Simone Read online

  Simone

  The Crush Files

  By

  Yvonne Nicolas

  Also by Yvonne Nicolas

  Interracial Erotic Romance

  Designing Love

  Rock Star Lover (Carnal Diaries)

  Masked Desires (Carnal Diaries)

  Seducing an Assassin (Carnal Diaries)

  **MORE COMING SOON**

  M/M/F Interracial Romance, Holiday Romance

  Christmas Delights

  Urban Fantasy, Erotic Romance, Paranormal Romance

  Silent Screams (Book 1 ~ the Dragon Queen Series)

  Shadows & Dust (Book 1.5 ~ the Dragon Queen Series)

  Scarlet Moon (Book 2 ~ the Dragon Queen Series)

  Shifting Darkness (Book 2.5 ~ the Dragon Queen Series)

  Scattered Flames (Book 3 ~ the Dragon Queen Series)

  **MORE COMING SOON**

  Rock Star Romance, Mystery/Suspense

  Scorpion Tail ~ Debut Album: Fade to Black

  Steampunk /CyberPunk

  Crimson Memories

  Alexis Moonlight (Book 1 ~ the Cross Knight Chronicles)

  Copyright © 2019 by Yvonne Nicolas

  All rights reserved

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, scanned or distributed in any printed or digital form, (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission from Yvonne Nicolas.

  Cover Artist:

  Bookin’ It Designs

  Editor:

  Ice Dragon Press

  Published by:

  Ice Dragon Press

  This book is a work of fiction. Any reference made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidently.

  www.yvonnenicolas.net

  www.yvonnenicolas.com

  www.facebook.com/yvonnenicolasfanpage

  www.twitter.com/YvonneNicolas

  [email protected]

  Thank you for purchasing The Crush Files ~ Simone by Yvonne Nicolas!!

  Dedication

  To the readers who continuously support me.

  Yvonne’s Acknowledgements

  First, I’d like to thank my fellow authors, Reana Malori and KR Bankston for their never-ending support.

  I’d also like to thank Renee Michaels, my writing partner in crime.

  And last, but certainly not least, an enormous THANK YOU goes out to you crazy, amazing readers!

  You are the reason I continue to write.

  I LOVE YOU ALL!

  **Warning**

  This book contains sexually explicit scenes, graphic descriptions and strong language.

  Simone

  The Crush Files

  By

  Yvonne Nicolas

  Her Name Is Simone

  Don’t stare at people, especially women.

  It was one of the first lessons Grammy taught me. I understood the lesson, and for the most part, I avoided resting my gaze on anyone for more than a few seconds. Look away to avoid making the other person feel uncomfortable.

  But the second I laid eyes on her, I couldn’t look away.

  As usual, this time of the morning, the train was crowded. This one in particular. People came and went, carrying their different body odors with them. The seats next to me were emptied and filled several times.

  Eight stops. She rode this train for eight stops, every Tuesday through Friday.

  She sat across from me in the subway car with sparkly blue earbuds plugged into her ears and her eyes glued to her cell phone. Her lips moved, maybe to the lyrics of a song sailing into her ears.

  Wonder what she was listening to. Was she into R&B or smooth jazz? Nah, she was probably a straight up rocker. That would be awesome if she were.

  Her hair was different today, though still the lovely dual shades of black and royal blue. It was a stark contrast to the usual china doll style she wore. Several braids lined the sides of her head in zigzag patterns. The rest of her hair burst from the top and back of her head, styled in a mohawk. It looked damn good on her, and the blue was a brilliant complement to her bronze skin tone. I couldn’t help but notice every little detail about her, from her perfect chiseled cheekbones to the delicate curve of her jawline. Dark eyeshadow and bright colored liner framed her soulful brown eyes. And her lips, they were full and lush, shaded in a shiny pink gloss.

  I loved it when she wore that color.

  Her quirky fashion sense was in full effect today. She wore a fitted ankle-length skirt that accentuated her curves. It had a pattern of tiny Ankhs all over it. A cerulean leather jacket paired well with the skirt. Jewel-studded boots with thick heels covered her feet.

  Every Tuesday and Thursday, she made a pit stop at Starbucks. It was Tuesday, so per usual, she held a Starbucks to-go cup in her right hand. The name on the cup read Simone.

  Mm, Simone.

  If only I wasn’t too chicken-shit to call out to her and introduce myself. Right beneath her name were the abbreviations for a green tea latte.

  This time, her name was barely legible. Who in the hell wrote that? A drunk barista?

  Periodically, she’d take a sip and then swipe the screen of her phone. Every now and then, she’d gift the world with her dazzling smile then follow up with another sip, leaving her lip gloss print on the cup’s lid.

  I licked my lips, curious as to what hers tasted like. Probably like green tea latte. I hated green tea, but I would love it if I could get a taste of it on her lips.

  A little over two months ago, she hijacked my heart. I’d only been in New York for a week. I was in the process acclimating to the metro transportation system when a loud female voice jolted me.

  “Yo, what the fuck are you looking at?” she said, her raw tone laced with that New Yorker’s accent.

