Love In A Hopeless Place (BWWM Romance)

by Anna Rudolph

  “Lateisha? It’s Bryce. I was wondering if you had time to meet me at my office this afternoon.” The sound of his voice made Lateisha’s heart hammer against her ribcage. Why Bryce? Why not Ty or one of the other losers she dated?

  “I’m on my way to work right now. I work until seven tonight. Can I meet you after that?” She asked, doubting he would be in the office that late.

  “That’s fine,” he answered to her surprise, “I should be here until nine.”

  Lateisha hung up with confusion. What could Bryce probably want to see her about this time? Probably the parental rights paper she didn’t sign. Her heart sank at the realization and her hand went to her belly from instinct. No, this wasn’t her child. She didn’t want children. That’s what she had to keep telling herself until this was all over.

  Chapter 5

  At seven thirty sharp Lateisha was walking into the lobby of the Henderson Building. She didn’t have time to change before coming here and she tugged self consciously at her McDonald’s uniform. At this time of night the dark haired woman who was in the booth in the lobby was long gone and a security guard took her place.

  “Can I help you, miss?” He asked, standing from his swivel chair parked in front of the security cameras.

  Lateisha took off her silly hat and shoved it into her purse. “I’m looking for Mr. Henderson. He’s expecting me. Lateisha Aaron.”

  The security guard nodded. “I’ll call him.”

  Five minutes later, Lateisha was on her way up the elevator to Bryce’s office. She was nervous but she wasn’t sure why. What could he possibly say besides ask her to sign the papers? Stepping from the elevator, Lateisha looked ahead through the glass doors, happy to see that Blond Bitch wasn’t there. She opened the doors and headed down the hall towards Bryce’s office. The whole office was deserted at this hour. Looking around as she walked down the hall, Lateisha jumped when she felt a hand rest on her arm.

  “Hey, I didn’t mean to startle you,” Bryce said, coming up next to her as she turned around.

  “It’s okay. I was walking to your office,” Lateisha said, slowing her breathing with a hand to her chest.

  “I was coming out to meet you from the other side and saw you walking this way. Let’s head to my office.” Bryce held her by the elbow and steered her towards his office.

  Lateisha jolted at his contact but didn’t pull away. If she was being honest with herself she would admit that she didn’t want to pull away; she wanted him to touch her. She ran a hand over her face in frustration. Lately, Lateisha didn’t know what she wanted. Bryce let go of her arm and she didn’t like the way him letting go made her feel.

  “Have a seat,” he said, motioning towards the chair across from his desk.

  Lateisha thought back to the first day she met him, over a week ago, and while she thought he was sexy, she also thought he was ridiculously prim and proper. Something changed in Bryce over the last few days but she couldn’t figure out what. He wasn’t clean shaven and his hair was messier than the first time they met. She longed to run her fingers through the hair that flopped over his eyebrow when he sat down. Lateisha suddenly had the urge to run far away because of her feelings, but knew that if she was carrying his baby she had to see this through.

  Wanting to get this over with, Lateisha spoke, “What’s going on, Bryce?” She crossed her legs and tapped her foot, wringing her hands in her lap. “Is this about the parental rights paper?”

  Bryce frowned as if just remembering the paper, “No, that’s not it. I wanted to talk to you about an idea I had.” He shuffled papers on his desk before pushing them aside with irritation.

  “Okay,” Lateisha answered, waiting not so patiently for him to respond.

  “I think, based on some things we’ve discussed recently and some information I’ve come across, that you should move into my penthouse for the duration of the pregnancy,” Bryce said, adjusting the wayward papers again.

  Lateisha felt like she must be dreaming. He wanted her to move in with him? She couldn’t move in with him. That wasn’t an option. She would have to see him every day and be close to him. No, it would be too much.

  “I can’t,” she answered quickly, looking at her lap so he wouldn’t see the panic in her eyes.

  “Lateisha, hear me out. I think this will be better for all involved. I can watch my child grow and be involved. You won’t have to worry about a place to stay or paying rent. I won’t have to wonder what you’re doing or if you’re putting my child in danger in some way—"

  “What?!” Lateisha jumped from her seat with anger.

