“I got rhythm, and I'm sure that's going to be enough for me to keep up with you,” Rome said, ready to groove with her on a dance floor.
“Well, that's all you need!”
Rome and Jewels walked back into the hotel lobby. They took the elevator to the highest level of the hotel building and walked down the hall toward their room. Rome slid his card key into the door and opened it for Jewels, allowing her to enter the room first. She set her box of leftover filet mignon on the bed, next to her untouched food from earlier.
“You left the room quite a mess.” Rome laughed as he looked around at her clothes, which were scattered across the foot of the bed and the floor.
Jewels hastily began to straighten up the suite and replied, “I'm sorry, Rome. I got in around four thirty and had little time to meet you downstairs. By the way, thank you for the . . .” She struggled to get the name of the flowers out.
“The al-stroe-meri-as,” Rome said, sounding it out for her. “You're welcome, babe.” He unfastened the top button of his gray Giorgio Armani dress shirt and sat on the edge of the bed. He grabbed the remote off of the nightstand and pointed it toward the TV.
“Yeah, they are beautiful,” Jewels said, running her fingertips over the flowers' soft petals. She then noticed her new watch shining on her wrist. “And the watch! Thank you for that too! You shouldn't spoil me so much.”
“And why is that?” Rome asked, flipping through the channels until he found the highlights from the basketball games he'd missed.
“Because it only makes me want you more,” replied Jewels. She went into the bathroom.
“Last I recalled, that wasn't a bad thing,” was Rome's reply.
Jewels waited until she had washed her hands and was out of the bathroom to respond. “It's not a bad thing . . . for you. But for me . . . It's . . . just that . . . I don't want to be let down in the end. Then I'm left to suffer from the misery of whether to throw away your gifts or not. And, baby, let me tell you, I don't want to get rid of this watch if we ever have a fallout.”
Rome grinned at her response. “I wouldn't want you to. At least it'll be something to remind you of me,” he said, half grinning.
Jewels threw her hands up and said, “Wait a minute. Look at us! What are we talking like this for? You haven't done anything that would make me want to avoid you. You've been the perfect gentleman, the perfect man. I'm really glad I made the decision I did.”
Rome knew that her many thank-yous were sincere and that Jewels's feelings for him had deepened since they'd arrived in Atlantic City. He still had surprises to come for Jewels. He eyed the alarm clock and noted the time. They had thirty minutes until the club doors opened.
Rome grabbed the half blunt from off the nightstand and felt the pockets of his Armani Exchange jeans for a lighter. Armed with the blunt and a light, he moved to the balcony overlooking the ocean, which was glistening from the shine of a glowing full moon. Jewels slid the balcony doors open farther and joined him.
“Pretty, isn't it?” Jewels asked. A memory of watching the sunset from the Pacific Coast Highway with Rome came into her thoughts, putting a smile on her face.
“What are you smiling about?” Rome said after blowing smoke in the direction opposite her.
“Just thinking about how I've seen some of the most beautiful scenes with you. Remember when we watched the sunset back home?” she said, folding her arms and rubbing her elbows as a breeze blew by.
“I do remember,” Rome answered.
Jewels's bright eyes sparkled, and her dimple showcased her smile. “Good. I'm glad you do,” she said. Her tone was firm, indicating she was serious, despite the fact that she was having a great time with him in Atlantic City.
Rome nodded his head, letting that be the end of their conversation. He finished off the blunt and placed it in the ashtray on the balcony table. “I think we can head down to the club now. They're probably just opening up.”
Before they left the suite, Rome changed out of his dressy shirt into a more comfortable one. He and Jewels took the elevator back down to the now familiar lobby of Caesars, but not before stopping on six other floors for other hotel guests opting to take the elevator.
Sure enough, thumping music could be heard the moment Rome and Jewels neared the club's entrance. It was located on the lobby floor. Jewels noticed it had a modern yet plush design and attracted musical artists and celebrities from every corner of the entertainment world. There was no telling who they'd see inside the club. They were escorted to the VIP table Rome had reserved for them earlier, while waiting for Jewels. The booming music made Jewels want to dance. Rome poured her a shot of Patrón and watched her toss it to the back of her throat. Her face twisted from the sting of the alcohol and then transitioned into a relaxed smile, which let him know she was ready to party.
