Black Rose (The Life of Bliss Book 1) Read online

  Removing her manicured hands, Bliss replied, “You support me, along with Momma and Daddy.”

  “And we never see you…” Kris pointed out. “You’re always working...and alone.”

  “Maybe I like being alone.”

  Kris looked at her. “You clearly weren’t alone last night...and it shows.”

  Bliss raised a brow. “How?”

  “You look relaxed and content. Whoever he is, he gave you more than sex...and I hope that you are going to see him again.”

  Bliss turned away, thinking about her night with Rome.

  “No, I’m not.” Bliss said quietly.

  “Why not?” Kris frowned.

  “It’s complicated.”

  Rolling her eyes, Kris said, “Of course it is. It’s Bliss…”

  “What does that mean?” Bliss turned back to her sister.

  “Everything has to be complicated for Bliss.”

  “No, it doesn’t.”

  Kris nodded. “Yes, it does. Bliss loves to do everything the hard way...just to prove a point.”

  “What point am I trying to prove?” Bliss demanded.

  “You tell me Bliss.”

  Folding her arms, Bliss told her, “He may become a client.”

  “So, there’s no rule that says you can’t be involved with a client. Hell, that’s a Private Wealth Manager’s goal isn’t it?” Kris asked.

  “It’s not my goal.” Bliss returned. “I’m not trying to gain clients by sleeping with men.”

  “We aren’t talking about men. We’re talking about one man, who according to you, isn’t even your client yet!”

  Bliss frowned. “I don’t like things messy.”

  “No, you just like them your way.”

  Standing, Bliss took her glass to the sink. “Have you completed what you’ve come here for?”

  “So, if it wasn’t Eric...who was it?”

  “None of your business.” Bliss turned back.

  “Did you meet him at Regalia?”

  Bliss lifted a brow and remained silent.

  “If you’re not seeing him again, then why the secrecy?” Kris questioned.

  “Stay out of my business, Kris. All of you...or I’m not going to be nice.” Bliss warned.

  Kris stared over at her sibling. “You still want him.”

  Bliss’ body agreed wholeheartedly with that statement.

  “I need to get to work.” Bliss told her firmly.

  “Bliss, don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.” Kris counseled. “You work hard, it’s okay to enjoy yourself, too.”

  ******

  That afternoon, Bliss sat at her desk until she heard Nikki’s voice over the speaker.

  “Mr. McIntyre is down in the lobby. Do you want me to get him?”

  Bliss took a deep breath. “No, I’ll go down to meet him.”

  “Okay.”

  Standing, Bliss rounded her desk, and smoothed down her navy tailored pantsuit. Walking out of her office, she headed downstairs to the lobby area where clients waited until they were escorted upstairs. Stepping off the elevator, Bliss spotted Rome.

  “The ancestors!!!” She said under her breath at the sight.

  Rome stood tall, also in a navy tailored suit that fit his big body to perfection. A light blue shirt of the softest fabric clung to his chest, along with a matching silk tie. A pair of designer italian shoes covered his big feet, while a gleaming diamond watch sat heavily on his wrist.

  “Mr. McIntyre.” Bliss held out a hand as she reached him.

  “Ms. Marshall. Thank you for meeting with me.” Rome took her hand gently and Bliss remembered his touch on her body.

  “It’s my pleasure,” Bliss said, holding his dark eyes.

  Rome had clearly gotten a haircut and trim on his lightly bearded face. Last night, he was handsome, today he was a god!

  “Let’s go up to my office.” Bliss invited and he agreed.

  Following her to the elevator, Rome turned to her in the car.

  “How is your day so far?” She asked.

  “It started out well,” Rome replied. “And it’s getting better…”

  Bliss turned to look at the numbers as they changed quickly.

  “How is your day?” Rome inquired.

  She glanced at him. “The same…”

  The doors opened and Rome waited for her to exit, then fell in line as they walked past offices.

