No More Roses
an excerpt

Chapter One

“Thank God that’s over with,” Alyssa walked out of the conference with a sigh of relief.

“I know. I thought she’d never let us out of there,” Megan responded.

Alyssa walked back to her office as she spoke to her friend for the past three years. The fundraiser meeting lasted longer than they expected. It wasn’t how she planned on spending her afternoon following lunch. She was just relieved off her butt. It grew numb after the first hour.

“We still on for Saturday?” Megan asked.

“Yep.”

“What does Mr. Perfect have planned for you guys tonight for your six month anniversary?”

“I don’t know. He didn’t tell me. It’s a surprise,” Alyssa rolled her eyes.

Jason, Mr. Perfect, as her friends teased, said to keep her evening free just for him. This wasn’t the first time he requested her to do so, but disappointment wasn’t too far away.

He worked for the Senator of Virginia as his Chief of Staff, a big deal for an up and coming African American man in the realm of the Republican Party and for someone so young.

Jason was brilliant. He graduated from Brown University with a degree in Political Science and then to law school at Georgetown. He had aspirations in politics and planned to have Alyssa as his First Lady. It’d be a big change from her humble beginnings.

The two women came to Alyssa’s desk first and were surprised by the large, beautiful bouquet of colorful tulips on her desk. The massive crystal vase held the magnificent floral display for all to see. Two dozen red, orange, and yellow tulips were like a burst of sunshine that brightened the office.

“Oh my goodness,” said Alyssa.

She couldn’t hide her joy if her life depended on it. Several other women from the meeting came to have a look at her wonderful gift.

“Wow Alyssa. That man of yours is something else,” Megan took a whiff of the pretty flowers.

“Yeah,” she looked into the bouquet and found a card.

“What does it say?” asked Doris, a co-worker.

“That’s personal,” said Megan as she looked over Alyssa’s shoulder to take a peek.

“You are always on my mind,” Alyssa read aloud.

No signature. Guess he felt he didn’t need to. How sweet.

Alyssa love d the attention someone gets when they received flowers at work from a loved one. This simple, but expensive jester, made her feel special. It was something she didn’t expect from Jason. She assumed he tried real hard to make their anniversary perfect to make-up for canceling their trip to New York two weeks earlier because the senator had some crisis that needed Jason’s presence.

He even remembered to get her tulips and not the usual roses. Tulips were her favorite.

As the women went back to work, Alyssa decided not to wait until later to call Jason.

“Monroe speaking.” Alyssa loved the sound of his deep voice.

“Hey baby.”

“Hi, how are you?”

“Good. I just wanted to thank you for the flowers.”

“Oh, you got them already?”

“Yeah and I love them.”

“Wonderful. I’m sorry honey, but I really need to go. I’ll see you later tonight,” he said.

“I better.”

“Promise.”

“Okay.”

They said their goodbyes and hung up.

Alyssa had a hard time concentrating with the flowers in front of her. She was mesmerized by the brilliant colors and the fragrant aroma. It meant so much to her that Jason remembered and that she was always on his mind.

She thought about the time she first met Jason six months ago at the Child Advocate Movement House (CAM House) Spring Fundraiser, a non-profit organization she worked for. He was there with Senator Hopkins, who supported Cam House. Jason had shown a great interest in her and she couldn’t deny her attraction to the tall, milk chocolate, devastatingly handsome man.

Alyssa had sworn off men ever since she came to D.C. and took a vow of celibacy, but when she took the time to get to know Jason, all that flew out the window. A caring, intelligent, stable brother who was looking for someone to marry and have children with swept her off of her feet. He represented a normal life and an opportunity to continue to help the community.

Alyssa packed up her things and headed home early. She wanted some extra time to get ready for her date.

Maybe it was the night.

She’d been seeing Jason for the past six months and they still haven’t had sex. He was the perfect gentleman and said she was worth the wait. It’s been years since she indulged in the pleasures of the flesh. The last time she did, her heart was broken. She came across several attractive men who wanted to be with her over the years, but had no interest to risk her heart again.

Alyssa only grew more beautiful since her last lover at age eighteen. She had the same mahogany skin and exotic almond shaped brown eyes. Her five foot five stature grew more curvaceous with maturity and her black hair fell in waves past her shoulders.

