ir stood in front of the vanity mirror, the soft hum of activity echoing faintly from downstairs as preparations for their departure continued. She adjusted her earring, watching her reflection with a mix of dread and determination. The engagement party was being held today. Dan and Laura’s. And somehow, she had to get through it with her head held high.
Behind her, Roman moved about the room, buttoning the crisp white shirt that clung to his chest and arms in all the ways that made her thoughts stray from anything remotely appropriate for public.
ir bit her lip as her eyes lingered on him. He was effortlessly gorgeous, confident, powerful, every inch of him a distraction she didn’t need right now. But God, did she want him? Since the ident, since the moment Ethan had pulled her out of the way of that falling concrete, they hadn’t touched each other sexually. The mild concussion had taken precedence, and Roman hadn’t pushed. He had been gentle. Thoughtful. Patient.
But this morning, for the first time, her head was clear. No lingering ache. No dizziness. She felt good. Her body ached for him in a way that told her just how long it had been.
She swallowed, trying to redirect her focus as she applied a finalyer of gloss to her lips. From the mirror, she watched Roman slide his belt through the loops of his tailored trousers. Every movement he made was efficient and controlled, but she could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his <b>jaw </b>flexed when he thought she wasn’t looking.
He was frustrated. Not with her, never with her, but with theck of answers. She’d seen the way he pored over the files Peters had sent, how his expression darkened every time he came up empty. He hated not being able to protect her fully. And while ir appreciated every step he’d taken to keep her safe, part of her wanted to tell him it was okay to let go for just one day. But maybe it was taking his mind off where they were going today.
He caught her watching him in the mirror. “You ready?”
ir turned and nodded, smoothing the front of her dress. “As ready <b>as </b>I’ll ever be.”
Roman crossed the room to her, his hand settling lightly on her hip as he studied her face. “If you’re not up for this, we don’t have to go.”
ir gave a small smile. “I have to go. We have to go. If I back out now, it’ll be like giving them the power. And I’m not doing that. It was my hometown. I don’t want anyone to pity me.”
He nodded once, but his eyes searched hers. “You feel okay?”
“Yeah,” she said softly. “No headache. I’m good. Really.”
Roman’s eyes dropped to her lips, then lower still, as if he was thinking the same thing she had been earlier. That tonight, once this party was behind them, things between them were going to get back to normal.
He kissed her temple. “I’ll be right there with <i>you </i>the whole time.”
ir exhaled and nodded. “I know.”
Just then, the doorbell sounded, telling them her sisters had arrived. They were all going together.
Roman reached for his jacket as ir stepped into the hallway. She opened the door to find Keira in a sleek navy dress, her hair twisted up in a way that screamed effort disguised as effortless. Sutton stood beside her, elegant andposed as always.
“Wow,” Keira said, eyeing ir. “You look super–hot for someone that is about to walk into the lion’s den.”
“Thanks,” ir deadpanned. “You know how much I love public humiliation.”
Keira grinned. “That’s the spirit. If we’re going to walk into a room full of traitors and gossips, might as well do it looking like queens.”
(+28)
Sutton shook her head. “ir, this isn’t your public humiliation. It’s theirs. They can’t hide Laura’s due date. This isn’t going to reflect well on them.”
Roman stepped beside ir, slipping his hand into hers. Keira’s gaze moved to him, and she raised a brow. “Nice suit. Trying to outshine Dan? I mean, it wouldn’t take much.”
“Not trying,” Roman replied dryly. “It’s just natural.”
Keira barked augh. “God, you’re growing on me. Like a fungus,”
“Charming,” Roman muttered, grinning. Roman did feel sorry for any man that ended up with Keira. He was going to need balls of steel.
ir sighed. “Can we all try not to cause a scene today?”
Sutton smiled faintly. “No promises.”
ir gave them both a look, then stepped into her heels, steadying herself as Roman grabbed the keys.
“Let’s get this over with,” ir muttered under her breath.
Keira slung her purse over her shoulder. “Oh,e on. Could be worse. We could be going to a tax audit. At least at this party, we get wine.”
ir looked over her shoulder as they all walked toward the car. “You’re not helping, Keira.”
Keira winked. “I know. But you love me anyway.”
Roman held the car door open for her, cing a hand on the small of her back as she climbed in. He waited until everyone was settled before slipping into the driver’s seat. The interior of the SUV was quiet for a moment, tension hanging in the air like a held breath.
“You sure you’re ready for this?” Sutton asked gently, her tonecking its usual edge.
ir looked at her reflection in the rearview mirror and nodded. “Yeah. I’ve got you guys. And Roman.”
Roman reached for her hand again, giving it a squeeze. “Damn right you do.”
ir nced out the window as the SUV merged onto the road. Familiar streets rolled by, each turn bringing them closer to the event she had been dreading. But even as her stomach churned, she felt something steadier take root beneath the anxiety. She wasn’t alone this time. And that made all the difference.
With Ethan following close behind in a second car, they pulled out of the driveway, their small convoy heading toward the party from hell.
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