“You said a lot of things to me.”
“Nala, you know what I’m talking about.”
“I do.” I tilt my head. “But you still have to tell me which part you’re wrong about. You sounded pretty sure of yourself, like you really meant it.”
He pinches the bridge of his nose and tips his head back slightly. "I did it on purpose. I didn’t mean any of it. I was lying.”
“But you don’t lie. Not to me.”
“Today I did.” He moves toward the window, holding his head down and rubbing his temple. “I’m a good liar when I need to be. I even lie to myself. That’s what I did this morning. I convinced myself I had to say those things to you.”
“Why?” My voice cracks. “Why would you lie to me? To yourself? I’m always honest with you.”
"You are,” he says quietly. “That’s the problem.”
He lets out a ragged breath. “You’re beautiful, sweet, and honest. You make me smile even when I don’t want to. I’ve never had anyone understand me the way you do. You know what I do. You fucking know it and you still look at me the way you do, like you genuinely like me.”
He puts his fist to his mouth, shaking his head. “I wasn’t expecting this thing between us. I didn’t want it. When I saw what was happening, I tried to stop it.”
“You make it sound like caring about someone is a bad thing.”
He lets out a low humorless laugh and pushes off the windowsill, closing the space between us. His gaze roams over my face and body. “You don’t get it. The way I care about you, means you stop being just a girl I’m responsible for. You becomemy woman.”
My stomach flutters and my pulse races. I take in a deep breath, calming myself as he keeps talking.
“That was never part of my plan. I told you from the beginning why I took you. You know my goals, how you fit into this.”
I swallow hard, the flutter in my stomach turning to dread. “I know. You only wanted me to read for you.”
“You don’t have to anymore,” he says quietly.
I blink, unsure I heard him. “What do you mean? That’s what I’m here for, how I fit into your goals like you said.”
He shakes his head. “No. It’s not.”
“Roman, if I don’t read for you, I don’t have anything else.” My voice shakes as I try not to cry. “This is the only thing I have. That I can do.” A stupid tear escapes my eye. I swipe it away with the back of my hand. “I don’t mind doing it. I really don’t.”
He closes the distance and lifts my hand, using his thumb to catch another tear before it falls. “Why are you crying? I thought I said something good. I told you I won’t force you to do anything.”
“If I don’t help you,” I whisper, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I don’t want to leave you, but I’ll have to go because you don’t need me anymore.” She looks up at me, biting her trembling lips. “I don’t have anywhere to go. I can’t show up to my sister in America. She wouldn’t even recognize me. She probably has a normal life now. She wouldn’t want her weird sister being around people she knows. I don’t have anyone. I only have you.”
“Nala,” he says, firmly. “I said I wouldn’t force you to read for me.” His hand slides to my chin, tilting my face up. “I didn’t say anything about letting you leave.”
My breath hitches.
“You don’t fit into the plans I had.” His thumb traces along my jaw. “So I’m changing them. You can use your gift as you please. Or never use it. It’s up to you.”
His gaze locks onto mine, not easing up. “But you still belong to me. There’s no going back to America. No anywhere else. Where I stay, you stay. And that’s here.”
I gaze up at him. “I never wanted to leave you.”
He pulls me into him, holding me tight. “I’m sorry I hurt your heart,” he whispers against my ear. “Do you forgive me?”
“I do. I never thought I’d hear you say sorry. I like how it sounds.”
I rest my hand against his chest. He catches my wrist, his eyes flicking to my mouth. Roman laughs, “I don’t mind saying sorry to you, but I don’t plan on messing up again.”
I don’t get the chance to answer before his mouth is on mine. He kisses me slow and deep. It feels different than the other night, not rushed. His hand slides into my hair, tiltingmy head back so he can take his time. I follow his lead, melting into him. His other hand wraps around my wrist holding me in place.
