“I don’t know, Dad. I can’t handle how you treat people. I can’t handle having servants and butlers,” I scoffed. “I’ve never been comfortable with it.”
“I know. You’re different, Roman. That’s what makes you a pure soul. There’s no more hope for me. I’m dirty as they come. The one thing I’ve done in my life that’s pure as the driven snow is have you. You’re the good one.
Come to Thanksgiving dinner. Bring Zuri. I want to meet my future daughter-in-law. Can she sneak away from Okolo? I can have him on call if it’s a problem. I want to see the girl that has you risking your freedom.” My throat grew tight seeing him smile warmly at me.
The confusion was back and I didn’t know how to handle his request. It would mean the world to me to be able to take Zuri somewhere besides the Monarch Room. To kiss her and hold her in front of people. To show her she was important and perfect outside of our little haven.
The thought tempted me enough to nod my head at my father. I told him we’d come to their house for Thanksgiving if he could occupy Zuri’s father. I swore for a second I saw tears shining in his brown eyes. We hugged, then I got in my car and drove very carefully back home.
It’s a miracle I made it.
**
Zuri
November was a hard month for me. We had so many days off from school and I hated it. I was dying to see Roman.
I didn’t know what was happening at the hospital but my father’s days and nights seemed to revolve around work. I wasn’t complaining when I woke up on a teacher workday and realized I was alone in the house. I got up and got dressed in a blue sweater and a pair of leggings. I made sure to leave my hair down. Roman liked it that way.
I knew it was incredibly ballsy to go up to Aspen Grove on a teacher workday to see Roman but I needed him like I needed air. Weekends were already tough and it sucked that we were off on a Monday. I was not going three days without seeing and touching him.
I called Duke to ask him to come get me but he didn’t answer. Strange. I walked through the house making sure my father was gone and peered into his office. I fully expected to see his things gone but they weren’t. Everything he usually took to the hospital was still folded neatly and sitting beside his desk.
My heart pounded in my chest wondering if he was watching me from somewhere in the house. I called him on Facetime. I never called my father on Facetime. When he came into view, I saw the familiar background of the black Escalade and pushed out a sigh of relief. He wasn’t in the house.
“Father, are you working today?” I asked him. “I found your things in your office.”
“Why are you in my office, Zuri? You have no reason to be there. Why are you calling me?”
“I was wondering if I could go see Krissy,” I lied.
“Fine. Go,” he barked then ended the call quickly. I blinked at the phone and nodded at nothing in particular. I didn’t take one more second to contemplate the strangeness of it all. I rushed out of the door and hopped into my car.
I had to see Roman.
I pulled up to Aspen Grove ten minutes later. Well, not exactly at Aspen Grove because I didn’t want my car being seen in the parking lot. So, I parked at the dog park across the street and made my way over.
I slipped in through the side door and paused when I saw teachers walking by. Mr. Wilmore was one of them. He was busy laughing with another teacher I recognized from the Ruby Room. “Hey, Jean, go ahead. I’m gonna go back and grab something,” he said, stopping in the middle of the hallway. He waited until the other teacher left before he moved backward and leaned against the wall where I was trying to hide.
“Zuri, fancy meeting you here,” he smiled. He was really good looking. Him and Roman shouldn’t have been allowed to be friends. There should have been laws against two handsome men hanging out.
“Fancy that, Mr. Wilmore.” I smiled and folded my arms.
“You can call me Matt,” he winked. I wondered if he was fucking any of his students. I knew Krissy thought he was gorgeous and I’m sure she wasn’t alone. “Rome is in the lounge right now but I can sneak you in his room.” He glanced around for people in the hall. I nodded happily. “Come on. Stick close.” We headed down the hall to the Monarch Room and he pushed open the door ushering me in before closing it behind him.
“Thank you Mr.—I mean, thank you, Matt.”
“My pleasure. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say Rome doesn’t know you’re here.” He lifted an eyebrow at me and I couldn’t help the warm flush that covered my cheeks.