For the first forty-five minutes they relaxed in their VIP section, canoodling and watching more and more guests enter the club. Jewels took note of how Rome shook hands, owing to the celebrities housed in the VIP booths next to them. What was his affiliation with them? she wondered. She wouldn't dare ask and continued to sit pretty by his side.
The DJ catered to every kind of person's musical needs, spinning hip-hop tracks into house music, bumping the best pop dance hits, and throwing a rock song in every now and then. As the night progressed, so did the couple. Rome and Jewels made their way onto the dance floor. Surrounded by many people, the couple felt as if they were the only two in the room as they rocked to whatever it was the DJ was spinning.
The vibration of his phone, which hadn't buzzed for the past five hours, stopped Rome from dancing. “Wait a second, baby. Let me take care of this.”
Rome quietly walked toward the restroom area, where the music wasn't so loud. He had to answer the call because it was from his peoples who were responsible for them being in A.C. “Hold up. I'm in the club!” he shouted into the receiver, then walked into the restroom
Rome listened to the other caller for a minute before saying, “Yeah. Thanks again. I'll be in touch.” He ended the call, then hurried back to Jewels on the dance floor.
For the next few hours, they popped bottles, danced, and enjoyed their night in Atlantic City. They didn't leave the club until the early morning hours. Once they were back in the hotel suite, they gathered their belongings and packed their bags. Then ordered a quick breakfast from room service, and some hours later, they were back in St. Louis.
Chapter Thirty
A few weeks later . . .
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Jewels broke into a fighting stance. She was startled and had been caught off guard by the unexpected guest.
“Boy!” She walked over to Rome and punched him in the chest. “You scared the hell out of me!” she exclaimed.
Rome chuckled. He had made his way into the bedroom and had closed the door quietly behind him. He could hear the faucet handles turning as Jewels shut the shower water off when he had first entered the bedroom. He had sat down in the chair at the desk and waited. Then, upon hearing the door open, he had turned his attention toward the bathroom. Jewels had stepped out in a see-through robe. She'd still been dripping beads of water. She'd gasped loudly when she saw Rome sitting in the chair. Then she'd assumed that fighting stance.
“Um, what are you doing in here?” she asked now, trying to hide her smile.
“I just got back in town about an hour and a half ago,” he answered, taking the towel off with his eyes.
Jewels clung a little tighter to the towel. “No. What are you doing
here
? I haven't heard from you in days. Days have passed without a word. Now you just show up, like it's all good.” She grabbed her clothes off the door hook with one snatch and found refuge in the bathroom.
As she dressed, she calmed her raging nerves and gathered her emotions. Once her clothes were on, she unlocked the door and stepped out, a lot more comfortable now that she was dressed. Rome was still in the same spot but was now on his cell phone. Jewels wasn't surprised.
“What are you doing? Finding out where you have to be in another hour?” she asked sarcastically. She rolled her eyes once she lost his gaze.
“We have to be downtown,” he answered, putting the phone in his pocket. “In another hour. We have dinner reservations.” A slick grin followed.
Jewels stared at him wildly, her head tilted in disbelief. “Rome, what makes you think you can just come in here and expect me to leave with you? You haven't acknowledged the fact that you didn't call me
at all
when you were in Jersey or New York. Did you get my messages? And I know you didn't go back to Atlantic City without me, did you?” Jewels said, rambling.
Rome stared at her for a moment, absorbing how beautiful she was and how she was finally his. Whatever she was saying, he was clueless. His attention was focused on her body. He loved the fact that she could turn him on inside and outside the bedroom. Ever since she had proven herself with the connect caper, he'd been hooked. All he had ever wanted was a Bonnie to match the Clyde in him. He had found that person in Jewels. They had been rocking for months, and he had come to appreciate everything about her. Ever since he and Red had been seeing major paper, he and Jewels had grown closer. She had become his partner in crime and his ride or die.
Jewels turned around to face Rome. “I guess I'm stuck with you.” She frowned, and then her expression transitioned into a bright smile, which showcased those darling dimples.
After going into the bedroom and retrieving her purse, she returned to the living room. Rome grabbed her hand and led her out the door without saying a word. Jewels followed, although she pretended to resist a little.
“You know you sexy, right?” Rome said, though it was more a statement than a question, once they were in the truck.
