by Linda Verji
After that last fight about what he and Javier had talked about, the chasm between April and Roman had only grown wider, and wider, and wider. Now, they were practically strangers.
At first it was annoying. But now it was just sad.
She missed him. She missed him with an indescribable desperation. She missed him so much that sometimes it hurt to look at him. What he’d said about her didn’t even matter anymore. All that mattered was the pain she felt because they couldn’t laugh together anymore, they couldn’t watch movies at her place or his place, they couldn’t jokingly flirt or smile at each other when their eyes met across the room.
Oh, she missed him!
Her gaze followed him as he and Greyson walked down the aisle to meet Snow, stayed on him when they stopped in front of Snow and her parents so Snow’s father could hand Snow over. When Roman circled the group of people in front of April to come and meet her, her heart bumped against her chest and her breath caught in her throat.
Their eyes met, and everyone seemed to disappear into the background. The bride, the groom, the guests… they all faded away leaving just Roman and her. Was it just her or was there a glint of yearning in the dark depths of his gaze as he closed the space between them? She tried to smile at him but her face seemed frozen. His lips crooked in a smile that was just as awkward as hers as he offered her his arm. Sucking in a deep breath, April fit her arm into the crook of his.
His heat and scent instantly engulfed her, intoxicated her. She could practically hear her blood rushing in her ears as they walked behind the bride and groom. She had no idea how long it took them to get to the front of the aisle but it seemed like too short a time. She wanted to be by him for just a second longer. With an unexpected reluctance, she moved away from him to take her place beside the rest of the bridal party.
A hush fell over the crowd and, a moment later, the reverend began the service. “Dearly beloved…”
As the reverend prosed on, April found her gaze straying across the aisle to Roman. He sat tall and straight watching the ceremony with solemn interest. Eventually, her thoughts wandered to their first and only kiss. One would think that by now the memories would’ve dimmed but they didn’t. If anything, they’d gotten startlingly clearer.
She still remembered his lips, hard and soft at the same time. She remembered his touch, firm and demanding. She remembered how it’d felt to finally be in his arms, to finally give in to temptation.
Because she had no intention of repeating that kiss, she’d tried to erase those memories, but it was almost as if someone had written them down with a permanent marker. They were embedded so deeply in her psyche that even a bulldozer couldn’t uproot them. Every night when she went to sleep, those memories haunted her, taunted her, tempted her. Every morning they forced her to wake up with an unquenchable need still biting at her nerves.
She hated them.
Yet she loved them too.
The ceremony was brief and by three p.m., the reception commenced. Thankfully, running around on behalf of Snow to make sure everything was running smoothly kept April too busy to ruminate over her confused feelings for Roman. When she wasn’t running errands for Snow, she was hovering over her own family to make sure they were enjoying themselves.
The couple had also planned out an evening party for the older crowd, so after waving off her parents and brothers at around seven, April headed back to the hotel room with the other bridesmaids to change into their evening clothes. April had chosen to go with a snug, burnt orange, thigh-length dress that gave the illusion that she was curvy and complimented her skin magnificently. After dressing, they all went down for the party.
Snow and Greyson had gone all out… open bar, amazing snacks and good music. April couldn’t help smiling as she emerged into the already-crowded party venue. Her eyes immediately searched the spacious hall for Roman. She found him in a group of men a distance away. Gone was his tuxedo; in its stead was a leather jacket over a wine-red v-neck tee and black khakis. He looked delicious.
Stop it, she gave herself a mental slap. She was supposed to be trying to get over him not drooling over him. With determined strides, she crossed to the other side of the room, to the furthest point she could find from him. Yet still, she found herself glancing towards him more times than she cared to think about.
At around ten, she excused herself from the group of women she was hanging out with and went to restroom. A few minutes later, she came out of the empty restroom and, to her utter shock, found Roman leaning against the wall opposite the door. As if he’d been waiting for her. As if he’d followed her.
