“You should find a more willing student.”
Now the hot pokerisin his chest and his eyebrows do furrow and he’s standing to his full height in the water pushing her until she’s sandwiched between his chest and the wall of the pool. Her hands rest on his biceps when he bends his head.
It was meant to be a reassuring gesture. A quick brush to let her know that he isn’t going anywhere and that he doesn’t want anyone else, and that she’s sofucking stubbornbut when their lips meet, he doesn’t realize how tetchy he feels about her comments, and it quickly dissolves into an invasive one. Her nails dig into his arm, and she lets out a soft whimper when he deepens the kiss. His tongue sweeps against her and he drags his hands down her face, controlling the depth and speed and pressure, because he can.
Because he needs to.
Because he can’t control anything else.
Pulling back, he rests his forehead against hers, his thumb tracing her mouth.
“I don’t want anyone else, Jahlani. It makes me angry when you say things like that, so … don’t, okay?” he says, breath uneven against her.
Cupping his jaw with her hand, she drags him back to her, kissing him with just as much aggression and he pulls back again, grabbing her jaw to stop her from chasing him.
“Did you hear what I said?” He asks.
She looks down, nodding. “I heard you, Roman.”
He looks down at her, taking in her wet eyelashes, bruised lips, and bright eyes.
“God, you drive me crazy,” he says before gathering her against his chest to kiss her with more languid precision.
“Roman Alexander Hayes! I thought that was you!” a voice calls from the side. Jahlani immediately pushes him away and glides to the side.
Alexandershe mouths, hiding a smile behind her fist. He shrugs, turning back around to face the full government name-calling individual.
“Elliot,” he says, reaching his hand out to clap his. “It’s great to see you, man.”
Elliot squats at the edge of the pool, smiling. Roman notices Jahlani sliding away and catches her wrist, pulling her back.
“Eli, this is Jahlani. Jahlani, meet Eli.”
Jahlani sticks her hand out, and they shake. Elliot smiles at her before turning back to him.
“So, what’s going on with you, man? I haven’t seen you since Lucy was born.”
Roman scratches his hair, feeling sheepish. “Yeah, man. I’m sorry. Things just got crazy.”
Elliot holds up his hands. “Hey, I get it.” Then with a frown, he amends, “Well, actually, I don’t get it because I don’t have a kid, but I get the sentiment.”
Elliot turns to Jahlani, his mouth curved upward. “How do you know, Roman?”
She parts her lips. “I?—”
“We’re together,” he says, not missing the way her eyes snap to him. “We’re together,” he repeats, liking the way it sounds.
Elliot smiles, shaking his head. “I figured, with the way you were practically swallowing her.”
Roman flicks water at him, and Jahlani turns her head into his shoulder.
Elliot laughs, clearing his throat. “What brings you by?”
Roman sends a thumb Jahlani’s way. “Teaching her to swim.”
Elliot nods. “Ah. Well, Jahlani, you’re in good hands—Roman wiped the floor at all the competitions.”
Her eyebrows bend. “Competitions?”
