“Don’t be a brat, alright? It’s not like that either.”
“You’re only saying this because you’re into weird shit too, Christopher.”
“Maybe,” he said in agreement. “But if you don’t keep your man happy, he’ll go looking for it elsewhere…”
The insinuation made me run cold.
“I’m not saying Cal is a cheater. Seems like a really honorable guy. But one day, he’s gonna get frustrated and leave. That’s how men are. We need a woman to keep us fed and keep us satisfied. If you do those two things, we won’t go anywhere. We’re very simple creatures.”
Christopher said a lot of stupid things, but that wasn’t one of them. When men didn’t get what they needed, it was natural for them to look for it elsewhere. “But he is satisfied with me.” I knew Calloway wanted to do those things sometimes, not all the time. If that were the case, we wouldn’t have lasted this long.
“I’m sure he is—for now. Just think about it, Rome.”
“I already have.”
Christopher knew I could be just as stubborn as he was, so he dropped the subject. “How do you find a nice woman in this city? Someone who’s super sexy but super awesome too. I’m not a big fan of online dating, so I haven’t gone there.”
“We’re in New York. There are amazing women everywhere.”
“Yeah, but I need a woman who’s wife material.”
“What’s wife material?”
He took another bite as he considered the question. “I don’t care if she’s rich or poor, but I want her to be doing something with her life, you know? Be passionate about something.”
“Again, lots of women meet that criteria.”
“And she’s gotta cook, and not just Top Ramen.”
“That shouldn’t be hard to do.”
“And she’s gotta be sexy, but not vain about it.”
Most pretty women I knew were like that, so that might be difficult. “That might be a little hard to find.”
“Well, I’d rather have a super awesome chick who’s a six than a boring-ass chick who’s a ten…so I guess looks are negotiable.”
“You know what you should do?”
“Hmm?” he asked.
“Just go out and meet people. When you find the right woman, you’ll know. Don’t make a list and expect her to fit each criteria. Calloway doesn’t fit all of my criteria, but that didn’t stop me from falling in love with him.”
“Well…he doesn’t meet one extremely important item on your list. And it seems like it’s been a recurring problem.”
I didn’t want to live without Calloway. My heart bled for him in ways it wouldn’t bleed for anyone else. Being madly in love with him made me accept his flaws, no matter how disturbing they were. “We’ll make it work. I don’t know how, but we will.”
“Maybe I can meet someone at Ruin. You know, a kinky chick.”
I couldn’t picture Christopher with any of the women there. If he wanted a wife, he needed someone who wasn’t willing to have a chain around her neck. “I think you would have a good time but wouldn’t want to settle down with her.”
“Hmm…that’s true.”
We’d never talked extensively about Christopher’s love life. Ever since he decided he wanted to settle down and get married, that was all we ever talked about. Christopher didn’t seem desperate, but he definitely seemed anxious. “When it’s meant to happen, it’ll happen.”
“Hopefully. Just hope I didn’t wait too long that all the good ones are gone.”
“You haven’t been out with anyone that you really liked?”
“Well…” He dug his hand into the chip bag. “There was this one woman, Kim. She was pretty amazing. Beautiful, cool, she had the whole package. But I slept with her and never called her again…ignored her phone calls. She’d never give me another chance.”
“How long ago was this?”
“Like…six months ago.”
Yeah, she’d probably moved on by now. “Why did you blow her off?”
“I really liked the connection, but I was so anti-commitment that I didn’t even bother. Since I wasn’t looking for anything serious, I just tuned everything out. I didn’t start thinking about how awesome she was until recently.”
If it were me, I probably wouldn’t give Christopher another chance. It would make me come off as a desperate, something I refused to do. If this Kim chick was anything worth chasing after, she was probably the same way. “Six months is a long time.”
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure she’s long gone.”
We ate the rest of our lunch in silence until every single piece of food was long gone. Christopher eyed his watch like he needed to get back to work soon. “I’ll walk you back to the office and head on my way.”
“I don’t need you to walk me, Christopher. Hank is no longer a problem.” In fact, he was a complete pussy.
“I know Cal. He’d be ticked if I let you walk on your own.”
“You guys both need to accept the fact that I’m perfectly safe now. Let’s go back to normal.” Christopher and I walked out of the deli and headed to my building a few blocks away. “And my building isn’t even on your way.”
“I could use the exercise.” He walked with his hands in the pockets of his slacks.
“I still don’t want things to be this way. I can’t remember the last time I was alone—truly alone.”
“No one likes being alone, so consider yourself lucky.” He walked me until we reached the outside of my building. He looked up at the large floor-to-ceiling windows then raised his hand for a high five. “See you later, sis.”
I smiled then smacked my palm against his. “Good luck with the ladies.”
“I don’t need any luck.” He waggled his eyebrows. “But thanks.”
14
Calloway
I tried to forget that terrible night and move on with my life.
Move on with Rome.
I made my peace with the fact nothing would change. She wasn’t going to budge in her decision, as ridiculous as it was, and I had to accept it. As disappointed as I was, I knew I had to make this work because I’d be so much more miserable if I lost her.