Her hand flew to her throat as her eyes widened. “Roman, what are you doing here?”
The sides of his mouth lifted as if he was trying to smile, but seconds later, his lips straightened as if he’d given up the attempt. “Hi.”
“Hi?” Her answer was more a question than a response as she eyed him. “Were you waiting for me?”
He nodded. “How have you been?”
Really, that was what he’d come here for? To ask her how she was? The conversation was ridiculous, inane, and yet she found herself unable to walk away. Instead, she leaned against the wall opposite him. “Good. You?”
“Good.” His face was pale and unreadable as he said, “You didn’t bring Javier with you tonight.”
Was he asking or just making an observation? It was probably the latter because he knew just as well as she did that the Wizards were currently in Phoenix, training for their next game. She answered anyway, “No, I didn’t.”
Silence fell between them then. She could’ve walked away then, excused herself from this awkward exchange. But she didn’t move. She couldn’t move.
“You looked beautiful today.” His lips twisted in a half smile that didn’t reach his eyes as he gave her a lingering and heated once-over. “You still do.”
What was she supposed to say to that? Worrying her bottom lip, she murmured, “Thank you.”
Another long moment then he whispered, “I miss you.”
The whisper was so low that she almost didn’t hear him but then he repeated, “I miss you, April.”
Her heart stopped then began to pound mercilessly. Unable to push a word past her suddenly dry lips, she just stared him.
“I tried.” He looked at her with such a well of sorrow in his eyes that she felt her lungs constrict. “I really tried.”
This time she managed a hoarse whisper. “You tried what?”
“I tried to be a good man. I tried to let you go.” One moment, he was across from her and the next he was moving to her, closing the gap between them until he was standing just inches from her. The lines in his mouth grew deeper, more grim as he murmured, “But I can’t. I’m sorry, April.”
He was so close, she could feel the heat of his body. So close, his spicy masculine scent teased her senses. So close, her body couldn’t help but come awake. Her breasts pushed against her dress as she inhaled deeply and stared up at him, into eyes that seemed to have been turned black by his emotions.
She wanted to ask him what he meant, wanted to ask him to explain himself better but her words seem stuck in her throat, imprisoned by the conflicting emotions that were currently coursing through her.
Confusion. Desire. Panic. Resistance.
They all rushed through her and held her motionless and subservient to him.
“I can’t let you go.” Real pain and remorse flashed through his dark eyes as he whispered. “I’m sorry.”
She watched paralyzed as he moved into her and lowered his head. Then he kissed her.
CHAPTER 15
She’d seen the kiss coming, and yet it was still unexpected. It sent shockwaves through her and stilled her whole being. Inhaling sharply, she set her hands on his chest and shoved him away. “Roman, don’t-”
He caught her arms, yanked her back to him and swallowed the rest of that sentence with his lips.
No. This is a mistake. This is insane. I deserve b
etter than this. She tried to fight the kiss – tried to hold firm and passive against him – for all of two heartbeats. Her resistance was nothing in the face of Roman’s attack, helpless in the face of his desire. It crumbled like a ragtag band of misfits against a well-trained army.
Perhaps it was the memory of their previous kiss that weakened her. Perhaps it was the constant dreams of repeating that kiss that broke her. But when he deepened the pressure of his kiss, twisted and pulled at her lips with his while drawing her more fully against his hard body, heat spread through her. That heat was too much, too intense, too consuming. She melted. Her hands rose to clutch his shoulders as she finally surrendered to him.
Roman’s mouth was just as delicious as she remembered, his taste just as intoxicating. Tenderly, deeply, thoroughly, he kissed her. With his soft lips, he fired up her blood and drew her deeper into his vortex of desire. In his kiss, she tasted remorse and desire, desperation and lust. Eager for more, she cupped his nape with her hand and pushed her mouth harder onto his.
