Page 39 of From Rome, With Hate

But I’m fucking serious. I’ve never meant anything as much as I do now.

“It’s crazy, I know. I planned on telling you tonight, anyway, but I guess I’ll just say it now.”

“What?” she whispers, her cheeks bright red.

“I’m in love with you, Julianna Capuleti.”

“Oh, my God,” she whispers, her bright eyes widening.

“Fuck.” I sigh, a bit of worry creeping in. I’m terrified I’ve pushed her away, but then I think what’s the worst that can happen at this point? She’ll hate me forever? Been there, done that.

“I’m so fucking in love with you,” I continue, not backing down as I drag my thumb across her bottom lip.

“This is all happening so fast.” Her eyes drop to where her hands are pressed to my chest.

“Is it though?” I tilt my mouth into a grin I can’t hold back. “We’ve known each other our whole lives.”

“True.” She presses her lips together. Her breathing has quickened, thoughts clearly racing through her mind.

“Hey.” I hook my fingers under her chin, pulling her gaze up to mine. “Do you not love me?”

I’m terrified of her answer. This whole affair could be one sided. I could have made this all up, made it more serious than it really us. But then my mind goes back to our emails, our letters, Sola’s bathroom.

Loving Julianna is a risk, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take because I’ve never felt this connected to someone. Someone who sees me for me instead of the name attached to me.

“I’ve never felt like this with anyone before,” she finally says. “My mother used to tell me love made you crazy. I thought she was wrong then, considering how crazy you made me feel. But I think I’ve realized she was right. Both hating you and loving you has made me crazy.” She runs her gentle fingers along my cheek before sinking them into my hair. “And I’m crazy in love with you, Rome Montgomery.”

“Fuck, Lark.” I sigh with relief, dropping my forehead to hers. Our heated breaths quicken as the truth sets in. Julianna and I love each other.

“Fuck, I love you,” I tell her.

“What are we going to do now? How is this going to work?”

“I don’t know.” I shake my head, unable to stop laughing with the happiness coursing through me. “We’ll figure it out. We’ll figure out a way to be together.”

“Okay.” She nods, agreeing, with hope in her eyes. I can tell she believes me, that we can make this work.

“I want you, Rome. Kiss me. Touch me.” She grabs my hand and dips it into the front of her shorts, pausing just above the space between her legs.

“Are you sure?” Fuck, I want to touch her, but only if that’s what she truly wants. I’ve imagined this moment ever since I saw her staring back at me in the library.

“Yes.” She breathes in, sinking my fingers between her thighs. She’s fucking soaked. “I want you to feel what you do to me. To know the effect you have on me.”

“Oh, shit.” I kiss her, allowing her hand to guide me as I sink two fingers inside her, forcing her to release a satisfied moan. “You feel amazing, Lark.”

“Please, Rome.” She grips the back of my head as I work my fingers inside her. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” I pull her mouth to mine and kiss her, stifling her moans.

“Julianna?” a voice that belongs to neither of us calls out.

“Oh, shit.” She presses her hands to my chest and pushes me away before she turns to her left. She’s panting, pressing her fingers to her mouth.

I glare at her open door, waiting to hear Kingsten Capuleti’s voice shout his daughter’s name again.

“Julianna?” his voice booms again, growing closer.

“Fuck, he’s coming up here.” Julianna turns back to me, filled with panic. “You need to leave. Now.”