Rome’s throat bobs up and down, like he’s forcing himself to swallow. “She’s in a committed relationship with someone she shouldn’t be.”
“Oh.”
I act quick and cross my arms defensively so he doesn’t notice the way my shoulders loosen from relief. “Well, you shouldn’t have followed me. If someone saw you, then what’s the point of either of us bringing a plus-one?”
Rome leans against the door and shoves his hands into the pockets of his trousers.
It’s frustrating how attractive he is, especially in an elite suit. The dark navy brings out the color of his eyes even more, as if they weren’t already the most vibrant blue I’ve ever seen.
I raise an eyebrow and wait for his answer.
He drops his lazy gaze down my body, and my face warms again.
I mindlessly take a step backward to fight whatever is happening between us.
“We each brought a date to fool everyone into thinking there’s nothing happening between us,” Rome mutters.
My stomach flips. “There is nothing happening between us.”
Rome tilts his head and stares at me from across the small space.
I take another step backward and bump into the sink.
Why is it so warm and cozy in this bathroom? Does everything have to be so romantic in Madrid?
“You look flushed,” he says.
My spine straightens. “Drinking tequila makes me warm.”
His lips flatten. “But you didn’t drink any.”
“How do you know?”
Rome’s tongue slips out of his mouth to run it over his bottom lip. “Because I watch you, Tessa.”
It’s so quiet I know he hears the way my breath catches.
He blinks. “And I know you’ve felt me watching you.”
There’s something extremely dangerous lingering in the air that I’ve only ever felt with Rome. At first, I thought the tension between us was because our rivalry between our teams ran bone-deep, but right now, the ache in my lower stomach is full of lust and hidden urges.
In every quiet moment, I think about the kiss we shared until I realize what I’m doing. And when I look at him from across the room, I pretend I don’t feel the yearning. Every time he brushes his leg against mine, my skin prickles, and I tell myself it’s from irritation.
But it’s not from irritation at all.
It’s something much worse.
Rome shifts against the door, and I quickly try to cover up my thoughts.
“Of course I’ve felt you watching me, and I know it’s because you’re waiting for me to mess up so you can tease me about it later on.”
I’m giving him an out.
I’m giving him a way around this so he doesn’t feed into it the same way that I am.
All he has to do is make some stupid remark to offend me, turn around, and leave me be.
For the first time, I’m willingly giving him the control.
