Rosalie
Is it wrong of me to imagine stabbing my ‘date’ with a fork?
As Chase’s hand reaches across the table to rest over mine for the third time, I smile with gritted teeth back at him. Now I remember his constant habit of touching and how much it bugged me before. Feeling his warm palm slide over my knuckles makes my insides revolt, and I have to stamp down my irritation.
It’s different when it’s Maddox, Kairo, or even Roman. Their touch feels welcoming and comfortable. Chase’s just feels grimy. Like I need hand sanitizer or a scalding shower to wash it off.
Make them jealous. That will snap them out of their stupidity.
Charlie’s advice seemed like a good idea at the time. Now I wish she were here so I could kick her in the fucking shins.
“I’m so glad you finally agreed to this, Rose.” Chase smiles, but it lacks the luster and light of Kairo’s aura. It feels rehearsed—sterile.
“Me too,” I lie, forcing my lips to upturn.
“I’ve missed you,” Chase brushes his thumb over my knuckles. He’s conventionally attractive with his clean-cut hair and sharp jawline. His face is symmetrical, with high cheekbones. I’ve always thought he was handsome, but I don’t feel that spark between us.
Not like with…
I cut the thought off, shunting myself back to reality as I try to focus on this disaster of a date.
“You know?” Chase says. “You’re the one who got away.”
“Oh?” I sound intrigued, but it’s only to mask my surprise. I don’t like where this is going…
“Yeah,” he chuckles. “Our fans have been waiting for this moment, and so have I…”
Okay, time for me to find an exit.
“Umm, thank you for that, but I don’t think I’m ready—”
“She’s taken,” A familiar voice says from behind Chase. My date tenses as a hand slaps over his shoulder roughly, thick, tattooed fingers digging into his expensive dress shirt as he peers behind him with fear in his eyes.
Roman peers down at him, murderous intent swirling in his irises. It’s the most intense I’ve ever seen him, and a spark of excitement ignites in me.
“I’m sorry…” Chase’s eyes flicker between the three men crowding around him like a brick wall of pure muscle. “But who are you?”
“The bodyguards, boyfriends, whatever title you want to put on it.” Kairo tilts his head as he smirks tightly. “She’s taken.”
Roman’s sea blue eyes shift to me, something profound passing behind them. “You can either follow us out, or I’m throwing you over my fucking shoulder, Rosalie.”
I cross my arms over my chest, settling back in my chair. “Oh? What brought on this sudden change? I thought I was free to do as I pleased—”
“You’re not,” Roman interrupts me. “I made a fucking mistake not communicating with you, but listen well, Siren. You’re ours.” He motions to Chase dismissively. “Thisisn’t happening.”
I roll my lips in to stop my smile. “Mhmm.”
Roman leans forward, bracing his hands on the table as he stares me dead in the eyes. “Ass up or I will remove you myself.”
I place my hands on the table, mimicking him as I lean forward. I don’t care that the whole restaurant has gone silent at our scene or that there’s a camera flashing across the diningroom. It’s just us. “Come and get me then.”
He stalks around the table, dragging me up by my bicep before slinging me over his shoulder. He uses a hand to smooth down my dress as we leave. I bury my face in my hands because my cheeks feel like they’re going to catch fire as the guys walk me out to the valet.
“This is your fault, you know?” I call over Roman’s shoulder. “You have a serious issue with speaking your mind.”
He slaps a hand over my ass. “And you’re loud enough to voice yours without any thought of the repercussions. Keep talking back.”
He sets me down in front of the SUV’s back door, and I huff a breath as I scowl at him. “I’m not done—”
