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Chapter Eleven
ABIGAIL
Roman is an intense, dedicated, and thorough lover. Laying here in bed next to him, I feel cared for and at peace. I turn over on my side so I can study the man next to me. His skin carries a summer tan from his head to the bottoms of his feet. Not an ounce of his skin is untouched, leaving my imagination to wonder. Muscles define every part of his body. A soft snore slips through his lips.
Comparing him to Lucas, it’s like gooey delicious cavity-causing caramel versus plain old apples. Okay, my ex-boyfriend was more like rotten apples that had been left on the counter too long, but whatever. I shake the image of those wrinkled forgotten apples from my mind. After another lengthy—and I mean lengthy—morning of lovemaking, I am achy, hungry, and too exhausted to care. My limbs are boneless and my mind is blissfully blank.
Roman is dead to the world with his snoring. His thick arms and legs hang half off the bed. I’m almost afraid to wake him because he might try for another round, and as much as I would enjoy it, my body might combust. I slither from the bed, inching my body out from under the covers, careful not to wake him as I head into the shower. A few minutes all to myself under the hot spray will clear the cobwebs of my love-drunk hangover.
Washing my hair, my fingers mindlessly work through knotted strands as the conversation with my dad replays in my mind. The thoughts circle back going nowhere as water and suds slide down the vast drain of the shower. Knowing I have to go back to LA depresses the happiness that filled me earlier. I do kind of owe him for providing all the advantages he’s given me.
At some point, I have to go, and sooner rather than later if I’m going to keep my job at the firm. Admittedly, I’m scared of this new step with Roman, and it’s guilt propelling me back to my old life and routines. It’s not from any unfinished business with Lucas or ongoing fight with Leah. All I have when I return is my job—right under my dad’s thumb. I could give it up, but I’d be starting all over and I don’t even know where to begin.
Roman will be nearly a twenty-hour drive from LA to Seattle up the coast. Fuck that. I’ll use whatever money I make to take a plane. That’s what the job is for, right? Life is all about working hard at something you only kind of like to afford the things you…love? If Roman wants to still see me, that is.
I choke back a sob from the overwhelming emotions between what I want and what I feel I should be doing. I took a huge gamble running away from L.A., because if I’m honest with myself, that’s exactly what I did. I ran, and even though it forced me to learn things about Lucas, Leah, and my dad, it hasn’t changed the fundamental fact that I’m still too scared to make a real decision here.
Be a fucking adult. That’s what my dad would say. It’s not fair to Roman to run from one man to the next. After I’ve convince myself that going back is the right thing to do, I turn off the water. Throwing my arm out into the cool bathroom, I grab a towel just outside the glass shower door. Now I have to work up the courage to tell Roman.
“Hollywood.” The sound of my nickname jars me a little, seeing Roman standing inside the bathroom admiring the view I’m giving him from the completely see-through shower stall. I shake off the uneasiness I feel with an unconvincing smile as he holds out a towel to me.
“You promised me coffee, sailor.” As I slowly dry myself, his eyes linger and travel down my body as I rub the droplets of water from my shoulders and breasts down to my hips and thighs. I keep my eyes on his, letting his heated gaze warm me.
“So I did. Meet me at the microwave, sea witch.” Roman smirks, giving me one last look over before swaggering toward the kitchen. Bursting out with a laugh, I shake my head at how easily this man improves my mood.
I get dressed and meet Roman in his bachelor pad kitchen, which seems unlike everything else in his apartment, besides its attention to detail and being clean and simple. The rest of his home is filled with simple mementos and special things. The kitchen looks like he hit up the stainless steel section of Ikea and called it a day. I’m not even sure the pots and pans have been used but I don’t say anything sipping my coffee. “So what’s on our agenda today?” The microwave beeps, and he is careful to put the paper covering back on the cup before handing me my steaming coffee.
“Well, I thought we might take the afternoon and visit the aquarium and find dinner somewhere on the pier.” We both take a sip of our coffee and the warmth of the cup is nothing compared to the warm feelings that stir looking at Roman.
“Sounds like a nice little adventure. Is it going to rain today?” I look out the large floor-to-ceiling windows into the grayish late-morning sky. Its overcast, but I guess that’s typical for Seattle.
“Probably, and I’ll even let you pick which umbrella we bring.” Roman laughs.
“So generous of you.” I smirk. “Roman…” I begin and he turns toward me slowly.
“Whatever we need to talk about, can we table it until after dinner? Please?” Roman gently inquires.
“I just… I just wanted to know what I should wear today.” I plaster on a fake smile because I don’t know how Roman efficiently reads my mind to know I need to discuss something serious with him already.
“Whatever your heart desires. I probably prefer a lot less than what you’re thinking. It will rain on us at some point.” I try to remember what’s in my bag. I decide I’ll keep his oversized T-shirt on, tucking it into a pair of shorts with a wide belt and sandals.
We get dressed and Roman sneaks kisses as he pulls me close to him. He grabs a scarf from his closet before I can spy any umbrellas. “What’s this for?” I lean back, asking him as he quietly drapes the scarf around my neck in a smooth, practiced gesture.
“Trust me, I wouldn’t want you to catch a chill, Hollywood.” A quick peck on the lips from him and now I want to skip the aquarium all together. Screw seeing cute sea animals, my legs are weak and I feel adrift standing in Roman’s presence.
“We could see the aquarium tomorrow,” I whisper shyly and he leans his head down to mine, his eyes close, and then open looking exhausted, as if he’s run miles. I’m glad I’m not the only one affected here.
“Then we would never leave this apartment,” he growls, and I have to nod and agree.
Muttering, I pout, “As if that would be so terrible?” We’ve been so into each other since we left Gold Beach, I guess it would b
e nice to finally go out and see the city he loves so much.
“Come on, brat, live a little.” Roman opens another closet and walks in, taking my hand with his. The one wall is lined with umbrellas. Different sizes, colors, and fabrics. I never knew there were so many kinds of umbrellas. Okay, he wasn’t kidding when he said he had a ‘collection’ of umbrellas. If he had a crazy cat lady aunt, I would have sworn he had an umbrella gifted to him for every birthday or holiday that passed.
“Blame Maddie. I swear I haven’t purchased a single one of them. You’d think Seattle doesn’t have a day of sunshine ever.” I look back at him amazed, and he laughs, nudging me forward to pick one out.
“Well, does it?”