“He doesn’t. Is he super busy?”
“He’s mostly grading papers and setting up projects. I’m sure once he sees you he’ll make some time though.”
I was blushing again. I spun around when I heard the door open. The grin on my face made my cheeks ache. Roman locked the door behind him immediately and picked me up in his arms.
“Zuri,” he breathed against my neck. “What are you doing up here?”
“I missed you,” I pouted.
“I missed you too. I was just thinking about you. That’s crazy.” When he smiled and I saw those dimples sink deep into his cheeks, I melted. Heat and desire pooled in my panties and I pressed my thighs together.
I kissed him hungrily and locked my arms around his neck. Our tongues slid against one another with a torrid urgency. I nearly forgot Matt was in the room until I heard him clear his throat.
“Yeah, so I did my job as best friend. I’m gonna leave now because this is just voyeuristic.”
“Fuck, I’m sorry, Matt,” Roman shook his head and let me go. I missed his warmth in the very next second. “Thank you so much for making sure she got in here undetected. I owe you one.”
“Remember that,” he sighed. Once Matt left, Roman sat on the corner of his desk and stared at me, shaking his head.
“June can’t get here soon enough. I’ve never been addicted to someone before but this is intense, Zuri. I love being with you so much that every minute we’re together makes it that much harder to be apart.” My heart beat fiercely at his words.
I stretched my hand out and pressed the pads of my fingers against his. He hooked his strong arm around my waist and pulled me against him. Our breathing fell in sync and our lips ghosted over one another as we exchanged inhales and exhales.
I could drink him like an elixir for all the pain in my life and I was certain he’d cure me. I sucked on my bottom lip when I felt his big hand slide between my thighs to cup my pussy.
“These leggings are a problem. I can see that perfect pussy print.” His thumb rolled across my clit through the cotton of my leggings and my back arched toward him. I loved the way he claimed me with everything he did.
I slid my hand up and down his erection and kissed his neck, sliding my tongue over his Adam’s apple. I nibbled along his throat and nearly came in my panties when I heard the growl rumbling in his chest.
I was turning him on.
I was driving him crazy.
Me.
He snagged my neck in his hand and kissed my lips, holding me in place so his tongue could probe and dominate me. “Bend over, now. I want to watch you pull those leggings down.” I did as he asked and he grunted his approval. “I like these thongs,” he told me, hooking his finger beneath the elastic at my waist. I thought he would pull them down but he pulled them to the side instead.
“I missed this pussy. Mine,” he grunted, thrusting inside of me, hard. I jerked forward with the motion and shut my eyes, soaking in the feeling of our connection. “Being inside of you is like being home, Zuri.” He hammered into me then slowed down, grinding his dick deeper, making me whine for more. I could never get enough of the way he fucked me.
“Your pussy is so fucking perfect.” His hand slid up my stomach until he pushed under my bra and palmed my breasts. My nipples were stiff at the slightest touch from him. I met his violent strokes by pushing my hips back in tune with his rhythm.
He knew exactly how hard to go and how
deep to dive. I shut my eyes and wet my dry lips with my tongue. It was so hard not to scream and shout. Roman drove me insane but I knew the building was full of teachers and staff. I had to be quiet.
I bit my lip so hard I thought I would draw blood when he started massaging my clit. He was so gentle I started to tremble. “Cum for me, princess.”
“Mmm, Daddy, I’m so close.”
“I can feel it. Your pussy is so wet. I’m not coming until you do though.” He leaned down and bit my ear then he used his tongue to trace the curve of my neck. It felt like he was sketching me.
The contrast of his rough palms against my smooth skin made goosebumps blanket my shoulders and back. I let go of the pressure building deep inside of me and came all over his dick.
I felt the way my pussy convulsed around him and I knew he would lose it in the next second. Everything inside of me pulsed. The sensation of my clit throbbing from my orgasm made me have another one like clockwork. Roman pulled out, barely making it before he exploded all over me.
