Natalie felt the muscles flex underneath the palm of her hands as they spread across the expanse of his front shoulders. Romero bought her onto his lap, giving him a better angle of her mouth. His body heated and hardened at the taste of her. It was better than he'd remembered. The thoughts that had constantly ravished his mind were being bombarded by something totally different as his chest tightened and swelled. Romero pulled away unsure as to how much control he would have if they'd kept going. Her mouth wet and full, slightly parted lips. His tongue caressed the outside of them before pulling the bottom lip into his mouth, sucking it gently, then releasing it. He kissed the corner of her mouth, then her cheek, before reaching the pulse that beat wildly on the side of her neck. Inhaling the vanilla and lilac fragrance he'd come to expect and know, Romero lifted up his head and looked at her. Desire filled her dark eyes and her face told him that she wanted more, much more.
"You shouldn't look at me like that." He whispered. He watched as a deep tinge warmed her face. "You're blushing." He smiled.
"Romero…."
"Natalie…" He took her hand and held it over his chest. "You feel that?" she nodded. He put his lips against her pulse point of her neck again. The feel of both of their hearts vibrated together, as if it were one. "Now tell me this is just fleeting? An attraction that will pass?" he murmured against the smooth skin.
"Romero…stop."
"I don't want to."
"Remember what you said."
"Yes, but I don't think it matters anymore." He lifted his head back up and kissed her forehead.
"This isn't what was supposed to happen." Natalie began to get off his lap, but Romero held her there, preventing her from running away like she wanted. It was uncomfortable for her to have to face this part of their relationship.
"But it did." his lips made contact with her cheek and Natalie felt the deep inhale he took. "Natalie." the whisper of breath made her nipples harden even more.
"I-I...dammit Romero...I don't want to get hurt and I will." she admitted.
"I'd never hurt you, Natalie."
"You will never mean to, but this isn't what you wanted in the beginning."
"It's what I want now."
"What happens when it's too much and the novelty wears off?"
"I don't think being with you will be too much of anything." he grinned. "If I really think about it, I've been over exposed on Natalie, yet I want more. Much more. You aren't a novelty, Natalie. I respect you and the boundaries you placed up, well, I want to cross them because this is how you make me feel. I've never been here before."
"What are you saying, Romero?" she asked, her voice low and she shook slightly as her mind screamed that she didn't want to hear him anymore.
"I don't know exactly, but it's scary as hell." Romero felt he was kidding himself with that one. He took risks all the time and this would be no different. It only required that he admit that he was falling in love with the woman. At the thought he cleared his throat and finally allowed Natalie to stand up. "How about I fix some BLT sandwiches and then we can decide what to do for the rest of the day?" Romero asked her as he stood also. This time Romero was running, running from the very thing that his mother wanted for him.
13
Natalie met Romero outside on the patio with their plates and drinks. Romero had remained quiet and she'd stood by wondering did she mistake her impression of him. She watched him from the corner of her eye as he ate, his eyes trained on the beach in front of them. The light breeze ruffled his curly hair that he hadn't bothered to gel, so it was soft and weightless. She reached up and touched them, letting it curl around her fingers. The repetitive motion of his jaw slowed and stopped and she let her hand fall. Inhaling the smell of outside, she closed her eyes and a small smile graced her lips. She didn't see Romero looking at her as he tried to figure out how to tell her how much he wanted to be with her. In his reality, this felt good and right. She spoke up after a moment and he listened.
"I remember GrandPop and I walking along the shore here with a pail and small shovel. We were looking for clams." she snorted. "We never found many, but it was fun. GrandPop would tell me about my Mom, when she was a little girl. He would reminisce about him and Grandma Lyn, when they were young and he was chasing after her." she laughed. "He'd tell me how he knew she would be his, even when they were teenagers." Natalie observed the endless sea before them and felt the calmness of the day as it began to fade away as she continued. "I remember asking him, "Pop, how did you know you and Grandma Lyn were gonna be together forever? I mean, you don't know what will happen.". I wasn't very optimistic about relationships, so what did I know. Pop laughed and said, "Nat baby, they do something to you. When you look at them, they are all you see. When they aren't there, they are all you think about, and when they love you back, you feel like you can do anything in the whole wide world."" Natalie whispered. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and let it go.
