Page 25 of Loving Roman
Roman moves closer to me, and I welcome his proximity. “Alice had to check on the situation, but after speaking with the kids, she doesn’t think anything will come of it.” He places his hand on my lower back, and Kate’s eyes follow the movement. Her eyebrows rise, and a hint of a smile touches her lips.
“I’ll do my best to ensure Jack’s situation doesn’t get out of hand. I can see he’s a good kid. I’m certain everything will bejust fine.” I need to get away from Kate and Oliver’s scrutiny. “I must get going. I have questions to get ready for my interview with the school tomorrow.” I turn to Roman. “I’ll contact you if I need anything else.” I turn back to Kate and Oliver. “It was lovely to meet you both.” I walk a couple of steps away from the trio. “Enjoy your evening.”
I click my seatbelt into place as my car door opens, and Roman fills the space. He crouches down so we’re at eye level. “Am I still gonna see you in two weeks?” His words rush out along with his breath.
I don’t want to make promises I’m unsure I can keep. I want, more than anything, to pick up where we left off. Watching him with the kids solidifies my first impressions of him, but I’m not who he thinks I am. I’m rigid in my schedule; boring in daily life. I keep to myself and stick to the rules. I don’t have affairs with random men while on vacation. “I’m not sure it’s such a great idea, to be honest.”
His face falls, disappointment wafting off of him in waves. I feel an immediate need to soothe him, but we have an audience. “Clearly, I misread the cues. I’m sorry if I’ve made you uncomfortable.” He moves to stand, but I stop him with my hand on his hard thigh.
I could use my job as the reason we shouldn’t see each other outside of our professional roles, but I need to be honest with him. I need him to understand I’m not the woman he thinks I am. “Roman. You never made me feel uncomfortable. In fact, for the first time in a very long time, you made me feel seen, desirable even. You didn’t misread anything. I feel this thing between us, too. It’s just that …” I look out the windshield and back at him. “The woman you met on vacation isn’t really who I am. I’m not spontaneous, and I don’t fall into bed so easily with a man I’ve just met. I’m a serious, rigid person who follows the rules and thrives routine. I’m not exciting, nor am I interesting—” He leans forward, cutting off my diatribe with a press of his lips to mine, and I open to him immediately.
I’ve missed him so much.
His taste, his touch, his warmth.
It’s like coming in out of the cold.
A throat clears nearby, and we startle apart. Roman stands abruptly, his crotch at eye level, and it’s a spectacular sight. I remember how he felt in my hand, and I should feel embarrassed that we’ve been caught in such a compromising position, but I can’t find it in me to care. I’m dizzy from his kisses, and I’ve missed him more than I’m comfortable admitting.
“We can watch the kids and make dinner if you guys wanna spend some time together.” Kate kindly offers.
Roman looks down into the car at me with eyebrows raised, asking me the silent question. I’m unsure whether these people have clearance to watch the kids outside their scheduled volunteer hours. He crouches back down into my space, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. “Kate and Oliver looked after the kids while I was on vacation. They have approval from the higher-ups. I would love to use this opportunity to take you to dinner, but I don’t want to pressure you. I know you’re feeling uncertain.” He kisses the crook of my neck. “But, Alice. I’m aware there are parts of you I don’t know, just as there are parts of meyoudon’t know. The one thing Idoknow is that I want to spend more time getting to knowyou. Every part of you. Not just the person I met on vacation.”
How can I refuse?
I nod, swallowing past the rock-sized lump in my throat. “Okay.”
Roman raises his eyebrows at my easy acquiescence, and I allow myself to be in the moment and enjoy his company—much the way I did on vacation. A smile spreads and a giggle escapes as he punches the air as though he’s won the lottery.He undoes my seatbelt and pulls me out of the car, wrapping me in his arms.
“Thanks, guys. Let’s go inside, so I can tell the kids I’m going on a date.”
Whaaat?
My world screeches to a halt.
They can’t know. Nobody can know. I don’t want to lose my job—I’m reasonably sure this is inappropriate. I pull on his hand to stop him. “We can’t tell the kids we’re going out. What if they tell Marcus, and Marcus tells my boss?” I look between Kate, Oliver, and Roman. My heart’s thumping in a panicked rhythm, and I struggle to take a full breath.
Shit, Oliver’s the major financial supporter of the foundation. He could easily have me removed from my position.
He stops. Studies me closely, then nods sharply. “Okay. You wait out here. I’ll be back out in a minute.” He presses a hard kiss on my lips and vanishes inside.
Kate looks at me, eyebrows raised, a ghost of a smile on her pretty lips. “So,you’reAlice.” She nods to herself, then looks up at her husband, nudging him with her elbow. “Thisis Alice.”
“Yeah.” He smiles down at her. “I got that.”
“TheAlice.” Now I’m worried about what she knows.
“Uh, did Roman tell you about me?” As she’s about to answer, the kids come barreling out of the front door—wide smiles on every single one of their faces. They greet Kate and Oliver like they’re rock stars, and it’s wonderful to watch. Normally, kids in their situation don’t have much to smile about, but these kids are doing remarkably well considering their backgrounds. And I get the impression Roman has a lot to do with that.
15
–roman–
I can’t believeshe agreed to have dinner with me. I’m so goddamn happy right now.
Oliver pulls me aside while the kids greet Kate as though they haven’t seen her for a month, when in reality, they saw her on Saturday.
“Where are you going to take her for dinner?” he asks quietly, so the kids don’t overhear.
