“Checking on us or just the baby?”
“Hush up,” Kerri snickered as she tapped his shoulder.
“Either way, I appreciate you, lady.” Crown chuckled knowingly, then headed for the stairs. “I’mma take this stuff up.”
As he walked away, Kerri immediately sensed the shift in him. She’d seen it so many times in his father that she recognized it without hesitation. The tightness in his shoulders and the way his expression hardened the moment he thought no one was watching. Nivéa noticed it too.
Crown disappeared, moving back and forth upstairs and downstairs until everything was inside his office. Ten minutes later, Nivéa left the laughter of the living room and quietly made her way to his office to check on him.
The office was filled with boxes torn open and equipment scattered across the desk by the time she made it inside.
“Hey, are we too loud for you, baby? I’m sorry. I know it’s late. Caresha got off at eight, and your mom called the house phone and asked if she could stop by, so—"
“Nah, ma. I’m good. Y’all good.” Crown replied without looking up.
She stepped closer. “You sure?”
“Yeah, baby.”
“You okay?” She pressed.
“I’m straight.”
Crown turned to grab a tool from the drawer, and that’s when she really saw him, the frustration heavy behind his eyes…the stress he was trying to conceal.
She cupped his face, stealing his attention momentarily. “No, you not. What happened?”
Crown let out a deep breath, a sound heavy with unspoken burdens, as he met her gaze and pulled her into his arms. He didn’t want to unload his problems on her, especially now that she was beginning to feel comfortable and safe.
“I’m just tired. Been a long ass day, ma.” He opted for an easy answer, then kissed her lips, hoping it would suffice.
In his arms, Nivéa studied him for a moment longer, then pressed a trail of kisses along the side of his face and neck before stepping back.
“Well, you have been up all day. You could leave this and finish it another day. You need sleep.”
“Nah. You gotta meet with your customer in a few days. You need time to get everything together.”
“I can push it back a day or two.”
“Nah,” Crown shook his head. “This a new business. Can’t start slippin’ already. I got it.”
Nivéa sighed, knowing it was pointless to argue with him once his mind was made up about doing something for her. She thought back to the night Nyla got sick. Before she even realized it, he was at her doorstep with everything she needed, despite her telling him he didn’t have to come.
Still, she wanted to offer something. It was the giver in her.
“Okay. Your mama brought food again. I’ll have your plate warmed up and the shower hot and ready when you’re done.” She turned to leave.
Concentrating, Crown didn’t look up as he said,
“Nah, run a bath. And I want you in it.”
Nivéa paused, turning back toward him. He still hadn’t lifted his head, his hands busy as he added,
“You really wanna ease a nigga mind, have you in it. Pussy ready for me.”
A slow smile spread across Nivéa’s face, her dimples on full display as she watched the waves on the top of his head glisten beneath the low, recessed lighting of his office.
Yes, sir,she thought as she walked out.
