Page 45 of Born Free

He lets out a sigh, and his eyes slide back to mine. “Seriously though, thank you, Juliet.”

“No problem,” I say, bumping my shoulder into his. “Now, why don’t you show me your plans for this place?”

And he does, with excitement and enthusiasm. He shows me his plan for a grand, central kitchen and a dining room that is more of a hall that can feed dozens of people. He has plans for a grand room that will be two stories tall. There will be dozens of bedrooms. There is a plan for offices and guest bedrooms on the floor just above the ballroom.

It’s a grand, centralized place to run all things supernatural in this city.

I wonder if this is what Houses look like? Is this how they operate?

If so, it’s kind of beautiful.

Because I catch the vision of it. Living together. Safe. Organized. Efficient.

I’m starting to love the idea of us all living under one roof, the council and our loved ones. It would be like the family I never had. The safe environment I always craved.

My eyes get a little misty as Jon shows it to me, but I make sure he never sees.

We might not have gotten what we deserved when I was a child.

But it’s never too late, not for immortals like us. Chosen, biological—I’m the luckiest girl in the world when it comes to family.

CHAPTERELEVEN

The dress feelslike heaven as I pull it from the hanger. It hugs my every curve as I pull it up over my hips, up my chest, tucking my arms into the full-length sleeves. I roll my shoulders back as I look into the mirror, adjusting the square neck until it’s lying just right.

Not bad, if I do say so myself.

My heart decides to relocate to my throat when I hear the front door open and then close. A smile curls on my lips, and goosebumps flash over my skin.

I pull my shoes on and then slip outside of my bedroom.

Roman stands there in the living room, one hand tucked in his pocket, his jaw going slightly slack as he takes one very slow, long look up and down the entirety of my body.

I bite my lower lip, knowing I’m blushing, but I’m staring just as shamelessly.

He wears black, as always. Shirt, suit jacket, shoes. And that suit was absolutely tailored to Roman’s body. It highlights every one of his best features, which is all of them.

“Absolute perfection.” The words fall from Roman’s lips with raw reverence.

My feet don’t stay in place. They cross the room, and I reach out, gripping his tie, and pull him into me. His lips are hot and eager. His tongue immediately seeks out mine, his hands wrapping around my waist. I’m desperate, starving for him as I return that kiss. Every neuron in my body is awake and humming for this man.

The jackpot. I scored the absolute jackpot.

Mason was beautiful. Sebastian was seductive.

But Roman is a god, and every touch, every possessive grip he has on my body, makes me feel like his chosen goddess.

“Damn Orlando and damn this party,” Roman says as his mouth moves to my neck. “Let’s buy an island in Iceland and never have to talk to another person again. I can’t get enough, Juliet.”

My head tips back, and he laps his way up the other side of my throat before biting my earlobe gently. “Make it somewhere just a little warmer, and you have a deal.”

“The Netherlands,” Roman says. “I’ve got the money. All you have to do is say yes.”

It’s tempting. So damn tempting.

To step away from all this drama. All this conflict. To just drop off the face of the earth and not have to get involved or fix things anymore. To just spend as much time as we want figuring us out, in every sense of the word.

But neither of us would ever do it. Not now. Not when so many are counting on us. Not when everyone we love is still here in this city.

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