feel of Roman embedded in my body and soul obliterated all fears, and I lost myself in a union that changed me forever.
Brushing the hair from my brow, I sit up, giggling when I see we somehow ended up on the floor. After our tender lovemaking, Roman held me and we fell into a deep sleep. I woke some hours later to a flutter of kisses. They began over my eyelids, cascading down my cheeks, over my lips, and then down between my breasts. As Roman’s tour of my body continued lower and lower, I surrendered and allowed him free rein. We were tangled in each other seconds later, Roman showing me this thing called love comes in many shapes and sizes.
Our first time was tender, getting to know the other’s body, but the second and third time, I blush just thinking about all the wicked things we did.
But now that the morning sun has conquered the moon, I focus on the only thing that matters—Roman’s survival. I simply cannot accept a world where he doesn’t live.
He seems to have accepted his fate. I should know because I was in his shoes not that long ago. But until I’ve exhausted every possible option, I’m not giving up. I only just found him, and I’ll be damned if he gets ripped away from me before we’ve had a chance to live.
Reaching for my cell off the coffee table, I see that it’s after nine a.m. Dialing Dr. Carter’s office, I ask his assistant if I may speak with him for a minute. She connects us, and his jovial voice booms across the line seconds later.
“Lola, it’s lovely to hear from you. Everything okay for your scan this morning?”
“Yes.” I gather the courage to reveal the true reason I called. “I wanted to know…can you recommend any cardiologists?” When he’s silent, I quickly add, “It’s not for me; it’s for a friend.”
“I know of a few. I’ll have Wilma email over a list. Although Dr. Archibald is probably the best person to ask.”
My heart sinks. I was hoping he wouldn’t say that. “Thank you. I’ll see you this afternoon.” I hang up, feeling a complete and utter failure.
“Mornin’.” His smooth voice is like decadent chocolate, and my shoulders instantly sag.
Turning to look at him, I bite my lip, smothering my moan.
The bright sunshine gleaming in from the window highlights everything I admired in the dark of night. His V-muscle is rock-hard, rivaling his washboard abs. His mussed hair sits in rebellious peaks, and that rebellion is challenged by hot nerd status as he’s slipped on his dark-rimmed glasses.
He looks like a Calvin Klein model, but all the more wicked.
His scar is his badge of honor, showing the world he was far stronger than whatever tried to beat him. So does his tattoo. He watches me watch him, and consciously scrubs his chest. “Sorry I don’t have something nicer to offer you.”
Lifting my eyes, I shake my head, pressing the throw I’m swathed in to my chest. “I wouldn’t change a thing.” His pink lips curve into a sexy smile, and I internally combust.
With two coffees in hand, Roman walks to where I sit on the floor. He stops and appears to weigh up the damage from late last night and early this morning. He seems incredibly pleased with our efforts. Sitting beside me, he offers me a coffee. “Who were you talking to?”
Nothing slips past him.
Savoring my first sip of much-needed caffeine, I cradle the cup and sigh. “Dr. Carter.”
Roman’s back stiffens. “Are you all right? Do you feel sick?”
I quickly put his mind at ease. “I’m fine. I’m due to see him today. I asked him to take over from…” I leave the sentence hanging.
“Of course, that was a wise thing to do. So you’ll stay in Manhattan?”
I raise my shoulders. “I haven’t given it much thought. I was, but now…”
“Now, what?” he asks, looking at me over the rim of his glasses.
“Now things have changed.”
We’re both quiet, sipping our coffees, most likely our minds browsing over the same page. Last night changed everything. Not just the sex, but with Roman’s condition, I feel like we’re running out of time.
“Last night was—”
“Incredible,” he cockily says, interrupting me. I can’t help but smile.
“Yes, it really was, but I—” Roman’s cup pauses midair, waiting for me to elaborate. “But I, what you told me, how can we change that? There’s got to be some other way.”
He sighs heavily, finishing his coffee before setting