Series: The Rossi Crime Family Series by J.L. Beck
Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80475 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80475 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
“Are you okay?” he whispers into my hair, his lips grazing against the side of my temple. I play over everything he told me this morning, over how he said he’d chew me up and spit me out if I got too close to him. He sees himself as the villain when he’s the hero.
“No.” I shake my head, clutching onto his shirt. I don’t want him to let me go. I don’t want to lose his touch. “I’m scared, and the only time I feel safe is when I’m with you. It’s dumb, I know, and I don’t understand why I feel this way, but…”
“Sophie,” he groans, his voice shutting me up in an instant as his storm-filled gray eyes close. I turn in his arms, my face millimeters from his, my lips parted. I take in his raw beauty, the angle of his jaw, the cleft of his chin, the sharpness of his nose, the unblemished olive skin, the thick coal black eyelashes, and the silky brown locks that reside in a mop of unruliness on his head.
He’s so attractive, it hurts. A warmth fills my belly as I stare at his full lips for a second longer than necessary. He blinks his eyes open, and as if he can read my mind, or sense exactly what I want, he leans forward, his lips brushing against mine in a whisper. He does it again, his top lip grazing mine, stoking a fire somewhere deep inside me. I grip his shirt even tighter, wanting more of him, whatever parts of him he’ll give me. He continues to kiss me lazily, touching my lips with his, teasing me, making me pant with need.
As if he’s tested the water enough, he presses his lips against mine fully. The kiss is powerful, searing a possessive hold over my body. His hand comes up to cup my cheek gently as he deepens the kiss, his tongue swiping across my bottom lip. I open to him, my heart sounding like a galloping horse inside my chest.
My movements are rushed and unsure while his are firm, full of determination. His touch remains gentle as he swipes his tongue against mine, forcing a moan from my throat. Liquid lighting shoots down my spine as I try to elongate the kiss. Before I get the chance, Roman pulls away, and I whimper at the loss of contact.
He leans forward, pressing his forehead against the side of my head as I turn in his arms, slightly embarrassed by my reaction to him. He kissed like I imagined a man would kiss, with unbridled passion and a possessiveness that could make a woman weep with need.
I knew my first kiss would be special, but I never expected it to be like this.
“We need to get you back to the house,” he whispers, his voice hoarse, his arms still wrapped around my body. I nod. He’s right. This moment, one I’ll cherish forever, must end.
“Okay,” I reply, my chest heaving up and down. I feel terrible that he had to kick the door in and Violet had to see me at one of my weakest points. Today was supposed to be a good day, my first taste of freedom, and he stole it from me.
When Roman’s arms release me, I move to stand, my legs shaky, my entire body throbbing from the aftermath of my mental breakdown. He does the same and comes to stand at his full height beside me. I look up at him, unsure of how I’ll ever thank him for pulling me out of my head.
I lick my lips, thinking of our kiss once more.
“Thank you, Roman,” I finally whisper as he guides us out of the dressing room, a hand on the small of my back. Violet is waiting for us as we round the corner, the worry easing from her face. Eyes burn into my skin with each step we take. I can practically hear their whispers, and yet, nothing they could ever say would hurt me anymore than I’ve already been.
“Are you okay?” Violet asks, hugging me. She gives me a concerned look when she pulls back, and I nod, because for once, I feel okay. Roman speaks to the general manager of the store and pays for the damages with his credit card. The entire time he does, he doesn’t speak to me, and I wonder if it’s because he also doesn’t know how to feel about the moment we just shared.
All I know is that when I’m with him, I feel whole, like I’m a new person. Like no one, not even my father, can touch me. And like a drug addict awaiting their next fix, I’ll do whatever I can to keep that feeling intact.
Roman is my fix, my hero, the glue that holds me together.