Mr Stranger ~ A BWWM Curvy Girl Romance

By Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku

~ A Flirty & Feisty Romance Novel: Love for Real ~

 

"I'm a one-woman man for forty-hours only. That's who I am." ~ Ray.

"I suck at relationships. That's not who I am." ~ Shanice.

 

Nothing was meant to happen…

 

Sexy from every angle and arrogant in style, Ray can't look the other way when he runs into an unknown woman who has the heel of her shoe stuck between the deck.

 

She thought the evening was over…

 

Featuring thick curves woven with cellulite, sexy siren, Shanice was there to meet a guy who didn't show up, instead she experienced the most awkward moment of her life.

 

Risking it all…

 

Same evening, a harmless invitation from the guy who digs out the heel of her shoe leads to something unexpected. As Ray and Shanice throw caution to the wind for some unholy reason, their instant decisions test them to breaking point.

 

They have no clue what's about to unravel…

 

As they share cold nights, whisper half-truths between the sheets and reveal deep-seated secrets…

Ray battles his chequered past.

Shanice is running out of time.

When the final blow strikes, their bubble bursts!

 

When staying together means risking it all, will Ray and Shanice put their hearts on the line forever?

 

…A true-page turner!

 

"This book started off with a bang…I couldn't stop reading. Whenever, I was about to say enough is enough, the author would lure me back in. Twists and turns with tears, frustration, and the power of love!!! I can't wait to read..." ~ Reader Review.

 

~ From the Author of Pope: Heart of the Mafia (A Dark Mafia Enemies-to-Lovers Romance) ~ Brutal Cousins Book 1 ~

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku
• Release date: Jun 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223322597

Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku

Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku is a fun loving mother of two teenagers, married to her gorgeous husband and best friend who indulges her romantic habits. Writing contemporary and historical romance novels is an exciting adventure for her. Out of curiosity and belief that love conquers all, she has written several Interracial & Multicultural Romance Novels. In 2010, Stella created Flirty & Feisty Romance Novels, a collection of toe-curling, intriguing, and skin-tingling romance with compelling characters who have heart and soul and jump off the pages of the book. All her stories are dotted with twists and turns and are set in fascinating Africa, enticing Europe & enchanting America. To experience and enjoy an intense emotional ride, pick up a copy of any of her novels: TEMPTED by the Princess - Book 1 ~ A BWWM Curvy Girl Romance TEMPTED by the Princess - Book 2 ~ A BWWM Curvy Girl Romance Hooked by one Curvy Girl - Book 1 ~ A BWWM Sexy Romance Hooked by one Curvy Girl - Book 2 ~ A BWWM Sexy Romance NAUGHTY PROMISE ~ A BWWM Sweet & Steamy Romance CHRISTMAS Seduction ~ A BWWM Sweet & Steamy Romance IRRESISTIBLE Passion ~ A BWWM Sweet & Steamy Romance "Shocking Affair" ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance GUILTY of LOVE ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance Your Christmas Gift ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance All of Me ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance "You're Mine" ~ A Sweet & Sexy Christmas Romance Enticed Forever ~ A Bad boy Romance Naked Attraction ~ A Sweet & Sexy Romance INDECENT ~ WWBW Steamy Romance His Ring ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance LUST ~ A Sexy Romance Love at Christmas ~ A Sweet & Sexy Romance Husband to Rent ~ Sensual Romance Stolen Valentine Kiss (Holiday Series Book 1) ~ A Sweet Romance Kiss My Lips (Holiday Series Book 2) Stolen Kisses (Holiday Series - Complete Set) Tempting Desire ~ A BWWM Sweet & Steamy Romance Seduced Hearts ~ A BWWM Steamy Christmas Romance Forbidden Dance (Forbidden Series Book 1) ~ A BWWM Steamy Romance Red Velvet Rose (Forbidden Series Book 2) ~ A BMWW Sexy Romance Wild Whispers ~ A BWWM Sweet Romance Royal Cowries (Cowries Series Book 1) ~ A Sweet Historical Romance His Choice (Cowries Series Book 2) ~ A Sweet Historical Romance Stella's first historical/suspense/mystery romance, Royal Cowries (Cowries Series #1) will give you an insight into exotic Africa. A luxury home by the seaside is on Stella's wish list and in her spare time, she loves to swim on her back like a starfish, watch TV, go to the movies with her family and read romance novels.

Book preview

Chapter 1 – Give It Back

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Ray

Hey! You said what?