  Did he really think she would do anything to endanger an unborn child she was carrying? She may be a bit directionless and even irresponsible at the moment but she wasn’t a monster.

  “Sit down please. I didn’t mean it that way,” Bryce began.

  “No, you absolutely meant it that way. What kind of person do you think I am, Bryce?”

  Bryce sighed, running his hands through his hair. “I honestly don’t know, Lateisha. I thought you were one thing when you came in here and offered to carry my baby. After getting to know you, I know you are kind, but I also know you have a college degree and you work at McDonald’s, you had a boyfriend you never mentioned to me, and now you have no vehicle to get around. I’m worried and I’m trying to make life easier on you because I know pregnancy can be difficult. I’m not asking you to give up your life or your job but I just want you close so I can make sure my baby is okay. That’s all.”

  Lateisha stepped back from the desk, feeling physically ill at Bryce’s revelation. He thought she was an irresponsible, naïve child. What was she thinking signing up for this? Realizing she had no choice because she could possibly already be pregnant, she sighed with resignation.

  “Fine,” she said defeated, flopping back down into the chair, “I’ll move in.”

  Bryce sighed, with relief or defeat she wasn’t sure. He stood, moving around the desk.

  “Thank you. For all of this. I know it’s difficult to give up your life and your body for another person for several months but I really appreciate it, if that means anything at all,” he said, scrubbing a hand over his face and turning from her.

  Without thinking, Lateisha reached for him, her hand catching his bicep. The feel of his hard muscles under his suit made her stomach clench but she didn’t let go.

  “I’m sorry I’ve made such a mess of things, Bryce. But you have to know I will keep this baby safe. It may not really be my baby, but I’m carrying it inside of me and I would never do anything to jeopardize its health.”

  Bryce nodded, but instead of pulling away he continued to stare at her. “You have beautiful eyes,” he mumbled, his hazel eyes turning a forest green as he stared at her.

  Lateisha swallowed hard. The look of lust in his eyes made her heart slam against her ribcage and she longed to step back but couldn’t let him go. Not yet.

  “Bryce, we can’t…” Lateisha’s voice came out barely above a whisper.

  Before she could protest much more she was being pulled against his chest and his mouth was slamming into hers. Lateisha gasped, but it was muffled by Bryce’s lips. His tongue pushed at the seam of her lips, forcing its way inside, making her accept him. Lateisha’s head was swimming and she didn’t want to push him away. He tasted so good and she felt safe in his embrace. She shut off her brain and just felt; otherwise she may have changed her mind. Bryce’s hands roamed over her back and down to her ass, cupping it and pulling her against him. Lateisha could feel his erection pressing against her stomach through his dress pants. She remembered holding his thick girth in her hand in the back of his limo and she moaned against his lips, her core clenching. On their own accord her hands moved over the lapels of Bryce’s jacket, pulling it down his arms and tossing it to the floor. Taking her cue, Bryce undid the buttons to Lateisha’s uniform shirt and pulled it over her head. Lateisha felt like she was on fire from his touch as h
e caressed her bare back and gripped the clasp of her bra to unhook it. Finally removing her bra, Bryce tossed that aside like he did her shirt while Lateisha worked on the buttons to his shirt. It was taking too long to get them off and if she didn’t feel his naked skin against hers she was going to explode so she decided to just rip the shirt off. Buttons flew everywhere and for a moment Bryce looked stunned.

  “I liked that shirt,” he said with a smirk.

  “Sorry, it always looks easier in the movies,” she said with a laugh.

  Her laugh quickly turned to a groan when Bryce dipped his head and took her nipple into his mouth. Lateisha almost fell backwards from the sensation, which left her panting and her panties soaked. Bryce motioned to a small couch in the corner and, never breaking contact, they moved over to it. He laid her down on the couch and shucked his pants, stepping from them and his boxer briefs at the same time. Lateisha looked at his hard, lean body, his erection long and resting against his abdomen. She almost moaned again at the sight of him; he was beautiful. The suits didn’t do him justice. His body deserved to be seen.

