Page 33 of His Smile
“I slimmed down a lot when I enlisted in the military, Iworked at it harder when I realized that women love it,” the arrogant look onhis face made her want to bite him. “And lastly, it is far more effective tonot get winded when I am beating someone’s face in.”
And just like that, she was reminded again that she wasn’tlying in bed with just any man, she was lying practically on top of a notoriouscriminal who could casually joke about savage violence.
Looking down at his chest, she examined the array of tattoosimprinted into his skin as she thought about his words. “Does that come upoften?” she asked softly.
“Beating someone’s face in?” he questioned with feignedinnocence. “Not as much as it used to. Why, does that bother you?”
It should. Her answer should be yes. But why wasn’t it? Wasshe just being naïve, or did she think she was so far removed from that aspectof his reality that it simply wasn’t real enough for her to have any empathytowards? She wasn’t sure and nor was she proud of it, but she could honestlysay it did not bother her.
“No. Though I can’t say, I probably wouldn’t be scarred forlife if I had to watch you do it.”
The look of curious amusement vanished from his eyes,replaced by a serious expression. Turning, he easily switched their positionsuntil he lay partially draped over her and her back pressed into the wrinkledsheets.
“I would never act that way in front of you, Rahina,” hisvoice was so quiet, so intense as he spoke, and she knew that he meant everyword. Seeing her nod in acceptance, his eyes softened, and he looked from hereyes to her lips as if contemplating kissing her. “Besides, causing someonesevere bodily harm gives me no pleasure despite what the rumors say. There arejust some situations…” he paused, thinking of the perfect wording.
“Where it has to be done,” she supplied helpfully.
“Exactly,” he grinned gleefully.
Lifting her hands to his head, she traced around the edgesof his ears, enjoying his eyes closing in pleasure. “I don’t like to think ofyou getting hurt.”
Roman’s eyes popped open, stunned at her words beforelaughing. Leaning down, he kissed her lightly against the lips, and she couldsmell the mint of toothpaste lingering on his breath. It was comforting to knowshe wasn’t the only one paranoid of morning breath.
“We are talking about me hurting people, not the other wayaround. Besides, there is no one in their right mind that would try to hurtme.”
“But what if someone not in their right mind tried?” shepressed.
“Trust me,” he whispered, looking at her lips again beforedeciding to have another quick taste. She felt herself lift to meet him more inthe kiss, but he pulled away with a teasing smile. “I know every action of myenemies and not one of them has the balls or power to step up to me. Believe meRahina, I am the craziest one at the table. I am not a man to make angry.”
A part of her wondered if he wasn’t only trying to reassureher but reassure himself too. She didn’t say anything though, she simplywrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her. Her lips were justbeginning to part when a low grumbling sound echoed between them from herstomach. Roman stopped moving, still in a half pushup position above her.
Rahina closed her eyes in deep shame. “Pretend you didn’thear that,” she begged in a small whisper.
“What man could call himself a man and ignore that the womanbeneath them is obviously starving?”
Snapping her eyes open, she glared back at him, annoyed atthe amusement brightening his eyes.
“I normally eat around this time in the morning that’s why,”she defended.
Pushing himself back, he got up to stand. “I will go downand get us something, what do you want?”
Ashamed she ruined the moment; she bunched the covers overher head until just her face pitifully stuck out. “I will be fine with agranola bar or power bar or something.”
“You want a protein bar for breakfast in bed?” hequestioned, one eyebrow raised. “That is not romantic at all.”
“Ok, but if you take off the wrapping and put it on a fancylittle plate what you’re left with is romance at its finest efficiency,” shestuck one hand out the covers and made a voila gesture.
The deep, baritone laugh made her smile. “Wait here, mymushroom girl, I will get you a proper breakfast.”
After a while, Roman came back bearing food. With a tray ofassorted foods between them, Rahina sat happily against the headboard holding acroissant in one hand and a forkful of fruit in the other.
“I would like to know more about you.”
“Like what?” He turned his head towards her from hisidentical position against the headboard. His smile was wooden as if he knewexactly where this conversation was going to go, and he didn’t care to journeyalong
She knew from past conversations his military past was offlimits, but as she looked away from his waiting blank eyes and hollow smile,she was beginning to realize that included more than just the military aspectof his past.
“You don’t really like talking about your past, do you?” sheasked warily.
