A Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Serendipitous Love Book 1)

by Christina C Jones

  “Waking you up so you can go get Zahra from school.”

  He groaned, but opened his eyes, giving me a lazy grin before his gaze drifted over my body. He sat up then. “You going somewhere?”

  “Yep. Posh Petals.” I stood up and went to the closet, rifling through the ridiculous pile of shoes on the floor until I found the pink and black sneakers I wanted to wear with my jeans and Posh Petals logoed shirt. I’d been trying to make my way back for the last week, but Roman always pushed back, insisting I needed more time to rest.

  Roman sat on the edge of the bed, pulling on the tee shirt he’d left draped across the nightstand. “You don’t think you should maybe give it another week?”

  “For what?” I asked, slipping my feet into the shoes and then bending to tie them. “Physically, I’m fine.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.”

  When I turned to face him, he was eyeing me skeptically from his seat on the bed. “It’s Thursday. Why don’t you wait until Monday? Take a few more days, start the week fresh.”

  “Because I don’t want to wait until Monday. I wanna go today.”

  He shook his head. “Simone, I don’t think you should—”

  “Damnit, Roman, I’m not Zahra! I’m not a child! If I say I’m ready to go back to my shop, I’m going to the damn shop, jeez. I wasn’t asking for permission or approval, I’m going.”

  Roman’s eyebrows were up near his hairline. I guess he was as surprised by my outburst as I was. He reached to massage the back of his neck as his eyes found mine. “I don’t mean to… boss you around, baby. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

  “Roman, I’m fine.”

  “Simone… you said that before… and the next time I saw you was in a hospital bed.”

  The trepidation in his face after that last statement reminded me of the expression he wore when I finally woke up after my D&C procedure. I’d taken a little longer than normal to wake up from the anesthesia, and my vitals were getting a little iffy when I finally came to. I didn’t understand at first why Roman was pulling me into such a fierce hug, but I eventually recognized then the same thing I recognized now. He was acting like this because he was worried about me.

  I walked over to him and straddled him, lowering myself onto his legs. “Roman,” I said, cupping his chin in my hands, “I don’t plan on making that a habit.”

  “I know you don’t… I’m just asking you to please take care of yourself. I mean… I’d like for you to be around long enough for me to give you a ring… to try this baby thing again in about a year. If you’re down, that is.”

  Smiling, I kissed him.

  “You’ve got yourself a date.”

  — & —

  I was nervous as hell.

  Roman and I had been dating for six months now, so you would think the smoky-sweet atmosphere of Urban Grind at night would feel like a second home to me. Usually, it did. Tonight though, the smell of coffee was overwhelming, the crowd was too loud, and the perfumed smoke was too heavy in the air. Or maybe it was just me. Again, I was nervous as hell.

  I applauded with everyone else when the current act stepped down from the open-mic stage, and grinned when Roman, Davis, and Kareem took their place. This was only the third time I’d seen them in the seven months that I’d known Roman. Last time, Davis had done lead, getting his Maxwell Pretty Wings on for his wife. Roman had been tight-lipped about this performance, but I was under the assumption that Kareem would be next to sing. Instead, Roman took the mic, then searched out my gaze and winked at me.

  Hearing Roman sing was far from a rare occurrence in my life. He was always putting something sweet in my ear, but somehow, seeing him up on stage gave me chills.

  And made me even more nervous.

  My breath caught in my throat when they began playing, and tears welled in my eyes when he began singing and I recognized John Legend’s All Of Me. I kept my hand covering my mouth as I listened to the words, declarations of love through everything, my smart mouth, tendency to drive him a little crazy, emotional moments, imperfections and all. He was making the flutters in my stomach go haywire, but as I stood to help cover them in applause at the end of the song, I felt even more sure about what I was about to do.