Her actions must have broken something in him because his kiss became even more frantic, more wild. His tongue, liquid yet firm, stabbed against hers, forced itself deeper into her mouth. His arms tightened around her, bonded her so closely to him she could feel every inch of his hard frame pressing against her softness… his muscular chest to her breasts, his hard thighs to hers, his cock to her stomach. And yet it still wasn’t enough for him. Even as he consumed her with his mouth, his hands roved her body. Caressing her shoulders, smoothing over her spine, squeezing her waist… he cupped her ass and dragged her pliant lower body even closer to his.
Fresh heat spurted through her as her own desire heightened. Need, searing and intense, circled her and roped her into responding to him. As if they had a mind of their own, her hands lowered to his shoulders, squeezed the firm muscles there, gripped the lapels of his jacket and pulled his upper body closer to hers.
Ah! That’s it. His chest – his warm, hard chest - crushed into her breasts. Right there! Despite the layers of fabric between them, she felt his muscles shift against her bosom. Her breasts swelled against him, and her nipples hardened.
Their closeness was like an aphrodisiac. It stoked the fire between them, drove the flames higher until April was sure that she’d combust if he didn’t give her something more than just these open-mouthed kisses. When he finally tore his lips from hers, they were both breathing raggedly, violently.
“April.” His voice was husky, heavy and deep with desire. Lust shadowed his eyes, turning them an almost midnight black as they studied her, watched her. It was almost as if he was looking for some kind of answer in her eyes.
He must’ve found that answer because he swooped down again and captured her lips. Then he was turning her, walking her back towards the door of the restroom. He tore his lips from hers so he could shove the door open then with one arm he easily lifted and carried her into the restroom.
She should’ve stopped him then because there was only one reason why they could need more privacy. Yet, she couldn’t. Her reason and common sense seemed to have taken a vacation. They didn’t even bother reminding her that this was a bad idea. They didn’t list all the reason why letting Roman do this was stupid. They just sat back and let lust rein freely.
Roman slammed the door shut. The next moment, April found herself pinned back against the hardwood wood. She heard the lock snap shut, but it was a distant sound pushed back by the loud pounding of her heart and rush of blood in her ears. Her clutch purse fell to the floor but she couldn’t even bend to pick it up. All her attention was on the man in front of her.
He kissed her again.
This time there was no tenderness. No remorse. Just pure desperation and heat.
His powerful body pressed against her, crushed her against the wall as his mouth twisted and turned over hers. And she took it all. Kiss after kiss she took, then demanded more. When it wasn’t enough, she circled his shoulders with her arms and writhed against him. She pressed herself to his body until she could feel his long shaft stabbing into her stomach.
“April.” He growled low in his throat as he lifted her by the waist. Instinctively, she wrapped her legs around him.
“Yesss,” she hissed when she discovered the benefits of wearing a short dress. His actions had pushed the fabric up her ass, leaving only her silk panties as a barrier between her body and his. Now she could feel his cock better. Long, hot and heavy, it dug into her pussy, urged her to grind herself against it. And she did. She tightened her thighs along his flanks then twisted her hips, wound them round and round until her pussy started to drip from the delicious pleasure of playing with him.
“Ugh!” Roman’s groan reverberated against her lips as his large hands lowered to her buttocks. They gripped the cheeks, pushed her harder into him and upped the ante.
This was exquisite torture. It felt like a thousand ants were crawling on her body. It felt like all the molecules in her body were exploding one after the other in painful delightful tingles. She wanted more. More, more, more…
As if he could sense her desperation, Roman hoisted her higher up his body then turned. He carried her across the room and set her on the counter. His breathing coming in ragged pants, he shoved her thighs further apart and stepped between them. When their lips met again, it was violent, like a volcano growling its intention to erupt.
One of his hands moved from her thigh, up her waist, and to her torso. She gasped when his long fingers brushed the side of her left breast. That gasp turned into a whimper when he turned his hand and captured her breast. Oh, that felt too good! Her arms still gripping his shoulders, she tore her lips from his so she could see what he was doing.
