Page 62

He lifts me as he stands, my legs straddling his waist, his arm cradling me under my ass, then hoisting me over his head so that my crotch is in his face.

For a second, I think he’s about to devour me right here—in front of his parents, his brothers, and half the town. I’d like to say that I protest, not that there’s all that much I can really do, but the truth is, I close my eyes and brace myself for what I know is coming…

But then the lights go out, and the crowd erupts with applause.

After the show, I sit quietly in Roman’s truck as we ride back to his house, my mind spinning as I try to figure out what happened tonight.

According to Roman, Guy sent him a text backstage, begging him to fill in for reasons I’d rather not know. So Roman begrudgingly stepped in for the final scene.

The story seems a little suspicious, considering how the end was supposed to go, but after how weird things have been between us lately, I don’t want to spook him. So I decide to keep any qualms I have about his story to myself.

Besides, I should be thanking him for taking the heat off me.

I’d been dreading that final dance all night. Worried I’d trip on my dress and make a fool of myself. Or worse, that I’d take it too far and cross a line. Somehow, I don’t think I’d have gotten the same reaction that Roman received from his salacious performance.

Jesus, my body is still buzzing from that grand finale. Where the hell did that come from anyway?

If they hadn’t turned off the lights, I’m afraid I would’ve begged him to take me right there on that stage.

Thankfully someone had the foresight to intervene.

God, how do I keep getting myself into these positions? Why do I keep trying to derail my whole life?

“So… You seemed like you were relieved that you didn’t have to dance. What was that all about?” Roman’s smooth, deep voice slices through my spiraling thoughts, and I’m relieved for the distraction.

His hand rests on the steering wheel, an easy smile on his face, and I can’t help but notice that despite tonight’s excitement, he looks strangely at ease.

I consider how honest I feel like being with him. He put himself out there tonight, so I didn’t have to, which probably means I owe him most of the truth.

I shrug. “I guess I just didn’t want the whole town to see me that way.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see his brows furrow, but if he’s confused by my answer, he doesn’t pry any further.

“Where does a guy like you learn to dance like that?”

“I don’t know.” He shrugs. “I guess I learned the same way everyone learns. By practicing in the mirror.”

“Okay, now that’s a visual I don’t think I’ll ever forget.” I shake my head, biting my lip to hold back my grin.

He glances over at me, a smug smile pulling at the corner of his lips. “Good. I like knowing you won’t forget me.”

I hate the way my stomach flutters at his smooth, practiced line. Get it together, Kira. He’s literally just a man.

“And the rope trick? Is that something you taught yourself too?” I ask, trying to sound casual, and not like it’s all I’ve been thinking about since the moment he pulled that rope out from behind his back.

I notice his hand tighten around the steering wheel, and for a moment, I think he’s going to ignore me, but then he finally answers. “Sorta. More like a little bit of instruction mixed with lots of practice on my own.”

I nod, as understanding washes over me. “Oh…shit. So is that your thing then?”

He glances at me, eyes crinkled at the corners. “Is what my thing?”

“You like being tied up⁠—”

“I like tying people up,” he corrects, and I swear I can feel the heat of his gaze warming my skin.

“Right. Of course,” I say. But I can’t resist prodding him a little more. “Is it so they can’t escape if they change their mind about sleeping with you? Or…”

“I think we both know the answer to that question.” He shoots me a sideways glance that has my nipples growing hard. “But if you need me to spell it out for you, I’d say I guess I get off on the trust it takes for my partner to surrender themselves to me. Knowing they trust me to keep them safe, to give them what they need…” His words trail off as if he’s lost to a memory. He clears his throat. “I also like knowing that whoever I’m fucking is completely at my mercy, that I can manipulate and contort their body however I want. That I have complete control. Consensually, of course.”