Page 64 of Roman

CHAPTER 15

EFFIE

Ididn’t recall much of the car ride or anything else until Roman set me on the sofa in his suite, sitting on the coffee table in frontof me. He framed my face with his hands, staring at me.

“Tell me what to do.”

I drew in a shuddering breath, shaking my head. “I’m okay.”

“You are far from okay, Effie.”

“That was embarrassing,” I whispered. “For you. I’m sorry.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I embarrassed you.”

“You did nothing of the sort. I’m the one who owes you an apology. I should have known how you would react being back there.” He stood, yanking his fingers through his hair. “Jesus. I take you back to the place you experienced a life-altering, horrific event, and you’re apologizing to me?” He sat back down again, taking my hands. “It is I who should apologize to you. I should have thought that through. Refused to let you go upstairs.”

“I probably wouldn’t have listened.” I smiled ruefully. “I am a little stubborn.”

He lifted a hand, tracing my cheek. “You are,” he agreed. “I like that. You talk back to me at times. Not many people do.”

“Good for your ego,” I quipped.

He grinned. “There she is.” He leaned close, pressing his mouth to my forehead. “What can I get for you?”

“Some tea would be nice.”

He nodded and went to his desk, picking up the phone. I didn’t understand how he did it. In his arms, I felt safe. In his presence, I felt protected. Vi described him as lethal, and I believed her. I had seen glimpses of his anger. Felt his intense aura when he was close. Sensed the danger he carried with him.

Yet the man who made love to me last night was different. The man who held me and whispered gentle words of reassurance in my ear earlier was warm and caring. Still powerful, commanding, and intense, but softer. Kind.

I had discovered two very different sides of Roman Costas.

He returned, sitting in front of me again. “Tea and some food will be up shortly.”

“Thank you.” I smiled, trying for levity. “I guess my plants still didn’t get any water.”

“I asked Margi to go up and do it.”

“Thank you. I don’t think I’ll be ready to go back for a few days.”

He opened his mouth to say something, then shut it. “We’ll cross that bridge later. I want you to eat. I can get Vi to come see you. I have work.”

“I don’t need a babysitter. I’ll be fine. Now I know about your nonna’s suite, I can watch TV. I have my Kindle. I’m good.”

“Are you sure? She enjoys your company.”

“I like hers too. But I’m fine. In fact, I would like to be alone, I think.”

There was a discreet knock, and he opened the door, taking the tray. He slid it onto the table, indicating I should join him. He lifted the lid, looking pleased at the array of sandwiches and another one of pastries. He poured the tea into a cup, the steam drifting upward, bringing the scent of bergamot with it. He had remembered I liked Earl Grey and made sure that was what was sent up. He added some sugar to the cup and slid it in front of me.

“Drink.”

ROMAN

She picked up the cup, sipping, and sighed softly. “Lovely.”