Page 26 of River & Crown
"Why would I run?"
"I scare you. The life and love I'm willing to give you puts fear in your heart."
"And you're okay with that?"
"Hell no." He frowned. "I never wanna be the reason fear finds you, but I understand. When you're ready, you'll let me in."
I nodded, then grabbed more balloons to see what other pictures Crown snapped. They included us in matching pjs for Valentine's Day, us after losing at an escape room, me while I'm racing, more of me sleeping, and way too many to name. Crown had really taken the time to document our journey together while I was aloof to the whole thing. The last balloon I picked up caused my mouth to hang open because this nigga was crazy.
"Why would you snap a picture of you eating my coochie?"
I tore the picture from the balloon and brought it to his face.
"Why the fuck not? You're my favorite meal. Between your legs has been one of the greatest moments of my life." Resting his hand on my throat, he summoned me toward him.
"Happy six-month anniversary, Four." His eyes hazed with a mixture of love and lust.
"Happy six-month anniversary, Crown."
Licking my lips, I dropped to my knees and pulled my favorite ten inches from his sweats.
"Do yo' shit then, Four." He grinned.
Opening my mouth, I brought his hand to my curls, then dropped my jaw.
"Fuck my throat, Cortez. I don't want to breathe."
Chapter 5
Crown Gravehart
Watching as Emily walked around the room wearing my t-shirt and briefs, I drank her in. Every subtle movement, from the flex of her fingers to the exhale of her chest, I mesmerized as if I'd be quizzed on it later.
"Crown—"
Her words halted when she spun around and caught me staring. Like a predator watching its prey, I studied the sway of her hips, drunk off how they moved as she sauntered in my direction.
"Why do you always watch me with so much intensity?" she quizzed, straddling my lap. She took my face in her hands, her thumbs caressing my cheeks. I smirked 'cause if only she knew just how special she was.
"I'm just looking at you. You put all the extra shit on it. I be chilling."
"Yeah, okay. Lie to me again, and we gon' fight."
"Man move 'cause yo' punk ass don't want it with me."
Sliding off her hip, my right hand clenched her throat. Her minty breath feathered across my lips before I brought mine to hers. Squeezing, Emily sucked on my tongue. Desire deepened our kiss until Emily pulled away, giggling.
"Don't try kissing your way out of this." Using her thumb, she swiped the corners of my mouth. "Are you scared of losing me? You watch me with anticipation like I'm going to run away or something."
That's how I knew Emily didn't understand the hold she had on a nigga. Her running away wasn't a thought for her, but it ran rampant in my mental space. Emily's the good girl who did all the right things in her life despite growing up in the hood. All the bullshit her friends were on, she had no interest in. Not wanting to be seen or getting caught up were rare qualities in a pretty bitch. Most of 'em loved getting active or flaunting their bodies to catch the eye of a nigga getting money. I didn't put it all on the women tho, it took two, and niggas were equally to blame. Honor taught me the value of making your money work for you instead of blowing it fast. We gon' be rich for generations to come, not a fuckin' moment, was what he constantly preached. It wasn't until I met Emily that I realized I wanted that with her.
"Crown," she gritted, making me chuckle.
"Yo, how many times I gotta tell you to stop doing that shit. You're not tough, Ems."
"If only you knew." She winked.
"You got secrets?" I wanted to believe Emily was truthful. Finding out differently might fuck me up in ways I didn't think I was strong enough to handle.
