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“You’re my hero?” I ask with a smile.
“The other part.”
“I love you, Roman Montesano.”
“Say that again.”
“I love you.”
Roman’s lips press against mine, infusing my body with sparks. With a jolt, I scramble onto his lap and wrap my arms around his neck.
His hands roam down my back and cup my ass, and I grind against his growing erection.
Pulling back from the kiss, he says, “I love you too, but we’ve got to stop.”
“No.” I cling onto him like a koala in the throes of separation anxiety, but he lifts me off his lap.
I reach for his chest, but Roman grabs me by the wrists and chuckles.
“Emberly, behave.”
“Why?”
“Because the owner of the Dolce Vita boutique is glaring at us through the window, waiting for you to come in so she can finally close up.”
My face drops, and my gaze darts to the tinted window, where I catch the gaze of the most elegant woman I’ve ever seen.
“What?” I whisper.
“Come on.” He takes my hand and turns toward the door. “I’ve shut down the entire boutique. And she’s even provided snacks.”
FORTY-EIGHT
ROMAN
I open the door and step out into the fresh air, my heart pounding so hard I want to punch it back into my chest. Maria from the Dolce Vita steps back and welcomes us, but I’m too riled up to hear her words.
Being in Emberly’s presence is like stepping into another world where nothing else matters, including my bullshit. She makes me feel so accepted that for a moment, I dropped my façade and almost confessed.
Fuck.
My love for her almost made me spill my guts. I would have told her everything and ruined the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I turn back to the door, offer my hand, and help her out onto the street. She gazes up at me through concerned green eyes because she thinks I’m wracked with guilt.
She’d be right about the emotion, but wrong about the reason.
Sure, I got a thrill from taking her away from Callahan, but I wouldn’t bring so much trouble to my doorstep just to intervene in a cop’s domestic dispute.
But I would if it meant taking back a fortune.
That’s the reason I’m a bastard. I started off using her affection as a way to take her attention from the bogus contracts. Now, I can’t imagine life without her.
I place a hand on the small of her back and make the short walk to the boutique. It’s one of those exclusive establishments set up like an old-fashioned boudoir with chandeliers, velvet chaise lounges, and mirrors.
Maria only displays one of each outfit to maximize the aesthetic. I’ve been a patron of the boutique for years, but this is the first time I’ve brought a woman I love.
Emberly gasps. “This place is so beautiful!”
Maria beams. “Welcome to the Dolce Vita.”
