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

  Rome paused. “I couldn’t…”

  “Why not?”

  “I feared that if you thought too long and too hard, I’d never hear from you again.” He said honestly.

  She nodded. “I can appreciate a man who calculates his moves, and minimizes his chances for loss.” She told him and Kris shook her head.

  “I’ll pick you up at your place on Friday afternoon?” he asked.

  “I will be ready to go.”

  “I can’t wait to see you again.”

  Bliss smiled softly. “Yeah, I can’t wait to see you either.”

  Ending the call, Bliss turned to her sister.

  “So, you’ve just gone completely over the edge?” Kris asked.

  “I think so.”

  “Well, I hope this works out well for you, although all the signs are pointing in the other direction.”

  Sitting back, Bliss said, “I’m a black woman in this society, everything points in the other direction for me, but I’ve learned how to use my power.”

  Kris nodded. “Now there, I can’t argue with you. You don’t back down, and you don’t give up.”

  “I’m a goddess.”

  “I’m still working on my goddess powers.” Kris said drinking her wine.

  “I need to perfect mine...in a hurry.” Bliss said, shaking her head.

  ******

  Friday afternoon, Bliss opened her door to perfect black maleness in a casual shirt and dark jeans.

  “Hello, Bliss…”

  That voice hit her ears like a warm caress.

  “Hello, Rome.”

  He looked down at her overnight bag by the door.

  “I was hoping that you hadn’t changed your mind.” Rome told her.

  “No, I’ve been looking forward to this weekend.”

  Rome smiled. “Me, too. Are you ready?”

  She nodded and he grabbed her bag, throwing it over a broad shoulder. Bliss smiled when he took her hand, then lowered his head to kiss her softly.

  “I promise you a wonderful time.”

  “I’m expecting it.”

  Bliss turned and locked her door, before they headed to the elevator, where Rome pushed the button.

  “How was your week?” he asked.

  “I got two more clients.”

  He smiled. “Congratulations. You be doing the damn thing.”

  “It’s what I do.”

  “And better than them all…” he complimented.

  Bliss smiled. “Thank you.”

  The doors opened and Brad stood looking at the pair.

  “We meet again.” He told Bliss, then turned to Rome. “Romeo McIntyre...right?”

  Rome looked from Brad to Bliss, then back to the man still standing in the elevator.

  “Yes, I’m Rome McIntyre.”

  Brad stuck out a hand. “It’s a pleasure to finally actually meet you.”

  Rome looked at the hand. “And why is it a pleasure?”

  “At first, I saw that you were Bliss’ boyfriend, but now I know you’re also her client. One of her biggest clients…”

  Rome dropped Bliss’ bag to the floor and stared at Brad.

  “Is there a problem?” he asked Brad.

  Brad shrugged. “It doesn’t have to be.”

  Bliss waited and allowed Rome to handle his business without her interference.

  “It won’t be.” Rome assured him.

  “I just want you to know that if you have any other business associates looking for additional financial services, I’m also available.” Brad smiled at Bliss. “Bliss can’t accommodate everybody.”

  Bliss frowned. “Don’t assume what I can do...because you have no idea.”

  Brad stared at her. “I also don’t have the advantages that you’ve had…”

  “Advantages?” She lifted a brow.

  Rome waited and allowed Bliss to handle her business without his interference.

  “Just what advantages do you think I have?”

  He looked between Rome and Bliss. “You check all the boxes for J.P. Morgan. A woman and a minority. You’re the jackpot for them.”

  Bliss stepped to him. “Listen, being a black woman didn’t get me any kudos. I work my ass off, twice as hard as anybody else. So miss me with that rhetoric.”

  Brad looked at Rome’s angry face and decided to make his exit, but not without one last word.

  “I don’t want you gone, Bliss...I want an in…”

  “Find your own clients, Brad.” Bliss told him. “And I could care less about you whether you want me at J.P. or not...I’m there and not going anywhere until I’m good and damn ready.”

