Page 18 of Crown: Phase 4

“I told myself so. I’m cold.”

“Then get under the covers.”

“I am, but—”

“But nothing. Do as I say.”

Taking his eyes off his leg for a moment, Danger stared at her, silently challenging her to disobey. The look in his eyes told Caresha that if she went against him, he would remove the pajamas himself.

“Top stays on, baby. Nonnegotiable.” She compromised, trying to keep some control. She was used to running the show.

“Bet,” Danger nodded, the term ‘baby’ softening him up.

“I’m kind of hungry now.” Caresha said as she slipped off her pajama pants and slid under his covers, the large king-sized comforter swallowing her whole.

“What you want? I’ma go pick it up.”

Caresha craved pepperoni pizza and hot wings, so Danger called the diner up the street and placed their order. It took him only ten minutes to pick it up and return to her.

In bed, they lay eating and talking about their day, with him holding back on most details. When they finished, Danger shut off the lights, and Caresha curled up in his arms, resting her head on his chest with heavy eyes. Her meds had kicked in, and with a full belly, she was ready to crash.

“Come closer.” Danger said, lifting her body on top of his. He enveloped her in his big arms, rubbing the back of her head with one hand while the other massaged her back.

Caresha was in heaven. She tightened her grip around him just as her eyes finally shut. But Danger couldn’t sleep, no matter how hard he tried. He listened to her soft breaths for what felt like an hour before lowering his head and whispering against her ear.

“It’s always some shit wit’ you, Ree.”

Caresha’s eyes fluttered. The deepness of his voice sent shivers down her spine; her clit came alive, thumping. Her hand found its way to the side of his face, cupping his beard as she looked up at him, the candlelight dancing in his eyes.

“What you talking about, Dee?”

“You. It’s always some shit with you anytime I’m near, baby.”

“I ain’t done nothing to you, nigga.”

“Yeah, you did. A lot of shit.”

“Like what exactly?”

“You stormed into a nigga’s world, got me feeling all kinds of shit. Got me talking to my mama about you. Got me changing your name in my phone on some simp shit. Got me gathering my bread to move you out of them raggedy ass apartments. You got me in the store late at fuckin’ night, buying Always disposable period panties. Then you done got me to let you in my crib. Shit crazy. I don’t let no one but family know where I rest my head. That’s law. Then you got the nerve to let me lay up with you like this, but this time you on yo’ period. What a mu’fuckin’ tragedy, Ree. I can’t even taste you.”

Caresha cracked up laughing. Hard. But when she noticed he wasn’t laughing, her smile slowly faded. The painful look on his face was unmistakable. Danger was suffering badly, hanging on by a thread.

“I’m sorry.” She pouted, feeling the weight of his frustration.

Danger leaned in and sucked her bottom lip hungrily, sending them both spiraling.

“I want you. I’m trying to be patient ’cause I feel like you worth it. And most importantly, I wanna respect you and your wishes. But gotdamn, I’m still a man at the end of the day. How much longer? Keep it real with me.” He pulled back, searching her eyes.

“You talking like it’s been a year or something. Your ass ain’t been waiting long at all. I just met you.”

Danger kissed his teeth, waving her off. He wasn’t trying to hear that bullshit. He had needs. This was the longest he had ever been without pussy.

“Shit…it feels like it's been a year.”

Caresha snickered, shaking her head before growing serious.

“Not much longer, baby.” She admitted.