“The maintenance man is coming next week to fix that. Stop fiddling with my faucets. Just leave the food in the fridge, and thank Toni for me.” She rolled her eyes. Simon held her hip and slid closer. He began to kiss her neck. “Yeah, yeah. Dinner at your place tomorrow.” She pushed him away and shot a warning glare. Her eyes shifted back and forth in their sockets. “Simon? How would I know? Why don’t you ask him yourself? Bye, Marcus.” She returned the phone to the nightstand and let out a long breath.
“I take it that was Marcus?” His hand itched to pull back the sheet and finish what he started.
“Yup.”
“He asked about me?” He gathered her in his arms.
“He did. I think he’s catching onto us. He keeps asking me if I’ve seen you or if I’m gonna see you. I just want to punch him.”
Simon laughed and kissed her forehead. The two of them acted like adolescents whenever they dealt with each other. “Yeah, he’s been playing detective with me too. He’s no dummy.”
“He needs to mind his business.”
He caressed her shoulder. “Yeah, but so what, if Marcus knows about us? Would that be so bad? I mean, I could understand not telling him when this began. You didn’t want your big brother in your business, and Marcus is a good friend to me. I didn’t want to jeopardize it for some casual sex, but that’s not what we are now.”
“I don’t know,” she sighed. “I’m thirsty. Is it okay if I get something to drink?” She sprang onto the floor searching for her clothes.
Simon swung his legs over the side and sat. Does she ever want to tell anyone about our relationship? Maybe she’s ashamed of me. Afterall, having me in her bed jeopardizes her pro-Black rep and is probably why she doesn’t want to take the risk of going public. A familiar anxiety crept into his gut, but he willed it away. Massaging the tight muscles at the base of his neck, Simon swallowed the hurt and passed her his crumpled dress shirt from the floor. “Here, put this on.” He flashed a look to send a clear message that he expected her to listen.
“Thanks.” Although the slim fit shirt was big enough to accommodate his broad shoulders and muscular chest, Simon noticed with delight how it barely covered Regina’s taut, voluptuous bottom peeking out from underneath it as she strode out the bedroom. The corner of his mouth twitched. I have to make sure she wears more of my shirts. Taking a small blue packet out of the nightstand, he followed the direction of the wiggling orbs.
He bounded out of the bedroom in his pants and bare feet and headed towards the kitchen. Stopping to cross his arms and rest his chin in his hands, Simon enjoyed the truly delightful scene before him. Regina’s booty stuck out from behind the opened refrigerator door. She shifted her weight from side to side then glanced over. “Is soda all you have here?”
“Water’s on the door.”
The shirt rose slightly higher, revealing more of her firm round buttocks. “Got it. What is in all these little containers?”
Simon’s cock stiffened with the movement of Regina’s foot up and down the back of her leg. “Kimchi” He brushed past his inquisitive guest, trying desperately to refrain from tossing her onto the kitchen counter. “It’s Korean.”
“I’ve heard of it. What’s in the other jars?”
He chuckled and bent next to her. “They’re all Kimchi.” He tapped each lid. “Baechu, Oi Sobagi, Baek,” he called off the names while caressing her backside. “That is Kkakdugi.” He placed his hand over hers. “My favorite.”
“Is it the best thing you’ve ever tasted?” She smirked.
“No.” Simon gently sucked her bottom lip. “That would still be you. Do you want to try?” His question carried a challenging undertone.
She swallowed hard. “What is it made of?” Her throaty tone caused sparks of desire to flicker deep inside of him. He still hadn’t learned how to keep from being so disarmed when she was close.
“Mu, it’s a Korean radish. I grew up eating it.”
She walked around the kitchen island and tucked his shirt tail under her as she perched on a stool. “Maybe some other time. Is that all you have?”
He gave her a playful glance and half smile. “Well, I’ve been spending a lot of my nights in somebody else’s bed. So, I haven’t had much time to shop. Come on.” He flipped the lid open and presented a small, white cube covered in a red sauce on a fork. “It may be another Asian thing you discover you have a hankering for.”
“Really, I’m good.”