  “There’s nothing left to be said after that,” Rome told Brad, then waited for him to exit the elevator.

  Rome ushered Bliss inside, then pressed the button and watched the doors close on the man still standing there.

  “What do you want to do with him?” Rome asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “If he wants to keep trying to fuck with you, then I can take care of that for you.” Rome said, as the elevator descended.

  Bliss looked at him. “You’ve got bodies?”

  “No, baby...I don’t...but I know those who do...clearly. Look at my situation.”

  The doors opened and Bliss looked out into the lobby for a moment, then turned to Rome.

  “No, I don’t need those services. I’ll find a way to deal with Brad.”

  “I’m here for whatever you need.”

  They walked out together and Bliss smiled. “Thank you. That’s really nice to know.”

  “I mean it...whatever you need, baby.”

  The pair headed outside where a black Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard limo was waiting and Bliss lifted a brow.

  “Nice…” she told him.

  “I’m kidnapping you this time.” Rome said with a smile, then walked her to the vehicle.

  Inside, she turned to him. “This is very luxurious.”

  “This weekend we’re going to play in both your worlds.” Rome told her.

  “Okay…” Bliss settled back into the seat. “I like that.”

  Rome produced a bottle of champagne and expertly poured two glasses.

  “You’ve been around restaurants a long time…”

  He smiled and handed her a flute. “More like bars.”

  “You were a bartender?”

  “I learned from watching the O.G’s.” He explained. “The bars are where they would meet, and I’d take note of everything going on around me.”

  “Observant.”

  “Still today...and it’s served me well.”

  Bliss held on to her glass. “Do I need to worry this weekend?”

  “Not at all. You aren’t in any danger.”

  “How are you so sure?”

  Rome sat back. “I called a truce for now.” He said simply. “Told them I’d think about their request some more.”

  “Are you going to reconsider?”

  He shook his head. “No, but I needed to make sure that you would be safe with me, but I’m still on guard...so don’t worry.”

  “You really wanted to spend this weekend with me…” Bliss said watching him.

  “Nothing was more important.” He returned her stare.

  “Staying alive for good, should be what’s most important.” She told him firmly.

  Rome sighed. “Nobody lives forever, Bliss.”

  “And the good die young, right?”

  Sitting his glass aside, he moved closer. “I don’t want to spend the entire weekend debating this…”

  “Then let’s get a plan in place, so we can have more weekends than this one,”

  “You want more?”

  “A lot more...with you.”

  Rome groaned. “You’re not going to let this be easy…”

  “Easy isn’t my friend…” Bliss said quietly.

  “It doesn’t seem to bother you.”

  She smiled. “I’ve adapted to my environments.”
/>
  “Yeah, I’ve done the same.”

  Bliss reached for his hand. “I’ve been thinking about your situation, and I may have a way out for you.”

  Rome looked skeptical.

  “Will you at least listen?”

  “Of course,” Rome told her. “I always listen to people who are way smarter than I am…”

  She gave him a look. “I’m smart, but you’re the one able to invest ten million dollars...so I’ll take that with a grain of salt.”

  “Most wealthy people aren’t necessarily smart.” Rome told her. “Because smart people would talk themselves out of the things they needed to do to be filthy rich.”

  Bliss stared into her glass. “That’s a deep analysis.”

  “You have to be savvy to control funds...not really smart.”

  “So together, we’d be smart and savvy?” she questioned.

  “The perfect combination.” Rome said, with a sexy smile.

  Lifting her glass, she whispered, “To the perfect combination.”

  ******

  The couple arrived at the Akwaaba Inn, a black-owned Bed and Breakfast in the D.C. area. Stepping out of the car, Bliss looked up at the elegant residence.

  “I’ve heard of this place, but I’ve never been here,” she told Rome.

  “This weekend it’s all yours.”