"I thought I'd be much more upset over losing Grandma Lyn, but I'm not. A sense of peace comes over me when I think about her and Pop because I know they are together again. I really want what they had, Romero." she confessed. "I guess I'm just scared, because it wasn't supposed to be like this. Out of everything that was going on at the time, I managed to fall in love. I'm way more invested in this than I realized. So while you're still figuring out what you want and where you want to be, I'm already there." she finally chanced a look at him and Natalie was surprised by the soft smile on his face. "What?"
"Did you just tell me you're in love with me?" he asked, grinning wider. Natalie's mouth pinched and embarrassment flooded her cheeks. Before he could move, she slapped his shoulder.
"Are you making fun of me!?" she growled.
"No!" Romero laughed, shielding himself from the onslaught of taps as she continued to hit him. He turned in his chair and caught her hands. Natalie upset that she had just poured her heart out and he was making fun of her. How could she be in love with this fool?! "Stop, I'm sorry, Nat." his smile still remained on his face showing a set of perfect teeth and twinkling brown eyes. He kissed her fingers and leaned forward lightly brushing his lips against hers as he kept his eyes focused on the dancing ones before him.
"Natalie..." he began."Thank you."
"Thank you?"
"I don't want to leave here with you thinking you're a means to an end. Yes, it started out like that, but I guess life is unpredictable that way. Something that was such a stupid scheme became something bigger than what I'd anticipated. Don't put the thought of us to the side, because "us" is exactly what l want." Natalie looked at him, speechless by the declaration.
"I-I thought..."
"I guess that's what this is." he whispered, to himself more than to her. "I'm in love with you too."
xxxxx
Deann was happy to see Natalie a few days later. She looked refreshed and happy, along with a side of in love mixed in...well. She couldn't help but wonder what Romero had done to bring her back, but whatever he did, she'd under estimated the man. He did care about her, more than she thought. Natalie hung up her jacket and put her purse away; pulling down the cotton navy tee that was their uniform she strapped on her belt and began placing her scissors, needles, and other accessories to unpack the load of material they'd just gotten in.
"I see you are feeling better." Deann's eyebrows raised in question, Natalie nodded and sighed.
"Yes, much better. Thanks for not giving Romero a hard time." she teased. Deann rolled her eyes.
"Hmmm, I guess he told on me, huh? And here I thought he was a good guy." she laughed and began going over the orders for next week's shipments. "Tell him sorry for me. I just know how you feel about him, Nat, and I felt he should have thought of you enough to get to know "you"." she explained.
"I understand, Deann, thanks for looking out. He wasn't upset though." she grinned. "I promise I won't run away again." Natalie leaned on the counter as Deann patted her cheek affectionately.
"I do
n't care, just as long as you are okay now." Deann said. "So, you spent a week at Grandma Lyn's, so...um...did you and Romero." she wiggled her eyebrows and Natalie shook her head vehemently. "Why not!? I thought that was what the happy look was on your face for." she laughed.
"I don't know." she shrugged. "I mean, it's just not the right time."
"Okay, hold on, you got a fine ass man with the body of a Greek god, Nat, I'm sure he will not disappoint any woman that comes near him." she cleared her throat as she fanned her face. "What the hell are you waiting for? I'd jump him in a hot second, when he's not looking preferably." she muttered. Natalie laughed out loud at Deann.
"It's not that Deann. I don't know. We just started sorting out that we have feelings for each other. Sex is such an emotional act. I'm sure that we could and it would be great, but I don't know. Something tells me, sex with Romero wouldn't be just..." she paused, closing her eyes at the image Romero presented constantly in her mind. "...just...sex"."
