Page 98 of Sinful Escape

Ignoring me, he waved at the group still seated at the opposite end of the room. “Buona notte, everyone. We will see you in the morning.”

They collectively waved and said goodnight.

Somewhere in the back of my brain it registered that I should remind them of our nine-thirty departure time tomorrow, but that thought was whisked away when Roman placed his hand on the small of my back and guided me toward the door.

I eased in closer to him. “I had fun tonight.”

“I can tell.”

“No, I mean, real fun. I don’t know why I stopped coming to these things. Oh, wait—yes I do. I was dying on the inside.”

He wrapped his arm around my waist and hugged me to his side.

Hmmm. Was it to keep me upright? Or did he want a cuddle?

“Daisy, I apologized for that. I didn’t mean it.”

“No need to say sorry.” I shook my head, and my eyes took a little moment to keep up. “I’m not dying anymore. I’ve never felt so alive.” I wriggled from his embrace, spread my arms wide, and spun in a circle. “I am alive,” I screamed the words at the top of my lungs. My knees buckled and I stumbled sideways. “Whoopsie.”

Roman grabbed my shoulders before I face-planted. My hero.

He hugged my waist again, pulling me to his side. “Come on, let’s get you to bed before you pass out.”

I never knew spiral stairs could be so much fun. Laughing with hysterics, we bounced off walls and made nearly as many steps down as we did up. I giggled so much I could barely breathe by the time we arrived on the third floor.

At the door to my room, Roman demonstrated some cool contortionist moves as he simultaneously juggled holding me upright and fumbling with the key.

We tumbled into my room together, crossing the space in a flurry of arms and legs. Giggling like a giddy schoolgirl, I flopped onto the bed, dragging Roman half on top of me.

My corset didn’t handle the acrobatics, and my right boob flopped out over the top of the red satin. Half giggling, half gasping, I shoved the stupid flesh away.

If Roman noticed, he gave no indication.

He pushed up from the bed. “Buona notte, Daisy. Sleep well.”

“Awww, don’t go.” I gave him my best sad face.

“It’s time for you to sleep.”

I tried to sit but the restrictive corset made it impossible. “Wait. Wait,” I blurted before he got too far away. “Can you help me out of this thing?”

He turned with a curious expression. Half smirk, half scowl.

I was in trouble if he didn’t help. “Pleeeeaaase. I’m stuck.” I wobbled from side to side for emphasis.

Chuckling, he offered his hand and launched me to my feet. “Turn around.”

I did as he instructed and stared at the whitewashed brick walls while Roman worked in silence. Each whisper of his breath tickled my neck. The brush of his fingers on my bare flesh was like molten honey, warm and soft. If I was a cat, I’d have started purring. Maybe I’ll start purring anyway.

As the bodice eased open, the fabric fell away from my breasts. Rather than hold it in place, I allowed it to fall. With the final loop undone, the top half of the satin fell off my shoulders and caught at my waist.

I was half-naked.

I didn’t think.

I didn’t breathe.

With my breath trapped in my throat, I spun around to Roman. My nipples were rock-hard pebbles as I stepped forward, pressed them to his chest, and wrapped my arms around him. His body was warm, on fire. I gazed up into his honey pools and pouted my lips. “Kiss me.”

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