An Unconventional Love: A Novella (6 page)

rich.

This shit was becoming all too real.

It was Jasmine’s first real prenatal appointment and since I told her I would be there for her every step of the way, I was standing outside of the OB-GYN’s office waiting for her BMW to pull up. Of course, even for something important like a doctor’s appointment, she was running a little late. I scrolled through my phone, checking some emails, until I heard her whipping into the parking lot. In no time at all, I could hear the click of her heels against the pavement as she headed my way.

She continued walking past me, casually throwing, “Rich.” over her shoulder.

I caught up to her just in time to get the door as I replied, “Miss. Jasmine.”

“Surprised you actually showed up.”

I was a little confused as to why she would think otherwise, so I had to ask, “Why wouldn’t I?”

She shrugged her shoulders, continuing her pursuit of the receptionist’s desk as she answered, “Figured you were all talk.” I waited for her to check-in and get the clipboard of paperwork before I took the opportunity to make things clear.

“Miss. Jasmine, I’m a man of my word. If there’s anything you’ll learn quickly about me, it’s that.”

She plopped down in her chair, multi-tasking the paperwork and our conversation as she responded, “Well, I’m really not interested in learning anything about you. Quickly
or
slowly.”

“You weren’t saying that when you were learning about my…”

She cut me off, “Don’t you go there with me, Rich.” I put my hands up in defense knowing that even though I was getting under her skin, she knew exactly what I was talking about.

And I definitely couldn’t wait to teach her another lesson.

We waited for a good ten minutes before a nurse came out and whisked us to the back of the office. I stood outside of the room as Jasmine changed into a hospital gown though I wasn’t sure why she was desperate for the privacy as if I hadn’t already saw every inch of her the night we were together. But I wasn’t in the mood to cause a scene so I waited outside of the room as she asked.

After a few minutes, I gave a little knock on the door before re-entering the room. I immediately sensed Jasmine’s discomfort about the situation, so I walked over to the side of the bed and grabbed her hand. Surprisingly enough, she didn’t pull back yet again. I didn’t say anything to her, didn’t even look at her, just rubbed the back of her hand with my thumb to hopefully help ease some tension. It wasn’t until there was a knock on the door that she pulled her hand out of my hold.

“Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, I’m Dr. Palmer.” The woman stuck her hand out to me and I couldn’t help snickering at the way she addressed us knowing it probably annoyed the hell out of Jasmine. Instead of letting her handle it, I corrected her on my own.

“Actually, it’s just Jasmine and Rich. We’re not married.”

“Oh. My apologies. I just assumed that…”

“You should
never
assume...Dr. Palmer was it?” Jasmine questioned with an attitude making the woman turned beet red.

“
Yes
...yes that’s correct.” She was trying to regroup and I almost felt bad for her. Surely she didn’t mean any harm but that didn’t matter to the little firecracker on the table. Dr. Palmer took a deep breath as she said, “Let’s take a look at the baby, shall we?” Both Jasmine and I shook our heads yes as the doctor squeezed the tube of ultrasound gel onto her belly. She rubbed the gel around with a little wand before there was a loud thumping sound coming from the machine.

“What’s that?” I asked, with my eyes glued to the screen as I watched a little sac come into view.

“That’d be the baby’s heartbeat.”

The baby’s heartbeat.

I looked down to Jasmine whose eyes were also on the screen. A little tear ran down her cheek and I couldn’t resist the urge to lean in and swipe it for her. Her eyes darted over to me and there was nothing she could do to hide the fearfulness they held. It was then that I realized the whole purpose of me being there was so that I could make her more comfortable.

I grazed her cheek with the back of my hand and whispered, “I got you.”

)~o~(

“No freakin’ way, Rich. I can take an unexpected baby, but I cannot take a whole new, fully-grown person moving in with us.” I had a strong feeling Rae wasn’t gonna approve but I knew I at least had to give her a heads up before approaching Jasmine about it.

Rae was the easier target of the two.

“I’m not raising my child in two different households and I’m not going anywhere, so that means Jasmine is gonna have to come here. Besides, you’ll really only be here for the rest of the school year plus the summer before I’ll be shipping you off to college anyway so it’ll just be a temporary thing for you.” I could tell those additional facts had her at least contemplating the idea.

