“Suit yourself. So, what have you been up to? How are things at work?”
“Fine.” Other than the fact that I’m surrounded by a bunch of bigots, things are terrific. “How are things going with you?”
“Well, how much time have you got?” Simon spent the afternoon listening to his mother talk about her social life while he mapped his route and timed which train he needed to catch to meet Regina at Jamaica station. When the alarm buzzed, alerting him that it was time to leave, Simon hugged and kissed his mother before rushing to the subway. Once on the train, he pulled out his phone.
Simon: Did you make your train?
Regina: Yes.
He chastised himself for being so corny, but he wanted to see her as soon as possible. Simon pounded his feet on the steps as he bounded up the stairs two at a time. He hiked his jacket collar around his ears and peered down the open platform. The monitor blinking in front of him showed that the trains were running on time. He dialed Regina’s number.
“Hi,” Her sultry voice sent tingles through him. Her bed in Harlem was too far away.
Simon pressed his free ear. “Hi. How’s your ride?”
“Fine,” he heard her yawn into the phone. “I’m not too far from Jamaica.”
Simon’s heart skipped as the train approached and screeched into the station. He looked up and down as it ground to a halt. “That’s good. Just let me know when you pull up to the station.”
“Actually, it just stopped.” The doors flew open, and a small stream of riders poured onto the platform. “Why?”
“Because I wanna make sure I’m getting on the right train.” Simon bent to help a mother get her stroller onto the noisy platform. He nodded and smiled when she thanked him.
“What? You’re here?” Simon stood straight. The deep breath he took stayed in his chest when he saw Regina poke her head out of the train and curve her lips into a radiant smile. “You’re insane, Young.” Her mouth moved while her words floated into his ear from the phone.
“Get back in the train. I’ll come to the car you’re in.” He rushed between cars, flying each door open until he saw her standing across from him. Coils spilled from under a black linty hat and swept across her thick, arched eyebrows. Regina’s lush eyelashes beat against her raised cheeks as she blinked at him. Hips tightly wrapped in denim peeked out between the opening of her fur-lined jacket and swayed with the train on top of long legs that tapered from luxurious thighs. Had she grown she more beautiful than before? Finally reaching her, he cuddled her face in the palms of his hands and covered her mouth in a series of small kisses. “Hi.”
Regina laid her hands flat against his back. “I can’t believe you met me here.”
“I couldn’t wait to see you.” A lump formed in Simon’s throat. He’d meant it, but he had no intention of letting her know that she was so irresistible to him. “I mean, I was visiting my mother anyway. She lives in Queens, so I decided to meet you.”
Regina knitted her eyebrows and scrunched her lips to one side. “Okay.” She sat in the seat next to her bag. “Well, it’s a nice gesture, anyhow.”
Fantastic, now she thinks she is an afterthought. Simon slung the bag in the seat across from them with a grunt. “I thought it would be nice to take you out to eat,” he explained as he claimed his place next to her, “before we head to your place.” And I get a chance to peel those pants off of you. Laying his arm across her shoulders, Simon guided her mouth to his by gently pulling her chin. “I missed you.” She tilted her head and slowly lifted her eyes. The electricity was definitely firing both ways.
“Me too,” she sighed between her parted luscious lips, inviting him to get lost in them—which he did. Their kiss lasted until they reached Penn Station and resumed during the ride uptown. He groaned when Regina pushed him away. “I need to breathe some, Young.” She nuzzled next to him.
“So, how was visiting your parents?” Simon tried to will the bulge in his pants down. He couldn’t wait to get her in bed.
***
Regina fumbled the keys in her trembling hands. With Simon caressing her hips and kissing her neck behind her ear, her composure was almost completely undone. He’d barely given her a moment to breathe on the train and in the hired car, which she loved, but she needed to focus. Key in—yeah right there—hole. Get key in hole.
“Having trouble?” Simon whispered in her ear as he gently squeezed one breast, “I can get it in for you.”
