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Her laughter was music to his ears as they padded down the hallway toward her bathroom. Blue’s eyes took in all the pictures of Black art on her walls, then the bright tangerine-colored decorations lining her bathroom. The large tub was spacious and would probably accommodate them perfectly. Bubbles overflowed near the candles she’d lit, while the fruity aroma from the tub made him think of cereal.

“Undress, Zurich.”

Needing nothing more to be said, Blue removed his clothing and slid into the steaming hot water slowly. His skin tingled from the temperature, but he squinted through the pain and felt even better once Forever was naked and cuddled between his legs with her back to his chest.

“Feels so good to be here,” he pecked her bare shoulder while holding her tighter.

“It really does. I wasn’t sure it would happen.”

“Why? You seemed pretty confident about getting me off.”

“Not because of me, because of you. I thought once you got home, you’d have Pat or somebody come through to get you and forget all about me.”

“That’s silly shit, Forever.”

“It’s the truth.”

“Why though? What would make you think I wouldn’t want to be with you? I told you exactly what it was going to be once I got home. I thought you believed me.”

Forever was quiet for a minute, trying her best to think of a way to let him know she didn’t feel worthy of having him without sounding like an insecure fool.

“Lift up.” Blue nudged her upward enough to turn her around to face him.

Once they were eye to eye, he draped his arms loosely around her back and just stared. He stared so long that Forever began to feel self-conscious and tried to cover her breasts with her arms discreetly. They weren’t the biggest, and with him gawking at her the way he was, he was sure to notice.

“What was that nigga’s name again?”

She frowned in confusion. “Which one?”

“Calvary brother. The one you used to fuck with.”

“Marcellus,” his name was a whisper on her lips.

“Fuck him, okay? Fuck that nigga and whatever wack ass shit he did to you. Me and you are new, and we’re not making each other pay for shit that people did in our past. You understand me?”

She blinked slowly.

“Ima fuck him up when I see him too, so you better keep his ass away from me.”

Forever nodded while looking into his deep brown eyes. They were intently focused on her, with his thick brows scrunched up just enough to exemplify a frown. The silky hair around his edges rolled up just a tad from the heat in the bathroom, while his big, broad chocolate chest bulged with just enough muscles to show he’d used his time wisely in prison, but not enough to assume he was some sort of body builder.

“I want to be in love with you, Forever, like real love. I’m ready for that, and after the trouble you went through with me, nobody else is more deserving of it with me than you.”

Against her will, Forever’s eyes watered.

“Like I told you when I was in that cell, I’m not gon’ be on no silly shit with you. I wanna leave the block and come home to you, make love, get my dick sucked, blow racks, eat and travel and shit. That’s it. I’m here to take care of you, but only if you let me, and I can tell you right now, I’m not going for that crazy shit because another nigga got you off in the head. I ain’t do it. You feel me?”

She nodded, but he stopped her.

“Yes.”

“Good girl,” he pecked the center of her chest. “Let’s bathe and get out, I’m ready to make love.”

Forever’s entire body shivered at the promise in his voice. His tone had been so stern and sure that she could almost feel him inside of her again. To get the party started, Forever grabbed the soap and washcloth, lathered it, and began bathing him with him lying there, allowing her the freedom to touch him any and everywhere.

The way his eyes observed her was unnerving, and Forever could hardly stand it. His stare was so intense that she could feel it even when she wasn’t looking at him.

“Harder,” he instructed as her hand rubbed over his shaft with the soapy cloth.