  Bliss turned to him. “You rented out the whole place?”

  He nodded. “Yes, we can visit every room.”

  “Aren’t all the rooms named after black writers and writing?” Bliss asked.

  “Yes, but we won’t be writing here.”

  She laughed and hugged his muscled arm. “No, we won’t.”

  Rome walked her inside, and the driver followed with their bags. He took care of giving the instructions, while Bliss looked around the venue at the beautiful furnishings. By the time he joined her, she was anxious to see the rooms.

  Bliss smiled up at him. “I can’t wait to see the rest.”

  “That smile makes it all worth it.” Rome said, looking down at her.

  She lifted on her toes and kissed his mouth. “It’s definitely worth it,” Bliss whispered.

  Rome put a hand to her chin. “You’re so worth it, Bliss.”

  “Come show me the rest, so we can get started.”

  Together they toured the home and each of the designed rooms. Finally, they chose the Romance Room to begin their weekend.

  Bliss laid back across the four poster bed and turned to view the red curtains in front of the large windows.

  “Does this feel romantic?” Rome asked watching her.

  She crooked a finger at him. “Not enough…”

  Rome came to join her on the bed, fitting his body over her sexy frame. Immediately, his mouth sought hers and the official kickoff to the weekend began.

  “How can you bring me here and give me all this...only to take it away?” Bliss whispered, holding him in her arms.

  He stared down into her face. “I’ll listen to your proposed plan, but I can’t focus on that right now. Not with all this sexiness underneath me.”

  “I agree…” Bliss pulled him closer. “We’ll talk later…”

  “Much later…” He began kissing her face.

  “Over breakfast.”

  Reaching for her shirt, he agreed, “Maybe lunch…”

  Bliss did her part in helping to undress him until they were both naked and her body was wrapped around his.

  “I waited all week for this,” Bliss breathed.

  “I waited all my life for this,” Rome whispered, in between touching and tasting her body. “You’re so beautiful, Bliss.”

  Enjoying the attention he was giving to both of her breasts, Bliss moaned giving Rome the encouragement to proceed further.

  His head moved down to rest between her parted thighs, and when he devoured her with his lips and tongue, Bliss grasped the covers and curled her manicured toes.

  “Oh, yessss…”

  With her eyes closed tightly, Bliss gave in to the beauty of Rome’s loving, anticipating and craving the best part of him that was soon to come.

  When Bliss lifted her lids, she looked down her body and met a pair of sexy dark eyes that told her she wasn’t ready for what was next.

  “Bring it to me,” Bliss told him boldly.

  “You’re ready for it?” Rome asked wickedly.

  Still feeling the weakness in her thighs, Bliss nodded.

  “Come take it.” He challenged, then sat on the edge of the bed, with his bare legs spread wide.

  Bliss climbed from the bed and went to stand in front of him. Marveling at the beauty she saw, she lowered herself until she was viewing the part of him that was erect and saluting. First, taking him in her hand, she familiarized herself with its shape and weight.

  Watching her, Rome felt a warmth at her touch that spread through his body, until that warmth turned into a fiery blaze when Bliss’ sweet mouth covered him.

  Hearing his groans and deep sighs, Bliss continued to worship him, bringing him to the brink. Quickly retrieving a packet from the bed, Rome started to open it. He smiled, when Bliss took it from his hands and completed the job, touching and massaging him a way that made him even harder in her palms.

  Climbing on to his lap, Bliss looked into his eyes.

  “Are you ready for it?” She whispered against his lips.

  “Hell yeah…”

  Bliss settled her body over his.

  “Come take it, baby…” she ordered.

  Needing no other encouragement, Rome did take her...in a way that had them both sweating, straining, and filling the room with sounds of deep sexual pleasure.

  Riding his lap, Bliss held on to his muscled shoulders, digging her hands into his firm, warm flesh. The motions increased to a frenzied pace with her dampened skin slapping against his. Bliss called his name when she reached her highest point.

