Chapter 87 - I Love You

A/N Warning: This chapter contains themes of intimacy.

A/N: The song Never Be The Same by Camilla Cabello is fitting for this chapter^.

Sadé's POV:

— Sip & Paint Date Night

I could do this, I repeatedly told myself. I can do this, I can do this, I can do this. Just say it, Sadé. It's not that hard. You love him. He loves you. Now is better than ever because I already told him my feelings. Just be transparent. No more pushing him away. No more trying to fight it. No more distancing him. I already hurt him enough trying to work out my feelings.

And I finally have realized what they are: Love. I also realized that not only do I have love for him, but I'm in love with him... I want him to know that. He deserves to know that. I don't want to lose him like I felt like I almost just did.

"Marshall?" I sniffled, grabbing his hand and mindlessly playing with his fingers.

"Yea?" He answered me quietly.

"I..."

"I love you." I anxiously told him with a shy demeanor.

My eyes were trained in his hands when I said it. I was nervous and quiet. I was so scared to tell him. I was scared he wouldn't say it back. I was getting in my head all over again.

"Huh?" He looked at me with wide eyes.

I finally got the courage to look at him in his eyes and say it. His face was one of astonishment. He held a tiny grin on his face and was just looking at me, waiting to see if I'd repeat myself. I know he heard me the first time and just wanted to hear me say it again.

"I said I love you." I repeated louder as my heart thumped in my chest, the sound ringing in my ears loudly.

I felt so happy in that moment. I finally told him the truth, the way I've been feeling lately, and got it all off of my chest. It felt so good to say that, which genuinely took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting to feel so elated about being in love; I don't know what I expected honestly.

At that moment, I saw Marshall's eyes begin to get glossy. A smile etched across his face, and he just looked at me with a face full of admiration and I guess what I can now call love. I knew at that moment that he for sure felt the same way too.

It caused my heart to grow, and my feelings to take over. A tear escaped my eye once again, and it felt like nothing else in the world mattered. It was just us two, and we were both completely captivated by each other. It was sweet and pure - Wholesome, even.

"I love you too, Sae. I love you so much." He told me in a sincere and gentle voice as he pulled me close, bear-hugging me.

He didn't bother letting go and neither did I. He grabbed my face, kissing me slowly and passionately. It was refreshing, spellbound, and serene. It sounds corny, but I swear, it felt ten times better than ever before. I was still scared of love, but I knew that I'd be okay as long as I had him to lead the way. I suppose we both were scared, but we both could learn a lot from each other in this new chapter of our relationship.

I smiled into the kiss, giggling like a schoolgirl kissing her crush for the first time. So this is love.

Marshall's POV:

As a man who has a heart as cold as ice, never in a million years would I have expected to be in love - Not again. Yet here I am, in love. When Sadé told me she loved me, I could've sworn I felt my heart stop. It honestly felt so good at that moment to hear her say that out loud. It gave me this natural high almost. I don't know, I can't really describe it, but what I do know is that me and Sae are locked in now. There's no going back, only forward. And she better not ever try to leave me either because she's mine now. Call me possessive over my lady, but I ain't never felt anything like this with no broad or bitch I ever dated, and I refuse to let it go with her.

It's crazy how this night went from terrible to worst to the best possible outcome. I wasn't expecting this at all. I thought it would go to complete shit after the way these last few days went, especially when I was ready to walk away from her entirely because I was so upset. None of that mattered now though. All that matters is us right here in this very moment.

I was in the midst of making out with my lady, currently. We eventually pulled away from each other, catching our breaths. I scanned her body with a cheesy smile, feeling high off the emotional connection.

"Sooo..." She trailed off, getting shy on me as she let out a tiny giggle.

"You're so cute when you do that." I openly spoke what was on my mind, "You keep painting or have you had enough?" I asked, not minding what we did tonight.

I was okay with whatever she wanted to do. Whether that be painting, sleeping, having sex, eating her out, having my dick sucked, or just watching a movie, I was one hundred percent in agreeance with it.

