Page 94 of By the Letter

“For my son and her? Yeah, I would.”

He nodded, taking that in at the same time I did. It was big, but it was true. There wasn’t much I wouldn’t do for the two of them. Shira and Jonah.

Chapter Thirty-two

Shira

Roman had been watchingme ever since I woke up from my accidental nap in his nursery. Adrian had gone home, most of my cookies had been eaten, and the crib and changing table were all put together.

He’d planted me on a stool at the island in his kitchen while he made us dinner then fed me his delicious cooking. While he cleaned up, he kept an eye on me, even though all I was doing was lapping up the luxurious treatment he was giving me.

“You know, there was a reason I came over today, and it wasn’t just to give you cookies.” I rested my chin on my fists. “Kit emailed me the pictures of two houses our builders just finished rehabbing. We’re going to give them to two families next week. We’ll get to be there when they do their first walk-through. Kit’sdone this several times, and she said it never gets old. I’m giddy. I don’t think the day can come soon enough. The kids will be there too, Rome. They’ll get to have their own rooms and their forever home.”

He shut off the water at the sink and picked up a towel to dry his hands while circling to my side of the island. Once he reached me, he dropped the towel and hooked my nape with his palm.

“Your cheeks get pink when you’re excited.” He dragged a finger along my cheek, his mouth curving into a hint of a smile. “Wish I could be there with you to watch. That sounds like it’s going to be an incredible experience all around.”

“You could come if you want to. I’m sure it wouldn’t be a problem.”

He exhaled, his shoulders rolling forward. “I would love that, but Nate and I are flying out to Chicago on Sunday to meet with Vantage Health. We’ve been in talks with several companies for some time now, but they’re the most serious about merging with GoldMed.”

Disappointment settled over me heavily. “You’re leaving town?”

“I am, but I’m going to try to make my time there as short as possible. Decisions need to be made about GoldMed, and I’d like it to be settled before you have the baby. Obviously, I won’t be traveling for a while after this, so I have to make this trip worth it in every sense.”

We’d avoided the topic of GoldMed for the most part, except for a few mentions here and there. I wasn’t surprised Roman had sought out an interested buyer. He’d put months into turning GoldMed around, but I’d known, from my experience at the head of the company and spending years in the background before that, it might not have been possible. I believed Roman had done what he could and had to move in a different direction while looking out for his investment. So, I wasn’t disappointedabout a potential merger, but the ramifications of that were difficult to swallow.

“I hope you’ll find a way to treat GoldMed’s employees fairly,” I said softly.

“That will be part of the discussion,” he assured me. “I am aware most will not want to relocate to Chicago, but I would like to be able to offer that option.”

His forehead fell to mine. “This is the hard part. I don’t like seeing anyone out of a job, let alone the sheer number GoldMed employs. No matter what happens, we will work to give everyone decent severance packages. It’s all going to be folded into the negotiations in Chicago.”

“Good.” I gingerly put my hands on his sides, though I’d rather have wrapped them all the way around him. Even after all the time we’d spent together and what we’d been through, I was still shy and unsure about what he wanted from me. “Take all the time you need in Chicago so you can get that. Beanie and I will be fine. I’m sure Bea can take over your litter duties.”

He lifted his head, the corner of his mouth hitching. “I’ve already recruited Ben and Adrian. You’ll be taken care of while I’m gone, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be in a rush to get back. We only have a few more weeks to enjoy your pregnancy. I’m not going to miss that.”

While I searched for a response to that utterly lovely statement, Roman took the lead, pressing his lips to mine. Then he cleared my mind with the sweep of his tongue between my lips and his palm on my breast. His lips were hot, and his kiss deep and thorough, taking my breath away. This man had the key to working me up in five seconds flat. It was like magic.

I was whimpering by the time he pulled back, staring down at me with flames in his gaze.

“Do you want to play with me, Shira?” he asked.

“Play?” My head tilted in confusion. “What do you mean?”

He touched my hand, still loose at his side. “I mean, when we’re together, I feel you hesitating to put your hands on me, and I would love nothing more than to feel you all over me. I want you to feel comfortable to explore. Do you want to let me help you get there? Do you want to play with me?”

Swallowing hard, I nodded once. “I do.”

He took my hand in his and pulled me to my feet. “Let’s go to my bedroom. I’ll show you what I have in mind.”

My pussy was so wet arousal had seeped to my inner thighs.

Roman was naked, lying in the center of his bed, wearing a blindfold. His body was simply astounding. Every part of him was massive, from his thighs to his thick trunk to his heavy cock resting swollen on his belly. The muscles he’d earned from years as a professional athlete were still present but softened now that he spent more time behind a desk. I liked that. I liked every inch of him.

He’d given me my own personal playground and the room to play on it without worrying about having his watchful eyes on me. He’d told me nothing was off limits. All he wanted was for me toreallytouch him. The problem was I didn’t know where to start.

Kneeling on the mattress next to his feet, I dragged my finger along his shin. The moment I made contact, he jerked and groaned.

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