  Bryce unbuttoned her uniform pants and slid them off. He growled, deep in his chest. It was laundry day and the only clean underwear Lateisha had was a white lacy thong that was too uncomfortable to be worn long. Judging by Bryce’s reaction, he liked it. Bryce gently rolled the panties down her hips and legs, kissing his way back up. Lateisha arched her back the closer he moved to her center, but Bryce wasn’t done teasing and kissed up one leg and hip, across her navel and down the other side. Just when Lateisha felt like she would melt from the heat of her arousal, Bryce moved back up her leg, pushing her thighs apart and kissed the inside of her thigh.

  “Bryce,” she breathed, practically begging him to move closer.

  Bryce pressed a kiss to her center and Lateisha’s hips bucked forwards, wanting more. He licked up her slit and Lateisha cried out, the arousal he built with his teasing kisses making her too sensitive. Bryce didn’t stop. Pushing her legs further out, Bryce licked her clit in slow circles, the pleasure building until Lateisha was wound so tight she felt like she would snap. When she thought she couldn’t take anymore, Bryce sucked her clit between his lips, plunging two fingers inside of her and pumping slowly. Lateisha screamed his name, the orgasm hitting her hard. Bryce didn’t stop and Lateisha tried to squeeze her legs closed because she was too sensitive. Still moving his fingers in and out slowly, Bryce moved over her, removing his fingers and replacing them with his rock hard dick. Bryce teased her at first, stroking her clit with his thumb as he gently nudged her entrance with his cock. He pressed the head against the seam of her pussy and Lateisha’s hips surged forward. Bryce moved with her, plunging into her tight channel and moaning.

  “Oh God, you feel so tight.”

  Lateisha moaned again as Bryce began to set a rhythm. He moved in and out of her methodically, stroking her sensitive inner walls with his large dick. It was all too much for her to take and she didn’t think she would last much longer. Lateisha cried out as Bryce picked up the pace, wrapping her legs tightly around his waist. Her pleasure began to build again as Bryce moved against her g-spot. She hiked her legs higher on his hips, rocking back and forth to meet him thrust for thrust. The contract, the world, disappeared as Bryce held her in his arms and pushed deeper inside of her. Lateisha moaned again, nipping gently at Bryce’s ear. He turned his head, crushing his mouth over hers, his tongue pushing inside of her mouth and mimicking the motions of their love making. Bryce pulled back, his mouth finding her nipples again. The sensation sent a new zing of pleasure to her pussy and she screamed as her climax hit, this one more intense than the first one. Seconds later, Bryce cried out and she felt him release inside of her as she screamed his name again. Lateisha fell back against the tiny couch panting. She felt boneless and was unable to move. Bryce stood, a strange look on his face.

  “I’m sorry,” he mumbled, bending to reach for his boxers and pants.

  “Why?” She asked with confusion, sitting straight up.

  “I took advantage. This will just confuse things,” he answered, pulling his clothes on.

  Suddenly feeling self-conscious with her nakedness, Lateisha stood, grabbing her clothes from the floor and dressing quickly. Bryce was right, she was already confused.

  *****

  Bryce watched Lateisha dress from the corner of his eye. Why was he such an ass to her after what they just shared? It was amazing. But at the same time it was stupid. He couldn’t promise her anything, not right now. He was too busy, and had too much on his plate. Keeping the relationship all business was best. After the baby came, she could move out and do whatever it was that she wanted to do. Bryce wouldn’t care. At least he would try not to. He couldn’t. Sighing, he rubbed a hand over his stubbly face, the five o’clock shadow rasping as he went. Since he met Lateisha he wasn’t always as put together as he used to be and he wasn’t sure how he felt about that.

  “If you’re ready, I can take you home,” Bryce said, turning towards Lateisha.

  She looked smaller and more fragile than usual, her eyes were downcast. Bryce felt like an asshole, but making sure Lateisha knew now that what happened between them couldn’t, wouldn’t happen again, was important to him.

  Lateisha shook her head and cleared her throat. “I’m fine. I’ll catch the bus,” she said, gathering her purse from the floor and heading to the door.

  Fuck!

  Why did he care so much? This was supposed to be a simple business deal but nothing about this was simple.