  I left my seat, carefully avoiding Roman’s searching eyes as I took the long way to get to the back of the stage area. The open mic host, Camilla, greeted me with a smile as I approached her, and I could see Roman looking confused as he took the empty seat next to the one that had formerly been mine. He probably thought I’d just gone to the bathroom, but his eyes went wide as I stepped onto the stage after a brief introduction from Camilla, who’d agreed to fit me into the performance list without telling Roman.

  He wondered what the hell I was doing. I could see that in his eyes, and I wondered what the hell I was doing too. Singing in front of a crowd was something I’d adamantly refused to do, despite Roman’s frequent requests. But I wasn’t about to sing.

  With all eyes on me, I stepped up to the mic, suddenly wishing my dress reached a little lower than mid-thigh and showed about 50% less cleavage. But Roman smiled at me, and those dimples sent a rush of warmth through me, and the anxiety melted away. My voice was clear, unwavering as I drew strength from him and began to speak.

  “Baby you are the sun upon my horizon

  You are the serenity that comes after life is lost reminding me that when suns set they rise again

  You are everything sweet on a summer day

  The smile that spreads across my lips

  The swirling sensation in my belly

  The wordless love song I play on repeat.”

  I almost giggled at the size of the grin stretched across Roman’s face. I stepped closer to the mic stand, caressing it as I dropped my voice a little softer, a little lower, now that I was past the “sweet” part of the short piece I’d written. Meeting Roman’s eyes again, I winked, purposely putting on what he referred to as my “sex” voice as I continued.

  “You are the stars that twinkle in my eyes

  The wetness that pool between my thighs

  The aftershocks after making my body quake with ecstasy

  The soft moans escaping my lips, making me move my hips, not stopping until I can’t even breathe… You are all that… mmm. . . and more.

  Baby you are.”

  When I stepped back, the room burst into applause, and I couldn’t keep a smile from creeping across my face. I could feel Roman’s eyes on me as I stepped down, making my way back to my seat. He pulled me into a hug, bending to press his mouth to my ear. “I am so proud of you for getting up on that stage. When I get you alone… I’m tearing that ass up until you pass out or beg me to stop. Whichever comes first.” Then he stepped back and smiled, still clapping like he hadn’t just whispered that nastiness to in my ear.

  I bit my lip, blushing as we took our seats for the next performer stepped up to the stage. Under the table, Roman slid his hand up my thigh, stopping at the hem of my dress. I lifted an eyebrow at him and opened my legs, smirking at the way his eyebrows lifted and lips parted in surprise. I really thought I was doing something until he snatched me from my seat as soon it was time to clap for the singer leaving the stage. He didn’t say a word as he pulled me through the crowd, through the “employees only” door, and into his office, locking the door behind us.

  I shrieked as he cupped my butt, lifting me until we were eye level and pressing me against the wall. He occupied my mouth with scorching kisses as he freed himself from his jeans, hiked my dress up around my hips, wrapped my legs around his waist and snatched my panties to the side to bury himself inside of me. I gasped as our hips met over and over. The resounding smack of skin on skin filled the room, elevating my arousal to the point that I was very quickly reaching my peak. This was… hell yes.

  After the miscarriage, it was a whole month before Roman would touch me sexually. When I finally convinced him — after a trip to the gynecologist— I was ready,
he spent the next month making love to me very… sweetly. He always pleased me, but I missed the ass-smacking, toss-me-around-the-bed fun we used to have. What he was doing now, pounding into me with vigor, working up a sweat… this is what I’d been wanting back.

  Mission accomplished.

  He balanced me against the wall as he pulled the shirt over his head and toed out of his shoes, then kicked the boxers and jeans away from his legs. Roman held my legs firm around his waist, supporting me as I pulled my dress over my head and tossed it into the pile with his clothes.

  “I love you,” I whispered against his lips as he pushed me into the wall again. He stilled, meeting my gaze before he kissed me again, then murmured the words back to me, over and over as he stroked deeper. I wondered if he knew that much more than he was penetrating my body, with every stroke, accompanied by a declaration of love, Roman was penetrating my heart.

