by Linda Engman
Total setup.
After they finished their champagne, Roman ordered wine for the table and a beer for himself and dinner was served. This thankfully saved her from having to endure his full, magnetic attention, since he was busy tying into his food with gusto and discussing the Rangers hockey games and the upcoming Super Bowl with Jake. Wound up, she picked at her food, trying to eat at least half of her delicious pasta and seafood. Finally she gave Roman her plate to finish, and he easily devoured what was left.
She took a sip of her wine. Great. First the man takes over my life, then he ruins my night out, and now he’s eaten my dinner.
Was there no aspect of her life left that didn’t involve Roman Vasquez?
The past week she’d worked hard to forget all six-foot-two swarthy inches of him, which she hadn’t actually been able to do. Each night she’d cried herself to sleep, and during the day she’d worked, distracted beyond comprehension as memories from the sexy holiday weekend flashed through her mind. All she wanted was one night of relaxation with a friend, to forget the fact that she’d lost her mind and heart to some man who didn’t want or need her.
Just one night to forget. And now all her troubles were sitting right next to her, live and in person, and there wasn’t anything she could do about it but pretend she didn’t care.
“—so is that all right with you, April?”
Emily’s question brought her back to reality, and she watched in horror as both Emily and Jake moved out of the booth and bid them goodnight. Before she could say anything, they were gone, and she was left cornered in the booth by Roman, who looked as if he wasn’t in the least ready to call it a night.
“I’m sorry, but did I miss something?” she sputtered, riled that her best friend would up and leave her.
He turned and looked at her with nothing less than a dangerous gleam in his dark eyes. Slowly he reached over and ran a long brown finger down her arm, making her jump again at his nearness. “They wanted to go somewhere for an after-dinner drink,” he explained, watching her closely.
“Oh,” was all she could reply as he continued to stroke her bare flesh.
“Your skin is so silky,” he murmured, lowering his head to kiss her shoulder with his warm lips.
“Don’t,” she complained, shivering with an icy heat.
“Why?”
“Because I don’t like it when you do that,” she breathed, wondering what was up with him tonight.
“You don’t like this either?” he asked as he moved to kiss her neck.
“Roman, I don’t…I don’t understand what’s going on with you tonight,” she complained, pulling away from him even though she was on fire for his touch. “Are you feeling all right? Did you pick up some kind of tropical virus or something?”
He laughed and took hold of her hand. “You’re very beautiful, April. Maybe I missed you while I was away,” he taunted, taking her hand in his to study her wedding ring before he lowered his lips to her fingers.
“Oh, please, you’ve never missed anyone in your life. That’s including your poor mother. So if you don’t mind, I’ll call it a night,” she announced, trying to pull her hand from his large warm one.
He didn’t budge even as she tried to get him to move out of the booth. Instead he laughed at her statement, flashing even white teeth. “And why would you want to do that?”
She steamed inwardly. “Roman, please. I don’t feel like playing mind games with you tonight. Don’t you have some supermodel you can call on speed dial or something?” she asked haughtily.
“All the supermodels heard I got married, so I’m out of luck. I guess you’re stuck with me,” he teased, seeming to love the anger in her violet eyes.
“Just my luck,” she grumped. “What are you really doing here? Didn’t your note state you weren’t going to contact me unless it was absolutely necessary?”
“Let’s go somewhere and talk,” he ordered abruptly, pulling her out of the booth and through the restaurant behind him, her hand tightly clasped in his while she worked to keep up with him in her five-inch Caovilla’s.
“Hello. I’ve got heels on,” she complained in a hushed whisper to his broad back, teetering along, while he ignored her and continued on through to the coat check.
He took her check number and helped her with her coat, his fingers sliding tantalizingly across her bare shoulders. Her skin quivered at the contact, and she was sure his teasing touch had been deliberate. He took her hand in his again, and she had no recourse but to follow him out the door, baffled by his actions. The last time they’d been together it had been light, breezy, fun, with no strings attached. They’d come to an understanding the night of his birthday that one night of hot, steamy sex was all that would take place between them. The note he’d written to her confirmed the fact and made her realize, in a heart-breaking grown-up kind of way that he wasn’t going to change his mind.
Now? Well, it was anyone’s guess. She wasn’t sure if she was going to like what they were about to discuss.
Their cab pulled up in front of his apartment building, and for a split second she thought of protesting that he hadn’t taken her somewhere more neutral. The last thing she wanted was to be alone with him, especially in his penthouse loft where they’d shared their first kiss and where she fell hopelessly in love with him.
Through the lobby and in the elevator he held on to her hand; the feeling of being protected and safe almost made her cry. It was pure joy just to be next to him, to have him near her again. The long week had been excruciating, and she didn’t know how she was going to deal with what he was going to tell her. She guessed by the way he now held himself so rigid, with his mouth a tight firm line, it wasn’t something good.
She blinked back tears at the thought that maybe he wanted to rip up their marriage contract and end their association altogether. Maybe he’d found a loophole in his grandfather’s will and didn’t need her after all?
I have absolutely no luck with men. I can’t even hold on to a fake husband.