  She garnered the attention of everyone on that car.

  I looked up from my phone to find a stunning girl glaring at some dude standing across from her.

  “I’m looking at you, mami,” he announced with a smarmy grin.

  “I suggest you avert your eyes before I pluck them outta your fuckin’ head, hombre.”

  He laughed, which sounded forced. “You ain’t much to look at anyway, uppity black puta.” Hanging on to the railing, he made his way to my end of the car. He may have had the last word, but the scowl on his face indicated that his ego had taken a hit.

  After that, I found myself helplessly obsessed with her.

  Simone typically sat on the same bench every day, and every day I moved a little closer to her. Took me two months to muster up the courage to sit right across from her. Wonder how long it would take to occupy the same bench as her. I watched her through the throng of bodies swaying with the motion of the car, like I did every morning. I tried many times, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away. I never could. I was blatantly staring again.

  A shudder coasted across the walls of the vehicle, making it lurch.

  That’s when she looked up. She glanced to the left then the right and forward, where our gazes clashed.

  Oh God, oh God… Oh God! The furious knocking beneath my chest increased. A bout of heat spread throughout my entire body.

  Please don’t curse me out. I can’t help but stare.

  Of all the times we’ve rode together, she had never glanced my way, until now. The contact was brief, maybe only for a second, but it played out much longer than that in my mind.

  An automated voice announced the next stop in Manhattan. The metro car slowed and screeched to a halt.

  Simone rose to her feet and slipped h
er leather bag over her shoulder. The soles of her boots clacked on the platform as she moved toward the exit.

  Without hesitating, I leaped up from my seat. I wanted to say something, anything. But like the many mornings before this one, I watched her walk off the train without a saying word.

  Guess I’ll try again tomorrow.

  *****

  “Dale—my man, don’t tell me you’re still riding the subway.” Trent rolled into my office with his fat ass still planted in his chair, like always. It’s like the guy was allergic to standing and walking.

  Already annoyed by his presence, I tried hard not to groan out loud.

  “With the kinda coins you’re making, you should be pushing some expensive wheels to work, like most people at this joint.”

  Me, driving through the streets of New York? He must think I’m crazy. Yeah sure, I could be flashy like the other cloud engineers at this company, but that’s not my scene. It never was.

  “Stop trying to count my coins, Trent,” I grumbled, eyes locked on my computer screen. “What I make is none of your business.”

  “Oh, I get it,” he continued, rolling further into my space. “You’re still crushing over your subway girl…”

  When I first started this job, I didn’t know anyone. Trent was the first person to approach me and offer to show me around. We didn’t work in the same department; however, his office wasn’t too far from mine. We went to lunch a few times. I confided in him because he came off as a cool guy…

  “I told you to give that up, dude. You ain’t ready for these girls out here, especially those black chicks. They come in sexy packages, but they’re nothing but hood rat ass gold-diggers who will rob you blind.”

  And then I realized he was a racist, bigoted asshat who didn’t deserve my friendship, so I attempted to distance myself. Only problem was, he hadn’t gotten the drift yet. I’m hoping I won’t have to say something out of character to make him leave me alone. “Got a meeting in a few and a buttload of work to do.” I plugged the headset into my right ear and nodded toward the door. “Catch you later.”

  He didn’t look too happy about my lack of desire to chat with him, but he rolled out the door without another word. A few more days of that and hopefully he’ll think I’m a stick in the mud who was too consumed by his work for fun chats—which wasn’t that far from the truth—and leave me alone for good.

  As I sat there, reclined in my chair, listening to my coworkers go back and forth about the million-dollar project coming down the pipe, I gazed out my window at the rows of skyscrapers and the busy New York streets, thinking about her.

  Simone.

  My cell phone buzzed. I glanced at it but didn’t bother to pick it up.

  A picture popped up on the screen—a selfie I took on Evelyn’s phone last year. She was hugged up on me, kissing my cheek. We were both soaking wet. My eyes were glazed, lips pinkened and face flushed. I was intoxicated from the wild, unbridled sex we’d just had in the rain. It was a stupid thing really. She was bored at a company Christmas party, so to entertain herself, she dared me to fuck her. Acting as a good little boy toy, I took her behind the building and gave her exactly what she wanted, with the network’s VP less than forty feet away. We both caught a cold the next day. Like I said, stupid.

  “Ugh, this has to stop,” I murmured inwardly.

  It was the seventh couple-pic she’d sent me this week, and it was only Tuesday. Someone was feeling nostalgic. She apparently wanted me to feel the same, but I didn’t.

  ‘For the last time, PLS stop texting me!’ I replied.

  A winking emoji with its tongue out was her response.

  I groaned. Dammit, this woman is relentless! I was borderline in hate with her.

  “Dale, let’s talk about Kostus.” Roger, the manager said, drawing my attention. He threw a few questions at me about the upcoming project.

  I unmuted the conference call and filled him in on what I’d done to prepare. My goal at this new job was to always be a few steps ahead. So far, I’m on a roll.