"Hmm." She pondered her options for a few seconds.

She looked over towards the paint and canvases, then the wine, then back to me with a smirk on her face. I know when she gets that look, she has something up her sleeve. I can see it in her face.

"Let's paint." She said, getting up from her seat and dragging me back over to the table by my arm.

I suspiciously side-eyed her, wondering what she was going to do.

"But first," She pointed her finger, "Let me just get a sip of this." She said grabbing the second bottle of wine that was unopened.

She twisted the top off, pouring it into her glass. She took a sip, more like several, and refilled it. Almost as if it immediately went to her head, she slowly turned to look at me, that devious look back on her face. Then without warning or a second thought, she began to strip herself naked. My eyes were popping out of my skull. I was more than taken aback, I was bewildered - Hell befuddled even. I couldn't even register anything that was happening in my brain right now. My breath was hitched in my throat. That's how caught off guard I was.

That confusion quickly turned into amusement though when I did finally manage to think straight. I still have no clue why exactly she's doing this if she just said she wanted to paint, but I'll chalk it up to all the wine she drank. She's probably most definitely tipsy.

"Sadé, what the hell are you doing? I thought you wanted to paint. If you wanted to get nasty all you had to do was say that, sweetheart." I say after managing to find my words again.

By this point, she was only in a bra and panties. It was a Savage X Fenty set that Riri had sent her as a welcoming to the brand gift, and hot damn. She looked good as fuck. Man, I wanted to hug the fuck out of Rihanna for making my girl a model for her shit because I get to reap the benefits of seeing her in it in person.

"We are painting... Our bodies." She looked at me through her lashes.

"HUH?!" I looked at her like she was crazy.

As if it couldn't get any more insane, she started taking her bra and panties off too, meaning she was fully naked: Not one article of clothing. She ignored my very obvious dismay at the situation by not responding. Instead, she walked over to where all the paint was and grabbed the bottle of pink acrylic paint. She poured some in her hands, rubbing in on various areas of her body. My mouth was open agape, but she seemed completely unfazed by it.

Sometimes I wonder where the hell she even gets this stuff from. Like sometimes, I genuinely think she may just be a little on the crazy side like me. I know she's not through. This is just her being unapologetically her. She's very free-spirited and adventurous. She enjoys doing things for the thrill of it no matter what people might think of her. As long as she has fun, that's all she cares about at the end of the day. And honestly, I think that shit is sexy as hell. She doesn't give a fuck what anyone else thinks and does her. She does what makes her happy.

I watch her intensely as she does all this. My brain is on autopilot, not thinking of much except for how incredibly hot this is. I suddenly remember that I must be the crazy one here; Because why is this turning me on? Surely my dick isn't supposed to be getting hard from this.

"Ummm, are you just going to stand there and stare or are you going to help me out? I could use some help getting my backside." She sassily asks me, handing me the bottle of paint.

I bite my lip, looking down at her body as I let out a deep chuckle. I squirt some of the paint in my hands, ready to rub paint all over her.

"You're something else." I shake my head in disbelief, "Turn around." I instruct her.

She turns around, her cheeks facing me. I start smearing the pint all over her ass. I was enjoying this way more than I should've. I won't lie, I was ready to take her and have her bent over the table, but I managed to control myself. Somehow.

Once I'm done, she grabs one of the pre-painted black canvases and sets it on the floor. I sit back down, watching her quietly. I don't have anything to say. I'm simply enjoying the show, watching the chaos unfold in front of my very eyes. My elbows are propped on my knees, my body leaning forward with anticipation as my hand rests on my chin.

After Sae sits the canvas on the floor, she lays down on it. She's flat on her stomach, pressing her body against the art. She then gets up and inspects her artwork. Deciding that she isn't satisfied with it just yet, she walks back over to the table, looks through all the glitter I bought, and chooses one. She walks back over to the canvas, opens the jar, and then starts to sprinkle some on it, adding her personal touch to it. Although her personal touch was clearly already there if you know what I'm sayin'.

