The way he said together sounded like either a promise, or a warning. I’m not sure.
“Thank you for giving me…time.” I smile.
“My pleasure,” He murmurs, his shy handsome smile creeping onto his lips. “We are having lobster bisque and filet mignon. Is that okay? If not, I will let them prepare something else.”
“The lobster bisque and filet mignon, sounds lovely.” I reply.
Roman nods and seconds later, there is someone placing the bisque in front of me and placing the cloth napkin onto my lap. Someone else pours white wine into our glasses.
“Mr. Conti, will you be needing anything else before we bring the main dish?” The man that poured our wine asks. He’s wearing black slacks, a white shirt, and a black bow tie.
They are even dressing the part, as if we were in a restaurant.
“No, this will be all. Make sure you take your time.” Roman doesn’t look at our waiter as he speaks; his eyes are on me the whole time.
My face flushes a deep red from the way his gaze is boring into mine; holding promises I don’t want him to keep. If he finds out about my past, he will want to take those promises back. He will need to.
I lift the spoon full of lobster bisque to my lips and pray I don’t slurp. I slurp anyway, embarrassed, I place my spoon back down and wipe my lips with the cloth napkin.
Roman chuckles softly through his own spoonful. He stops abruptly when he notices that I am staring at him.
“That was very cute, adorable, actually,” He says grinning ear to ear, making his eyes crinkle at the corners.
Can he be any more handsome?
My stomach flutters and warmth floods my whole body. He’s making me have happy feelings again and he doesn’t even know it.
“The soup is very tasty,” I offer an explanation for my slurping.
“Slurp away, beautiful,” Roman leans into the table.
I blush again and finish every drop from the bowl, all the while sensing Roman watching me. When I finally look up, he was finishing his.
I realize neither of us has touched our wine. I reach for my glass and take a sip. Roman takes a sip of water.
“This wine complements the bisque perfectly,” I say.
“I’m glad it does,” He sets his cup down. “Angel, tell me about yourself.”
I suck in a breath. I knew all those loaded questions would come up sooner or later. I just have to answer around the truth.
My truth.
“What do you want to know?” I ask.
“Well, let’s start with, do you have a boyfriend?” He asks softly, his smile leaving his face.
“No boyfriend,” I take another sip of wine.
“Tell me more,” He orders, his voice gentle.
“I’m attending UMN, hoping I will get into their nursing program soon.”
“Did you grow up here?” He presses.
“No, California.”
“Ah, that explains your golden tan. Did you live by the beach?” His eyes light up.
“I did.” My eyes light up at the thought of lying out at the beach near my house. The beach that I will never be able to step foot on again.
My eyes drop to my lap. These questions are bringing back painful memories. A tear slips down my cheek onto the napkin on my thigh.
“Angel, are you okay?” Roman asks, he sounds very concerned.
I blink rapidly to try and dissipate the tears that are forming. I use the knuckle of my index finger to wipe off the moisture at the corner of my eyes. I glance back up and smile weakly at Roman.
“I’m fine, I just miss home.” I tell him.
Roman grabs my hand as I am reaching for my wine glass. “Why don’t you fly back home for the weekend?” He places my hand in both of his.
Roman rubs light circles with his thumb on the back of my hand, sending tingles up and down my arm.
“I can’t. I’m a broke college student.” I lie.
“I will pay for your plane ticket.” He states.
I pull my hand away from his grasp. “Roman, you can’t pay for my plane ticket.”
“I have the funds to do so…let me.”
“No.” I try to sound adamantly as possible.
“I see,” Roman nods slowly.
“Did you grow up here?” I ask, hoping to change the subject.
“I did, but I just moved back from Italy. My brother owns Conti Investments and when he had to go away, I took over ownership.”
And just the typical Roman, his fashion is to explain everything thoroughly.
“Where did your brother move to?”
“He had some business to take care off.” Roman says.
For some reason Roman seems to not want me to press any further into the whereabouts of his brother. I accept his answer and leave my questions aside.
Our waiter places our filet mignon onto the table. I was so focused on Roman, that I didn’t even see them walking over to our table. The steaks are paired with mashed potatoes and broccolini. Everything looks to be cooked to perfection.
Watching Roman cut through his steak is fascinating; his long fingers hold his knife steady, as he lifts up his fork to those luscious lips of his. He then chews slowly, savoring the flavors.
Roman arches his eyebrow when he notices me watching him.
“You might catch something, if you leave your mouth open like that.” Roman says as he takes another bite of his steak.
I blink and close my mouth. My face flushes red for the millionth time. I bite down on my bottom lip to keep it from dropping again as I cut into my steak. I dip my steak into the mashed potatoes, jab my fork into the brocclini, and place everything into my mouth.
Roman stops eating and chuckles.
I mouth, “What,” to him.
“Are you not afraid of choking? How can you fit all of that into your mouth?”
“I like to eat everything together,” I shrug.
“I see,” Roman resumes eating, still laughing, deeply.