  “Romeo…”

  Rome stood with her body still connected to his and turned her onto the bed.

  “Yes, Bliss…” He began to ease in and out of her burning core, until he erupted in a groan that told her that it had been as good to him as it had been for her.

  Holding his gaze for a long quiet moment, Bliss whispered, “You can’t leave me...leave this.”

  “From the moment I looked at you, I knew it would be like this…”

  “I’ve never experienced anything like it.” She told him.

  Rome kissed her lips. “You’re so much…”

  “So much what?” Bliss asked.

  He looked at her. “So much...everything,” Rome said quietly. “So much intelligence, so much strength, so much beauty...just so damn much.”

  “Too much?” She questioned concerned.

  Rome shook his head. “Never too much.”

  “You can work with this?”

  He smiled. “I can work the hell out of this…”

  Chapter 7

  The next afternoon, Bliss opened her eyes then closed them again.

  “Are you not waking up today?” Rome asked amused.

  She smiled. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve slept in this late.” Bliss lifted one lid to glance at him. “And never with someone this sexy next to me…”

  He gave her a look. “Thank you...but I’m going to need for you to get up soon so that we can continue our weekend.”

  Bliss closed her one eye and pouted. “But, it’s so nice here…”

  When she felt a firm pair of lips on hers, she smiled.

  “Come on, let me fulfill my promise.” Rome said softly.

  “What promise?” She linked her arms around his neck.

  “To give you the best three months of your life.” He whispered in her ear.

  “You are off to a wonderful start,”

  Moving her mouth to his, Bliss kissed him good afternoon until Rome lifted his head.

  “We can continue this after brunch, which was supposed to be breakfast.”

  Finally opening
her eyes, Bliss took in his handsome face.

  “You promise?”

  “Yeah, and I always keep my promises…”

  Rome was able to get Bliss out of the bed and showered in the next hour. Whisking her out to the waiting car, she looked out of the window as they took the short drive.

  “We’re at the river.” She told him.

  “I know.”

  Bliss looked back at him. “Are we going for a boat ride?”

  Nodding, Rome confirmed her guess.

  “For brunch?” she questioned.

  “And whatever else…” He smiled.

  Matching his smile, Bliss moved closer. “You know how to please me...in more ways than one.”

  “You’re pretty damn good at that, too.” Rome took her into his arms.

  At the dock, the pair exited the car then walked past a few boats until they came to the private yachts.

  Bliss turned to Rome. “So you’re just showing out, huh?”

  “The best of both worlds, baby.” He told her.

  At Rome’s boat, Bliss was helped up on deck by who she thought was one of the attendants.

  “Welcome aboard,” he greeted.

  Bliss noticed the weapon on the man’s waist and was glad to know that Rome wasn’t taking chances.

  “Thank you.” She replied, then waited for Rome to join her.

  He greeted the man warmly. “Thanks for coming out today.” Rome said quietly.

  “Anytime...you know that.”

  The two shook hands, then Rome introduced them.

  “Bliss, this is Laz…”

  “Nice to meet you, Bliss.” Laz greeted. “Keep your eye on this one,” he teased.

  Rome smiled along with Bliss.

  “Oh, I know he’s something,” she responded.

  “Okay, let’s have our brunch.” Rome slipped a hand around her waist. “Before you get carried away…”

  Laz looked at the couple. “Have a nice meal. I’ve got this covered out here.”

  “Thanks,” Rome told him before heading to the deck with Bliss.

  “He’s a friend?” she asked.

  “The best one that I have…” He replied.

  She nodded. “You trust him?”

  “With my life…”

  Bliss looked around at the elaborate furnishings.

  “This is a nice piece of your portfolio.” She commented.

  “It helps to...conduct private business.” He explained.

  “I understand.”

  Rome held out one of the seats on the outer deck and Bliss sat. She waited until he took the chair across from her, then looked at him.