“What was all that about, Elenore?” Violet glares at me from across her desk, her arms folded as she awaits my reply.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Vi. They were asking me about Rebecca, and my emotions got the better of me.”
Violet nods, accepting my answer. Sitting in her big white leather chair, she starts sorting through the paperwork I placed there earlier.
“I’ve gone through this pile of paperwork and it’s ready to go. Could you double check that everything is in order and there’s no mistakes, and then we’ll put it aside and go through the next one?”
I’m left speechless. I’m sure I look like an idiot standing there with my mouth slightly hanging open. She’s never told me to go through the final proofs before print. Has something happened I don’t know about?
“Well, what are you standing around for? You’ve got a lot of work to keep you busy for the rest of the day, and into the night,” she snaps at me, shooing me out the door by flicking her fingers.
Taking the thick pile into my hands, I make my quick escape before she changes her mind. Plonking myself down at my desk, I do a little excited shuffle. This has never happened before. I can’t wait to tell Suzie about it. Although she may not be too impressed because I’m already a workaholic, and if this is what I’m hoping it is, then it will mean longer hours. Being trained by one of the best in the industry will be amazing.
Okay, cool it, El, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.
I give myself a little pep talk and open the folder to begin my work.
At lunchtime, Violet interrupts me to remind me to bring her some lunch. I’ve forgotten all about my other duties because of what she’s given me to do.
“Can you get me a tofu salad from the café up the road, please? And a coffee?” She relays her order, and I swap my shoes over.
Before I make it out the door, my phone vibrates with a message. Glancing down, Lewis’s name appears.
Lewis: Hey girl!
Lewis: How are you? Did the police come and see you today?
They must have visited him, too. So maybe they were not only here to see Ms. Vi. They should have just said.
Me: Yeah. Wasn’t the highlight of my day, though. How about you?
I step on the street, and a gust of wind hits me, and I catch a familiar aroma floating along with it. Before I manage to look around, I trip on an uneven pavement stone. Stumbling forward, strong arms encase me, and that scent hits me again. Tilting my head up, I find myself in the arms of Roman. What’s he doing here? He was only here a short time ago.
“Watch out there, precious. We have to stop meeting like this.”
I attempt to step back, but he holds me tighter to him. I could get used to this.
“Sorry, I was sending a message.” The heat rushes to my face.
Roman’s grin becomes wider. “I saw that.”
Silence falls between us and it appears as if he wants to kiss me again. One of his hands has found its way to the back of my neck, and the other is wrapped tightly around my waist. Those eyes entrance me. I catch them falling to my lips, and moving back up to meet my watchful stare. When he inches closer, I pull out of his embrace, conscious of people on the street, but regret it immediately. Those arms secured around me are nothing like I’ve ever experienced. Lewis embraces me all the time, but it’s more of a brotherly gesture. I’ve never looked at him how I’m looking at Roman right now with a hunger to claim those lips.
“Sorry,” I say remorsefully, but he doesn’t look hurt by what I’ve done. “So what are you doing here? Would you like to talk to Ms. Vi again? I can let her know before I—”
His hand flies up, and he presses his index finger to my lips, stopping me. “I’m here for you.”
My eyebrows shoot up in shock. “Me? How did you know I’d be walking out right at this moment?” I stand awkwardly in front of him, shuffling on my feet.
“Yes, you. I asked your boss when you went to lunch, and she told me. She also said she’d be sending you to a café. I guess it’s that healthy one down we first met at.” He gestures the exact way I’m planning to go.
Opening my mouth to respond, my phone vibrates again. With a quick glance, I see it’s Lewis, and without hesitation I read it.
Lewis: Yeah, they asked about Rebecca. That younger guy—he was full on laying the questions on me. I was feeling as though I was being accused of something. His partner settled him down though.
The younger one? Of course, he’s referring to Roman, who’s standing before me patiently. Gosh, how rude am I? I slide my phone into my handbag so it can’t distract me anymore.
“Your friend not happy with me?”
“What are you doing looking at my message? Bit rude, don’t you think?” I snap playfully at him.
“Couldn’t help myself. Plus, you opened it in front of me.” Roman shrugs. He seems so sure of himself. The way he stands before me, placing his hands in the pockets of his black suit pants… I’d like to see the back side of this stance. “Come on, let me take you for some lunch, and of course we’ll get your boss her lunch.”
