Roman: Book 2 (The Hunter Brothers Series)

by L. J. Dee

  “He kept me in the will,” he said quietly as I glanced up at him. It had clearly been a surprise to Roman. “He split everything equally, except the business. Most of that went to Lucas and Charlie because they are the ones running it, but Tyler and I got plenty of shares. After what he did, I wasn’t expecting that, Chas,” he said sadly as I nodded. “It sounds stupid, but I’ve spent the last six months coming to terms with the fact that he hated me and now I just don’t know. I should have come back earlier; tried to sort things out.”

  “He obviously loved you, Roman. Perhaps he wanted to make amends but couldn’t find you,” I suggested as he sighed deeply.

  “He left me this,” he said, pulling open his jacket to reveal a letter as I looked up at him, wondering if he’d read it.

  “What does it say?” I asked as he shrugged.

  “I haven’t opened it yet. I’m not sure I want to.” Pain gripped his features and I brushed my hand softly across his cheek.

  “You should,” I smiled gently, resting my head back on his chest as he looked at the letter before he placed it in his shirt pocket and lifted me on top of him. If his father had a message for him, he should hear it, but already I knew Roman was not a man to be dictated to. I said nothing more, lying there silently and giving him the time to come to terms with his thoughts. I had no idea what was in the letter, but surely it had been written to make him feel better. Silus Hunter might have been a bastard, but I couldn’t imagine anyone taking the opportunity to twist the knife from beyond the grave.

  “Come and kiss me, baby,” he said and I understood immediately the comfort, warmth and affection that he needed right now. Roman was only human, and a fractured heart beat beneath that solid chest, despite the outward display of courage. His father’s death had affected him deeply, confusion adding to the grief and he needed a distraction. For one weekend only, that distraction was me, and I lifted my face to his, enveloping those soft, warm lips in mine.

  I kissed him for an age, softly and gently as his full firm mouth responded with force. My anger was gone; pushed away with the feeling in that kiss as he broke it suddenly, pulling off his jacket and laying it on the floor. “What are you doing?” I asked as he smiled playfully, picking me up and rolling on top of me as I gasped.

  “I’m making you comfortable while I work through my feelings,” he grinned, nipping my bottom lip gently with his teeth.

  “We’re in public, Roman, anyone could see.” My voice was raised in a breathy pitch as he looked around with an exaggerated sweep of his head.

  “No one around,” he winked, grinding his hips against me and his feelings were certainly evident through the denim of his jeans.

  Before I could form another argument, his lips began their slow caress, arousal pooling in my centre under the movement of his hips. From the way he was stimulating me through my clothing, there was every chance he could bring me off like that and I reached down, unzipping his fly and allowing his cock to spring loose as I stroked it with abandon. The last thing on my mind now was the prospect of picnickers or a roving farmer.

  “Oh baby, that’s so fucking good,” he said as I felt every inch of his shaft, solidifying by the second as I teased my fingers across the ridge and veins. I wanted him to touch me, my panties wet at the feel of his steel flesh against my fingers. He unzipped my jeans, pulling them down to my thighs, followed by the flimsy cotton panties, before reaching into his back pocket, breaking the kiss briefly to roll on his condom. With no further words he was inside me. I gasped at the fullness, pressed hard against his body with the cool breeze lapping against my exposed flesh, and the heat of Roman covering me.

  He was slow and deliberate, each thrust rubbing deliciously against my G-spot as I tilted my hips. He was dictating the pace and it was not the hot and hurried experience of last night, but deeper and soulful, our lips merging as intimately as our bodies. The rustle of the tree and the low hum of cars in the distance were the only sounds, interspersed with our gentle moans of pleasure as the pressure suddenly increased and I cried out loud.

  “Oh baby, you feel so hot, so tight, so good,” he moaned against my mouth as I opened mine to let his tongue continue its thrilling exploration of my mouth. Deep in my core the pounding intensified, my body drowning in the bliss being driven from my insides, the delectable pressure on my secret spot releasing soft waves as his hands found my arse and he tilted me further into him.

