I’m in you. It’s all that shit put together.”

Nivéa’s tears finally slipped free; it didn’t take much for her. But what Crown had said moved her entire spirit. Leaning over, Crown gently wiped one away with his thumb.

“When did you know? Or did you only say it ’cause I said it?”

Nivéa snickered through her tears. “Of course not. I fell in love with you the moment you bought Ny all that stuff for that back-to-school event. You were lying, baby. Danger’s face gave it all away. You never included the infants; you just wanted me there.”

They shared a laugh.

“Badder than a muthafucka.” Crown admitted, reminiscing.

“But I loved you for taking the initiative. Then I felt it again when you broke in and sexed me all night. You were deep in me while I gazed into your eyes. You imprinted on me…I imprinted on you. I remember thinking, I wanna spend the rest of my life with this nigga here. But I didn’t tell you because that would’ve made me look easy, so I ignored the shit.”

They shared another laugh, Crown nodding his head, feeling every word she spoke. The connection between them was deepening even more.

“But I really felt it when Ny was sick, and you brought her meds along with all that other stuff. Then I came here, and you had prepared your entire home for us. I loved you so much that I wanted to live in your skin, Ahmad. Still do.”

Crown chunked up his chin. “Com’ere.”

Like metal to magnet, Nivéa rushed into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. Crown stared into her eyes, holding her close.

“I got some shit for you. Been waiting for the right moment tonight to give it all to you.” He took another sip from his cup, his eyes sitting low.