"I hear you, it would be mind-blowin' off the charts, slap your damn mamma"..." Natalie giggled at the look on Deann's face as she recited the words.
"Slap my mamma, Deann?" she said through a fit of laughter. "You need to stop hanging around your family." she teased and stood up. "I'm going to work..." she sputtered.
14
Romero sat in his office rubbing his irritated eyes, he cursed at how a few days off had made it seem like he'd took a month. He'd been back to work all of three days and not once had he slept in his own bed. He had yet to see Natalie also since they'd gotten back. She was supposed to move in with him, for his mother's sake, but he just hadn't gotten around to helping her with her things. Not only that, he'd wanted to do something special for her.
"So much for working on our relationship for real." he muttered. "This is ridiculous. I couldn't carry a relationship with my schedule before, how can I expect to now!" he grumbled to the empty room. The only difference between then and now was that he wanted this relationship to work.
Romero checked the time and decided he had to make an effort when it came to him and Natalie. If not, they'd be done before they started and frankly, he couldn't imagine that at that moment. Collecting his coat and shutting down the office, Romero locked the door behind him and headed to his car. The drive to his house seemed long and he knew it was just fatigue that was washing over him. Pulling into the drive way, he recognized Natalie's car and his brow wrinkled in confusion at why she was here, but it was mixed in with excitement at seeing her.
Hurrying out the vehicle, he went through the front of the house this time. The entry way held a recessed closet where he hung is over coat and sat his briefcase on the table that stood on the side along with his keys. His shoes echoed lightly on the dark wood flooring as he passed the large living room, the downstairs bathroom on his left, and the doorway to the blue room before coming to the dining room that held a small doorway to the large kitchen. He could have just walked into the kitchen itself from the hallway, but he wanted to see what his wife was doing. He grinned at the thought that easily passed through his mind. She stood barefoot, packing food into a heating bag along with utensils and a bottle of wine.
"Were you going to bring that to me?" he asked. Natalie jumped and swung around, her hand going to her chest as she looked at him. She noticed the fatigue that was present on his face and even the bags under his eyes didn't take away from the handsomeness that stood leaning against the doorway. She gave him a small smile.
"Yes. I hope you don't mind, but I figured since you gave me the keys..." she started.
"No, no..." he shook his head and walked further into the kitchen. "I don't know if I'm up for eating, but I could use a shower and my own bed right now." he touched her cheek and kissed her forehead. "Thank you." Natalie nodded and looked up at him.
"I'll put it in the fridge then."
"Are you going home?"
"Do you want me to?" she asked. Romero shook his head.
"Stay, sleep here tonight. I missed you." he murmured.
'You did?" her voice was quiet, yet Romero heard the surprise in it.
"Yeah, I did." Romero chuckled, his eyes widening playfully.
"I missed you too." Natalie smirked at him.
"Then stay tonight, that way at least I can wake up with you right next to me when I get up in the morning." he grinned. Natalie rolled her eyes.
"Are you gonna try and kill me this time?" Romero laughed.
"No, I promise, I'll be extra careful not to smother you."
"Okay, I'll stay. I'll be up when I put this away." Romero kissed her quickly before leaving her in the kitchen standing looking after him. Natalie rubbed her hands together as she took a deep breath and squeezed her eyes shut, praying to her grandmother that this would work. That Romero and she could make this real.