Just when I thought she was finished, she proved me wrong. She grabs another pre-painted black canvas and it's that one on the floor too. Careful not to touch it until she's in the right position, she givers over the poster before dropping down on it. She sits down on it, getting her pink-painted butt to do all the work. I grab my cup, and take a sip of my Red Bull, continuing to watch her closely. When she was supposedly done, she shot me a glare.

"What?" I defensively questioned her, causing her to scoff.

My hands were surrendered, and she rolled her eyes. I'm so confused now. I thought everything was going well. She's literally looking at me as if I'm the crazy one yet she's over here making masterpieces with her damn body.

"Umm, why aren't you taking your clothes off, sir?" She says, simply blinking at me.

I couldn't do anything except bust out in laughter. I know she doesn't think I'm going to join her in this foolery. Nope.

"HA! No." I reply seriously.

I shake my head no at her with a disapproving look on my face. Meanwhile, I'm already in the motion of getting up from my seat, getting ready to take my clothes off. I'm telling her no, but she already knows I don't need much convincing from her for anything. Whatever she wants from me, she could get it. So when she asks me to join her, I already know I'm going to do it in the back of my head.

"Oh, come on. Don't be a party pooper. Come paint with me!" She tries to convince me.

"No, Sae. This is too crazy. Even for you." I laugh at her antics.

I'm taking my hat and jewelry off, setting it on the table.

"Please, MarMar? It'll be fun. Just one picture of your balls or something." She blurts out before she can even stop herself.

Surprising herself, she covered her mouth at what she said. Maybe she was right. Maybe I shouldn't have told her it was okay to drink wine. She was starting to get a little too frisky already. I know at the end of the night I sure as hell won't be complaining though so it's fine.

I'm now unbuckling my belt, about to pull my shirt over my head. My socks are somewhere thrown around the room.

"Nah. I am NOT doing that. I am not dipping my balls in paint and tea bagging a canvas! Are you out of your mind?" I exclaim.

Off with my pants and boxers. I'm now fully naked similar to her.

"Maybe." She mumbles, taking another sip of her wine.

"I got another idea though." I smirk over to her, nudging her arm lightly.

She raises her eyebrows at me expectantly. Just then I take the bottle of blue paint and spin the cap off. I pour it in my hands, smearing just enough only in the important areas so I don't end up looking like a damn Smurf. All while I'm doing this, Sae is watching me intensely much like I was doing her, sipping from her glass in the process. I rub my feet, legs, hands, and even my balls. I know I said I wasn't doing it, and I'm still not, but I do need to have at least a little bit of it covered. I may or may not have also gotten some on my manhood...

"Come on, baby, put a lil' more paint on yourself." I tell her gruffly.

"Okay."

She does as she's told and applies some more pink paint since the first layer is starting to dry up. When she's finished, I grab her hand leading her to a third canvas. This one was also large and already painted black. I figured we'd paint something cool together like a mural or something, which is why I bought it in the first place, but it seems like it was in need of other plans.

"Now sit how you were just sitting when you did the painting of your butt." I instruct her.

She sits down on the canvas, placing her butt in it exactly like she did the other one. She held herself up with both hands on either side of her body. One foot was on the canvas while the other was lying lazily, her leg down. Then I got down on the ground, sitting on my legs & knees. I was in between her legs, enclosing her with my arms that were on either side of her to prop myself up. There was nowhere for her to go.

I leaned forward my private parts rubbing against the board. Time to make some art, shall we? I kissed her neck hotly, hearing her breath hitch. I continued my attack on her body until I reached her plump lips. Without hesitation, she kissed me back. The proximity of our bodies allowed for some of the paint to mix, creating the perfect shade of purple as soon as they made contact with one another.

Before I knew it, one thing led to another, and I once again had a raging boner for what seemed like the third time tonight. And once again, for the second time tonight, we were in the midst of a heated make-out session. It's like we had the libido of horny teenagers whenever we were around each other. We just couldn't keep our hands off each other. Especially me, it's like I was back in my prime or something, man.

