“Hot shot?” He stalks forward, crowding me until my back is against the wall. “I didn’t exactly hear you complaining.”
Biting back my smile, I relax into this. The normalcy. The banter. This is Rome and me. This is where we’re comfortable. I trace a droplet of water dripping from his hair down the length of his muscled bicep. “I didn’t say you’re all talk and no skill, now did I, Beneventi?”
“More than happy to prove myself again if you need me to.” Damn...
The electricity hangs heavy between us. Neither of us moving. Barely breathing. Like we’re locked in this room. Hell, in this minute. Scared that when we leave this space, the spell will break and it’ll have all been a dream.
A phone rings in my bedroom, and Rome’s head whips that way before coming back to me. “It’s just Lucky.” He licks his lips playfully and pushes my hair from my face. “Ignore him.”
It stops ringing after a moment, and he moves closer, those lips hovering above mine, looking as lost as I feel until the damn phone rings again. “I’m gonna fucking kill my brother.”
“Prison wouldn’t look pretty on you, psycho. Orange isn’t your color.” I press my palm to his damp pec and push, but he doesn’t budge. “Go answer him.”
“You trying to get rid of me, Dillan?”
The truth is I don’t know what I’m doing. But that’s nothing new. It’s also not something I’m willing to share. “Just go answer your phone, you goofball.”
He tugs a tangled lock of my hair, and there’s something there, hiding behind his eyes, before he closes them for a hot second. When he opens them, whatever emotion had been floating there is gone, and the hard facade I’m used to is in its place. Rome steps back and smirks. “Maybe we can get some breakfast. I’ll even let you drive. That is... unless you want another ride on my bike.”
Playful Rome is back, and his smile is devastating. But I kind of liked the serious side I got a glimpse of before.
I nod and tighten the sash on my robe. “Go answer your brother before he sends out a search party looking for you.”
“Bossy. I like it.”
Before I can answer, he’s through the door and closing it behind him. Not completely but enough, and I’m grateful for the moment of space. For the moment to wrap my head around all this. All of him. In a million years, I never would have expected whatever last night was. But considering I haven’t stopped smiling since I woke up wrapped around Rome like a freaking koala bear, I think I’m going to go with it.
Maybe it’s time to take a chance.
Not that I’m good at taking chances.
At least not according to my family.
But something about this feels different.
Something about him . . .
Something that makes me smile when not much else has done that lately.
Rome’s voice carries as he answers the call, sexy and sleep-deprived, and I picture the smirk probably playing on his lips while ignoring the fact Lucky’s so damn loud on the other end of the line, I can hear him from here.
More like trying to ignore it as I moisturize my face and grab my toothbrush.
But then...Shit. Then it gets harder to ignore.
Especially when I hear Lucky’s words and my breath catches in my throat as I wait for Rome’s answer.
Closing the distance between me and the door, I hold my breath, knowing what’s coming next but wishing so badly he proves me wrong.
Problem is, I’m not.
Damn you, Rome.
Rome
“What the fuck, man?” I groan as I answer my obnoxious-ass brother, who’s now called three times. “Seriously, somebody better be dying, dick.”
Lucky’s laugh is loud and annoying. “I’m bored, and I’m hungry. Want to go to breakfast?”
