Working Girls (18 page)

“I got rhythm, and I'm sure that's going to be enough for me to keep up with you,” Rome said, ready to groove with her on a dance floor.

“Well, that's all you need!”

Rome and Jewels walked back into the hotel lobby. They took the elevator to the highest level of the hotel building and walked down the hall toward their room. Rome slid his card key into the door and opened it for Jewels, allowing her to enter the room first. She set her box of leftover filet mignon on the bed, next to her untouched food from earlier.

“You left the room quite a mess.” Rome laughed as he looked around at her clothes, which were scattered across the foot of the bed and the floor.

Jewels hastily began to straighten up the suite and replied, “I'm sorry, Rome. I got in around four thirty and had little time to meet you downstairs. By the way, thank you for the . . .” She struggled to get the name of the flowers out.

“The al-stroe-meri-as,” Rome said, sounding it out for her. “You're welcome, babe.” He unfastened the top button of his gray Giorgio Armani dress shirt and sat on the edge of the bed. He grabbed the remote off of the nightstand and pointed it toward the TV.

“Yeah, they are beautiful,” Jewels said, running her fingertips over the flowers' soft petals. She then noticed her new watch shining on her wrist. “And the watch! Thank you for that too! You shouldn't spoil me so much.”

“And why is that?” Rome asked, flipping through the channels until he found the highlights from the basketball games he'd missed.

“Because it only makes me want you more,” replied Jewels. She went into the bathroom.

“Last I recalled, that wasn't a bad thing,” was Rome's reply.

Jewels waited until she had washed her hands and was out of the bathroom to respond. “It's not a bad thing . . . for you. But for me . . . It's . . . just that . . . I don't want to be let down in the end. Then I'm left to suffer from the misery of whether to throw away your gifts or not. And, baby, let me tell you, I don't want to get rid of this watch if we ever have a fallout.”

Rome grinned at her response. “I wouldn't want you to. At least it'll be something to remind you of me,” he said, half grinning.

Jewels threw her hands up and said, “Wait a minute. Look at us! What are we talking like this for? You haven't done anything that would make me want to avoid you. You've been the perfect gentleman, the perfect man. I'm really glad I made the decision I did.”

Rome knew that her many thank-yous were sincere and that Jewels's feelings for him had deepened since they'd arrived in Atlantic City. He still had surprises to come for Jewels. He eyed the alarm clock and noted the time. They had thirty minutes until the club doors opened.

Rome grabbed the half blunt from off the nightstand and felt the pockets of his Armani Exchange jeans for a lighter. Armed with the blunt and a light, he moved to the balcony overlooking the ocean, which was glistening from the shine of a glowing full moon. Jewels slid the balcony doors open farther and joined him.

“Pretty, isn't it?” Jewels asked. A memory of watching the sunset from the Pacific Coast Highway with Rome came into her thoughts, putting a smile on her face.

“What are you smiling about?” Rome said after blowing smoke in the direction opposite her.

“Just thinking about how I've seen some of the most beautiful scenes with you. Remember when we watched the sunset back home?” she said, folding her arms and rubbing her elbows as a breeze blew by.

“I do remember,” Rome answered.

Jewels's bright eyes sparkled, and her dimple showcased her smile. “Good. I'm glad you do,” she said. Her tone was firm, indicating she was serious, despite the fact that she was having a great time with him in Atlantic City.

Rome nodded his head, letting that be the end of their conversation. He finished off the blunt and placed it in the ashtray on the balcony table. “I think we can head down to the club now. They're probably just opening up.”

Before they left the suite, Rome changed out of his dressy shirt into a more comfortable one. He and Jewels took the elevator back down to the now familiar lobby of Caesars, but not before stopping on six other floors for other hotel guests opting to take the elevator.

Sure enough, thumping music could be heard the moment Rome and Jewels neared the club's entrance. It was located on the lobby floor. Jewels noticed it had a modern yet plush design and attracted musical artists and celebrities from every corner of the entertainment world. There was no telling who they'd see inside the club. They were escorted to the VIP table Rome had reserved for them earlier, while waiting for Jewels. The booming music made Jewels want to dance. Rome poured her a shot of Patrón and watched her toss it to the back of her throat. Her face twisted from the sting of the alcohol and then transitioned into a relaxed smile, which let him know she was ready to party.

For the first forty-five minutes they relaxed in their VIP section, canoodling and watching more and more guests enter the club. Jewels took note of how Rome shook hands, owing to the celebrities housed in the VIP booths next to them. What was his affiliation with them? she wondered. She wouldn't dare ask and continued to sit pretty by his side.

The DJ catered to every kind of person's musical needs, spinning hip-hop tracks into house music, bumping the best pop dance hits, and throwing a rock song in every now and then. As the night progressed, so did the couple. Rome and Jewels made their way onto the dance floor. Surrounded by many people, the couple felt as if they were the only two in the room as they rocked to whatever it was the DJ was spinning.

The vibration of his phone, which hadn't buzzed for the past five hours, stopped Rome from dancing. “Wait a second, baby. Let me take care of this.”

Rome quietly walked toward the restroom area, where the music wasn't so loud. He had to answer the call because it was from his peoples who were responsible for them being in A.C. “Hold up. I'm in the club!” he shouted into the receiver, then walked into the restroom

Rome listened to the other caller for a minute before saying, “Yeah. Thanks again. I'll be in touch.” He ended the call, then hurried back to Jewels on the dance floor.