  Roman took me from the wall to the desk, pushing the contents on top to the side as he lay me down and positioned himself between my legs. With my still-heeled feet up on his shoulders, he entered me again, setting an intoxicating pace that had me biting my lip to keep from screaming. He ran his hands up my body, cupping and massaging my breasts before he finally brought them up to my neck.

  Hell yes.

  I covered his hands with mine as he applied the slight pressure I knew would make me blissfully breathless enough to send me rocketing toward a climax. The first time we did this was inspired by our background music at the time, Dwele’s Obey — one of my favorite songs. Without him saying it, I understood that regardless of Roman’s take-charge approach, this was all about me. His hands were tight around my neck as he stroked me harder, faster, more frantically as he pushed me to the peak. Then he snatched them away, a familiar sign that he was about to explode, and would rather not kill me in the process. But that was okay, because I was coming too, and he somehow had the prudence to wrench me from the desk and press his mouth against mine to swallow my screams.

  Roman gathered me in his arms, pulling me against his chest as we collapsed into the desk chair, sated and covered in perspiration. A few moments passed with neither of us speaking, and then I tipped my head up to look him in the eyes.

  “What I said to you… it wasn’t just because the sex was good. I meant that, okay?”

  A lazy grin spread across his face as he pushed away the hair sticking to my sweaty forehead. “Good to know, cause I did too. I love you.” He pressed his salty lips to mine, planting a kiss on me that made the already stuffy room seem even hotter.

  “I love you too.”

  “Miss Simone!”

  From my kneeling position on the floor, I grinned, turning just in time to see a bundle of yellow tulle and curly hair running toward me, arms outstretched. Zahra Taylor was a gorgeous little girl, who — I grudgingly admitted — looked just like her mother, who had walked into Posh Petals a few steps behind her. I struggled to keep the smile on my face as Leah sauntered closer, her eyes flicking back and forth as she took in her surroundings.

  Instead of giving in to the bitter disdain Leah ignited in my spirit, I opened my arms to Zahra and gave her a hug. “Don’t you look pretty today?”

  “I had ballet!” she declared, leaving my arms to peer at the big displays of lilies I’d just put out that morning.

  With Zahra’s attention elsewhere, I felt like it would be rude to simply not acknowledge Leah, so I plastered a smile on my face as I stood. “Hi Leah,” I said, giving her a quick nod before I turned back to the shelf to busy myself straightening the vases. I was really, really trying not to hate her, but that was hard when she was still living in Roman’s apartment.

  She’d been there for the entire length of our seven month relationship, plus the months she’d been there before, collectively making it almost a year. I wasn’t amused. It wasn’t even that I really disliked her, I just didn’t get a good vibe. Roman had told me about her little “I miss our friendship” act, and I couldn’t believe he’d really fallen for that. I thought she was full of shit, but he assured me that for him, there was nothing there, and I believed him.

  “You’re looking well, Simone.” I lifted an eyebrow, turning back to face her as she raked her eyes over me. “I know the um… incident a few months ago was hard on you, but it looks like you’re recovering well.”

  I swallowed hard. Why the hell was she bringing that up? “Thank you, Leah. It was hard, but I got through it, mostly thanks to Roman. He really is amazing, you know?”

  She gave me a look halfway between a smile and “what is that awful smell”, then turned to where Zahra had moved on to the roses. “Well, we should probably move along. We were coming down the street, and she kept saying she wanted to see the flower lady. I had no idea who she was talking about, but then finally said daddy’s girlfriend mommy, don't be silly. So… here we are.”

  She wasn’t looking at me, so I allowed myself the petty pleasure of rolling my eyes at the back of her head. I headed over to where Zahra was, and used my shears to cut off several bright yellow blossoms that matched her tutu. When I knelt to thread them in her hair, she smiled at me. “Miss Simone, did you know tomorrow is my birthday?”

  “Yes, I did Pretty Girl. I actually have a present for you, but I’m not giving it until tomorrow,” I teased, thinking about the miniature flower garden kit Roman had approved for her bedroom window.