The tip of my boner was literally poking at her entrance. I could feel how wet she was. And I knew she felt me too because she was moaning my name into the kiss, begging me to do something, anything. Then she hit me more of her wicked fantasies that I notice only seem to make themselves apparent when she has liquor in her.

"Marshall?" She asked me softly against my lips.

I pulled back, allowing her to speak more clearly.

"Hmm?"

"Have you ever had shower sex?" She looked at me innocently, but I could tell from the look in her eyes that there was nothing innocent about her thoughts or that question.

I felt my body tense. I know this girl isn't asking me to fuck her in the shower right now. And how dare she have the audacity to be acting all coy about it after asking me something bold. I gave her an intrigued look, wanting to know more of what she meant by that.

"Yes." I answered honestly, knowing she probably already knew that, "Is that something you'd like to do?" I posed the offer.

"I wouldn't mind it." She replied.

"Closed mouths don't get fed, Sae. Yes or no?" I wanted confirmation.

"Yes." She said confidently.

Alright then. I guess we're trying something new tonight. I got up from my spot, lending her a helping hand. I admired our artwork for a second, feeling proud of myself. I can't really hang these up out in the open like I planned to, can I? It'll make a great addition to my bedroom, however.

I looked around the room briefly, noticing it was slowly becoming a mess. We were so in love with each other right now that we didn't even care that we were making a mess. No doubt there would be paint-stained in the carpets, and probably eventually tracked throughout the house. The maid was going to have a field day tomorrow.

I picked Sadé up, wrapping her legs around my torso as I walked us down the hall to the bathroom located in my bedroom. I stepped inside the shower, placing her down on her feet. I turned the hot water on, letting the steam fog up the glass and mirrors. Our clothes were discarded a long time ago so that wasn't an issue.

Sadé then wrapped her arms around my neck, on the tips of her toes to reach, bringing me down closer to her. She embraced me in a gentle kiss, causing me to hum in satisfaction. My hands flew to her lower half, squeezing her cheeks and massaging them. The water was pouring on our skin, forcing the paint to roll down the drain as it colored the water.

"Jump."

I caught her as she pushed her body up to mine. I pressed her backside against the wall, filling her up...

Sadé's POV:

— Pillow Talk, 10:54 PM

Marshall & I had gotten out of the shower a few minutes ago and had already gotten ready for bed for the night. We were both exhausted from the day and everything that had taken place. That and our steamy shower that I may or may not have liked too much for my own good. It was already late, which resulted in me letting out a yawn as I got into bed. Marshall climbed in next to me, cuddling me. I laid my head on his t-shirt-covered chest, hearing his steady heartbeat.

This is normally when we have our nightly pillow talk. Yes, we have a couple's nighttime routine thanks to Mwah, aka me. I was still a little tipsy, but the heat from the shower sobered me up for the most part.

"So how you feelin', pretty girl? Everything alright in that head of yours?" Marshall asked me like he normally would.

"Yes. Everything is better now that I was finally honest with you. How are you feeling? I'm still really sorry for how I pushed you away, by the way." I frowned at him, tracing over his tattoos out of habit.

"I'm alright. You did really hurt my feelings with that one. I was mad at you earlier, but I'm over it now. I let it go, and I forgive you." He admitted, accepting my apology.

"Hmph. Thank you for not holding a grudge."

"I'm not you. I'm not stubborn." He jokingly argued.

"I am not stubborn and I do not hold grudges!" I scoffed, hitting him in the chest playfully.

"Yea, Ight. I don't know who you foolin', but it ain't me. You'll give someone the silent treatment in a heartbeat." He grumbled.

Okay, so that may be true. I am the queen of silent treatments, but that's only because I have nothing to say to someone when I'm mad at them. There's nothing to talk about so I simply don't talk. That doesn't make me stubborn.

"Chile, anyways." I changed the topic, "I still can't believe I said that." I subconsciously cheesed.

"Why not? It's true, isn't it?" Marshall asked, rubbing my arm.