  “I need this, baby,” he groaned, holding me tightly, using my body to unleash the pent up rage, the pressure and the grief. Riding the bike had blown off some steam, and riding me was calming him; each measured thrust awakening and enlightening our cells as our bodies entwined.

  We were fully clothed, yet the intimacy was palpable, connected in the one place that was filling my brain and my centre with erotic bliss. “Oh, Chas, you’re fucking incredible,” he moaned, catching his breath as he held my head, tightly and protectively. He was kissing me relentlessly and every time he stopped, he pulled me into those brilliant blue irises as I drowned in the pleasure he was unleashing.

  He held me with a heart stopping gaze and he knew I was close. “Oh God, oh fuck, oh yes, Roman,” I gasped as he owned me, driving me to the most exquisite bliss, powering through my orgasm, riding it out and coaxing another before he finally let go, throwing back his head and moaning loudly before he collapsed, breathless on top of me.

  The wind was getting up, the chills on my skin overridden by the heat from my body, wrapped tightly in the arms of Roman as he finally adjusted his weight, pulling up his jeans before he slid my panties slowly up my legs, followed the tight denim as he dressed me skilfully and gently. I was watching his every move, his gaze focused on my body, smiling as his eyes met mine. He was shaking his head. “What the fuck have you done to me?” he laughed gently as I frowned in bemusement.

  “Hopefully made you feel a bit better,” I grinned as he chuckled softly, sitting beside me on the grass and looking around at the peaceful countryside.

  “Stay still,” he whispered as I lay on the ground, still basking in my post orgasmic bliss. I had no intention of doing anything else as I realised he was looking hard at something, sitting up quickly to get a better view of what it was. My eyes widened in shock as my heart stopped dead in my chest.

  I screamed at the sight of the very aggressive bull, head down, staring straight at us, its shoulders hunched threateningly as it pawed its feet across the ground. I knew little about bulls, but I knew enough to realise that this was one angry fucker. I screamed again and it was the worst thing I could have done. It started to run towards us, menacingly and at a significant pace.

  “Oh fuck,” Roman said, standing and pulling me up by my hands. “Run, Chas,” he shouted as a ton of solid, seething animal came tearing towards me, but my feet just wouldn’t move. I was staring, blinking hard, thinking there was no way I could outrun this thing. It was barrelling towards us at speed as I was lifted off the ground, once again clinging to this man for dear life as he sprinted towards the metal gate with the heavy sounds of an irate bull ringing in my ears. I stared behind us, bouncing up and down in Romans arms as the beast gained ground. Roman was fast, but by the time we reached the fence, the thing was almost at his heels.

  I was screaming and shouting as Roman flung me over the metal gate, jumping over just in time, panting with his hands on his thighs as I dragged myself up from my knees. It wasn’t giving up, but there was no way through that gate. I stared up at Roman and then at the bull who was snorting angrily.

  “When I say keep still, keep fucking still, Chas,” he laughed as I just stared at the bull, wondering how I’d made it out alive.

  “Thank you,” I said, flinging myself at Roman as he held me tight, chuckling softly with our unwelcome guest only feet away.

  “You’re welcome, I wasn’t about to let that bull start messing with you. Have you seen the size of its bollocks?” he grinned as I looked, gasping. They were as big as footballs. I wasn’t s
ure if it was hungry or horny, but either way I’d have been ground under the feet of that huge, scary brute as I just stared at its flaring nostrils. It was my second life and death encounter with animals in twenty four hours and I shuddered in shock.

  “I absolutely hate the country,” I pouted, suddenly realising that now, neither of us had a helmet. It was still under the grass by that Sycamore tree with Roman’s jacket. “I can’t get on without a helmet. I was terrified on that ride,” I said, swallowing hard as Roman looked across the field. There was one rather angry obstacle standing in his way as he made his way towards the metal gate.

  “Stop. What are you doing?” I gasped, as he looked at me and then back across the field.

  “I’m going to get the helmet for you,” he said as I grabbed his arm, spinning him around and gripping his forearms tight.

  “You can’t, Roman. Now is not the time for you to start being chivalrous for God’s sake, it’s too dangerous,” I pleaded.

  “I like dangerous,” he winked as I shook my head violently.

  “Please, don’t,” I gasped, imploring him with my eyes not to do this.