He closed the distance between them, pressing his hardness against her thigh and hovering his lips over hers until they barely touched. “Then can I taste you?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and one leg around his thigh. “You’re insatiable.”
“For you, yes.”
“Well,” she flicked the tip of his nose, “if you expect me to have any energy to keep up with your libido, we’ll have to get something to eat.” I’m taking a shower. Then you can bring me to that soul food restaurant you’ve been raving is just as good as the ones in Harlem.” Regina slung her overnight bag over her shoulder and disappeared into the bathroom.
-
Simon’s question buzzed in Regina’s mind as water rushed from the shower head and down her body. She may have thought she was ready for things between them to get more serious, but Simon’s revelation that he wanted to reveal their relationship set her nerves on end. So, what if Marc knows? How’s he going to just throw that out there and expect me to react? If Marc finds out about us, he’ll probably demand that Simon make a choice between their friendship and his relationship with me. I can’t take a chance that he’ll choose Marc instead of me.
She stepped out of the shower and stood in front of the mirror, twisting large sections of her damp coils around her fingers into a braid down the back of her head. Simon is clearly comfortable with the world knowing about us, but am I?
She ran her hands down the sides of the towel and over her hips. She wiped the mist from the mirror and peered at her hazy reflection. “You know he’s everything you’ve wanted—-smart, funny, successful and sexy as hell.” Feelings of affection radiated through her from memories of how wonderful it was to be near him, washing away the hesitation and fear. “You’re always tellin’ readers to be unapologetic and strong against haters, but you’re going to continue to hide your feelings for a good man? Stop being such a fuckin’ coward.”
Taking in as much air as her lungs would allow, she waltzed out the bathroom with the confidence of a warrior heading into battle—a half-naked one. Right, no dreamy bedroom eyes or sensual distractions. We’re gonna sit and have an honest discussion about where we’re heading as a couple. “Simon, I think we should talk.” She gasped and scrunched the top of the towel over her racing heart. Her body shivered from the sudden rush of cool air and two sets of eyes gawking at her.
One pair was Simon’s, the other belonged to a petite, well-dressed older woman standing next to him. “Oh, ummm, hi,” she said with a quaky voice. “I didn’t know there was someone else here.” Suddenly aware of how little it covered, she tugged at the bottom of the towel while her fearsome warrior retreated like a big ass chicken. She felt about ten sizes smaller but still too big to crawl under the arm chair beside her.
“Hello.” Regina’s entire body began to burn with embarrassment under the older woman’s piercing gaze as she sized her up. There was no missing the judgment on her face. She was clearly displeased by the presence of the semi-clad woman dripping water onto the waxed hardwood.
The woman raised an eyebrow. “Well, aren’t you quite the surprise. I’ve apparently interrupted, something.” She folded her arms across her chest and shifted her weight to one leg. “Don’t be rude, Simon. Introduce us.” Both of them turned their attention to a beet-red Simon rubbing his chin
Chapter 18
Regina Meets Alice
Simon closed the distance between him and Regina. “Ma, this is my girlfriend, Regina Kent.” He put a protective arm around her shoulder and
pulled her against his side. “Regina, my mother, Alice Young.
Well, at least she’ll know I’m not a hooker. “It’s nice to meet you.” She started to offer Simon’s mother a hand, but decided it was best to keep them securely on the towel.
“Girlfriend?” Alice’s face remained stoic save one raised eyebrow. “Inter-resting. This is news. How long have you two been dating?”
Simon squeezed her arm and glanced reassuringly. “A few months.”
Alice scoffed. “I find that hard to believe, Simon. All these months, and you’ve never even mentioned—I’m sorry what was your name again?”
“Her name is Regina, ma.”
“Re-gee-na.” Alice stretched out the name like it was the strangest thing she’d ever heard.
I guess my Black ass isn’t even in the room? Regina looked down and wiggled her toes in the tiny puddles of water at her feet. Damn it. Not enough to drown in.
Simon cleared his throat. “My mother unexpectedly stopped by, Gina.”