Alyssa lugged her flowers up the stairs to get to her third floor apartment she shared with her roommate, Lauren. When she got to her front door, she was greeted by a long whit box with a big red ribbon tied into a bow.

Huh. That’s strange.

She looked at the tulips in her arm and then the box that was obviously held a dozen roses.

She opened the door to her apartment and set the tulips down onto the coffee table. She went back to the door and brought in the box.

“This could only be one thing,” she said to herself.

She sat on her sofa and pulled the ribbon from the box. She lifted the cover and saw a dozen roses inside with a card.

Happy Anniversary, Alyssa. Jason XOXO

Alyssa sighed in confusion and disappointment. She should have known better. It was too good to be true. Jason never remembered. Ever since their first date, he always gave her roses, even after she’d told him she didn’t care for roses, she liked tulips. She knew she should be grateful that he remembered at all, but it’s the little things that mattered to her, even if he sent her one tulip, that would mean the world to her.

So, if he got her the roses, who were the tulips from?

Who else would know something like that? The only other person who’d know wouldn’t give her the time of day or a second thought. She was just a distant part of his past.

Alyssa put the roses in water and set them on her dining room table. They did look beautiful. Big, plump and a deep red, but nor as radiant as the two dozen tulips.

She took her shower and got ready for her evening with Jason. She decided on a simple spaghetti strapped black dress that came down to her knees and form fitting, since she didn’t know where he was taking her.

Can’t go wrong with a black dress and heels.

“I’m home!” yelled Lauren from the living room as she came in. “Nice flowers!”

Alyssa heard Lauren walking around the living room dumping her stuff on the table and turning the television on. Lauren’s routine became second nature and after living together for four years, Alyssa knew what Lauren was doing in another room without being there.

“Who are the tulips from?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” Alyssa yelled back.

“You are always on my mind," she read on the card. "Do you have a secret admirer I don’t know about?”

“If I did you’d be the first one to know,” Alyssa emerged from her bedroom as she put an earring on.

Lauren’s nose was in the tulips inhaling the fresh scent. Her glasses barely stood its ground at the tip of her nose and her black hair was pulled back by a rubber band. She dressed in her usual slacks, oxford button shirt and suit jacket. Lauren was the most liberal person Alyssa knew and the first bisexual black woman she ever met.

The two met during their sociology class their junior year in college and hit it off as friends. Being from a small town in Texas, Alyssa never met anyone like Lauren. She stood at five foot eight with a trim body from all her running. She introduced Alyssa to a whole new world of people she would have never encountered back in Schulenburg.

“Wow, you look great!” Lauren said.

“Thanks, Jason will be here in a few.”

“Oh,” Lauren couldn’t hide her disapproval.

“Lauren,” Alyssa pleaded.

“I didn’t say anything,” Lauren plopped down onto the overstuffed chair.

“You were thinking it. I don’t get why you two don’t get along.”

“It isn’t obvious?”

“He’s a wonderful man. I’m lucky to have him.”

“You can do far better.”

“No. He’s the best.”

“He is chauvinistic, judgmental and a racist.”

“Racist? That’s not possible.”

“Yeah, and I thought black Republicans were a myth, but Jason proved they exist. He’s like a taller version of Carlton Banks from the Fresh Prince of Bellaire. He doesn’t relate with black people and he doesn’t like them.”

“That’s not true,” Alyssa laughed.

“Look Alyssa, I love you like a sister and I only want you to be happy. If you love him, then by all means, be happy and go for it, but…”

“But what?”

“I don’t think you’re happy. I think you’re with Jason because you think he’s the type of guy you’re suppose to be with. I think you’re only settling, but that’s just my opinion.”

“Well, thank you Oprah. You’re entitled to your opinion and I’m entitled to live my own life. I know you care about me, but I’m getting tired of arguing with you about Jason.”

“We’re not arguing. We are having a friendly adult conversation,” Lauren smiled and batted her eyelashes.

Alyssa knew Lauren couldn’t stand Jason and he didn’t care too much for the headstrong ambitious roommate who was enrolled in her second year of law school at Georgetown. Alyssa thought they would have a lot in common since they went to the same school, but Lauren was on the other side of the spectrum and intended to work with the ACLU and become a human rights activist for the GLBT community.