At his apartment door they were greeted by Alex, Roman’s assistant, who was all smiles as he held the door for them to enter. “Everything is ready. Enjoy your evening,” Alex smirked, before the assistant grabbed his coat and closed the door behind him.
April stood in the softly lit foyer of Roman’s one-of-a-kind loft and looked up at him, raising a brow in question. “What’s going on, Roman? I’m not in the mood for fun and games tonight. I’ve done everything you asked of me, and if you think—”
Her complaint was cut short as he pulled her against him in one swift move to cover her mouth with his. His tongue swept her mouth, teasing hers until she relented and kissed him back. It was the kind of kiss that could be either I-missed-you-like-hell or here’s-one-last-kiss-before-I-tell-you-goodbye.
She prayed and hoped with all her heart it was the first option.
With a deep groan of satisfaction, he released his grip on her only to push her coat back off her arms, leaving it to drop to the polished floor. His large hands canvassed her bare arms, explored her partially clad back, and finally came to rest on her firm derriere as he pulled her to him.
Taking a breath, he swallowed hard and moaned huskily. “Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me?”
Breathless herself, all she could do was shake her head as she stared up into his dark eyes. He’d already shed his overcoat, and her hands were spread out on his chest. The muscles underneath his suit coat felt powerful beneath her fingertips, leaving her lightheaded at how strong he was yet how gentle he could be.
His eyes narrowed dangerously, his bold features taking on a primitive quality. “You’re so…beautiful,” he murmured gruffly, before kissing her again, surprisingly with complete tenderness.
She felt as if she were in some kind of dream, and at any moment she would wake up and find out that her fantasy wasn’t true and what was happening wasn’t what it seemed.
She pushed away from him and shook her head, q
uickly stepping back. “Don’t do this, Roman,” she begged softly, knowing she couldn’t let him continue kissing her. “We had an agreement. And I’m not someone you can just pick up and play with when you’re at loose ends.” She backed farther away from him and stood her ground while her heart broke into a million pieces.
He walked toward her while she backed up again, out of his reach. “April, that’s not what coming here is about,” he promised, reaching out to take her hand in his.
She snatched it away and continued to walk backward down the entry hall toward the main living area of the loft. “I don’t know what to believe anymore,” she whispered weakly.
“Why don’t you want me to touch you?”
“You know perfectly well why I don’t,” she said, bumping up against the sofa. “The contract said we would have no contact until it was time to separate. I’m trying to live up to my end of the agreement. Your note also stated pretty clearly what you wanted.”
He stopped in front of her and continued to stare down into her eyes. “I’m sorry I wrote that note. And I’m deeply sorry if I hurt you by leaving,” he said roughly.
“I don’t want anything from you. So what’s the point of all of this?” she demanded.
“I think you do want something from me,” he countered, sounding like a man bent on getting what he wanted.
He moved up to her, closing the distance between them. “Roman, we need to be adult about this and level headed,” she pleaded, not wanting to feel his touch, even though it felt like heaven to have him this close to her again.
He leaned down, pinned her against the back of the sofa, and captured her lips in a slow and deliberate kiss that sent slivers of fiery heat through her body. She knew it would take very little encouragement from him for her to forget her promise of not getting involved. She could feel her resolve slipping away as he continued to show her how much he wanted her.
With her heart breaking, she looked up into his eyes. “I can’t do this with you, Roman.” She pushed away from him and turned, shocked at what awaited her.
A multitude of candles flickered amongst hundreds of velvety long-stemmed red roses intermixed with an array of exotic blooms. All arranged in sparkling crystal vases and placed about the loft as a cozy fire crackled in the fireplace. Chilled champagne and two flutes awaited them on the coffee table, next to what looked to be the top tier of their wedding cake. His apartment was nothing less than a recreation of their wedding night in Miami. Complete with orange trees strung with white twinkle lights, randomly placed about the high-ceilinged penthouse.
Tears welled behind her eyes as a sentimental arrow pierced her heart. Unbelievably heart-stopping only began to describe what she was feeling not only for the setting, but for the man.
Roman moved away from her to turn on some romantic music similar to what the band had played at their wedding. Then he moved up behind her, capturing her in the circle of his strong arms. He pulled her back against his male hardness, kissed her shoulder, and teased the silky skin of her neck, sending an immediate storm of delight through her.
“Roman, I don’t understand. You had this all planned? Tonight at the restaurant…you knew where to find me? But I thought—” was all she could get out as he continued to explore her neck with his mouth, biting her gently with his strong teeth.
“I want this to be our night, for you and me to enjoy together. And yes, I came looking for you,” he admitted, releasing his hold on her only to retrieve a packet of papers off the coffee table.
April watched as he strode to the fireplace and opened the envelope, taking out what looked to be their contract marriage papers. The same ones she’d signed in this very apartment. The same papers that bound them together, that defined their marriage, and the very same contract meant for another woman.
She gasped when he tossed the whole packet into the fire. A burst of flames shot up and crackled noisily as the papers quickly ignited. “Are you insane?”
“Yes. Insane from the minute I met you,” he murmured.
More confused than ever, she shook her head. “I don’t understand?”
