Page 105 of From Rome, With Hate
“No, you’re right. I deserve that,” Rome concedes, clearing his throat. Then he’s gazing at my sister, tucking a lock of her brown hair behind her ear. “But I guess, when you think about it, it all started with Romeo and Juliet.”
TWENTY-NINE
JULIANNA
“Holy shit.” My heart is racing as Rome and I leave my brother’s penthouse apartment. “I can’t believe that just happened.”
We walk down the short hallway from Holt’s front door to the shining gold door at the end. I’m clutching onto Rome’s hand, my other wrapped around his arm. With sweaty palms and a racing heart, I’m still wrapping my head around the entire night.
Rome stabs his finger to the call button before his hands are flying toward my face to cradle me as he slams his mouth to mine. I fall back against the wall, the dinging of the elevator echoing the hallway.
I’m giggling as his lips curl into a smile against mine. He pulls back and searches my eyes.
“What’s this feeling? It’s incredible.”
“You said it before.” I muse, a rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. “It’s freedom.”
“Fuck.” He sighs, rocking his hips into me. His stiff cock grinds against my stomach.
I tip my head back, laughing. I’ve never felt lighter, happier, or freer.
“I love you, Lark.” He dusts his mouth against my neck, and I’m shivering with anticipation.
“I love you.” I rake my fingers through his hair and tug on the ends while lifting my leg around his waist.
“I don’t know how serious he was earlier.” Rome drags his tongue across my throat, his fingers dipping under my gold halter top. “But I truly thought Holt was going to murder me in there. Did you see the look in his eyes?”
“Ugh.” I moan, slipping my hand between us. “I don’t want to talk about my brother right now.”
“Sounds good to me.” Rome’s delicious mouth curls against my skin as he growls.
“But I am glad he didn’t murder you. I don’t know what I would do if I had to exist in a world where you didn’t.”
“You’ve lived a life without me, Lark.”
“No. You’ve always been in my life. Even when I thought I didn’t want you in my life, you were always there. I think my heart would stop beating if yours did.”
“Mine, too,” he agrees, his voice deepening.
His mouth curls into a devious sneer when I grip his cock over his black slacks and start working his belt, but I freeze as the elevator doors glide open. He keeps his hold on me as he pulls me inside. My back slams into the wall, and his mouth draws to mine like a magnet.
Sticking out his arm, he presses the button for the lobby. Considering what floor we’re on, it’s going to be a few minutes before we get downstairs to where Marcus is waiting.
I drape my arms over Rome’s shoulders, threading my fingers through his hair. He kisses me and doesn’t stop, sucking on my lips. Our teeth clank as he slips his tongue against mine. We’re messy and frantic, never getting enough. Kissing him right now feels exactly as it did in the beginning. Only this time we aren’t hiding from everyone. There’s only one person we have left to tell.
“I know I said I didn’t want to talk about my brother, but I just thought of this.”
He pulls back far enough to look into my eyes.
“We still need to tell my dad.” I bite down on my swollen lips, catching my breath. “And I have this gut feeling telling Holt was the easy part. I can’t guarantee my dad will be the same.”
“We’ll figure it out,” he reassures me, fire in his eyes. I know he’d burn down the world to protect me. “I know you want to tell him and, considering we now know what freedom and truth tastes like, we don’t want to wait, but there’s also no rush.”
“If this is what it feels like living a life with you free from your family, mine, and some murderous vigilante after us, I don’t want to wait too long to tell him.” I slide my hands from Rome’s hair to the collar of his shirt, pulling him close.
He presses his hands to the wall on either side of my head.
“Whatever you want, Lark. It’s yours.” He teases his nose against mine. “But before we tell your dad, I want to take you to my mother’s grave site.”
