Page 85 of Heartbreaker

Rome is at the door.

Frantically, I unlock and open the door and see a man in a dark hoodie with his head down. When he slips in and pushes his hood back, Rome’s handsome face grins at me as he locks the door behind us.

“I’m cutting your mics, but we have about five minutes until they’ll be here,” Demi says, not sounding as agitated as I would have anticipated.

“Got it,” Rome confirms, but his eyes are on mine, taking me in from head to toe. I do the same, desperate to see him after our short break. The feed in my earpiece goes quiet, and I take in a deep breath.

“Jesus, Lana,” he murmurs, taking my hand and pulling me a bit closer as his eyes roam my body. “Damn.”

“You like?” I say with a small smile, my panic starting to fade with his mere proximity.

“It’s way too hot for Levi, that’s for sure.”

“I promise I’ll wear it again,” I say, giving him a shaky smile.

“What’s wrong, baby?” With his question, I’m reminded why I’m here, and the nerves come rolling back in.

“I can’t do it. I’m not this person. I’m not a flirt. I’m not hot and sexy and manipulative. I’m going to let everyone down. I—” Before I can finish my rambling, his lips come down to mine, pressing hard and fast and shutting me up. Somehow, despite everything, it eases the vice in my chest. When he pulls back, he sets his forehead to mine, giving me that cocky, tipped smile I love so much.

“Baby, you are all for those things and more; you just have to believe in yourself.”

“Shouldn’t you be telling me not to do this? That it’s too dangerous and that we can do it another way?” I ask, part of me wishing he would, even if I know I would resent him for it. He furrows his brow at that.

“For one, it’s not dangerous, because you know what you’re doing, and Demi and I are going to be watching you the whole time. But other than that, I would never tell you what to do, Lana. I trust you. This is your job—you know what you’re doing. You’re great at your job. Would you ever tell me not to race?”

“Of course not, I⁠—”

“Then I will never tell you not to do anything you want to do. Period. My little daredevil needs a man who supports her, not one who holds her back.” I melt a bit under his words. “Now, about not being right for this —you and I both know you love putting a man in his place. You love conning them, letting them think they won, and then snapping like the viper you are. This isn’t any different.” He holds me close, shifting our bodies until my back is to the door. Then he presses a kiss to my lips, as chaste as that press is, but it feels anything but.

“Do you know how much seeing you on the job like this turns me on? It’s fucking nuts, Lana. Bonkers.”

“Yeah?” I breathe.

“Mm-hmm,” he murmurs. “Doesn’t help that you’ve been refusing to sleep in my bed.” I gasp as his hips move forward, pressing into mine, and I can feel him hard for me.

“We had to sell it,” I whisper. But I can barely think, as his hand is sliding up the outside of my thigh, pushing my skirt up a bit before brushing the back of his knuckle against my center over my underwear.

“Have you touched your pretty pussy since I last had you?” he asks.

“No,” I say, swallowing as I shake my head. “No. Demi and I share a room; that would be—” I gasp as his finger slides under the elastic, over my center, pulling wetness up to my clit.

“I did. Every night, I jacked off thinking about you taking my cock.” He slides a thick finger inside of me, and my head falls back, his lips kissing the stretch of skin exposed on my neck. “Sucking me off. That sweet sound you make when I eat you out, the way your pussy feels right when you come.” I groan at his filthy words and tighten around his finger.

“Rome.”

“Come hell or high water, you’re going to be in my bed tonight, Lana.”

“Yes,” I whisper, nodding, eyes drifting shut. I can’t focus on anything, not what he’s saying, or why I’m here, or⁠—

Then he’s gone.

His hand is gone, his lips are gone, the warmth of his body against mine is gone, except for his hand on my waist, holding me in case I fully lose control of my knees. His grin is wide.

“Now go, baby. Make him pay for keeping you away from me.” I blink, not understanding for a moment. When it finally clicks, I slap at his shoulder.

“That was mean,” I grumble as his hands slide my dress down over my hips, straightening it. His thumb wipes along my bottom lip, though the kiss-proof lip stain Demi put on me won’t have moved. He just wants to touch me, a sentiment I can relate to.

“I know. But it distracted you, didn’t it?” I glare at him, and he smiles wider before leaning in and pressing his lips hard to mine. “Go, baby. They’ll be here soon.” I roll my eyes before slipping out of the bathroom, knowing he’ll probably wait another minute. The bartender smiles at me as I return and pours me a new soda as I sit down. I take it appreciatively right as my earpiece comes back on.