He led Ava through the secret doorway and up to where she’d be staying, snatching her suitcase for her along the way. His mother had always taught him to be a proper gentleman. If someone needed help, you helped. Whether that be as big as letting a stranger stay at your home, or as small as carrying a piece of luggage. A person got back what they put into the world, plain and simple.

Ava chose the door at the top of the stairs and he encouraged her to enter. What he really wanted to do was show her his room, though. Not because it was impressive in any sort of way, but because his brain kept picturing her knocking on his door late at night, wearing nothing but a t-shirt and thong, and asking for his help with something more…personal. And while having her actually stand in his room would be nothing like that fantasy, it would be one step closer.

But he didn’t want to come off like a pervy loser. Ava deserved better than that. Especially since the last man in her life was already a Grade A asshole, and she was here to get away. At least, that’s what she’d told him.

He smiled at her. “I’ll leave you to it, then. Make yourself comfortable. Logan is on his way with pizza. I’ll grab you when he arrives.”

“Thanks. You have no idea how much I appreciate this. And you don’t have to escort me to supper. Holler up to me, and I’ll join you.”

Roman made his way downstairs to give her some privacy. He’d known this woman all of one day, and he was already feeling smitten. There was something about her. Was it thelilting sound of her voice? The bounce in her blonde curls? Or the way her bright eyes peered at him when he offered her a place to stay—as if he was everything to her at that moment? Or maybe it was how she’d spoken openly to him at the pub, putting her trust in a stranger? She’d let herself be vulnerable. He didn’t normally sit and talk with bar patrons while he was working. But Ava was easy to talk to, and he felt like she needed a listening ear.

He had to slow his roll.

In the kitchen, he grabbed a beer from the fridge and cracked it open. Had he been alone for a long time? Yes. Was he tired of being single at thirty-five? Of course. And was he ready to settle down?

Absolutely.

He was tired of feeling stagnant. Not a lot of fresh blood passed through Little Greenfield, and he hadn’t had any sort of proper relationship in a long while.

Maybe this could be something? He ran his palm over his beard. He swore she was making eyes at him in the bar. He wanted her to want him. That didn’t mean she actuallywanted him. Making those kinds of assumptions wasn’t helpful for anybody.

But, God, he needed forward projection in his life. He didn’t want to live with Logan forever in their rustic B&B like a pair of permanent bachelors. Perhaps this was the start of that momentum? He could show Ava that not all guys were closed-minded pricks.

The front door opened and Roman turned his attention to Logan carrying two large pizzas into the house.

Okay. Specifically, thathewasn’t a prick. He couldn’t say the same for Logan, though he had his reasons for being so guarded.

Logan wouldn’t help make his case for men in general. His disposition was downright sour at the best of times. And Roman was sure this wouldn’t be an exception.

AVA

Ava threw her carry-on suitcase on the bed and plopped down next to it. Paint cans and tarps were in one corner, a mirror laying on the floor beside the dresser in another corner. A big, cushy snuggle chair sat overlooking the glass doors that led to the balcony. That was an appreciated touch. She’d definitely be spending time there, nestled in a nice fuzzy blanket.

The view out the floor to ceiling glass doors was breathtaking. All the way to the horizon consisted mostly of eastern white pine trees, but the occasional larch dotted the landscape, the leaves already turning yellow. The sun was just beginning to set. Days were getting shorter now that fall was here. The fading light gave the earth a stunning golden glow.

There wasn’t any furniture on the balcony. Maybe Roman would let her help pick something out? He did say they hadn’t decided on decor for the rooms yet. Maybe she could help while she was here. Earn her keep by doing more than paying for the room. She’d be happy to assemble some tables and chairs, put together a backsplash, or hang a picture or two.

Turning to survey the room, she noticed a stack of tile sitting inside the bathroom doorway. Upon inspection, it was a sleek, modern white marble. After seeing the guys’ washroom, this kind of poshness didn’t surprise her. But Roman didn’t strike her as someone whose first pick for a backsplash was Carraramarble. She’d like to think he’d choose an earthy coloured stone. Textured, but still classy.

He was probably a get-your-hands-dirty type of guy, but in a good way. Like he didn’t mind hard work and was always the first one to volunteer to help, no matter what the situation was. Like how he jumped at the chance to come to her aid.

She flopped down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Look at her. She rolled into town completely unprepared, didn’t know a soul, and Roman rescued her after an hour of conversation. He was living proof there were good men in this world. And after being repeatedly gaslighted by Sebastian for two years, that was something she needed to believe in right now.

It didn’t hurt that he was sexy as sin and built like a tank. On more than one occasion today, she’d caught herself thinking about how easily he could lift her and throw her on his bed. How his powerful hands could effortlessly restrain her. How he could surely make her choke on his big co?—

Okay, it’s possible Sebastian was right. Maybe her desires were a bit…different.

But did that matter? A loving partner would be open to trying out her kinks before writing them off. Or at least hearing what they were and why she liked them. Instead, Sebastian had tried to make her feel dirty. Ashamed.

When she finally got the guts to reveal her fantasies, he told her she wasn’t normal. The worddeviantwas used several times. He actually yelled that she was broken, that she must have a screw loose, becausepeople shouldn’t want the things she wanted.It took two years together for her to open up. A little part of her must’ve known he’d react that way.

This time away needed to be productive. Ten days to figure out who she was and what she really wanted in a partner without Sebastian’s voice in her ear, constantly trying to control her.

The bastard had told her no man would touch her with a ten-foot pole if she asked for the sort of things she actually dreamed of in the bedroom—being bitten and choked, being bound and used, being praised and degraded, and so much more. But was that true? She’d only had one other serious relationship besides Sebastian, and that was in her early twenties. She’d changed since then. Was she really that different from other women?

After being humiliated enough to seek refuge in this little town, it was time to take control. She needed to get back in touch with herself and work out what a healthy relationship should be like. Especially after Sebastian had left such a bitter taste in her mouth.

She needed to rebuild her spirit so she could return home and be strong enough to leave Sebastian for good. They’d never officially broken up before, but he’d come back. He always came back. No matter how terrible the fight. No matter how many times he called her worthless. He always managed to manipulate her into forgiving him.