With his brows knitted together, Ray Eastwood stood at the centre of his master bedroom. Wrapped only in a white low-rise, contour pouch boxer, he glowered at the dark-haired woman tangled between his sheets. His hard-on from last night was long forgotten.

It was Saturday morning for goodness’ sake! The only thing on his blundering mind now was not to cater to the needs of any woman. Usually, after he had spent the night wriggling across his California king-sized bed with any woman, he never asked if she needed breakfast, or if she wanted a shower. All he wanted was to ship her out of his bedroom and, out of his life the fastest way he knew.

I said I’m your wife! Didn’t you hear me? The brown-skin woman whose big tits were stashed behind a lacy black and red flowery bra pulled up his white comforter to cover her cleavage. I already said it thrice!

Exhaling as if he was going nuts, Ray squatted on his centrepiece Escher rug. One vein throbbed along his neck. Every muscle in his arms and legs strained against his skin. It was not just from his posture. He could feel blood rush through his body at a rapid pace and he knew he was already red in the face.

Look, if this is a joke, it needs to end right now! He fumed. What’s your name again?

Fluffing her messy medium-length dark curls with her free hand, the woman popped what would have been a cute smile if he had been in a good mood.

I wish it were a joke, Ray. I’m Shanice Megan Aliyah Reece. Don’t you remember? That’s what I signed on the dotted lines. Now, replace my last name with yours. It’s Shanice Megan Aliyah Eastwood.

Grinding his teeth together, he clasped his hands.

That didn’t happen. I’m not fucking married!

Thrusting out her left hand, Shanice arched her soft angled dark brows and slanted her big-boned wrist to show off the glistening diamond rock circling her chubby fourth finger. She even had a smug grin on her plump lips to accompany her ridiculous parade.

Here’s the proof you and I, have made the biggest life-changing decision of our lives.

Scoffing because he hoped for one odd moment she was bluffing, that he would wake up from the unravelling nightmare he had fallen into during one night of weakness. The only weakness he had allowed himself since college.

Give it back! Ray ordered with his left hand stretched out. It doesn’t belong on your finger.

Shanice gripped the comforter tighter, leaned against his luxurious tufted headboard finished off with a braided border and stared at him with wide-set deep brown eyes.

That’s not going to happen, Ray. You gave it to me. I meant every word of my vows I said last night. Didn’t you mean yours?

Forget last night ever happened. I may have sleep-walked into that thing. Give back the ring, Shanice.

He marched to the bedside and loomed over her as she sat upright on his tousled sheets. The comforter slipped from her fingers for a second, or two to reveal her bouncing tits. Lowering her long lashes, she pulled back the covering. In between the passing seconds however, heat coursed through his groin.

Stay down, he warned his libido. Now was not the time to fuss over her bursting cleavage, her clear, smooth brown as a berry skin, or desire direct entry inside her wetness.  

We can’t turn back the hands of time. I’m a practising Christian. I don’t do divorce.

I know many Christians who are divorced. I bet one in two Christian couples have gone their separate ways. Let’s join the reasonable ones who walked out with their lives intact.

That has nothing to do with you and me. They chose to do that. We don’t have to be part of the statistics, Ray.

Bull shit! Oh, so Christian’s drink and do–

It was one night. One night I dropped my guard.

"There’s no we, Shanice. This madness stops now!"

A line appeared between her brows as she lurched forward. The comforter, now scrambled between her legs, revealed her delicious curves and the extra weight in her upper thighs and upper arms. At least, her black and red flowery panties hid her thatch of dark curls from his gaze. Good thing. His thoughts needed to be organized and straightened, not toppled by the sight of a curvy black woman who was out to take over his soul.

This is just the beginning, Ray, she countered, dropping on to her knees on the bed.

The soft curve of her squishy belly–a good indication she had taken in more calories than she had burned–moved as she shifted her knees. It was not his problem if she wanted to stay overweight, as long as she did not lie on his bed permanently, stay in his house, or take up space in his awesome life.

Then let me be the first person to welcome you to a lifetime of hell, Shanice Megan Aliyah Reece!

Shanice Eastwood for the record.

Cussing under his breath, he brushed his palms along his bearded jawline in frustration. This was not where he intended to be. Marriage had not featured in his thirty’s timeline. In fact, it had been out of the question. How then did he slip on to the slippery slope of marriage overnight? And to a frickin’ stranger?

Make my life hell and you’ll regret every second of your crazy life, Ray Owen Eastwood! We’re adults. We make decisions and–

That’s the frickin’ point! He rounded on her, his eyes blazing with fury. I didn’t decide to marry your curvy ass! Your rolls don’t do anything for me. Besides, you said you were notorious for–

I-I told you that in confidence, Ray, she spluttered, cutting off his speech. I’m the total package. I come complete with thick rolls, designer stretch marks, lasting cellulite and all. I didn’t hear you complaining earlier this morning.

