Twice as Hot (Tales of an Extraordinary Girl #2)(106)

"First," I said, "we need to talk." Much as I craved him, there had to be some ground rules.

"I've been dreading this," he said, and there was indeed a grim note to his voice. "You don't think we should be together. Otherwise, you wouldn't have agreed to date that f*cking Memory Man. Something you are not going to do."

I didn't want to do it, but I wouldn't tolerate being bossed around like that, either. "This whole memory loss thing made me realize a few things, that's all, and we need to hash them out. And yes, I'm going to date him as promised. I told you, I will not go back on my word. But speaking of Jean-Luc, where is he?

If you placed him in lockup again, I swear to God I'll roast you alive."

"You already do," he muttered, his eyes narrowing to dangerous slits. "And yes, you will go back on your word. Because if he touches you, I'll kill him, and you don't want his death on your hands. You're mine. Now tell me what you realized."

On my hands? Ha! And he still considered me his, even though I was "different"? "You didn't think I was yours a few days ago. You thought Lexis was. Do you know how badly that hurt?"

"I'll kiss it and make it better," he said huskily.

Oh, God, did I want him to try. I had to cut back a moan of desire. "Our wedding has already gone up in flames, Rome. I don't have a dress, a church or a caterer. And as we originally planned to marry in a few weeks, I don't think I can get everything together in time, anyway. Not that we've decided to still get married."

"We're still getting married." A hard, harsh statement he obviously saw as fact.

I ignored him. It was either that or throw myself in his arms and just forget the concerns I had. As I sat there in silence, I could feel several gazes boring into me. One belonged to Lexis, and I didn't want her hearing all of my problems. Though given how close her bed was to mine, I suspected she had already heard quite a few. "Let's save this conversation for another time. When we're alone."

"No. What are your concerns? I need to hear them."

Fine. Witnesses be damned. Sherridan and Tanner would only ask me for details later, anyway. "You don't see me as an agent. You see me as a liability."

"That's not true."

"It is. You planned to take me and Sunny and hide us away. Don't try to deny it." His eyes narrowed. "I won't. I thought about it for about a minute and then realized it would be wrong.

And look, I stepped back, didn't try to stop you from fighting Candace. Even encouraged you to fight with her."

True. "Okay, you used to see me as a liability and I think maybe you liked me that way. You were my protector, and I let that define our relationship. But I'm different now. You said so yourself." He nodded. There was no use denying it.

"I'm going to be an agent, not just play at it. I'm going to take cases, travel, fight. I'm going to do this because it needs to be done and I want the people I love to be safe. I would love to work with you, but I won't allow you to be my guard dog. Or cat. Guard cat. You'll have to treat me like any other agent. Is that something you can handle?"

That muscle began ticking in his jaw again. He didn't answer.

"Also, I've said it before but it needs reiterating. I am going to date Jean-Luc. Three dates, as promised.

Otherwise, I'm a liar and that's not something I want to be. Is that something you can handle?" Silence.

Heavy, gut-wrenching silence. My gaze landed on Lexis, and there were tears in her eyes. She nodded at me. Telling me this was going to be okay?

"Go on the dates," Rome finally said, his expression hard as granite. "Just know that I'll be there the entire time. Go to eat, I'll be at the restaurant, sitting at the table next to yours. Go to the movies, and I'll be right behind you, breathing down your neck. But I will not ever treat you like any other agent. You're special to me. I'll be concerned about you, I can't help that. I'll want to protect you. Always. Can you handle that?"

"I - "

Didn't have time to answer. "No. Don't say another word. We're done for right now." He pushed to his feet, scooting the chair away. He strode from the room and never looked back.

Two Days Later

"Concentrate , belle !"

"I am! Rome. "

We were on opposite ends of a blue mat, sweat pouring from both of us. While I probably resembled a drowned house cat with severe breathing problems, Rome had never looked better. His shirt was off - of course - and his skin sun-kissed, roped perfection that glistened sexily.

He arched a brow. "I've tossed you on your ass over fifteen times."

"And I've nailed you with a dirt ball once and an ice ball twice." Of course, he'd dodged all three so quickly they'd only nicked his arm - which had affected only his arm, damn it, rather than consuming his entire body.

Before meeting me here, he'd soaked himself in a clear, experimental chemical that slowed the progression of the elements. Apparently John had been working on it for a while. Since learning about me, actually. Just in case I turned on him, I suspected. Or maybe in case others like me were made. I only hoped bad guys didn't get hold of the stuff. Anyway, the ice had melted in minutes and the dirt had smoothed away, all while Rome had subdued me with his other arm.