Page 59 of Roman

CHAPTER 14

EFFIE

Iwoke up, the sound of the bedroom door clicking shut waking me. I sat up, looking around confused for a moment. Roman was gone, his side of the bed still slightly warm from where he slept. I knew I had been nestled close to him in the night after our impromptu picnic and bath. We had soaked in the warm water, the heat relaxing my sore muscles. Roman had been gentle as he dried me off, and in bed, he had kissed me, then we made love again. This time, it was slow, soft, incredibly intimate in the dark, with only his voice and touch to ground me. I had never experienced the sensations he caused within me. The pleasure his hands and mouth gave me. And when he was inside me, my body couldn’t get enough. I hadn’t slept with anyone prior to Roman simply because no one captivated me. I hadn’t planned on being a virgin at my age, but I’d never met anyone I felt desire for.

The desire I felt for Roman was overwhelming. He wasn’t the sort of man I would ever have thought I would be interested in, but there was no denying the attraction. He was intense, serious, focused, and driven. Dangerous. I had recognized that the moment I met him. But he was also incredibly gentle, thoughtful, and kind—at least to me. Vi thought the world of him. I knew Aldo was loyal, and Vi insisted they were great friends. But she was honest and admitted they were both dangerous men.

Still, that didn’t stop the feelings that were developing within me.

I scrambled from the bed and rushed into the office, dragging the blanket around me. Roman was just about to walk out the door when he heard me and stopped. He turned, looking bemused as he saw me. He stepped back in, observing me. “Effie?” he asked with a smile. “What is it?”

I had no idea what to say. Why I had rushed out here. Except I hadn’t wanted him to leave without seeing him again. Convincing myself that last night had happened. I gathered the blanket closer. “Um, I just wanted to say, ah, good morning. And have a good day.”

For a moment, he said nothing, simply staring as he ran a finger over his bottom lip, that odd expression of fierce tenderness on his face. Then he strode forward, wrapping his hand around my waist and dragging me to him. He bunched the blanket up in his hand, cupping my butt, and crashed his mouth to mine, kissing me until I was dizzy. I whimpered, threading my hand through his thick hair and tugging the way I knew he liked. He groaned low in his chest as he released me, pressing his forehead to mine.

“Thank you,” he murmured, dropping a kiss to my head. He released me, and I gripped the edge of the wall for support, watching as he walked to the door. He looked over his shoulder, throwing me a smile. “Have a good day, dear,” he said with a smirk. “Stay out of trouble.”

Then he was gone, leaving me with his scent on my skin and his taste in my mouth.

I was restless all morning. I showered and washed my hair. Stared out the window. Looked at the diner paperwork Roman had brought me. I paced the office, did rounds in the hall outside, staring at the elevator. I wandered through the suite next door he had shown me the night before after our bath. His nonna’s suite was feminine and welcoming, not resembling a hotel room at all. He accessed it through a door in his closet that adjoined hers, separated by a short hallway, much the same as his suite was laid out. He said his nonna rarely came into town, but when she did, he liked for her to be comfortable and feel at home.

“And it’s safe,” he added, explaining that this part of the hotel was accessible only by the private elevator and completely blocked off from the rest of the hotel floor. There was even a second staircase in case of emergencies.

“Don’t people notice the short hallway?” I asked.

He shook his head. “No. Mirrors make it appear longer, and no one is looking for a hidden part of the floor. We have purposely added supply closets and a staff elevator at the one end so people don’t even notice. You don’t miss what you don’t know is there.”

“Why did you keep me in your room?” I asked, curious. “I could have stayed here. Or even a different room in the hotel. You have lots,” I added, trying to keep the question light.

He frowned. “I had to watch over you. You seemed less nervous when I was close. I was only thinking of your well-being.” He paused, quietly adding, “And then, I couldn’t.” He turned and left the room, and after a few moments, I followed.

He was intensely private. I paced some more, feeling nervous. Would his nonna like me? How was he going to introduce me? Why would Aldo tell her we were dating?

Did I want to date Roman?

I wasn’t sure he was the dating sort. I didn’t think I was his type either, but then again, he certainly hadn’t been my type.

Until now.

Simply thinking about last night made the blood rush to my face. The butterflies in my stomach turned into a swarm, and my pulse raced. I had never known passion or ecstasy like that could exist. I’d certainly never dreamed it could happen to me. Opinions of my friends varied. Some waxed on about their sex life, others seemed blasé, saying it was only a small part of their life. I’d had no idea what to expect, but nothing had prepared me for Roman Costas. He was passionate and in control. He didn’t make fun of my inexperience, but rather treated it as a gift. He was in turns rough and tender. Worried for my comfort and determined to give me pleasure and find his own.

It had been incredible.

The door opened, and Roman came in, looking concerned. “Are you all right?”

I stopped mid-pace, trying to calm my racing pulse. “Yes.”

He tilted his head. “You’re flushed.”

I held my hands to my cheeks. “I’m fine.”

He came closer. “You’re upset.”

“No.”

“You haven’t sat down since I left. You’re pacing in here, in the hall. You’re pulling on your hair, chewing your lip.”

I knew there were cameras in here, but I was surprised to know he’d been watching me. I should be upset, yet I wasn’t.