CARLY
“Babe?”
“Hmm.” Rome was tracing kisses on my tummy under the blanket. We just made love. My body was still buzzing after my most intense orgasm. And here he was, trying to put me back on track.
If there was one thing he was good at, it was sneaking out. He told me his friends made a diversion so no one would notice him visiting me.
“I’m serious, Langston.”
“So do I? What is it all about?” He threw the blanket over his shoulder, meeting my gaze.
“What did you and my father talk about?”
Groaning, he moved to my side, pulling me close to him so I could rest my head on his shoulder. “Sweetheart, I did not even stay five minutes inside the study to talk about a lot of things. First, he told me about the rich history of the desk. He might have seen my reaction because the desk is actually pretty cool. It was a fine desk. Maybe I should order one like that from a carver.”
“Enough about the desk, Romare.” I snapped.
He laughed softly. “You never called me by my name. You said it’s ugly.”
I turned to face him, tangling my leg over his. “I didn’t say ugly.”
“You mocked my name, anyway.”
Smiling, I ran my finger over his growing beard. “I think it’s great. Romare suits you.”
“You like it, don’t you?” His question was wicked, and so was his smile as his fingertips traced my exposed chest.
“This?” I scratch the beard softly. “Not only this. I love every part of you, even this little wild white hair.”
“I’m getting old, sweetheart,” he joked. “I hope you have the patience to stroke my cock if it denies getting hard.”
“You’re not even thirty. And you’re like wine, Rome. The older it gets, the better the taste.”
“So do you, my princess.” He rolled me over so that I could be underneath him. He then dipped his head and kissed me passionately. “I couldn’t get enough of you.”
“So do I. You’re addicting, my hero.”
He eased, brow arching up. “Your hero?”
“I would have given up what I loved to do. I might still be in New York if I didn’t stumble into you. And then you encouraged me to face what I walked away from. If I was too stubborn, I might not be able to hold my Grandfather’s hand even for seconds and ask for his forgiveness.” My eyes were misted with tears. “You saved me.”
“You are worth saving. All I did was encourage you and push you. And you did all the hard work, sweetheart. The way you talk about your family and appreciate trees, I knew you missed home. I saw how much you missed your brother, and I couldn’t take hold of you for my selfishness. I want you to be genuinely happy.”
“I am happy with you.”
“So do I, Storm. You have no idea.”
We kissed me again. This time we made love and made sure this wouldn’t be the last.
***
I couldn’t let him go yet. I wished nobody was watching us. I wanted to cry. I knew in my heart we would see again sooner, but watching his jet before me, was scary and distressing as I wasn’t ready for this parting moment.
“Don’t,” he warned me. He also looked distraught. “This is not over. We barely started something, sweetheart. I’ll see you soon. I promise. All I need is just a few days to do my work back home.”
“That’s sad. I should be with you. I wanna be there with you.”
“We talked about this, Storm.” He was rubbing my arms against my coat. “I promise I will keep you updated. And you’re gonna be busy catching up with your work. Just bear with me.”
“I wanna hug you one more time.” I just begged him. “Please?”
Pain crossed his eyes. I knew he cared deeply about me and would do anything to give me what I wanted.
He shifted his gaze to my details, waiting outside the SUV. “Come with me.” He held my hand, squeezing it a little as he let me follow him.
We climbed up his jet and noticed his guys were already on board.
“Princess,” they acknowledged me.
All I could do was politely smiled at them while my heart was aching.
“Wheels up in twenty, sir,” his pilot affirmed.
“Just give me five with the princess,” Rome said.
His guys suddenly vanished out of sight.
Once we were alone, he sat on the empty seat and pulled me onto his lap. I was barely catching my breath from the surprise. His lips were already mine, kissing me deeply and hungrily. I tangled my fingers against his soft hair and kissed him back, pouring all I wanted to say and making him feel.
God, I loved this man so much it hurt. I could barely breathe, thinking I wouldn’t see him for days. How would I do my work, my duty, without him? But he made a promise, and I would treasure it because he was always true to his words.
He broke the kiss and pulled me into a hug, so tight, kissing my head. “We’ll be fine, sweetheart. Always keep in mind that I’m yours. I will miss you, yes, but I know for a fact that I will see you soon. And I am looking forward to it.”