  “This floor is for all the private wealth managers,” Bliss explained and he nodded. “We guarantee complete privacy, although there are cameras monitoring the area, there is no audio.”

  She smiled at him. “To make sure that we aren’t passing money or confidential information.”

  “I understand.”

  Outside her office, she stopped at Nikki’s desk.

  “Mr. McIntyre, this is my assistant, Nikki Weston.”

  “Good afternoon, Mr. McIntyre.”

  Rome smiled. “Ms. Weston. It’s nice to meet you.”

  Nikki smiled in return. “You, too. I hope you will enjoy doing business with J.P. Morgan and Bliss.”

  “I’m sure I will.” Rome glanced at Bliss, before she showed him inside her office and closed the door.

  “Please, have a seat.” Bliss offered the sofa. “And, can I get you anything?”

  Rome sat his big body on the couch and looked at her. “No, I got everything I needed.”

  Hearing her words echoed, Bliss sat on the chair across from him.

  “Thank you for coming,” she told him, looking him over. “You look amazing.”

  “I was going to tell you the same thing,” Rome said, letting his eyes travel over the body that he’d worshipped last night.

  Bliss smiled. “Nikki is preparing some paperwork for you to look over. While she’s doing that, I’m going to explain all of my services and what I can do for your money...to help you decide if I’m what you’re looking for.”

  “I already know that you are exactly what I’m looking for Bliss,” Rome told her. “But, I’ll listen to the spiel…”

  Rome leaned back and listened as Bliss went through her professional presentation. He had to admit that she was polished as hell. Although she was dressed differently today, and her hair was pulled back into a low bun, she was still just as beautiful as when he’d left her bed this morning.

  “Are you listening to me?” Bliss asked.

  “Every word.”

  “What did I just say?” she questioned.

  He smiled. “You said that you can take my investments to a level where I’d never have to work again because my money would do all the work for me.”

  Bliss grinned. “So you were listening.”

  “I’m hanging on your every word…”

  “Do you have any questions?”

  He nodded. “Yes, I do…”

  “Okay, hopefully I can answer them.”

  When Rome began an intense question and answer discussion about bonds, mutual funds, bull markets and diversification, Bliss was more than impressed.

  “An informed investor...I like that.” She told him.

  “I didn’t come to play.” Rome replied.

  Bliss nodded. “I see, and I’m glad to know that you’re serious about this endeavor.”

  “I’m very serious.”

  “Would you like more time to think about this?” Bliss asked. “I can give you a packet of information to take home…”

  “Let’s make it happen right now.” Rome cut her off.

  Standing, Bliss looked down at him. “Then let me get that paperwork from Nikki.”

  “Thank you.” Rome replied.

  “Thank you.” Bliss said with a smile, then left him in the office.

  While she was gone, Rome checked his phone and saw a message that disturbed him. He replied immediately, and was putting his phone away when Bliss returned.

  “Is everything okay?” she asked, seeing his expression.

  Rome put a smile on his face. “I’m good. Are we
ready to finalize?”

  Bliss watched him closely. “Yes.”

  “Where do I sign?”

  Holding the packet against her chest, Bliss paused for a moment.

  “Listen, Rome...if you’re having any doubts, please take some more time.”

  “I don’t have any doubts about you, Bliss.”

  She stared at him. “You seemed troubled when I walked back in.”

  “It’s other business.” He assured her. “It has nothing to do with you.”

  Bliss nodded. “Okay, if you’re sure, we can get started with the signings.”

  Thirty minutes later, Bliss had a new client and Rome had funds transferring into an account that she would manage.

  Looking across the table at him, Bliss smiled. “Thank you for trusting me.”

  “I’m looking forward to working with you.”

  “Rome…I hope this isn’t going to be awkward.”

  He looked into her face. “The only thing that would make it awkward, is if you still wanted me…”

  Bliss felt herself flush.

  “I’m a professional,” she whispered.

  “I never doubted that.”

  Bliss got to her feet and Rome stood as well. She held out a hand and he looked at it before taking it inside his own.

