“Not usually,” he said before taking another sip.
“What changed?”
He lowered his cup, gazing at me with sincerity in his orbs. His shoulders lifted and then fell.
“I’m still trying to figure it out, Rome. But, whatever it was changed the moment I saw you stretching this morning. A barrier was broken. The levees were disabled. And, I’ve been flooded with words and thoughts and feelings since.”
“I thought it was only me,” I confessed.
He shook his head. “No. You’re not alone, love. If I can help it, you’ll never be alone again.”
My breath hiked in my throat. I swallowed, trying to free my airways. Another sip from my cup wasn’t enough to relieve me. I rubbed circles in my chest, attempting to calm my raging heart.
Sac said nothing. His eyes never left me, neither did his power. I was kneeling before him, waiting for the next command, and I wasn’t sure if he recognized me. Recognized my submission.
“You’re a gorgeous woman, Rome. I pray I’m not the first to tell you that. You should be told every day. It’s the least you deserve.”
“You’re not the first.”
“Good. Unbreak my heart,” he said, placing a hand on his chest.
I shook my head, trying to get rid of the silly smile on my face.
“Breakfast?” His baritone silenced my thoughts.
Taking a look around, I asked, “Is the food not good here?”
“It is. I’m fucking with it. Just didn’t know if you wanted to go somewhere quieter or–”
“The chatter helps quiet my thoughts. I have too many right now. Somewhere quiet would likely drive me to the brink of insanity.”
His smile was darling.
“I feel you. I’m not too far behind you.”
“Here is fine. This works for me.”
“Say less. I’ll be right back.”
He didn’t ask for my order. My preference. My allergies. Nothing. Before I could begin to tell him, he had disappeared again. Finally, I could breathe. I sat my cup on the table and placed my head in my hands. Slowly, I exhaled.
“Fuck,” I whispered into my palms.
Profanity wasn’t a preference of mine. In fact, I had scrubbed it from my vocabulary almost completely. But, sometimes… Sometimes, it was well worth the filth I felt after using it.
I unlocked my cell, contemplating calling Royce back. As quickly as the thought came, it fled. Focusing on regaining control of my body and rebuilding my nervous system before Sac’s return was my main focus. I’d succeeded at everything I’d ever put my mind to, but somehow I doubted I’d succeed at mycurrent mission. Nevertheless, I wasn’t a quitter so trying was a must.
Get it together, baby.Teddy’s voice rang out. It had always been a source of reasoning.
I nodded, lifting my head from my hands. I straightened my spine and placed my palms against my thighs. Closing my eyes, I leaned my head backward.
Focus, Rome.
Giving too much too soon was a mistake women made far too often. A man that had to do no work to secure a woman was a man that wouldn’t work to keep that woman. It was simple math. There was nothing complex about it.
Knowing Sac belonged in my world didn’t matter. He was still required to work to gain his position, maintain his position, and secure it in this lifetime. What he’d done in the others didn’t transfer over. He was starting at ground zero.
“Kale, turkey, and cheese egg bites. Honey chicken lettuce wrap. Fruit cup. Cake bites. Water.”