“I’m trying to make a statement. Our marriage contract doesn’t exist anymore. It’s just you and me now,” he boldly declared, coming to stand in front of her again.
Her mouth dropped open and closed. “But what about needing a wife? You needed that contract to get your inheritance and to build the hospital wing,” she sputtered, unable to believe what she’d witnessed.
“No. I don’t need those papers anymore. And as for a wife—you’re my wife. We were legally married in Florida in front of everyone and God. Those papers don’t mean anything. All the contract did was set rules and boundaries. I don’t want some damn paper ruling what is between us or telling me how I should feel about you,” he said with fierce conviction. “I made a solemn vow and commitment to you. You’re my wife. I don’t want to live my life without you in it. That’s why I’m burning the contract.” He took her hands in his and gazed deeply into her eyes. “What I feel for you grows stronger each day, stronger each time I look at you, each time I breathe your scent…each time I look into your eyes…each time I touch your skin.”
Her legs felt weak underneath her. It couldn’t be true. He couldn’t want her for his real wife: a partner to share everything with, good times and bad, children, even the everyday mundane routine of life.
“April, say something,” he demanded and continued to squeeze her hands within his, gazing deeply into her tear-filled eyes.
“Are you telling me you want to stay married?” she breathed, not yet daring to believe it was true.
“I’m telling you exactly that. And that I love you like hell,” he ground out, sounding painfully tortured as he did so.
“No…you can’t,” she choked, shaking her head, not able to comprehend as he pulled her into him.
“Yeah, I really love you, baby,” he whispered and caressed her naked back with tantalizing slowness.
She buried herself in him, too overcome to express what was in her heart.
He pulled back to gaze down into her eyes, swallowing hard. “Christ, I don’t know how else to say this, so I guess I’ll say it straight out.” He tightened his hold on her. “Baby, I’ve loved you from the very first moment I saw you,” he confessed, his voice thick and husky with emotion. “It’s been there the whole time. Only I was too stubborn to see it. At first I could fight it since you were engaged. I wasn’t about to get entangled with some others guy’s woman. But that night when you came here without your ring on, I knew I was in trouble. There wasn’t anything holding me back. All bets were off from that point on.” He paused, a tense expression riding on his features. “You know, nothing makes sense without you. We’ve got something really good…and I don’t wanna let it go. I love you. I know this is crazy, but maybe in time you’ll feel the same.”
April looked deep into his eyes, wanting to trust and believe, wanting so much to be free to love him. What she saw reflected in his eyes told her all she needed to know. It was the look of a man waiting on the edge of a cliff, not knowing which fate awaited him. Trust, faith, love. She’d had those with him from the beginning. They had been there all along. They would be there forever.
She nodded, her voice shaky and utterly weak. “I don’t need more time…I love you, Roman,” she whispered.
The words were barely out before he lifted her off her feet, hauling her up against him to cover her mouth with his in a kiss that sealed their love for one another. Hot tears of pure happiness spilled down her flushed cheeks as she kissed him back, freely, releasing all the emotion she’d been saving for this moment.
What seemed like a lifetime later, he slowly let her slide down his body until her feet were touching the floor, kissing her the whole time, nipping and teasing her lips with his until she moaned with desire. He pulled back from her and looked into her eyes, emotion running high in his voice. “Do you know I have been totally crazy for you for the last six mon
ths? It killed me to see you knowing I couldn’t have you. Now you’re mine. You’re my everything, baby,” he commanded, kissing her again, this time with a fierce possessiveness that took her breath away.
She started to giggle against his lips. “Now you’re mine?” she echoed through a tearful smile. “That sounds pretty macho.”
“I can’t help it. You asked for this, you know. A guy can stand only so much,” he teased, rubbing the rough plane of his face against hers. “Plus, on my birthday when I asked you to marry me for real and you brushed it off, I didn’t think I had a chance in hell after that.”
She shook her head smiled playfully. “You were kidding, right?”
“No, I was serious.”
Her smile faded, and now it was her turn to become serious. “I’m so sorry, Roman. I didn’t understand that night. I thought you weren’t into marriage and that you were just teasing about the proposal thing.”
“I would never joke about my feelings for you,” he said hoarsely, his dark eyes narrowed with determination.
“If you hadn’t come back from Hawaii and tracked me down…if you hadn’t—”
“—I know,” he confirmed, in a soothing voice. “We’d be living separate lives.”
She sighed with relief against his chest and hugged him back. “So, I guess we’re stuck with each other now?” she quipped, moving the palms of her hands over his muscled chest as she stole a quick look at him.
“Hell, yeah.” He gave her one of his trademark dangerously sexy grins. “By the way, we didn’t use any protection in the shower. Do you think…?”
His words shocked her. “I don’t know,” she gasped. “Maybe? Would that be okay? If I was expecting already?”
“More than okay with me.” He paused and gave her a brief, tender kiss before continuing. “You know, baby, you’ve made me think long and hard about what’s been missing in my life. About having a family, kids, the whole deal. I was even thinking of names on the jet earlier on my way back from Hawaii. If you are pregnant, how about Caesar if it’s a boy, or maybe January if it’s a girl.”
