His words catch me off guard. I didn’t expect that kind of honesty from him, and I realize it’s the one thing I’ve been craving from him for weeks. The truth. To know how he feels. For us to be on level playing fields.
While dating Roman sounds exhilarating, I’m not sure I completely trust him yet. He says all the right things, but it still makes me nervous. Despite my reservations, I’m willing to give it a shot. Roman and I are captivated by each other; our chemistry is undeniable. Not to mention the white hot attraction between us. He’s about the last person in the world that I’d imagine ending up with, but there’s something even more special about how unexpected this is.
“I want to see what happens, too,” I say. “I don’t want it to be a one-time thing, but I think we should take this slow. So that we can really get to know each other.”
The sincerity in his smile makes my heart skip.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” His muscled arm snakes around my neck and he pulls me in. His lips are rough on mine, but everything in his kiss is reassuring. “We’ll take this as slow as you want.”
When he backs off, I can’t surpass a yawn. I don’t even know what time it is, but it’s late and I’ve been up since five.
“You should get some sleep,” he offers. “You work in the morning, right?”
“Bright and early at 6AM.” I nod. “I guess I should head back to my room.”
“Stay with me,” he pleas, tugging at my hand.
“I thought you wanted me to get some sleep.” I cock my eyebrow at him. As tempting as another round sounds, I’m not sure my mind or body could take it without a little rest.
Roman rolls his eyes. “I meant stay here to sleep, Madison. I’m not a complete animal.”
I consider protesting, but curling up in that big comfy bed wrapped in Roman’s protective arms all night is more enticing than I can resist, so I climb back in next to him.
“Mmm, this feels nice.” I sigh, snuggling into his chest as he covers us both up with the down comforter.
Roman grunts. “Okay, you definitely need to stop making those noises if we’re just going to sleep.”
“Maybe I should put my robe back on,” I say, reaching for it.
“That’s definitely not happening.” He jerks me back and wraps his arm around my waist, bracketing me against him as our bodies curved together like lock and key. My head rests on his thick forearm as he runs his fingers through my hair.
“You know, it’s highly unprofessional to be sleeping with my boss,” I tease.
“You’re right. What the fuck are we going to do about that?” He chuckles, continuing his massage down to my neck. “I’ve got it! Maddie, you’re fired.”
“Be serious, Roman.” I giggle, rolling over to face him.
“I am serious.” He shrugs. “If we’re dating, there is no way in hell I’m going to have you around my guys. Watching them constantly looking at you was tough enough before you were mine.”
The way he calls me his should offend me, like some sort of possession, but I like how it sounds and a smile pulls at my lips.
“Problem solved.”
“But what about—”
Roman puts his finger to my lips. “You held up your end of the deal and treated my guys when I asked. I’ll still hold up mine and pay your loans off.”
“And my lease? I canceled that a few weeks ago.”
“So? You have a room here.” Roman placates me with answers, but we both know my objections are futile.
“Right, becauselivingwith you is taking things slow.”
“That’s a good point. But you’re down the hall so far it’s as if you were in a separate apartment. Besides, who is going to kill the spiders if you move out?” He smirks as if he’s throwing the ultimate trump card.
“That’s averygood point.”
“Close those pretty eyes of yours now, Maddie. One of us has to work in the morning. And now that you’ve lost this job, you better hang on tight to your other one.”