  “Finally, someone who knows how to do their job without being told. Keep up the good work, Dale.” Roger grumbled that during every meeting and it never got old.

  The senior engineers started droning on again.

  My eyes wandered across my desk to my anime printed coffee mug and Simone drifted across my thoughts. Our brief eye contact played on repeat in my mind. I could just keep watching her every day, wondering if she’d ever notice me, or I could shake off the jitters and try to talk to her again.

  A sudden idea came to me. I perked up.

  Maybe, I could I warm up to her with her favorite morning beverage. Yeah, that’s definitely my winning move to get closer to her!

  Green Tea Latte

  I woke up Thursday morning on pins and needles.

  My thoughts raced and my body shook. This was the day when I would finally make my move. I can’t remember that last time I was this nervous.

  I’d watched her long enough to know her daily routine, which was a little creepy on my part, but necessary for what I needed to do.

  Luckily, she was a creature of habit.

  I left an hour earlier than usual. My goal was to catch her before she made her morning Starbucks run. That meant gathering the courage to approach her the second she stepped off the L train.

  I hurried over to Starbucks and ordered a tall green tea latte.

  Once I had the hot drink in hand, I headed back to the metro station and waited. And then waited some more. I stood there, scanning the crowd that exited and entered the subway cars. Though I wanted to, I avoided checking my watch. That would only trigger my impatience and anxiety. Not that I wasn’t far from that now. However, as time ticked on, I grew extra nervous. Tremors took over my body. My hands began to shake. Dammit. It was starting.

  Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. I’ve been watching this woman for the longest time, so long, I’d memorized her transit routine. That’s not normal. I’m not some stalker, but even I have to admit, I was exhibiting stalker-like behavior.

  I looked down at the hot beverage that rattled in my trembling grip as I shook with anxiousness. Maybe I should just drink toss this tea and be on my way. I’ll be content with being a spectator until God deems me unworthy to see her anymore.

  The second I decided to turn away with my tail tucked firmly between my legs, she appeared.

  Simone stepped off the train, her hips swaying, her hair in a bob style with bangs framing her face. Adjusting her leather backpack on her shoulder, she swaggered my way. As usual, her head was down, cell phone in her hand.

  For a second, I couldn’t move or utter a word. But this was my chance, probably the only chance I’d ever get.

  Once she was almost an arm’s length away from me, I swallowed the lump in my throat and blurted out, “Hey, um… it’s Si—Simone, right?”

  Still, her face was angled downward, eyes glued to her cell. Her earbuds were tucked in, so she probably didn’t hear me. She continued moving forward and tried to sidestep me as if I were merely an immovable object in her way.

  Determined to get her attention, I skipped back and stepped in front of her. “Hi, Simone,” I voiced a little louder. “You like green tea latte, right?” Dammit, even my voice trembled.

  Finally, she stopped. Her head rose. Those exotic chocolate eyes seized me where I stood and stole my ability to speak any further. Confusion veiled her delicate features.

  I lifted my shaky hand and held the drink out to her.

  Her gaze whipped from me to the cup then back to me again. Lips arched, she scowled at me and continued on her way, bumping my shoulder in the process.

  As a result, I stumbled backward, and the hot beverage was knocked out of my hand. Right into my chest. The warm, foamy, green liquid splattered all over me, jarring a startled gasp out of me.

  Several people walked past me with giggles under their breaths.

  I stood there, shocked, defeated, embarrassed, a
nd wet. The last time I felt this humiliated was during grade school when the school bully tripped me into a mud puddle in front of everyone.

  But she’s far from a bully, she’s just the beauty who rejected me.

  *****

  My whole day was shit after the incident at the metro station.

  I walked in with my clothes a mess. Trent’s laughter followed me all the way to my office. Good thing he kept it at laughter because if he would’ve said anything to me, I probably would’ve done something to lose my job. Today was not the day to fuck with me.

  I couldn’t concentrate on work or focus during the endless meetings.

  The scathing glare she gave me constantly played on my mind. It haunted me throughout the day. Each time I thought about it, I relived the mortifying moment over and over again. I should’ve left her alone and just admired her from afar like I had been doing.

  “Idiot,” I muttered.

  No woman had ever looked at me with such disdain. Not saying I’m the most handsome guy in the world, because I’m not by far. Despite that, I’ve never had a problem with the ladies.

  But Simone… God, she looked at me like I was disgusting.

  A groan surged out of me. I should’ve just gone home after she showered me with the green tea. Thankfully, the company building was equipped with a washer and dryer and spare clothes. Still, I’m utterly useless to anyone today.

  “What’s wrong, baby bird? You look wounded.” Cassina, the company’s HR director, stood in the doorway of the break room.

  I forced a smile on my face and shook my head. “It’s nothing. Just still adjusting to New York.”

  “Uh-huh.” A smile blossomed on her face as she grabbed a yogurt from the fridge. “My I see you in my office after you finish your burger, Mr. Brocker?”

  Great. Now I’m in trouble with HR. Just what I needed today.

  After I finished my lunch, I lumbered across the building, took the elevator to the second floor and made my way to Cassina’s office.