My Dark Romeo: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance(58)
Stupid Chapel Falls and its stupid rules.
Would it have killed the town to give me some experience in seduction?
Romeo volleyed the toothbrush to the nightstand. “You’re shivering, too.”
I almost gasped when it flew by me, as if it had the power to enter me independently. “I’m just a little cold.”
In another twist of events, he gathered me in his arms, plastering me to his chest. I didn’t know what surprised me more. The humane response or the steady beat of his heart against my own.
All my anger at blowing my plan liquefied into relief. To my horror, I began trembling.
I knew he detested weakness. I also knew I’d never felt weaker in my entire life. Lying here, bare and naked, in the arms of a man I hated, leeching his comfort.
He cradled my head as though I were a precious, beautiful thing and stroked my hair, grazing his lips against my temple.
I expected his next words to be, don’t cry.
But Romeo refused to fit into the mold.
“You never asked for any of this, Dallas. I’m well aware. Every man in your life has failed you, including me.”
An epiphany slammed into me. My mind voyaged to his childhood room, sailing through the photos.
The stubs. The love.
Romeo Costa wasn’t born a heartless beast. Once upon a time, he’d loved.
Until Morgan.
Eventually, Romeo pulled away from our embrace. I peered past the French windows into the inky darkness. It must have been past midnight.
He palmed my cheek. “Forget anal play. There’s still plenty we can do.”
I nodded. “I know that. I do. I’m just upset because…”
I reminded myself of my goal while Romeo still straddled the tattered seam between this concerned man and the beast I knew so well.
“I’m sad because I’ll never know what it feels like to be taken in the traditional sense of the word.” I purred, tacking on my most innocent expression. “You’ve done this before, haven’t you? Gone…all the way?”
Now I was just taking advantage of him.
“You know the answer to that question.”
I sniffled. “Yeah, I do.”
He paused. “Even if I wanted to show you, I don’t have a condom here.”
“I understand.”
“No, you don’t.”
“True, I don’t. I’ll never experience sex, since you’ll never give it to me. Of course, I’m sad. I’m allowed to be.”
He tore himself off the bed and paced the room. Guilt—so thick and tangible—radiated from him.
So, he did have a conscience.
My eyes ping-ponged, tracking his movement when he finally stopped in front of the mattress. “Get dressed.”
I didn’t argue, wading deep in wanting-to-screw-Romeo-up waters. My suitcase fed me white cotton panties and a lavender satin top.
I was about to wiggle into matching pants when Romeo interrupted. “That’s enough. Go back to the bed.”
I scratched my temple. “Didn’t you just tell me to—”
“Before I change my fucking mind, Shortbread.”
Whoa.
“Only because you’re asking so nicely.” I ambled to the bed, falling onto it.
He stared at me. “Go to sleep.”
“What?”
“Go. To. Sleep,” he bit out, slower and louder.
“I heard you the first time, but—”
“I’ll be back.”
He collected his wallet and left.
Just left.
Without an explanation.
Whatever happened to “before I change my mind”? Maybe he’d changed it after all.
Deciding that today was eventful enough, I did, in fact, descend into the sweet arms of slumber.
In my dreams, I drowned in books. Ink-scented hardcovers. With words and universes and creatures far and foreign.
In my dreams, there was no beast disguised as a husband.
Most importantly—no heartbreak disguised as marriage.
Ollie vB
Did she break you yet?
Romeo Costa
Consider me unbreakable.
Zach Sun
Consider me appalled by the fact that you sound like a Sia song these days.
Romeo Costa
@ZachSun, since when do you use cultural references that have nothing to do with fine art?
Ollie vB
His parents sent him on a date with an influencer last week.
Romeo Costa
How many of your brain cells survived?
Zach Sun
Nearly all of them.
I used concealed noise-canceling earbuds and smiled and nodded at two-minute intervals.
Romeo Costa
Sounds promising.
When’s the wedding announcement?
Ollie vB
@RomeoCosta, you want to tell me you really didn’t taste that sweet, tight pussy yet?