  “I don’t like dangerous, Roman. Please. I’ll go on the bike, but just go steady and slower,” I said as he smiled, holding my cheeks and kissing me softly as the bull bellowed out in a huge breath and I jumped backwards. “Come on,” I said, watching as he hooked his leg across the bike. The sooner we were out of the eyesight of that raging bull, the happier I’d be.

  I clung to Roman as he rode home, squeezing my eyes shut and resting against his back. He was undoubtedly slower, but it was still too fast. I resolved never to get on the back of a bike again, knowing if I made it to the estate in one piece that I’d look like one unholy mess. My eyes were streaming and my hair was blowing all over the place, knotting under the whip of the wind. Next to being trampled, it was probably the least of my worries, but I still had standards. A happy shiver ran through me as we pulled up to the house. The relief was palpable and there was no denying that after almost killing me, Roman Hunter had saved my life back there.

  Chapter Six

  “What the hell were you playing at?” Jess screamed in my face as I entered the hallway. I took a step back. My sister’s temper was as rare as hen’s teeth, but it was on display now and it wasn’t pretty.

  “I needed to make sure he was alright,” I said as Roman stepped into the hallway, smiling broadly, having calmed down significantly since beating the bull and our sexual session under the tree. His smile soon faded when he saw the uncharacteristic anger contorting my sister’s face.

  “I’m sorry, Jess, I didn’t think,” I said, her eyes suddenly cloudy as she pulled me into a hug, trembling almost as much as I had been. Christ, it had been six years, but the fear and pain hadn’t diminished much for Jess. I knew she’d hate me going on a motorbike, but I hadn’t truly appreciated the depth of her concern, absorbed only in Roman and what he was going through.

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered over and over again as her breathing started to slow, surprising me as much as Roman when she flung herself at his chest and gripped him tightly. He didn’t know what to do, that was evident from the bemused and curious frown on his face as Jess looked up at him, holding his arms tightly.

  “Dexter’s Dad was killed in a motorcycle accident at seventeen, Roman. I hate them. I know you think I’m over reacting, but I felt sick when you rode off with Chas. You’re probably a great rider and in control, but please don’t take her out on it again, I’m begging you,” she pleaded as he nodded, returning her hug and trying to reassure her. It was an extreme reaction and one I hadn’t even anticipated myself.

  “Next time, we’ll take the car,” he smiled as she nodded.

  “Damn right, look at the state of my hair,” I said, catching sight of myself in the huge hallway mirror. I looked a fright. I tried to calm down my matted locks but it was useless. After the events of this morning, the only thing that made me feel better was that it hadn’t turned suddenly grey with the shock. I made my way into the kitchen slightly dazed, only to encounter the stern face of Lucas.

  “Do you know what your sister’s been going through?” he asked accusingly as I held his gaze.

  I decided not to try and deflect by telling him we’d almost been killed. “Obviously I didn’t, but I do now. It won’t happen again,” I said as he smiled gently, casting a firm glance at his brother.

  “In future, take the car, Roman.” It came out as more of an order than a request. Roman opened the fridge and pulled out a beer, offering me one as I shook my head.

  “Don’t tell me what to do, Lucas,” he replied simply, popping the top from the bottle of Peroni. He’d agreed to the car for my sister, and I got the impression that Roman didn’t feel the need to justify himself any further. The tense silence was broken by my ringing phone as I smiled first at Jess and then at Lucas.

  “It’s Mr Turnbull, I have to take this,” I said to a pair of dumbfounded faces. Neither really knew about my relationship with Turnbull, or how I’d got Jess that job in the first place and I had to keep it that way, I’d promised him my absolute discretion.

  “How’s my favourite Little Miss Fix it?” he asked as I laughed. He sounded on good form and I wondered if Mrs Turnbull was on the mend.

  “I’m good. More importantly, how are you?” I asked, knowing that losing his business had made a huge dent in his confidence and professional ego. He’d been angry for a long time, and I felt certain he wouldn’t be best pleased if he knew just whose kitchen I was standing in. My audience of three were listening intently and I couldn’t help winding them up a little.

