Page 16 of Taking What Was His

“You’re the man,” she said and patted his shoulder. “I’ll see you soon.”

Chapter Six

The last few days of the week dragged, making it next to impossible to get work done. By the time Friday rolled around, Roman was short-tempered and snapped at people, right and left. His only thought was to get Beth alone. He didn’t care where it was or what they did. He just wanted her to himself and didn’t like the fact he had to wait so long.

He was finally able to calm down as Friday afternoon came around.

Roman looked at the clock on his computer and felt the cramp of need in his stomach relax . He shut everything down and locked his office. He walked with a determined step out the door, daring someone to stop him for anything.

He made it to his apartment in record time, hoping he wouldn’t get pulled over for speeding. He’d never hear the end of that.

He ripped his clothes off, showered, and was out the door headed to Beth’s house within twenty minutes.

She had texted him earlier that day to ask what she should wear. Since he was taking her for BBQ, he told her casual. He was hoping to see her in jeans, tight if possible.

His eyes widened when he pulled into her driveway. The house was Victorian-style, white, and two-story. She kept the place in excellent shape. He liked the bushes and flowers in pots she had scattered around the front porch and walkway. There was no grass in the front, just a retaining wall, stairs, shrubs, and then the porch and house. The houses were close to the street, so very few of them had front yards.

He scanned the neighborhood and approved of everything he saw. He hadn’t thought it was one of the best sides of the city, but he was learning differently. They were definitely revitalizing the area.

He knocked on the door and waited. Roman looked down and grinned when the door opened. “Hey. Jayden, right?”

“Yes, sir. My mom said to come in.”

Roman waited for him to shut and lock the door. “How’s school going?’

Jayden nodded. “Good.”

Roman cleared his throat. The situation was one he’d never been in before. He never dated a woman with a child. He didn’t know how to act or what to say. He had tons of nieces and nephews, but that seemed different. He visibly relaxed as Beth walked down the stairs.

His breath caught in his lungs. She was wearing jeans, a long-sleeved button-down red shirt, and black heels. Everything about her was sexy.

“Hi. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting. I got home a little later than I thought.”

“No, I didn’t have to wait.” He nodded at the boy. “Besides, Jayden kept me company.”

She looked from one to the other and then faced her son. “Why don’t you go and get your backpack, honey?”

Roman glanced at her. “Do you get someone to stay with Jayden?”

“Sometimes. Tonight, he’s staying with a friend. Would it be okay if we dropped him off? It’s not far.”

“Sure.” Roman’s body hardened. The thought of her under him had haunted him since he’d seen her for the first time. He would be thrilled if he actually got to touch her the way he wanted but knew since it was the first date with her, it probably wouldn’t happen.

Jayden came flying down the stairs.

Beth followed him and Jayden out and then locked the door.

He laid a hand on her lower back as they walked to his official car. It was nothing fancy, but it was dependable, big enough to fit his body, and if there was a situation, he had everything he needed in the trunk.

The vehicle that he owned was a large black truck that he had in the garage of his building, and he hardly ever used it because he was always working.

Jayden got in the back, and he helped her into the front seat. He automatically scanned the area for possible danger as he walked around the front of the car to the driver’s side.

He put the car in gear. “Tell me the way.”

Within three minutes, they pulled up by the curb in front of a blue two-story house. Beth rolled down her car window as Jayden got out of the car and shut his door.

“Hey, what’s our motto?”