She closed her eyes, and her knees went soft. Simon snaked his arm around her waist and lifted her against his body. Damn, he’s strong. He pressed his stiffness into her. And hard. “I can do it. I just need you to back up a little.”
“No way.” He bit the back of her ear. The sound of his breath blended with the clicking of the lock tumblers. “I waited days to get near you. I’m not backing away now.”
Simon tightened his grip kept her from falling as they tumbled into the apartment. “Wait.” Regina moaned, twisting in his arms and pushing her hand against his chest. She heaved for air as she took a few steps away and leaned against the wall. “Get the suitcase out of the hallway.” She lifted her leg and yanked at the heel of her boot. Space now between them allowed the haze in her mind to lift. Spending the weekend on The Island should’ve helped her control the hormones Simon had bouncing through her body, but it proved futile. She’d spent three days thinking about what she would do to him when she got back.
Regina let the second boot drop to the floor, watching Simon walk towards her. She tugged one corner of her mouth into a half smile.
“What’s so funny?” Simon shrugged out of his coat.
“You’re all red.” Regina playfully tugged at his ears as he closed the space between them.
“That would be because of you.” His boyish smile made her insides quiver. Simon smoothed his hands down her sides. Hot jolts of desire pulsated between her legs. Coat falling to the floor, Regina felt shaking muscles under her hands as she slid them across the top of her lover’s back and brushed her lips on his neck.
Simon groaned and pushed her away. “Bed.” He grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards the bedroom.
She spun on socked feet and giggled, following behind him. The light from the hall glowed on his light tan skin. Back muscles rippled as he pulled his shirt over his head. His sneakers were next. She’d missed and wanted him so much that it created a turmoil in her that only he could settle. One person having that much power over her emotions and body was terrifying. She usually had more control over both, but Simon made her reckless. She slowly pushed the door closed behind her. Darkness overtook his glowing taut butt and muscular legs as he pushed down his jeans.
***
Regina stretched her legs and cracked opened her eyes. Simon sat on the edge; his back contrasted the room’s darkness.
“How did you get my number?” The acidic tone in his voice brought Regina out of her groggy state.
“Simon?” She saw his back straighten. “What’s wrong? What time is it?”
“Everything is fine, babe.” She felt his tense lips peck her forehead before the bed shook more vigorously. “Go back to sleep.”
Light flooded the bed and blinded her then narrowed into a slit emanating from a crack in the door. She blinked at her phone. Who’s calling him at 2 am?
He continued to talk in the hall. “That’s none of your business.”
Rolling over, she closed her eyes and tried not to listen. I should respect his privacy. Maybe I should close the door.
“Damn it, Samantha. I’m not interested in anything you have to say, ever. Lose my number, and stop calling my office.”
Regina opened her eyes and peered into the darkness. Who the hell is Samantha? Is she another woman Simon is messing around with? Are there more? She clenched the pillow and shifted under the covers. He didn’t seem like the type to be a player, but then again, she really didn’t know him that well. If I confront him about it, he’ll know I was listening in on his conversati
on. Besides, it’s obvious that he doesn’t want anything to do with her. Her muscles tightened under the blankets at the sound of Simon’s footsteps.
The bed dipped under his weight. She tried to control her rapid breathing until her chest ached. She waited for his touch, for him to pull her into his warm embrace, but it never happened. Even though he’d only slept in her bed a few nights, Regina’s body craved feeling him. It was denied.
***
Regina strained her legs and arms to their brink and formed large ‘O’ with her mouth. The sounds of cabinet drawers opening and closing, dishes clinking and running water reverberated through the apartment and drifted in a muffled huff past the closed bedroom door. She rubbed an eye with the bottom of her palm while smoothing the cold bed sheet where Simon’s body once laid. Already up?
She lifted her rebellious muscles out of bed and headed into the kitchen. Tying the front of her robe, Regina smiled at the sight of Simon, furrowed eyebrows and lips set in a determined line as he bent in front of the coffee maker.
“Good Morning.”
“’Morning.” He only glanced at her quickly before returning his attention to the machine. “How do you work this thing? There are like a million buttons.”
