Page 24 of Tainted Ties

Embarrassment flushed along my body from my carelessness. My cheeks grew hot as I stepped back from his agonizing presence and rushed down the altar.

Chapter8

Aurora

It had been three hours since I fled the altar—three hours since I humiliated myself.

I put the heel of my palm to my forehead, willing my pulse to take on a healthy beat.

Even now, I could feel the subtle touch of his lips against mine in contrast with the rough caress of his palm lingering on my face.

My stomach twisted, disgusted with myself for leaning in and thinking about a moment with someone who wanted to hurt me in every way imaginable.

I would not wait to find out those ways, either.

Grabbing my phone and wallet, I sent a text to Enzo to meet me in an hour.

The clock read a quarter to eight when I closed the bedroom door. It wouldn’t be easy to go unnoticed, but I would go down trying.

I needed a solution to my situation, and I would not bear a second more in this house,notwith the one who occupied it.

The house was utterly quiet as I descended the stairs. When I reached the ground level, I couldn’t help but gravitate toward the sound of a fireplace crackling.

The sitting room was dark, the only light coming from the fireplace that Roman sat before on a couch. His head was laid back, eyes closed, and a glass filled with amber liquid balanced atop the armrest.

His expression was elusive yet somber—as if he were fighting his inner demons.

Temptation was a step away, knowing he could draw me in with his wicked shadow, but I pulled away from the trance.

Slowly, I backed away, making sure I was as quiet as when I had entered.

“You have a habit of staring at me when you think I’m unaware. Why?”

His voice stopped me in my tracks, sending electric currents up my arms.

I fisted my hand against my forehead for being such an idiot.Had I never heard the phrase ‘curiosity killed the cat’?I should have left instead of wandering.

I came out of the dark and into Roman’s view.

His eyes remained closed, allowing me to take in his now blank expression.

“You can tell a lot about a person when they’re alone.” He remained impassive. “When they’re in their genuine form.”

Roman couldn’t help who he was—ruthless and unforgiving.

Alas, he opened his eyes, his intense gaze settling upon me. “And what can you tell?”

That was a question I didn’t have a pinpoint answer to. Yet my lips moved of their own accord. “That maybe you’re not as horrible as you let on.” I swallowed thickly.

The sound of the fireplace crackling increased in volume as time stretched between us.

Roman remained unmoving and quiet, assessing me. I, too, remained in place, holding his watchful gaze.

There was nothing to fear at this moment. My life had taken a turn for the worst, and I accepted that it would continue to do so until I found a solution. But for now, I would not show any weakness.

With a tick of his jaw, he suddenly shot up from his seat, striding to me in two steps.

I didn’t falter from my position, even when my pulse jumped from his sudden movement.

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