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We pull onto campus and up to her building. She cranes her neck out the window, and I can already tell there are a thousand questions zinging through her mind.
“We’re going to my dorm? Why?”
“Patience, principessa.” Taking her hand, we exit the car and I lead her up to her private room on the top floor. After going through orientation with the seventeen and eighteen-year-olds who will be her fellow freshmen, she opted for her own space and privacy. As a woman of twenty-one, I don’t blame her. I’m sure she’ll make plenty of friends without having roommates.
Glancing nervously at me, she lets us into her dorm room that’s more like a studio apartment, and flicks on the light.
Her gasp warms my heart. She takes it all in, from the brand-new bed, to the high-end appliances, to the wall art. The amazement in her eyes tells me I did well. Cool relief floods my bloodstream.
“Roman…what did you do?”
“I call it an upgrade.”
“An upgrade?” She makes a beeline for one of the hanging pieces of art. “Is this a Monet? Oh my God, Roman, this is anoriginal. How...?”
I shrug. “I have an acquaintance in the art world who hooked me up with some collectors who were willing to sell. As for the rest of it, Ravenna and Eve did most of the work. You can thank them later.”
“That sneaky cousin of mine.” She spins full circle in her new space. “This is perfect. I love it.”
“And I love you.”
With an excited squeak, she leaps into my arms, peppering my face with kisses. I let her have her way with me for a moment before I wrap my fingers around her neck and capture her mouth with mine. My tongue demands entry, and she opens up so I can taste her.
Her soft moan is my cue to pull away. “There’s more. This was only our first stop.”
“More? More of what?”
I take her hand in mine. “Come with me and find out.”
Nerves jumbled from what I’m about to show her next, we walk through campus, and across the street. Again, the potential for overstepping is high. What can I say, it’s in my nature.
“How far are we going?” she asks.
“Not far. We’re in this building right here.” I lead us into the glass lobby where we take an elevator up to the penthouse.
“Who are we going to see? Who lives here, Roman?” She’s practically bubbling with anticipation.
I click my tongue. “So many questions. All of which will be answered through this door.” I enter the key code and we step inside. “Welcome to my new home away from home.”
“You bought a place across the street from campus?”
“Of course. You didn’t think I could stand living an hour away from you, did you? This way we can be close, but you’ll still have your own space.”
She beams up at me. “It’s lovely, Roman.”
I’m so glad she wants me close. I’d be devastated if she ever told me to go back to my country estate and leave her alone.
“I’m glad it meets with your approval. Now let’s eat.”
CHAPTER35
Sophia
“Luis! How are you?” I haven’t seen him in ages. Roman and I have been sticking around Manhattan, and honestly, I’m beginning to miss his peaceful estate in the country, and Luis and Diana.
“Good, good, Miss Sophia.” He motions us toward a candlelit table. “Dinner is prepared. You two have a good evening, I’m going to see myself out. Goodnight, sir,” he says on his way past Roman.
Roman pulls out my chair, and I take a seat, then he pours us each a glass of wine before sitting across from me. The table is laden with all of my favorite food, from Luis’s amazing pasta to garlic breadsticks to apple tarts. He went above and beyond tonight.
