Page 52 of Roman

Our eyes locked and held.

“Maybe you should. You did when you met me.”

“No. I see more to you now.”

“What do you see?” I asked, trying to tamp down the new energy humming through my body. It replaced the anger, ramping up the desire I was feeling having her so close.

“I see Roman, the man.”

I pulled her closer. “Do you like what you see, Little Tiger?”

She wrapped her hand around my wrist, gripping me hard. Her voice was barely a whisper. “Yes.”

I covered her mouth with mine, kissing her. She snuck her hand around my neck, sliding into my hair, twisting the strands. I shivered at her touch, tugging her to me and deepening the kiss. She tasted of sweetness, sugar, cinnamon, and something unique. Something special. Effie.

She was hesitant at first, but I coaxed her tongue with mine, groaning as she learned to kiss me back. Everything in my life ceased to exist but this moment. Nothing mattered but her. Me. The two of us.

I dragged my mouth down her neck, kissing the tender flesh. “Am I your first kiss?” I asked, the caveman in me rejoicing when she nodded.

“Like that, yes.” She paused. “My first everything.”

“Effie,” I murmured, her words affecting me somehow. “Don’t tell me that.”

“Why?” she asked. “You should know that I have no experience.”

That statement only made me want her more.

“I want you,” I rasped. “Don’t tempt me.”

“Why?” she repeated.

“I don’t know. I shouldn’t, but I do.” I pulled back, meeting her wide gaze. “I want you more than I have ever wanted another woman.”

“I-I want you too.”

I towered over her. “I feel like a live wire,” I said quietly, truthfully. “I don’t know if I can be gentle with you.” I met her gaze. “I don’t know if I can be gentle.”

“You won’t hurt me.”

“Fuck,” I cursed. “I need you, Effie. When I’m with you, I’m calmer. I need that right now.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Neither do I. You unlock something inside me. I can’t stop thinking about you. Thinking about being with you.”

“I-I think about you too,” she confessed. “When you kissed me earlier, I liked it.”

I gazed down at her. “If this happens between us, it will change everything.”

“It doesn’t have to.”

I laughed. “Yes, Effie, it does.” I already knew it would. It already had. I couldn’t explain it; I didn’t want to think about it, but I knew it was the truth.

She gazed up at me, her wondrous eyes bright in the dim light. Wide with desire. Nervous, yet she met my gaze with determination.

“Do you feel it?” I asked. “This connection between us?”

“Yes. With every breath in my body.”

Those words sealed her fate.