  “Thank you for your business.” Bliss stated.

  “You’re welcome.” He held on to her hand. “You should come by Regalia for dinner to celebrate.”

  Bliss removed her hand. “I have work to do. I have to manage all this money you have.”

  Rome nodded. “The offer always stands.”

  “I appreciate it.”

  They headed to the door and Bliss stopped suddenly.

  “Why were you bartending last night?”

  “I told you, Eric had an emergency and couldn’t make it at the last minute. I couldn’t get anybody, so I just filled the spot myself.”

  Bliss looked up at him. “Can you believe my girls had sent me to Regalia last night, trying to hook me up with him?”

  Rome frowned. “With Eric?”

  “Yes, what is he like?” Bliss asked.

  He laughed. “Let’s just say, your girls should get to know you better.”

  Chapter 4

  Two weeks later, Rome sat in his office at Regalia thinking about the woman who had a shitload of his money at her fingertips. In the past weeks, he’d dealt mostly with her assistant, Nikki. Rome wasn’t sure if this was Bliss’ standard protocol or if she was just trying to stay away from contact with him.

  Running a hand down his face, he sighed. Bliss was etched in his memory, everything from her touch, her feel, her smell and her laugh. He understood her need to be successful. Hell, he had the same need, but he also needed the woman, Bliss.

  Rome had connected with Bliss on more than a sexual level, and initially he’d thought the connection had been mutual. But, since he hadn’t heard from her, Rome chalked it up to misreading the signs. Maybe all Bliss needed was a release, and he’d provided that for her. For all he knew, Brad could be providing those releases now…

  One thing Rome was sure of, though, was that he would never be the one running to Bliss. She’d have to come to him on her own terms, because that’s how Bliss operated. But, if she did come, he’d certainly take her…

  Rome’s phone rang and he saw the name pop up.

  “It’s Rome.” He answered.

  “We got trouble.”

  He frowned. “I’m not in that.”

  “What the hell you mean, you not in this?”

  “Like I said...I’m not in that.” Rome repeated. “I told you already.”

  “So you’re just going to leave us hanging? Your boys?”

  Rome sighed. “I told y’all, you can’t call me when you wrapped up in some shit. I can’t bail you out. I don’t even want my name associated with nothing y’all doing.”

  “You too good for us now?”

  “I’m not about that life.” Rome told him. “I left all that shit behind me.”

  “You can’t just act like we don’t exist, nigga!”

  Rome stayed silent for a moment. “The Rome you knew doesn’t exist.”

  “Fuck you Rome!” the man shouted. “You ain’t shit!”

  Nodding, Rome said, “Okay...but say that shit to my face the next time I see you in traffic.”

  The line went dead, and Rome sat the phone on his desk. The last thing he needed now was to have his name and his brand involved in some bullshit. Like Bliss, he’d worked too hard to get where he was, to throw it all away over some blind ass loyalty to people who didn’t want to change.

  Nah, this was his life now and nothing would make him go back to his old ways. He had his businesses, was getting his degree, and his financial future was being set. Only one thing was missing…

  Rome checked the cameras in and around the restaurant, then froze when a silver Maserati Ghibli pulled up to the valet. Holding his breath, he waited to see who would step out of the luxury vehicle. When one sexy brown leg in heels appeared, he smiled and waited for the rest.

  Bliss stood and smoothed down the african print dress that hugged her womanly curves and took the ticket from the valet. Rome followed her on the cameras as she walked inside and headed to the bar. Once seated, he watched her scan the place as if she was looking for someone.

  ******

  “What can I get for you?” the bartender smiled at Bliss.

  “Eric…” Bliss read the name on his vest.

  “That’s me.”

  She studied the tall, slim man. Kris was right, Eric did seem like a nice guy.

  “So you know Len and Drea?” she asked.

  His smile disappeared. “Oh god! You’re Bliss aren’t you?”

  “Yes, I am. It’s nice to meet you.” She held out a hand and he hesitantly shook it.

