Page 88 of Heavy Is The Crown

After pouring herself a glass of cabernet, Krys leaned against the counter, eyes everywhere but on Kenyatta.

Curiously, he asked, “Why you always drinking wine?”

Krys took a slow sip before finally meeting his gaze. “Because it don’t rush me.”

Kenyatta raised a brow. “What that mean?”

She set the glass down on the counter, running her fingers along the stem.

“Wine don’t hit me all at once. It take its time. It don’t demand shit from me. It don’t make me reckless, don’t make me loud. It just...lets me be.” She exhaled, eyes unreadable. “And I like that.”

Kenyatta studied her for a moment, nodding slowly. He understood. “So, you like to stay in control.”

Krys picked up her glass, smirking over the rim. “I don’t like when things control me.”

Kenyatta’s lips curled slightly, but there was something knowing in his gaze. “Is that why you don’t drink liquor? ‘Cause you don’t like losing control?”

She didn’t answer right away. Just took another sip.

“Something like that.”

“You ever let go?” His voice dipped lower, more curiosity than pressure, but still challenging.

Musa let out another one of his signature unbothered yawns, massive jaws stretching before he exhaled loudly, like the entire conversation had bored him to sleep.

Krys let out a short laugh, tilting her head as she looked at him. “Let go? Nigga, you know who you talking to?”

Kenyatta smirked. “Exactly.”

Krys rolled her eyes, reaching for her glass again, but before she could bring it to her lips, Kenyatta’s hand covered hers, stopping her.

“You ever just let somebody else take the wheel? Just for a second?” His thumb brushed over her knuckles, deliberate, slow.

Krys swallowed, her fingers still wrapped around the stem of the glass. “Not my style.”

“Maybe it should be.”

Krys pulled her hand back smoothly, acting like the moment hadn’t just shifted the air between them. She took a long sip, her tongue flicking against her lips as she set the glass down.

“If I ever do,” she murmured, gaze flicking up to meet his, “it won’t be on accident.”

Kenyatta chuckled low, shaking his head, his gaze still locked onto her. “So, you gotta plan it out first? Even losing control?”

Krys swirled the wine in her glass. “Something like that.”

Kenyatta leaned forward slightly. “That don’t sound like losing control, Krys. That sound like you tryna cheat the game.”

She met his gaze, unbothered. “Or maybe I just know how to play it better than most.”

Kenyatta licked his lips, watching her for a second, drumming his fingers against the counter. “That’s cute.”

The air shifted.

Krys exhaled. “You should go back to bed.”

Kenyatta smirked, voice low. “You first.”

Musa let out a deep huff; bored but still watching.

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