Tessa opens a door that readsEmployee Bathroomand pulls us both inside. She lets go of me, and I glance at it to see if there’s a mark left behind, but it’s just my imagination.
The lock latches, but she makes no move to face me. “What are you after, Rome? Why are you in Vegas?”
I lean against the sink, the cool porcelain a bite to my palms. I wait patiently for her to turn around to face me. I’m not speaking to her backside, even if the view is sort of nice.
Eventually, she turns around in haste, her wavy brown hair loose behind her shoulders.
“Hello?” she says sarcastically.
I eye her closely, and the stuffy room fills with hot tension.
“Your father didn’t tell you?” I’m casual about it, my head tilting to the side.
She crosses her arms defensively. “Tell me what?”
My smirk deepens, and I don’t even have to say the words.
Tessa’s horrified expression tells me she knowsexactlywhy I’m here.
Chapter Five
TESSA
A million thoughtsfill my head, crashing like waves in the ocean. One revolting thought after another. And for the first time, I don’t have a solution to any of them.
My first thought is to accuse him. “You’re lying.”
Rome’s brow hitches. “I’m a lot of things, but a liar isn’t one of them.”
I doubt that.
“My father wouldn’t hire you.” I say this more to myself than him. “You’re aPierce.”
His surname rolls off my tongue bitterly. The taste left behind is as sour as the three lemon drops I had.
Rome’s knuckles turn white, his grip against the sink firm with frustration. “And?”
I scoff, my arms tight against my chest. “And being a Pierce means you’re shady…and entitled.Arrogant. That isn’t how Vanstone Racing is portrayed.” My lip lifts with disgust. “You and your father both think you’re untouchable! Why do you think my father left?”
Rome runs his fingers through his dark hair, the same hand going back to the sink to hold himself up as he leans against it inthe most superior way. His flexed jaw catches my eye, the edges of it sharper than a knife.
It's no wonder his face is on all the billboards.
Next time I see one, I should climb to the top and slash Xs over his eyes.
Rome hums, and I pull my gaze from his stupid, edgy jaw.
His eyes are fiery, like two blue flames driving into me. “So that’s why you think your father left? Because we’re arrogant?”
Silence bounces off the walls of the stuffy, dim bathroom. Remnants of Lysol and bleach surround us, which has to be the reason for my short breaths.
“I know that’s why,” I say. “So what are you really doing here? Did you come all the way to Las Vegas to snoop?”
I push off the bathroom door to eliminate some of the space between us. I straighten my shoulders but keep my arms crossed against my chest. “Or did you come here to intimidate my brothers? Thought you might try to fuck with their heads before the season starts so you have a better chance at winning?”
Rome’s cheek twitches, and I want to smack him.
He shoves himself off the bathroom sink and is in front of me before I have a chance to spew any more reasons why he’d be here.
