Page 49 of Roman Petrov

21

NADIA

I tossed and turned all night, knowing he was stuck in that cold jail cell makes me miserable.

It hurts that I’m finally here, in his bed, without him.

The irony doesn’t miss me. I found a man who lets me become the person I always knew I could be. He unlocked the pieces that I’d hidden, even from myself.

And now, he’s gone.

The worst part, I wasn’t allowed to attend his arraignment. No one would tell me what happened. There’s no information online.

Just, silence.

Rochelle was able to stay late, but she’s back at the workshop getting ready.

Maybe that’s where I should be. Being busy will make the time go faster.

But, for how long?

Murder carries a huge sentence. He could go away for years, or evendecades.

Oh, God. That would be awful.

I should be thankful he wanted to take care of me, and set me up with a substantial bank account. If my big show goes well,between the sales and the money he’s set aside for me, I should stay comfortable.

I’d give it all up to have him back.

That feeling he gives me, like I’m the most important person in the room, as if his entire world revolves around me, I’d rather have that.

Because I feel the same way about him.

One coffee isn’t enough to lift this melancholy from my bones. Exhaustion of the heart is caffeine proof.

Maybe another will perk me up enough that I at least have the energy to work on the last dress for my fashion line.

I’m just sliding the decanter back into place when a large pair of hands wrap around my waist and turn me around.

“Roman!” Flinging myself around his neck, he lifts me easily to sit on the kitchen counter.

“Did you miss me?” His hot breath fans over my neck as his dark eyes bore into me.

“Nope. Not even a little. It’s been very peaceful here.” I fight the grin trying to overtake my mouth.

His palms circle my throat and he tips my chin up with his thumbs. “Stop being a brat,” he growls. “If you want a spanking, just ask. Now, did you miss your husband?”

My smile fades as the truth makes my chin tremble. “Why? You know I did. I’ve been worried sick.”

His hips work between my knees as he moves closer. “Why? Because all I could focus on was getting back to you. Nothing else even entered my mind. Just you. Which tells me something?—”

“Tells you what?” I cut him off.

“That I’m fucking madly in love with you to the point of delusion. The only single thing that matters to me is you, my wife. I want to spend the rest of my days showing you what it’slike to be loved by me. For real. No business, just love.” He ducks his head, meeting my lips with his in a ferocious kiss.

Breathlessly, I pull back. He loves me? “What about the club? I heard on the news it burned to the ground.”

His dark hair falls over his eyes as he shakes his head. “It doesn’t mean anything to me if I don’t have you by my side, lastochka.”

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