Roman's Firecracker

by Rachelle Stevensen

  He laughed again, “This stomach?” He had pulled his shirt up and she had to swallow. “That’s the one. Geez. How many ab muscles do you have? I wanted to lick them so bad today. Oh lord. Yep. I just said that out loud.”

  She had felt her cheeks get hot and Roman had laughed so hard he cried. Then he kissed her senseless, “You can lick those anytime you want. There are only 6.”

  She sighed and ran her hands down his now covered abs. “Yes there are. Hello abs.”

  Roman chuckled and let her explore him over his shirt. He pulled her hands away when she got too low and shook his head regretfully.

  “We can’t do that, or I am never letting you leave.”

  She had glanced at her watch and sighed. “Fine. Hopefully soon though. I feel like it’s time.”

  He had laughed lightly again and kissed her. “Deal. Soon.”

  She stood, “I need to get home. We have a long day. I can’t believe it’s here already! I love the fourth. It’s my favorite day.”

  He had led her outside and kissed her, then waited for her to leave before he turned and went into his house.

  She had watched him in the rearview mirror and had sighed.

  She shook her head and drove home and got ready for bed.

  She once again replayed every kiss and touch Roman gave her and couldn’t wait for more.

  Waking the next morning, she knew she needed to get up and ready. The decorations needed to be hung and she was glad she had brought home the flyers from the salon for the parade yesterday.

  She and the two other girls that worked there, along with Katie were going to hand out flyers for free haircuts and for some free cookies for Katie’s bakery.

  She hoped it would get people to still come or in a lot of cases, continue to come to their small salon.

  She had chosen her outfit today carefully and had touched up the blue in her hair.

  Pulling on the halter top style dress she had scoured the internet to find, she looked in the mirror and was so happy to see how perfect it looked.

  The top was blue with white stars and the bottom was red and white stripes.

  She loved it. Leaving her hair down and putting on some makeup she smiled. Then she put on some red and white wedge sandals, completing her outfit.

  She couldn’t wait to see Roman again and go to the party with him. She was so happy he said yes to her request and she couldn’t wait to kiss him again.

  Stepping out of her room, she almost ran into one of her brothers.

  Luke smiled at her. “Hey there little sis. You look like the Fourth of July threw up on you.”

  She stuck her tongue out at him and he laughed. “Still my little sister. Mom said that you were on a date with Roman Galloway last night. Isn’t he a little old for you?”

  She glared up at him and put her hands on her hips.

  “He isn’t too old for me Luke. He is only 4 years older than me. Thank you very much. I love him.”

  Luke rolled his eyes, “What do you know about love Cec? You haven’t even gone on a date until last night.”

  Punching him in the arm, she pointed at him. “I know a lot about love and I haven’t wanted to date anyone unless it was Roman. I have loved him since I was 16. And mom and dad have shown me enough about their love that I know exactly what I want in my life. Were you raised by a different family? Geez.”

  Luke put his hands up, “I'm sorry Cec. I'm just protective of you and Roman doesn’t go out much. He is the opposite of you in every way. I just worry.”

  Putting her finger in his chest, she poked him. “Don’t worry about me. Worry about yourself. I am a grown woman Luke. I can take care of myself. And Roman doesn’t like being around a lot of people. Feels uncomfortable around them, so he doesn’t leave his house much. But to me it doesn’t matter. He has his reasons and I love him because he isn’t exactly like me. He is coming to the party tonight. So be nice to him. I mean it. Don’t make me tell mom if you aren’t.”

  Luke groaned, “Really Cec? You would tell mom on me? Just for talking to the guy?”

  “I sure would. Now, stop being an ass and start helping us get ready for the party. Oh, and no, when Roman gets here, you are not allowed to be all ‘big brother’ and give him a talk about kicking his ass or whatever you would do.”

  Luke burst out laughing, “I don’t know what you are talking about Cec. Landon and I would never do that.”