Been there, done that.
I finished up in my office then walked down the hallway until I walked into her space. Rome sat at her computer desk with perfect posture, looking just as refreshed as she did when she walked in that morning. She was so passionate about her projects that she never seemed drained.
She didn’t notice me because she was typing an email on her computer. She was so engrossed in what she was doing she didn’t realize I was lurking in the doorway.
I let her finish before I made my presence known. “Ready to go, sweetheart?”
She nearly jumped out of her skin when she realized I was there. “Geez, how long have you been standing there?”
“For a few minutes. But don’t feel bad. I enjoyed the view.”
Her mouth automatically fell into a warm smile as she shut down her computer and grabbed her purse. “Of me sitting on my ass.”
“Any view of that ass is a good one.”
She met me by the door, and to my surprise, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed me on the lips. She never gave me affection at the office, but she must have made an exception since most of the staff were already gone for the day. Or I just looked so handsome that she didn’t care.
I hoped it was the second one.
We left the office together then rode the elevator down to the ground floor. My hand found hers, and I intertwined our fingers, not caring if the security guys spotted us together. We were both off the clock, so the affection shouldn’t matter. Plus, I was the boss. So, it really shouldn’t matter.
“Wanna see my mom today?” We saw her almost every day. Sometimes it was for an early dinner or later in the evening before she went to bed.
“Yeah. Is Jackson coming?”
I was pretty sure that ship was never going to sail. “I don’t think Jackson is g
onna come along.”
“Then you need to make him.”
“It’s impossible to make the Owens brothers do anything.”
“We’ll see about that.” She extended her open palm and silently asked for my phone.
I fished it out of my pocket and dropped it into her hand.
She looked through my contacts then called him once we were sitting in the back of the car.
“Yo,” Jackson said into the phone. “Sick of the same flavor yet?”
I knew exactly what he meant by that, and I was sure Rome did too.
If she did, she didn’t make it apparent. “It’s Rome, not Cal.”
“Oh…what’s up?” He immediately became uncomfortable, probably knowing why she was calling before she even said anything.
“We’re going to see your mother, and you’re joining us.”
“I’m busy,” he barked. I could hear him from my seat against the window.
“Then stop being busy,” she argued. “We’re pulling up to Ruin, and you better come out.”
“Or what?” he asked with a laugh.
“I’ll march in there and pull your ass out, that’s what.” Rome’s eyes turned that sexy green color they did when she was sassy.
Now I really wanted to fuck her.
Jackson didn’t make the mistake of calling her out on her bluff. “Jesus Christ, fine. I’ll be outside in ten minutes.”
“Make it nine.” She hung up and handed the phone back to me.
My cock was hard in my slacks and was eager for release from his cage. Oddly enough, I liked to be the one in charge, to tell people off and be an asshole. But when she ran the show and made the demands, it really turned me on. I still hadn’t figured out why.
The driver changed direction to Ruin, and I rolled up the center divider between us. The back windows were tinted so we had all the privacy we needed. I was eager to get my dick inside her, the dominant version of me coming out when I didn’t expect it to. I undid my slacks and pulled my cock out. “Suck me off. Now.”
Her eyes widened imperceptibly when I issued the command.
Instead of backing off, I held my ground. I massaged my length with my hand, rubbing my thumb over the head where the small drop formed.
Witnessing me touch myself must have turned her on because she pulled her hair over one shoulder then leaned over me in the back seat. She grabbed my base then wrapped her lips around my length, taking me in just the way I liked.
I leaned back and watched her as my hand dug into her hair and fisted it so it wouldn’t fall into her face. “We have about six minutes. Make it quick.” I guided her face up and down, having her move across my length the way I preferred.
Rome did as I asked, moving down my length quickly without wasting any time. She jerked her hand at the same time, giving me a quickie that would have a satisfying climax at the end.
I yanked up her dress then gripped her backside with my free hand, loving the perky curve of that ass. I spanked her gently, my instincts kicking in.
She didn’t stop what she was doing. In fact, she moved harder. Saliva dripped down my length to my balls, and she made quiet gagging noises when she took too much of my cock into that tiny little mouth. She forced her jaw apart so her teeth wouldn’t nick me. For someone so inexperienced, she gave great head.
When she moved to the top of my head, she sucked it hard, pulling all the pre-come from my head onto her tongue, and then sheathed me once more. Without sticking my hands between her legs, I knew she was wet.
I knew we were just a short distance away from Ruin, but I wouldn’t last much longer anyway. I ran my hand over her ass and the steep curve in her back, feeling the searing heat deep in my groin.
“Faster.”
Rome craned her neck and moved up and down faster, some strands of hair falling toward her face. She breathed through her nose and flattened her tongue, giving me a good and hard blow job.
I was about to come. I felt it all the way in my bones. “It’s coming, sweetheart.”
She deep-throated me harder even though it caused tears to sting her eyes.
That was my woman. She wanted to give it to me good no matter how uncomfortable it made her.