  “Are you here because I ducked out on you?”

  Bliss blinked. “You ducked out on me on purpose?”

  He looked sheepish. “Yeah, after everything Len said about you…”

  “What the hell did Len say about me?” Bliss snapped.

  “Just that your girls were setting you up, and you probably wouldn’t like that. So I decided to just make myself MIA.” He explained.

  “Damn...I made you miss your job?”

  Eric smiled. “Well, had I known you looked like this, I might’ve shown up.”

  Tonight, Bliss wore her hair in a black halo around her head. Her gold earrings, hung down to her shoulders, while her dressed showed an ample amount of creamy flesh.

  “I’m glad you didn’t.” Bliss told him. “That wasn’t cool what they did and I’ve let them know.”

  “I know. Len warned me to be on the lookout for you.”

  Bliss frowned. “Len had better be on the lookout.”

  Shrugging, Eric said, “Sorry about that…”

  “It’s not your fault. You were an innocent bystander.” Bliss told him.

  “What can I get you tonight?” Eric asked.

  “A Black Rose...for the black rose.” A deep voice said from behind Bliss, and he didn’t have to turn to know who it was.

  Eric looked at Rome. “Yes, sir. Coming right up.”

  Taking the seat next to Bliss, Rome looked her over.

  “I’m surprised to see you here.” He told her.

  “I’m surprised myself.”

  Rome smiled. “You look beautiful.”

  Bliss looked at him in the dress slacks and shirt, with a slightly loosened tie.

  “You aren’t looking too shabby yourself.”

  “Thank you.” Rome chuckled. “Are you meeting someone tonight?”

  She nodded. “Yes.”

  Rome looked up as her drink arrived.

  “One Black Rose…” Eric announced.

  “Thank you, Eric.”

  He grinned. “That one’s on me, as a peace offering.”

  Bliss reached for the glass. “Thanks, but I wasn’t at war with you.”
/>
  “I just feel bad.” Eric shrugged and went to serve another customer.

  Rome sat watching Bliss sip her drink.

  “I think you make yours better,” she whispered to him.

  “Because I made it specially for you,”

  Bliss took another sip and stared at him.

  “How have you been?” she asked.

  “Good. Working, studying…”

  She nodded. “That’s right. How’s school?”

  “I’ll be winding up soon.”

  “That’s great. Congratulations.” Bliss said sincerely. “You should be proud.”

  He lifted a big shoulder. “Just doing what I need to do...what I should’ve done a long time ago.”

  “Better late than never, right?” she questioned.

  “I do believe that.” Rome said quietly. “How have you been?”

  Bliss looked down into her glass and sighed. “Busy…working…”

  “How’s that number coming along?”

  She looked up. “Two new clients over the past few weeks, not including you.”

  “That’s what’s up. You’re doing it…”

  “I’m trying. I hope it’s all worth it.”

  “I find myself saying the same thing.” Rome shared.

  Bliss smiled. “You’re not filling in anywhere tonight?”

  “I usually don’t. My staff are required to give me enough lead time to get someone else. Eric almost got his ass fired, trying to avoid you.”

  “Wait until I see that damn, Len.” Bliss frowned over her drink.

  “He was right to warn Eric...hell, I wish somebody would’ve warned me.” Rome told her.

  Bliss lifted a brow. “So you could dodge me?”

  Rome shook his head. “No, so that I could’ve prepared to have my world turned upside down and hanging on a string.”

  “Have you been drinking tonight?” Bliss asked.

  “No.” Rome looked around. “What time is your party meeting you?”

  She gave a soft smile. “He’s here.”

  Rome continued to look around. “Where?”

  Lifting her glass to her painted lips, Bliss said, “I came to see you.”

  He turned his gaze on her. “How did know you I’d be here?”

  “I hoped.” She shrugged. “And I wished…”

  “Why didn’t you just call me and find out?”

  “I needed to boost my courage first.” She downed the rest of the drink and sat the glass on the table. “Can I get another?”