Page 93 of From Rome, With Hate

Rome chuckles. “What does that mean?”

“He’s happy.” I shrug as he parts his crossed ankles, giving me space. “He has everything he could ever want.”

He nods, watching me with hunger in his eyes as I crawl over his legs. He slides his laptop off his lap, setting it down on the small side table beside his phone and glasses.

I crawl until both hands are on either side of Rome’s hips. Bringing my face close to his, I plant a kiss on his mouth, then pull back to look into his eyes.

“And do you have everything you want?” he asks me.

My heart races. Rome and I have been nothing but honest since we finally revealed all our scars to each other. Three weeks we’ve spent living in a bubble. Although someone is still set out to kill us, we’ve used this time at the cabin to get to know one another again, living as husband and wife the way we always envisioned. But there’s a twinge of sadness impossible to ignore with Rome’s question.

“You’re all I’ve ever wanted,” I answer.

His eyebrows rise. “But…?”

“But…” I look down and sigh. “I miss my best friends, my work, my nephew.”

“I know.” He caresses my cheek, then hooks his fingers under my chin. “I know it’s been hard to be away from your family andfriends. You built a life with them, and I’ve torn you away from it all.”

“It doesn’t have to stay this way,” I say, quietly. “Right?”

He grips the back of my head, threading his fingers through my hair, pressing his forehead to mine. “Of course not.”

“Good.”

“It’ll be a difficult transition with letting everyone know the truth about us, but I know we can make it work.”

“Hopefully.” I giggle. “Let’s not even go there with my dad because we already know his reaction. I’m not certain I can make any guarantees about Holt, either.”

“Hey.” He rests his head back on the chair. “He was the one trying to cozy up to me last year, remember? He can’t hate me that much.”

“You sued him and his magazine since then, Rome.” I deadpan. “Oh, and there’s the minor detail that you’ve been secretly married to his sister for ten years.”

“Oh, yeah. That.” He gives me a devious smirk. “We’ll figure something out.”

He sits up slightly, slipping his hand under my silk top, smoothing it over my breast.

I dart my eyes over my shoulder, out toward the expansive backyard. “Careful, Montgomery. Marcus could be watching."

"He’s not here.” Rome’s voice hits my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. I’m immediately soaking wet. “Out running errands.”

His fingers pinch my pebbled nipple. An electric jolt shoots straight through me.

A moan slips from my mouth, and my thighs clench.

“What about your work?” I pant, my lashes fluttering. “I clearly interrupted you.”

“Work can wait.”

“Can it?”

“Like you, Lark…” His voice is velvet against the shell of my ear. “I’m the one in charge, so the answer is yes.”

I bite down hard on my lip as he reaches down to slip his hand between my legs. I gasp, throwing my head back as a burst of pleasure courses through me. I start to unbuckle his belt when his phone rings from the side table.

We stop long enough to both look at his screen and the number calling him.

Unknown caller.