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Lamplight illuminates the wide path. All around us the city glows and twinkles.
I’d been on four dates with Nik and none of them were like this one. He spent his time nitpicking my food selection, talking about his expectations from his future wife, and never bothered to officially propose. In fact, he had a courier drop the engagement ring at my house with a note that ordered me to be wearing it the next time he saw me.
This date… Roman…
I’m practically speechless.
This is a side of Roman that I hoped was there, and have dared to suspect as much, but seeing it come out all in the span of a single night has my heart doing somersaults.
“What do you think?” Roman asks, broadly gesturing with one hand at our surroundings.
“This is actually…romantic.”
“Is that such a bad thing?” He quirks a brow.
“Well, no. It’s just downright shocking to be honest.”
He chuckles, the sounds deep and warm. “Give me some credit, principessa, I can be charming when the occasion calls for it.”
I shoot him a doubtful glance, which he sees, making him laugh again. I’ve never heard him laugh as much as he has tonight. It’s a pleasant sound: Deep, throaty, and a little rough. I could get used to hearing his amusement.
“I’m glad you view this occasion as one that calls for your charm.” I relax, sinking further into the seat, quite aware of Roman’s body heat pressing flush against my side.
“It seems only right to woo my future wife.” He stretches one arm across the back of the bench seat, letting his fingers rest on my shoulder. His light touch sends a shiver through my body. I’ve never been so aware of a man’s presence before him.
Future wife.
I’m actually doing this. Not only that, but for the first time in my life, I actually agreed to it. My arranged marriage has somehow turned into something I want, with perks I never saw coming.
Roman’s right, he is very good at business dealings. When he sees something he wants, he knows exactly how to get it. That alone should make me wary. Except that I think he’s good for his word. He won’t change the terms of our agreement, he’ll fulfill them to the letter. I will do the same.
I can’t wait to tell my sisters and cousins I’m going to college. They’re going to freak out.
We ride in companionable silence for a few minutes, enjoying the scenery. When we round a corner, a large body of water comes into view, city lights reflecting on its inky surface.
Roman notices me staring at it. “Do you want to walk for a bit?”
“Can we?”
“Of course. We can do anything we want.” He calls for the driver to stop and wait here for us.
This time, instead of taking my hand in his, he wraps his large hands around my waist, lifts me up, then slowly sets me on the ground. Even through my wool coat, his palms heat my skin. We linger there for a moment, our gazes locked on each other.
My stomach dips and twists as I stare at his handsome face. If I didn’t know any better, I’d mistake him for a gentleman right now. His White Knight colors are showing again.
“Kiss me,” I blurt, surprising myself.
Without hesitation, he pulls me closer, leans down, and captures my lips. His tongue plunges into my mouth, licking and tangling with my own. Then one of his hands splays across my back while the other finds my neck. His hold is possessive, demanding.
A whimper crawls up my throat. Now that we’ve struck our deal, and Roman has promised to fulfill my dreams, I crave him even more. I want to know more about not only his body, but his own dreams, his past, and what he desires most. I want to knowhim.My future husband.
Roman ends our make-out session way too soon.
“Let’s walk for a while.” He offers me his arm, and I take it, attempting to regain my balance. Why does kissing him always leave me light-headed?
We stroll along the edge of the pond, quiet, neither of us in a hurry. It’s nice. I wonder if we’ll have more moments of peace like this, or if Roman’s intentions are to win me over tonight then go back to our usual strained dynamic. I hope this is a turning point for us.
We cross a small bridge, entering an area with dense foliage, and lose sight of the carriage. I don’t want to go too far in my heels and risk getting blisters on the walk back.