He turns, and it’s as if he’s read my mind. Roman starts walking toward the café, and I’m gifted with the view of his impeccable butt. Perfectly shaped, and just wow. I’m unable to wipe the smile off my face.
We walk in silence for a moment before he speaks, his deep voice sending a tingle throughout my body. “What happened to your shoes?”
My head drops down to my feet in my flip-flops. He sure is perceptive. “Oh, I don’t wear them when I go and get lunch; they’d kill my feet. Otherwise, it’s flats or my runners all the way.”
He chuckles.
I look at him skeptically. “What’s so funny?”
One of his hands leaves his pocket, and he takes hold of mine. I suck in a deep breath and attempt to pull away, but he only grips tighter.
“I believe I judged you wrongly when I first met you. You’re different to what I thought.” He gives me a sideways glance, and I’m sure he can see the shocked look on my face. He laughs again.
“Stop laughing at me.” I shove him with my shoulder. He still won’t release my hand.
“I’m sorry. I assumed you were this prim and proper girl. One of the material girls.”
“Pfft. You don’t even know me.” I pull myself from his grip, and this time he lets go, as though he senses my annoyance at him. “You met me for like five seconds in the café, and since I probably wouldn’t have messaged or called you, you wouldn’t have met me again if you didn’t show up at my workplace.”
Why is he smiling at me? That grin, though.
“I’m sorry. I took to you at first sight. I guess I didn’t notice the footwear last time, since I had to leave in a hurry.”
Had he only wanted to contact me because he thought I was one of those uppity girls? My confidence begins to crack. Men seriously suck.
It’s not like I had the best role model for a father in my life.
“Perhaps you should go, because I’m not one of those ‘kinds of girls.’” I use air quotes. “You don’t know anything about me.” I’m unable to hide the hurt.
Taking my hand again, he halts me and spins me around. Roman’s eyes bore into mine. “I’m sorry I hurt you by what I said. You’re so much more than I expected, and I’m glad you’re not like those other women.”
“I’m not ready to forgive you yet,” I reply with a playful grin.
Pulling me into his side, Roman drapes his arm over my shoulders. He’s got some height to him, especially against me. I only come up to his shoulder and fit perfectly against his body. “Perhaps dinner will help you to forgive me?”
“When were you thinking?” I ask, mentally running my agenda through my head.
Roman thinks for a moment before he answers, “How about tonight?”
“You want to see me again today?” I look up at him. He glances down at me, and my breath leaves my lungs.
“Of course. I’d love the chance to get to know you more.” He waggles his eyebrows at me.
We stop outside the café, and he releases me. “I might have to work late tonight.” I say.
He scratches his stubble. “Well, I’d still like to see you. How about you message me when you’re close to finishing, and I’ll come by and meet you?”
Warmth spreads throughout me. Am I dreaming? Roman is seriously not the kind of man who would normally go for me.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” he questions while he regards me for a moment.
“Like what?” My voice rises. I hadn’t realized I was looking at him a certain way.
“As though you’re weighing up if you want to meet me or not. Deciding if you’re going to get hurt, or is it something else?”
We stay standing on the street, staring at one another. I shrug. “Yeah, okay, you got me there. Why me? I’m obviously not your type if you gave your card to me, clearly expecting me to be something else.” I go for honesty instead of avoiding the conversation altogether.
“Because you interest me and there’s something about you that draws me in. I’d like to get to know you. Come on. Let’s go order and sit. We’ll talk more while we’re waiting.” He opens the door for me.
I step into the familiar area. The scent of strong coffee hits me and immediately makes me need one. We place our orders and take a seat near the window.
Roman speaks first. “So let me clear something up. Yes, I thought you were one of those girls…” He pauses. Boom! Punch to the gut. Roman’s hand reaches for mine across the table. “But I’m glad you’re not. I’d like to see where this goes. You’re beautiful.” The heat creeps over my face at his words. “What do you say?” He gives my hand a light squeeze.
“Would you let me say no?” I already know the answer, but figure I’ll play with him for a bit.
Roman sits back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. “No, I wouldn’t.” There’s such force in his words.
“Perhaps I’ll make you work for it?” I tease. I already know that I’ll go tonight, but this is fun. I attempt to keep my face unreadable.
In a flash, he’s up from his seat, his hands pressed on the table, leaning right in my space. “I’ll be all over you, Elenore. I’ve tasted you, and those perfect lips of yours are waiting for me to claim them again.”