  She grit her teeth. “You are such a liar. Don’t bug my boyfriend.”

  Luke snickered, “We shall see.”

  Cecilly threw her hands up. “Gah! I cannot even with this family. I need to move out.”

  Katie laughed as she came up behind them. “Yeah right. You love us too much to leave. Mom is asking for you both.”

  Luke still snickered as he walked past and Cecilly growled. “I am gonna kill you Luke. I swear.”

  Katie laughed, “Run Luke. She looks scary right now.”

  He just laughed harder and she had to bite her lip to stop from smiling.

  She followed Luke and Katie into the kitchen, and their mom was there cooking the last of the side dishes.

  She had on a red and white striped apron and Luke kissed Melanie on her cheek.

  “Looks like the Fourth didn’t just throw up on Cec.”

  Melanie glared at him. “You be nice to your sister. You know it's her favorite holiday. And don’t you dare try to talk to Roman. I heard you.”

  Luke gaped at her and Melanie laughed. “You aren’t quiet Luke, but neither is Cecilly. Come on, you know better than that.”

  Luke laughed and bowed to her. “True. Fine, Landon and I won’t mess with him.”

  “Landon and I won’t what?” Landon asked as he came in the sliding glass door from out back.

  Luke spoke up, “Threaten Cecilly’s boyfriend.”

  Landon laughed, “Ah, Roman. That’s right. But mom, can’t we threaten him just a little?”

  Melanie laughed. “No. You may not. Don’t scare him away yet. I have a feeling Cecilly won’t like that.”

  “Nope. She sure won’t.” Cecilly singsonged and they all laughed.

  She pulled another apron out of the pantry and put it on and threw one to Katie.

  “Boys, you go help your father finish putting up the decorations and lights outside and Landon, make sure the grill is clean and ready to go. Then you need to get the chairs out and set them up as well.”

  The boys nodded and they walked outside to help their dad and do as their mom asked.

  The girls turned up some music and got cooking.

  Cecilly checked her watch, knowing that the parade was going to start at 11 so they only had an hour before they had to leave.

  Her family had sat in the same spot for years and Landon had left early this morning to make sure it was ready.

  When it was time to leave, they put all the treats and things away until it was time for the party and the family walked together to the parade.

  When they got to their spot, Katie and Cecilly needed to get the flyers passed out as the parade went through town, so they left the rest of their family and walked to their spot in the parade line-up.

  Cecilly turned, looking at all the people and hoping she would see the one person she wanted to see the most and instead spotted Rhees, and he and Roman’s parents, Caroline and Roger sitting together next to their family.

  Katie grabbed Cecilly’s hand. “There is Rhees. Oh he looks good today.”

  Rhees had dark hair like Roman, but his hair was shaved on the sides and shorter on top.

  Her own cutting expertise. Katie fanned her face. “Why does he have to be so dang sexy?”

  Cecilly laughed. “I don’t know. I ask the same about Roman.”

  Katie sighed. “I wish he knew who I was. If I had gone to beauty school like you instead of culinary school, he would know who I was. As it is, he never comes to the bakery.”

  Cecilly hugged her sister. “If it makes you feel better, he never talks to
me about himself. Just talks about Roman and asks questions about me. Roman told me last night that Rhees only comes in to get his haircut so he can find out information about me.”

  Katie smiled, “Really? That’s kinda cute.”

  Cecilly smiled. “I know. It’s so cute. Have faith girl. Maybe Rhees just wants to stay in shape. You know he owns the gym. He has to be in top physical condition.”

  Katie sighed, “He sure does. I walk by there every day when I go home and sometimes, I see him working out. And oh my god Cec. All those muscles, sweaty and flushed? Yes please and more, thank you. It’s my favorite time of day.”

  Cecilly laughed. “I bet. When I went to Roman’s house yesterday, he came out in just basketball shorts. Dripping in sweat down his sexy pecs and abs. And yep. I need more of that.”