"Yes, but still. I just... Never thought I'd say that again. It's crazy. And I never thought I'd be here with you right now." I quietly said.

"I get that. I never thought I'd be in love again either. Not with all the bad luck I've had with women or with my life in general. I would say I'd never see myself here with you either, but if I'm being honest, that would be a lie. Something about you made me determined to make you mine. Maybe it's because you're different from anyone I've dated, made me actually work for you, the mysterious aura you hid behind, or a combination of all three, but I just wanted you all to myself." He spilled his guts.

"Aww, you're so sweet behind closed doors." I teased him with a smile on my face.

"Shh, don't tell anyone. Can't lose my gangster." He joked along.

It was silent for a few seconds. My mind was racing with a sudden burst of anxiety, and I needed clarity on the topic that was causing it.

"Can I ask you something? And you can't get mad." I quickly added the last part.

"Go ahead." He gave me the green light.

"You'd never like... Hurt me to get a point across right? Or hurt me in general. I know you wouldn't! But hypothetically speaking, when you love someone you wouldn't be toxic right? Hypothetically speaking..." I rambled, breathing heavily.

"Sadé. -" He started, but I interrupted him.

"I'm just wondering. Don't be mad, please. It was just a thought. A question." I continued to ramble even more.

He was now sat up, propped by pillows. He had made me look him directly in the eyes. I got the hint, and I pursed my lips together, getting quiet as I slowly stopped speaking.

"Are you done overthinking?" He patiently asked, causing me to nod my head yes.

"Alright then. You already answered your own question: You know I wouldn't. I know I wouldn't. So don't ever think that I would. I can promise you that over and over again, more than I already have. I love you. I don't hurt people I love. I never have, and never would. If I ever hurt someone, trust me, they weren't that important to me at the end of the day. I wouldn't lay a finger on you, wouldn't manipulate you, wouldn't lie to you, wouldn't cheat on you, wouldn't say mean things to you, none of it. I genuinely wouldn't want to even if you did for some odd reason do me dirty. Sadé, I'd literally let you kill me if you wanted to. I wouldn't stop you. Does that answer your question?" He let out in an unmoving manner, his blue eyes staring me right in my eyeballs.

I felt shivers run up and down my spine at the last line. I knew he was dead serious, no pun intended, by the way, that he held no expression on his face when he said it. Thankfully for him and his life, I'd never kill anybody. Not even a fly.

Is it bad that I kind of liked it though? He has a way with words at times. He's pretty vulgar with his language so when he's being open about his emotions, sometimes those come out in a vulgar way too. I know he means it in a way that meant to be sweet and affectionate, but that's just Marshall. It's how he is.

"Yes. That answers my question perfectly." I averted my gaze from him, feeling hot.

I couldn't tell if it was because he gave me permission to kill him or because I was slightly turned on despite having sex not even thirty minutes ago.

"Hey," He regained my attention, "I love you." He said warmly, causing me to light up with happiness.

"I love you too." I repeated back to him, my voice full of adoration.

I leaned over him, giving him a quick peck on the lips. This feels nice. Beating in love isn't so bad after all. I don't know what came over me, but I became very emotional in that moment. I let a tear slip, causing Marshall to notice.

"Don't cry. It's okay to be in love, sweetheart." He reassured me.

"I know, but I'm not scared right now. I'm just so happy to be here with you. And I'm so grateful that I have the opportunity to love you for you." I declared.

"Awww, Sae. Don't make me cry, girl." He said, looking at me.

"Sorry." I giggled.

Then he pulled me in for another kiss. One thing led to another and we were taking off each other's clothes. We weren't in any hurry, taking our time to explore one another's bodies. I was already on top of him while his hands rested on my hips. I was kissing down his neck and along his chest, leaving love bites on his pale skin. I could feel his hard-on against me, turning me on.

"Hold up." He said, flipping us over so that he was on top, "Ight, that's better."

I didn't mind the change in spots since I know he likes to be the one in control. He then started to leave marks of his own along my chocolate skin. He took both my breasts in his mouth, licking and nibbling on the sensitive skin. He then over lower, to my womanhood, face to face with it.

