13. Crimson #3
“I got word that they put us back on the bulletin. And when I came to get you from that ambulance... a cop recognized me. They could hit my spot any day. And if I can’t take you and lil mama with me, I need to know you’re straight.”
She gripped the edge of the sink for balance. Her head hung as she took deep breaths. I noticed the cracked edge of the mirror behind her, the flickering overhead bulb casting twitching shadows across her face.
“If they do come, you’ll have to go again.”
“If... yes. But it wouldn’t be like last time.”
“I don’t want there to be a ‘this time.’”
Tears cascaded down her cheeks. And this is what I didn’t want to happen. I moved in on her and took her hand into mine.
“Check it out. If we gotta split... I’m coming back. Give me three months, hell, three months to a year tops.”
“A year?! Jah, what the fuck?”
“If I tell you three and miss it, you’ll panic. Red, on my soul, I’m not living this life without y’all. You have to trust me. Okay?”
Crimson stood still with her hands braced on the sink and a clenched jaw. Her eyes glistened, but she wouldn't let the tears fall. Ever since she had “healed,” she thought crying was a sign of weakness. But her tears were on their way, no matter how much she tried to stop them.
I moved in slowly and turned her to me. “I ain’t never stopped loving you. And now that I got you, I’m not fumbling you again. But that doesn’t mean my lifestyle has changed. You know what time it is. You’ve always known.”
I slipped my hand up to her neck and pulled her closer to me.
“I don't want to live without you,” she breathed, then she crashed her lips into mine.Her hands slid under my jacket, nails dragging down my back. I hissed at the contact. Every touch from her felt electrifying.
She turned us, pushing me back until I hit the marble counter. The lights overhead were too bright, reflecting off the pristine tile and the smudged mirror, but I didn’t care. Her mouth moved to my neck, her teeth grazing just enough to make me groan.
I grabbed her hips and lifted her onto the counter. That lil ass dress she had on lifted effortlessly. She wrapped her legs around me without breaking contact, lips brushing mine when she said:
“If you leave again…”
“I won’t.” I pressed my forehead to hers. “Not unless I have no choice. And even then, I’ll fight to get back every day. You believe that?”
“I do.” She moaned into my mouth, kissing me again. This time our tongues danced slower, and deeper, reminding both of us that time was the true culprit in our relationship.
“You left me scared. Jah”
“And you left me starving,” I added.
My hands slid down her thighs, feeling the tension melt from her muscles.
Her dress rode up further, and neither of us cared.
She clutched the collar of my shirt like a lifeline.
Her eyes locked with mine. She didn’t say a word.
Instead, she kissed me again, desperate now, breath catching as she grabbed my face with both hands.
I let her take what she needed, let her burn me alive with it.
Crimson was still on the counter, legs wrapped around me, her breathing ragged against my jaw. Her hands slipped under my shirt, pushing it up with a force that was all frustration and heat.
“Off,” she demanded.
“Fuck, Red…”
I dropped to my knees in front of her, hooked her underwear to the side, and kissed the inside of her thigh slowly, letting her squirm.
“Jah…”
I tasted her, slow at first, teasing, letting her feel every flick of my tongue, every breath. She gripped the mirror behind her, body arching, legs trembling around my shoulders.
“Don’t stop,” she breathed, voice shaking.
I didn’t. I couldn’t. Her moans echoed off the sleek walls, mixing with the low thump of bass from the club outside. The bathroom smelled like jasmine, leather, and us. When her thighs clenched around my head and her hips rocked forward, I knew she was close.
“I’m not done,” I said as I stood, unbuckling my belt with one hand.
She pulled me back in by the waistband of my jeans, lips crashing into mine like she was desperate to taste herself on my lips.
I slid into her with one smooth motion, and we both let out a sound—hers sharp, mine guttural. She clung to me like the world was ending, like this moment might be the last. I believe that’s what she truly thought.
“Fuck, Jah…”
“I got you,” I whispered against her ear. “Always.”
We moved in sync, slowly at first, building.
Every thrust felt like a memory, and her moans sounded like she was begging for my presence.
Her nails dug into my back. Her soft lips drifted to my neck, my jaw, then my lips.
Every time I moved, she met me, tilting her hips.
The pressure built quickly. I buried my face in her shoulder and lost myself in the feel of her.
“I-I love you so much, Jah,” she moaned as tears flooded her eyes. Her body tightened, then trembled as she came around me. With my forehead pressed to hers, I followed her, spilling into her. We stayed there sweaty, tangled, and out of breath. Her fingers caressed my head.
“Red, I wanna be clear. Don't you ever keep my kid away from me again.”
“I won't. I'm sorry. I promise.”