“People have become addicted to safaris after just one, you know?”
“I can pretty much guarantee that I won’t be one of them.”
Her laughter was more genuine then. Roman sat in approval of the sound. Easy silence moved in then and Roman watched Imani eat until she had consumed well over half the eggs, bacon and tea biscuits on her plate.
“Will you tell me what’s wrong now?”
“What?” Eyes flaring, Imani pinned her husband with a panicked look. “I-nothing-”
“Imani-”
“I swear it’s nothing, just a little...discomfort. I know it’s normal after...”
“Okay,” Roman’s eyes were narrowed to the point of closing. “And what else? What?” His long brows rose in challenge. “What else is bothering you?”
“Nothing-”
“Imani.”
“Roman, I-”
“Imani.”
“Alright!” She brought a hand to her mouth as though it were a remedy to induce calm. “Alright.” her tone was quieter. “I-it’s just that I don’t think I was very um...very ladylike last night.” She cleared her throat noisily and looked everywhere but her husband’s face.
Roman appreciated that, since he was unable to hide the broad smile curving his mouth.
Imani was mortified by the admission and it took her some time to manage eye contact. By then, Roman had somewhat guarded his expression.
“Why would you think that? We don’t leave until you tell me,” he added when she didn’t seem eager to reply.
Bristling, Imani lanced him with a loathing stare. In response, Roman appeared even more gleeful.
“I just know I wasn’t.”
“How?”
“I just do, okay? There were things...” her throat felt tight but she pressed on and refused to reach for her waterglass. “There were things I-I did last night that a lady sh-shouldn’t do and she certainly shouldn’t want to.”
“I see...” Roman put his most serious expression in place. “And you say you just... know this, huh?”
Imani heard his sarcasm and pursed her lips. “I was talking to Ashira.”
Roman scowled. “Your boy crazy cousin.”
“And Chazria-”
“Your shy cousin.”
Imani ignored him. “Ashira was telling us things about...things she’s done and how she liked them. Chaz said no lady would do such things, much less like them and especially when- anyway Chaz would know. She’s a lady, Roman. You know she is.”
“I know,” his smile was tender as he thought of Chazria Morris who was the exact opposite of her older sister.
“Especially when what?”
“What?” Imani laughed out her response.
“You said, Chazria said no lady would do such things much less like them, especially when... what?”
“Oh!” Imani fidgeted with her silverware. “Nothing really just-just stuff.”
“Like what?”
“Roman...”
“Yes?”
She huffed. “Especially when it’s so easy to be disrespected when white men think black women are only good for spectacular sex.”
Roman’s jaw clenched, though he didn’t seem surprised by the admission. “Do you believe I married you because I think that?’
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I think all you have to do to get a girl to sleep with you is to look at her-white or black. You certainly don’t have to marry her for that.”
“Come over here,” Roman waited with admirable patience while Imani sighed and gingerly pushed from her chair to make her way to his side of the table.