We spend the rest of the evening talking about Roman’s time in Italy and why he decided to move all the way out there. From his vague responses, I came to my own conclusion that his ex-fiancé broke his heart. When Roman starts to ask questions about my family that is when I tell him about my dad passing away. Roman’s eyes darken with so much emotion after I tell him how my dad died. I didn’t tell him of my involvement in my dad’s death. That little bit of info will make him hate me.
I also found out that Roman’s dad had also passed away. Roman had just been five years old. His mom never remarried. Roman says she is still in love with his dad, and that no one could ever really take his place. My eyes tear up for Roman and his mom.
“Let’s get some air and enjoy the view from up here.” Roman stands up and offers his hand for me to take.
Our conversation was heading into a deep emotional tunnel and I was grateful for the reprieve that Roman has offer.
I stand up and take his hand. His grip is gentle but firm. He leads me to the edge of the building, and stands closely behind me. The air is very refreshing and the view, I have to admit, is beautiful and breathtaking. The lights from all of the buildings surrounding us somehow makes the night peaceful.
“When I’m working late at night and have to clear my mind, I come up here. The view and the refreshing air, helps clear the fog that consumes me.” Roman tucks my hair behind my ear, his fingers trailing down my neck.
My body shivers at his touch and I find myself leaning back into him. Roman turns my head to him with his index finger. He bends down and captures my lips with his own.
His kiss is sensual and demanding. His tongue slips in and toys around in my mouth, wakening the sexual need that I have suppressed for so long. I fall into his kiss and moan into his mouth.
Roman threads his fingers through my hair and pulls me in closer. I shift my body to wrap my arms around his neck and deepen our kiss. Roman groans and crushes his hard body to me.
When he breaks away,
we are both panting and breathless. He turns me back around to the view. Roman runs his hands down from my rib cage to my waist over and over, as I stand in front of him.
“Stay the night with me,” Roman whispers into my ear.
“I can’t,” I say, dropping my head forward.
God, if only he knew how much I wanted to spend the night with him. But if I do, then I will be going back into the past.
“Hey,” Roman says. “No need to feel bad about refusing to stay with me. There’s always another time.”
He turns me back around and lifts my chin up to meet his eyes, which are full of intensity. He bends down again and kisses me tenderly.
“Will you grant me the honor of taking you home?” Roman asks after our kiss.
I nod.
Roman takes my hand and leads us to the elevator. His hand doesn’t leave mine until we are down in the garage and he is opening the door of his shiny black Maserati for me.
“Your address?” Roman asks, when he’s seated in the driver’s seat.
I give him my address and his body stills. Roman curses under his breath.
“You live with Aubrey.” He states, clearly disgusted with this new bit of info I have just informed him of.
“How do you know Aubrey?” I ask, even though I am afraid of the answer.
“She used to be with my cousin.”
“Liam?”
“So, I see she has already talked about him to you.” Roman shakes his head.
“Are you like him?” I dare to ask.
“Like him?” Roman turns to face me. His eyes bore into mine. “Care to explain, what you mean.”
“It-It doesn’t matter anymore, they are broken up,” I stammer, turning to look out the window.
“There are three sides to every story, his side, her side and there’s the truth. I know the truth.” Roman starts the car and backs out of the parking space.
I don’t respond and keep my head turned to the window. Roman grabs my hand and places it on his thigh.
“I’m my own man, Angel.”
I squeeze his hand to let him know I hear him, but I continue to look out the window lost in my own thoughts.
Roman drives us to my house, in silence. Every so often, he rubs the pad of his thumb over the back of my hand, and gives it little squeezes.
“We’re here, Angel,” He whispers. “Stay in the car, I’m going to open the door for you, and walk you to your door.”
I nod.
Roman opens the car door and extends his hand to me. I take his hand and smile up at him. He closes the door and walks me to the house, his hand at the small of my back.
“Angel, I have to go on another business trip this weekend. A client wants to do camping as a business meeting.” Roman tells me when we reach the door. “I might not get any cell service.”
“That sounds fun,” I place my hand on his chest.
“What will you do this weekend?” He asks, placing his hand on top of mine.
“Aubrey wants to go to Liam’s club this weekend.” I lift my gaze from our hands on his chest, up to his eyes to gauge his reaction.
“Ah, I almost forgot. Liam did mention something about that.” Roman smiles. “Please promise me you will be careful.”
“I will,” I promise him.
“I should let you get inside.” Roman lifts my hands to his lips and lightly kisses my fingers.
“Okay,” I turn to the door and realize we’d forgotten my backpack. “Roman my keys are in my backpack.”
“That means you’re coming back with me and spending the night?” Roman teases.
“Roman…I,” I start.
He cuts me off. “I’m just teasing you. I’ll have one of my guys drop it off in thirty minutes.”
“Thank you,” I grab his yellow tie again and pull him in for a kiss.
Roman wraps his arms around my waist and hauls me to his body. His kiss is demanding, hot, and wet. I let go of his tie to snake my arms around his neck in order to hold on.
“Roman,” I whimper his name against his lips.
Roman breaks our kiss and rests his forehead on mine. “I should let you get inside.”
