Page 2 of Still Burning

I’d never felt this kind of pain. I heard a sob, and it wasn’t until Rome’s eyes flew open and locked on me that I realized it had been mine. For a moment, panic and even fear contorted his face, but it was fleeting. Gone almost immediately and replaced with a cold detachment.

It was then that I turned and ran.

Present Day

Memories that I’d shut away a long time ago replayed, unwanted, in my head as I stood, staring at my reflection in the mirror. I wasn’t that young girl anymore, yet here I was, fresh out of Rome’s shower, wrapped in one of his oversize towels and smelling of his body wash.

Out of all the many things I’d imagined over the years that would happen if I ever saw Rome again, this was not one of them.

Waking up in his bed for a second day in a row—without a hangover this time—I’d been wrapped in his arms. The guilt was a constant companion, although it wasn’t enough to stop me from doing it again. It seemed my need for Rome hadn’t been distinguished. And Eamon had died, knowing it. That was what my guilt was really about.

The door opened behind me, and I lifted my gaze to see Rome fill the frame. His eyes drifted down my body, then back up to meet mine in my reflection. The way they darkened sent a shiver of anticipation through me. This could potentially be the most dangerous thing I did—allowing him back into my life. But he had made me feel things I hadn’t…since I had been nineteen years old and madly in love with him. It seemed he held that power alone.

“I was disappointed when I walked in and you weren’t still in my bed, but this?” he drawled, slowly taking my body in again. “This might be better.”

He’d gotten a call from Liam and had to go meet with him, but he’d kissed me and told me to stay here until he got back, that it would be quick. That had been over an hour ago.

My insecurities weren’t completely gone even though he hadn’t made me feel anything but beautiful last night when he literallykissed every inch of my naked body. Still, I kept thinking about the girls he’d been with over the years, especially the two I’d seen him with since he’d walked back into my life. When I compared myself to gorgeous young strippers, it was difficult not to feel as if my flaws were like a bright neon sign.

“I wanted a shower, and you said not to leave the room,” I replied.

He nodded his head slowly, bringing his eyes up from my legs to my face. “Anytime you want to shower here, you’re welcome to, but I’d prefer you wait for me next time. I can soap up your back better than you can.”

I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth to keep from grinning like an idiot. He made me feel like that girl again. It was as if eighteen years hadn’t happened.

“I’ll remember that,” I told him.

Rome closed the space between us until I could feel the heat from his body warming my bare skin. With his fingertips, he brushed a lock of hair, which had fallen out of the knot on top of my head, off my shoulder. I watched him as he leaned down and pressed his lips to the same spot.

“I have to leave for a few hours.” His voice took on a husky timbre as he trailed his affection over to the curve of my neck. “I’m supposed to meet Liam outside in ten minutes.”

I drew in a sharp breath as his teeth nipped at my skin.

“Drop the towel,” he told me as his eyes met mine.

When we were in bed, with only moonlight streaming through the window, it was one thing. In the bright bathroom lights, it was different. I tensed, and my hand went up to grip the towel tightly together. He stopped kissing me and reached around to cover my hand with his.

“Ten minutes doesn’t give me a lot of time,” he said, studying me now. “You gonna play hard to get this morning?”

I wanted to laugh. I’d been anything but that. At least this timearound, I hadn’t thrown myself at him. I had made him work for it a little. But it was by no means enough to define it as hard.

“I’m, uh…”Embarrassed for you to look at my naked body in the harsh fluorescent lighting.

“You’re what?” he asked as his thumb caressed my hand. He moved closer until his body brushed against mine.

I closed my eyes, not wanting to look at him and admit this. “Naked.”

A deep chuckle vibrated in his chest, and I felt his warm breath close to my ear.

“No shit, Angel Face. That’s the point.”

There had been a time when I did everything I could to get naked with him. Oh, to have that kind of self-confidence again. If it wasn’t for the fact that he was used to having girls fifteen years younger than me prancing around naked in front of him, this would be easier. But seeing as I was closer to forty than twenty, my body wasn’t what it had been. I wanted to be honest with him and just say it, but then it would only be highlighting my faults.

“I’m running out of time, and I want my hands on you before I have to leave,” he said, tugging at my hand to free the towel.

On instinct, my other one flew up to help hold it together. I could see the flush on my skin in the mirror. God, this was embarrassing.

“You get modest on me overnight?” he asked, his eyes narrowing.

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