Page 35 of Roman

I had never known anyone like Roman Costas. Then again, my world was small, so perhaps lots of wealthy people were the same as him.

But to me, he was an enigma.

Severe and scary, yet at times, when he let his guard down, I saw a different side to him. Something almost gentle.

Waking up this morning, wrapped in his embrace, was a surprise. How it felt was even more so. The sensation of being safe, protected, and…as odd as it sounded…home.

The look that passed between us when I woke had been nothing less than intimate and intense, all at the same time. He looked at me with a fierce tenderness and almost wonder. Then the shutters came down, and he rolled from the bed, dismissive and angry.

He stormed into the bathroom, and I heard the shower come on. Unsure what to do, I got up and pulled on the robe I had found and padded into his office to give him privacy to dress, although the closet was certainly large enough for him to do so if he chose.

I sat on the sofa, waiting patiently. I heard him moving around and some cursing, then he appeared in the doorway, half dressed, his hair chaotic. “What the hell are you doing?” he snapped.

“Giving you privacy.”

That seemed to surprise him. He grunted and disappeared again. When he walked back into the office, he was Mr. Costas. Perfect suit, hair in place, scowl firmly set.

“I’ll order breakfast. Give you some privacy as well,” he said, sounding dismissive. “I have meetings all day. Vi will come and visit you.”

“She doesn’t have to babysit me. No one does. If your driver could just⁠—”

He lifted his head, glaring. “You aren’t going anywhere.”

“You expect me to sit in this room day after day? Without even a book or a TV? Let me go home.”

“You. Are. Not. Safe,” he ground out.

“When will I be?”

“When I decide.” Then he paused. “You still need to recover.”

“May I at least call Margi and check in with her?” I swallowed, hating that I had to ask permission. “I won’t say anything. I’ll stick to your story I was in an accident.”

He regarded me for a moment, then nodded. “Yes. You may.” He held up his finger. “I’ll trust you once. Betray me, and you’ll be sorry.”

I had no plans on finding out what that entailed. “Thank you.” I looked around the room. “Is there something I can do?”

“Like what?” He frowned.

“Some bookkeeping, organize a supply cupboard, or inventory? Anything to keep my mind occupied.”

He stared, perplexed. “I’ll see what I can find.”

“Okay.”

I headed to the bedroom. “Um, have a good day.”

He didn’t reply.

When I got out of the shower, I didn’t want to redress in the outfit Vi had brought me, but I was wondering how to ask for something else to wear. I was already indebted to Roman, and I hated adding to that debt, but I couldn’t wear the same clothes all the time. I peered in his closet, seeing a pile of gray T-shirts on the shelf. I took one, noticing the casino logo embroidered on the front over the pocket. Small, classy. Not like a touristy shirt. Deciding to risk his outrage, I pulled it over my head and tied a knot in the side. My leggings were still fine for today, but at least I felt better in a clean shirt.

I headed back to the office, surprised to find Roman still there. He glanced up, freezing when he saw me, his green eyes locked on the shirt.

“Um, I’ll pay you back. I don’t have another clean one.”

“It’s fine. I’ll get Vi to get you a few more things.”

“I have clothes at home⁠—”