Page 63 of With Wine Comes War

“You keep that up and you won’t be going anywhere. I’ll be having lunch and dinner right now.” His gravelly voice sent shock waves of pleasure straight to my core. It left me breathless. I crossed my legs to stay in control.

After a few seconds his heavy breathing— I could see from the harsh rise and fall of his chest— he turned around and crossed to the kitchen island. I looked down to the front of his pants noticing hehad some control issues himself, and I smiled knowing the feeling was mutual.

“I’m happy I didn’t give up on us. In all honesty I would’ve driven myself crazy if you hadn’t given in to me.” The sincerity beaming from his eyes was enough to make me comply with whatever he would ever want or need from me.Almost.

I said jokingly, “And here I thought you gave in to me.” He walked around the counter, sitting in the chair next to me and turned to face me. He pulled the chair over by the armrests and held me tight, with one hand around my waist and the other caressing the length of my hair as my legs rested between his muscular thighs. I placed my hands on his biceps for support.

“I mean, you were a challenge for me. I was wondering why I was chasing after someone who didn’t want me. That’s kind of a waste of time, don’t you think? I’m not one to do that. I figured there had to be something else to it if I wanted to work this hard.”

“You occupy more space in my head than my own brain does, that's for sure. Even when I had you confused, I somehow knew you’d come back to me,” I said with a sigh, feeling my worry dissipate.

“Then why did you make it so damn hard?” He growled low as he kissed my forehead.

“I don’t know, I guess maybe because I’ve always heard if it’s too easy it isn’t worth it. Maybe my head was telling me it was too good to be true. You know I have issues like that.”

“That’s funny because I usually expect it to be easy and this was anything but that, but definitely worth it.” Weren’t we a pair. Getting to know each other better should be our focus while we’re living together for a couple of weeks.

We headed down to the car and suddenly I didn’t want to let it go, “Roman, can we talk after brunch?” My worried expression returned.

“Of course. Is everything okay?”

“Oh sure, I just wanted to talk about the next two weeks and what happens after that. Not too serious, but we got thrown into this and never had a chance to discuss anything.” He kissed the top of my head and seemed happy I wanted to talk about that, in particular–except that was only part of it.

Sunday brunch, I thought with relief upon entering Sunny Side Up, as I inhaled the delicious aromas that brought me so much happiness. This is where I come to decompress and truly relax or vent.

“Hello Ms. Kennedy, right this way. Mrs. Stevens and Mrs. Fletcher are already seated.” I followed the hostess to the table to find Maggie still wearing her sunglasses in the restaurant.

I walked up laughing. “Lookin’ good, Mags.” I said and peered at Abby who was trying not to laugh.

She put her hand over her face. “I ordered a big freaking Bloody Mary this morning.” Her voice was hoarse and low as she tapped a finger on top of her tall glass. I’m sure she was sporting a headache to go with those glasses.

I thanked the hostess and walked over to Maggie to say hi.

“Oh my God, I can’t take you girls anywhere.” I giggled and kissed the top of Maggie’s head gently in case it really was hurting her.

Abby held it in as long as she could then erupted in laughter, tipping her orange juice in my direction and I tapped it with the mimosa she handed me.

Maggie blurted out, “So, Roman told Matt that you two are living together.” She squinted over the top of her sunglasses. “Ouch” she mouthed and put her glasses back where they were. I rolled my lips to keep from laughing– knowing, now, her head must be hurting.

“I think Matt pressed him because he knew somethingwas going on.”

“It wasn’t a big deal. He just figured Matt and Jack would need to know since they’re my attorneys. Kind of need to know where the person they’re protecting is staying, ya know?” I huffed through my nose before taking a larger gulp of my mimosa this time. “Ever since Friday I feel like I’m in the witness protection program or something. I really hate it— I just want to live my life. If Tanner comes after me on the street, I’ll be ready.”Wouldn’t that be poetic justice?

Abby said, “Yeah, I believe you. I just wish you didn’t need to be so prepared. Seems like a lot to go through because some asshole couldn’t keep their hands to themselves. Maybe Roman will be with you when he does.” I hope that’s all it was. My gut is telling me that’s not all it was.

“That’s what’s bothering me so much though. I have a feeling that Tanner isn’t harmless. I don’t think it was a simple case of couldn’t keep his hands to himself. I think he was out to hurt me.” The girls gave a concerned look. I can only imagine how Roman would react if I told him that’s how I really felt.

Maggie’s face was overcome with fear. “Why do you think that?” She snapped and immediately her hands flew to her head.

Maybe I shouldn’t say this because she seems really sensitive, but we’ve always told each other the truth. “I’m sure he’d been stalking me before that happened. I can't be the first person he’s ever attacked, and I don’t think I’ll be his last if he’s allowed to get out. They still aren’t sure exactly what he drugged me with, just that it was some variation of rohypnol and fentanyl. The usual drugs are out of your system in twenty-four to forty-eight hours, and this shit put me out for four days. He wasn’t messing around.”

Abby started crying. “I don’t know if this is pregnancy hormones or what, but I’m really scared for you now. He needs to go away for a long time.” She choked through the sobs.

I agreed but I’m worried he won’t get an appropriate sentence.

“That’s how I feel too, but his brother is who he is, and he’s already stepped in to get him out on bail. Who knows if anything will happen to Tanner. I mean, I’m pretty sure the max is only ten years for what he did, and he’d be out in a year with our shitty system and his connections.” I sat back in the chair and let my arms fall to my sides.

Maggie shook her head, “Well, do you know what you’re going to do? I thought you said you thought it was Luke who was stalking you? Was that why Roman went after him like that?” She slammed her glasses on the table. I’m guessing she was feeling better after that Bloody Mary. At least good enough to take off her glasses.

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