  Zahra beamed, then threw her arms around my neck. “Are you coming to the aquarium with us? You should. They have a big shark.”

  I knew about the aquarium visit, but hadn’t been invited along. It was supposed to be an immediate family thing, but what was I supposed to say with the birthday girl herself right in front of me? “Well, if that’s an invitation, I certainly will!” I glanced at Leah for confirmation, and she looked up from her cell phone with a small, but seemingly genuine smile.

  “Come on, Z. Your dad is waiting on us.” Leah’s gaze shifted to mine. “You know how Roman is about his one and only.”

  “Okay mama!”

  Zahra bounced away from me with a wave, then followed Leah out onto the sidewalk, where they headed in the direction of Urban Grind.

  It wasn’t until I was heading to my office in the back that Leah’s words rang in my head again.

  You know how Roman is about his one and only.

  You know how Roman is about his one and only.

  You know how Roman is about his one and only.

  Was she… mocking me about losing Roman’s baby? I turned around and headed for the door, wondering if I could catch her while she was still on the street. As my fingers pressed against the cold steel frame of the door, something held me in place, keeping me from flying into a rage.

  Maybe I was just reading too much into it. It could be an innocent comment. Insensitive, but still not meant as the jab I was seeing. That would be a little much… right? I didn’t like the “vibe” I got from her now — although she was fine when we first met — but taunting me about a miscarriage… that was taking it a little far.

  I was still feeling uneasy about it when Roman arrived to walk me home, but the warmth of his presence overwhelmed bitter thoughts of Leah. When we reached my door, I expected him to go home first as he always did, and come back after Zahra was asleep, but he stepped inside, taking off his shoes and dropping his laptop bag by the door.

  “You’re not gonna kick it with Zahra today?” I asked, going to the fridge to pour myself a glass of water.

  He shook his head, sticking his hands in his pockets as he ambled closer to me. “Not today. Thought I’d get in a little extra time with you since I won’t see you tomorrow.”

  “Why not?” I took a sip, then placed my cup down on the counter as I turned to face him. “Zahra invited me to come to the aquarium.”

  Roman’s eyebrows drooped in confusion as he reached for the belt loops of my jeans and pulled me into his chest. “When was this?”

  “When Leah brought her into Posh Petals this afterno
on… Leah was standing right there.”

  “Okay… maybe there was some type of misunderstanding, because Leah made Zahra’s birthday plans, and the aquarium is four hours away. It’s a day trip, Simone. Leah didn’t mention anything about you coming, not that I would have a problem with it. She was going on and on though, about how she was excited about the tradition of the three of us doing Zahra’s birthday together.”

  I rolled my eyes as I took a step back, taking another drink from my glass to quell the initial bitter reaction that sprang to my lips. After a moment, I put it down, turning back to Roman. “She looked me right in my face after Zahra invited me, and smiled. Didn’t bother to correct it.”

  “Maybe she didn’t think it was serious?”

  “Whatever. I’m not even surprised.” Shaking my head, I left the kitchen, pulling my shirt over my head as I went to my bedroom, with Roman following.

  “What do you mean, you’re not surprised?”

  I turned to him as I unbuttoned and unzipped my jeans. “She’s taking her little shots where she can. Doing and saying petty shit.”

  “She said something to you?”

  My mind immediately went to her bringing up the miscarriage, and the comment she’d made about men and their babies. Now, I knew she was being petty, but she wasn’t about to turn me into “that” girl. “Never mind, Roman. I don’t want to end up getting into this. You believe she’s innocent, fine.”

  “It doesn’t sound fine,” he replied, chuckling as he sat down on the edge of my bed. “You sound pissed.”

  “Because I am.” The response flew out before I could catch it. “Never mind.”

  “Uh-uh. You know I don’t do that “never mind” shit. If you’ve got something you need to talk about, let’s talk about it.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest, as if I weren’t standing there in only my bra and boy-short panties. “Your daughter’s mom came into Posh Petals today doing stuff to specifically get under my skin.”