Page 34 of Worth the Trouble

“Early night, sweetheart?”

I spin around so fast, I almost topple over in my heels, but Rome’s hands grip my arms to catch me. He’s ditched his tie and has undone the first couple of buttons on his dress shirt, showing off a V of inked skin, once more making me wonder how far it goes.

His head tilts the slightest, with his trademark smirk brightening his dark eyes.

I pull back, and he releases me. “It’s almost eleven.”

Rome tucks his hands in his pockets. Even in a suit, his energy is relaxed and confident. He casually leans a shoulder against the brick wall of the building and looks down at me.

“Like I said, early.”

“Some of us have things to do tomorrow.” I cross my arms over my chest.

He smiles, amused at my defensive posture. “Doesn’t mean we should waste tonight.”

“Don’t you have a date you should be worrying about?”

“Don’t you?” He shoots back.

Date?

Then it hits me; Rico was technically my date. Although not the kind Rome was clearly on.

“He’s a friend.” I drop my arms and try my best to sound confident. The last thing I need is Rome thinking I’m jealous.

Rome’s eyes skim my body before he meets my gaze again. “Same.”

I laugh louder than I expect to at the comment.

“What?”

“Afriend.” I lift an eyebrow. “I’m sure she is.”

Rome shrugs one shoulder but doesn’t offer much more. I don’t like what the nonchalant gesture does to me. Or anything else about him for that matter. I shouldn’t care who the woman he’s with is to him. It makes no difference.

Itneedsto make no difference.

“Come out with me,” Rome says, narrowing his eyes in a challenge. “It’s too early, and you’re too young to not have a life.”

“Is that an insult?”

“Only if you take it that way.” Rome stands up straight and it adds to his height. “One night won’t kill you, sweetheart. Let me show you what the world’s like outside that pretty little tower they’ve got you locked away in.”

It’s dangerous.

It’s a bad idea.

And yet, looking into Rome’s eyes, I can’t help the single nod I give him.

11

Lili

OfalltheplacesRome might take me in the middle of the night, I should have expected this. Because every time I think maybe he’ll prove my assumptions about him wrong, all he does is prove them right.

“What?” He stops, grinning at the annoyance I’m failing to hide from my face.

I shake my head. “A strip club? Really?”

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