“Yes. I’m sorry for arriving unannounced. I had no idea Simon would be entertaining.” She elevated the cluster of high-end store shopping bags dangling from her forearms. “I just came to drop off new bedding. Clarissa said you needed some. It looks like I arrived just in time.”
“Ma,” Simon snapped.
Regina winced at the critical undercurrent in her statement. I can’t believe this is happening. She tried to turn and high tail it out of the room, but for some insane reason, Simon kept her at his side.
“What? I apologized for intruding, but you have to admit— this,” she said motioning her hand towards them, “is quite alarming. I’m not certain how to respond. How did you and my son meet?”
Regina was not sure if the astonishment Alice expressed was due to her lack of clothes or abundance of melanin. Either way, it was apparent that Simon hadn’t revealed her existence to mommy dearest, and she wanted a damn good explanation why. “Simon and I both volunteer on the board of my brother’s community center.”
Alice wrinkled her nose. “Community center?”
“Yes, in Harlem.”
Simon’s mother let out a disgusted sigh. “Oh, you’re one of those people.”
“Those people?” Bile stung in Regina’s throat. She crushed her tongue between her molars and pierced Simon’s profile with her eyes. He ran his fingers through his hair, visibly flustered by the situation. Unlike a courtroom or deposition—where he had full control—he probably didn’t know what to say to her or his mother.
“Look ma,” Simon began.
Alice raised her hand and a cool stillness flooded the room. “No need for theatrics, Simon. I’m quite sure your girlfriend would like to put on more clothing.” She placed the bags on the floor before gliding to the sofa and crossing her legs. “Now, how about you make your mother some coffee while, Rene was it, finds something to wear?”
Regina feverishly batted her eyelashes. There was so much she wanted to say at that moment, could have said to cut a woman like Alice at the knees, but she couldn’t. Just like the party last night, her feelings for Simon denied her the ability to make use of her verbal arsenal. If she was going to be in his life, she would have to rethink her usual bitch-batting strategies. She pointed towards the bedroom. “I’m gonna go get dressed.” She padded into the room at record pace, resisting the urge to slam the door.
“Seriously?” Her entire body quaked with rage. “How in the world did I end up in a mess like this? It’s all like something out of a bad movie.” Mumbling drifted into the room. She sneered. “Mama is probably discussing the naked Black woman in her little boy’s bedroom.” Being in the middle of a Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? moment made her stomach turn. “I gotta split.”
She dropped to the hardwood floor and crawled on her hands and knees searching for the clothes Simon peeled off her the night before. It was easy to spot the billowing skirt on the far side of the bed, but it took squirming under the it to find the top, bra and panties. She tried to shake as many wrinkles as possible before donning everything and preparing to take her mini walk of shame out of Simon’s apartment. Once dressed, Regina squeezed her shoulder blades and stuck her chin in the air. She strode into the great room. “I’m sorry. I just realized that I’m late for something. I have to go.” She made a beeline for the bathroom and started throwing her scattered beauty supplies into her overnight bag.
“No, Gina wait.” Simon followed her into the bathroom.
Alice rose from her seat and glided towards the kitchen. “Simon, do you have any sugar?”
Simon glanced back “Yeah.” Regina flapped her hands, trying to subvert his efforts to hold them. He sighed and grabbed her shoulders. “Look, don’t go. Maybe the two of you can get to know each other better.”
She rolled her eyes to the ceiling and crossed her arms. Are you friggin’ kiddin’?” She maintained a low voice but one filled with ire. “You expect us to sit and share a cup of coffee or somethin’? The woman didn’t even know I existed until 10 minutes ago.”
“I can explain that.”
“No, nothing to explain. This is just fun, right? No strings and sure as hell no explanations.”
“Damn it, Gina. You know that isn’t true.” He moved closer but she stepped further into the bathroom.
“Where is the fresh cream?” Alice’s voice wafted in and created a wedge between them.
Regina shoved Simon’s arms off her shoulders. “Tell me somethin’, Young. How am I supposed to know that’s not true? You looked like a wounded deer because I’m not so sure I want to let the world know about us, but you’ve been just as quiet. You didn’t even allude to your mother that you were seeing someone. Hell, at least my family knows your name and that you walk the earth.”
