Page 55 of Crown: Phase 3
“You happy?” She checked in with his emotions.
Crown exhaled slowly through his nose before nodding. If someone had asked him that before she came into his life, he probably would’ve looked at them like they were an alien… as if they were incompetent. It wasn’t shit to be happy about once upon a time in his world.
“Veryhappy. A nigga used to think happiness wasn’t made for somebody like me. But you bring me pure joy, ma.” He admitted against her lips.
Nivéa’s chest tightened. Hearing everybody else speak on what she brought to Crown’s life had touched her, but hearing it directly from him always hit different. It made her feel warm inside.
Crown rubbed his hand slowly up and down her thigh while staring into the fire for a second before speaking again.
“I ain’t gon’ lie… before you, I was fucked up in ways I ain’t even realize.” He shook his head faintly. “I was surviving. Existing. Making money. Handling business. But living? Nah.
And then your fine ass came around with all that love in your heart and Ny.” He finally looked back at her. “You made me wanna slow down. Made me wanna see another day.”
Her eyes watered.
“Ahmad…”
“I mean it. Both of you made me wanna come home.”
Nivéa stared at him emotionally before finally smiling through her tears.
“You know you saved me, too.”
She didn’t even waste their time asking if he knew that because she knew he did. Anyone who knows her story…their story…knew he had saved her.
Crown stayed silent, allowing her to give the speech they both were too low key to give at the reception in front of everyone.
“I know everybody looks at you and sees this big scary President that doesn’t feel nothing. But you do. You felt my love and gave it back a hunnin’ times fold. You healed parts of me with that love. We both know I was so tired before you.”
She glanced down briefly, intertwining her hand with his.
“But do you understand the significance of what you’ve done to me, Ahmad Knight? You came into my life and made me feel… protected. You made me feel soft. Like I could finally breathe. You made my broken ass feel whole.”
Crown reached over and wiped beneath her eye gently before she could cry too hard.
“And I know we ain’t perfect,” Nivéa continued with a small laugh. “Our story honestly sounds insane when you think about it.”
Crown smirked. “A lil’ crazy.”
“A lot crazy,” she corrected. “But it’s ours.”
“It is.”
Silence wrapped around them, but it felt anything but uncomfortable. Nivéa reached up, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“I love you, Ahmad.” She whispered, her words hanging in the air like a spell.
Crown closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the sound. Of course, he had heard it a thousand times before, but every timeshe said the shit, it hit him fresh and deep. He wanted to drink it in, to soak up the moment.
“I love you too, baby.” He replied, kissing the side of her face. “More than I know how to explain.”
A lump formed in Nivéa’s throat, emotions rising like a tidal wave. Before she could articulate her feelings, Crown kissed her lips. It was slow and deep, as if he needed to reassure himself that she was real and that this was real. His hand found the roots of her hair, squeezing gently.
Nivéa didn’t flinch at the slight pain; instead, she melted against him as his other hand slid along the curves of her body. The kiss intensified, filled with everything they hadn’t had the chance to say all night amidst the crowd. He squeezed her ass, and she understood the unspoken message…he wanted her.Now.
“I should freshen up first. It’s been a long day.” She told him, realizing how hard she’d danced with the ladies, sweat soaking her skin. “I’m so sweaty.”
“I don’t give a fuck about that.” Crown growled, his breath hot against her ear. “I prefer the pussy seasoned, and you know that. Don’t play wit’ me.”