For the next few hours, they popped bottles, danced, and enjoyed their night in Atlantic City. They didn't leave the club until the early morning hours. Once they were back in the hotel suite, they gathered their belongings and packed their bags. Then ordered a quick breakfast from room service, and some hours later, they were back in St. Louis.

 

Jewels broke into a fighting stance. She was startled and had been caught off guard by the unexpected guest.

“Boy!” She walked over to Rome and punched him in the chest. “You scared the hell out of me!” she exclaimed.

Rome chuckled. He had made his way into the bedroom and had closed the door quietly behind him. He could hear the faucet handles turning as Jewels shut the shower water off when he had first entered the bedroom. He had sat down in the chair at the desk and waited. Then, upon hearing the door open, he had turned his attention toward the bathroom. Jewels had stepped out in a see-through robe. She'd still been dripping beads of water. She'd gasped loudly when she saw Rome sitting in the chair. Then she'd assumed that fighting stance.

“Um, what are you doing in here?” she asked now, trying to hide her smile.

“I just got back in town about an hour and a half ago,” he answered, taking the towel off with his eyes.

Jewels clung a little tighter to the towel. “No. What are you doing
here
? I haven't heard from you in days. Days have passed without a word. Now you just show up, like it's all good.” She grabbed her clothes off the door hook with one snatch and found refuge in the bathroom.

As she dressed, she calmed her raging nerves and gathered her emotions. Once her clothes were on, she unlocked the door and stepped out, a lot more comfortable now that she was dressed. Rome was still in the same spot but was now on his cell phone. Jewels wasn't surprised.

“What are you doing? Finding out where you have to be in another hour?” she asked sarcastically. She rolled her eyes once she lost his gaze.

“We have to be downtown,” he answered, putting the phone in his pocket. “In another hour. We have dinner reservations.” A slick grin followed.

Jewels stared at him wildly, her head tilted in disbelief. “Rome, what makes you think you can just come in here and expect me to leave with you? You haven't acknowledged the fact that you didn't call me
at all
when you were in Jersey or New York. Did you get my messages? And I know you didn't go back to Atlantic City without me, did you?” Jewels said, rambling.

Rome stared at her for a moment, absorbing how beautiful she was and how she was finally his. Whatever she was saying, he was clueless. His attention was focused on her body. He loved the fact that she could turn him on inside and outside the bedroom. Ever since she had proven herself with the connect caper, he'd been hooked. All he had ever wanted was a Bonnie to match the Clyde in him. He had found that person in Jewels. They had been rocking for months, and he had come to appreciate everything about her. Ever since he and Red had been seeing major paper, he and Jewels had grown closer. She had become his partner in crime and his ride or die.

Jewels turned around to face Rome. “I guess I'm stuck with you.” She frowned, and then her expression transitioned into a bright smile, which showcased those darling dimples.

After going into the bedroom and retrieving her purse, she returned to the living room. Rome grabbed her hand and led her out the door without saying a word. Jewels followed, although she pretended to resist a little.

“You know you sexy, right?” Rome said, though it was more a statement than a question, once they were in the truck.

“Oh, stop it, Rome. You're just saying that because you know I'm supposed to be mad.” She folded her arms and pushed her lips into a pout.

Rome grabbed her chin with his index finger and thumb and turned her face toward his. “That's my word on everything. I missed you, but you and I both know how things gotta be like this sometimes. I rather be safe than sorry,” he said. Then, without asking, he leaned in and kissed her.

Jewels fell into the kiss. Her hands rubbed the top of his head and lowered to his neck. She pulled away after realizing she was becoming moist between her legs. She inhaled and exhaled.

“To Italian?” Rome asked, speaking with an Italian accent.

“Yes, please.” Jewels lit up. “You must have remembered I'm a fan of Italian food from our first real date at your house.”

“Or maybe I like Italian food,” Rome said with an “all teeth showing” smile.

A short while later, they arrived at the downtown St. Louis restaurant and were immediately seated at a quiet table. After the two of them had finished their meals and enjoyed an intimate conversation, Rome called for the check.

“You ready?” Rome asked as he penned his signature on the bill, then rose from the table.

Jewels nodded, and they left the restaurant. Once they were back on the road, Rome headed northwest of the city.

“Wassup with some sex by the lake?” Rome asked, with a huge grin across his face, as he pulled into the parking area that led to the water.

Jewels rolled her eyes. Then she drew her attention to what was in front of her. She became excited as she looked dreamily at the lake, completely ignoring Rome's question. Rome parked the car just in time to catch the sunset beyond the horizon.

“Look at the sun setting,” Jewels said. She watched the sun until it disappeared, reminding her of when they had first seen a sunset together.

Jewels peered over at Rome. He never ceased to amaze her. As he spoke, she realized that there were still layers to him that she had yet to peel back, despite all the months she had known him. She knew he had lost his mother, and she knew how he had been raised. As far as she was concerned, he was as strong as they came.
Shit. He has to be,
she thought, reflecting on how their lives had come together. He had ultimately made her want to walk away from the only life she knew. She knew it took a strong and secure man to accept her past without judgment.

She had never thought she'd find herself so drawn and attracted to a street dude—and that was who he was, a street dude—but here she was. Jewels couldn't see herself with anyone other than Rome. She just adored him, everything about him. There was a strong magnetic pull about him. She had felt the same force at his home on their second date. It was wonderful to feel it again. Rome somehow felt what she was thinking and felt the love.

Rome was thinking about Jewels at the same time she was thinking about him. He thought back to when he made the decision to continue their relationship.