Page 74 of Tainted Ties

The calming smell of sandalwood and mint was the first to invade my senses as I awoke from a restless sleep.

Tearing my eyes open took more effort than I expected, but when I did, I was met with a beautiful face.

“Anima mia,” he whispered those two words that made my insides melt like warm honey.

“You’re here,” I sighed in contentment, my heart somersaulting in my chest.

Midnight eyes searched mine, that same worrisome line etched between his brows. “I am.”

I swallowed the dryness from my throat. “You took longer than a few days.”

The back of his hand caressed the side of my face tenderly, his eyes trailing my face. “And I wish I hadn’t.” He blinked, hesitation peeking through his features. “You’re still here.”

The feelings from last night unfurled in the pit of my stomach. “I’m going to be sick.” I made a beeline for the bathroom.

I flushed the toilet when I sensed Roman enter the bathroom. His presence never went unnoticed, not by me.

“Please, go away,” I pleaded, bile rising in my throat again.

From the corner of my eye, I saw him haunch down beside me. “In sickness and in health, remember?”

I turned and glared at him. “As if that meantanythingto you when you said them.”

“Shh,” he coaxed, gathering my hair in his hands as I vomited once more. “I’m not arguing with you while you’re like this.”

“Thenleave,” I heaved, embarrassed that he was seeing me in this state of distress.

My heart and mind were at war.

My heart longed for Roman. I knew it the moment I opened my eyes this morning, staring at his cavernous ones. But my mind was logical, understanding the consequences of what would happen if I allowed myself to have this—to have him.

He was patient, rubbing circular motions across my back as I emptied the contents in my stomach until it was hollow.

“Why are you sick, Aurora?”

I leaned back against the tub, watching him through hooded eyes. I was completely out of it, my energy depleted.

I shook my head.

I couldn’t exactly tell him that my body was fighting against me because eventhinkingabout my feelings for him sent me spiraling.

His gaze bore into every inch of my body with an intensity that startled me. “Are you pregnant?”

I waited for the aggression or hostility but found none in his magnificent ebony eyes.

“I’m on birth control,” I strained out.

A clipped nod was all I received from him as he crossed his arms against his chest.

“Can you give me some privacy?” I asked without meeting his gaze. “I need to clean myself up.”

The side of my face bore the heat of his stare before the sound of the door clicking shut echoed through the four walls.

Hurriedly, I hopped into the shower and lathered myself up with soap.

I was drained and didn’t have any vigor to navigate the situation I found myself in.

My mind was a black hole, all-consuming yet nothing.

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