I would never mess up my life like this. I won’t do that to myself. No offence, but I don’t see you in my future. I don’t see you as the mother of my kids. Do you understand? This was a one-night mistake. It shouldn’t have happened. Read my lips.

Folding her arms across her cleavage, she grinned like something was freaking funny.

Too bad. Take comfort in the fact you’re not alone in what will turn out to be our long miserable years together, Ray. If I’m honest with you, with the way you’ve treated me this morning after we had such a great night, I’d never chosen you as my husband. I’d never picked you as the father of the amazing kids I know I’ll have someday. Not today, not tomorrow or ever! Do you understand? This wasn’t a one-night mistake for me.

Then, get me out of these chains! Give me back my ring and use the door! Get up and get out!

Ray’s chest pounded with the all-consuming fear he had spent a lifetime running away from, a journey that brought him to Seattle, Washington several years ago. He had never looked back until today.

Dark clouds surged in his sight, threatening to overpower him. Swerving to the right, he knocked down two ornamental pieces off the top of his chest of drawers. The solid brass and wood French chess pieces as well as the ceramic cream artichoke ornament stayed scattered across his wall-to-wall carpet.

"You’ve got to calm down, Ray. Losing your temper isn’t going to cut it. We made a decision before God. I didn’t put a gun to your head. Did I? You proposed. I said, Yes, I will. Now, move on to a happy life that starts now if you want."

Shanice shrugged her naturally padded shoulders and shook her head, so that her dark locks bounced around her neck like a super-charged basketball.

He pushed his fingers roughly through his dark brown crew cut hair. The originally tapered, sideswept style became even more dishevelled.

I’ve changed my mind, he told her in a scathing tone. I proposed? Great. Now I withdraw my proposal. Take off my ring!

Stretching her hands sideways, Shanice sighed.

Hmm. Haven’t you listened to anything I’ve said since we woke up to this beautiful spring morning in the middle of March? I can’t give it back. Not because it’s gorgeous and glamorous. We picked it out together, Ray. This ring symbolizes the meaning of marriage, a never-ending circle.  By the way, the view from this bedroom is gorgeous.

Oh, you will, Shanice! Trust me, you’ll give it back and run out of my life within a week.

I’ll give this marriage my all, tough love inclusive. If it doesn’t work out, at least I would’ve tried.

Stopping to take in a deep breath on his way to the panoramic patio doors to his right, he let out a rough grunt as he tugged the heavy grey curtains apart. Sunlight burst through the naked sliding glass doors, engulfing the entire room. The blinding light reflected from the dresser mirrors bounced off and hit his eyes. He blinked a few times to reset his gaze.

Come on, Shanice, why would you want to stay married to me, hmm? Someone who doesn’t love you. Doesn’t every woman dream about marrying the love of her life?

I’m wondering the same thing myself, Shanice muttered. Don’t kid yourself. I don’t love you, yet and I don’t know if I ever will. But this is a risk I’m willing to take because I don’t go back on my word. Many arranged marriages started on much less than we have. Several worked out, Ray. We need to give this time.

Although he had expected those words, I don’t love you, it still hit his chest with a thud, and it felt as if spikes had been dragged across his skin. He whisked his fingers through his hair again as he paced his bedroom.

That’s the problem. We’re different. With the women I have sex with, I go back on my word. Most women say, I’m a douchebag.

Really? I don’t know a lot about you except what you’ve told me and the fact, you’re brutally honest, a good talker and you were a great companion when I needed one last night.

He came to a halt in front of Shanice again, hoping to reason with her once more.

That’s the point. I’m worse than a douchebag. I’m a one-woman man for forty-eight hours only. I cheat. I don’t call back after two nights, or I might not come home. I get bored and move on. That’s how I run my life and I frickin’ want it to remain the same!

Nodding as if she finally understood his plight, she blinked a few times. Maybe he had got through to her.

Is that why you settled for me? A woman completely different from the sluts you’ve always hooked up with? My dad always said, many men who have never stepped inside a church end up married to Christian women because they want someone who wouldn’t cheat on them. A woman with good values. A woman who would bring up his children right. Maybe this is payback for all the innocent hearts you’ve broken over the years, who knows?

Get the fuck out of my house! I can’t reason with your thick skull!

