through my veins, settling in my lips. “What did he say?” I ask slowly, trying to keep my voice even, though I feel anything but calm. She grasps my hand with hers, prying my fingers from gripping the sheets. She opens my hand, tracing my palm with her finger, while she speaks.
“He said, ‘I could’ve had you already, if I really wanted to.’ I didn’t understand it at first. Nothing about our relationship was sexual. I never once led him on. I mean, sure, at first, I thought he was cute, but I could see through him. The way he treated the other women who worked at the clinic was gross, and I didn’t want any part of it. I just wanted to work in peace. Then when I was home, after it happened, I couldn’t stop thinking about how cold he’d get when I turned him down. He’d get angry, and then he’d take it out on me at work. Then I thought back to all the times he’d shown up at the house uninvited. Every time you saw him here, I never invited him. There was always a reason he came. The only reason he knew where I lived is because he followed me home when I left my phone at work. If he really wanted to find out where I lived, he could’ve looked at my employee record, and I would like to say he wouldn’t do that, but I don’t know anymore.” She blows out a heavy sigh that practically reverberates between us. “I could be wrong. Like I said, I don’t have any proof, but I just…I have this feeling.”
I’m trying to stay calm as I process.
I’m trying to be logical.
“You didn’t think to tell me that sooner? You’ve been at your house alone. Anything could’ve happened to you.”
“If he even has an inkling that I know, he’s not going to show up at my house, Roman. He’s not going to risk it.”
“You don’t know that!” I snap.
“You’re mad.”
“Of course, I’m mad. You put yourself in danger.”
“What do you want me to do? Do you want me to be afraid of my own house?”
“No, but I’m not leaving you home alone.”
She groans. “You can’t baby me. The whole reason I moved here is to survive on my own.”
“Who are you trying to prove that to?”
She glances away, avoiding my gaze. “I don’t know.”
Rolling over, I settle my arms on each side of her head and hover above her, staring down at her expressive eyes. I didn’t see it earlier, but she does look tired. There are slight shadows under her eyes.
Her hands settle on my hips and slide around, rubbing up and down my back. I didn’t realize how much I missed her until now. Until this. Just being this close to her. Having her beneath me, those mercurial eyes staring up at me so openly, with so much trust.
“I missed you.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
She frowns, pinching my back. “Don’t be a dick.”
Dipping my head, I take her lips with mine, soaking in her taste. The soft feel of her lips, the velvet perfection of her tongue stroking mine.
“I missed you, too.”
She smiles up at me, and the effects of it hit me square in the chest. Her smiles always have an odd effect on me, but this one? It’s different. This whole night is different. What I feel for Olivia is new. I can admit it’s something I’ve never felt before. It’s something I’ve been good at brushing under the rug, not wanting to face head-on, but, after today, there’s no running from it. What I feel for this woman isn’t something simple. This isn’t just a fling. This is more. So much more. Seeing the bruise on her arm brought me to a place I haven’t been in a very long time. It made me realize how dangerous she really is, because I’d do anything for her.
I am in love with Oliva Hales. I don’t know when it happened. Maybe it was the moment she was standing on my doorstep, looking all sweet, holding out that fucking cake for me. Maybe it was the moment she helped me get my brother back, but, whenever it was, I can’t remember a time when this woman wasn’t invading my thoughts.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she whispers, searching my gaze.
“Like what?”
Her breathing accelerates, and she licks her lips. “Like…like you’re…”
“Like I’m what?”
It’s on the tip of her tongue—I can see it—but she chickens out