I knew that was bogus. He didn’t give a damn about the schedule. “I’ll be there in two seconds.”
“Alright.”
I grabbed my folder and walked down the hallway to his office, sometimes wondering if people noticed I went to Calloway’s office more often that I should. I was the new girl, so hopefully, they assumed I needed extra help with my projects.
I definitely didn’t want to be known as the office whore.
Cynthia nodded for me to go inside, so I walked in, making sure to close the door behind me.
He was leaning against his desk like usual, looking like a president with the skyscrapers of the city in the background. With his arms crossed over his chest, Calloway’s shoulders looked broad and powerful. He hadn’t shaved in two days, so the hair around his face was thicker than usual. Hair or no hair, he looked equally sexy—in my opinion.
“I take it you didn’t call me in here to really talk about the schedule?” I held up the folder.
The only answer I got was a slight head shake.
I set the folder on the chair and crossed my arms over my chest, playing his game. “Then why am I in here?” We were so supposed to be professional in the workplace, but we’ve already had two slipups. Sometimes I wondered if it would be easier just to be honest with everyone.
He walked toward me and inserted his hands in his pockets. “I wanted to know how you were doing.”
“How I’m doing?” I asked in surprise. “The same as I was this morning.”
“I didn’t get to see you this morning. I left for the gym.” He was one of those fit people who woke up at five in the morning just to work out. Absolutely insane, but whatever.
“Well, you could have asked me that after work. Or even texted me.”
“I wanted to look at you.” His hands slid around my waist then gripped my ass. “And to see if you were sore today.”
I hadn’t experienced any discomfort, remarkably. And honestly, I’d been so busy at work I hadn’t thought about it much. “No. I’m fine.”
The corner of his mouth rose in a smile. “You’re tougher than I give you credit for.”
“Maybe I enjoyed it so much last night it didn’t hurt.”
His smile dropped, and his eyes darkened. “Yeah?”
I nodded.
“I’m glad you kept an open mind.”
“I don’t have an open mind.” If any other guy tried that stunt with me, I wouldn’t have allowed it. But Calloway was different. He’d been my one and only exception. The first time I laid eyes on him, I had no idea how he was going to change my life—in only good ways. “I just trust you.”
The darkness left his gaze, replaced by a calm softness. “You have no idea how much that means to me.” His hand moved to the steep curve in my back, and he placed a small kiss in the corner of my mouth. It was PG, tame enough that we could both pull away without ripping each other’s clothes off. “I’ll let you get back to work.”
“I’ll see you later.” I turned around and bent over to grab the folder.
He smacked my ass playfully. “Later, baby.”
10
Calloway
We woke up on Saturday morning, the sheets tucked around us as we lay in a tangle of arms and legs. Her scent was permanently infused in my sheets, and the smell was intoxicating. Her presence left a mark on all of my household things, but now I liked the change. Once upon a time, it was impossible for me to share my personal space. Isabella hadn’t been to my home once.
I woke up first, so I watched Rome sleep beside me, noticing the way her mouth opened slightly when she breathed. Her teeth were cute, and her soft lips were always wonderful to the touch. Even though my t-shirts were baggy on her, she rocked them like a supermodel.
Subconsciously, she must have known I was staring at her because she suddenly stirred and opened her eyes. Heavy and full of sleep, they fought to stay open. But once she took in my face, a beautiful smile stretched over her lips. “Hey, Sexy…” Her palm immediately brushed over my cheek, feeling the beard that was coming in. I hadn’t shaved in a few days, and I couldn’t tell which she preferred.
“Hey, sweetheart.” My hand moved over her flat stomach, knowing my come was still sitting inside her from the night before. “Sleep well?”
She stretched her arms over her head. “I always sleep well over here. This bed is amazing, and the teddy bear that comes with it is perfect.”
“Teddy bear, huh? I think I’m more manly than a stuffed animal.”
