As usual, the final bell rings, and students flood out of the school before I can catch my breath. Most of the teachers are right behind them. I’ve been booked solid from the moment I stepped into my office with student appointments, two parent meetings, and class scheduling for next year.
I normally leave at three, but I stayed after for twenty minutes to finish up paperwork for an early meeting on Monday morning. As I walk down the hall toward the back doors leading to the teacher parking lot, I hear someone calling my name.
Recognizing the voice, I turn and wait for him to catch up. “Hi, Drew.”
“Hey! How’s everything going?” He grins.
“It’s good. Busy as always. How about you? I heard you took your physics class to an amusement park on Wednesday. Everyone have fun?”
His smile widens, white teeth flashing in that easy, relaxed manner of his. He tosses his head, his dark blond hair moving from in front of his green eyes. “Are you kidding? Of course, they did. I’m beginning to suspect that most of my students take physics so they get a free trip at the end of the year. Maybe you can tag along as a chaperone next time.” He teasingly elbows me in the side. “You know, see physics in action.”
I laugh. “Maybe.” It could be fun.
Bright sunshine warms our faces as we push through the heavy glass doors. May has brought gorgeous weather with its arrival. The students, along with a good number of the staff, are already climbing the walls, in the throes of spring fever. We’ve caught more than a few students trying to sneak out of the building to cut classes. It’s difficult to blame them when the weather is this beautiful, especially after the long winter we endured. But still, everyone needs to keep it together for a couple more weeks, and then we’ll all be able to enjoy a well-deserved break.
Drew nods toward a group of teachers standing in a huddle, talking in the parking lot. “A few of us are heading to O’Toole’s to grab a beer and throw darts. I thought since your meeting ran long last time, you might be up for joining us.”
My smile falters as Victor Dmitriyev’s face flickers through my mind. Fear suffuses me as I recall how the knife felt against my neck and how he manhandled me while whispering threats in my ear.
Drew knows nothing of the attack because I didn’t tell him about it. I haven’t discussed it with anyone other than family.
I couldn’t report it to the administration or police because it would take less than thirty minutes for the local authorities to figure out I’m a Valentini. And then the life I worked so hard to create would be ruined. I refuse to allow someone with a vendetta against my father to take away my freedom.
Inhaling deeply, I push all the ugly memories to the back of my mind, where I lock them away and plaster a smile on my face.
Drinks with coworkers seem like a nice way to end the week. Maybe I should take Drew up on his offer.
Just as I’m about to tell him that a beer and darts sounds like fun, the fine hairs on the back of my neck rise. Glancing around the half-empty lot, I glimpse Roman watching us from a few rows away. His eyes are covered with dark sunglasses, but the heat of his gaze singes my skin. Hot, molten lust rushes through me and pools in my core.
I force my eyes back to Drew. “I would love to,” I say gently, “but I can’t.”
He steps closer and asks in a low voice, “Just out of curiosity, does this have anything to do with the guy parked in the car over there?”
My eyes widen. “What?”
Drew jerks his head in the direction of Roman’s nondescript sedan. “He’s been watching us the entire time we’ve been talking.” He arches a brow at me. “Or, I should say, he’s been watching you. I noticed him as soon as we walked out of the building.”
My mouth dries as I scramble to come up with an answer. “Yes,” I admit, “it has everything to do with him.”
Eyes turning hard, he straightens to his full height. “Is this guy giving you problems? Stalking you or something? Do you need help?”
My lips tremble at the corners as I shake my head. “No! I don’t need help. It’s not like that at all.”
The look he gives me is full of doubt.
“Drew,” I try again, “you have it all wrong. He’s not stalking me. I promise. In fact, your assumption couldn’t be further from the truth.”
He glares suspiciously in Roman’s direction. “Then why is he here?”
I clear my throat knowing that while I can skirt around some of the truth with Drew, the details regarding why Roman’s waiting for me isn’t something I can discuss. That would only open up a can of worms I’m unwilling to deal with. “I asked him to meet me.”
He cocks his head to the side. “Would you tell me if you were in a bad situation?” Reaching out, he grabs my hand and squeezes it. “Look, I’ll help you any way I can. Just say the word, Sofia.”
Forgetting that Roman’s watching us like a hawk ten yards away, I lift my hand and cradle the side of Drew’s clean-shaven face. I glimpse the longing in his eyes as they soften. I wish I could give him what he wants. And I wish I wanted it as well. My life would be so much less complicated if I could fall for a man like Drew.
“We’re not together.” Sucking in a breath, I force it out gradually and tell the truth. “Our relationship has never been like that. He,” I pause, searching for the right words to explain our situation, “works for my father. I’m interested, he’s not.”
Drew bursts out laughing, and my hand falls away in surprise. “Oh, come on! How can you say something so ridiculous? Any man would be lucky to have you. You’re gorgeous, sexy, and smart.”
Heat stings my cheeks at the compliment. “Thank you for saying that, but—”
He squeezes my fingers. “No buts. It’s the truth. All I can say is that if he’s not into you, then there’s something wrong with him. You’re perfect in every way.”
I choke back the argument poised on my tongue and accept his kind words. “Thank you.”
“Well, I’d hoped that you’d be ready to give us a try in a couple of weeks or months, but by the look on your face, that doesn’t seem very likely. I think it’s going to take more time than either one of us thought before you’re over that guy.”
My teeth sink into my lower lip because I suspect his assessment of the situation is probably correct. “I’m sorry about this.”
He smiles ruefully. “You have to love the irony of the situation. You’re hung up on some guy, and I’m hung up on you.” He shrugs. “I don’t know, maybe it’s time for both of us to consider moving on.”
A chuckle escapes as I shake my head because it’s the best advice I’ve received in a long time. “You might be right about that.”
