Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 113330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
I walk inside Roman’s new home and gasp. “Wow,” I murmur, looking around. “This is incredible.” The ceilings are high. The furnishings and décor are elegant and sleek, yet warm and homey. The general theme appears to be “Southern California, beachy elegance” mixed with “sports hero.” There’s abstract art on the walls in beach-evoking colors, along with framed jerseys and photos and memorabilia scattered throughout. And of course, given the house’s proximity to the ocean, there are lots of large windows providing panoramic views as far as the eye can see.
“I barely know my way around the place, honestly, so it’ll be the blind leading the blind here—but I’ll try to give you a tour, if you’d like.”
I laugh. “Lead on.”
Roman takes my hand and off we go, exploring all the rooms of the sprawling house: a stunning gourmet kitchen that’s so big, it needs two islands; a trophy room; an office; a home gym; a home theater; a darling bedroom for Maverick; a game room; several guest rooms; and on and on.
Eventually, we make our way to Roman’s bedroom suite, and it’s so lovely, I feel inspired to twirl across the expansive floor.
Laughing at my exuberance, Roman says, “I’m open to changing anything, if you want.”
I stop twirling to stare at him. Roman’s comment felt like a record scratch to me. He wouldn’t have said it if he’s only intending for me to stay two weeks, right?
“No, everything is absolutely perfect,” I manage, even though my throat feels like it’s closing up.
Roman exhales with relief. “Glad you think so, too.”
I bite my lip. “If I wind up staying with you longer than two weeks, the only thing I’d change is putting a framed photo of my mother somewhere.”
“If?” Roman looks deeply confused. “You’re not already planning to stay here longer than two weeks?”
I fidget while gathering my courage. “You said Maverick will be away for two weeks, so I’ve been assuming . . .”
I stop talking when Roman’s expression morphs into one of pure shock.
“As far as I’m concerned, you’re home,” he says. “I only mentioned Maverick being gone for two weeks to emphasize the point that we’d be able to settle into our new life together, at first, without him being here.”
Relief floods me. And then joy. I’ve been feeling ready to throw my love at Roman with both hands, without an ounce of hesitation. But still, I’m not too far gone to know that’s batshit crazy, given our timeline. I haven’t known him all that long, even though it feels like a lifetime.
Roman steps forward. “You flew here with me, not knowing that I want you here with me for good?”
For good. It’s a shocking phrase. One that’s a synonym for forever, in my book. As in, Roman never wants me to go away. My brain isn’t firing on all pistons right now, though, so I’m not sure if my definition of his word choice matches Roman’s.
“Oh my God, Iris.” Roman wraps me in a bear hug. “You’re home, baby. I never want you to leave.” He kisses the top of my head before leaning back and sliding his fingertip underneath my chin. “I was miserable without you. I felt like I was missing a limb.”
Tears prick my eyes. “I felt the same way. Wherever you are, that’s where I want to be.”
“I feel the same way.”
He leans down and kisses me, and sexual arousal instantly consumes me.
I take a deep breath to muster my courage and ask, “So, are we finally gonna have sex or what?”
Roman chuckles. “You noticed that, huh?”
I giggle with him. “Was it some kind of master plan or a simple matter of logistics?”
“It was a master plan, helped along by logistics.”
“Why, though?”
“Going in, I knew sex with you was fire—the best sex of my life. So, I promised myself I’d hold off while in Orchard Blossom to make sure whatever decision I made came from my heart and head, and not my dick.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Decision? About what?”
“You’re here, Iris. I think that’s pretty clear.”
“Not necessarily.” My heart is thumping. Say it, Roman. Please. Say it first.
His Adam’s apple bobs. “You’ve got my whole heart, Iris, right along with my whole dick—which, by the way, is so fucking hard for you, I’m in physical pain.”
It’s not an “I love you.” But given how horny I’m feeling, it will have to do for now.
“I’m right there with you. Let’s put an end to our torture.” Smiling wickedly, I pull him to me, and we kiss passionately. And a moment later, we’re naked and ravenously making out in his large, luxurious bed. In record time, I’m wet and throbbing for him—aching for him to burrow inside me—and based on the river of slick wetness on Roman’s tip, he’s plainly aching for me in the same way.