Since I Fell For You(73)

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Suzanne’s heart had never pounded this hard. This fast. But it wasn’t because she was nervous. How could she be nervous when Roman was the one she’d been hoping for?

She’d almost been too frightened by the depth and speed of her feelings to see what was right in front of her. But after her father had helped remove her blinders—and after Roman had just admitted how much she meant to him, and that he never wanted to hurt her—she was one hundred percent positive that he was the true love she’d always believed she’d find one day.

She wished he could see it as clearly as she did. But if there was one thing she’d learned from her endless hours of reworking code, it was that it took time to see some things clearly. Time—and focused, determined, passionate effort.

Tonight, she was going to apply all those lessons she’d learned from running her business to something infinitely more important than any code she had ever, or would ever, write.

Roman’s love was worth every ounce of focus, every bit of determination, and every single moment of passion.

Passion she already knew was going to last a lifetime.

But first she needed to be as brave as he’d repeatedly said she was. Brave enough to stand firm and not let him push her away tonight, no matter how hard he tried, no matter what he said. She wouldn’t let herself give in to fear, wouldn’t let herself run, no matter how fast her heart was pounding as she opened herself up to Roman. Body, heart, and soul.

Sex had never been more than merely fulfilling physical urges for Suzanne. But she already knew that being with Roman tonight would change everything.

Because it would truly be making love.

“The counter, your bed, the shower, up against the wall—” She listed all the places he had sent whirring through her minutes before. “I want you to take me in all of them, Roman. I want you to love me in all of them.”

Before she realized his intention, he was lifting her into his arms and heading toward the stairs. He didn’t speak as he took them two at a time, and she didn’t dare say more either. Not yet. Not until she was absolutely positive that he wouldn’t turn back, certain that he wouldn’t pull away from her again.

As a tall woman with curves, she rarely felt delicate. And as a software programmer, she rarely felt feminine. But he was so big, so strong, that she felt both sensations tonight. He carried her as though she weighed nothing at all. And as he held her, it seemed as if he never wanted to let her go.

Twining her arms even more tightly around his neck, she inhaled his clean, masculine scent. She nuzzled her nose against the rough, dark bristles on his face and neck that had grown since they’d left the lake earlier that day. It wasn’t enough just to breathe him in, though. She needed to taste him too.

She was about to lick his skin when she was suddenly falling. Straight into the middle of his big bed.

As she looked up at Roman, his face was a mask she couldn’t read. But the fact that he hadn’t denied having feelings for her—that he hadn’t laughed in the face of her saying, You’re falling in love with me—already spoke volumes. And the way he was yanking open his button-down shirt and shoving off his boots said everything else she needed to hear.

Regardless of what he believed to be true about his capacity to love, he wasn’t going to turn away from her tonight.





CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE





Suzanne Sullivan was in his bed.

Roman was undone by the sight of her long, dark hair strewn across his pillows, her cheeks flushed with arousal, her eyes bright with anticipation. Still wearing the black T-shirt and jeans she’d put on that morning, she was utterly stunning. And sexy as hell, even with nearly every inch of skin covered up.

How could he not kiss the bravest, most extraordinary woman he’d ever known? And how could he not make love to her, when every moment between them had led them here, to this inevitable night together?

From the start, he’d thought she was an open book, especially about things she loved. And now, where other women might hide their feelings, she’d said that she loved him.

Suzanne loved him.

She’d said he was falling in love with her too. Said it so sweetly. So confidently. As though she wasn’t the slightest bit afraid it might not be true. He’d never known anyone strong enough to open up her heart like that. Open it up to the potential pain of not having that happily ever after.

He wished like hell he could prevent that pain. But once he told her the full truth about his past…

One night. He desperately wanted this one precious night with her. One night where honor could finally take a backseat to desire. One night where he could love her with his body in all the ways he didn’t deserve to love her with his heart. He would tell her everything in the morning, but for the next few hours, he couldn’t waste the chance to love Suzanne Sullivan with everything he had.