Regina rounded the counter and reached from behind him. “It’s set to start in an hour.” She pressed the appropriate buttons. “You’re up early.”
“Yeah,” he said, pulling her towards him. “I tried not to wake you. I need to change at work before my day starts.” She welcomed the delicious series of endearing kisses.
“It’s okay. Are you hungry?” Regina slipped her arms from around Simons waist and shuffled to the cabinet in her slippers.
“No, I found some oatmeal. It hit the spot.” He stared at the coffee maker and patted his belly. “Oh, and I cleaned the mess.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.” Simon flashed a smile before striding around the counter. “Be right back.”
Folding her arms and staring off into space with a broad smile, she took his place as sentinel in front of the machine. A warm feeling filled her. It was really nice waking with Simon there. She wanted more mornings like this. I have to ask him what he likes for breakfast. She pulled a pad and pen from the drawer. The sound of Simon’s phone made her jump and drop them on the counter. She stared at the device as it quaked and pulsated a buzz into the air. She stepped closer to it. Could it be that woman from last night?
Regina looked towards the bathroom and then back at the phone. A lump formed at the top of her throat. She’d have to turn it over to read the screen. She inched her hand towards the vibrations and chimes. No. She snatched her hand away from it. I’m not going to be that insecure. The phone stopped, and Regina moved back to listening for the last hisses and bubbles that signaled the coffee was ready. If there is another woman—or women—that’ll come out, and I’ll decide what to do at that point. It’s not like Simon is exclusively mine anyway. Although she wasn’t the type to date multiple people, she was unsure if he was. She’d have to broach it, but not by shaking his phone at him in her bathrobe like some jealous girlfriend.
“Coffee ready?” Simon took his jacket off the hook and shrugged it over his wide shoulders.
“Just now. You’ve got good timing, Young.” Errant drops fell from the spout and sizzled into evaporation on the hot plate. Regina filled the mug, noticing Simon reading his phone screen out of the corner of her eye. “It just stopped ringing’.” She offered him the morning libation. “I hope it wasn’t urgent.”
Simon’s face remained cheerful. “Nope. Just someone from work.” He grabbed the mug and pulled Regina towards him. “See you tonight?”
“I can’t. I’m goin’ out with some girlfriends. Tomorrow night?”
“I’m probably gonna be workin’ late preparing for a case.”
“If you don’t mind the train ride,” Regina smoothed his tie, “I won’t mind the lateness.” She laced her fingers in his silky hair, drew him into a long, hot kiss, and softly blinked, waiting for a response.
Simon’s eyes smoldered. “I’ll be here.”
Regina kissed his nose. “Good. Now go.” She teasingly pushed him away. Hearing the door close behind Simon, she poured some coffee and perched on a stool, cradling the hot mug in her hands. Only gone for a few minutes, she already yearned for his presence. There was no denying that Simon Young was under her skin, and she was going to make sure he stayed there.
She hopped off the stool and shuffled to her desk. It started to ding a series of notifications as soon as she raised the laptop open. She skimmed through a list of articles, stopping and cringing at a headline:
Can you be Pro-Black and Marry White?
She scanned the article, which contained the usual arguments for and against Black activists and celebrities marrying interracially. Regina focused her attention on the comments section and the plethora of derision, which included words like “internalized racism,” “color struck” and the same “sellout” the guy in the elevator shouted at her.
She pushed in the squishy belly of the kitty-shaped stress reliever stuck on her desk. She couldn’t deny that many of her followers might have the same criticisms about interracial dating and marriage as the ones on the screen. Some may be accepting, but others will eviscerate her and jeopardize her blog. She couldn’t lose everything she worked for—or Simon.
Chapter 11
Samantha
Regina squinted and blinked her eyes at the humongous screen before her. Simulated sonic booms and screeches billowed through the movie theater, washing over the audience. She shrugged her shoulders in defense of the cacophony assaulting her ears. The ticket for the summer blockbuster proved a good buy, at least for one of them.
