Page 4 of Dark Romeo

“But he’s not coming.”

I shook my head, a fresh wave of anger causing me to grit my teeth.

“I’d be angry too.”

“I’m not angry…” I was lying. It was probably so obvious to him. I sighed. “Fine. I am angry.”

“And you have a right to be.” He paused. “My father…angers me too.”

“Which is why you run away from him.” I shook my hair out of my face. “I only wish that my father noticed me enough to chase after me.”

I had said too much. I had said too much to a beautiful stranger who made me feel unsteady, like my world was tipping, who somehow made me talk so openly. If I spent any more time with him I just might spill all the deepest, darkest secrets of my heart.

“I should go,” I said suddenly.

Something in my chest let out a disappointed thud, even though I was the one instigating goodbye. I realized I wanted him to stop me.

He nodded. “Thanks again for throwing him off my trail. You didn’t have to. I’m glad you did.”

I sagged a little. He wasn’t going to stop me. How silly. Saying one thing, wanting another.

“You can pay it forward.” I turned to walk away. Before I could take a step, I heard him clear his throat. When I looked back he was holding out my phone, a tiny smirk on his face.

Right. I needed that.

He didn’t move, forcing me to close the distance between us. I walked on unsteady feet, choosing my heel placements carefully so that I didn’t trip, the tightness in my chest growing the nearer I got to him.

I stopped before him. This close I could see his eyes were a deep, rich chocolate, tiny flecks of amber in them. I could smell him, an intoxicating mix of spicy wood and a hint of citrus; pure masculinity. I was suddenly overcome with a ridiculous urge to push my nose into his jacket.

He dangled my phone out in front of me. I reached out to take it. He snatched it out of my reach. “First, your name,” he said, his eyes twinkling with playfulness.

“Julianna Capulet,” I said.

He spoke my first name, drawing out the ahhh in Julianna like a moan. It caused a strange sensation in my lower belly.

“And yours?” I managed to squeak out.

“Roman. Roman…Lettiere.”

Roman. I repeated the name in my head, trying to taste it on my tongue but daring not to speak it, like perhaps saying his name would somehow curse me, binding my soul to this beautiful devil forever.

“I suppose I owe you your phone back.” With his eyes still on mine, he held his hand in front of him and opened his fingers. My phone was sitting in his palm like a treat. I was a dog being coaxed to come closer. I will not be intimidated, I lectured myself. He’s just a man.

No, not a man. A god and a devil in one.

As I closed my fingers around the phone, I brushed his palm with my fingertips. An electrical current leaped from his skin, traveling up my arm. Before I could yank my hand away, his other hand closed over mine, trapping me in his large, warm hands.

“Julianna?” The way he said my name sounded like a caress. I sucked in a breath as a strange wave of heat ran through my body, radiating from the place where he touched me. “A few of us are having a few drinks tonight at Club Luxe at ten o’clock. You should stop by.”

I felt like I was floating on a sea of his voice and his touch. I think I gave him a shaky, uncommitted nod/shake of my head.

“Words, Julianna. I need words.”

I managed to snap partially out of my reverie. It was his touch! How could anyone concentrate with this man’s hands on them? “Maybe.” It was all I could promise. I wasn’t sure if I could handle being so affected like this.

“If you don’t show up, I’ll be incredibly disappointed. I’ll have to come get you,” he said, in a calm yet firm tone.

What? a part of my brain screamed at me. His casual dominance was unnerving. Usually, I was put off by such cocky, domineering alpha-hole men. He made it seem…sexy. He did it in a way that made me feel…wanted. Not owned.

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