“Oh, stop it, Rome. You're just saying that because you know I'm supposed to be mad.” She folded her arms and pushed her lips into a pout.
Rome grabbed her chin with his index finger and thumb and turned her face toward his. “That's my word on everything. I missed you, but you and I both know how things gotta be like this sometimes. I rather be safe than sorry,” he said. Then, without asking, he leaned in and kissed her.
Jewels fell into the kiss. Her hands rubbed the top of his head and lowered to his neck. She pulled away after realizing she was becoming moist between her legs. She inhaled and exhaled.
“To Italian?” Rome asked, speaking with an Italian accent.
“Yes, please.” Jewels lit up. “You must have remembered I'm a fan of Italian food from our first real date at your house.”
“Or maybe I like Italian food,” Rome said with an “all teeth showing” smile.
A short while later, they arrived at the downtown St. Louis restaurant and were immediately seated at a quiet table. After the two of them had finished their meals and enjoyed an intimate conversation, Rome called for the check.
“You ready?” Rome asked as he penned his signature on the bill, then rose from the table.
Jewels nodded, and they left the restaurant. Once they were back on the road, Rome headed northwest of the city.
“Wassup with some sex by the lake?” Rome asked, with a huge grin across his face, as he pulled into the parking area that led to the water.
Jewels rolled her eyes. Then she drew her attention to what was in front of her. She became excited as she looked dreamily at the lake, completely ignoring Rome's question. Rome parked the car just in time to catch the sunset beyond the horizon.
“Look at the sun setting,” Jewels said. She watched the sun until it disappeared, reminding her of when they had first seen a sunset together.
“Isn't it beautiful?” Jewels asked.
Rome admired her as she stared in wonder, as if she had never seen a sunset before. Their eyes met. “Definitely,” Rome said, peering past Jewels to check out the scene. “Is this your first time watching the sun set?”
“I think so,” Jewels said, surprised. “I'm guessing this is something you've done before.”
“Yeah. A few times,” he answered with a grin. “I'm glad you got to see a sunset.”
Jewels rolled her eyes and hung her head. “Don't say it like that. I don't care about no other bitches you brought here,” she said with attitude.
Rome wrapped his arms around her and replied, “Didn't mean it like that.” He was silent for a moment. “My mom used to bring me to watch this shit,” he began. “I used to hate coming here as a kid. Thought it was boring and corny. But when I got older and she died, this became the place I came to by myself to clear my head.”
Jewels peered over at Rome. He never ceased to amaze her. As he spoke, she realized that there were still layers to him that she had yet to peel back, despite all the months she had known him. She knew he had lost his mother, and she knew how he had been raised. As far as she was concerned, he was as strong as they came.
Shit. He has to be,
she thought, reflecting on how their lives had come together. He had ultimately made her want to walk away from the only life she knew. She knew it took a strong and secure man to accept her past without judgment.
She had never thought she'd find herself so drawn and attracted to a street dudeâand that was who he was, a street dudeâbut here she was. Jewels couldn't see herself with anyone other than Rome. She just adored him, everything about him. There was a strong magnetic pull about him. She had felt the same force at his home on their second date. It was wonderful to feel it again. Rome somehow felt what she was thinking and felt the love.
Rome was thinking about Jewels at the same time she was thinking about him. He thought back to when he made the decision to continue their relationship.
“So, you wanna head back to my place and watch that movie?”
He grabbed Jewels's hand with his. He didn't mind controlling the steering wheel with one hand as he navigated through the South Side as long as he could hold her hand with the other. This increased the butterflies Jewels already had in her stomach.
Instinctively, for some women, there was always the thought that their man had something else going on, like someone on the side. Jewels never gave the impression that she had those concerns. She was at ease with him, finally. He felt he could jump right into a relationship and trust her wholeheartedly.
He remained quiet and in deep thought on the way back to his house, and it seemed that Jewels was doing the same. He sped up the hill and into his cul-de-sac. He pulled the Range Rover into the driveway.
He led her inside the house and helped her get comfortable by taking her coat and giving her permission to take off her shoes. Then he said, “Follow me.”
Jewels didn't say a word. Instead, she followed him up the stairs, down the hall, and into his bedroom.