“Zuri. Shit,” he breathed clutching my hair in his fist. I whimpered at the prickles of pain dancing across my scalp but dammit it felt good. “I kinda ruined your panties,” he chuckled, rubbing my thighs.
“It’s okay. You might have turned me out but I like knowing I have you all over me right now.” We shared a kiss so good I wanted to fuck him again, right there. We couldn’t though because he was being called over the PA system. I stood up straight and he rushed into the bathroom to clean up before unlocking the door.
“Stay put, okay?” He said to me in a quiet voice. I nodded and watched his strong back and broad shoulders sway as he walked out of the room. I realized that I hated the door to the classroom being open. The Monarch Room had become our private escape. It was our home away from home. The sight of orange, black, and white butterflies made me tingle now. I saw why Roman said he sketched them just as much as he did me.
They’d become intertwined in everything we did. I’d never look at a monarch butterfly and not think about Roman. My sweet, amazing, Roman Clermont.
“Oh, I didn’t realize anyone was in here,” a woman’s voice made me stop in my tracks. It was a teacher. I couldn’t remember what she taught, just that she worked there.
I was on my way to clean up the mess Roman made all over my panties but now, I was standing in front of this woman, turning into a ball of nerves. I swallowed and forced a smile.
“You’re a student, correct? What are you doing at school on a teacher workday?” She mused, folding her arms.
“Poking around trying to get some extra credit,” I laughed. I felt Roman’s cum roll down my thigh and I squeezed my legs together.
“Sure. You don’t have to tell me. I can see the crush written all over you. Don’t worry, honey. All the girls have a crush on Clermont. The grown ones too.” She winked and irrational jealousy engulfed me. I calmed my crazy side down and gave her a coy smile. Roman was mine. I knew that.
Still didn’t mean I liked knowing how many women and girls were drooling over him though. “I heard he has a girlfriend. I’m just here trying to bring my grades up. I thought if I helped around the class, he’d take pity on me.”
“Girlfriend?” She pursed her lips together like she had a chance in hell.
“Yup,” I grinned and batted my lashes at her.
“Well, don’t waste your time in school when you’re supposed to be off. Sometimes a break is a good thing.” She looked at me for a few extra moments, then walked down the hall.
Why did Roman have to be so sexy? I was going to have to fight women off left and right. What if he grew tired of me and wanted someone his own age? What if the magic between us wore off once we were outside of the Monarch Room?
“Hey, I’m back. Are you okay?” Roman’s curious eyes probed me.
“I’m fine. I was thinking.”
“Wanna fill me in?” He closed and locked the door then sat behind his desk and held my hand in his before kissing the back of it softly.
“What if we fizzle outside of these four walls, Roman?” Anxiety washed over me and I pulled my hand from his grip. I went into the bathroom because I didn’t want to look into his eyes right then.
I ran warm water in the sink and splashed a little on my face before cleaning myself up. I dropped my head a little when I felt Roman’s strong presence behind me. He placed his hands on my hips then slid his arms around me in a tight hug.
“We won’t fizzle outside of these walls, Zuri. You have to believe that we started something so beautiful here and it’ll only transform once we step outside of the Monarch Room. This is our cocoon, baby. It’s not perfect or convenient but what’s ever perfect?” He turned me around to face him and I stared up at this man who had been carrying so much on his shoulders alone for so long. I realized he was willing to carry our relationship on top of everything else.
He believed we’d make it.
I had to have the same faith in us.
“My parents want you to come to Thanksgiving dinner at their house. I hope it’s cool that I agreed. I wanted to take you somewhere outside of Aspen Grove. Outside of the Monarch Room. I mean…I love our cocoon but I want us to grow.”
I blinked a few times and put my hand on my chest. My heart was thumping relentlessly.
“Your parents want to meet me? You told them about us? Did you tell them how old I am?”
“Of course. I don’t have anything to hide. I’m not going to broadcast it to the police or anything because I don’t want to get my ass locked up but I’m proud of us. Of you. I’d show you off to everyone if I could.”
