Untouchable

by Sienna Grant

  “Well, you can’t talk can ya, no-one even fucking liked you.”

  She laughed in his face, although it came out as more of a sneer.

  “I’d rather not be liked than to be fake and act like you. Now he’s going to leave you behind, exactly where you belong, because while he’s hanging around with you, you’ll always bring him down. You’ll never be Roman. The sooner you realise that the better.”

  Paisley turned and started to walk down the corridor, but Gavin spoke up again as he walked towards her.

  “I see you made the newspapers today because of Roman. How did that feel?”

  In that moment, I knew who’d outed us. It had to be him. Nikki and I looked at each other, shock taking over her small features. Paisley stopped dead in her tracks. I watched the movement in the top half of her back, as she inhaled, then spun around. I’m sure he didn’t see the slap coming; the sound of it connecting with his cheek rang through the corridors, reverberating off the walls. Nikki gasped, her mouth hanging open, until she broke into a smirk.

  “I should’ve fucking known. Well, don’t worry, he’s all yours again.”

  Turning on her heel, she briskly walked away and stabbed at the button for the lift. I’d never been so torn about anything in my life: Did I go after her and stop her from leaving, or did I deal with the traitor, who was supposed to be my friend. Our eyes met as she stepped inside the lift and the doors closed. With a sigh, my head dropped and hung low. I wanted to go after her but the only thing I could hear or even register right now, was Gavin's laughter.

  I whirled back around as the sound of his laughter ignited my anger.

  “You bastard.”

  “What?”

  “Guys, please take this inside. If, the media gets a hold of this you’ll be toast.”

  Nikki pleaded but she made a good point.

  With a shove in the back, she pushed me inside the door and Gav followed. I kept my back to him until I heard the click of the door, my blood boiled, and my hands balled. Before I knew it, I swung my arm and my fist caught him square on the jaw.

  “She’s right. You’re fucking jealous.” I roared. My body thrummed with rage.

  “Wow.” He snarled, rubbing his jaw. “I didn’t think I’d ever see the day where Roman Dean took a woman’s side over his best friends.”

  “You call yourself a fucking friend? I suggest you fucking leave before I beat the fucking shit out of ya.” I growled.

  Nikki pulled on my arm, but I shrugged her off.

  “I did you a fucking favour. She only wanted you for your money.” Gavin sneered at me.

  I launched my body at him, knocking us both back into the wall. He locked his arm tightly around my head, I tried to get out, but I couldn’t. I pulled my fist back and jabbed him in the stomach. He released me and I moved back rolling my neck to ease the stiffness.

  Nikki came to the side of us and tugged at my arm again.

  “Nik, don’t.” I pulled my arm back as Gavin and I stared off at each other.

  “Guys, please stop.”

  “Yeah, Roman. Do what you’re told.”

  “Don’t fucking push me, Gav.”

  “That’s it. Enough.” Nikki shouted as she slid her body between us and rammed her hand against my chest pushing me away.

  “Like Paisley said, you only wanted me for my status. To get you pieces of skirt, that probably wouldn’t even look at you twice and to get you VIP access in all the clubs. You’ve hung off me for long enough and I’m not having it any fucking more.”

  I turned my back to him and started to walk away when he yanked me back by my t-shirt. I flung my arm out to stop myself from hitting the deck and struck something, when I heard Nikki cry out and realised I’d hit her accidentally.

  “FUCK. Nikki I’m so sorry.”

  Gavin tutted and shook his head, taunting me.

  I grabbed Gav by the scruff of his t-shirt and yanked him forward. Moving towards the door I reached around him and shoved him out of it. He fell to his arse in the hallway and

  shaking my head in nothing but disappointment, I went on.

  “You’re no-one without me, Gavin… Now get the fuck out of here and stay out.”

  I slammed the door and my body sagged against it. Once he’d mentioned the paper and Paisley making the headlines, his ramblings this morning became crystal clear. My head might have been foggy with jet lag earlier, but now everything was as clear as day. Paisley was right about everything she had said about him. I just couldn’t see it.