His strong hand seemed so huge against her small breast. Like a monster, it swallowed her swollen mound, cupped then squeezed it. Even the fabric between his hand and her skin couldn’t shield her from the immediate pleasure that seared through her. His touch was like a branding iron, burning into her skin, marking her with his desire. The sight of him kneading and massaging her was so unbearably erotic that she had the sudden desire to know what it would feel like to have both his hands on her breasts. But that thought was eclipsed by pure heat when his thumb and forefinger pinched her nipple through her dress.
Streaks of fire surged through her. No, fire was pain, and this wasn’t pain. It was heavier, throbbing, winder than anything she’d ever felt. Her eyes flew to meet his, and she found him watching her with an intensity that left her breathless and dry-mouthed.
But apparently it could get even worse –or better.
Still watching her, he lowered his hand back to her thighs and dragged her legs further apart so that the skirt of her dress rose, and rose, and rose. When the fabric still wasn’t where he wanted it, he lifted her slightly and yanked it to her waist leaving her exposed to his gaze.
The contrast between the sudden chill of the marble counter beneath her thighs and the stabbing heat that pooled between her legs was exhilarating. But it was nothing compared to the nearly painful anticipation that knotted her nerves when Roman brought his hands back to her thighs. She held her breath when he fit his hands between them, gasped when he cupped her over her silk panties, moaned when he brushed his fingers tantalizingly over her clothed pussy. Then he shoved her panties to the side.
Oh. My. God. Her mouth opened in a silent scream and her fingers dug into his arms when his finger immediately found her clit.
“Aah…” A reluctant cry broke from her lips when he flicked, then flicked again, and again. Without conscious though, she spread her legs wider, opening herself up to him. And he took full advantage. With practiced ease he toyed with her sensitive button. He circled it with slow, drugging strokes, making her wetter and wetter by the second. And when she was sure she couldn’t handle more, he pushed her further. His finger sunk into her.
“…Rom… mm… mm,” she whimpered, almost crying because of the pleasure that bit into her as that errant digit stret
ched her. Oh yes, that felt amazing. He penetrated her then withdrew, in then out. With one finger, he teased and stroked her until she couldn’t help but thrust her hips to meet each wicked thrust.
Someone tested the door. Knocked once. Knocked twice. But neither Roman nor April reacted to the interruption. They were too immersed in their erotic play.
“Damn, you’re tight,” he murmured as he fit a second finger between the dripping wet folds and filled her more.
“Sto-” she started to say then shut her mouth. She definitely did not want this to stop. Her pussy clung desperately to him and begged him to lodge those fingers deeper. Desperate for more, she lifted her gaze to his face and found him fully immersed in trying to drive her crazy. His forehead was creased in concentration and his eyes, harsh with unrestrained desire, were on her pussy, following the sexy motions of his fingers.
In. Out. In. Out. She bit her lip to keep from screaming but there was no restraining the little whimper that forced its way out. The tension inside her built, rose towards a peak, up, up, up…
Roman suddenly removed his fingers. The hollowness he left felt almost like pain. It was a hot, throbbing and terrible emptiness that needed filling.
“Please,” she gasped. “Please.”
She wasn’t even sure what she was begging for, just that she needed something… anything.
“I got you,” Roman whispered against her lips as with one swift move, he stripped her panties down her legs. She barely had time to register the charged sound of his fly opening before she felt a pressure on the door of her pussy. And then he was pushing in.
“Roman,” she cried out and clung to his shoulders as his marauding cock entered her. It’d been so long since her last time with a man that her walls resisted him, tried to push him out. But Roman wasn’t one to give up. He gripped her ass and dragged her closer to the edge of the counter so he could force more of his rock-hard length into her. “Oh… my… Rom… Jeez.”
“So tight!” His breathing was ragged and his hands rough as he pressed on into her tightness, stretched her, opened her up. And when it still wasn’t enough, he tilted her up so he could shove in. Hard.
