Roman watched her reach for the small cup. Easily, he relieved her of it and sniffed the contents. Espresso.
“You’ll hate yourself for using this in place of sleep.”
She sent a hooded glance around the balcony. “Do you think they would mind if I stretched out here?”
Roman shifted on the booth. “I’ve got a better idea,” settling down low on the booth, he put his foot up on the seat and tugged off Imani’s cap. He pulled her close, so that her head could rest on his shoulder.
Refusal never occured to Imani. She was far too sleepy. Not to mention, far too curious to know what he felt like. She had known strong, good men all her life. Men as strong in body as they were in mind, heart and spirit. Trouble was, they were all men in her family.
She had never met one who could be her very own-one to love and cherish as her mother did her father. She didn’t know if Roman Tesano possessed strength of heart, mind and spirit. She doubted she would have time to get to know him well enough to determine that. Here, now, though she could at least find out if his physical strength was all that his body proclaimed.
“This won’t be long,” he promised even though she’d given no hint of hesitation. “You’ll put my arm to sleep if you stay here too long.”
Imani tried to laugh, but could no longer fight the weight of her eyelids and eased closer.
Roman rested back as well. He was leagues from exhaustion and right on the heels of desire. While Imani’s head rested near the crook of his shoulder, he set his cheek to the top of her head. The softness of her braids on his skin made him smile. Deeply, he inhaled the scent of honey and coconut clinging to them. He held her close, cherishing whatever time with her he was meant to have.
~23~
That morning’s brisk air kept the balcony pretty much deserted. Roman enjoyed his time there with Imani. While she dozed, he studied the shape and feel of her hands liking how delicate they appeared against his. He appreciated the elegant appeal of her fingers and was awed by the striking contrast of their skin tones.
You’ll want her forever. He couldn’t deny the words echoing in some far off corner of his mind. He knew they were true.
~~~
Roman drifted off into nap time as well. When he woke, Imani was smiling at him. He reworded the thought that had echoed through his mind earlier. He would want her forever and he would love her forever. He stopped himself scant seconds before confessing as much. Thankfully, he realized the danger in that and kept his mouth shut. He was sure to scare the life from her if he told her he loved her. How the hell could he not feel that way about her? Poise, grace and her heartstopping face were only window dressing. He had never met anyone with her spirit.
Imani Kamande had been born into the kind of privilege few could claim and she had somehow kept her sweetness, her compassion, her humanity. He wasn’t a complete idiot. He knew there were other girls who possessed similar qualities. Too bad for them, Imani Kamande had already taken his heart.
“Looks like you had a late night too,” she said, her eyes drifting to his jaw, “and a rough one,” she took note of the bruise there.
Roman savored the feel of her fingertips when she moved closer to brush his skin. “The gym this morning,” he took a moment to squeeze her hand before he pulled it away.
“It’s lunch time,” she offered a warm smile. “I ordered us burgers and fries-what?”
Roman was grinning. “Never would’ve thought you’d like anything like that.”
“Why? Because I’m from Africa?” amusement singed her voice.
“No, because you’re royalty.”
She laughed then. “Your country has an interesting way of viewing royalty.”
“Your father is a king.”
“A chief,” she corrected. “There are many chiefs where I’m from. In truth, my father isn’t the chief-not in the sense that he’s anyone’s ruler. His business success and generosity because of that success has won him that role among our people. Or may win him that role when the time comes. Right now, the title still belongs to his eldest brother until he steps down.”
“When will that be?” Roman asked.
Imani smiled. “When my father decides he’s ready to settle down and accept it. However, we’re blessed in my country to have many men worthy enough to accept the honor.”
“Are they all as powerful as him?” Roman’s dark eyes were probing as they searched her face.
“He’s among the more powerful.”
“And wealthy.”
Imani shrugged. “He’s been fortunate in his investments.”
“I’ll say,” Roman sighed out a laugh. “He’s able to send his daughter to school in London and bring his kids and nephews on vacation to America.”
“So...power and money equal royalty in your country?”
Roman shrugged.
Imani inclined her head. “I see. Your Majesty.”
They were laughing when their food arrived. The waiter left after addressing Imani as ‘Your Highness’ and she questioned Roman’s grimace.
“Do you know how badly people in my country can treat people who look like you?” he asked.
Imani added mustard to her burger and nodded. “This is why I cringe at labels. If the perception of royalty is what it takes to be respected by Americans, I rather not have their respect.”
“So...no to the respect, but okay with the perception of royalty, right?”
The tease ushered in another quiet wave of laughter.
***