Simon closed the door and brought his face close to hers. “Yeah, they know me as Marcus’s old college buddy, not your boyfriend.” His eyes sparked with anger. “Tell me, who in your family knows that we’ve been dating? Are any of them aware that I’ve been sleepin’ with you for over three months? If memory serves, you’re the one who wanted to keep things just between us.”
She wagged her finger between his eyes. “No. Don’t you dare.” She poked his chest between sentences. “You’re not gonna use my words against me. You don’t want to tell Marcus either, and we both know why—'cause he’ll freak. Now, inform me, counselor, why you have no problem bringing me around your coworkers but haven’t found the time to tell your mother slash personal shopper about the Black girlfriend whose bed you’ve been hopping into? Is it because I’m one of those people?”
He opened his mouth then turned to the soft knock interrupting him. “Simon? I asked if you had any fresh cream.” Alice continued to knock.
Regina sneered and folded her arms. “Go ahead, Simon. Get your mother her cream. She doesn’t even like her coffee black.”
Simon squinted. “Nice, Gina.” He shot out of the bathroom, passing his mother’s critical sneer. “I don’t have any cream, ma.”
Alice trailed her son. “How about some of that vile non-dairy creamer you always have in your cabinets.” She gazed over her shoulder at Regina. “Why you’re so determined to go low-rent despite me raising you to appreciate quality, I’ll never understand.”
Fury streamed through every nerve, sticking Regina to the floor shaking. It was time for her to get the hell out of there before saying or doing one of the regretful things surging through her mind. She zipped her bag and dashed by the kitchen where Simon was getting a container of creamer out of the cabinet.
“Gina.” Simon placed the it next to three black coffee mugs and approached her near the entryway. “Please, stay.”
Perched on a stool, Alice poured white powder into a mug and stirred. “Yes, please stay.”
Regina closed her eyes and rolled her head from side to side to tug at the ball of tension sending a shooting pain up her neck. Don’t be snide. Don’t be snide. This is Simon’s mother. Don’t be snide. “No, thank you Mrs.
Young. I really do need to be somewhere.” She jerked her arm away from Simon’s touch and glared daggers at him, who trudged back towards the kitchen.
“That’s unfortunate.” Alice looked at the huge diamond ring on her finger and cuddled the mug between her hands. “I think we could’ve had a nice conversation now that you are properly attired.”
Don’t be snide. Don’t be snide. “Yes, that is sad.” Regina nudged the shopping bag on the floor with her shoe. “Well, you can just spend the rest of the afternoon helping Simon change his bed sheets.” Fuck. She ignored the clamoring sound and sauntered to the door. She didn’t want to match Alice’s rudeness, but the woman’s stunned expression brought some satisfaction to a humiliating morning. “It’s been a pleasure.” She swung it open and stepped into the empty hallway.
She tapped her foot as she waited in front of the elevators, occasionally looking back to see if Simon was coming after her—he wasn’t. When it arrived, she stomped in and fell against the back wall. As the doors closed, she watched the hallway and probably her relationship disappear.
Chapter 19
Subway
Regina thanked the elderly woman and took her clipboard back. She smiled triumphantly at Jeremy. “That makes another full signature sheet, Regina.”
“Yes, it does. We’re on fire.” She smacked his raised hand just before rubbing at her sore neck.
“I agree.” Toni hooked her friend by the arm. “That was also the last one, so our work is officially done. How about a reward for the team boss?” She tugged Regina’s arm. “Hey.”
“Huh?” Regina stopped searching the crowd. “Yeah, that sounds good. Wait, what did I just agree to do?” Before she knew it, she was passing over her card to a concession stand vendor with one hand while balancing a huge chocolate waffle cone in the other. The afternoon was getting late, but the fair was in full swing. Multi-colored pennant streamers hung zigzag overhead. Booths were packed with vendors selling everything from custom crafts to jerseys and mugs with team logos on them. People bustled between them carrying their purchases or entertaining themselves by trying to win prizes.
My Way to You (Brothers in Law Book 1) Page 13
