2. Melissa Domaine
Iwould’ve never thought I’d leave the city to get away and end up running into Roman Blake.
I had been seeing him around from time to time, and every time he would flirt and try to take me out, but I wasn’t off that.
After the year I had, I was still on my fuck-men crusade.
All I wanted to do was date them, fuck some, and keep it moving.
I guess I was on my hoe phase, as Charlee and Fee would say.
I didn’t care, though. It was what it was.
The minute a nigga wanted more than what I wanted, I was out, and I meant that shit.
After we had that drink, I left and Roman did the same, but once I got back to my villa, I noticed he was staying in the one across from mine. I couldn’t do nothing but shake my head.
Out of all the islands, all the resorts, all the damn villas, this man had to be right across from me.
“Of course,” I mumbled, dropping my purse on the counter.
I slid my sandals off and walked over to the balcony doors, peeking through the curtains like I was crazy. Sure enough, Roman was over there, moving around like he had all the time in the world. Calm. Unbothered. Fine as hell.
I rolled my eyes and let the curtain fall shut.
That man was a problem.
And the worst part was, he knew it.
Ever since that night at Club 4 Play, Roman had been popping up more than I wanted him to.
Not in no creepy way exactly, but enough for me to know he was paying attention.
If I came to check on the money Jordan owed me, somehow Roman would be there.
If I stopped by the club for anything, he’d find a reason to slide over and get in my face with that smooth-ass mouth of his and them eyes that always looked like they knew more than he was saying.
A few times back home, he had managed to get me to go out with him. Nothing major. Drinks one night. Food another. A late-night spot another time when I couldn’t sleep and he just happened to call. Every single time, I told myself it wasn’t a date.
And every single time, he acted like he already knew that and didn’t care.
That was the part that made him dangerous.
He never pushed too hard, but he also never backed off.
He would sit across from me all cool and laid back, listening to me talk my shit, laughing when I got smart with him, looking at me in that heavy way that made my stomach start doing flips.
More than once I caught myself getting nervous around him, which irritated me bad because I ain’t never been no shy bitch.
But Roman had a way about him.
The kind that made you feel seen.
The kind that made you feel like if he ever really put that pressure on you, you might fold.
And that was exactly why I kept turning him down.
Because one thing about me, I knew when I was attracted to somebody.
I knew when a man’s voice had started doing too much to me.
I knew when a look lasted too long and had my stomach fluttering and my thoughts drifting where they ain’t have no business going.
Roman did all of that without even trying.
He’d lean in close just to hear me better and I’d have to remind myself to breathe.
He’d put his hand at the small of my back leading me through a doorway, and my whole body would go stupid.
He smelled too good. Looked too good. Talked too damn smooth.
And every time I got around him, them little butterflies started acting up in my stomach, and my body would wake up in ways I was trying hard not to pay attention to.
But wanting a man and trusting one was two different things.
I ain’t trust shit after Jordan with all that damn drama, and after feeling stupid one too many times.
So no matter how good Roman looked, no matter how much tension sat between us when we were together, I stayed keeping him at arm’s length.
He would ask, “Why you always running from me?”
And I’d look him dead in his face and say, “I’m not running. I just know better.”
He would laugh like he knew I was full of shit, and maybe I was.
Still, seeing him across from me on this trip felt like a setup. Like the universe was testing me and my self-control.
I walked into the bedroom and flopped across the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
I had come out here to clear my head, breathe, and get away from everything that had been weighing on me. My dad, the drama, the hurt, the nonstop mess that kept finding me back home. I needed peace.
Not six-foot-something, fine, rich, persistent-ass Roman Blake staying across the damn walkway from me.
I closed my eyes and let out a long breath, but the second I did, all I could see was his face when he looked at me downstairs. That little smirk. Them dark eyes sliding over me like he was happy to see me and already plotting at the same time.
“Girl, get it together,” I whispered to myself.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand, and when I looked over, I saw Charlee’s name lighting up the screen.
I answered on the second ring. “What?”
She laughed. “Damn, bitch. You sound irritated.”
“I’m on vacation. Why are you calling me?”
“To check on you, rude ass. How you doing?”
“I’m alive.”
“That’s it?”
I sat up and rubbed my forehead. “Roman out here.”
There was a pause.
Then Charlee screamed so loud I had to pull the phone from my ear.
“Roman Blake?”
“Yes, Roman Blake!” I snapped. “Why you hollering?”
“Oh my God. Melissa, that is a sign.”
“That is not a sign. That is bad luck.”
She started laughing. “Girl, stop lying. You like that man.”
“I do not.”
“You do too. Every time his name come up, your attitude get worse.”
“That don’t mean nothing.”
“It mean you want him.”
I sucked my teeth. “Bye, Charlee.”
“Mhm. Whatever. Just don’t do nothing I wouldn’t do.”
“You would do everything.”
“And with no regrets,” she said proudly.
That made me laugh in spite of myself.
After I got off the phone with her, I took a shower and tried to shake the whole thing off. I told myself if I happened to see Roman again, I was going to keep it cute, keep it brief, and go on about my business. So I thought.
The next morning…
I had on a little two-piece cover-up set over my bathing suit, my shades on, and a cup of coffee in my hand when I stepped outside. I was locking my door when I looked up and there he was, standing on his balcony across from me in some gray shorts and nothing else.
Lord.
I froze for half a second before catching myself.
Roman looked over and grinned like he had been waiting on me to come outside.
“Mornin’, Melissa.”
I adjusted my shades. “You ain’t got nothing else to do besides be in my face?”
He chuckled and leaned on the railing. “Damn, you always this pleasant in the morning?”
“I was, till I seen you.”
That only made his smile wider.
“Good. So I’m on your mind early.”
I rolled my eyes so hard I almost gave myself a headache. “Please don’t start.”
“You going to the beach?” he asked.
I looked down at what I had on, then back at him. “No, Roman. I’m dressed like this to go to church.”
He laughed, rich and deep, and I hated how much I liked the sound of it.
“Aight, smart mouth. Let me walk with you.”
“I’m good.”
“I wasn’t asking.”
“And that right there is exactly why I say no to you.”
He tilted his head, still smiling. “You say no, but you keep ending up around me.”
I opened my mouth to come back with something slick, but the truth sat heavy on my tongue.
Because he wasn’t wrong.
And that was the problem.
I turned and started walking anyway, hearing his door open a few seconds later.
Of course he was coming.
I kept my eyes forward as he fell into step beside me, close enough for me to catch that clean, expensive scent of his. It did something unnecessary to me instantly.
“Relax,” he said. “I’m just walking.”
“I was relaxed till you showed up.”
“Nah,” he said, glancing down at me. “You nervous.”
I looked over at him. “Boy, please.”
His eyes held mine for a second too long, and there it was again… that stupid little flip in my stomach.
Right then and there I knew this trip was about to be a problem.