Page 56 of Roman

CHAPTER 13

ROMAN

Ifelt the bed shift, and I tightened my grip on Effie.

“Where are you going?” I asked, my voice rough with sleep. I had never known slumber as deep and peaceful as when I slept beside this woman.

“I have to pee,” she muttered, pushing on my arm.

I pressed a kiss between her shoulder blades. “Hurry back.”

I watched her fumble around, finding her robe. “No need for clothes,” I said with a chuckle. “I like you naked.”

Her little huff of annoyance made me smile, and I shut my eyes, inhaling the scent of her on the linen my head rested on. She was everywhere in the bed, on me, my skin, my mouth. I liked it—more than I should.

I opened my eyes, shocked to discover I had dozed, and Effie hadn’t come back to bed. I sat up but found the bathroom door open. I heard noises and frowned. She had to be in the office.

But why?

My first instinct was mistrust, and I wondered what she was looking for. Then I reminded myself it was Effie, and she had access to the office all day if she wanted. Besides, she wouldn’t find anything. I was far too smart to keep evidence of any kind where someone could find it. Still, I was annoyed she was in there and not in bed. I grabbed my sweats and strode into the office, stopping when I saw where she was and what she was doing. Sitting cross-legged on the floor by the small fridge under my bar, she was snacking on a cheese stick. An apple was clutched in her other hand, a few bites gone. I leaned on the doorframe, observing her. A bite of apple, a nibble of cheese. She chewed slowly as though enjoying the food, her eyes shut.

“Hungry, Little Tiger?” I asked, now amused.

Her eyes flew open, the blue bright in the light coming in from the large window behind my desk.

I strolled forward, sitting in front of her. “Are you in need of sustenance?” I asked with a smile.

“I’m hungry, yes,” she replied, taking another bite of apple.

Grinning, I took the fruit from her hand, taking a large bite and chewing. She looked displeased that I had taken her snack, and I leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her mouth. “Tell me what you want to eat. I can get you anything.”

“Anything?”

“Anything,” I assured her. The kitchen was open twenty-four seven. Any time the guests were hungry, they were served. The buffet in the casino never closed. It shocked me how much food people consumed between midnight and morning.

She bit her lip, hesitating. “Tell me,” I demanded.

“I want a chicken sandwich with tomatoes and bacon. On sourdough bread with mayo and salt and pepper. And crispy French fries.” She paused. “With a cola.”

“Anything else?” I asked, my amusement complete.

“Would the chicken be real or packaged?”

“We don’t serve anything packaged here.”

“Oh,” she breathed out. “May I have pickles too?”

I stood, taking her with me. “It’ll be here soon.” After sitting her on the sofa, I went to my desk and picked up the phone. If the chef was shocked at my ordering food at two a.m., he hid it well. I repeated Effie’s order, adding a sandwich for myself and a thermos of coffee. I hung up and studied her across the room. She was looking anywhere but at me, gnawing on the apple, the cheese now gone.

I opened my arms. “Come here, Little Tiger.”

She crossed the room, and I pulled her to my lap, wrapping my arms around her. She sighed, resting her head on my shoulder. I relaxed with her so close and took the apple from her, finishing it in three large bites.

“Always tell me what you want,” I said in a low voice. “Everywhere. When you’re hungry. When you need something. What you like in bed. What you want me to do to you.”

I felt the heat of her blush on my skin.

“Does that embarrass you, Effie? Thinking about being in bed with me? Telling me what you like?”