Page 67 of Tainted Ties

As my laugh died down, his grin slipped, replaced with a look of awe.

“You laughed.”

A small smile adorned my face. “Yes. It’s a reaction humans have when they find something humorous. You should try it sometime.”

He shook his head. “You laughed because ofme.”

Then it dawned on me. I’d never laughed, let alone smiled out of joy during the time I’d been with him until now.

Heat peppered my cheeks.

His thumb caressed the apple of my cheek, where it undoubtedly bloomed with color.

“Do you always stare at people while they sleep?” he asked playfully.

That same heat traveled down my whole body from further embarrassment at his bluntness.

“Only ones as hideous as you.”

“You let hideous men pound your tight little pussy?”

My eyes rounded at his crudeness. “Your mouth is filthy, Roman.”

The air charged with tension, and I was still sore from last night, so I cleared my throat and sat up.

In one swift movement, he leaned up, grabbing me by the arms before laying me back on the bed.

“You love my mouth.” He hovered above me, caressing my arm with a ghostlike touch, evoking goosebumps.

My heart thumped against my ribcage. “Who said anything about love?”

It was an overused word that people threw around thoughtlessly.

His only answer was a knowing grin and fingers that dug at my sides.

I threw my head back, laughing, attempting to swat his hands away from the ticklish assault.

This wasn’t the Roman I knew. This was a completely different person, who was blurring the line of physical and emotional boundaries between us.

A sudden spark of panic washed over me. “Stop.”

And he did, staring down at me with a worried expression.

I needed to understand what was going on. Not only with him but with myself. I felt confused, but my heart had a mind of its own, beating because ofhim.

“Did I hurt you?”

My body continued buzzing under his fingertips where it touched my skin.

“Wh-what? No. I—” He was insufferable and I was frustrated. I groaned, holding the heel of my palm to my forehead. “We need to talk.”

“We do,” Roman agreed.

I froze and stared into obsidian eyes that mesmerized me. “We do?”

He smiled, head tilting to the side.

I was losing it, completely.

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