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I heard Roman, but he sounded so far away. The world was spinning and all that remained was darkness. I couldn’t open my eyes, couldn’t breathe. I didn’t want to see Warren, his beady eyes judging me, damning me, spilling my secrets.
I needed to get out of here. Away from everyone.
I tried to stand, but it didn’t work. There was still a voice close by. Roman.
I heaved again, but couldn’t get enough oxygen. Roman said something, but I couldn’t understand him.
Suddenly I was weightless, floating, supported by a wall of muscle. I clung to that wall. Clung to Roman. He was carrying me. I didn’t know where to, but I didn’t want to risk opening my eyes. I buried my face in his neck and held on, inhaling his scent, his warmth. I felt small again, but this time, it didn’t feel like a bad thing.
A door opened and shut. I took another breath, and another, focusing on Roman’s scent: spicy, divine, powerful. Focusing on how his heart thumped in his chest, steady and smooth. I let its rhythm move through me, hoping my own heart would take a hint.
“We’re alone now, Amy.” I felt him sit, his grip remaining tight, keeping me on his lap. “Open your eyes. Look at me.”
My heart was still racing and my breaths were quicker than normal, but I was backing away from the brink. I opened my eyes, slowly. When the blur started to fade, dark eyes came into view just inches from my own.
“Deep breath,” he said. “Good girl, just like that.”
I was sprawled over his lap while he sat on his bed. He cupped my neck in both hands, keeping my face near his. The tips of our noses touched. He breathed deeply, slowly.
“Good. Just like I’m doing. In,” he inhaled and I followed. “And out.” He exhaled, his lips so close that I breathed his sweetness into my lungs.
I could taste him already. Crisp and hot.
When my breathing had slowed, he leaned back enough to look at me. With my neck still clasped in his hands, he swept his thumbs along my cheekbones, wiping away the wetness left by my tears.
“I’m sorry,” I said, but it came out more like a croak.
“Don’t be. Are you okay? Do you have anxiety pills?”
I frowned. “How do you know I take medication?” It was only on occasion but the fact that he knew was surprising.
“I know what a panic attack looks like.” He wiped my cheeks again. “And I’ve researched you, remember?” He grinned a little, and I mirrored it.
“Right.”
“Do you want to tell me what that was about?”
The instant need to run enveloped me. It must have showed, because his arms tightened.
“You don’t have to tell me now,” he clarified. “But you’re not going anywhere just yet.”
I calmed a little. “I just…I have an issue with Warren Cunningham.”
He scoffed and smiled, those damn dimples disarming me and making the last of my nerves fade away.
“Yeah, I gathered that. Is he the one ex-boyfriend you were telling me about?”
I looked down and nodded.
“I see.”
Roman’s whole body tensed, and I felt anger radiating from him. Was he mad at me? Almost everyone had at least one ex, and I didn’t think he knew how Warren had used me. Something like that wouldn’t be in a “file.” It was a personal tidbit that no one except Paige knew, and she’d never tell. The only other person who knew my darkest secrets was Warren. Because like an idiot, I had trusted him.
“It didn’t end well,” I murmured, hoping that was enough.
Roman inhaled deeply and I felt his chest flex farther. I didn’t want to talk about Warren or relive the past. A change of subject was the best I could do.
“How did you know I was having a panic attack? Have you seen them before?”
