An Unconventional Love: A Novella

by Warren, Alexandra

  We made our way to the dining room and when we arrived, Rich pulled out the chair for me, getting me settled in before he went to the kitchen to grab the plates of food. Rae had watched the whole thing with a skeptical eye until Rich was out of sight.

  Her voice was hushed as she leaned into the table and said, “I’ve never seen him like this, Jasmine. What did you do to my brother?”

  “I didn’t do...anything. I don’t think.”

  Rich rushed out of the kitchen with three plates, quickly setting them on the placemats. I looked down at the plate he had put in front of me and knew without a doubt it had to have come from some takeout delivery service. It was plated like a banquet meal, or something from one of those fancy cooking shows; definitely not something home-cooked.

  “Damn, Rich. You’re even pulling out your old culinary school skills for her? You must be whipped!”

  So he did actually make this?

  “Watch your mouth, Rae. You always give people your best when it’s their first visit to your home.”

  “But you haven’t cooked like this in I don’t know how long…..”

  “That’s enough, Rae. Anyway, Miss. Jasmine, I hope you like what I prepared.” Ironically enough, the fancily-sauced chicken was my go-to meal when I went out to dinner with the high rollers. It was the only thing that tasted at least a little normal amongst all the usual overpriced, under-seasoned menu items.

  “I do. Thank you.” I took a bite and could feel Rich’s eyes watching me for a reaction. I was tempted to downplay his skills by being timid, but since I hadn’t eaten before I came - nerves - I continued digging in, satisfying his need for confirmation that it tasted good. In fact, it was so good that I could feel an orgasm brewing with every additional bite. But that was certainly none of his business.

  Yeah right.

  He is the orgasm business.

  “So, Jasmine. Is this your first baby? Or do you have a few suckers like Rich under your belt?”

  I choked on my food.

  I couldn’t believe this little girl had the nerve to come at me like I was just out here getting my club shot up left and right. Just because I had accidentally left my private section unguarded one time didn’t mean I was just letting any and everybody in.

  Though Rich’s scolding glare was plenty, I wanted to give the little girl a taste of her own medicine for trying to show off. “It’s my first. Kind of like the one you’ll be carrying in the next two...three months according to your walk. I know a freshly-fucked strut when I see one.”

  She gasped, horrified that I had called her out. I had never been one to back down from a fight and I certainly wasn’t gonna start with Rich’s kin.

  “For you information, I….” Rich held his hand up to stop Rae before things could get even further off track.

  “And that’s the end of that conversation.”

  Rae had her arms crossed over her chest, leaning back in her chair and I stuck my tongue out at her like I was twelve. Though we were having a little cat-spat, I knew it was only because she and I were somewhat alike. How I could find anything in common with a seventeen-year-old was beyond me, but I could already tell the clash was mostly because of our similar personalities.

  We ate in silence for a few moments before Rich broke the ice. “How have you been feeling, Jasmine? Sorry I couldn’t make that last appointment. I got caught up at work.” I was a little disappointed that he didn’t make it to my 3 month check-up considering he was the one that had made such a big deal about being involved in the whole process but I wasn’t in the mood to earn my second strike over it.

  “I’ve been feeling…okay. A little morning sickness but that’s about it.” Mornings had become a whole new battle thanks to baby girl. Half the time, I dreaded waking up because I knew last night’s dinner would be making an appearance in new form before I could even brush my teeth.

  “I read somewhere that you can drink peppermint tea to help with that. I can go make you some if you want.”

  He’s actually been doing research?

  “No, no. I’m fine right now. Thank you though.” I could see Rae’s eyes bouncing back and forth between Rich and I in my peripheral and truth be told, I was just as taken aback as she was.

  He was apologizing for missing the appointment.

  He was offering me advice for my morning sickness.

  He was…

  He doesn’t even know you, Jaz!

  “You sure? It’ll only take a few minutes.”

  “I’m fine, Rich.” My words came out with a made-up edge as I worked to remind myself that nothing about this situation was as peachy-keen as he was making it appear. Though I was carrying his child, I still didn’t feel like he really owed me anything and I certainly wasn’t gonna put myself in a position to have him believing I needed him.

  I could tell Rich didn’t wanna deal with my attitude as he quickly changed the subject, “Well I uh…made some triple-chocolate brownies for dessert. Matter of fact, why don’t you go grab those out of the kitchen, Rae?”

  “What? Why do I have to go?” I watched as Rich gave her “the look”, instantly cutting her off. It was interesting to watch them go from brother and sister to guardian and child in the blink of an eye making me wonder more about their arrangement. She got up, snatching her phone from the table before she headed to the kitchen.

  “So Miss. Jasmine, what did you really think about the house?”

  “I told you already. You have a beautiful home,” I replied nonchalantly.

  “Could you see yourself living in this beautiful home?”

  “Something similar; sure. Once I finish law school, I’ll probably be able to invest in something like this.”

  “No. I mean like, right now; with me. Well…with us.”

  Huh?

  I was already convinced that Rich was some level of crazy after his impromptu proposal, but him asking me to move-in with him gave more fuel to the flame.

