Black Rose (The Life of Bliss Book 1)

by D. Camille

  “You’re just going to let me kidnap you?”

  Rome smiled. “I’m 235 pounds and strapped. I ain’t scared.”

  Bliss focused on driving. “Do you get kidnapped often?”

  “Not by a beautiful woman.”

  She frowned. “Huh?”

  He laughed. “No baby, I don’t get kidnapped at all.”

  “So you’ll let me tie you up?”

  “No. I’m not into that shit.” Rome frowned. “I don’t need any extras. What I’m working with naturally...is more than enough.”

  Bliss tightened her hands on the wheel. “Well...okay. I like the confidence.”

  “I talk like this ‘cause I can back it up…” he told her, and she smiled.

  “You got a big ego?”

  He turned to her. “I’ve got a big everything.”

  Bliss glanced at him. “You’re going to have me calling on all the ancestors…”

  “Where the hell do you live?” Rome asked. “We’ve passed at least ten five-star hotels…”

  “Relax, it’ll be worth the drive.” Bliss promised.

  At her building, Rome exited the car then went around to open her door. After helping her out, Bliss led him inside to the elevator. They both turned when they heard a voice.

  “Hold the elevator, please.”

  Rome pressed the hold button, as Brad ran toward the doors. He stepped inside and looked at Bliss for a moment.

  “Thanks,” he told Rome, staring at the big black man.

  The doors closed and Bliss moved over to where Rome stood. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she looked up at him.

  “I’m glad you came home with me, baby.”

  Rome saw Brad turn to them, before quickly turning away. He figured this was old dude that Bliss had told him about earlier.

  Giving her a sexy smile, Rome then began kissing her neck. “You can have anything you want, my beautiful nubian queen,” Rome growled.

  Brad frowned but didn’t look back. When the doors opened, he walked out without a word, and Rome smiled down at Bliss.

  “That’s your Brad?”

  “He’s not my anything,” Bliss said, taking his hand and walking down the hall to her door. “And hopefully, now he understands why he will NEVER have a chance…”

  Rome held out a big hand, and Bliss shivered as she handed him the key. Once they were inside, she flicked on a soft light.

  “Welcome to my home,”

  Rome looked around. “You’re killing this presentation.”

  “Go hard or go home.”

  He lifted her from her feet into his arms. “Let’s see about that.”

  Bliss gave him directions to her bedroom, where Rome walked over to the bed and laid her down before covering her with his big body. Linking her arms around his thick neck, Bliss sighed.

  “Do you have a dude who has a key?” Rome asked, looking into her face.

  “No.”

  “A crazy ex...a stalker?”

  Bliss smiled. “It’s a little late to be asking all this.”

  “Not really. I can have a car here in ten minutes to pick me up.” Rome told her.

  “You’re safe,” Bliss told him. “I don’t operate like that. Now show me all that shit you was talking in the car.”

  Rome promptly kissed her hotly, pressing his firmness into her flesh. Bliss grabbed at his shirt and he lifted his head.

  “I’ve been working the bar all night. Come take a shower with me.” Rome told her.

  Bliss couldn’t remember the last time she’d showered with a man.

  “I thought you were just going to whip it out and give it to me.” She said, watching him.

  “Let me wash your back, rinse you off…” he said, placing tiny kisses on her lips. “Lift you up, and make you scream.”

  Tightening her legs around him, Bliss whispered, “I’m not a screamer.”

  Rome laughed softly. “Okay…” Climbing from the bed, he held out a hand and Bliss placed hers inside. When she was on her feet, Rome began to undress her.

  Bliss removed her head scarf and Rome smiled at her curly dark hair. He touched it and tested its texture.

  “You’re beautiful…”

  Standing in her bra and panties, Bliss smiled at him, then unbuttoned his shirt. When Rome was down to his boxers, Bliss reached out to touch him, exploring the width and length.

  “Oh yes...this is very nice.” Bliss commented.

  Rome reached for her breasts spilling over the cups. Weighing them in both hands, he lowered his mouth to taste them.

