Page 78 of Heartbreaker

“Who is it?” I ask, nervous.

“Tyler,” he mutters, tapping at the screen.

“Tyler? What does he want?”

“He’s asking if I’m with you, probably wants to ask how you are. Everyone has been incredibly concerned for you.”

“Or he’s worried about you and wants an excuse to text you,” I say, giving him a look. He opens his mouth to argue on instinct, I think, to tell me that’s not the case or that I’m wrong, but then he hesitates.

“Did you see that Tyler tackled a guard for me?” I smile and shake my head. “He distracted him so I could get to you. The guard was rushing over to stop me.”

“I really hope someone caught that on tape. I’d love to see it. Why did he do that?”

“He tried to stop me first, to tell me to wait to get to you, told me not to fuck up my career.” My face feels soft.

“I told you he still cared about you.”

“I think that’s a stretch.”

“I don’t.” He looks over me, trying to read me, but then his gaze goes soft, as if giving in to what he already knows. There’s the tiniest hint of hope in his words.

“Maybe,” he says. “But I really don’t want to be talking about Tyler right now.” I grin then, wide and free, before pressing my lips to his. He hesitates for a moment, but unable to stop himself, his hand slides up into my hair, kissing me slow and sensually. It’s not his normal kiss, all demanding and filled with a desperate need. Instead, it’s sweeter, softer, though no less hot. When my tongue slides over his, he groans and breaks the kiss before pressing his forehead to mine. We’re both breathing a bit heavy, and I can tell he’s trying to rein it in, to keep his desires in check. “You know, the doctor said that I was clear for activity,” I say, biting my lip.

“Lana, you are not getting in a truck for a good long while.” I blink at him, laughing before I shake my head.

“Okay, well, we can argue about that later, but I meant a… different kind of activity.”

“A different kind…” he starts, confused, before he grins at me. “Oh.” His face goes back to confused. “When the hell did you ask that?”

“When you went to talk to Phil in the hallway,” I say. He was gone barely five minutes, but I used it wisely. During that time, the doctor came in to check my vitals to approve my discharge, and even though it should have been the last thing on my mind, I asked about any other… restrictions.

“So you weren’t that mad at me, huh?”

“No, but even if I was, you ran into a literal car crash to check on me, throwing your safety, common sense, and career to the wayside. I figured if I were up for it, I’d definitely want to show you how grateful I am for that.”

“You would, huh?” he asks. I nod, then press mine to his before trailing my lips down his neck. Gently, he lifts my head and shakes his. “No, Lana.”

“Rome, really, I feel fine, I—” He shifts us, gently, until I’m on my back and he’s hovering over me, a smirk on his lips.

“I’m going to do all the work,” he says, sending a wave of heat through me. His lips move to my neck, his hands going to the bottom of the T-shirt I’m wearing, and slowly trailing up. “You just lie there and enjoy. Though fair warning, I’m going to keep it light and sweet. Nothing too crazy.” I glower at him, and his smile goes wide. Any remaining hesitation he had is gone, and it frees my heart. “As soon as you’re cleared, I’ll spank you hard and fuck you against a wall, okay, heartbreaker?” My center tightens at his promise, lips parting to let out a panted breath before I nod. “Okay, good, now⁠—”

His hand is moving to my center, about to cup me over my shorts, when there’s a knock at the door.

“Ignore it,” I whisper, hips arching until his palm meets my core. A low sound leaves my lips, and his eyes close, reveling in it. “Please, just⁠—”

The knocking happens again, this time followed by the unmistakable sound of the door opening. My heart pounds as Rome stands, moving toward the door right as I hear a familiar voice. “I’m coming in!”

“Jesus Christ,” Rome says, shoulders drooping with a hint of relief as he runs a hand through his hair. He sits on the edge of the bed, and I toss him a pillow for his still deflating hard-on with a smirk. He rolls his eyes, but takes it, putting it over himself.

“Are you two dressed?” Demi asks, barging in without even waiting for our response.

“How did you get in?” I ask, though I know the answer.

“Made myself a universal key. Oh, good, you both have all your clothes on.”

“What if we didn’t?” Rome asks, his lips tipping up in challenge. The two of them have been bickering like siblings ever since we brought Rome on, and it’s kind of sweet to see.

“Then I’d be scared for life, having to see your ass.”