he’d eagerly rid her of the night before. Even the throw pillows he detested were neatly arranged atop the comforter.
Not giving her time to reach her side of the bed, he snatched her wrist, sat on the bed and pulled her across his lap so she was nestled close.
“Oh, man,” she said staring at his boots. “I’m thinking two days is going to be the max our relationship can go if you’re thinking shoes on the bed is okay.”
“They are not touching the sheets.”
“No, but this comforter is silk, which means you’re not gonna be able to toss it in the washer downstairs without ruining it. Do you have any idea how much it costs to get one of these things dry-cleaned?”
He didn’t. He’d never really bothered with a comforter or the other nice finishing touches in his home until Evette had talked him into letting her decorate. So long as he had clean sheets and a blanket he’d been happy. He grunted, set her beside him and shed himself of his boots and socks. As soon as they were off, he stretched back out, but this time rolled toward her, propped himself on his elbow and settled one of his legs between hers. “I agree. This arrangement is much more comfortable.”
She chuckled at that. Skimming one hand around his waist and another up the outer side of his arm, she let out a contented sigh. “Well, if it makes you more comfortable, that’s not a bad thing. I’m kind of interested in hearing how you spend your days...even if it wasn’t something you enjoyed.”
He needed to focus. To stop staring at her lush mouth and say what needed to be said before neither of them could think at all. He focused on her collarbone and traced the fragile line with his fingertips. “Most of my days are spent visiting properties. Reviewing financials with managers, gathering deposits where necessary and touching base with our construction foremen.”
“You did all those things today?”
He shook his head, still not able to look at her.
As if she sensed his hesitation, she cupped the side of his face and gentled her voice. “Did something happen?”
Never in his life had he had such difficulty finding his voice. The right words. He forced his gaze to hers and steeled himself for whatever response came. “There are no more avenues to pursue in finding your father and brother.”
She held his stare. Studied his features as though searching for some sub context to go with his message. “You think I’ll judge you for that, don’t you?” Not a real question. More a statement posed in a rhetorical nature.
“You came to our family for help. How could you not cast judgment?”
Her features softened, more so than he’d ever seen beyond their physical intimacy, and a soft, understanding smile tugged the corners of her lips. “Roman, I’d be with my family wherever they are right now if you hadn’t saved me. Or dead. You’ve protected me. Fed me. Given me a safe place to stay and completely spoiled me along the way. I’ve been dealing with my dad and brother’s shit for years. Trust me when I tell you, I have zero issue labeling them shortsighted idiots. But you? How could I ever judge you as anything other than a kind and considerate human being?”
Because he wasn’t. With her, yes. And with his family as well. But with others? “There are many who would never tie those words to me.”
She hesitated only a heartbeat. One tiny, supercharged moment in time before she uttered, “What words would they use?”
It was too soon. Too fragile of a time between them. Too risky to unveil his past before he’d build a stronger bond. Shown her what life by his side would be like.
“Roman.” She traced the line of his jaw. His cheekbone and his brow. “You know who I am. Know all my secrets. Yesterday, you asked me if I was brave enough to know you. Well, I’m asking. And not because I’m afraid, but because I want to really know the man who’s turning my world upside down in ways I’d never even imagined.” She paused long enough to press her hand above his heart. “Tell me. What words would they use?”
For years, shame and guilt had plagued him. Weighted his soul no matter how many good things he’d done trying to earn redemption. But never had they cut as deep as they did in this moment.
His mouth went dry and his lungs