  “These are nice,” he said, releasing the clasp and sucking one into his hot mouth. Rome used his tongue to tease her swollen nipple, until she moaned...loudly.

  His dark eyes looked up at her. “Not a screamer, huh?”

  “That was a moan...not a scream.”

  “Okay…” He finished undressing them both.

  Again, Bliss was in his arms, and he carried her to the en suite bathroom. At the walk-in shower, Rome turned on the water, while Bliss reached for two towels. Stepping inside the glass, Rome then pulled her inside underneath the spray.

  “Shower cap!!!!” Bliss yelled, putting her hands over her hair.

  Rome looked around and saw the colorful cap behind him. Laughing softly, he placed it on her head.

  “I’m sorry.” He apologized. “I got carried away.”

  Bliss adjusted the cap, then looked over his magnificently built body.

  “I forgive you…” she sighed.

  “Soap?”

  Bliss pointed at the organic shower gel and Rome picked it up. Bringing it to his nose, he smelled it.

  “Nice. I like this.” He poured some into his hand. “No wonder your skin is so soft.”

  “There’s a loofah,” Bliss pointed out.

  Rome gave her a sexy grin. “I’d rather use my hands...so I don’t miss anything.” He began rubbing the soap on her skin.

  “Oooh...don’t miss anything,” Bliss whispered.

  Up and down, around and around, Rome’s powerful hands lathered Bliss’ burning body. He touched places that hadn’t been touched in quite some time, and others that felt like they’d never been touched.

  “Turn around,” he told her. “Get under the water.”

  On wobbly legs, Bliss obeyed and stood underneath the pulsing stream with her eyes closed, thinking about what was coming next. Finally, Rome helped removed the suds, then finished his promise by lifting her against the tile wall. Bliss’ eyes popped open and she looked down at him as he positioned himself at her core.

  “Hey!” Bliss snapped. “Protection?”

  “I’m wearing protection.”

  “From where?”

  “I brought it.”

  Bliss looked at him. “Well, aren’t you quite the experienced one?”

  Rome let her down, and stepped back.

  “Check it out.” He lifted his muscular arms.

  She went about checking the latex that he’d adorned.

  “When did you put this on?”

  “While you were dreaming under the water…” He looked at her. “We good?”

  Bliss smiled. “Yeah, you’re very good.”

  This time Rome didn’t wait for her to get ready, and when Bliss was against the wall, with a big hand squeezing her breast and a hard erection buried deep inside of her, she screamed, “Oh shit!”

  Chapter 3

  Bliss felt Rome’s mouth cover hers, before he sucked hotly on her tongue as she bounced up and down against the tiles. Tightening her legs around his firm waist, Bliss attacked his mouth in return and dug her nails into his broad back.

  Each powerful thrust drew a sound from her throat that she couldn’t contain. Deeper and deeper, over and over, Rome’s big body enveloped every part of her, causing her moans to become more lusty...and loud.

  “Let me feel all this bliss…” Rome said, biting her neck.

  Soon, his masculine grunts and sexy words had her screaming his name
as he brought her perfect pleasure. Continuing to lavish in the recesses of her core, Rome held her gaze while he experienced a blissful release, being held firmly in her embrace.

  “You scream, too…” Bliss told him, after a few minutes of regaining their sanity.

  “Nah, I moan…” Rome kissed her and rubbed her damp skin with a hand. “You scream.”

  Bliss smiled. “It’s been a minute…”

  “Oh, that’s the excuse you want to use?” Rome asked, holding her up as the water hit his back.

  “And I will stand by it…”

  Separating their bodies, Rome lowered Bliss to her feet. Grabbing the liquid soap, he lathered her body again, then helped her rinse for the second time. Returning the favor, Bliss got to explore his muscular form the way he’d explored hers, and found places that she definitely wanted to get to know better.

  They finally retired to her bedroom, where Rome sat up against her pillows.

  Bliss stared down at him and lifted a brow. “Make yourself comfortable…”

  He gave her a sexy smile. “I’m your guest.”

