Page 34 of Crown: Phase 4

Nodding, Danger closed the cabinet and leaned against the island, watching her move around his kitchen as if her name was on the fucking deed.

“And you cooked.”

A slow grin spread across his face; he could get used to this. It reminded him of being home with Kerri or, hell, even visiting his brother’s crib lately. Nivéa stayed cooking for Crown. Coming home to cooked food, a clean house, and Caresha walking around in her nightgown felt too natural for something they had never discussed. It made Danger do just what his big brother had warned him he would do when he felt he found the one. His life flashed before his eyes, and he saw nothing but her in it. He pictured her there every day, and instead of the thought making him feel trapped, it settled him.

Caresha caught him staring. “What?”

“Just thinking.” Danger pushed away from the island and moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

“About?”

“If you coming like this, you might as well stay and never leave.”

Caresha laughed and leaned back against his chest. “Nigga, please. You ain’t getting no live-in maid.”

“I ain’t say nothing about no maid. I said stay.”

She turned her head enough for him to kiss her cheek.

“Go shower and change so we can eat. Then we're going to bed. I’m tired. I didn’t get a nap ’cause I was too busy cleaning and catching up on my shows.”

Danger smacked her lightly on the ass before stepping away. “Damn, how you gon’ tell me what I’ma do? How you know a nigga even sleepy? Bossy as hell in my shit.”

“Yet you moving, and you gon’ sleep, too.”

“You gon’ give me something and put me to sleep?”

“Yeah, this good ass food.”

“That’s cool, but I want something else.”

“Gone.” Caresha waved him away with her hand.

Danger chuckled as he headed toward the stairs. She was right; he was moving and down to do whatever she asked of him.

Smiling, Caresha watched him disappear before turning back toward the stove. She shook her head at how she went all out for this nigga. She had cooked plenty of times for her family, but never for a man. She had never cleaned a nigga’s home, filled his refrigerator, and spent time deciding what meal he might enjoy when he came through the door. Reason number twenty-five as to how she knew she really liked Danger.

Caresha had done all of this without him asking and hadn’t felt stupid while doing it. She wanted him to walk into a peaceful home after whatever he faced in the streets. She wanted him to eat something that hadn’t come from a drive-through window. More than anything, she liked knowing there was something she could do for him besides giving up her pussy.

Caresha felt both a man and woman should contribute more than just sex if they were trying to build with one another. The night before, Danger had tucked more money in her gym bag and told her to spend it on whatever, so she was looking to add to the equation. But the more she thought about everything, the more it caused her to sigh heavily.

The realization that she had finally found someone she was feeling should have made her happy. And she was, but…it also made her sad. It brought back the phone call she had received that morning while Danger was away. Caresha had pushed the news to the back of her mind all day, telling herself she would find the right time to bring it up to him. But Danger had come through the door joking about her staying forever, and the guilt sitting in her stomach grew heavier. She knew she should bring it up that night, rather than wait.

Caresha spent months waiting for an opportunity like the one that had finally called her back. Yet now that it was becoming real, she couldn’t stop thinking about everything and everyone she would have to leave behind.

By the time Danger returned, Caresha had already packed their plates and carried them outside. They sat beside each other on the porch underneath the moonlight, eating. The air had cooled enough to make the night comfortable.

Danger took another bite before pointing his fork toward the steak and the sides surrounding the plate.

“This shit good as fuck.”

Caresha smiled. “I know.”

“Cocky ass.”

“You smacking, ain’t you?”

“Damn near about to lick the plate.”