  “Lateisha, wait!” Bryce yelled, jogging to catch her before she entered the elevator.

  “What?” She asked, the sheen of unshed tears in her eyes.

  “At least let my driver bring you home. I’ll have him come to collect you and your things to move into the penthouse tomorrow morning.”

  Lateisha sighed heavily, turning her head up to the ceiling for a moment. “I didn’t realize you still wanted me to move in.”

  Bryce moved closer, and despite everything he just told himself he cupped her cheek. She flinched and backed away. Bryce dropped his hand.

  “You could still be pregnant. If we find out that you aren’t in two weeks, you can move out and I’ll void the contract,” he said, regret gripping his heart. Why was it so hard to let her go?

  Lateisha nodded. “Okay. But can I ride home alone. I need some time,” she said with pleading eyes.

  Bryce nodded and she turned and stepped into the elevator. He had a horrible feeling he just lost her forever and until now he didn’t even know he wanted her.

  *****

  Lateisha waited until she was in the back of the limo before she cried. Why did she give in and let her body get away from her mind? Bryce looked disgusted with what happened afterwards. It was probably that he couldn’t believe he lowered himself to have sex with a woman without direction who worked in a fast food restaurant. He said it himself right before. She wasn’t good enough for him, but she must be good enough to carry his baby. Fighting back another sob, Lateisha covered her mouth. This wasn’t like her, she didn’t cry; especially not over a man. But Bryce wasn’t just any man. Lateisha did what she had to do to get by, just like her mother taught her. But lately all she wanted was to see Bryce. That revelation set off a new round of crying and it went that way until she got home. Lateisha thanked Gerry as she stepped out and he told her he’d be back tomorrow. Lateisha groaned at the idea of moving in with Bryce but knew she didn’t have a choice. Once this baby was born, she was gone. For some reason the idea of leaving Bryce left her heart aching.

  Slipping into her apartment, Lateisha checked to see if Becky was home. Relieved that she seemed to be out for the night, Lateisha showered and slipped into bed, hoping that when she woke up the silly notion of being with Bryce was dissipated from her head.

  *****

  Lateisha’s move in to Bryce’s house went without incident. He gave her a room on the other side of his p
enthouse, probably so he didn’t have to see her. But it was just as well for her, because then she didn’t have to be reminded of that disastrous night. The days seemed to go by quickly, with work and her new found job hunting and before Lateisha knew it, two weeks had passed. Today was her day off and the scheduled appointment with the doctor to see if the insemination took. Bryce was going to meet her there from the office. Besides a few hellos and goodbyes they hadn’t spoken much over the past couple of weeks and despite her resolve to keep calm, Lateisha was nervous. Butterflies assaulted her stomach as she entered the office, her eyes immediately finding Bryce. Pretending to be calm she walked up to him and sat down, a seat between them, and nodded in his direction.

  “Hello, Lateisha,” Bryce said properly. Lateisha noticed his newly short hair cut and freshly shaved jaw. The old Bryce was back, Mr. Prim and Proper. For some reason that made her sad.

  “Hi,” she mumbled, looking down at her phone so she wouldn’t have to talk to him.

  After several minutes of awkward silence, the nurse called her back to take a pregnancy test. She had to pee in a cup and get blood taken; the blood draw to confirm the results of the pee test. Afterwards, she waited in an exam room. Glad to be out of Bryce’s scrutiny, she opened her email and began to search through job listings. Frustration built and she decided to close the web browser after a few minutes of finding nothing. Maybe nursing wasn’t for her? Nothing about the job was appealing and she mentally kicked herself for wasting four years in college and accruing countless student loan debts on a career she didn’t want. Lateisha’s mom was a nurse and told her it would be a great, well paying and stable job for her. Unfortunately Lateisha hated it and would have much rather went to culinary school, but her mother told her that was a bad idea. Of course she ended up working with food anyway, in the crappiest way possible.

  The door creaked open and pulled Lateisha from her thoughts. Assuming it was the nurse her heart sped up. Despite all that would happen if she was pregnant, she wasn’t hoping it was negative and that scared her a bit. But it wasn’t the nurse, it was Bryce.