“But just as cute.” She chuckled then tapped her finger against my nose like I was a child.
I chuckled then pulled her to my chest, my lips moving over her temple and kissing her as I went. “Let’s get some breakfast. There’s somewhere I want to take you this afternoon.”
“That’s right,” she said. “The surprise.”
“It’s not really a surprise in the way you’re thinking. Just something I want you to see.” I kissed her neck before I left the bed and pulled on my boxers and sweatpants. When I turned around, her eyes were glued to my backside. “See something you like?”
“You have the nicest ass,” she said. “It’s not something I ever paid attention to before. But then again, I’ve never met another guy with a tight ass like that.”
I smiled. “If you think my ass is nice, you should see yours.” I gave her a gentle smack on the behind. “How do pancakes sound?”
“Ooh…and bacon. I’m in the mood for greasy, crunchy bacon.”
She hardly ever had an appetite, so I knew she was in a good mood. “And some eggs. Need some lean protein.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not in the mood to be healthy.”
“Well, if you want my ass to stay tight, I need to watch what I eat.”
She crawled out of bed. “I don’t care about having a tight ass, so bring on the bacon.”
Hand in hand, we walked into the assisted-living facility.
“What are we doing here?” Rome asked.
“There’s this woman I read to.”
“Aww…that’s sweet.”
I approached the nurse’s station in the lobby and saw Diane.
Her smile lit up the entire room when she looked at me. “Calloway, it’s always so nice to see you.”
“Thanks, Diane. How is she today?”
The woman beckoned us to follow her down the hall until we arrived at my mother’s room. As usual, she was sitting outside on the balcony, looking at the deep green grass of the lawn, beside an arrangement of colored flowers.
“She’s pretty good.” Diane waited by the door. “Just had breakfast, so she’s less grouchy.” She winked then walked out.
“What’s her name?” Rome whispered as we walked to the balcony.
“Theresa.” The patio door was opened, so I stepped on through, a Harry Potter book tucked under my arm. Anytime a normal son saw his mother, he probably greeted her with a hug. But I hadn’t hugged my mom in nearly a decade.
She sat in the rocking chair, her knitting on her lap. Her dark hair was curled in a classy way, her champagne pink top going well with her skin tone. Even if she didn’t remember who she was or where she lived, she still groomed herself every morning.
When she noticed me, she looked up. “Hello. How are you?”
I extended my hand to shake hers, for the umpteenth time. “Calloway Owens. I’m from Humanitarians United. I’ve come to read to you today.”
She eyed my hand almost suspiciously before she took it. “Oh, that’s nice. I have so much knitting to do I never have time to read.”
I smiled before I introduced Rome. “And this is…my girlfriend. Her name is Rome, and she also works with me.” If my mother could remember anything, she would be so happy to see me with a woman. She’d always nagged me to settle down, even before I turned eighteen. What she’d wanted more than anything else in the world was grandchildren.
“Oh, that’s lovely.” Mom smiled before she shook Rome’s hand. “You’re a beaut
iful girl. Good. Calloway is a very handsome man, so you two go well together.”
Rome chuckled. “That’s nice of you to say.”
I pulled out a chair for Rome so she could sit down. Then I sat beside her.
My mom watched me with astute eyes, blue and clear like my own. Sometimes I wondered if she recognized me, or at least felt a sense of familiarity. But she never connected the dots, never remembered her oldest son. “Calloway…that’s a nice name. I like it.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
“Your mother has good taste.”
“She certainly does.” I held up the Harry Potter book. “Would you like me to begin reading?”
“Sure.” She turned back to her knitting, her short brown hair falling forward as she looked down. She was just as thin as ever, never having an appetite, even when she was well. But she still held herself like a queen. My mother was beautiful despite her age, and I saw so much of myself when I looked into her face. Sometimes I saw Jackson too.
“Would you like to read?” I handed the book off to Rome.
“Sure.” Rome opened the book to the first page. “I’m not a performer, but I’ll do my best.”