  Nikki sat on the couch holding her face. I rushed over to her and tilted her head to the side to get a look at her face. “I’m so sorry Nik. I would never hurt you. You have to know that?”

  She slapped my knee and smiled. “Don’t be a dick, I know you wouldn’t.”

  I got up and went to the bathroom and ran a washcloth under the cold tap and took it back. “Put this on it.”

  She took the cloth from me and placed it against her cheek.

  “Well, that was entertaining.” She sighed, sucking through her teeth as she pressed the cloth to her face.

  “Yeah, and he probably just lost me Paisley.”

  “How did that even happen? The last I heard you didn’t like each other.”

  Trudging over to the couch I flopped down and sulked.

  Nikki took the seat next to me.

  “Talk to me. Roman”

  “I don’t even know; I’ll be honest, at first I was like fuck, is this the same girl? It can’t be, and I was the normal dick that I’ve always been. Being the man I was, just those few weeks ago, I thought she’s just another chick, I had to try and get her to fall for my charms. Yes, I really am just a wanker and I’m superficial before you say it, but I wanted to see if it would work. It did, but now, I don’t know; she’s changed me. I’m different now. I want this with her. I enjoyed the thrill of sneaking around at first, but then I really started to see her. I bet she hates me. I’m not sure I can handle that again. I turned my head to the side and looked at my friend… “Everything she said I was at school, she’s right, Nik.”

  “That doesn’t matter now. Do you want my opinion?”

  “You’re going to give it to me anyway…” I gave her a side glance and lifted an eyebrow.

  “As much as I tease you and cuss you, I don’t think you’re a wanker. I’ll agree you’re a better person around her. She did that. I love you either way and I can put up with your shit, but Paisley, she has this aura, she’s a calming influence and makes you a better person.”

  “Well, not anymore, because I’ve lost her.”

  “Do you love her?”

  “How am I supposed to answer that? We’ve only been sleeping together a few weeks…”

  “Roman Dean, fucking man up. So, what? I’m asking you if you love her. If, after today she never walked back through that door, would you be happy with that?”

  “No.” Shit. It suddenly hit me like a wrecking ball. I loved her and I’d let her walk away. “No, I wouldn’t.”

  “Then shift your fucking arse and go get her. If you love her, fight for her.”

  Sitting up, I grabbed Nikki by the shoulders and tugged her to me, placing a loud, sloppy kiss on her forehead.

  “You are the best. Thanks.”

  Jumping up to stand, I made sure I had everything.

  “Get Kevin to take you, I don’t want you attacked by the hounds of hell that are probably camped outside the entrance.”

  I nodded once and yelled for Kevin, we had to go now. He smiled and opened the door for me. Letting him lead the way, we took the lift to the car park and climbed into the Range Rover. He sped out of the car park, heading straight to Paisley’s apartment.

  I pounded on her door more than once. When it finally opened her eyes were red raw, her cheeks were flushed, and her lips were swollen.

  “Oh, baby.”

  “Don’t.”

  She stepped back from the door and let me in.

  “What are yo
u doing here anyway? I didn’t think you’d want to see me again?”

  “Why?” I was genuinely confused.

  “I didn’t think you’d want to be seen with me. You know after all my uglyness was poured all over the pages.”

  “Paisley, you listen to me. You are not ugly. You’re beautiful, you always have been.”

  “Stop. It doesn’t matter. You can forget about me and go back to being the showman. That dickhead has his friend back and me, well, I’ll just look for another job and scrape up what’s left of my dignity.”

  I shook my head, partly in disbelief, but mainly because she actually believed I wanted that.

  Turning her back on me, she began to walk away. I had to think on my feet and grabbed her arm, pulling her back to me, before planting my lips on hers. She melted into me for a second, before pulling away and stepping back.

  “Please don’t, Roman. I can’t take it.” Paisley whispered, painfully.

