Safe. Alone. Away. Her skin flushes as her heart hammers. She unbuttons her cardigan, shedding it as she paces back and forth in the empty room.
The door swings open, and Roman walks through.
Her eyes widen as her pulse increases. “What are you doing? You can’t be in here.”
Stepping all the way in, the door snaps shut as he leans against it. “I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
She laughs, but it’s strained. Mocking. “I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine.”
“Roman,” she whispers as she continues pacing back and forth, “I said I’m fine. You shouldn’t be here. Someone could see.”
“See what? We’re not doing anything.” His phone vibrates, but he ignores it.
She steps toward him. “You can’t be in here,” she says, gritting her teeth. “Leave. Go back to the lecture. Please.”
He steps forward, eyebrows pinched together. “Did something happen with your parents? Did someone do something to you?”
Yes, I realized that I haven’t been able to wash you from me yet. I realized that I fell for you. I realized that no matter what, I’m going to sabotage this somehow.
“No. Nothing happened,” she says, lip curled. His phone buzzes again.
“Then, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing! I just—are you going to get that?” she snaps.
He arches a brow, turning the phone off before placing it on the desk.
“No, I’m not going to get it. We’re talking.”
She covers her face with her hands, inhaling and exhaling to lessen the shaking.
Without realizing, she finds herself on the edge of Jackson’s desk. Roman steps further into the room, and it’s not long before warm hands engulf her own, prying her fingers from her face. He’s too close, and her mind wanders.
She fastens her chin toward her chest as his finger curls under it. “Jahlani, look at me.”
She licks her lips, her stomach twisting at his light touch.
“You shouldn’t be in here,” she says to the ground in a quiet voice.
“I know.”
He steps forward, trailing his fingers from under her chin to her cheek. Back and forth, and back again. She shivers, turning her face into his hand, closing her eyes when his arm slides around her waist, curving her body into his. His thumb finds its way to her bottom lip, and he swipes against it slowly.
“Jahlani,” he says, voice gravelly. “Fuck, I?—”
Her body hums and seems to fold into him. Into his touch. It seems to screamhere, this is it, this is what you were missing. Him.
Her eyes open as she peers up at him, their heavy breathing mixing together, his green eyes pouring into her own ebony-infused ones. She’s so warm and desperate and he’s barely touched her. His head tilts closer and their mouths are a fraction away.
“Anyone could come in,” she says against his mouth. “Jackson could come in.”
But her body’s a mess for him.
So, when he breathes against her mouth telling her that he missed her she closes the distance, sending her fingers through his hair. His hand moves to grip the back of her neck, pressing their mouths together, holding her steady as they kiss slowly.
“Can’t do it,” he says into her mouth as his tongue meets hers. “I don’t know if I’ve told you this, but your rules are bullshit.”
