Page 59 of Born Free

But the fact that he thought of this? That these kinds of thoughts are growing and building in his head?

I wrap my arms around Roman as I look around at the space. It’s dusty. Dated. There are too many walls from former offices to see very far.

But the windows are beautiful, even if I have to hide from the sunlight that comes through them. The hardwood floors are fantastic.

“A gigantic bathtub,” I say as I step forward, dragging Roman along with me. “And a big kitchen. I don’t particularly love cooking, but I really like watching you.”

Roman chuckles at that. “I think that could be arranged.”

We turn down a hall, and there are a dozen doors breaking off either side. One by one, I open them, trying to imagine what this place could be. “A big living room where all our favorite people can gather. I think we need weekly game nights when all this insanity is said and done.”

Roman makes a noise, one that says he has little interest in inviting lots of people into our home. But I just grin at him like a loon and continue opening doors.

“What doyouwant?” I ask as I finally reach the last door. It’s a corner office with windows on two of the walls. I wander inside, and Roman follows in after me.

“I don’t need much,” he says. I feel his eyes on me from behind, but I don’t turn. I stare at the windows without really seeing them. “A kitchen where you can watch me cook.” His footsteps approach, and his arms wrap around my waist. “A gigantic bathtub. And a bedroom insulated well enough to keep all sound in and out.”

“Roman,” I say in surprise. My face feels hotter, and a flame sparks in my lower belly. I lift a hand, caressing the side of his neck. His lips press into my own, tender, holy, confident.

Sex is not something we’ve talked about. The passion is there. The hunger is always just beneath the surface. But this relationship has developed slowly, one mistake and one realization at a time. I don’t know when we’ll get there, but there is absolutely no rush, and I’m enjoying every step of the journey.

He spins me in place, his hand coming to the side of my neck, tilting my face up to his. Those intense blue eyes study mine, so vivid, so full of promise, they’re almost overwhelming in their sincerity.

“I’m going to marry you someday, Juliet. Maybe in this very space. But it’s going to be ours. And the rest of the world could burn for all I care so long as it’s you and me together as we go down.”

I close the gap between us, hungry and starving for him. My arms wrap around his shoulders, and his hands grip possessively at my hips. His tongue is hot and curious as it invades my mouth. I bite at his lower lip, not being gentle, as I fist his shirt in my hand, pulling him closer, closer, closer.

When this thing finally does happen, we might have to go into seclusion for a month, because it’s going to be wild and loud and absolutely untamed. Because that is how I feel with this god of a man.

“I’m going to flaunt you all over the place the second the House is gone,” I say as my hand tangles into his wild black hair. “Roman De Luca is mine, and I want the whole damn world to know it.”

I love that proud, slightly vain smile that pulls on his lips. His is an ego I don’t mind inflating. “Come on, the surprise isn’t near finished.”

We walk back out to the SUV, and Roman points us toward the Magnificent Mile. He finds somewhere to park and looks at me with this predatorial grin before he climbs out and walks around to open my door.

“I expect this from Elena every other day, but this doesn’t feel like a Roman move,” I say suspiciously.

“Just trust me tonight,” he says, dropping his lips to my ear, his words low, his lips brushing my skin.

I’ll trust him tonight, and every night for the rest of my life.

Roman leads us to a store I’ve never been to before. When we walk in, it smells like money and wealth.

“Pick a dress,” Roman says as his eyes sweep the store before looking down the length of me, as if he’s already ready to drool over me. “Wear it out and meet me outside in half an hour. I’ll give them my card.”

I eye him suspiciously. This doesn’t feel like Roman, but I’ll go with it.

He gives me a smirk and peels off into the men’s section.

I wander into the shop, and it’s only about ten seconds before a shop attendant is asking me what I’m looking for and how she can help. I’m a little lost since I don’t know what to dress for tonight.

I try on a red number. It doesn’t feel right. I put on something white. Nope. Not for tonight. I shimmy into a Champaign-colored dress and almost immediately pull it back off.

I go with my gut. When the attendant hands in a deep purple dress, I get a good feeling. I pull it on, and it feels like a second skin. It’s ruched up the sides and hugs all of my curves in the very best ways. I’d expect the red glow of my mothers gift contained in my crystal necklace to contrast with the purple, but it doesn’t. They go together in the most enchanting way.

“Do we have a winner?” the attendant asks from behind the curtain.

“Oh yeah,” I say, turning in the mirror and admiring the view.

---