Page 47 of Devoured

I laugh. “Let’s just say, it’s possible he’s ruined me for every other man.”

“Is he, you know?”

I frown and saunter down the sidewalk, sneezing as I pass the foliage I seem to be allergic to. “No, I don’t know.”

r /> “Is he big?” she blurts out, and I cover my mouth.

“I’m not telling you that.”

“Like hell you’re not, and actually you don’t have to. I already know he is. I can tell by your voice.”

“Going all Freud on me again, are you? How are things back there?”

“Same,” she says. “But I want to hear about you.”

“Things are going really good.” A mortified sound crawls out of my throat. “You’re not going to believe this, though...” I begin and for the next ten minutes, as I make my way back to the villa, I fill her in on where I’m living, how Roman took care of me last night and jumped in to help out with the students.

“Wow, what a guy. He almost sounds too good to be true.”

“I know, right? But he’s my brother’s best friend and said he’d do whatever it took to help me get this job.” She goes quiet, too quiet, and my stomach squeezes as I press in the code to open the front door. “What?” I ask.

“You like him.”

“Yeah, he’s okay,” I say as need wells up inside me. Honest to God, I do like him, a lot. I always have. But I swore long ago I’d never give anyone the power to hurt me. Is that what I’m doing here? Have I given Roman the power to hurt me?

My entire body tenses, and the toast I washed down with tea threatens to make a second appearance.

“How does he feel about you, Peyton?” she asks, her voice changing as she goes into professional mode.

“I’m not a patient, Carly. Please don’t analyze this. We’re just two consenting adults, having a little fun while we pretend to be married.”

“I just don’t want to see you hurt.”

I step inside the villa, and the cool air-conditioning falls over me, although I’m not sure that’s the reason I’m shivering. “I’m a big girl. I know what I’m doing.”

I don’t.

Not even a little bit.

“Okay, my morning break is over. I have a patient waiting. Call me soon.”

“Will do.”

I end the call and fight off the unease circling my stomach. I grab my laptop and do a search on restaurants. I find one not too far, make a reservation and head upstairs to get ready. I want to look nice for Roman tonight. I find my prettiest dress, spend a long time on my hair and makeup, and when I finally emerge from the room, Roman is coming in through the front door.

I hurry down the stairs and his gaze lifts to take me in. The heat in his eyes is like a visual caress over the tingling spot between my legs. My God, the man is addictive.

He drops his briefcase and stalks toward me. “You look beautiful.” He slides his arm around me, and like a damn caveman drags me to him.

“Have I ever told you how much I like when you touch me like this, all rough and hungry and impatient?”

His lips quirk. “You didn’t need to. But we have a problem.”

I stiffen. “Does it have something to do with Richard?”

“No,” he says, and I relax into his touch. “It has something to do with me wanting you naked so I can put my dick in you.”

I laugh.

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