  With my hands firmly on her shoulders, I pulled her back to me and held her tight. She closed herself off, shutting her eyes. Her brow creased and I could see the tension that coursed through her. I reached up and smoothed my thumb across the crease lines. Her eyes fluttered open and bore into mine.

  I did it again, only this time, I gently slid my tongue into her open mouth and really kissed her. Letting her feel all my emotions and hoped she got what I was trying to say. Her body fell into mine; her fingers gripped my sides and tugged me closer, giving me everything back, before I slowed down the kiss and pulled away.

  “I love you, Paisley.” Finally saying those three powerful little words was so freeing. I felt like I’d had a weight lifted from me. I shocked myself at how easy they slipped from my lips but it was true, I loved her so much and I never planned on letting her go, no matter what got thrown our way.

  “Really?” Her eyes widened, and a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

  “Really. I’ve never said that to anyone before and I’m not letting you go, especially not like this.” I swept her hair from face and cupped her cheek.

  “Oh God. I love you too. I think I realised that in L.A.…”

  She dragged her lip into her mouth. I knew she was going to say something, I could see the cogs turning.

  “Gav won’t like it.”

  “Gav can go fuck himself. I realised you’re right, and he got a punch in the face after you left. I’m not letting him treat you badly anymore and I refuse to be used.”

  “I bet Nikki hates me.”

  “Are you joking? I think she loves you more than me.” Her quiet chuckle made me smile.

  “I have no job…”

  “Yes, you do. You’re my publicist. I’ll put you on my payroll. Brantley can suck my dick.”

  “He probably would if you offered.” She laughed again.

  From the picture Paisley painted of him, I’m sure I don’t want that. Shaking my head to stop my imagination running away with me, I go back to the matter at hand and turn the conversation back to the moment in front of us.

  “I need you, Paisley. I need you with me and I need you to help me sort my life out. I can’t do this without you, baby. Please, say yes.”

  I was sure these new revelations were going to complicate things for us as a couple now, but all I knew was, I needed her with me.

  I needed her on this journey with me. I wouldn’t be able to function without her.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  My fight or flight instincts battled against each other.

  If I stayed with Roman, I’d be opening myself up to a world of newspapers, nosey journalists and our whole life being magnified through a lens. If I walked away, it meant I had to leave everything behind. I doubted I’d get another job here doing what I was doing before, Brantley’s a bastard - that’s a well-known fact. Not just that, I’d have to leave Roman behind and that’s something I couldn’t imagine doing…

  “Yes.” The word left my lips even with the conflict that was going on in my head. I couldn’t be without him. I knew myself, when we started all this, that I could lose myself to him and that’s exactly what’d happened.

  A small smile tugged at the corners of my mouth before Roman pressed his lips to mine in a lingering kiss. He planted his hands firmly beneath my bum and lifted me up, before walking us to the bedroom.

  “Where’s your roommate?”

  “At work.”

  “Good. Because I’m going to devour this sexy fucking body and make you mine.”

  Kicking the door open, he pushed through and placed me on the bed. “I’m already yours.” I whispered.

  Bending over, he placed his hands at either side of me and put his lips on me. Pulling back, he gave me a light push on the shoulder until I dropped to my back and I threw my hands above my head. He plucked his phone out of his pocket and from what I could see he was typing something. “What are you doing?”

  With a smirk set on his face he finished what he’s doing before throwing it to the floor. He pulled at the collar of his t-shirt, revealing his bare chest to me, before throwing that in the same direction as his phone. “I was letting Kevin know he can go back to the hotel.”

  “You didn’t bring your car?”

  “Unfortunately, no. There were Paps surrounding the entrance to the hotel and the car park. Nikki was worried I’d get snapped or maybe get in trouble by saying something I shouldn't.” He lowered his body to mine, resting his weight on his forearms before kissing me again. Lifting his head up, he gazed at me, his eyes full of love for me but of something else as well and I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. “I’m sorry, Pais…”

  Framing my face with his hands he smoothed his thumbs across my cheekbones. “I’m so sorry, about everything. The papers, Gav, fuck, for making you think you’re anything less than the person you really are. I love you, baby.”