  “Rich, I don’t know where the hell you keep getting these ideas from but I am not moving in with you. I plan on upgrading to a two-bedroom apartment once my lease is up in a few months which will give me plenty of room to raise a child.” I had already been trying my hardest not to start collecting stuff for the baby until I got more room but the struggle was becoming realer and realer by the day.

  “But why do that when there’s plenty of room here?”

  “Umm…probably because you’re here. And your sister is here. And I know neither one of you. Do you really think I’m gonna just up and move in with some strangers?” It really wasn’t that unrealistic to have stranger roommates but I had been able to avoid that since living with Ariel during undergrad. I also knew it was just a part of Rich’s agenda that I still didn’t understand.

  Why was he so pressed to turn this situation into more than what it was?

  “Believe it or not, we’re not exactly strangers. A stranger is someone you don’t know, never met, know nothing about. You may not know much about me personally, but I’ve already given you two things you’ll never forget.”

  “Two?”

  “Yeah. That little gift in your belly and this big ol’ dick that made it all possible.

  My eyes flew to his and I could see there was now a tint of passion to them. He licked his lips and just like that, a potential argument point was transformed.

  Where are those damn brownies?

  “Rich, do you really think it’s appropriate to talk like that with your little sister in the next room?” Maybe reminding him of Rae would get him to turn down the heat.

  “Well, I know for a fact she’s in there stalling on her phone until I give her the green light to go out with her friends. I may even upgrade that to spending the night with a friend if you give me the green light.”

  I was on the edge of my seat as I asked, “The green light to what?”

  “Well…I’ve been wanting to taste Mommy ever since I laid eyes on her in the hallway and since Daddy has been in a dry s
pell ever since Miss. Jasmine, I figured we could get rid of Rae and play a little bit. I mean...get to know each other better.”

  “I highly doubt you’ve been in anything close to a dry spell. And haven’t you done enough playing with this Miss. Jasmine you speak of?” A flirty response came more naturally than I intended it to.

  “No such thing. And besides, I’ve heard pregnant pus…”

  “Stop. Right there. I don’t need to hear anymore.” He gave me a smug look that I wanted to be annoyed by, but knew I couldn’t be considering how turned on I was. Rich wore his arrogance like expensive jewelry; just enough to get your attention so that he could reel you in then charm you out of your panties. Somehow, mine were sliding down my legs without me even touching them.

  “Look Jasmine, I’ll make it simple for you. Blink twice and I’ll send her on her way so we can get to...playing. Blink once and I’ll leave you alone. For now.” I watched closely as his ridiculously long eyelashes fluttered up and down, suddenly hoping our child would inherit them.

  Our child.

  Double dippin’ with Rich would’ve been a no-brainer if baby didn’t exist. But since she did, everything became more complicated.

  What did sex between Rich and I even mean?

  I mean, clearly we didn’t do much thinking it through the first time, but a second time had to mean something; a something I wasn’t quite ready to take on regardless of the throbbing between my thighs from just looking at him.

  But then he licked his lips again staring straight at my breasts; the breasts that were suddenly eager for pleasure rather than the stiff pain I was still getting use to.

  Logic went out of the window as I decided to waste no more time, giving him two blinks.

  rich.

  She was glowing.

  I wasn’t sure if it was because of the baby growing in her belly or the sex we had, but I knew either way it had something to do with me.

  And not even on some cocky shit.

  It just made me feel good to know I could affect her. I could make her happy; bring out the best in her. I could…

  “Why in the hell are you looking at me like that?”

  Back to reality.

  I had quickly learned to never take her attitude personally. It was mostly just a part of her strategy to keep people she was actually afraid of at bay. She made herself seem tough though I knew from glimpses of her vulnerability that there was still a softness to her.

  So instead of getting an attitude right back with her ass, I simply replied, “You’re actually pretty cute when you’re sleeping. It’s a much better look than that scowl you seem to prefer.”

  “Scowl? I don’t scowl. That’s my natural face. My friend Ariel calls it my resting bitch face.”

  I recognized the name and decided to ask, “Ariel? That’s Jamison’s chick right?”

  She turned to me, keeping herself covered as if I hadn’t saw every inch of her and questioned, “Wait…how do you know Jamison?”

  “We workout together. But am I right?”

  She shrugged nonchalantly as if she didn’t wanna give me my credit. “Yeah, you’re right.”

  “See I do know something about you after all. She’s your best friend. Runs her own little company and shit. Maybe we should double date or something.” It made total sense to me though I could immediately tell Jasmine wasn’t feelin’ it at all.

  “Double date? Rich, you cannot be serious.”

  Apparently, I wasn’t making my intentions clear enough so I broke it down to her. “Jasmine, you do realize I’m not going anywhere right? You might as well get more comfortable with me. I mean, you sure don’t mind getting comfortable with my…”

  Catching on to my words, she quickly interjected, “I’m...not gonna dispute that but good sex isn’t enough to convince me that I should just up and move-in with you, double date with you, nor marry you.”

