Page 41 of Dear Roomie
“No problem,” she says with a bored expression. “I just think it’s cute you are pretending to look for a job when we all know you’re going to end up either working for the campaign or with me at Niarris.”
Pain shoots through my fist as I clench the fork and imagine stabbing it into her smug face while I fight to control my breathing.
“There’s no shame in that,” she continues like she isn’t aware of the fuse she’s lit and how dangerously close I am to detonating. Tanner’s worried eyes bounce between us, but he doesn’t say anything—doesn’t jump to my defense or try to shut her up. He just sits there, bracing for the explosion. “Tanner and I both work for our parents. I’m sure Owen will, too, once he graduates. You are set, James. Embrace it. There is no need for you to go through the motions pretending otherwise.”
I’m fucking speechless.
I think the rest of the table is too.
Jacqueline goes back to eating her salad like nothing happened while the rest of us sit in stunned silence. The servers come around with the next course, breaking the tension, and Mr. Harris and Mr. Nicholson resume their conversation. The others follow suit, except for Owen, who hasn’t looked up from his phone once.
The food looks delicious, but my appetite is gone. While the others eat, I move pieces around on my plate, fighting to keep my face pleasant. I can bitch about her to Tanner later—it won’t be the first time.
A Chad and Brad from earlier come over to chat with my date, and he excuses himself to go with them after polishing off his fourth glass of bourbon since we’ve sat down.
Fan-fucking-tastic. I hate these stupid events.
He doesn’t return for another thirty minutes, well after dessert is served. He swaggers back over with a Cheshire grin, slides back into his seat with a slight stumble, and throws his arm over the back of my chair.
“Do you want to get out of here,” he whispers in my ear while pawing at the exposed skin on my shoulder. The sour stench of alcohol coats his breath, making my empty stomach turn. I nod, and he practically drags me out of my seat.
“Mom, Dad, thank you for the wonderful evening, but Ophie and I need to head out.”
I give his parents an apologetic smile as he leads me out of the ballroom.
He is on me as soon as the door closes behind us. His mouth crashes into mine and his hand seizes my waist. The taste of burnt tobacco and liquor makes my stomach churn, and I stiffen. His hand roams higher, pawing at my clothed breasts, which snaps me out of the daze. The last thing I want is to be groped in a hotel lobby. I shove his chest, and he relents with a chuckle, but his eyes continue to rake over my body with unbridled heat.
“I’ve got a surprise for you,” he says, his voice thick with lust.
“I swear to God, if the surprise is your dick, I’m going to kill you.”
He throws his head back and laughs again. It’s a euphoric sound—unrestrained and unlike anything I normally hear pass his lips.
“No, baby, it’s not my dick. You can have that anytime you want it.” He pushes his erection into my hip and nips at the skin of my neck. “I got us a room here tonight,” he rasps into my ear and grabs my hand to lead us through the hotel, not stopping until we reach a room on the top floor.
“Open it,” he tells me, placing the key card in my hand.
The door swings open, revealing not just a room but a suite. The large four-post bed in the center of the room immediately catches my eye. It’s easily the largest bed I’ve ever seen, and it’s curtained with a canopy of sheer fabric, creating a romantic air. The atmosphere is only heightened by the trail of rose petals leading toward the bed and a small sitting area directly across from it. Achilled bottle of champagne and a bouquet of red roses sit in the center of a small table in front of a couch, and the whole room is lit with dozens of flameless candles.
My heart swells and tears prickle in my eyes. I cover my mouth with my hands, and I’m unable to do anything beyond choke out an emotion-filled “Tanner.”
“Surprise, baby.” He wraps his arms around my waist from behind and leads us into the room, kissing my neck the whole time.
“How? Why,” I stutter as I take it all in. He’s never done anything like this before. Hell, I had to buy my own corsage for prom. Twice.
“Because I’ve been an ass lately, and I’m sorry. I love you. So fucking much.”
My heart aches with how much I love this man. Words fail me, so I turn in his hold and mold my lips to his. It’s a soft kiss. Completely unhurried as I nip and suck on his bottom lip. Tanner grabs my ass and pulls me flush against him, and a low moan escapes from his throat.
“Wait.” He pulls away, and I let out a soft wine. “I wanted to wine and dine you first.”
“We already ate.” I pull his head back to mine and leave a trail of wet kisses along his neck.
“Fine. Wine and dessert, then.” He untangles himself from my hold and crouches in front of a small fridge, pulling out a black cardboard box.
“I got you chocolate-covered strawberries,” he says with a proud smile.
I’m powerless to do anything more than kiss him again. He guides me over to the sitting area and doesn’t take his lips from mine as he lowers me to the couch.
