Page 19 of With Wine Comes War

She smiled excitedly, almost a little too excited, as in fake, and I realized Amelia and I were now just playing pretend. Our friendship may be predicated on whether or not I could handle Roman’s continued existence in her life even when he isn’t in mine.

“Yep, that’s definitely more me.” She expressed and shifted her eyes barely to the side in Roman’s direction. Just then Roman turned around and our eyes locked. He stopped in his tracks, and I got lost in those molten chocolate brown eyes. My mouth fell open just a little before I realized it and snapped it shut again.

Amelia quickly broke the trance and said, “Well, Alex, this was fun, let’s do it again.” When I didn’t respond she reminded me, “Don’t you have an appointment you need to get to?” I nodded my head still directed right at Roman, who was standing there staring back with the corner of his mouth quirked up a little.

“Yeah, thanks for the reminder, I’ll talk to you later.”

Amelia said a quick hello to Roman on her way out. As I was hurrying to get my things so I could leave too, my purse got stuck on the back of the chair.

“Fuck, of course this would happen”

Now he was standing right next to me with a smile on his face, probably laughing at what a clown I looked like trying to get my purse free.

“Hello Ms. Kennedy.” His voice was low and warm. So warm, I was heating up all over. I stopped fighting my purse and took a deep breath. It felt like the first time I met him, the same electricity going through my body was unmistakable and as powerful as ever. I needed to get out of here before I hyperventilated.

I took a deep slow breath, calmly freed my purse strap as I composed myself. “Mr. King,'' I replied. “I really have to go.” My voice trembled, and I turned to sprint to my car. I was almost home free. I felt relieved, until he grabbed me by the arm, turned me around and kissed me.

***

ROMAN

I couldn’t forget to eat again so I went to Benita’s to pick something up to take to my office. The meeting with Grant was productive. The meeting with Shay was surprising. I didn’t expect the intense feelings it brought out of me, but ultimately, it made me feel a little less crazy.

As I was walking into Benita's, my phone was buzzing like crazy. All these freaking texts coming in about Texas and Burrow Township and Harrison. Good thing I ordered ahead.This shit can wait.

I quit scrolling and put my phone in my back pocket, handed the cashier my debit card and stood off to the side waiting for her to hand it back along with my lunch that was ready. I put some cash into the tip jar, said thank you and turned to leave. Immediately my eyes found hers like they knew exactly where to look, even without scanning the room first. I was like a deer in headlights. It had been weeks sinceI‘d looked into those soul stealing green eyes.Fuck, this was harder than I thought it would be.I almost didn’t think I’d be able to move until someone said my name. I looked just enough to catch a glimpse of Amelia then shifted my eyes right back to Ms. Kennedy.This was Amelia’s secret lunch date.Of course she wouldn’t tell me about this one.

I could see that Alex was trying to leave too, probably to get the hell away from me, but her bag got stuck on the chair and it was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen, watching this kickboxing beast lose this battle to a purse strap and a bistro chair. I bit my bottom lip to keep from laughing.

“Hi Ms. Kennedy.”

She said hello back. I smiled and she ran out the door. I’m done playing fair and I’m done being patient. I want what I want, and damn it, I know she wants me too. She knows I didn’t attack her. I don’t know if this is a good idea but maybe our connection will be enough to spark something. I’m not a predator for God’s sake. We were in love, and I know it’s still there. I hurried after to her car, dropping my lunch as I took hold of her arm then turned her to face me. I made quick assessment of her eyes before I kissed her. She looked surprised but not afraid. I held her close with one hand around her waist and the other buried in her hair on the back of her head holding her mouth firmly to mine. Her body leaned into mine letting me know she was not pushing me away. My tongue skimmed along her bottom lip as she allowed me access. She reached up placing her hands on my chest as she grasped the lapel of my jacket. As much as I wanted to stay like this and find out what she was thinking, we were practically in the middle of the road. It wasn’t what I planned because I had no plan. I just reacted. She didn’t try to fight me. Her mouth was so soft and warm, but I also didn’t want to get slapped if what I was thinking wasn’t accurate.

I broke the connection and made sure to open her car door and help her in before I picked up my lunch and walked into the building. I know the kind of effect I can have on her. I turned and watched her sit in her car for a minute before she left. Now it’s time to have a word with Amelia.

I stopped right in front of her desk, squinting as I decided if I was pissed or just curious as to why I wasn’t allowed to know they were still in contact. “I’m going to need about twenty minutes for lunch today so hold my calls, please.”

She calmly responded, “Okay, Mr. King.”

“Don’t ‘Mr. King’ me right now. You could’ve told me you were having lunch with Alex,” I barked. I guess I was pissed.

Amelia’s face was stone cold. Uh oh, I don’t think I’m going to like whatever this is.

She slammed her hands down on her desk and stood up. I took a step toward my office door a bit affronted by her tone.

“Why? So you can turn into that sad excuse for a man who skipped work for a headache and made me pick up all the pieces? Uh, no thank you.” She hurled those words at me like an axe. “I’d rather have the demanding asshole Roman telling me and everyone else how he wants and expects things to get done and when– the way things have always been. You and Alex are both idiots if you think you can keep playing this game. You need to talk.”

I shook my head and went straight into my office. I didn’t start laughing until I closed my door, leaning against it as I doubled over. Who the hell was that person, and what did she do with Amelia?

I dropped my lunch on my desk as I heard the ping of an email come through.

From: ALEX

Replyto: ROMAN

Subject: Ambush

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