Romero had showered and only got to put on his boxers before he was sprawled out on his bed and snoring softly. Natalie covered him with the sheet and turned off the light that sat beside his bed. The four poster black stained frame with quilted leather head board was expensive looking, but comfortable. It screamed bachelor. Everything in his house was screaming bachelor she mused. She questioned would he welcome the invasion of someone else, specifically a woman? Natalie was so far gone in her thoughts she jumped when Romero's arm came over her and pulled her against him, allowing her to curve her body into his. The heat from his chest against her back warmed her and the strength in his arms made her feel protected. She felt the press of his mouth on her hair as he breathed, before she heard his light snore again. A small smile crept over her mouth, any questions she'd had still were forgotten as she dozed off.
xxxxxx
Romero could get used to this, was his first thought when he awoke the next morning. He had an early day, but he wished he could stay with Natalie's softness against him. Hell, his manhood jumped and pressed against her full behind at the lustful thoughts that ran rampant through his mind during the few minutes he'd been quietly laying there. What he needed to do was go to the bathroom, but he didn't want to get up. She was still deeply asleep and Romero lifted his head leaning it on his open hand as he watched her. The way her eyes moved behind her lids and the curve of her lashes as they lay against her cheeks. Her lips were slightly parted and he resisted the urge to trace them with his finger. She wore a light pink camisole and just her underwear. Her shoulder was exposed and Romero laid his hand on it, looking at the contrast that presented itself. Even though his father was of African heritage, his complexion was several shades lighter than Natalie's and wondered briefly if she thought about their differences in cultures. He was raised Catholic, and he was sure Natalie was Christian. He reveled in his heritage, but he had two sides and knowing both of them was important to him.
Romero found himself tracing the curve of her arm lightly and the dip of her waist before it settled on her hips. What would their children look like? The thought popped in his head so naturally that he wasn't sure if he should be scared or happy. A few weeks ago, maybe, but after realizing the simple truth he'd welcomed the idea. Romero's painful hard on wielded it's head and he reluctantly removed himself from the warmth of Natalie's body. He went through his morning routine and dressed. When done, he stood by her side of the bed and bent down, kissing her lightly on the lips.
"Te amo, Natalie." Romero whispered. Romero shut the door quietly behind him and hurried to the kitchen, grabbing the food Natalie cooked the night before for his lunch Romero wrote a quick note for her and made his way to work.
xxxxxx
Natalie awoke two hours later to the coolness around her. She knew Romero had left for work already, the smell of his aftershave and him still lingered in the air. The feel of his body against hers a distant memory. She sluggishly removed herself from his bed and cleaned up. She was surprised to see a new toothbrush laying on the His and Her sink of his bathroom. The ivory and gray marbled counter with chrome fixtures also held a fluffy white towel and wash cloth. She fingered the
expensive material, before looking up into the oval mirror. The face that looked back at her was etched with a smile and eyes that shimmered with happiness. Natalie cleaned up quickly and made up the bed before getting her things. She was surprised to find the note waiting for her when she stopped in the kitchen to make herself some coffee.
"Thank you for making my sleep peaceful. Bring an overnight bag tonight though. R." she giggled and shook her head before leaving for her own place.
15
Rosario popped in on her son later that day and even she was surprised by Romero's relaxed appearance. She stood waiting, patiently observing him before he realized another person occupied his office. He sat with an open container of food in front of him and bottle of water and raised an eyebrow as he finished up his call. Romero stood up and came over from behind the desk. He kissed and hugged her before pulling up a seat for her to sit.
"What are you doing here, Mami? Aren't you supposed to be resting?" he asked, sitting back down.
"Getting fresh air is supposed to be a part of the regimen." she snorted. "You seem very happy, Rome.' she smiled. Romero nodded as he put the last of the meal Natalie had fixed for him in his mouth. She'd made a beef with risotto and baby vegetables. He was surprised by the rich taste and it was one thing he'd never known about her, she could cook. Maybe he expected something different. Although he was used to his mother's home cooked Latin dishes, he usually had a chef come in and cook his meals or went to a restaurant. Natalie had a red wine to go with it and he wished at the moment he had a glass. He was sure it would have made the meal even better if he could have shared it with her.
"Rome!" his mother's voice took him out of his thoughts.
"Yes, I'm very happy." he grinned.
Finding Mrs. Right Page 9