“Surprise?” She makes her smile even bigger, showing her perfect teeth. “I got you a stripper? You know, bachelorette party…” She shrugs like she has no idea where she’s going with this lie.
I look around her and see Vlad, Roman’s bodyguard, buttoning up his pants, and my eyes almost pop out of my head. I see the shade of lipstick that’s smeared on her face matches the shade smeared all over his mouth.
“Wait. I take it back!” She jumps in my line of sight of him. “Don’t look at him. Vlad, put a shirt on!”
“Babe, you’re wearing my shirt,” I hear him say, laughter in his voice.
“Oh.” She looks down at the shirt.
“You had sex,” I gasp, really putting everything together.
She nods and mouths, “It was amazing.” I snort.
Suddenly Tabby’s door flies open, making us both jump. Roman fills the doorway, and he swiftly steps into the room and shuts the door behind him. He’s in a dark suit, but he somehow still looks like he’s ready to go into battle.
“You found me.” I stomp my foot. I was going to hide out in my sister’s room tonight, knowing he’d likely come. Well, I thought I was. She clearly had other plans. Still, I was going to hide. I wanted a little payback for how he thinks he can pop up anywhere and do whatever he likes to me. Even if I kinda like the things he does. Okay, maybe kinda is putting it lightly.
“Took me an extra two seconds, but it wasn’t hard. Should I have a tracker put on you?”
“She not a dog,” my sister hisses at him.
“Yeah, what she said,” I add, because I’ve got nothing else to use as a comeback.
A half-smirk plays on Roman’s lips, but I glare at him. I’m sure my sister is doing the same.
“Wait,” Tabby says. She leans into me a little. “Do we like him or not? I can’t remember.”
I hear a chuckle come from both of the men and nudge her to hush it.
“Doesn’t matter. I don’t need a tracker. Come tomorrow, I can keep you at my side for the rest of my life.”
“Well, then I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodbye,” I say tartly, trying to dismiss him. I know it won’t work, but a girl’s gotta try.
“My princess, you know what I came for, and I’m going to get my taste before I leave.”
His words make anger boil up in my stomach. That’s all he cares about—sex…or whatever it is we’ve been doing. Yeah, it feels good, but for some reason it hurts that it’s the only reason he seeks me out.
“You shut your face and get out of my room right this second.” My sister steps in front of me, standing in between us and ready to go to battle.
“Babe, get your sweet ass over here,” Vlad commands. All our eyes go to him. He’s leaning up against the wall, still shirtless, with a smile on his face like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
“Not now. I’m doing something,” she tells him.
“Eyes,” Roman orders, making me jump. I turn to look at him. “Vlad, cover yourself in front of my wife.”
“She’s not your wife yet,” Tabby fires back. I nod, agreeing with her.
“Is this how it’s always going to be? Maybe it isn’t so wise I let your sister come and stay with us.”
I gasp, and my eyes fill with tears. No. Before I can even open my mouth, Roman is in front of me, his big hands cupping my face.
“I’m sorry. Forgive me. I didn’t mean… Please.” He peppers kisses all over my face. “I’m sorry. Don’t cry.”
I close my eyes, and he kisses my eyelids.
“I was angry.” His voice sounds a little choked. “I don’t like when you say you’re not going to be mine. I didn’t mean it.”
I open my eyes and see remorse all over his face. His eyes look soft and not as dark as normal.
“Please don’t cry. Say you forgive me.”
I stand there, shocked by how he’s reacting. He’s upset that I’m upset.
“Your sister can have a whole wing of the castle for all I care.”
“I really don’t take up that much space,” I hear my sister say, and I can’t fight my smile. Worry drains from Roman’s face. He lets go of me reluctantly, and I blush as I realize what everyone has just seen. I glance over at Vlad, and he simply stares at Roman as if in shock.
“Princess,” Roman growls, and I pull my eyes back to him. I can see jealousy light up his eyes.
“Shirt,” I hear my sister bark at Vlad again.
“Babe, you’re still wearing it, for one, and two, come tomorrow night you sleep where I sleep.”