“Remember how I said the timing wasn’t right for meto date anyone after I got back home? News flash: ‘Anyone’ includes you, Mr. Football Superstar. I know that might be hard for you to believe, but I didn’t say that as an attempt at reverse psychology or a ploy to get you to pursue me. When I said it, I meant it, and I still do.” I scoff. “Unlike you, apparently, I value total honesty.”
Roman looks as indignant as if I’d physically slapped himacross the face. “Okay, Miss Honesty. Tell me the truth. You genuinely havezerodesire to date me after we leave here?”
“Zero.” I think that’s the truth. But if by some chance I’m wrong about that and my subconscious knows something I don’t, then I don’t mind giving Roman a taste of his own deceptive medicine.
Roman narrows his dark, blazing eyes and his nostrils flare. Clearly, I’ve royally pissed him off. “You’re honestly telling me,” he grits out, “under oath, if I asked to date you after we leave here, if I said that to you, like expressly, you’d one-hundred-percent turn me down and say ‘No thanks, Roman’?”
“Correct.” As I say the words, I cross my fingers underneath the table, just in case there’s a sliver of my damaged, traitorous heart that might stupidly be tempted to say yes to dating Roman, if asked.
“Why is that so hard for you to believe?” I ask, annoyed by the expression of disbelief on Roman’s gorgeous face. “Is it because you think you’re so irresistible, no woman could possibly turn you down, or that you think I’m so pathetic, I should leap at the chance to date any man who’d stoop to ask me?”
Roman scoffs. “Give me a fucking break, Iris. Both scenarios are ridiculous, and you know it.”
“Do I? I have no idea how your mind works, Roman. Honestly, when it comes to you, I don’t know what’s real and what isn’t.”
He jerks back in his chair, like I coldcocked him. “Fucking hell, Iris.”
“I know I lost my mind briefly for the entire world to see and laugh about,” I huff out. “But I assure you, I’m not actually crazy. That was a blip. Temporary insanity.”
“I know that. You think I don’t know that?”
“So, as charming as you are, and as much fun as I’ve had with thefictitiousversion of you, my rational brain knows—”
“Would you please stop—”
“—that I just got out of a long-term relationship—”
“—discounting everything—”
“—that ended horribly.”
“—that’s happened between us? Me not telling you about my son doesn’t make anything that’s happened between us any less real.”
We stare each other down, until, finally, I break the thick silence.
“Look, I’m sure you’re normally irresistible to every woman you have flings with, but like I told you before, I’m not interested in jumping into anything with you or anyone else, so there was no reason for you to explain all the reasons you’renotinterested in ever seeing me again.”
Roman’s jaw muscles pulse. “That’s not what I said.”
“You said you don’t have time to try to see me after you leave here, and what I’m saying is, good, because I don’twantto see you. Not even if you begged me.”
His eyebrows ride up. “Wow.”
“It’s nothing personal. How could it be, when I barely know you—if I know you at all?” I snort. “The last thing I need is to jump into a long-distance anything with a fling I don’t even know when he’s simultaneously starting a new, demanding job while also trying to be more present for his young child.”
Roman’s dark eyes are positively on fire. “Glad we’re both clear.”
“We are. Crystal.” I put down my fork, my blood simmering. “It’s our last night together, Roman. And, suddenly, I don’t want to spend it being romanced by you or getting to know you. And I certainly don’t want to spend it arguing with you.”
Roman’s chest heaves. “How do you want to spend it? With me sleeping on the couch, I presume? Or do I need to get another room for the fucking night?”
I lean back in my chair and return Roman’s molten glare.I don’t know why my body is craving one last, hot-as-hell horizontal tango with this hunk of a man, when my brain feels so angry and disillusioned and deceived. But the fact remains, it is, desperately, and I’m not willing to deny my body the pleasure, no matter what other emotions I might be feeling.
“I guess you don’t know me any better than I know you,” I spit out. “No, Roman, I don’t want to spend tonight with you sleeping on the couch or anywhere else. I want to spend it with my naked body entangled in yours, and with you giving me as many orgasms as humanly possible before it’s time to say goodbye for-fucking-ever in the morning.”
Chapter 24
Roman
