Page 24 of Stolen Seconds

No. No. No.

I dug my nails into my palms, ridding myself of those thoughts.

If I had known he was there, I would’ve never gone. The only reason I went was to keep up with my physical activities and Roman had given me a pass to the Underground Club.

“Are you okay?” Aurora shook me, her face coming into focus, green eyes assessing me in confusion.

I unclenched my fists, feeling the sting of where my nails dug into the skin.

“Yeah, sorry.” My voice sounded hoarse, and I cleared my throat before pinching out a smile. “Just nervous about asking you something.”

It wasn’t the whole truth, but it was a save on my part. I couldn’t tell Aurora that Luca indeed had tried pursuing me more than once and now I was. . . what exactly was I doing? Fantasizing about him? The brute wished I would.

“About?”

I leaned against the desk, crossing my arms. “Would it be okay if I stayed until the birth of the little one?”

She stared at me for a moment, her teeth worrying her bottom lip. “Has something happened?”

“What?” My throat constricted. “Nothing has happened, Aurora. I just wanted to be here for the birth.”And have enough time to bring Nicolai home.

“You know you can tell me whatever is troubling you.” It was the finality of which she said that. Not a question or reassurance, but a statement.

“What is troubling you, Irina?”

Our heads turned in unison toward the voice. Roman stood by the door, leaning against the frame as he regarded us with a blank expression.

“You can never stay away from your wife, can you?” I swear the man was never far in distance and had to see her every hour.

A sly smirk touched his lips as he walked toward her. “How do you think she got pregnant?”

“Roman!” Aurora scolded, her face heating from his boldness. “That mouth of yours needs disinfectant.”

And if there was anyone who could get Roman to laugh, it was his wife. The sound was raw and hearty.

“Is this where I apologize?”

“Not to me.” She stood from her chair, her mouth twitching in feigned seriousness. “To Irina, for being crude. Do it while I use the bathroom. This baby pushes against my bladder like it’s their job.”

“As you wish,anima mia.”He kissed her head before she walked out of the room.

Roman rounded the desk and sat in Aurora’s chair, his elbows resting on the arms of it.

“I’m waiting for my apology.” I joked, quirking an eyebrow at him.

“You wish.”

I shrugged. “Worth a try.”

“Is it a what or a who?”

“Excuse me?”

“The thing that’s troubling you. Is it a what or a who?” he repeated.

His question caught me off guard. He had no reason to be concerned with my personal life and I hated that he was showing me a side of himself that I knew many people didn’t see. It only made the reason for my stay harder.

I shook my head, a smile lilting my face even though dread warred in my chest. “Aurora misunderstood. There’s nothing wrong with me.”

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