Page 31 of Three Hearts Hideaway

“Fucking. If she wants to fuck you, then go for it. We’ll work out what it means later.” With that, Roman left Logan behind, and made his way to his room where Ava was patiently waiting for him.

“I was about to send a search party for you,” Ava teased, sitting in the middle of Roman’s bed.

God, she was beautiful. Her blonde hair was tangled and fell over her tits. The sheets pooled in her lap, obscuring the rest ofher body. His radiant siren, luring him into her trap. One he’d happily dive into.

He handed her the plate of fruit and a bottle of water, then stripped off his sweats. “Sorry, love. Had to talk to Logan for a minute.”

She raised her eyebrows, but said nothing. Instead, she shoveled grapes into her mouth, followed by a whole strawberry. Roman didn’t push the subject. Logan would talk with her tomorrow, then they would all work something out if necessary. They had to. There was no way he could lose this woman. One day together, five days together—it didn’t matter. He knew in his gut she was it for him.

He tugged the sheets out of her lap and began to wipe her inner thighs.

Ava’s hand shot out and clasped his wrist. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I know I don’t have to. I want to.”

A soft smile graced her face. “You do?”

“Of course I do. I want to take care of you.” He resumed gently washing her, spreading her legs and slowly wiping the warm cloth across the parts of her that might need it.

She twirled a blonde curl around her finger as she watched him. “No one’s ever offered to take care of me like this.”

“What do you say to sleeping here tonight?”

She coughed, clearly caught by surprise. “In your room?” she mumbled around the fruit in her mouth.

God, she was cute.

Hanging the cloth off the top of his nightstand to dry, he opened his water bottle and took a swig. “Yes, in my room.”

She beamed. “I think I’d love that.”

“Good. I think I’d love that too.” Roman joined her on the bed, drawing her close, and settled her between his legs. Withher back resting against his chest, he breathed in the lavender scent of her hair.

“Is this what you do with all the girls?”

His face scrunched. “All the girls?”

“Yeah, you know, the girls you bring to your cozy B&B after you’ve charmed the pants off of them.”

He could tell she was fishing. Well, there was nothing for her to catch. “To tell you the truth, love, there haven’t been many women in recent years.”

Her snort filled the room as she slipped another strawberry into her mouth. “I can’t believe that.”

Roman slid sideways, and she shifted too, so they looked at each other. “Why can’t you believe that?”

“Um…have you seen yourself?”

He had to laugh at that. “I have. But I’m not everyone’s cup of tea.”

“Well, you’re a lot of women’s cups of tea. And probably a decent amount of men, too. You’re certainly mine.”

He plopped a grape in his mouth. “I guess I’m searching for something more serious. You probably don’t want to hear that, considering we just met, but there’s no point in lying. I’m ready for the next step in my life.”

Ava wriggled out of his arms to face him fully, setting the fruit plate aside. She sat between his legs with her knees against her chest. “What’s the next step?” Her eyes said she was curious. Not scared or freaked out by his admission.

“Love,” he admitted simply. “A long-term relationship. I’m in my mid-thirties. It’s time. A relationship like my parents have is what I’ve wanted for a number of years now.”

She placed her palm on his thigh. “What are they like?”

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