Pulling my bottom lip in between my teeth, I take a steady breath through my nose.
“Blackwood.” Both our heads twist toward the voice. The girl at the counter is holding up two coffees and a bag of food for me to take back to the office.
Roman’s eyes are back on me. “Saved by the server, only next time she won’t be here.” He stands tall, strides over, and picks up our order. My shoulders sag with relief. As much as I’d love for him to kiss me again, this entire situation seems to be moving too fast. He hardly knows me. Yet, he seems so sure of what he wants.
Am I ready for that kind of commitment? I’m not sure.
“Let’s go, precious.” He waits by the door, holding it open for me.
Once outside, my phone chimes. Great, who’s this? Violet getting angry because I’m not back yet? An unknown number flashes on my screen. Quickly, I answer it in case it’s work-related.
“Hello, Elenore speaking.” My tone is professional.
“El, it’s me.” Lewis’s familiar voice comes through.
“Oh hey, sorry. I didn’t recognize the number.”
“Yeah, I’m at work on the landline. I didn’t hear back from you so thought I’d call to make sure you’re okay about the police visit you got?”
I peek up at Roman through my eyelashes. He’s unable to take my hand this time since he’s carrying all the purchases.
“Oh, okay. Yeah, I’m all right. I wasn’t when they came. I kind of felt blame for the fact that I didn’t report her m-missing.” My words crack once as I speak. The familiar lump lodges itself in my throat again. I don’t care Roman can hear me.
Lewis sighs. “Oh, I’m sorry, El. Trust me, it’s not your fault. I was basically being accused of taking her, and then they went and said the same thing to me about not reporting her missing. I felt terrible. I thought police officers were the good guys…” He lets the words hang for a moment. “Those two weren’t.”
“I know what you mean. They were pretty upfront.”
Roman scoffs beside me. “It’s our job,” he mutters.
“Anyway, you free tonight? Wanna hang?”
Taking a deep breath, I tell him my plans. “Lewis it would be nice but I have a date tonight.”
Lewis hesitates. “Oh, who with?” There’s slight annoyance in his voice.
“With the young detective…”
Lewis goes silent.
“Are you serious?” Lewis’s tense voice comes through after a moment.
“Yes. I met him before today, though.” I rush out that last part, so he doesn’t think I’m heartless and took advantage of my dead friend.
“Okay then. Well, I’ll talk to you later. Bye.”
He hangs up before I have the chance to say goodbye.
How rude of him. Lewis has never done that to me before.
“Bye,” I say to myself, slipping my cell away once again.
“Everything all right?” Roman brushes up closer to me, now holding the bag and coffee in his left hand. He wraps his arm around my waist, and I mold into his side. Even though this relationship is developing quickly, it feels right.
We arrive back at the office building. Roman’s arm drops from me, and I automatically want to step up to him and give him a kiss. I don’t, though.
“Thanks for walking with me,” I say.
“You’re very welcome. Now tonight… message me when you’re about thirty minutes from finishing, and I’ll be right here waiting for you.” He leans forward, placing a small kiss to my lips. My eyes stay closed for a moment longer.
I’m falling for Roman.
A moment later, I remember the messages I’d received. “Oh. Can I ask you something?”
“Sure. Is everything all right?” Concern seems to coat his words.
“Yeah, I think so. It could be that someone has the wrong number, but I got this weird text earlier and it kind of freaked me out, because I’ve had this feeling lately that I’m being watched… on my way to work… coming home from a friend’s place, and even at home. Then this comes…” Pulling out my cell, I show him the message.
His brow furrows. “This is the only one you’ve received?” he asks.
I nod in return.
Roman hands me the coffee and bag of food and pulls out a notebook and quickly scribbles down the number. “Don’t worry, precious, I’ll look into it. But until I find something out I’ll be here every night to make sure you get home safely.”
We say our goodbyes, and he gifts me with a hungrier kiss.
After we break, I turn and walk inside the office building with my head spinning with possibilities. Can I allow this relationship to happen?
And what was up with Lewis and his reaction? I thought he was different, he’s never acted like that.
I hope Roman is able to get some answers for me. My cell dings, alerting me to another message. My heart sinks.
Unknown: I saw that. Don’t try alerting anyone because it’ll be a failed attempt. You see, I’m smarter than you might think. See you soon, precious princess.