Page 58 of Now You're Mine

Yeah, I feel that, too. The gravity of Roman Rush is constantly tugging at me, drawing me in. He’s like a force of nature, and maybe it’s time to stop fighting this thing between us.

I pull in a long, full breath as relief washes over me. “Then I guess we shouldn't be apart,” I say, smiling up at him, my face still wet from the tears. “Life kinda sucked without you anyway.”

He returns my smile, but it’s sad. “I’ve already withdrawn from ExU, and I’ve formally resigned from the Burning Crown.”

I blink at him, shocked by that. ExU and The Burning Crown areeverythingto him. He’s a god here. And he just…gave all that up, so I could stay? Is there anything this guywon’tdo for me?

“You didn’t have to do that,” I say. “We could have just avoided each other like every other ex-couple out there.”

He reaches up, and brushes the pad of his thumb over my cheek, wiping away the wetness from my tears. “Yes, I did. Letting you live your life free of my shadow was the least I owed you.”

I pull my bottom lip between my teeth and gaze up at him. “So what now?”

He shrugs one shoulder. “What doyouwant, Lux?”

I look up at his face, his fresh, soapy scent surrounding me, and I say the first thing that comes to mind. “I want Roman Rush in my bed. Forever.” I shrug. “Unless, of course, you’re busy.”

The corners of his mouth lift into something that resembles a smile, and he scoops me up into his arms, walking me over to the narrow bed. He places me down gently, then crawls in beside me. We’re facing each other, and the bed is so small, he has to drape his long, muscular leg over mine.

“Anything else?” he asks, his warm breath brushing over my face. It smells like mint.

I purse my lips like I’m pretending to think. “How about…” I shrug. “...undying love?”

He reaches up and brushes a strand of hair away from my face. “I love you more than anything, Lux Anderson. Your happiness is everything to me.”

I know what he’s saying is true because he’s proven it in a million different ways over the last few weeks.

Tracing his bottom lip with the tip of my finger, my gaze flicks up to meet his. “I love you, too, Roman.”

With a smile, his lips touch mine, and his tongue sweeps into my mouth. He pours everything into this kiss—his pain, his happiness, his love. His emotions flow into me as his arms come around my back, tugging me gently into him.

It’s not a sexual kiss, though. It’s his spirit bonding to mine, entwining, so we’re one soul, our hearts beating in rhythm. I never thought I could feel this way—especiallywith the asshole campus king—but somehow Roman Rush managed to slip past my barriers, and take hold of my heart. And once he had it, there was no letting go.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Roman

For three weeks,I live and breathe Lux. A few days after the miscarriage, she was cleared to go back to class, and slowly, she began getting stronger, both physically and emotionally. She already has the color back in her cheeks, and just seeing the life come back into her has filled me with relief.

It’s sunset now, and Lux and I are lying on the beach below Rush House in our bathing suits. We could have gone to any beach in Malibu, but there’s something special aboutthisspot,thisbeach.

“This is where we first met,” I say, lying on my back, staring up at the shifting clouds, hands braced behind my head. “Do you remember?”

Lux pops up onto her elbow, facing me. “How could I forget?” she says with a laugh. “You were such a dick that day.”

I turn my head to look at her, lifting a critical brow. “You were trespassing.”

“Ugh, whatever.” She reaches out with her free hand and brushes the sand off my abs. “Do you know what I was thinking that day, before we stumbled on your very creepy ritual?”

I study her face. “What?”

Her gaze falls to her hand as she starts tracing patterns in my skin. “I was thinking how Exeter University West was a new beginning for me. It felt like I’d finally broken free of something.”

I pause, swallowing. “And how do you feel now?”

She shrugs, the tip of her finger brushing over my nipple. “Like I was right.” Her eyes climb up to meet mine. “It was just a little…delayed. I had to make it through a few more trials first.”

I roll over onto my side, and her hand falls away. I prop my head up onto my palm, so we’re face to face. “You’re so incredibly strong, Little Rabbit. It’s what I first recognized in you. That strength set you apart in a sea of beautiful faces.”

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