She crossed her legs on the bed before asking, “How far along is she?”

“About 12 weeks.” The better mood she seemed to be in quickly faded at that information

“So you’re tellin’ me I’ll have to spend my last few weeks here with a crying newborn and spend the six to seven-ish months before that with his overly-emotional mother? How much are you paying me?” Though I couldn’t knock her effort to get something more in exchange, I also knew I was already giving her plenty.

“I’m paying you eight months of life somewhere other than the streets of California. That’s what I’m paying you.”

“You wouldn’t put me on the streets, Rich.”

“I wouldn’t
put
you there, but that’s surely an option if you don’t wanna be here with your future sister-in-law and nephew.”

“Hold on.
Sister-in-law?
Now you’re gonna marry the girl?! You hardly even know her!” Rae was stating nothing but facts but that certainly wasn’t gonna stop me from making it happen.

“But I’ll get to know her. And so will you. I’m gonna invite her over for dinner on Friday night and I want you to join us.”

“Are you serious, Rich? You know good and well I always have plans on Friday nights.”

“Well you can consider them cancelled.”

“But Rich…”

“But Rich, nothin’. This is very important to me, Rae. All you have to do is show up and maybe I’ll let you out early so you can still hang with your friends.”

“I’m gonna need that in writing just in case you try to change your mind.”

I guess we have two future lawyers in the family.

jasmine.

The last thing I needed to be attending was another damn dinner party.

Yet here I was, trembling on my already expanding ankles as I mentally prepped myself for the visit.

Though I knew I would only be sharing the table with Rich and his little sister, I also knew that could get just as ugly as the one with my own family, especially considering the capacity of my initial interactions with the both of them. But after consulting with Ariel, she made it sound like a no-brainer that I get to know his family. I mean, what if they had a crazy gene I needed to know about? Or a weird mole that everyone in their family shared that I could identify in pictures sprawled amongst the walls?

I took a deep breath before I rang the doorbell of his actually flawless ass house in a pretty flawless ass neighborhood. Everyone had fresh, plush landscaping, three-plus car garages, columns as a part of their entryway; everything that rang upper-middle class. I guess in a way I had lucked out getting pregnant by someone with more than just street cred.

The door was yanked open by a young girl I immediately recognized from the picture as the sister. She eyed me for a long time, before she gave me a full body scan that made me unconsciously strike a little pose. I knew when a girl was sizing me up so of course I had to give her my best.

“Damn girl, those heels are bad. For a pregnant lady, you are slaying hunty.” She even gave me a snap to solidify her appreciation. It was a warm welcome for what I was just sure was gonna be disastrous.

“Umm...thank you, Rae right?”

“In the flesh. It’s nice to finally meet the girl that’s carrying my little nephew.”

Though I couldn’t even tell if I was really showing or if the little bump sprouting from my belly was from all the extra food I had been consuming, I quickly corrected her, “Niece.”

“Right. Anyway, Rich is still getting dressed but you can come on in. He’s changed outfits like eight times so I think he’s nervous about having you here.”

Nervous?

If anything, I should’ve been the nervous one. I was coming into his territory, meeting his little sister and still technically getting to know him, all while carrying our itty-bitty baby.

I followed Rae through the house as she gave me a quick tour as if she was a real estate agent. It was a little strange the way she kept asking me if I liked certain things about the house, but I figured it was just a part of her teenage, still caring what other people think, ways.

As we made our way out of the guestroom, we practically bumped right into Rich who was looking good enough to forget we had ever done things the wrong way. He was wearing a plain white v-neck tee and dark grey chino pants but I swear he made it look fresh out of a magazine ad for something totally unrelated like a watch or cologne.

“Miss. Jasmine. I hope Rae hasn’t been causing you any trouble.”

No more trouble than what you’ve been causing in my panties since you showed up.

“She’s been a gem, actually; showing me around. You have a beautiful home, Rich.”

“I’m...glad you like it. Let’s go eat. Dinner should be good and ready by now.”