  “Well, how about this; let me take you out on a real date tonight. Like a first date. You get dressed up; I get dressed up, the whole nine. Then you can decide if you like me or not. Not that your decision is gonna get rid of me but I think if you gave yourself the opportunity to see me for who I really am then you wouldn’t be acting so uptight about everything.” I watched her every move, trying to get a read on her body language instead of waiting for her words. Her body told a lot more of her story than her verbal response would and right now, I could tell by the way she was gliding her tongue across her teeth that she was thinking of an excuse.

  “Rich, I…”

  “Quit thinking so much and just say yes.”

  “But what about your girlfriend?”

  Not again.

  “I already told you, I don’t do that boyfriend-girlfriend shit. I haven’t even talked to the girl you saw me with since that night.” Jasmine’s eyes scanned my upper body, most likely applying her lawyer skills to look for signs of dishonesty.

  When she didn’t find anything, she finally replied, “Umm...you know what...okay.”

  “Okay?”

  “Yes, I’ll go out with you, Rich.”

  “Yes, Daddy?”

  “Fuck you.”

  “Been there, done that Miss. Jasmine. Gotta come up with something new.”

  I could tell from the change in her expression that she had gone into deep thought about something; a something she was nervous to bring up by the way she was distinctively avoiding eye contact.

  Damn, maybe I should’ve gone to law school.

  I watched intently as she took a deep breath, then finally peeked up, meeting my eyes. “I’m sure you have a slew of women chasing after you so why do you...you know...want me like that?” It was a fair question though I wasn’t expecting Jasmine to willingly make herself a little vulnerable by asking it.

  Maybe we were making a little progress after all.

  Instead of going into some emotional BS, I gave her a little of the real, “I don’t know. I guess there’s just something exhilarating about dickin’ down my baby mama.”

  “Don’t you dare call me that!”

  “What? That’s what you are. My baby mama. I mean, since you turned down my proposal…”

  “Well yeah considering I hardly know you. I can accept not being made an honest woman for the sake of not marrying a stranger. I mean, you should see the stories that slide across my desk from people who did just that and…”

  “Save the law talk, baby mama. I’m ready for my morning dose.” I had quickly become addicted to everything Jasmine was in her sexual state. Even with child, she was easily the most sexually in-tune woman I had ever been with.

  I hovered over her but she immediately put her hands to my chest, stopping me from leaning in for a kiss.

  “Sorry Rich, but your baby mama needs a nap.”

  “You just woke up.”

  “Well when you start carrying a baby every day, you can tell me when it’s appropriate to sleep. But until then, I’m going back to bed.”

  jasmine.

  “I can’t go.”

  I had Ariel on speakerphone as I paced back and forth in my walk-in closet. Picking out an outfit had never been an issue for me but all of a sudden, nothing looked right, nothing felt right, and since two wrongs don’t make a right, I took it as a sign that I should stay home instead of going out on a date with Rich.

  “Jaz, your level of ridiculousness is on like...eleven right now. Are you really trying to tell me you can’t go...on a date...with your baby daddy?” Though I could think about the word ‘baby daddy’ in reference to Rich, it sounded like trash when somebody else actually used it out loud.

  “Ugh, you know how much I hate that damn title. But yes, that’s exactly what I’m telling you. I just feel like we’re doing way too much, way too fast.”

  “Umm...reality check, Jaz. Ya’ll did the absolute most to start off with so everything beyond that is practically small scale, especially a date. I mean, the whole reason this baby exists is because you kinda wanted to date him so why are yo
u being all weird about it now?” Ariel was the queen of good ass questions. There was literally no reason for me to be so uncomfortable besides the fact that I was carrying his baby and didn’t even know basic information like his middle name. And the fact that he was actually one of the finest dudes I had ever gone out with and I already knew he could slang the pipe. Oh, and the fact that I knew I wouldn’t be able to calm the little nerves I always got about stuff like dating with a drink thanks to baby girl turning me into a sober saint.

  So maybe my awkwardness was justified after all.

  “Everything about this situation is just so…”

  “Out of the norm? I get it, but you gotta go with the flow girl. I mean, from everything you’ve told me it sounds like Rich is actually trying; maybe a little extreme but he’s giving a valid effort. Now it’s your turn to try. And I know that’s a big stretch for you but things can only get better if you give a little.”

  “I already gave him the ride of his life and you see where that got me.”

  “Jasmine…”

  “Okay, okay, I hear you Ariel. I swear I have the worst of luck though. You have a one night stand and it turns into the love of your life. I have a one night stand and it turns into a fuckin’ baby.” I still couldn’t believe I had been irresponsible enough to have sex without protection and it just so happened to have been the same month that I had fallen off-track with my birth control pills.

  I guess an overly busy schedule will do that to you.

  “Jaz, a baby will kind of be like the love of your life too.”

  I took a glance at the mirror, turning to the side to remind myself just how much loving the baby was already doing. “You mean this already overgrown mothafucka that’s ruining every chance of me having a normal body in the future? That doesn’t sound very loving to me.” Though baby wasn’t that big yet, she was surely big enough to wreak havoc.