“I’m sure it’ll be lovely, dear,” Mom said, using the yarn in her lap to knit a scarf.
I’d read the beginning of that Harry Potter book at least a hundred times. I practically had it memorized. Without the book in front of me, I could quote every line and every event.
Rome began to read, her beautiful voice soothing and enjoyable.
We spent the afternoon there, and Rome read so long she nearly finished the book. My mother listened, rocking the chair as she continued to focus on the work her hands were doing. Eventually, Rome grew tired and placed a bookmark between the pages. “I’m gonna lose my voice pretty soon…”
I rested my hand on her thigh. “We should get going anyway.” I rose to my feet and approached my mom, feeling the same pain I felt every time I had to leave. It would be easier not to bother coming at all, to give up hope that maybe one day her memory would come back to her. But I couldn’t live with that kind of guilt. If the situation were reversed, I knew my mom would always be by my side—no matter what. I wouldn’t feel like a man if I didn’t give her the same loyalty. Jackson claimed visiting her was pointless—and stupid. But I suspected he couldn’t handle the sight of her demise. He’d always been more sensitive than I was—even if he wouldn’t admit it. “We’ll see you again next week, Theresa.” I grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze.
My mom smiled up at me and rested her other hand on top of mine. “You’re such a wonderful man, Calloway.”
My heart nearly burst at the unexpected affection.
“I know it isn’t much, and I’m sure you don’t wear this sort of thing, but…” She held up the finished scarf and placed it into my hand. “It’s all I have to give. I’d like you to have it.”
I felt the soft fabric in my fingertips, and instantly, tears burned behind my eyes. I hadn’t felt emotion like this since I was a child, an undeniable sensation deep in my gut. I hadn’t felt anything besides permanent numbness. “Thank you…” I hooked the black and blue scarf around my neck, not caring what anyone thought of me.
She smiled then shook Rome’s hand. “You give him beautiful children someday, alright?”
Rome chuckled. “I’ll try. It was so nice to meet you, Theresa.” Rome kissed her on the cheek then walked to the door.
I stayed in front of my mother, wanting to say more than just a generic goodbye. I wanted to thank her for all she had done for me when I was growing up. I never had the opportunity to show her the gratitude she deserved, for taking care of my laundry every day and putting food on the table. They were all little things, but they added up in time. Jackson and I were her entire life until she lost her mind. Coming here every week to read to her didn’t begin to repay everything she had done for me. “I’ll see you soon.”
I walked out with Rome and grabbed her hand, wanting the affection that would keep me stable. Emotion never came easy for me, but whenever I visited this facility, I walked out a little weaker than when I walked inside.
“She’s sweet,” Rome said. “How long have you been doing this?”
“About seven years.”
“You’ve been reading to the same woman for seven years?” she asked incredulously, eyeing me with surprise as we headed to the parking lot where the car was parked.
“Yeah.”
“And she doesn’t remember you?”
“Her mind resets every morning when she wakes up.” She didn’t remember my father or her two children. She didn’t remember where she was born. Her entire life never happened because she couldn’t remember it.
“Poor thing,” she whispered. “She’s lucky to have you, Calloway.”
I reached the car and opened the passenger door. “I’m her son. I’ll always be there for her.” I didn’t make eye contact with Rome after I said the words, knowing what kind of reaction I would get from her.
Rome was about to enter the car but stopped when she heard what I said. Her gaze moved to my face, and all the joy she’d possessed that afternoon disappeared. Sadness entered her expression, and her eyes immediately welled up with tears.
I finally looked at her directly, seeing my pain mirrored back at me. I had no idea why I’d brought Rome here today. I wasn’t sure why I told her the truth about my mother. For some reason, I wanted to share it with her, not to carry the pain on my own.
“Calloway…” She moved into my chest and hugged me around the waist, her face buried into my t-shirt. “I’m so sorry.”