Simon’s eyes filled with youthful wonder at the umpteenth explosion on the screen. He sprang in his seat, and the popcorn jumped in the tub he held, matching his excitement. A bunch of pieces splattered on the theater floor. The light from the screen glowed on his chiseled jaw and broad smile of delight. This was a new side of Simon. Usually, his demeanor was calmer, stoic even at times. But now, her date bordered on downright giddy. It was nice.
“Oh, Man, did you see that, Gina?” He scooped a handful of popcorn and crammed it into his mouth. Cheeks puffed out, he chomped the snack. In between mouthfuls of popcorn, Simon made lively responses to the action unfurling in front of him.
His bounding oohs, ahhs and laughter was more entertaining than the movie. She sat, soda in hand, furthest away from her excited date. Look at him. It’s hard to believe this big kid is the same cool, calculating attorney who helps make million-dollar deals happen. His suit jacket laid neatly folded on the empty chair beside him, he’d loosened his necktie and rolled his sleeves. Reclining in the theater seat, Simon happily munched on what was left of the tub of popcorn and looked back and forth between her and the screen. “What?”
“Nothing.” The corners of her mouth twitching, she bit her bottom lip.
“Come here.” Simon drew Regina into the crook of his arm and brushed a light kiss on her forehead. “This is fun, right?”
“Definitely, I couldn’t wait to see…umm…what’s the name of this explosion fest again?”
Simon bolted upright at another flurry of bullets. The couple, popcorn, and soda jolted, and more popcorn scattered on the floor. Figuring it was best to finish it before it ended up all over her green silk maxi skirt and white blouse, Regina took long sips of her soda. A car pile-up on the screen, and some popcorn spilled over her legs. Oh, no. I agreed to an action movie, not an evening of scrubbing out stains. She took the tub before all was lost. There was nothing left for her to do but watch Simon’s animated reactions and wait for the final blast signaling her release from the action-packed melee.
Once the hero shot his last bullet and the credits rolled, the couple spilled into the lobby along with their fellow movie goers. They walked down the hall lined with illuminated posters. The smell of imitation butter filled
the air. Sneaking downtown for a movie and a bite to eat was a pleasant treat. Simon placed an arm over her shoulders, drew her closer and used the other to throw his jacket over his shoulder as he navigated them towards the main entrance.
“You didn’t like it, Gina?” His impish grin and the gleam in his eyes tugged at her heart. They settled onto the sidewalk. Streams of chattering people rushed by them. Simon’s bulging forearms disappeared as he unrolled his sleeves. He shrugged his broad shoulders into his suit jacket before wrapping his arms around her.
A warm feeling radiated through her as she placed her hands on his chest. She wasn’t sure, but somewhere during the months they dated, Simon started using her family nickname. She liked the way it sounded coming from him. It felt right—all of it did. Regina gently brushed a tiny piece of popcorn from the corner of Simon’s mouth. “I thought it was an excellent piece of cinematography. Nothing says entertainment like watchin’ a man have 800 bullets shot at him without getting’ hit once.”
Simon’s muscles struggled against his tailored dress shirt as he threw his head back to let out a laugh that shook them both. “I’m sorry.” He kissed her lightly with his buttery lips. “I’ll make it up to you.”
“You bet you will.” Regina laced her fingers behind his neck. Normally, she was not a fan of public displays of affection, but it had been over a week since they were together and even longer since he was in her bed. She was not going to let the opportunity to be close to him for as long as possible pass. “But how?”
“For now, you pick the place for lunch.”
“It won’t be cheap, Young.” She shot him a playful look and smoothed his shirt over his chest. “I intend on making you take me to the best halal cart downtown.”
“Really, what would you know about downtown halal carts?”
“Hey, I come down here, sometimes.”
“All right, so where are we heading?”
Regina squinted and searched around her. Truth be told, she had no clue where they were. She grew up on Long Island and never really left Harlem after she moved to the city, but she wasn’t going to let him know that. Hell, just pick a cart. The city is full of them.
My Way to You (Brothers in Law Book 1) Page 8