There was a knock on the door and Lauren went to answer.

“Monroe,” Lauren greeted Jason then stepped aside to let him in.

“Callaway,” he walked past her without giving her a second glance.

“Hi,” Alyssa kissed him on the cheek when he hugged her.

“Hello. Happy Anniversary sweetheart.”

“Thank you.”

Jason noticed the tulips on the coffee table and saw the roses he gave her on the dining room table.

“Nice flowers,” he cocked his head toward the tulips.

“Yeah, I got them at the office,” she said slowly gauging his response.

“You did? And you thought those were the flowers I got you when you called to thank me,” he looked up at the ceiling realizing what happened.

Alyssa nodded. “As soon as I got home, the roses were already at the front door, so, thank you.”

“Your welcome.”

“I wonder who sent her tulips. Who else would know to send Alyssa her favorite flowers?” Lauren goaded. Alyssa gave her a warning look.

“Yes Alyssa. Who would send you flowers? Was there a card?”

“No,” Alyssa said before Lauren could utter a word. She gave Alyssa a questioning look. Jason caught the awkward exchange between the two women but decided to let it go.

“Okay my lady. Let’s get going,” he grabbed her coat off the rack and help her put it on.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“I told you it’s a surprise. You’ll see.”

“We’re not going to Craven’s are we?” she looked up into his brown eyes.

“No and what’s wrong with Craven’s?”

“We always go there,” she straightened his tie and patted down the lapels of his jacket.

“You know me so well,” he chuckled. Lauren closed the door behind them as they left.

Alyssa was surprised when they arrived at Jazzy’s, a jazz club and restaurant with a live band and a dance floor. She couldn’t believe Jason took her to a place she’d enjoy. Normally, he wouldn’t be caught dead in an all black establishment, but for Alyssa he made an exception.

“Oh Jason, this is wonderful. Thank you. This means so much to me,” she kissed him tenderly in the lips.

“You’re welcome. I know I’ve been neglecting you by working a lot with the senator and I wanted to make things up to you. I want to let you know how much I appreciate your understanding and how much you mean to me.”

“That’s so sweet,” she beamed with happiness.

After they dined on delicious food and wine and listened to soulful jazz music from the talented band, Jason drove a happy Alyssa home. It was times like that when her feelings for Jason grew more. She knew with time she could fall deeply in love with him.

Her friends, especially Lauren, always seemed to put doubts in her mind. There were times when she knew Jason wasn’t the right guy. Could she be with someone who had totally different background, interests, and beliefs? They were both black, but came from two different worlds.

“Would you like to come up?” she asked when he pulled up in front of her brownstone.

“You sure?” he asked, surprised.

“Yes,” she said breathlessly.

Jason parked the car and they walked hand in hand into the building.

The apartment, lighted by the moonlight, was empty. Alyssa figured her roommate already went to bed. She was glad, they could do without Lauren’s put downs and snide remarks. Alyssa wished that her best friends and her boyfriend got along better, but that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon.

She turned on a living room lamp as Jason took a seat on the sofa.

“Would you like something to drink?” she asked even though she knew the answer. She was a bit nervous.

“No, you know I don’t drink much and we already had wine at the restaurant. Come here,” he patted the seat next to him. Alyssa took a seat close to Jason and he placed his arm around her.

Calm down girl. You’ve done this before. It’s like riding a bike. This is supposed to be nice.

It’s been awhile since she’d been intimate with any man since her teens and her heart was pounding a mile a minute. She wanted to know those good feelings again and she was ready to go to the next level with Jason.

“Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?” he asked.

“Yes, but it doesn’t hurt to hear it again.”

“Well, you were the most beautiful lady at the restaurant. I’m a very lucky guy,” he touched the tip of her nose with his finger.

“Yeah and don’t you forget it.”

“I won’t,” he leaned over and kissed her cheek.

Alyssa inhaled his cologne. The musky scent was warm and intoxicating. She wanted to be enveloped in his essence. She wanted more.