Without breaking away, I reach my hand to the door and knock. When we hear the lock clicking and the knob turning, we reluctantly let go of each other.
Lola opens the door, when she sees Roman standing behind me she opens the door wider. With her eyes big and round, she looks from Roman and then to me.
“Lola, this is Roman. Roman this is my roommate Lola.”
Roman extends his arm around me to shake Lola’s hand. Lola takes his hand, but her eyes are on me.
“Nice to meet you, Lola.” Roman gives her his shy, devastating smile.
And just like that, Roman wins Lola over. She blushes and grins, batting her lashes.
“Nice to meet you too…Roman.” Lola rolls his name out slowly.
“Call me,” Roman says to me.
I turn around and pull him in for a hug.
“I will,” I stand up on the tips of my toes to whisper in his ear.
I let him go and walk into the house. Lola and I watch Roman walk back to his car.
“Holy hotness,” Lola gasps. “Where did you meet him?”
“At the bus stop.” I say walking over to the living room.
“He was taking the bus?” Lola asks, flabbergasted.
“No silly, he owns the building across the street.” I tell her as I am falling onto the couch.
“Oh my God, tell me everything!” Lola yelps and falls onto the couch next to me.
For the next thirty minutes, I tell her a play by play of how I met Roman. Her face goes from surprise, to shock, and then to grinning from ear to ear.
“Jeez, that sounds like something that happens in a movie, not in real life.” She says. “I think he might be your soul mate.”
“Lola, don’t.” I mutter.
“No, hear me out. He’s probably wondering too, why you just appeared out of nowhere. I for one believe you two were supposed to find each other that day. That right there is fate.”
“You’re reading too much into this,” I sigh.
Lola opens her mouth to say something back, but the knock at the door stops her.
“That’s my backpack.” I jump up off the couch and saunter toward the door.
I open the door to find one of the guys that Roman was talking to the very first day I noticed him.
“Hi, you Angel?’ He asks, holding out my backpack to me.
“Yes,” I say taking my backpack from him. “Thank you.”
“No problem.” He says. “I’m Andres, you are much more beautiful up close. I see now why my boss has gone weak for you.”
“Um,” I start.
He doesn’t let me finish. “Okay, I’ll see you around.” Andres turns around and walks away.
I close the door and turn to find Lola standing behind me.
“Who was that?” She asks her eyes are big again.
“I guess someone that works for him,” I shrug, walking back to the couch.
I set my backpack on the rug near me as I sit back down. I lift my eyes to Lola and she’s standing in front of me bouncing around.
“Lola, what the heck has gotten into you,” I ask, laughing at her.
“I almost forgot, but there was this uber sexy guy that came over today,” She tells me squealing.
“Who?” I ask, sounding very intrigued.
“You know him. Why didn’t you tell me he was drop dead gorgeous?”
Instantly, Kevin pops up in my head.
“That little shit.”
Lola stops bouncing around and gives me one of her, I can’t believe you just said that look.
“Do you know what he did for us today?” Lola asks. She stays quiet, waiting for me to answer her. I don’t, so she continues. “He bought us groceries, our kitchen is full to the brim.”
“That little shit,” I say again. I am now mad, very mad at him.
&
nbsp; “You are being such a brat. I am done talking to you,” Lola turns around and walks away from me.
I stare after her for a moment to calm my nerves. Why would he do this? Does he not ever listen when someone tells him not to do something?
I grab my backpack and storm off to my room. I let out a frustrating breath of air when I flop down onto my bed. I dig into my backpack and reach inside for my phone. While I am scrolling through my phone for Kevin’s number, I toss my backpack to the corner of the room. As I press Kevin’s name on the screen of my phone, I relax against my headboard. He picks up at two rings.
“Hey,” he says, softly into the phone.
“Why don’t you ever listen?” I snap
“I think what you meant to say is Thank you,” I hear Kevin sighing, deeply.
“I’m not a charity case,” I hiss.
“Look, Angel, I wasn’t going to be able to sleep tonight knowing that you and your roommates might go hungry tonight. And yes, I know you said that everyone eats outside of the house. But, what about when any of you gets hungry in the middle of the night, how do you eat?”
I choke on what I was going to tell him.
We are both quiet while we listen to each other breathe.
“Angel, just throw all the food in the fucking trash. I’ll see you at school on Monday.”
“But, Lola will be upset,” I try to tell him, but he already hung up.
I slide my body off the headboard until I am lying flat on my back. I let my phone fall to the floor. Covering my face with my hands, I scream in exasperation. I really want to call Kevin back. He can’t just hang up on me.
As I am laying on my bed contemplating calling Kevin and cussing him out for hanging up on me, I start to get hungry.
Really?
He’s not even here and he’s getting the best of me.
I throw my arms up in frustration and roll off my bed. I walk out of my room and make my way into the kitchen. I find Lola singing and dancing while she is cutting up vegetables.
“Lola, it’s late, why are you cooking?”
Lola stops her chopping and looks at me. She doesn’t stay anything at first.
“I see someone gave up their brattiness.” She says, and then goes back to chopping her veggies.
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