Page 117 of Roman

“Make love to me, Roman. Show me.”

Seconds later, I was under him, his large body blanketing my smaller one. His mouth worked me, teasing, exploring, his tongue mating with mine in long, sensuous passes. He slid his fingers up my arms, entwining our clasped hands over my head as he deepened the kiss, this one somehow different from any other kiss we’d shared before. I felt his emotion, his love and need in the caress. It was intimate, hot, and intense.

He moved over me, kissing and tasting me everywhere. The crooks of my elbows, my wrists, and shoulders. Across my collarbone and down to my navel as he played with my nipples, his fingers plucking and teasing. He kissed the arch of my foot, tracing lazy pathways up my leg to my inner thigh, only to start again with the other leg.

I was a mass of quivering limbs, shaking moans, and pleading whispers by the time he finished his explorations and settled between my legs. When his mouth closed around my clit, I arched high off the bed, keening his name. My orgasm was fast and hard, and he licked me through it, groaning and praising me in his low, raspy voice. I had barely come down when he notched himself inside me and began to move. His mouth covered mine, and I tasted myself on him, whimpering as he filled me. We moved like the ocean early in the morning when the tide leisurely drifted in. Easy, deep, and slow, our bodies in perfect synchronization. He whispered my name, his mouth against my ear, his arms holding me close.

“Please, Roman,” I begged, tightening my legs around him.

He moved faster, deeper, hitting me exactly where I needed. Stars exploded behind my eyes as another orgasm washed over me, and I clutched him tighter. He gripped me, his hips pivoting then stilling as we crested, locked together, not a whisper of air between us.

His mouth was gentle as he kissed me.

“My little tiger,” he whispered. “I love you.”

I felt his sincerity. I buried my face into his neck, feeling the same emotion.

And still, I couldn’t say it back.

The sky was still overcast, which matched my mood on Friday morning. Roman stepped into the bedroom, tugging down the sleeves of his pure-white shirt. I admired his suit, the deep green setting off his eyes. His tie and shoes were black, and the color combination was striking.

“You look handsome,” I said with a smile.

He sat in the spot across from me, lifting his coffee cup. He took a sip, eyeing me over the rim of the cup. “You look ravished,” he replied, then winked. “I like it when my wife looks that way.” Then he frowned. “You also look sad. Your eyes are dim.”

I shrugged and swallowed. It amazed me how he noticed my emotions by the color of my eyes. “Today is the anniversary of my mom’s death,” I confessed. “It still hits me hard.”

He took my hand. “You should have said something. I’ll stay home.”

“No, it’s fine, Roman. I’m going to get flowers and go to the grave later. I-I want to do that on my own.”

“Alex will go with you.” His tone brooked no argument. “And he will drive.”

I was getting used to Alex following and taking me everywhere, so I nodded in agreement.

“I would like to accompany you and pay my respects,” Roman murmured.

“I go every few months. Maybe next time? Today is just…” I wasn’t sure how to explain it. “It is personal for me, Roman.”

He studied me and nodded. “I understand.”

“I might have coffee with Vi afterward.”

“Good. She will make you smile.” He sat back. “I’ll take you out for dinner tonight. Overlooking the Falls. We’ll stay at the hotel.”

“That would be lovely.”

“I was thinking maybe we could take Nonna to Luca’s this weekend. Have a family dinner. He and I need to do some more talking, and Nonna would love to see Justine.”

“She will miss him when he moves.”

“She will. But she knows he has to make his wife happy. Justine is very close with her family, and she misses them a lot. With a baby on the way and Luca stepping back, it makes sense. Nonna can visit, and they will come here. And she has you now.” He finished his coffee. “She is incredibly fond of you, Effie.”

He stood, bending down and cupping my face to kiss me. “As am I.”

His mouth was tender, his words sincere. I gripped his wrists, enjoying the feel of his mouth on mine. “I know,” I whispered. “Roman⁠—”

He cut me off with another kiss. “When you’re ready, Little Tiger.” He kissed me again. “Let me know when you are leaving. And if you change your mind, I will come with you.”