  “That you are,” Bliss agreed, climbing on the bed. “But don’t get too comfortable…”

  He pulled her into his arm. “So you’re territorial?”

  “Very much. I have to be...otherwise people will just take over your shit.” She replied, laying her head on his smooth chest.

  “Hey, I protect mine, too...so I’ve got you.”

  Bliss lifted her face to look at him.

  “I can’t come run your spot either?”

  “I might not even give you the address.”

  She smiled. “Oh, it’s like that? Throw me up against the bathroom tile, then ghost me?”

  Rome held her gaze. “Ghost you? You’re going to be my Private Wealth Manager.”

  “Rome...we have to talk about that.” Bliss sat up next to him and pulled the sheet over her naked body.

  “What do we have to talk about?” he questioned.

  “I told you that I don’t sleep with clients.”

  He looked at her. “I think that rule has been broken.”

  “No, it hasn’t.”

  “Then it will be.” Rome said simply.

  Bliss’ eyes narrowed. “You can’t make me keep seeing you.”

  Lifting a brow, he asked, “You don’t want to see me after tonight?”

  She bit her lip, studying his naked body. “I didn’t say that…”

  “Make it plain, Bliss…” Rome told her. “I don’t have time for games.”

  “I don’t play games.” Bliss replied firmly.

  “Then what do you want?” He shot back.

  Bliss stared at him. “I’ve never been in this position.”

  Rome saw the distress in her pretty eyes. “Tell me why you can’t have both?”

  “I never want things messy…” Bliss told him. “I’ve worked damn hard to get to where I am and I won’t lose it over a hard body and some good sex.”

  “Sex that made you scream…”

  “It’s been a minute…”

  Rome looked at her. “How can it get messy?”

  Bliss took a breath. “Expectations can get out of hand and I can’t get distracted.”

  “Bliss…” He touched her face. “I know what having you as my wealth manager can do for me. The only expectation I have, is that you do what you do best...because you are the only one I can trust.”

  She listened as he continued…

  “I didn’t expect this to pop off between us,” Rome went on. “But it did, and I don’t regret it…”

  “I don’t regret it either, Rome.”

  “And I’m not going to fight you to share your bed, so if we have to sacrifice this to both meet our goals, then I guess that’s what it is.” Rome shrugged. “If...that’s what you really want.”

  Bliss blinked. “You’d accept that?”

  “I don’t really think I have a choice, Bliss. This is your show.”

  “It’s for the best.” She said slowly.

  He nodded while watching her. “Do you want me to clear your spot?”

  “You want to leave?”

  “You want me to stay?”

  Bliss laid back on the pillows and put an arm across her face.

  “I know you’re thinking I’m crazy.” She sighed. “And fickle, and indecisive...but I’m not any of those things…”

  She felt him wrap a strong arm around her waist. “I think you ran into a situation that you weren’t quite ready for,” Rome said, and she removed her arm to look into his face.

  “Why did you have to be a potential client?”

  “Why did you have to be so amazing?” Rome asked softly, holding her gaze.

  Putting her arms around his neck, Bliss whispered, “I want you to stay.”

  “I want to stay with you.” Rome said, lowering his mouth to hers.

  ******

  “Bliss…”

  In the deepest of slumber, Bliss heard her name.

  “Bliss…”

  Slowly, she opened her eyes to a handsome face.

  “Rome?”

  “You remember me?” he teased with a sexy smile.

  Rubbing her eyes, she sat up. “Yes, I do…”

  “My car is here,” he told her and she frowned.

  “What? I was going to take you to breakfast.”

  Rome kissed her face. “Maybe I can get a raincheck?”

  Bliss looked over at the clock on her nightstand. “Shit! I need to get up.” She looked at Rome, who was fully dressed.

  “Wow, I must’ve been knocked out. I didn’t even hear you moving around.”

  “I’m pretty quiet, and I didn’t want to wake you until I had to go.” Rome touched her cheek. “You know, I thought the bliss was when you laugh, but I’ve learned that it’s when you sleep. You’re absolutely beautiful.”