Rae led the way as Rich guided me down the stairs with a warm hand against the small of my back. I would be kidding myself if I didn’t acknowledge the fact that everything about the situation suddenly felt very comfortable, but I knew it had to be part of the illusion Rich was steadily trying to create.

We made our way to the dining room and when we arrived, Rich pulled out the chair for me, getting me settled in before he went to the kitchen to grab the plates of food. Rae had watched the whole thing with a skeptical eye until Rich was out of sight.

Her voice was hushed as she leaned into the table and said, “I’ve never seen him like this, Jasmine. What did you do to my brother?”

“I didn’t do...anything. I don’t think.”

Rich rushed out of the kitchen with three plates, quickly setting them on the placemats. I looked down at the plate he had put in front of me and knew without a doubt it had to have come from some takeout delivery service. It was plated like a banquet meal, or something from one of those fancy cooking shows; definitely not something home-cooked.

“Damn, Rich. You’re even pulling out your old culinary school skills for her? You must be whipped!”

So he did actually make this?

“Watch your mouth, Rae. You always give people your best when it’s their first visit to your home.”

“But you haven’t cooked like this in I don’t know how long…..”

“That’s enough, Rae. Anyway, Miss. Jasmine, I hope you like what I prepared.” Ironically enough, the fancily-sauced chicken was my go-to meal when I went out to dinner with the high rollers. It was the only thing that tasted at least a little normal amongst all the usual overpriced, under-seasoned menu items.

“I do. Thank you.” I took a bite and could feel Rich’s eyes watching me for a reaction. I was tempted to downplay his skills by being timid, but since I hadn’t eaten before I came -
nerves
- I continued digging in, satisfying his need for confirmation that it tasted good. In fact, it was so good that I could feel an orgasm brewing with every additional bite. But that was certainly none of his business.

Yeah right.

He
is
the orgasm business.

“So, Jasmine. Is this your first baby? Or do you have a few suckers like Rich under your belt?”

I choked on my food.

I couldn’t believe this little girl had the nerve to come at me like I was just out here getting my club shot up left and right. Just because I had
accidentally
left my private section unguarded one time didn’t mean I was just letting any and everybody in.

Though Rich’s scolding glare was plenty, I wanted to give the little girl a taste of her own medicine for trying to show off. “It’s my first. Kind of like the one you’ll be carrying in the next two...three months according to your walk. I know a freshly-fucked strut when I see one.”

She gasped, horrified that I had called her out. I had never been one to back down from a fight and I certainly wasn’t gonna start with Rich’s kin. 

“For you information, I….” Rich held his hand up to stop Rae before things could get even further off track.

“And that’s the end of
that
conversation.”

Rae had her arms crossed over her chest, leaning back in her chair and I stuck my tongue out at her like I was twelve. Though we were having a little cat-spat, I knew it was only because she and I were somewhat alike. How I could find anything in common with a seventeen-year-old was beyond me, but I could already tell the clash was mostly because of our similar personalities.

We ate in silence for a few moments before Rich broke the ice. “How have you been feeling, Jasmine? Sorry I couldn’t make that last appointment. I got caught up at work.” I was a little disappointed that he didn’t make it to my 3 month check-up considering he was the one that had made such a big deal about being involved in the whole process but I wasn’t in the mood to earn my second strike over it.

“I’ve been feeling…okay. A little morning sickness but that’s about it.” Mornings had become a whole new battle thanks to baby girl. Half the time, I dreaded waking up because I knew last night’s dinner would be making an appearance in new form before I could even brush my teeth.

“I read somewhere that you can drink peppermint tea to help with that. I can go make you some if you want.”

He’s actually been doing research?

“No, no. I’m fine right now. Thank you though.” I could see Rae’s eyes bouncing back and forth between Rich and I in my peripheral and truth be told, I was just as taken aback as she was.

He was apologizing for missing the appointment.

He was offering me advice for my morning sickness.

He was…

He doesn’t even know you, Jaz!

“You sure? It’ll only take a few minutes.”

“I’m fine, Rich.” My words came out with a made-up edge as I worked to remind myself that nothing about this situation was as peachy-keen as he was making it appear. Though I was carrying his child, I still didn’t feel like he really owed me anything and I certainly wasn’t gonna put myself in a position to have him believing I needed him.

