I wasn’t sure what to say. Finally, I forced the uncertain words out. “I don’t know what’s going on and it’s…unsettling.”
“That’s the understatement of the year. You got dressed in the bathroom.” Roman said it like it was something sad and terrible. “You’d strip down in front of almost anyone just to show them how sexy you are in those panties, Brat. But I made you so uncomfortable, just by being here, that you left the room.”
Brat.
After everything we’d screamed at each other, it should’ve stung, but the look on his face made it clear there was no malice in the word. But I still had no idea what was going on, so that’s what I said. “I don’t know what you want.”
“Your forgiveness, to start.” It was simple, but it hit me hard.
Nodding, I refused to look away. “As long as you’ll accept my apology. I should have asked more questions and looked you up online like Preston kept insisting. I just saw the photos and didn’t care about the rest. When you showed up, you were angry, and I had no idea why.”
Roman gave me a rueful look. “You were everything I told myself I shouldn’t want, but did. I was so angry that after everything had gone so badly with my ex I’d somehow landed right in front of you. A smart-ass brat who was clearly begging for a spanking and didn’t bother to hide who he was or what he wanted. You were everything I was fighting not to want, and I hated myself for it.”
“And I didn’t help the situation.” I’d just kept pushing and fighting. “In my defense, Preston really should have pointed it out. I just thought you were a judgmental dick.”
Roman laughed. “Brat. But yeah, I probably was.” Then his smile faded, and he turned serious. “Do you want me to go? I know that—”
Cutting off his words, I shook my head. “No, but I think the bigger question is…Do you want to stay? I’m not going to hide who I am here or feel guilty about what I like. I’m not going to change for anyone else. I already have more of that in my life than I want.”
Could he live with that?
“You shouldn’t have to. You’re beautiful and feisty and look incredible when you let your submission wrap around you. I’ve never met anyone like you.” Roman let his thumb flick across my lower lip, slow and tender, like he was testing the waters.
My tongue flicked out and licked at the smooth skin, and my cock finally started to take an interest in what was happening. Roman’s gaze heated and his smile was back, but it was wicked and there was the barest hint of the Dom who’d sent me flying in them.
“Will you let me take your picture?” It was simple, but I could hear the layers of meaning in the words.
We still had so much shit to talk about and work through. There were so many things we hadn’t addressed, and I wasn’t even sure what he was looking for. I could do the occasional hookup and have it mean nothing, but that was with a stranger, someone meaningless and casual.
Roman was anything but meaningless, and I wasn’t sure I could walk away again without leaving a piece of me with him. “Just the photos, or do you want more? I need to know before we start.”
He watched me for a long time, and I could see emotions and thoughts flashing across his eyes. Finally, his other hand came up and started running through my hair. “More. I don’t know what that looks like or if we can make any of it work, but yes, I want more.”
A weight lifted off my shoulders, and I didn’t fight the goofy smile I knew was plastered on my face. I might regret it later, and I had no idea if I was making the right decision or not, but I stretched closer to him and let my lips press to his.
It was short and tender, and I hoped it said better than words what was going through my head. When Roman pulled away, I grinned, finally feeling like myself again. “Will you take my picture, Master?”
Yes, there would be discussions and conversations, and probably arguments if I knew us, but at that moment, I wanted to let everything go. I wanted it to be him and me again, with the beautiful pictures I knew we could create.
“Oh, my brat.” Roman’s thumb slowly teased over my mouth again. “I’m going to take so many pictures of you.”
The words were innocent and simple, but the images they created in my head were dirty and perfect. I couldn’t wait.
Chapter 13
Roman
He was incredible.
Beautiful.
Wicked.
Teasing.
And so hard his dick strained against the fabric of the delicate panties.
It was the Eli who’d pulled me close and had made me want to go insane with frustration and need. “That’s right, Brat. Arch your ass out again, hands against the wall like I’m going to walk right up and fuck that tight little hole.”