“Well, there’s nothing I can do about my situation, but there is something I can do about yours,” he says, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Before I have a chance to ask what he’s talking about, Drew tugs on my hand, reeling me closer. He wraps his arms around my waist and draws me in until my breasts flatten against his chest.
His face is so close that his breath feathers across my lips. “You ready for this?”
A grin pulls at the corners of his mouth as it descends onto mine. The kiss lasts for ten seconds. Maybe fifteen. By the time I process the fact that Drew is kissing me—that this is actually happening—he’s already pulling away.
He winks. “FYI—I’ve wanted to do that for a really long time.”
My brows shoot up as I gape in shock.
He slides his fingers under my chin and gently closes my mouth. “That good, huh? I rendered you completely speechless?” His smile broadens. “Trust me, the pleasure was all mine, and I’d be willing to do it again.”
His playful manner makes me burst into giggles. I can’t believe he did that! And in the school parking lot, no less! I glance around furtively, relieved that no one is paying us any attention. Gossip about a kiss like that would spread like wildfire. Everyone would know about it by the time I walked into school Monday morning. I should be mad at Drew for taking such liberties, but I’m not. I think he was just trying to help.
Drew’s eyes shift to the side. “If the scowl is any indication, your friend doesn’t look pleased. Maybe he’s not as indifferent as you think he is.”
My eyes dart in Roman’s direction. With the aviators covering his eyes, I can’t tell what he’s thinking. Drew’s right, though—Roman appears to be glowering. But there’s nothing unusual about that.
“That’s his normal expression,” I mutter.
“Interesting. So, you’re into the dark and brooding types, huh?” He scratches his chin. “I’ll have to work on that.”
Turning back to him, I say, “Don’t you dare! I like you just the way you are.”
He smiles. “Good to know.”
“Thank you,” I say, grateful for how he set aside his own feelings to help me with another man.
“Like I said, it was my pleasure entirely.” He lets go of my hand and steps away. “Well, I should probably get going. Those darts aren’t going to throw themselves. Plus, I have the feeling that if I keep you detained any longer, that guy is going to come over here and pound the hell out of me, and I don’t think my ego could take that.”
“Okay.”
He gives me a wave. “I’ll see you on Monday. Have a great weekend.” His expression turns earnest. “Just remember, if you need anything—anything at all—you can always give me a call. Got it?”
“I will,” I promise, although I know that won’t be necessary. “Have a good weekend, too.”
I sneak another peek at Roman while heading to my car. His features look as though they’ve been carved from stone. I grew up with men who keep their emotions firmly in check, never allowing anyone to glimpse too much. I get it. It’s a necessity in their line of work. But Roman has one of the best poker faces I’ve ever seen.
The drive to my house takes less than fifteen minutes, which barely gives me enough time to clear my head before I have to face him. His sedan stays a car length behind me the entire time. If I change lanes, he swiftly follows suit. It’s comforting and nerve-racking at the same time.
A knot forms in the bottom of my belly after I pull into my driveway. Roman enters the house first to make sure the place is clear. I wait a couple of minutes and go inside.
The front door is ajar. Stepping across the threshold, I pause, listening for Roman’s whereabouts. I don’t know what to expect from him after the last twenty-four hours. I’m not sure where we stand with each other.
As I move further into the foyer, I glance toward the living room and find him parked on a leather chair with his elbows resting on his knees. He rolls his shoulders while staring at me, and I mentally prepare myself for whatever is about to happen. The air is charged with explosive energy. Roman has the ability to shrink a space that should feel open and airy into something oppressive.
“I thought you were done with him,” he says.
Ignoring his question, I ask one of my own. “Why does it matter? I’m free to see whomever I want.”
He’s out of the chair and stalking toward me in the blink of an eye. I scrabble backward as he closes the distance between us. The air rushes out of my lungs as my back hits the wall.
Looming over me, he snarls, “You’re playing a dangerous game, princess.”
“I’m not the one playing games,” I retort with renewed strength. “I’ve been very clear about what I want, Roman. It’s you who continues to send mixed messages.”
Boxing me in with his body, he places his forearms against the wall on either side of my head. “Don’t you understand that I’m trying to do what’s best for both of us?” he asks in a voice that sounds rough as sandpaper.
“I never asked you to.”
His heated gaze drops to my lips.
For an agonizing moment, I wait for him to lean in and kiss me, but he doesn’t. Instead, a growl rumbles up from deep in his chest.
He jerks away, taking his scorching body heat with him. Looking frustrated, he plows a hand through his short hair and walks toward the front door.
“You’re leaving?” Disbelief echoes throughout my words.
With his back to me, Roman’s broad shoulders slump as he pauses. “Yeah.” His back straightens as he grabs the handle.
This is what he does, I realize with a flash of insight.
The morning after we slept together.
Last night.
Now.
He’s running away from me.
I swallow down my disappointment and ask in a steady voice, “Where are you going?”
Opening the door, he throws a glance over his shoulder, his mask of cold indifference back in place. “Nowhere that concerns you.”
His response feels like a slap to my face. There’s something about his agitated demeanor that suggests he’s leaving for good. Panic surges inside me at the thought of not seeing him again. Even though I’m tempted to go after him, I force myself to stand still.
I can’t keep chasing Roman.
Blinking back tears, I ask, “Are you coming back?”
“I don’t have much choice, now do I?” he snaps bitterly, slamming the door behind him.
I flip the lock and set the alarm, tracking Roman as he passes the other plain sedan parked at the curb.
Roman nods at Marco and slips into the driver’s seat of his own vehicle. He must feel the weight of my stare because he glances over at me after starting the engine.
Our gazes lock and hold briefly.
He breaks contact first and drives away, leaving me to pull myself together again.