I could tell Rich didn’t wanna deal with my attitude as he quickly changed the subject, “Well I uh…made some triple-chocolate brownies for dessert. Matter of fact, why don’t you go grab those out of the kitchen, Rae?”

“
What
? Why do I have to go?” I watched as Rich gave her “the look”, instantly cutting her off. It was interesting to watch them go from brother and sister to guardian and child in the blink of an eye making me wonder more about their arrangement. She got up, snatching her phone from the table before she headed to the kitchen.

“So Miss. Jasmine, what did you really think about the house?”

“I told you already. You have a beautiful home,” I replied nonchalantly.

“Could you see yourself living in this beautiful home?”

“Something similar; sure. Once I finish law school, I’ll probably be able to invest in something like this.”

“No. I mean like, right now; with me. Well…with us.”

Huh?

I was already convinced that Rich was some level of crazy after his impromptu proposal, but him asking me to move-in with him gave more fuel to the flame.

“Rich, I don’t know where the hell you keep getting these ideas from but I am not moving in with you. I plan on upgrading to a two-bedroom apartment once my lease is up in a few months which will give me plenty of room to raise a child.” I had already been trying my hardest not to start collecting stuff for the baby until I got more room but the struggle was becoming realer and realer by the day.

“But why do that when there’s plenty of room here?”

“Umm…probably because you’re here. And your sister is here. And I know neither one of you. Do you really think I’m gonna just up and move in with some strangers?” It really wasn’t that unrealistic to have stranger roommates but I had been able to avoid that since living with Ariel during undergrad. I also knew it was just a part of Rich’s agenda that I still didn’t understand. 

Why was he so pressed to turn this situation into more than what it was?

“Believe it or not, we’re not exactly strangers. A stranger is someone you don’t know, never met, know nothing about. You may not know much about me personally, but I’ve already given you two things you’ll never forget.”

“Two?”

“Yeah. That little gift in your belly and this big ol’ dick that made it all possible.

My eyes flew to his and I could see there was now a tint of passion to them. He licked his lips and just like that, a potential argument point was transformed.

Where are those damn brownies?

“Rich, do you really think it’s appropriate to talk like that with your little sister in the next room?” Maybe reminding him of Rae would get him to turn down the heat.

“Well, I know for a fact she’s in there stalling on her phone until I give her the green light to go out with her friends. I may even upgrade that to spending the night with a friend if you give
me
the green light.”

I was on the edge of my seat as I asked, “The green light to what?”

“Well…I’ve been wanting to taste Mommy ever since I laid eyes on her in the hallway and since Daddy has been in a dry spell ever since Miss. Jasmine, I figured we could get rid of Rae and play a little bit. I mean...get to know each other better.”

“I highly doubt you’ve been in anything close to a dry spell. And haven’t you done enough playing with this Miss. Jasmine you speak of?” A flirty response came more naturally than I intended it to.

“No such thing. And besides, I’ve heard pregnant pus…”

“Stop
. Right there
. I don’t need to hear anymore.” He gave me a smug look that I wanted to be annoyed by, but knew I couldn’t be considering how turned on I was. Rich wore his arrogance like expensive jewelry; just enough to get your attention so that he could reel you in then charm you out of your panties. Somehow, mine were sliding down my legs without me even touching them.

“Look Jasmine, I’ll make it simple for you. Blink twice and I’ll send her on her way so we can get to...playing. Blink once and I’ll leave you alone.
For now
.” I watched closely as his ridiculously long eyelashes fluttered up and down, suddenly hoping our child would inherit them.

Our child.                 

Double dippin’ with Rich would’ve been a no-brainer if baby didn’t exist. But since she did, everything became more complicated.

What did sex between Rich and I even mean?

I mean, clearly we didn’t do much thinking it through the first time, but a second time had to mean something; a something I wasn’t quite ready to take on regardless of the throbbing between my thighs from just looking at him.

But then he licked his lips again staring straight at my breasts; the breasts that were suddenly eager for pleasure rather than the stiff pain I was still getting use to.