She massaged my balls as she took more of my cock, wanting my come as desperately as I wanted to give it.
I knew the finale was here. It burned me from the inside out because it was so powerful. I grabbed the back of her neck and guided her along my length exactly the way I wanted. When my cock thickened and I released, I pushed her mouth down completely on my length so she would get every drop right down her throat. “Fuck…yeah.” I laid my head back and closed my eyes, enjoying her wet mouth still tight around my cock. My balls tightened in joy as they released.
Rome took everything without gagging, devouring my come like a pro. She never complained about my size or the amount of seed I dumped inside her. She did the best she could because I always did the same for her.
She pulled my cock out of her mouth then licked her lips. Webs of saliva extended from her lip to her chin, so she grabbed a tissue and cleaned herself up. The back of the car immediately smelled like a mixture of come and saliva, but that didn’t matter because I owned the damn thing.
I cleaned up and pulled my boxers and slacks back on.
Rome sat beside me and crossed her legs like nothing had just happened. She returned to looking like a graceful lady, poised and refined.
She was definitely the queen of great head.
The car came to a stop, and when I glanced out the window, I realized we were in front of Ruin. “Right on time.”
She fixed her hair then gave me a seductive smile. “I get the job done.”
I chuckled and pulled her into my side for a kiss. The need for affection overcame me, and I yanked her right beside me so I could treasure her. Moments like this made me realize not getting what I wanted wasn’t the worst thing in the world. Even though she wasn’t a sub, she went the extra mile to please me. She was beautiful, absolutely wonderful. I couldn’t whip her or suspend her from the ceiling, but I got just as many good benefits from our relationship. She was definitely the sexiest woman I’d ever been with. Even when we were screwing, I enjoyed being around her. I’d never felt that way for any other woman.
We walked inside and entered the office where Jackson was likely hiding. Instead of knocking, we just walked inside and spotted him sitting at his desk.
He sighed when he spotted us. “Am I being kidnapped?”
“Yep.” Rome stepped forward, her hands on her hips. “Are we gonna do this the easy way or the hard way?”
“Depends,” Jackson replied. “Does the hard way involve you touching me?” He smiled like an arrogant asshole.
I gave him a warning with just my eyes.
“Actually, yes.” Rome approached the desk. “It involves my foot right against your dick.”
“Like…you’ll jerk me off with your feet?” he asked hopefully.
“Jackson.” I gave him his second warning. He knew what would happen if I had to warn him again.
“You guys are so lame.” He rolled his eyes then hopped out of the leather chair. “Fine, whatever. Let’s get this over with.”
Jackson trailed behind and practically dragged his feet on the ground. He hung in the rear as we moved through the assisted-living facility and to my mother’s room. We greeted the nurse then walked inside. The French doors that led to the patio were wide open, and my mother sat in the lounge chair with her knitting on the table beside her.
Jackson stopped in the middle of the room, his feet suddenly immobile. He stared at the back of our mother’s head, a reluctant expression on his face. He looked frozen, even scared.
I’d never seen him make a face like that.
Jackson continued to stare at her, watching her hands work the fabric of the scarf she was making. He suddenly looked like a little boy again, a small child who longed to be in the protective arms of his mother.
R
ome went ahead first and greeted my mother. Their quiet voices barely trailed to our ears inside the apartment.
I walked back to Jackson and stood beside him. “You can do it, man.”
“I haven’t seen her in…years.”
“I know.” Jackson was one of the few people in the world where I could let my guard down. He said a lot of stupid things to piss me off and did even stupider things to make me angry. But all of that didn’t matter because he was still my brother. “It’ll be okay. You don’t have to say anything.”
“I’m not sure if I could even if I wanted to…”
I wanted to tell him it got easier as time went on, but it never did. Seeing my mother so weak and helpless was always heartbreaking. She used to be strong, the kind of woman that didn’t put up with anything. She spent her time gardening, getting her hands dirty in the soil, and the house was always spotless. If I came home from school and trailed mud into the house, she would make me mop and vacuum the entire house just to teach me a lesson. I thought she was a hard-ass at the time, but now I understood she made me into a strong man rather than an arrogant asshole. “It’ll be alright. She’s a delight to talk to.”
“Yeah?”
I nodded then patted him on the back. “Come on.”
I walked onto the balcony next, watching Rome and my mother chat about the new flowers that had just been planted in the garden over the balcony. I held the book under my arm and greeted her with a smile. “You must be Theresa. I’m Calloway.” I extended my hand.
She eyed it before she shook it.
It was strange to shake hands with my mother. It never got easier.
“You’re a very handsome young man.” She usually blurted that out at some point during the conversation.
“Thank you. You’re a very pretty lady.”
She immediately smiled at the compliment. “That’s very nice of you to say.”
I moved aside so Jackson could greet her.
He stepped closer then eyed her blankly, at a loss of words now that he was face-to-face with our mom. It’d been at least five years since he last saw her face.
Black Promise (Obsidian Book 3) Page 17