He didn’t, though I lingered for a beat, waiting.
When nothing came, I cleared my throat and pushed myself to my feet. My body protested, stiff and sore. “I’ll check on you in the morning.”
Roman didn’t move. He watched me quietly from the bed, his expression hazy with sleep.
My gaze lingered on him. He was still in his work clothes.
A small frown pulled at my lips. “You should change into something more comfortable,” I said gently.
Before I could give myself time to second-guess the decision, I turned and walked toward the door.
My hand closed around the knob when his voice stopped me.
“Good night, Golden.”
Heat rushed straight to my face. That ridiculous nickname.
I’d thought he would forget about it once the fever faded.
“Good night.”
Thefirstpalelightof dawn bled across the snow as I cradled my tea in both hands, letting the warmth seep into my cold fingers.
Since leaving Roman’s room, I hadn’t slept at all.
I stared out the kitchen window at the backyard, barely seeing it as turmoil ravaged my mind.
The memory of Roman’s hand against my cheek, and the way his voice had dropped when he called me Golden replayed in my mind. I couldn’t focus on sleep when I saw nothing but his fevered gaze dragging over me every time I closed my eyes.
I swallowed hard, setting my mug down on the counter even harder. I tugged at the sleeves of my sweater without thinking, pulling them down over my palms.
Under the fabric, my scars felt heavy and impossible to ignore. Shame prickled hot under my skin.
Even if Roman ever wanted me, he had no idea what I really looked like beneath layers of fabric. He didn’t know about the twisted, raised skin that webbed across my arms and legs. There was no way he’d find that attractive.
A pang of sorrow pierced through me.
Why did things suddenly feel so much more complicated?
I sighed. Perhaps when Roman was better, and the fever was long gone, he’d forget all about those moments in his bedroom.
A sharp, irritated meow broke through my thoughts.
I glanced down at Phantom batting furiously at the back door, his tiny paws scrabbling on the wood.
A small, reluctant smile tugged at my lips.
I set my mug on the counter and crossed the kitchen in stockinged feet, unlocking the back door and cracking it open. Cold air rushed in, biting at my skin.
“Go on,” I murmured.
Phantom darted outside without hesitation, his gray tail flicking as he disappeared into the woods. He liked to roam a bit a couple of times a day. Roman and I probably wouldn’t go to the gym later, so it was good for him to burn off some energy now.
He wore his collar, and he never strayed far.
I closed the door with a shiver, wrapping my arms around myself as I stepped back into the warmth of the kitchen.
As I turned away from the door, something crunched under my heel.
