Page 15 of Personal Foul

“I’m not going to disagree with you on that,” Kaiden replied, which caused Martin to laugh.

Now they were starting to draw a crowd. Cell phones were out, taking pictures and recording videos. People thrust pieces of paper and pens at him. Romilly was pushed to the side and the gap she left was quickly filled by others.

This wasn’t at all like meeting the first man. This was mob mentality. No one was looking at the paintings anymore. Not even Martin Hope himself. Instead, it was like a switch had been flipped. Even though no one had recognized him earlier, save for the nice older man, but now she saw people Googling him on their phones. Romilly kept retreating and then she heard her name.

“Romilly!” Kaiden called out. “Please let me through.”

Surprisingly, people actually listened and moved out of his way so he could reach her. Cupping her face, he looked her over as if making sure she was okay. Then he took hold of her hand and waved at the spectators. A moment later, he led her out of the gallery and around the side of the building to lose anyone who thought to follow.

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his body. He smelled like cedar and spice, enveloping her in warmth. Romilly closed her eyes and melted into the embrace as a surge of contentedness she’d never felt before filled her.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, his chin resting on top of her head.

“For what?”

“Back there.”

She eased far enough away to look up at him. The streetlights were just enough to see the conflict on his face.

“You don’t have anything to be sorry about.”

“Being with me means being with that.” He leaned his head back against the brick wall. “When you didn’t know who I was, that was like heroin. I wanted more of that. You’re the first real person who doesn’t want me for money or fame. Shit, infamy, actually. But you need to determine if you can weather that because sometimes my life is a circus.”

He didn’t look at her, his body rigid, as if bracing himself for whatever she was going to say.

“Kaiden,” she said softly, reaching up to cup his face. He looked down and she saw stark acceptance in his gaze. “Those people don’t matter. Nothing does, except right here in this moment. You and me.”

Something flashed through his eyes. “My mom said something similar. Look, I know we just met, but I care about you enough to ask you to think this through.” He licked his lips. “I’m serious when I say the media will turn up everything in your past. Where you went to school. Who your best friends were. Your parents’ death. Your aunt. Every single lover you’ve had. There won’t be any secrets left.”

“I’m a pretty boring person.”

He leaned his forehead against hers. “No, Baby, you’re not. Come on, let me drive you home.”

Kaiden drove her to her apartment complex and walked her to her door. She wanted to invite him in, but didn’t want to give him the wrong idea. It was far too soon for any type of intimacy.

“Take as much time as you need,” he told her. “Think everything through. Check out my arrest video and social media.Our outings are splashed all over it. Please forgive me for dragging you through this if you decide you can’t handle it.”

“You think I’m going to change my mind?”

“It’s a good possibility, and it might be the best for you.”

“Do one thing for me.”

“What?”

“Kiss me.”

Before she had even finished saying the words, his hand slid under her hair to cup her nape. Then he pressed his lips to hers almost reverently, wrapping his arm around her tenderly. He coaxed her mouth to open, and he swept in. The sparks between them ignited into an inferno of fireworks. Even their kiss earlier wasn’t like this. With heat pooling between her legs. Her body buzzing with lust. He tasted amazing, felt even better, and the kiss ended way too soon.

When they broke for air, she stared into his eyes, knowing without a shadow of a doubt that given the chance, he’d obliterate her for any other man. She understood his hesitancy was as much for him as it was for her.

“Monday I start training,” he said in a low voice. “I’ll be gone all day, but you can text me your decision. Or not. If you want me to fuck off, then just forget about me.”

“I could never forget you.”

He leaned in and placed a kiss on her forehead. “God, I hope you fucking text me. Good night, Baby.”

“Good night.”

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