One Hot Summer (A Romance Novella) by Niobia Bryant

Author:Niobia Bryant
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: African-American romance, black romance, Contemporary romance, romance novella, romance short stories, steamy romance, sexy romance
Publisher: Infinite Ink Presents...
Published: 2022-07-24T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

Summer Madness - Kool & the Gang

.

One Week Later

What to do, Love?

Love sighed, closing her eyes as the sounds of John Coltrane floated in through the open door of the rooftop. For her, relaxation equaled a hot bubble bath and then slipping into silk men-style pajamas, followed by sipping on a martini while listening to music playing as she lounged on the rooftop. The heavy scent of summer was in the air, mingling with the scent of the flowers blooming on the trees in the backyard.

Of course, Maleek’s passionate lovemaking would be hotter than the tub, his skin would be smoother than silk, his kisses would drug her more than the liquor, and the touch of that man would draw out sounds way sweeter than even the strains of classic Coltrane.

She had stopped counting the days—no months—since she had a man in her life. In her bed. At least the frustration was good for her creativity and her business. What else did she have to focus on?

Not that she needed a man, but she certainly was independent, smart, and forward-thinking enough to admit that she wanted a man in her life. She wanted the whole picture that she never quite accomplished with Byron. The dreams he destroyed with his infidelity.

Then again, maybe the reality was never there in her marriage. Maybe the fading of her dreams happened before his affair. They had the time put in, the dream wedding, and the perfect homes. But no children. No family portraits. No remake of the Huxtables—the perfect upper-middle-class Black family.

Love sighed as she looked up to the Harlem sun, loving the feel of it on her skin. She longed for time to get away for even a mini-vacation to somewhere tropical where she could lounge on the white sand beaches in a bikini and do absolutely nothing. It was so ironic that she loved summer so much, but she was too busy grinding for her business to truly enjoy it. She knew, just like every other year, that it would rush to an end and she would be left with nothing but regrets. The coulda, woulda, shouldas.

The day was gone. Her workday complete. Her personal life unfulfilled.

She turned on the rooftop and looked out at it. Decorated like an upscale spa and ready for entertainment. Promises unfulfilled of parties and gatherings for her friends. Days missed of lounging topless in the sun and even pretending to be at peace.

Her summer oasis.

All of it going to waste.

What to do, Love?

She allowed herself one last glance up at the sun before she left the rooftop and made her way down the stairs. The sound of the music playing from her living room got louder with each step. She took a deep sip of her wine as she eyed the dozens upon dozens of roses filling her living room. All varieties. Various states of bloom. The scents mingled to fill her apartment with the aroma of sweet summer.

Love was being wooed.

Maleek hadn’t called or even come by her office.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.