Page 92 of Valentine’s Billionaire Auction

Roman didn’t let me keep my distance for long. As soon as I settled under the covers, he pulled me against him, wrapping his arm around my waist. I tensed for a moment, unsure of how to react, but soon I was relaxing into his embrace. We lay there in comfortable silence, the only sounds the soft hum of the rain outside and our quiet breathing. I felt myself drifting off in his arms and let it happen.

34

ROMAN

When I woke, the first thing I noticed was the scent of vanilla lingering in the air. It wasn’t my cologne or soap—this was her. Kaira. I turned my head slightly, and there she was, curled up beside me, her hair in a halo around her. She looked angelic and peaceful and most importantly like she belonged. Her lips were slightly parted as she breathed so softly I almost forgot she was in bed beside me.

It hit me like a brick: she was still here.

No one stayed. I never let them stay. Yet here she was, her presence filling the space with warmth I hadn’t realized was missing. I clasped my hands behind my head and let my gaze trace her profile, soft in the morning light. For the first time in forever, I felt at peace. I closed my eyes briefly, letting the sensation wash over me.

This felt good.

The blanket had slipped down, exposing her bare shoulder. Instinctively, I reached out and gently pulled it back up, tucking it around her. Kaira stirred, murmuring something incoherent as she shifted closer to me. I leaned in and pressed a kiss to her temple, then to the corner of her mouth. Her eyes fluttered open, and a sleepy smile spread across her face.

“Good morning,” she said, her voice husky with sleep.

“Good morning,” I murmured, kissing her again, this time fully on the lips. Her hand came up to rest against my cheek. She pulled me in closer, her warmth drawing me in like a flame. I wrapped my arm around her and tugged her closer to me. Her silky, soft skin rubbed against mine.

This part of a sleepover was pretty new to me. I never stayed in a woman’s bed long enough to experience the morning after and I sure as hell never invited a woman to stay the night in my bed. I realized I might have been missing out on something. There was a comfort to lying naked in bed the morning after, a closeness.

Kaira melted into my embrace, her fingers running over my chest. I savored the moment. My mind was all over the place. I liked this. A lot. Yes, I would happily fuck her again, but that’s not what I was thinking about. This was what I believe they called intimacy. There was something very satisfying about it. It felt good in a different way.

Kaira let out a long sigh. That sigh held a lot of unspoken things. I knew what was coming. “So… what does this mean?” she asked. “I know that’s not a question you want to hear, but I’m not a hit it and quit it girl. I’m not someone that does no strings. I get that you do, but I can’t. So, I’m going to have to have some boundaries. Expectations.”

I blinked, taken off guard by her directness. The meek little woman I met at the auction was not in this bed. This was a side of Kaira I liked and respected. I liked that she was willing to stick up for herself. But now I had to figure out how to answer that question because I honestly didn’t know.

“I mean, I know this was never supposed to be serious, and we’ve been telling ourselves it’s just for the cameras… but twice now, Roman. It’s starting to feel like more than a contract. I’m sure this is all one-sided but this feels like more than fake. I’m just asking for some guidance here.”

She had a way of cutting straight to the heart of things. I admired her for it. I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. I wasn’t quite as brave as she was when it came to facing my emotions.

“I don’t know what this means yet,” I admitted, meeting her eyes. “All I know is that I’m enjoying this. You. And I want more of it. Is that enough for now? I know it’s not much and you deserve more but I’m starting from a different place in life. This is so far out of my comfort zone.”

Kaira reached up and gently traced the line of my jaw. “I understand. I’m not asking for a commitment or anything like that. I know this started out as an arrangement, but it’s clearly become more than that for both of us. I just want to make sure we’re on the same page, that we both want the same thing, even if we can’t put a label on it yet.”

I covered her hand with mine, marveling at how perfectly it fit. “I want you, Kaira. I want to see where this goes, even if I’m not sure where that is.”

“Can I ask one thing of you?” she asked.

“Sure.”

“I don’t know if you would or are, but if you want to sleep with another woman on the down low to keep the media from finding out, please tell me. I obviously can’t stop you, but I can’t be a side chick or a Tuesday girl.”

“What the hell is a Tuesday girl?”

“Like you stop by my bed on Tuesday and another woman on Wednesday and so on.”

I smirked. “You’ll be my Sunday through Monday girl. I wouldn’t do that. I’m not a saint, but I won’t be bed hopping.”

“Thank you,” she said. “I never thought I’d be so happy that an asshole like you is into me.”

I chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “And I never thought an angel like you would give an ass like me a shot.”

“As long as you know what’s up,” she teased, leaning in for another kiss.

Kaira pulled back, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “So, what are your plans for the day?”

I grinned, my hands sliding down to her hips. “Well, Miss Kaira, I was thinking we could start the day right here in this bed.”