The sternness in his voice sends a shudder through me, but it’s not fear I’m feeling. It’s something different.
Ty groans, rolling his eyes. “Sorry.”
“Don’t say sorry to me. You almost hit Madison.”
“Maddie!” Ty’s eyes light up. “You came back.”
“How are you feeling, buddy?” I set my bag down and walk over to the couch. He looks so much better with the color returning to his face and the flare of excitement in his eyes. He’s completely off of his IVs and getting stronger by the minute. After what he’s been through, it feels like a miracle.
“Good. My dad won’t let me play basketball with uncle Joe, though.” He glares back towards Roman.
“Sounds like he’s taking good care of you, then.” I smile.
Roman looks surprised by the compliment, and to be honest, so am I. I went into this with next to no faith in him, but he’s really turned things around in regards to taking care of Ty. Thehistory with St. Luke’s he mentioned still piques my interest, but I’m not about to pry.
“It’s time to lie back down, anyway, Ty,” Roman says. “You’ve been sitting up playing for a while.”
“Aw, come on, Dad! Does he have to?” Joe mocks, teasing Roman.
“Yeah, come on, Dad!” Ty echoes.
“One more game, but that’s it,” Roman cautions them. The sentence is barely out of his mouth before they have another round started.
Roman turns to me. “Sorry about the mess. Between laundry and trying to keep him still, I’ve barely had time to breathe today.”
I have to stifle a laugh. He sounds like such a househusband, completely out of his element. He’s not as scary or domineering with a dishrag over his shoulder, but I doubt he wants to hear that.
“It’s okay,” I say. “Should I get Ty something to eat while he’s occupied?”
He and Joe battle back-and-forth on the couch as their cars race on screen.
“At least Joe is good for something,” Roman says, letting out a sharp laugh. “That would be great. I’m almost done in here.”
Ty is still on a restricted diet, so I take him some yogurt and applesauce. Once Joe leaves, he eats a little, but he’s exhausted, and soon he’s fast asleep on the couch.
Roman notices when he comes back out, and lifts Ty into his arms with an effortless one-armed swoop. The seams of his t-shirt stretch over his swollen muscles and an elaborate sleeve of tattoos peek out from underneath the fabric, trailing down to his flexed forearm. My eyes trace each line, but I can’t make out what it is and, unfortunately, his clothing covers most of it. So, I’m left to imagine.
Wait a second. Am I honestly fantasizing about this guy right now?Part of me is ashamed, but there’s another part—a tiny part—that isn’t so easily deterred.
Thankfully, something brings me back to my senses, and I look away before he sees me staring. The smug grin on his lips tells me I’ve been caught, though.
A gentleman might have let me off the hook, but Roman Molanari is no gentleman.
“Like what you see?” His chuckle nearly strangles me and I feel like I might die on the spot.
As if he didn’t already have such a high opinion of himself, now he’s caught me checking him out and I’ll never hear the end of it.
That cave in the wilderness sounds better and better.
“Just wondering what you have against wearing clothes that actually fit you. Is everything you own so tight?”
Roman smirks. “I’m going to take him to his room. I’ll be right back.”
I nod, desperate for this entire interaction to end. Once I hear Ty’s door shut, I rush up the stairs and down the hall to my own room. Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, I splash some cold water on my face. I can’t risk another interaction with Roman going like that one did. Quickly, I change out of my scrubs and my stomach growls.
Getting something to eat means I might run into Roman again, and I don’t know if my ego can handle that, but I’m starving.
When I get into the kitchen, I find Roman settled at the end of the island. A bottle of wine sits on the counter, a hefty glass already poured beside it, but Roman isn’t enjoying it. His head is in his hands, and he lets out a slow, emotional breath.