He kissed her plump lips with tenderness. She didn’t realize how starved she was for his masculine attention. For so long, Alyssa feared to have any kind of relationship with a man. The hurt she experienced in high school turned her heart cold for a long time. Then Jason came into her life and swept her off her feet. She knew he wasn’t perfect, but she knew her heart was safe in his hands,

Jason continued to ravish her lips. Their tongues danced together in her mouth, she could still taste the wine in his succulent lips. She wrapped her arms around his neck and brought him closer to her. She pressed her breasts against his solid chest and moaned in pleasure at his touch. His hands moved from her knee to her hip and then around to the swell of her rump.

Alyssa hoped that she made it perfectly clear that she was ready. Her left hand found its way to his swollen crotch. His erection pressed firmly against her hand, begging for her consideration. She stroked him through his pants, up and down, slowly but firmly. His breathing became more labored against her lips.

He kissed her cheek, her jaw line and down her neck. His fingers traced the outline of her right nipple, sending shivers up and down her spine. His large hands enveloped her breast, squeezing and kneading her ample flesh.

“Oh please Jason,” her words came out breathlessly.

Jason stood and took Alyssa by the hand. She followed him into her bedroom. He took off her shoes and laid her down onto the bed. When he removed his shoes, Jason laid next to her. He helped her unzip the back of her dress and pulled down the front, revealing her strapless bra. She took off her bra and sighed as the cool air hit her nipples.

Jason attacked her breasts with hunger she didn’t know he was capable of. She moaned as he suckled and kissed her nipples and breasts till they grew hard and sensitive.

“That feels so good,” she ran her fingers over his closely shaven scalp, encouraging him not to stop.

Jason continued his ministrations, but he wanted more of her. He pulled down the rest of her dress and Alyssa was left only in her panties. He returned to her on the bed and kissed her again. She began to unbutton his shirt when his cell phone rang. They froze.

“Ignore it,” she demanded and resumed in removing his shirt. She wanted to distract him so she began to kiss his neck as the phone in his pants carried on.

“Doesn’t that thing go to voicemail?” he annoyance quite evident.

“Not from the forwarded calls from my office,” he looked down at her with an apologetic smile.

The phone kept ringing so he sat up.

“Please don’t answer that,” she pleaded.

“I’m sorry honey, but I have to. It could be important,” he pulled out the phone and opened it. “Monroe speaking.”

Jason stood up and paced around the room. Alyssa looked on and watched him do what he did best, fixed problems.

“What do you mean you can’t find her? It’s almost midnight. We can’t have that little brat causing trouble for the senator…okay, okay, I’ll be there…”

He’s leaving!

She couldn’t believe what she just heard him say. She covered herself with the down cover on her bed. He shattered the mood.

“…and please make sure no one sees her. The last thing we need is to explain this to the press…alright…bye,” Jason ended the call and put the phone back in his pocket. He turned back to a furious Alyssa. The look on her face warned him to tread carefully.

“Baby, I have to go. There’s a crisis,” he sat on the edge of the bed to put his shoes on.

“Can’t they handle anything without you?” she said curtly.

“Apparently not,” he came towards her to kiss her goodbye, but she wasn’t having it.

“You’re going to leave me like this. You finally have me naked and aroused in bed and you’re going to leave me like this?”

“Honey please. Don’t be this way.”

“Don’t honey baby me!”

“Sshh, don’t yell. You’ll wake Lauren.”

“Fuck Lauren and when do you ever care what she thinks,” she said with attitude.

“Alyssa, you know I don’t like it when you use that kind of language and when you talk like…”

“Like what?”

“You know…Ghetto. Black.”

“Ghetto? Jason, I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but we are black.”

“You don’t have to sound ignorant.”

Alyssa blinked her eyes and took a deep breath. “Get out.”

“I’ll see you on Saturday,” he stated and took his keys out of his pocket.

“Whatever,” she stood at her bedroom door with the blanket wrapped around her.

“Please understand. I have a very important job to do.”

“Then go and do your precious job,” she pouted.

“I’ll call you,” he opened the door and left. Alyssa locked the door behind him.

Why was she surprised? It wasn’t the first time he bailed out on her when they were together. She didn’t know how much more she could take. Was he worth the wait? He better be.

Alyssa went back to her room and closed the door. She didn’t bother to put on any clothes. She wanted to luxuriate in her sheets with her bare skin. If she couldn’t have her man in her bed, her pillow would have to be the next best thing.

... to be continued