I found my safe space in the crook of Roman’s neck and breathed. “If they can make your father disappear for the holiday, will you come?”
“Of course, Roman. Like I’d ever say no.”
“Perfect.” He smoothed my thick hair back and kissed my forehead. “Stop letting your thoughts get the best of you, Zuri. I’m not going anywhere. I’m yours. You’re mine.”
I couldn’t handle not kissing him right then. The need to feel his lips, to connect to his mouth was too strong. I dropped my panties in his hand and he smiled against my lips. I dipped my fingers into his dimples and felt a shiver ripple down to my core. He was so gorgeous. He was all mine.
“I love you, Roman.”
“I love you too, Zuri. You wanna help me grade these papers?” He asked with his lip tucked between his perfect teeth. I wanted to fuck him again but I knew he had to be at least a little productive.
We spent hours grading papers and listening to Biggie while we both rapped along with every lyric. That had to be what heaven felt like. We didn’t need any bells or whistles. We only needed four walls and each other.
“My father was being so weird today. I thought he was working but all his crap was still in the office and when I called him and asked to go to Krissy’s he rushed me off the phone and told me to go. I feel like if I told him flat-out that I was coming up here to see you he would have told me it was fine.” Roman looked up at me and smirked a little.
“Sounds like your dad has his own special affair going on.” The corners of my mouth dropped into a frown. My father? Gross.
“You really think so?” I laughed a little at the ridiculousness of it all.
“Just a theory.” He stood and kissed my cheek. My phone chimed in my purse and I dug inside to look at it. I had a text from Krissy.
Krissy: BFF SOS
Me: Uh oh. Do I need to be on my way?
Krissy: Yeah. In about twenty minutes. Please. I’ll explain once you get here, I swear.
Me: Done.
I set my phone down and looked up at Roman. “I have to go save Krissy from something.”
“Anything I can help with?” He walked over and I lost my train of thought for a moment. The way he stood was delicious. His long legs spread apart, his feet anchoring him to the floor, his strong arms folded. I ran my hands up his biceps and slid them around the back of his neck.
“Twenty minutes is enough to kill that pussy one more time. I need you to leave this room and only think about me.”
“You’re the only person I think of anyway,” I breathed heavily while his hand slid inside of my pants. He pushed my thighs apart and slid his fingers along my slit.
“Good. I want to keep it that way forever.”
“That’s a long time, Mr. Clermont.” I trembled when I felt his teeth scrape against my skin.
“I have the time to spare.” He yanked my leggings down and I pushed his shirt up. I wanted to touch his perfect body. “You know, I’d be willing to give you extra credit if you painted my dick with your pretty pussy.” He thrust inside of me and I stifled a moan by biting my lip.
“Oh?” I exhaled.
“Not really but I still want your creamy cunt all over my cock.” He drove deeper inside of me and I held on to him for dear life while he fucked me hard and rough on the corner of his desk.
I looked down at where we connected and moaned at the sight of us. I slid my hand down and rubbed my clit while Roman watched. “That’s such a beautiful fucking sight.” He groaned. “Rub that clit and make yourself cum while I fuck you.” He kissed me and worked my pussy so good I came in no time. “Put your fingers in my mouth,” he told me. Hunger laced his words. While he sucked on my wet fingers, he slipped his hand between us and rubbed my clit.
I came again.
It was effortless and amazing. He fed me his fingers and I felt my wetness soak him. “Shit,” he groaned and I felt his dick get impossibly stiff inside of me. I knew it was careless but I wanted him to cum inside of me so badly.
Roman was too responsible though. He pulled out and I whimpered. “Stop pouting, princess. You know I can’t fill you up. As good as we are together, you’d end up pregnant in no time.”
“Can I swallow it?”
“Like I’d ever tell you no.” The second my tongue touched the head of his dick, he exploded. He grabbed my hair and held my head in place while he throbbed in my mouth, touching the back of my throat.
The Monarch Room Page 15