  Bliss stared at him with sleep still in her eyes. “Thank you, Rome.”

  “I’ve got to go, but I’ll see you later today.”

  “I’ll be ready for our appointment,” she promised.

  Kissing her softly, Rome stood and headed for the door.

  “You aren’t going to say goodbye?” Bliss called after him.

  “Never.” He replied and kept walking.

  When she heard her front door close, Bliss scrambled from the bed and grabbed a robe before heading out to her living room. Hurrying to the door, she opened it and saw Rome walking to the elevator. She also saw Brad, standing at the doors dressed for a run, watching Rome approach.

  Seeing Brad’s eyes look past him, Rome turned back and saw Bliss in the doorway.

  “Did you need something?” Rome asked.

  Bliss smiled sexily at him. “No, I got everything that I needed.”

  He chuckled softly. “See you later.”

  The doors opened and both men stepped inside, disappearing from Bliss’ sight. She closed the door and went back in to get ready for work. Once she was showered and dressed for success, Bliss went to the kitchen and poured a glass of juice.

  Before she could take a sip, her doorbell buzzed and she wondered who was visiting her this early. Walking over to the intercom, she looked at the screen.

  “Kris? What are you doing here?”

  “Let me up, Bliss.”

  Bliss pushed the button, then waited for her sister’s arrival at her door. When Kris exited the elevator, Bliss was waiting in the doorway.

  “Is it safe?” Kris asked hesitantly.

  “I don’t have all day,” Bliss said, looking at her watch. “Let’s get this over with.”

  Kris entered the apartment and followed Bliss to the kitchen, where Bliss sat on a leather stool and drank her juice.

  “You look like you’re ready to take on Wall Street, today.” Kris commented.

  “Why’d you stand me up last night?” Bliss cut to the chase.

  “I’m sorry, Bliss...but you stand us up all the time.”

  Bliss’ eyes narrowed. �
�I don’t plan it out.”

  “Okay, maybe we shouldn’t have done it that way, but we had a reason.” Kris explained.

  “A reason?”

  Kris nodded. “Yes, can I have some juice?”

  Bliss looked at her, then turned to get a glass from the pure white cabinet. She slid it across the matching white island to where her sister sat. “It’s in the fridge.”

  Kris slid off her seat and moved to get the beverage. “How mad are you?” Kris questioned, reaching into the refrigerator.

  “I’m not mad at all.” Bliss told her.

  Kris froze, then turned slowly to her sister. “What did you say?”

  Bliss sipped from her glass. “I’m not mad at all,” she repeated.

  Forgetting the juice, Kris returned to her seat to study her older sister. Bliss looked...blissful.

  “You got some!” Kris accused.

  “Some what?” Bliss asked, lifting a brow.

  Kris shook her head. “Oooh...and it was good, too…”

  Bliss hid a smile. “Good doesn’t even come close to describing it.”

  “Did you hook up with Eric?”

  Kris watched Bliss’ expression change instantly. “What do you know about Eric?”

  Grimacing, Kris replied, “We sent you there to set you up with him.”

  “You did what!” Bliss slammed her glass on the counter.

  Kris put her hands up. “Yeah, Drea’s husband knows him, and we all thought that you two would make a good fit.”

  “You tried to set me up with the bartender?” Bliss questioned. “I run ten million dollar clients, and you want me to date the damn bartender?”

  “We thought that maybe you needed a change. You know, a man not so focused on money, but is a nice guy.”

  “My life IS money, Kris!” Bliss yelled. “Don’t you realize that?”

  “But, is money worth more than happiness?” Kris shot back. “Don’t you want somebody who can love the true Bliss?”

  “What the hell are you saying?”

  Kris sighed. “You move in these two worlds.” She looked around the kitchen. “You live this presentation to get where you’re going, but there’s another Bliss, who wants and needs someone to love.”

  Bliss put her hands to her face and rubbed her temples. “Where are you getting this from, Kris?”

  “From you, Bliss.” Her sister returned. “You’re going to burn yourself out on this mission, without someone to support you.”