  A throat cleared behind them and a deep voice said, “You do, do you?”

  She shut her eyes and knew Roman was standing behind her. Katie snickered and Roman laughed. He turned her around but she refused to look at him.

  “Candle. I need you to look at me.”

  She shook her head, keeping her eyes shut. “Fine.”

  He kissed her softly and she finally opened her eyes. “There you are. I love that you are talking about me. Hearing my girl describe how sexy she thinks I am, is pretty great.”

  She sighed and he pulled her in for a hug. She noticed people staring at them and she smiled.

  She loved that everyone in town knew he was hers now.

  “The parade is starting. Are you going to sit with your family?”

  He shook his head and pulled a stack of flyers from her hands. “Nope. Gonna walk with my girl and help her out. After all, we have a party to get to. And besides, my sexy girl looks like the Fourth of July itself. I have to walk by her so no one gets any ideas that she is up for grabs. You are all mine.”

  She smiled up at him and stood on her toes. Giving him a quick kiss. “That’s right. I sure am.”

  They walked together, giving out flyers for the salon and Katie’s bakery and holding hands most of the way.

  When they passed her family and Roman’s family, Roman’s mom and dad whistled and cheered along with hers and Roman dipped her and kissed her right in front of everyone on main street.

  Cheers went up all over and Cecilly could feel how hot her face was.

  But she loved every single second of it. When Roman finished kissing her, she noticed how Rhees’ eyes followed Katie while she talked to a family just to the right of them.

  Her eyes lit up and when they walked further down, she whispered what she saw to Katie.

  Katie blushed and fought not to look at Rhees.

  Cecilly loved it and as they finished the parade, they were congratulated and told what a cute couple they were.

  She was in seventh heaven.

  Chapter Five

  Roman

  They went to the party and he couldn’t believe everything that Cecilly and her family accomplished.

  Their backyard was decorated with streamers and balloons.

  There were lights strung all over and chairs situated everywhere.

  Cecilly’s dad, Clark was in charge of the grill and as he cooked burgers and hot dogs, people would come up and chat with him.

  There was food everywhere and Cecilly led Roman around the backyard, introducing him to people and talking.

  He watched her flit from person to person and loved it.

  She was light. Just like he said. Each person Cecilly talked to smiled so big at her and she made each person laugh.

  He loved her. No doubt about it. Was so in love with her it hurt.

  And he wanted to kick himself for not doing anything about it sooner.

  He pulled her away and made her eat a plate of food and got her a bottle of water.

  Which she drank. Gratefully. He knew from what Rhees told him that Cecilly often didn’t eat lunch and would forget to drink water too.

  She just got busy and Roman wanted to take care of that.

  He made sure she ate everything on her plate and then left her side so he could put both of their plates in the garbage.

  As he did, Cecilly’s older brothers came up on either side of him, boxing him in.

  He gave them a nod and went to take a step away, not at all comfortable with them being this close to them.

  The oldest, he knew, was named Landon. He was the same age as himself, but he had never spoken to either of her brothers.

  “So, you are Roman Galloway I assume.”

  Roman nodded, “I am.”

  Landon held out his hand, which Roman took and they shook.

  “I’m Landon, this is Luke. We just wanted to see what your intentions were with our little sister.”

  Roman’s eyebrows raised. “I love your sister. And while that seems strange since we only started dating yesterday, it isn’t to me. I have been in love with her for years, but I am quiet, and introverted and not like her at all. This is uncomfortable to me, being around you and this many people. But I will do it for her. I just needed to finally get my head out of my ass and ask her out.”

  Landon nodded, “I have heard you are a homebody.”

