Page 94 of Destined for the Devil
I’d never given up hope. The entire time apart it lived within me, holding on by a thread, but it was there—hope that we would be together again. The hot water scalded my skin, and my quiet, salty tears disappeared down the drain.
Roman would be gone by the time I’d be done, so I took my time, staying a few extra minutes.
I had replaced the white nightie a few weeks ago and slipped it on, focusing on how the silky material felt against my skin. I applied face cream and brushed my teeth, ready to get into bed and never wake up again.
But when I opened the bathroom door, I stopped right in my tracks. Roman was sitting on my bed, arms crossed, leg bouncing, like his nerves were rippling through all of him. My heart skipped all the fucking beats, threatening to stop at the mere sight of him.
I stepped out slowly, very aware of how much skin I was showing. His eyes glued to me instantly. He shot up to his feet, taking quick and purposeful strides toward me, both fear and determination in his eyes.
"Do you still love me?" he asked suddenly, his voice rough with urgency. He towered over me like always, his big body so strong and dominating.
Do I?! I'm crazy about you, you idiot!
"Yes,” I said quietly, but with absolute certainty. Yes. Yes, I fuckingloved him.I contemplated asking him the same question, but he never gave me a chance.
"Then what are you doing, Isla?” His voice cracked, no longer composed and reserved. “Why are you still doing this?! How long is this going to last?!" He stepped closer, and without thinking, I stepped back.
"Do what?" I only breathed out, both scared and aroused.
"This!All this!" His face twisted in pain, his tears imminent. "I. Can't. Live. Without. You,” he gritted out, his voice shaking and his eyebrows furrowed. "Stop this insanity!" And he gave up, letting his tears break the surface.
He turned away sharply and threw his head back, dragging his tattooed fingers down his cheeks and doing his best to keep it together.
I didn't know what to say. This was as hard for him as it was for me…maybe harder. Had I forgiven him for what he did? For killing my family? No, but...
The last three months had been excruciating. I wasn't sure what was more painful, knowing that I loved him and chose to never be with him or living through the loss of my family. The rage still burned white-hot inside me, but it wasn’t directed at him anymore. God, fate, kismet, circumstance, whatever you wanted to call it, but not him.
The fact that Roman killed my parents was an unfortunate and gruesome fact that would forever haunt me, but it seemed that my dadled a dangerous life. It was only a matter of time before he landed six feet underground.
Was I ready to let it all go and be Roman's ride or die? Just like my mom had been for my dad? A lady who attended private school and who never even swore, who supported her husband in all his wrongdoings because her love for him was stronger than anything he may have been involved in?
Yes. I was his.
Roman still had his back to me, but ever so slowly, I tippy-toed closer and wrapped my arms around his waist, pressing my whole body against his strong back.
This felt...surreal.
Please don't tell me I was dreaming; please don't tell me I was asleep.
But in a second, Roman turned and leaned in, crushing his lips with mine and making everything else disappear.
God. Fucking. Damn.Everything to hell.
The kiss almost knocked me off my feet. He was so hungry for it, and I was so desperate to have it. I melted into him, my body trembling in his arms.
I had missed him so fucking much.
I hadlovedhim so fucking much.
My tears poured down my cheeks again, but not from sorrow this time—from relief, joy, and the realization that this was real.
"You're—" Roman murmured between greedy plunges into my neck, "—so fucking oblivious Isla!” he half-whispered, half-cried, his tears mixing with mine.
He pulled me in harder, like he was afraid I’d vanish, like this was a dream. Our moans tangled together, desperate and breathless, trying to drown each other out. This was the best moment of my life.
I finally had what I so deeply desired after waiting for so long. My man.Beside me again.
"I'm so—" Roman kept breaking off, his hands roaming my back, his sweet lips glued to my lips and cheeks. “—fucking in love with you.” He let out a quiet sob, gently cradling my face in his hands. "You stupid, stupid girl!" he whispered, his tears akin to medicine on my hands.
