Page 75 of If You Love Me

She rolls her gorgeous, expressive eyes. “You hardly need me to spell it out.”

“Maybe I do. Maybe I need to hear that you’re struggling the way I am. Because I’m losing the battle here, Lexi.”

“Every room you walk into, you’re all I see.” Her expression is pained. “Every time my phone goes off, I hope it’s you. When I feel your eyes on me, I want to beg you to take me to bed so I can be yours again.”

My relief that she feels the same is tempered by all she stands to lose.

“I should go.” Even as she speaks, she takes a step closer. “Before someone notices us. I need to get back to the girls anyway—my sisters, I mean. Callie's having trouble sleeping.”

“I could drive you. I’ve only had one drink. Let me take you home, Lexi.”

“It’s too risky.”

I tip my head in understanding. It is, but we’ll have a moment alone. Many moments. No text messages to delete right away. No one watching us. No one to stop us from acting on the feelings we’ve been fighting.

“I have to tell you something important.” She fiddles with the collar of my shirt, eyes on her fingers. Her inability to meet my gaze tells me whatever she’s about to say makes her nervous.

“Okay. I’m listening.”

Her eyes lift. “Dred knows.”

“Knows what exactly?”

“That we slept together before I joined the Terror and then again at Christmas. She said she picked up on a vibe, but no one else suspects anything. She won’t tell anyone.”

Dred is as loyal as they come. “Okay.”

Her hand settles on my chest. “You’re not upset?”

“I know this isn’t any easier for you than it is for me. You need someone to talk to. I’m glad you have her.” And it gives me hope that we want the same thing, which is more than a stolen night together.

“Who do you have?” she whispers.

“My position is different than yours.” I give in to the urge to skim her hip, just the hint of connection. “Let me take you home. We can talk without an audience.”

She drops her head and sways into me. Her forehead rests against my chest and her hands curl around my biceps for a moment, nails biting into my skin. I stroke her cheek and press my lips to the top of her head. Holding her in my arms makes me feel like a king. I would fight a thousand armies just to have this moment with her.

She grips my shirt and spins us around until her back is against a wide column, obscuring her from view. I brace an arm above her head, and she looks up at me. Conflict is written all over her face—the weight of our feelings pushing us to the edge of our limits. “I can’t, Roman.”

“I’ll stay in the car.”

“I’m worried about what will happen when we’re in the car.” Her fingers drift up my chest. “I will break if I’m alone with you. I’m breaking now.”

I search her eyes. It wouldn’t be hard to convince her that I’ll keep her from making a mistake she can’t take back. But it would be a lie. “I understand.”

I start to step back, but she fists my shirt, eyes darting to my mouth. The tension between us is electric. “Give me permission, angel.”

Her eyes lock with mine, and she mouths the words,Kiss me, please.

I angle my body, making sure she’s completely hidden before I cover her mouth with mine. Desire runs through my veins like fire as her lips part and our tongues tangle. Brushing and whispering with all the words we can’t say. Her soft body presses closer. It’s weeks of pent-up need, lust, longing, unquenched desire. It’s bliss and agony.

But we’re in the middle of a nightclub, and the longer we stand here, the more at risk I put her. Every taste, every touchleaves me craving more. Eventually I pry my lips from hers. “You need to go, Lexi. You are a temptation I don’t want to resist.”

Her lips brush across my throat as she slips out from between me and the column and disappears into the crowd. The end of the season has never felt so impossibly far away.

And early retirement has never seemed so appealing.

CHAPTER 24

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