  Roman gave a slight chuckle. “That is an understatement. I need to get out more, and my mother has bugged me for years to start dating. I am different. I have quirks and faults that I didn’t think a woman like Cecilly would want. But she knows what she wants. Faults, quirks and all. And for some reason, it’s me. And I am the luckiest bastard that ever lived that she picked me. Wants me like I have wanted her. I have kept tabs on her and had my brother keep tabs on her over the years because I just wanted to know her. Know everything about her. I did it in my own way. But know this, Cecilly is everything. She is my light, my candle in the darkness, my love. My very soul resides in her. I love her. And I always will. I will do everything in my power to keep her happy and to keep her light shining.”

  Landon nodded. “Good. She needs you. As much as you need her. She has been in love with you for years. And any tiny scrap of information she hears about you, we hear about it for weeks on end.”

  Landon rolled his eyes and Luke laughed, “That’s true. When you moved back to town, I can’t tell you how many times Cecilly made us ‘walk’ past your house. How many times she would drive past it. How many times we had to hear ‘Roman is back.’ It was obnoxious.”

  Roman let out a surprised laugh. That sounded like his girl alright.

  An embarrassed groan sounded from behind them and they turned to see Cecilly standing there. “Really Luke? You just had to go and tell him that? What were you thinking?”

  She turned and ran inside the house and her brothers coughed. “Oops. Uh. That wasn’t supposed to happen. Just know that she is as much in love with you as you are with her. Be careful with her. Or we will kick your ass.”

  Roman nodded, “Duly noted. Where did she go?”

  Landon pointed in the house, “She is probably in her room, mad as a hornet at us. Upstairs, third door on the right.”

  Roman gave them a salute and walked in the quiet house. Going straight for the stairs and Cecilly’s bedroom.

  He knocked on the door and heard her yell, “Go away Luke. You are such an ass. I don’t want to talk to you ever again.”

  Roman chuckled, “Candle, it’s me. Please open the door.”

  Cecilly called out, “No. You should go back to the party. I am going to crawl under a rock and die of embarrassment now.”

  Roman laughed again, “Candle, you have nothing to be embarrassed over. It’s cute. Really. I didn’t know that about you, but I love it.”

  He heard a tiny sniffle. “Really? I know I shouldn’t have done it. But I couldn’t help it. Every time I saw a small peek of you it would keep me happy for weeks.”

  Roman put his hand to the wood of her door. “I wish I would have known love. I would have watched for you like you did for me. I looked for you every single time I went to town. So you aren’t the only one.
”

  “Really? You promise?”

  “I swear it Cecilly. I needed to see you and I told you how I kept track of you. I watched you from the internet. I may not have walked past your house, but I did more than you.”

  She cracked open the door and he smiled at her. “I like that you and I were both so far gone but that we were both too shy to ask the other out. That has changed now and I am so grateful it did. These last few days have been amazing. And I have loved it. I can’t go back to my quiet and lonely life. Not when I just got you. Not when I finally have my candle.”

  She opened the door fully and he pulled her into his arms.

  “I am not going anywhere Roman. I am all yours. And you are all mine.”

  “Damn right.”

  He kissed her and let himself enjoy being here with the woman he loved.

  He needed to tell her how he felt and after the fireworks he would.

  Pulling apart, “Let’s go back to the party. Okay? I was actually liking it.”

  She grinned up at him. “Really?”

  He nodded. “Really.”

  Chapter Six

  Cecilly

  They went back down to the party and Roman kept her tucked into his side the entire time.

  She loved every second of being plastered against his hard and sexy body.

  Her perfect day. He finally pulled away from her and helped her dad on the grill.

  Then he introduced her to his parents. Which made her grin. His mother pulled her aside and asked when they were going to get married.

  Cecilly had blushed and Roman chuckled at his mom. “Soon. I promise.”

  Cecilly had felt her eyes go wide at his declaration but didn’t say a word.

  Then being ever the gentleman, Roman helped her mother, Katie and her clean up the kitchen.

  And he helped take down the decorations and put most of the chairs away.

  When she handed him a handful of blankets, Roman kissed her and then laid them out on the grass.

  They had a perfect view of the fireworks from her parent’s backyard and it was so nice to not have a bunch of people surrounding them.