"Correction. Our house. Throw me out if you can! You’re frickin’ married to me. The marriage certificate in my possession confirms it. I didn’t beg you to, remember? I watched you go on one knee and you asked me to marry you. Though, I wasn’t exactly overjoyed because I was scared, yet I had butterflies in my belly. So, I said yes. We’ve got a few photos, so I’m here to stay. Deal with it, Ray."

You’re nuts! Why did you say, yes to a stranger?

If you intended to turn my best first night with you into a nightmare, why did you ask me to marry you? Did you lure me into a big lie?

Did I? He huffed, turning his head upside down to find out why he thought for one moment it was a good idea to end his era of freedom. Was I in my right mind when I asked you to marry me, or did you trap me with those intensely brown eyes of yours?

Getting off the bed clumsily, she wrapped herself with his comforter and sloped her head. Without her four-inch heels, she was probably, five-six in height, a clear nine inches shorter than him.

Oh, now you think I’ve got super powers, huh? Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, I don’t. What’s for breakfast? I’m hungry.

"Hungry? How can you be hungry when the whole world is collapsing around your head? Don’t you have a home to go back to? It’s Saturday morning and I’ve got my whole life ahead of me. A life that doesn’t include being joined at the hips to you."

We’re joined in our hearts, not hips. Maybe you don’t understand any of this. I don’t either. We’ll figure it out as we go.

No, we won’t! Don’t you feel stupid? I mean, aren’t you embarrassed to be married to a guy you know nothing about? What if I’m a psychopath?

This isn’t a game, Ray. It’s our lives on the line. If you’re a psychopath, then, I’m a sociopath. Look, pull yourself together. If I’d any doubts about you, that ended the second you convinced me you were the best guy for me. Now you do this? Everyone’s going to expect us to crash and burn.

Oh! You finally get it? Have a wash, get dressed and exit my building. The show is over! Or don’t you have family who care about you?

Exhaling noisily, Shanice fell back on the bed as if he had sucked out all the fat from her plump body. Her hair formed an abstract dark painting across his white pillows like a classy adornment in his bedroom.

"My family will get over it. I’m a big girl, and I make my own decisions. This is my decision, to be married to you–forever. Please arrange to have my personal belongings moved from my one-bedroom condo along Fremont Avenue N APT 305 to our home. I’m giving up my life as I know it, my roof-top terrace that I absolutely love, my independence and my family to be with you. The least you can do is feed me and make me feel extra special, every single day. My irresistible curve isn’t gonna feed itself."

He scoffed. You’re out of your damn mind! I’ll pay you off. Name your price!

Don’t you see? This is fate. Our lives are unfolding just the way it should–

Cut the crap! My life isn’t tied to yours and nothing is unravelling! I made a blunder. You did too. Admit it and move on to the next guy.

OK. Rule number 1, Ray. No cussing in our home. She did the sign of the cross thing on her forehead and across her shoulders, ending between her cleavage. I’m going to make us breakfast. I’m done reasoning with your rigid head.

I want an annulment, Shanice.

Too bad. Not going to happen.

Why not?

My parents have been married for over forty years. Divorce will not be the answer to my marital problems.

He cracked up for about a minute. Across from him, Shanice did not even crack a smile.

What’s funny, Ray?

I’ll admit you’re hilarious in an annoying way. You sounded like you were delivering a sermon you truly believed. That’s unfortunate. Congratulations to your parents for not pulling the plug like most. But that’s not your life, so stop dreaming.

That’s my goal. To have a long-lasting marriage.

Not with me. Maybe with some other guy.

It’s too late for that, Ray.

You’re going to regret crossing me, Shanice.

"Hmm... I wonder why you’re ruining what should be the best morning after of our lives. Our wedding night was amazing! Right now, you’re totally different from the guy who swept me off my feet, yesterday evening. You defrauded me into settling down with you."

If you feel tricked, then walk out of this right now. Let’s get it annulled.

Grow up, Ray. You don’t walk in and out of a marriage as if it’s a candy store. You ride it out. The good days are ahead if you trust God.

Leave God out of our conversation.

Um... God is at the centre of our marriage.

Giving her a smug grin, he spread out his hands and nodded.

Well, this is me, Ray Owen Eastwood, at his best. Run while you can, otherwise welcome to hell!

You’ve met your match, Ray! I’m going nowhere. I’ll welcome you to Heaven.

We’ll see about that.

Chapter 2 – I’m Exploding

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Shanice

After visiting the nail salon on Sunday afternoon, Shanice returned home at half-six. She dug out keys from her purse, and inserted it in the front door key hole. The key got stuck. She tried again but the key did not fit. Attempting to turn the key clockwise, nothing happened.

Three minutes passed.