I drop my hands to the bulge in his dress pants and give his straining cock a squeeze before frantically undoing his belt. Once it’s out of the way, I yank on the button and zipper, needing them out of my fucking way. I’m trembling, my fingers too unsteady to pop the button.
Roman’s fingers find mine, stilling them long enough for him to finish and get his pants down. His shaft rests against his stomach when I wrap him in a tight fist and lift myself just enough to line us up. Need drives my movements, turning my mind to goo. I barely notice when he moves us until I’mscrambling for balance on the couch, unable to look directly at him any longer.
He settles behind me, and I reach for the arm of the couch in front of me, digging my knees deeper into the cushion. The stretch of his tip at my entrance reels me back. I hold myself up with my left hand and reach behind me with my right, refusing to let him cut me off entirely.
Our eyes meet, and while he looks like he’s ready to deny me this, he takes my hand and locks our fingers, laying them to rest against my lower back. A heavy breath falls out of me as I smile, unable to hide it. He blinks, and then he’s pushing his cock forward, not stopping until every single inch is seated inside of me.
I drop my head forward, letting it hang as he reaches around me and touches my belly. He keeps his hand there, holding the very part of me that represents years and years of childhood trauma. The backs of my eyes burn as I grit my teeth and squeeze his hand hard enough that I know my nails must be digging painfully into his skin.
“Beautiful,” he exhales, pulling out and then driving back in. His fingers spread across my stomach, covering as much area as possible. “So fucking beautiful.”
There’s nothing but truth in those words.
32
ROMAN
“Soooo. . . are you going to tell me where you went last night?”
I look up from my desk to see Evie leaning against the office door, the toe of her slipper tapping on the floor. With her arms crossed and expression stern, I’m transported back in time.
The memories I have of a tiny, toddler-sized Evie giving me very intimidating scoldings when she’d stumble upon the arguments I’d get into with her mother have never faded. Maybe they’ve refused to dim because I’ve done everything in my power to make sure I never forget a single moment that I had with Lena before she died, or maybe I just cherished seeing her daughter so grown and independent, even at a young age.
Either way, while she’s aged over the years, she’s still that empathetic little girl who’d take one look at a stranger regardless of their circumstances and offer them the clothes off her back. Well, that or a pep talk that would, without a doubt, have them racing away with a new fire beneath their ass.
Right now, I think she has alternate plans for me.
“Did I wake you when I got home?” I ask carefully.
“I was already awake.”
My brows draw together. “At two in the morning? Why?”
“Couldn’t sleep. I’m fine, before you ask,” she says, waving me off. “This isn’t about me, anyway.”
I lean away from my desk and roll the office chair to the left, away from the glare of the computer screen. “It is now. Are the pills still working? I can make an appointment if they aren’t. You promised you wouldn’t hide this from me the next time.”
“Why were you home so late? I thought you went right home after the studio,” she pushes.
“I’ll answer your question if you answer mine.”
Her harsh exhale reveals her frustration before the pointed words do. “It’s just been a few rough nights. I’ll make my own appointment if it gets worse. Now, spill.”
Concern glides between my ribs like a hot knife. Evie’s inability to sleep at night without the use of medication stems from losing Lena. The accident that took my sister from us could have stolen Evie from me, too, and ever since then, she’s become a night owl. The nightmares used to be so bad that I’d wake up to her screaming. I assumed everything had gotten better over these last few months, but apparently, I’m just not as perceptive as I used to be.
“I was . . . on a date,” I say awkwardly.
Shock works through her expression before she’s lighting up, her arms dropping. “With who? Do I know her? Where did you meet? Please tell me you were nice. Why didn’t you mention it to me when we were together?”
“Slow your roll,” I mutter, avoiding her eyes. “I didn’t say I was going to answer any other questions.”
“That’s a cruel loophole, Uncle.”
“Don’t pretend to be surprised.”
“I’m not asking for their full name and social insurance number. But this is the first time you’ve dated since I moved in here, so you can’t blame me for being curious. It would be totally mean to deny me this.”
“This is the first time you’venoticedme dating,” I correct her, knowing damn well I’m lying.
