“Never?” She said the question so slowly, it felt like someone scraping their nails down a chalkboard.
“Never.”
Her lips curled into a soft smile. “Well then, they’re dickheads, but don’t discount Roman. I’m sure that man’s made differently.”
I hummed out a reply as I grabbed a pile of menus to hand to the new customers while I tried not to let myself think about Roman Blackagain.
I finishedwork in the early evening, leaving the other staff to do the rest of the shift. Exhausted, I stumbled into my house, bracing myself for the chill in the air that usually greeted me, but something was different… warmth washed over me.
What the hell?
Dashing to my bedroom, I pressed my hand against the radiator, swearing when the heat burnt my fingers. Then, just to check I wasn’t dreaming, I moved from one room to another, discovering the unfamiliar heat in every one. Confused, I shook my head, but the warmth of the place seemed to dull the questions I had about how the hell my ancient boiler suddenly seemed to have started working.
Deciding I’d make the most of it before it inevitably broke again, I stripped off my clothes and walked naked from the bedroom to the bathroom, turning on the water, noticing the pressure had improved, and the water quickly reached the perfect temperature.
“What the hell is going on? Have I got a secret fairy godmother who is fixing my shit?”
Just as I was about to step into the shower, a thought hit me: “Fucking Roman Black.”
10
ROMAN
I got backfrom my first day in the office completely exhausted from so much people-ing. Thomas was right to insist on a twelve-month contract, otherwise, I would have handed in my notice at least eight times today. I was used to tech and watching people down a lens; I was not used to managing staff and allocating jobs. It was a lot, and my brain flooded with overwhelm.
Pulling on my shorts, I didn’t bother with a top, leaving my chest exposed to the unusually balmy evening air. I headed outside into the garage, opening the double doors, letting the sunlight stream in. One of the reasons I’d chosen this place, other than it being in the middle of nowhere with no neighbours for miles except for one Hana Monroe, was that this large space had been converted into a gym that I’d filled with equipment and was keen to use for the first time.
I turned up “Could Have Been Me” by The Struts loud in my earbuds, drowning out the world while I worked off the stress and frustration from today and also tried to wipe the memory of coming over my hand while I watched Hana sleep, which had been playing in my mind all day.
I wasn’tsure how long I’d been working out, but the sky had grown dark and stormy as I turned my back to add another weight to the machine I’d been using. Something that felt like a warm hand touched my shoulder, and I swore loudly, spinning on my toes, grabbing the person who’d crept up on me by the throat, pushing them blindly until their back hit the wooden wall. It was only when I had them secure that the fog lifted, the rational part of my brain taking over the reactive part.
Guilt curdled in my stomach like warm milk as I found Hana, wide eyed, gripping my wrist with both hands.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I grunted, releasing my hold on her, but caging her in with both arms on either side of her head. “How do you even know where I live?”
She stared for a moment before she replied breathlessly, “Small town’s gossip, remember?” she said, echoing my own words back at me. “Did you break into my house and fix my boiler and shower?” She narrowed her eyes as if she’d remembered she was meant to be mad with me.
I pulled out my earbuds and put them in my pocket, the tinny sound of the music still playing, offering us a soundtrack for our bickering. “No,” I lied because that was exactly what I’d done. “Why do you think that?”
“Because my house is suddenly hot, and the shower works perfectly. I know what a hero complex you have, so I wouldn’t put it past you.”
She smelled delicious, like hard work and happiness, and it took all my willpower not to run my tongue up the column of her throat.
I hardened my expression, trying to hide the effect she had on me because I was scared she’d look too closely and see the level of obsession I carried for her. “What makes you think I’d go to all that trouble for you?”
“I-I… I…”
“You okay there, little menace?”
She didn’t reply, her hands still at her sides, twitching nervously.
“You shouldn’t creep up on people. It’s dangerous. I could’ve hurt you.” I moved my inked hand to her throat, circling it softly. “Did I hurt you?”
“No,” she whispered. I tightened my grip slightly, noticing how her lips parted, her hazel eyes darkened, and her back bowed, pressing her chest against mine. I tightened my grip a little more, and her hips bucked, making my cock harden. She licked her lips as her eyes bore into mine, but then, like someone had doused her in cold water, she slapped her hands to my chest, pushing me away.
She wouldn’t have been able to move me, but I didn’t want to scare her, so I took her cue and released my hold before stepping back, hating the space between us.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
