Page 49 of Tainted Ties

Her cheeks reddened as she huffed, pacing back and forth at the foot of the bed.

Content in watching her sort through her dilemma, I leaned against the dresser.

That raw ache reappeared, caving its way through my chest. The feeling was terribly unfamiliar, and I pressed myself further into the dresser to get away from it.

All the while, Aurora was oblivious to the turmoil spiraling right in front of her as she continued muttering to herself.

Chapter16

Aurora

“I’m going to shower and try to washyouoff me,” I seethed at him, though I was frustrated with myself.

I can’t believe I let him—dammit, I couldn’t even say it in my head. And when he told me to taste myself…

Bastard of a man is what he was.

“If that’s your solution, by all means, go ahead,” Roman mocked, his brutal lips curling at the side.

I slammed the bathroom door shut in his face, which earned me a rough chuckle.

Like the suite, the bathroom was also grand. The white marble floor was cold as I tiptoed toward the large shower that could fit at least ten people.

I stripped and stepped under the shower head, where the water protected me in a heated embrace.

One thing I loved about showers was that whenever I took one, I felt free of all my regrets and inconveniences, and I’d come out feeling like a new person. But not this time.

With my hands plastered on the shower wall, I bowed my head.

Roman had disrupted that and now I couldn’t obliterate my feelings into nothing.

I knew I should’ve never let it get past kissing. It should’veneverevengotten to us kissing. He didn’t force me into anything I didn’t want to do, so why did I feel used?

It repulsed me that I wanted him, and I hadn’t got a clue of the reason why.

It might’ve been because I felt happy for the first time in ages on that dance floor or the way Roman looked at me as if he didn’t hate me for a split second.

That look. It was feral, like if he couldn’t have me, he’d burn the whole world to the ground.

And I’d let him do it as long as he burned with it.

I may have let my guard down, but I wasn’t stupid to think his heart was anything but a cold, hard stone.

I shut off the water and wrapped myself in a towel.

Clearing the foggy mirror with my hand, I gazed at myself, unrecognizable.

My cheeks were rosy, my eyes a brighter green, and my lips swollen and pink. This face didn’t reflect the dread of how I felt about Roman.

With a sigh, I turned away, ready to change, but then it hit me.

I didn’t have anything to wear.Shit.

Thinking on my feet, I realized my options were limited.

What if I quickly grabbed my phone before he saw anything? Then, I could call the front desk for help.

Irritation bloomed in me like a bitter seed. If we were a normal couple, this wouldn’t be an issue.

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