After Rome guided her to his bedroom, he had her sit on the bed, and then he disappeared into the bathroom. He came out with five candles and a lighter. He set the five candles on top of his dresser. He lit them one by one, then turned off the lights in his room. Rome pressed on the remote near his dresser. He didn't know that the song he chose was by Jewels's favorite male R & B group, and that, coincidentally, it was one of her favorite songs. He stood, now shirtless, by the radio with the remote in his hand.
“What's going on?” she asked.
Rome grooved toward her. With each step he took, Jewels became more and more beautiful. He placed his finger over her lips and grabbed her hands to lift her from the bed. She followed his movements. He wrapped his hands around her hips and locked his fingers together so that she could not pull away from him. She responded by throwing her hands around his neck, turned on by the fact that he wanted to slow dance in the middle of his room. They swayed back and forth silently and let their eyes do all the talking.
Jewels laid her head on his bare chest and stared down at his abs. Her breath was warm on his chest, and her hands ran down his back. Just as the music changed to the next track, she kissed his chest. “I can't believe we're here,” she cooed in a low whisper.
“We are, though,” Rome responded softly. He wrapped her in his arms. Without asking, all in one motion, he unfastened Jewels's jeans and began lowering them.
Rome wanted to feel his full lips kissing every part of her body, including her thighs, as they made love. It amazed him that he was moments away from having that desire fulfilled. It caused his heart to beat faster. He had never wanted to kiss any female the way he wanted to kiss Jewels.
“I don't know why you always make me feel like a schoolgirl with butterflies and shit,” she cooed, running her hand along the side of his face. Her fingers outlined the shape of his lips as she examined the passionate look on his face. “I'm nervous,” she admitted.
Rome smiled. He ran his hands along the curves of her legs until they were resting on her arms. “Nothin' to worry about. I got you.”
Jewels answered by avoiding his eyes.
Rome ran his fingers through her hair.
Jewels nodded silently. Then their eyes met again. She was lost in them; every emotion in her body was being released. His smoldering look was overwhelming her.
“Don't hold back,” he warned, then swept her off her feet and laid her on the bed. He went in for the kill and kissed her strongly.
Their kiss led to hands touching every part of the other. They stripped each other of their remaining clothes, both ready for what was going to take place in the next moments.
Jewels felt good, surprisingly, as she prepared herself to give Rome the very thing he wanted and to receive what her body had been craving since the first day they met. She was glad that she had let the intensity build up.
Rome let her sweet scent be his guide as he traveled down to the moist center between her legs. He gently kissed her inner thighs until he was face-to-face with her prized possession. He ran his tongue across her more sensitive area, causing her legs to quiver. A sensual gasp escaped from her mouth, turning Rome on. He gripped her thighs as he continued to taste her. His tongue explored her sex, while his lips sucked on her clit.
“Oooh,” Jewels moaned. She tried to push his head out from between her legs, but he wouldn't budge. Her legs shook uncontrollably when she felt her first orgasm, a sensation she had not felt in a long time. “Aaah-weee.”
Rome pulled away from her and licked his lips. Round two. He grabbed his now rock-hard dick, ready to take Jewels's body to the next level. He opened her legs wider.
“No. Wait!” She stopped him.
Rome had a confused look on his face.
“Where's your condom?” she asked.
Rome smiled. He had not intended to use one tonight. He had yet to feel himself inside of Jewels raw, but he respected Jewels for being the responsible party. He leaned over to the nightstand, opened the drawer, and pulled out one of the Magnums. He stared at her as he slid it on. She flashed half a smile.
Rome leaned down and kissed her as he placed his hand between Jewels's legs. He massaged her clit with two fingers while slipping one inside of her. His manhood stiffened even more. He knew she was ready, and so was he.
Jewels's body tensed up when Rome entered her.
“Please, Rome. Go slow. Go slow,” she whispered in his ear. “I'm still sore,” she said, reminding him of their last sexual encounter. No matter how much they did it, it always felt like the first time for Jewels.
“I got you,” he replied.
He paused just to absorb the moment. She felt incredible. She was in a place he never wanted to leave. He wanted to make it pleasurable for her and worth it. He wanted Jewels to know that she wasn't a quick bang that he had been waiting to score. She was his future, and so he would sex her as such. She had been honest with him about the depth and extent of her lifestyle, and he had accepted that. He was not into giving oral, but there was no doubt he enjoyed the taste of her in his mouth and had made Jewels the exception. She was different, and he wanted her to know that.