He circles back around to me, and his hands frame my face.
“You’re with me, and that puts you in danger. There’s nothing I can do about that. I wouldn’t leave this life if I could, and I can’t.”
“I know that.”
“But you’re always safe with me. There are reasons it’s important to me that you’re safe. No one will ever raise a hand to you in anger. Unless death comes knocking on our door, I’m happy to shield you from ever seeing blood being drawn again. I just need to know that if anything were to ever happen, you could protect yourself if I couldn’t get to you.”
“I can shoot, and I know some basic hand-to-hand, although not much. I have a good aim when stomping on an instep or kneeing someone in the balls.”
His eyebrows climb.
“My father’s men got a little too friendly.”
“Jesus.”
“I’m not a delicate flower.” I grin and boost up on my toes, intending to kiss him, but I’m still not tall enough, and my hands are still covered in sticky pasta dough. “Hey, come down here.”
“Not yet. That second statement about fucking around on you? That’s not going to happen. I don’t want anyone else, and when I’m committed, I’m fucking committed.”
“It’s beendays, Rome.” I shake my head, but he holds me firm. “Seriously, it’s been such a short time. This might not work out between us.”
“It doesn’t matter how long it’s been. Iknow.There will be no one else for either of us ever again.”
I let out a shaky breath before he presses his lips to mine twice and pulls away.
“You’re unbelievable, Eloise.”
“No, I’m not.” I turn back to my dough. “I’m just a product of what I survived.”
“Unbelievable.” He drags his hand down my ponytail and kisses my temple. “I have some work in my office.”
“Okay.” I smile at him as he leaves the room. Once the dough is ready to go, I wash my hands again and text Scarlett.
Me: I’m making a huge dinner! Wanna come over to eat and hang this evening?
The dots dance on the screen as I open the fridge and pull out a bottle of water, uncap it, and take a long sip.
Scarlett: Did you talk to Mr. Alexander?
I smirk and reply.
Me: Yes, and he’s totally cool.
Scarlett: Then hell yes! Can I head your way now so we can hang while you cook?
Me: Get your sexy ass over here.
Scarlett: Be there in about 30.
By the time Scarlett texts to let me know she’s downstairs, I have the pasta ready to go in a boiling pot and the brownies in the oven.
I open the front door and smile at the guard there.
“Hey, my friend Scarlett is downstairs. Would you please bring her up?”
“Sure thing,” he says, and I close the door.
I pad over to the office and see Rome typing away on his keyboard.