  “You played a blinder with that contract. Lucas Hunter was absolutely furious,” I said, flashing my eyebrows at Lucas as he raised his slowly. Jess was trying to get my attention as I turned to her, thinking she’d be trying to stop me. She wasn’t.

  “Say hello from me,” she smiled broadly as I laughed. “Jess says hi.”

  “How’s she doing? Did they keep her on, or did she get the payoff?” he laughed gently as I smiled at my sister.

  “Well your little plan worked even better than any of us expected. Lucas has set up a small events firm and Jess is the main partner. It’s something she loves doing and of course, you probably knew he wouldn’t keep her on as his P.A,” I smiled down the line.

  “Well I never,” he laughed whole heartedly. “I’m glad it’s worked out. I wanted your sister to have a chance, Chas, and I wanted to cause them a little aggravation when I left. Nothing cuts a man’s self esteem down to size like two men in their prime whipping away everything you’ve ever worked for from under your nose. To be honest, I quite liked Lucas. I hated what he was doing, but it was business, not personal, and I could tell he was a man of morals. Tell Jess it’s the other one she needs to watch out for.”

  “Charlie?” I gasped, lowering my voice and making my way out into the hall. This I didn’t want them to overhear.

  “Yes, he’s a shark. I don’t know what he’s like in his private life, but in business he’s ruthless. I always assumed it would be the other way around from what I’d heard and read, but it’s Charlie who goes in for the kill,” he said as I leaned against the wall, shocked to my core. From what I knew of Charlie he was sensitive, funny and kind and I just couldn’t reconcile the man I knew with what Mr Turnbull was telling me.

  “Are you sure?” I asked as he laughed softly.

  “I’m bloody positive. I was making life difficult for them and Charlie came to see me on his own. He said I knew the deal was fair and they would do their best to retain as many employees as possible. That was my main concern, Chas. He gave me a deadline to sign and told me if I didn’t, that he would wipe out entire departments without a second thought. He warned me that my legacy would be unrecognisable. I knew then I couldn’t save Capitol, but I thought maybe I could retain more jobs, and I was determined to protect Jess.”

  “Thank you for thinking of her. Lucas wouldn’t fire h
er on principle,” I said, deciding to omit the fact that it was also because he wanted to screw her senseless.

  “I thought that might happen. I’m just glad it all worked out,” he laughed and he sounded happy, much more upbeat than last time I’d seen him.

  “Anyway, Chas, I was wondering how you’re fixed for Friday lunchtime. I have a lot more time for golf these days and Mrs T is doing well on her new meds. She asked if I’d like to have my golfing buddies and their wives over for lunch. I’m thrilled that she asked, but I don’t want her to get anxious about it. If you’d provide your usual, wonderful service, I’d be really grateful.”

  The extra income would be as welcome and I wasn’t working with Elite until eight. “No problem, as long as I can be gone for six.”

  “You’ll be gone before that. We’d like something simple, maybe a nice salmon dish. Is £750 okay?” he asked as I smiled brightly, thinking I probably shouldn’t accept anything for what he’d done for Jess.

  “This one’s on me, now you’re a retired pensioner,” I laughed cheekily.

  “That’s enough of that, young lady. I happen to be a consultant for two top firms in the city who seem to think my experience is worth considerably more than I realised. I’ll have the money in your bank later today, and thank you, Chas. Monica will be looking forward to seeing you.”

  “I look forward to seeing her too, and as for everyone else, I assume the usual rules are in play?” I asked as he laughed.

  “Yes, as far as anyone else knows you are not even here.”

  We said our goodbyes as I walked back into the kitchen and I could see the questions already stacking up in Lucas’s sharp mind as Roman pulled me against him, kissing me long and hard before I even had a chance to argue. I heard the door open and two quick gasps, trying to pull away, but he wouldn’t let me, holding me closer still as I melted into his arms.

  I soon forgot there were other people surrounding us, falling into wonderful taste and smell of Roman as he wound his fingers protectively and gently through my hair. No one said a word, and as he broke the kiss eventually, I forced my bleary eyes open and turned, straight into the horrified face of Charlie. I wished I could take it back, the pain in his features making my heart clench as I risked a smile.