Page 7 of Rome: The Ballerina

My chest lifted dramatically and fell with just as much emphasis. The thermal energy from another human’s frame caused me to stop breathing altogether. Everything in my world stopped, even my heart.

He’s real.

Emotions swelled in my heart. I swallowed the nothingness in my throat.

Waiting.

Anticipating.

Yearning.

I opened my eyes to find him standing in front of me. With his head leaning to the side, he waved his left hand in front of me, drawing me from the trance he was completely oblivious to. I felt my eyebrows wrinkle on my forehead.

Words.

Words.

Use your words.

I struggled to access my vocabulary. I was beyond words. I was beyond this world at the moment. I’d been catapulted into another stratosphere. One where we both belonged. One where we’d wedded and had two children. Two girls.

No. A girl and a boy.

With legs as long as his and mine, we’d make athletes, for sure. As the thought passed through my head, I felt cool fingers against my ear. And, then there was the sound of nature and the person who was in charge.

Koen’s body pushed forward. August’s hand went into the pocket of his dri-fit jacket. He wasn’t reaching for his waterbottle. He was reaching for something that would start a fire, not put one out.

I stiffened my hand, balling it into a firm fist. The gesture halted movement from them both.

I’m okay, I spelled discreetly with my fingers.

Hesitantly, they both retreated. Suddenly, I could breathe again.

My God, Teddy.

I watched as my earbud was curled into the palm of the man in front of me. He smelled like a slice of heaven. He looked like one too.

Like he bathed in clouds.

Like he was the closest thing to Godliness.

Like he ruled nations.

Like he sucked good.

Like he fucked good.

Like he made love to those who didn’t know what love felt like.

Like me.

Like Rome.

Like Rome Childers.

Or Rome whatever his last name was.

“Excuse me.”

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