Page 172 of Be With Me
“Thank you,” he said, slipping the device inside his jacket.
“You probably want to take that to your brother.”
Romolo reached over and pushed a strand behind my ear. “He can wait.”
A smile pulled on my lips. “Time to show me your lair?”
Warmth sparkled in his gaze. “You ready?”
I nodded.So ready.I was curious to see where he lived. All this time, I couldn’t come here because we couldn’t be seen together.
Now we could do whatever the hell we wanted. God, it was sweet.
The elevator ride was fast, and my heart thumped inside my chest as the screen counted up to the penthouse floor.
Finally, we stepped into his abode. The scent of cedar and clean leather hit my nose as he led me through the foyer.
The space was sleek and masculine—dark floors, warm lighting, rugs that softened each footstep—but it was also lived in. Plants were tucked in corners. Books and records sat out on surfaces.
It smelled like him. It felt like him.
And I already loved it.
He led me through the living room, past a movie playing on the TV, to the window that stretched from floor to ceiling. Manhattan sprawled beneath us, glittering and infinite.
A moment later, his arms wrapped around me from behind, his lips brushing my neck.
My eyes fluttered shut. “Rom?”
“Yeah, Berry?”
“Has it hit you yet?” I whispered. “We don’t have to hide anymore.”
He pressed a kiss just behind my ear. “You mean I get to show you off? Walk into a room with you on my arm?”
I giggled, leaning into him. “Yeah.”
“I’m torn,” he murmured. “Between proudly displaying you to the world and keeping you all to myself.”
I turned in his arms, placing my hands on his chest. “Option two. At least for a little while.” My teeth sunk into my bottom lip and Rom’s gaze dropped to my mouth.
“How’s your head?” he asked, tightening his hold on me.
“It’s just a cut.” I slipped my palm between us and stopped when I reached the bulge in his slacks. “Not nearly enough to prevent me from getting what I want.”
A low groan slipped past his throat and he scooped me up like I weighed nothing. “Have I ever mentioned how much I love it when you’re not shy about it?”
“Not in words. But it’s loud and clear now.”
He carried me toward the hallway, but halfway there, he paused, turned, and headed toward the coffee table. With me still in his arms, he crouched to grab the remote, and turned off the TV.
I arched a brow. “Saving electricity?”
He chuckled and placed a kiss on the tip of my nose. “No distractions.”
Dark bedroom. Cool sheets. His warmth melting into mine.
Strong hands slid beneath my shirt. A thousand butterflies stirred in my belly.
