Page 56 of Unstable

“I’ve always seen you.” He propped a knee on the bed, then lay her back and grasped the fabric of her dress. Her hips lifted to aid him, and he yanked it down her thighs, then dropped it to the floor before reaching for her again, desperate to feel her. “I swear I can’t wait one more second.”

“Me, either.” She struggled to sit up, then her hands were on him, pulling at his shirt. He ducked his head, allowing her to pull it over and toss it to the floor.

He pulled his wallet from his back pocket and extracted a single condom. “I’ve only got one, so we’d better make it last.”

She shook her head and yanked open the drawer of the nightstand. “I’ve got us covered.”

His eyes darted uncomprehendingly to the brand-new, unopened box of condoms. He knew they weren’t in there the first day when he had searched everything. All of a sudden, he remembered her strange interaction with the delivery boy who had brought their groceries. His gaze slid back to hers. “You ordered those.”

He didn’t know if it was an accusation or a compliment, but she nodded, her tongue swiping over her lower lip.

He crawled over her, forcing her to her back. “You planned this?”

She smiled. “Hey, a girl can hope.”

Her words were breathless, but they rang with total honesty. He dipped his head and kissed her hard. She clutched desperately at his head, and their mouths and tongues tangled until they were both panting for breath, hearts racing.

He broke the kiss and met her pretty blue gaze. “I hope you’re ready for what you’ve started… because you’re mine now.”

CHAPTER

TWENTY-SIX

A silly smile curled her lips as Irina snuggled under the covers. Roman was… amazing. He made her feel treasured. Adored.

Loved.

For the first time in what seemed like forever, she truly felt comfortable in her own skin.

Roman slid into bed next to her and pulled her close, then nipped the shell of her ear. “Sleep well, trouble.”

A pang of hurt ricocheted through her heart, dimming the happiness from only a few moments before. Facing away from him in the near dark gave her the courage to speak. “Why do you call me that?”

There was a long beat of silence before his breath tickled the back of her neck as he spoke. “What?”

“Trouble.”

“Have I ever told you”—he rolled her to her back and stared down at her—“that I was always getting into scrapes as a kid?”

She shook her head, brows dipping low. “I don’t think so?”

“Well, I was. If it was dangerous, it had my name written all over it. I’ve always been addicted to trouble.” Her cheeks heated as he propped himself up on an elbow and swept his thumb over her lower lip. “And you, pretty girl, are the best kind of trouble there is.”

Her heart skipped a beat at his words, but she still made a face, not entirely convinced. “That doesn’t really sound like a good thing.”

“It is, believe me. I’ve never met anyone who keeps me on my toes the way you do, who pushes me until I’m ready to snap, then brings me back down with one sweet smile.”

A tiny smile curved her mouth. “If you say so.”

“Just take my word for it.” He framed her face with one huge hand and pressed his lips to hers. Just as passionate as their feverish kisses earlier, the gentle sweep of his lips over hers stole her heart.

Roman pulled back and stared down at her in the darkness, his thumb slowly stroking over her cheek. He’d lied to her before when he called her superficial and self-centered. Irina was incredible. She hid so many layers of herself deep down, and he had a feeling he’d only begun to scratch the surface of the passionate woman he held in his arms.

He’d known there was something extraordinary between them the moment his lips touched hers, and if that kiss hadn’t told him everything he needed to know, this sealed the deal for him. She was everything he’d ever dreamed of, more than he could ever ask for.

He’d never felt like this with a woman before, and he had a sneaking suspicion he never would again. This, whatever he had with Irina, was something people searched for their whole lives. He wanted her every way, every single day; a lifetime wouldn’t be enough.

It was too soon for any declaration of love, but neither was he going to give her up—not for a long time. He didn’t know what their return to the real world would bring, but he would fight every day to keep her by his side. It wouldn’t be easy, especially not in her world, but he knew he would do anything for her.