When we pulled apart, I looked straight into his blue eyes. “I love you, Rome.”
He gasped in surprise. His lips parted. His eyes widened a little, but he hadn’t said a word or said it back.
I was okay with that. Deep in my heart, I knew he felt the same way.
I rose from his lap and kissed his head, then I turned on my heels and walked out of the jet. I was already on the pavement when he called my name.
I turned around and smiled. “Safe flight, Langston.”
***
“Oh, my God! What did he say?” Heera’s eyes were as wide as saucers as she giggled over my laptop screen.
“He just stared at me.” I smiled, recalling the looked on his face. He would land in six hours, and it already felt like an eternity without hearing his voice. “He looked shocked, though.”
“I know he feels the same, Princess. And I know some men are not good at expressing their feelings through words. Maybe Rome is like those men.”
“He told me something when I left. He said, take my heart with you.”
Heera suddenly shrieked and giggled again. “Oh, my God. Really? That’s so romantic.”
“Yeah.” My smile was dreamy as I held my chin with my knuckles.
“That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.” She was still giggling. “Do you know what’s that means?”
“What?”
“It’s his way of saying I love you, bitch.” She clamped a hand on her mouth. “Sorry. Did I just call you?”
“It’s alright, and you are my best friend, Heera.”
“I think he said I love you first in his own way.”
“You think so?”
“I do, princess.” She gave me this dreamy looked. “I can’t believe I have a princess’ best friend. And she’s in love. Fairy tales do come true, you know. I’m happy for you, Carly. You and Rome are a match made in heaven.”
“But he’s there, and I am here.”
“It will work. Trust me. It’s not the distance. It’s your love, patience, and trust. I’m sure you and Rome will work something out. Just trust each other. You know, for some couples, distance is an advantage. It’s the excitement and thrill that ignite the love between you two, and the sex would be incredibly good.”
“Okay, Dr. Phil. How are you and Zee?”
She giggled again. “Well, he’s with Rome. So I kinda miss him too. But he called me earlier that they’re flying back.”
“I’m glad you two found each other.”
“Yeah?” She really looked happy and in love. The way her eyes sparkled when I mentioned Zee was what gave it away.
“He saw you first, and then he asked me about you. And I would never give your number if I knew he’s not a good guy. Zee is great, Heera. He will make you a happy woman.”
“Thank you, Princess.”
“Anyway, I have to go. I’ll call you soon?”
“I know you would be busy. I’m so sorry for your loss, Princess.”
“Thank you. Take care of yourself. Keep in touch, okay?”
“Love you. Bye.”
“Love you, too.”
I had just shut my laptop when I heard a soft knock. “Come in.”
My brother came to me.
“Not busy, huh? I knew today was Kennedy’s prenatal visit. I was excited to meet our little Princess. “How’s the baby?”
“She’s great.” He sat across from my desk. “How are you holding up?”
I laughed. “Why are you suddenly asking me that? I know what you’re doing, brother.”
“I just wanna check out my sister.”
“You sound just like Kennedy right now.”
“What can I say? I love my wife.”
“I’m really happy for you, Thay.”
“Ditto. Do you really love Rome?”
“Yes,” I answered him without a bit of doubt.
“Good. And you look happier.”
I sighed deeply. “How are we gonna make this work?”
“Trust the process. Trust him and your feelings. Not the gut, but your heart.”
“The process? What does it even mean?”
“Well, you two won’t just magically be together overnight. Have patience. I’m sure he’s working something out.”
“Do you know what they talked about back in the study?” If anyone knew about what happened back there and closer to my father, it was Thayer.
“Business and I’m sure my father asked him his intention toward you. Because you know us, sis. People want to be in our lives with different intentions, but what I see in Rome is just his love for you.”
I nodded. “I see. But he didn’t say he loved me.”
“He doesn’t have to. Don’t worry. Rome is the kind of man who can’t be controlled, even our father. He’s a man of his own. A man of dignity.” Thayer studied me for a while before he spoke again. “What are you worried about, Carlott?”
“I’m scared father would force him to marry me.”
Thayer laughed. “What’s wrong with that?”
“He can’t marry me because my father told him so. I would never let him.”
“As I said, Rome is a man of his own.”