He looked me in my eyes as he let saliva dribble out of his mouth onto my pussy before he started to devour it as if it was the best thing in the world. He was taking his time eating me out, sucking, licking, and lapping me up. I let out sounds of pleasure in return.

I know he was enjoying having me at his mercy. His beard tickled my inner thighs as he continued. After a few minutes, I was just about to be at my release when Marshall stopped me.

"Don't cum yet." He said against me.

"Huh?" I panted out confused.

"Don't cum yet. Not until I'm in you." He casually said.

He slurped me up clean, pulling away from me. He climbed back over me and propped himself on his forearms.

"You ready, beautiful?" He asked politely, making sure I was comfortable.

"Mhmm." I said, but he raised his eyebrows, not accepting that as an answer because he needed to verbally hear me say it.

"Yes." I answered again, this time with words.

He didn't respond. Instead, he lined himself up with my entrance, slowly inching himself in.

"Mhmm, Marshallll." I wined out.

I noticed he was only halfway in when I looked down. My core was already so sensitive and overstimulated from the previous activities. I didn't know if I'd be able to take him all right now, honestly. It was a lot to handle. As if he could read my mind, he reassured me.

"You got it, baby. I know you can take it all." He said in a gentle voice.

His head was in the crock of my neck, his beard grazing my skin with each word he spoke. He continued to ease his way inside of my wet womanhood, making me take him all. When he was finally all the way inside he started to rock his hips slowly. He went all the way out before going all the way back in. He wasted no time in finding the perfect rhythm that hit the spot every single time.

I could feel my body letting go with each thrust he made. He was whispering sweet nothings in my ear, which also messed with my head, mind fucking me.

"Oh my god, Marshall." I moaned out, closing my eyes.

"You like that, baby? You like it when I give it to you nice and slow?" He said deeply in my ear, leaving a hickey afterward.

"Mhmm."

This felt totally different. It hit differently, we were more intimate. We weren't just having sex or fucking this time. No. We were making love. And girl, it felt so good. He knew exactly what to say and how to please me. My nails raked down his back, causing him to groan out in a mix of pain and pleasure.

"Oh, shit." He grunted out, going deeper.

He had me trapped. There was nowhere for me to go. No room for me to move. Our bodies were so close to each other, pressed against one another. It's like we were becoming one. He continued to stroke into my bliss, causing us both to moan out.

A few minutes had passed and we were both close. I was clenching around him, my legs shaking. I knew he was close too because he was moaning all up in my ear and saying every swear word under the sun. That and his thrust had sped up and intensified, but still remained steady and slow-paced. Every move he made, he made it deliberately - With a purpose.

"You almost there?" He questioned.

"Yes. I'm so close."

"Look at me, baby. Let me see your beautiful face." He said, grabbing my jaw to face him.

I looked in his eyes and I swear I lost it. What he said is what really sent me over the edge though.

"You know I love you right? I love you so much. Inside and out." He panted out.

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I felt my legs shake and my orgasm rush over me. I was so in love with the man. I was losing all sense of control. Nothing else compared to him. No one else compared to him. His love was so intoxicating, like some kind of drug. I was such a fiend for him. He's all I needed. All I ever craved from anyone, to be honest. I knew I'd never be the same after this. And I was okay with that. I wasn't scared anymore. I felt safe with him. Safer than I'd ever been. I love him.

"Oh fu... I love you too. Oh my god, I love you too!" He made me scream out loud as he went balls deep just then on purpose.

He then placed his lips on mine as he came, kissing me lovingly. He moaned into the kiss, riding out both of our highs. He slowed down his thrusts after a while, catching his breath.

He then pulled out of me, laying back down. I quickly got up to pee and clean myself up before meeting him back in bed. I handed him a towel and he cleaned himself up but remained in that same spot. We both have each other a knowing look, smiling to ourselves. What's understood doesn't need to be explained. I turned the bedside lamps off, crawling into his side as we both went to bed.