Page 4 of Devil's Den

She walked toward him, a little nervous. Being naked around a guy was hard for her and she couldn’t believe it was happening right now. She was very much naked, and Rome was very much a guy.

He got to his feet and pulled out a chair. There was a single towel on the seat, and she felt her cheeks start to get hot once again. Did he do this on purpose to make her feel nervous?

She thanked him as she sat down. There was nothing wrong with being polite, at least that was what her mother always told her, but now she was starting to have doubts about that.

They were alone, and she couldn’t stop thinking about the fact she was naked at the dinner table, with a man she barely knew. Even to herself she was staring to feel like a broken record.

She sat at the table but Rome didn’t sit back down. He left the room and this made her nerves go through the roof. She tried to keep telling herself it was all good. Of course it was all good.

Only, it didn’t feel good.

Nibbling on her lip, she waited, feeling a little panicked, but she held her breath. He came back through the door, and she turned her head to see him carrying two plates.

All too soon, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Plates of food were a good thing. She didn’t know what she expected him to have in his hands, but it wasn’t food. Beth didn’t know how she was going to be able to stomach some food, but she would force it down. She didn’t want to be rude.

She had no idea how this night was going to play out. He’d already touched her, and much to her surprise she had responded to his touch. No one had ever put his hands on her, and yet, one touch from Rome and it was like she didn’t even know her own body. Nothing seemed to make sense to her now. She couldn’t help but hate her brother a little for putting her in this position.

She didn’t know what she was supposed to do. Should she tell Rome she was a virgin? Would he even believe her, or just assume she was trying to get out of having sex with him? Everything was so messed up right now. So confusing.

So … so … so … everything.

She wanted to scream.

Instead, she smiled and thanked Rome, hoping she didn’t show him her internal conflict, as that was the last thing she wanted to do.

“This looks delicious,” she said.

“I didn’t know if you were a vegan or had any special dietary requirements.”

He certainly didn’t cater to any, as the steak and potatoes with broccoli looked delicious. Her mouth watered for a taste.

“Nope, I’m fine. I can eat steak and potatoes. I also love broccoli.”

She picked up her knife and fork, and then looked toward him, trying not to think about the fact she was so very naked. Itdidn’t matter.

“Eat,” Rome said.

He took a sip of his wine, and then reached for the bottle. The moment he tried to pour her a glass, she covered the top with her hand.

“I don’t drink.”

“You don’t?”

She shook her head.

“Do you want to tell me why?”

There was no point in lying. “I’ve seen what alcohol does to a person, and once you spend a lot of time attempting to clean up other people’s messes, well, it doesn’t exactly hold any appeal.”

“Have you ever had a drink?” he asked.

“No, I’ve not needed to.”

Again, she had picked her parents up off the floor from one too many beers. She had to scrub sick out of carpets, and hold their heads above the toilet as they nearly choked on their own vomit.

Not a good advertisement for drinking. At least, this conversation distracted her from the other dilemma she was having, the one where he was fully dressed and she was still naked.

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