I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, still wearing the scarf my mother knitted for me. “I know.” I moved my lips to her forehead and pressed a gentle kiss against her warm skin. “I know, sweetheart.”
Rome must have sensed I didn’t feel like talking for the rest of the evening because she didn’t say much. She sat with me on the couch, cuddled into my side with her head resting on my shoulder. She wore my sweatpants and t-shirt, looking sexy in the oversized clothes.
I watched TV but didn’t really pay attention to what I was watching. My mind drifted in a quiet moment, thinking about everything that had happened today. I didn’t know what possessed me to bring Rome to the assisted-living facility. There was no premeditated thought. I just decided to ask her—so I did it.
I was extremely quiet about my personal life. The only other person who knew about my mother was Jackson. And even then, I would have kept it a secret from him if I could. I pursued Rome because I wanted her to be my submissive, to obey all my commands without question. Yet, I did something I never would have done with any of my submissives.
What was wrong with me?
Rome moved up my chest and straddled my hips with her long legs. Her pussy was right over my cock, and within seconds, I would be hard, like always. She placed both of her palms against my chest and gently moved up and down, caressing me while looking into my eyes. There wasn’t any sympathy in her gaze, but there wasn’t a sexual appetite either. “Thank you for taking me with you today.”
My hands moved to her thighs, and I caressed the powerful muscles through her sweatpants. Rome didn’t hit the gym, but she walked everywhere she went. As a result, she was strong. I liked that about her.
“If you ever want to talk about it, you know I’m here.”
I looked into her eyes, my mouth immobile. There was nothing to say about my mother. She was in that facility because she couldn’t take care of herself. Obviously, I couldn’t give her what she needed around the clock. Placing her in someone else’s care was all I could do. “The doctors can’t figure out what the problem is. She doesn’t have Alzheimer’s.”
“Oh…”
“I think her mind snapped when she realized all the horrible things my father was doing. She couldn’t handle it, so she checked out. But now that so many years have passed, I suspect something else happened in her mind, something that doctors can�
��t figure out.”
Rome rubbed my chest gently, the pity rising. “You’re a good son, Calloway. Does Jackson visit her too?”
“Never. Says it’s pointless.”
She massaged my shoulders, her body weightless on top of mine. “I wish there was something I could do…”
“You’re doing it, sweetheart.” My hands circled her small waistline, feeling the muscles of her core.
Her hands wrapped around my wrists, and she gripped me gently, her hair falling over one shoulder. The brown strands were soft to the touch but strong. When I wrapped her hair around my fist, I could make her do my bidding.
She leaned forward and cupped my face, her beautiful eyes gazing at mine. Her features were more perfect than the stars in the nighttime sky, bright and beautiful. With or without makeup, she was gorgeous. And when she looked at me like that, like I was her whole world, I felt more like a man than ever before.
When I first saw her in that bar months ago, I’d never felt so much energy surge through my body. All I wanted to do was fuck her, but now, I respected her as a close friend. Sometimes I wanted to hold her just for the sake of it. With Isabella, there was no affection unless my cock was in her pussy, mouth, or ass.
Rome gave me a soft kiss on the mouth, her touch delicate and full of affection. When she pulled away, she had an emotional look in her eyes, feeling some kind of pain I couldn’t see. “I love you, Calloway. I don’t know when it happened, and I wasn’t sure if I could ever feel this way for someone…but it did happen.” She trailed her hands from my face back to my chest, looking at me with the same expression.
I heard what she said. It was crystal clear. But it was the last thing I expected her to say. We’d only been seeing each other for six months, and I’d told her I wasn’t looking for marriage and a happily ever after.
This was something I’d never anticipated.
She said it with such heart, such affection, and I felt like an ass for not saying it back.
But I couldn’t.
Love wasn’t in my vocabulary. Love wasn’t something I was capable of feeling. Affection and devotion were all I could offer her.
Black Diamond (Obsidian Book 2) Page 10