Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
“I have plans for us tonight.” Roman guides me in the opposite direction of the team.
“We have a flight in the morning,” I remind him.
“I’m aware, but it’s the first time we’ve been together in New York since the weekend we met, and I want the night with you.” He kisses the back of my hand and guides me to a waiting car. “Don’t worry. We’ll make it back to the hotel tomorrow morning before anyone notices we’re gone.”
My stomach is full of excited butterflies as Roman helps me into the back of the waiting car and slides in next to me.
“What about all our stuff?”
“It’s already taken care of.” His expression makes my stomach tighten as he stretches his arm across the back of the seat.
My phone chimes with a message from the girls, asking if we can chat. Roman pulls me close so both of us are visible in the dimly lit car as I video call them.
“Hi, Lexi! Hi, Roman! Great game tonight!” Callie exclaims. She plops down on the couch between Dred and Fee.
“Nice win,” Dred adds.
“I only caught the third period because I had to finish an English essay that’s due tomorrow,” Fee admits.
“I proofed it. It’s an excellent essay.” Dred smirks. “Very passionate.”
“Thank you.” Fee rests her chin on her hands and bats her lashes. “I loathed the book, but it’s good to know I can still write something compelling.”
“Exceptionally compelling.” Dred bumps her shoulder.
We chat for a few more minutes before we wave goodbye and end the call.
“Dred is the best,” I tell Roman as I put my phone away.
“I agree. She’s been good for them.” Roman kisses my temple. I’m glad we can help her a little as well. The extra money we’re paying her—which she tried to refuse—can’t hurt. I don’t imagine the rent in her building is cheap.
I lace my fingers with his. “You know, when I took this job I wanted it to be a good move for all of us, and I feel like we’ve given my sisters the family they always deserved.”
“And you, you deserve it, too.” He lifts my fingers to his lips and kisses each one.
The car stops, and the driver lets us out in front of the hotel we stayed at the weekend we met in New York. “We won’t get much sleep tonight, will we?”
“I hope not.” He chuckles and brushes his lips over mine. “I thought a trip down memory lane would be welcome, especially with how challenging the past few weeks have been.”
“This is exactly what I needed.”
“Good. I’m glad I got it right.”
That same giddy anticipation I felt when Roman invited me back to his hotel all those years ago overwhelms me as we step into the lobby. My stomach tightens at memories of that weekend—how voracious Roman was, the way he owned my body and brought me limitless pleasure. How dedicated he was to uncovering every way to wring an orgasm out of me.
“How long have you been planning this?” We pass through the lobby to the elevators.
“Since our wedding. I know we’ll have time for a proper ceremony and honeymoon once the season ends, but I wanted to steal a little time with you and pay homage to the weekend that changed my life.” He ushers me into the elevator. The doors slide closed, and he waves the key in front of the sensor, hitting the button to the penthouse floor. “I was crushed when I woke up alone. I want to replace that memory with a new, better one where I wake with you in my arms instead.”
I run my hands up his chest and link my fingers behind his neck. “I’m sorry I left the way I did. I didn’t want you to think I’d slept with you just to advance my career.”
He settles his hands on my hips. “I wasn’t ready back then—any more than you were—for what was ahead of us. But we’re here now.”
When the elevator doors slide open, he links our hands and guides me down the hall to the same room we stayed in three years ago. Pink rose petals litter the floor and the bed. Champagne chills in a bucket, and green apple slices with caramel dip adorn the dining table. It’s exactly what we came back to after we went for a private dinner at an exclusive restaurant all those years ago.
Knowing Roman the way I do now, I’m aware that this level of extravagance is reserved for only the most treasured people in his life. Even then he made me feel special. Wanted. Protected.
I turn to face him. “I love you.”
“And I love you.” He kisses me. “And I’m going to show you exactly how much I appreciate and love you, as my wife and partner.”
“No one loves me better than you.”