  “I love you too. And you don’t have to apologise. Gav is his own worst enemy, he always has been and the papers, yeah they’ll print anything that’s fed to them, whether it’s the truth or not, unfortunately.”

  “What did he say to you?”

  “How about we forget it for now and we can talk later.” Cradling his face in my hands I pulled his lips down to mine. “I’d rather have you instead…” I mumbled against him. With deft fingers, he took off my clothes. I helped him along the way, lifting my bum so he could drag off my jeans and my underwear and sitting up for him to take my top off. Reaching around me I unclasped my bra and flung it to the floor while he stripped himself of his joggers. The man was a God, but yet I’ve always known that, only now he’s mine. The thought filled me with desire. Roman must’ve seen it in my eyes because a lazy smile formed on his lips in seconds. Roman’s face nestled between my breasts and he pushed us back down on the bed. My legs part as he placed his hips between them.

  “I’d love to go slow and savour every single moment of this, but I need you.”

  “I need you too. I don’t need you to go slow, Roman.” I lifted my head and met his lips, “I need you inside me.” Another kiss, “Just fuck me.”

  “Oh, baby. Your wish is my command.”

  I didn’t need foreplay, I was already wet and waiting.

  Lifting my legs, I wrapped them around his back as he slid inside and did exactly what I asked as he aligned our whole world as an official couple.

  Lying in Roman’s arms is my favourite place to be. He drew lazy lines up and down my back as we both got our breaths back. It’s hypnotising. I couldn’t help but think about everything that’d happened. I had no idea where things would go from here, but I was sure we could work it out together.

  “So, what did Gavin actually say?” Roman asked me. Concern etched in his voice.

  “It doesn’t matter anymore.” Shifting my head on his chest I looked up and our gaze met.

  “It matters to me, Pais.”

  A sigh left my lips, I knew I wasn’t going to get out of this. I moved my head back to where it was, just so I didn’t have to lo
ok at him. “He said I was a game to you. That I’d never be good enough…”

  “That fucker!” Dragging his arm from around me he sat up and twisted himself around to sit on the edge of the bed, resting his elbows on his knees. Pulling myself up, I placed my hand gently on his back, he puffed out short and ragged breaths. “When did he say that?”

  “He first said it at the club that night we all went out. But Roman, it doesn’t matter now.”

  Twisting his body around he looked at me, an intense look settling on his features. “Of course, it matters. Everything you said now makes sense. All of those insecurities you were feeling and he’s the reason why.”

  “No. I’ve always had insecurities. And believe me, I never thought I’d be here. I nearly turned the job down when Brantley said your name… I had palpitations on the way over to the hotel because I had to face you.”

  “You were nervous that day,” turning back around he looked me in the eye, “I couldn’t believe it when I knew it was you.” He leaned forward, kissing the tip of my nose. “I’m sorry for the way we treated you at school.”

  “Don’t do that. It’s in the past now. I got through it, didn’t I? It also made me stronger, although, Brantley did his fair share of making me stronger.”

  “You shouldn’t have had to.”

  “Roman, please don’t.” I moulded my lips to his. Quickly pulling back, I grinned. “I have an idea?”

  “About?”

  “I was thinking, now I’m out of an official job, I’d ask Lesley if she’d do the photographs for the hospital. I’m sure I’ve still got an old contact at the paper that can print them, and we can hold an exclusive press conference after. What do you think? Tie that in with you being the new face of Hugo Boss, it should get you the press you need for the agency. After all, that’s what I was originally hired for.”

  He nodded, a slow smile forming on his mouth. “Yeah. Let’s do it.”

  “I can show Brantley what I’m really made of then, let him see I don’t need that sack of shit.”