Page 70 of Crown: Phase 4

“I care about you. A lot, ma. That’s why it hurt so bad to hear you tell me you were thinking about leaving me.”

“I’m thinking about leaving Satin Hills, not necessarily you.” She corrected.

“That’s leaving me.”

“Dee, I was hoping we could talk about it that night and maybe try long distance, at least until I’m done with school. But you didn’t even give the conversation a chance.”

“Long distance would be hard for me. I need you here. But how could I tell you that shit when I just met you? It felt out of place telling you that.”

“No, you should’ve told me. Nothing about your feelings is out of place. Communication is a must, even if we don’t agree. You could’ve told me how you felt, and we would’ve gone from there.”

“Well, I’m telling you now.”

Silence settled between them as Danger looked up at her, his eyes filled with regret and sadness. He kissed her hand before gently lifting the hem of her gown and placing it over his head. He just sat there underneath it, pressing his lips against every inch of her stomach, including the large purple bruise on it.

Caresha winced, and the reaction sent a sharp ache through his chest. Danger hated how everything had played out. Hated knowing she’d been hurt because of him.

“I’ma take care of you,” he whispered. “Get you well, and then I’ma handle the niggas who did this to you.”

“Dee—”

“Shh.” Danger stood, towering over her. “Just let me make all this up to you.” He looked down into her eyes, his expression saying everything his words probably couldn’t properly convey.

Danger was sorry for shutting her out, for hurting her feelings, and for letting his pain turn into something that pushed her away. Most of all, he was so sorry that she had to bear the consequences of being connected to him. Overwhelmed with apologies, he sank to his knees before her, kissing her feet, showing her that he worshipped her. He moved slowly, pressing his lips to her legs and then to her stomach once more before rising to his feet, his heart full of devotion.

Caresha was left speechless by his actions.

“I know your mama don’t like me, but I’ll fix that. First, I gotta start with you. What your heart say, Ree? Do you hate me too, or do you still care for me despite all the shit that went down?”

Caresha studied him for a long moment before reluctantly nodding.

“Yeah?” Danger asked, seeking confirmation, desperate to hear her say she still cared.

“Yes.”

“Yes what?”

“Yes, I still like you and care about you very much.”

Exhaling a sigh of relief, Danger gently lifted her into his arms, being careful not to aggravate her injuries. “I missed you, baby. Just wanna hold you, lay wit’ you.” He said, carrying her toward the bedroom, and once inside, he lowered her onto the bed with utmost care, as if she were made of glass.

“You hungry? I bought you a baked potato, but that shit old by now. I can get you something else.”

“Don’t bother. My mama cooked, so I’ll have something while she’s working.”

“Aight,”

Once he made sure she was comfortable, he stripped out of his clothes and started to climb into bed beside her.

“Aht, aht,” Caresha said, slowly holding up her sore hand.

Danger immediately stopped, thinking she was telling him hell no because she still wasn’t comfortable with him being so close. He backed off without arguing, ready to respect her space.

“Shower. You need to shower first. When’s the last time you did that?”

Danger dragged a hand down his face. “Shit…since I was last with you at the crib.”

“Go change that. Put your clothes in the washer, then get in that shower and clean yourself up. I have an extra toothbrush and deodorant in there, still in the packaging. Use those, too. It’s not men’s deodorant, but it’ll do. Powder fresh scent.”