Page 74 of Deceit & Desire

There was a tension between us now, a slow burn that had been building all day, every look, every touch stoking it higher. I could feel it in the way she pressed closer, her breath hitching just slightly as my hand skimmed the curve of her hip.

The world around us faded, the crowd and the music blurring into background noise. It was just her and me under the glow of the string lights, her eyes locked on mine as if she could see right through me. And maybe she could. Zoe always had a way of cutting through the noise, of finding the pieces of me I didn’t even know were there.

“You’re beautiful tonight,” I said, my voice rougher than I intended. “You know that?”

Her gaze softened, and she tilted her head, her fingers brushing my jaw.

“Roman,” she whispered, her voice warm and full of something I couldn’t name. “I’m yours. You don’t have to remind me.”

That did it. Whatever restraint I’d been holding onto snapped, and I leaned down, catching her mouth with mine in a kiss that was slow and deep and left no room for questions. Her fingers slid into my hair, and I felt her melt against me, her lips parting as if she’d been waiting for this as much as I had. The world tilted slightly, and for a moment, it felt like we were the only two people on the planet.

When we finally broke apart, both of us were breathless. Her cheeks flushed, and I could see the same fire in her eyes that I felt burning under my skin. I leaned my forehead against hers, struggling to catch my breath.

“Say the word,” I murmured, my voice low and full of heat. “And we’re gone.”

She laughed softly, her fingers tracing the collar of my shirt. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“Not a chance.”

She glanced over her shoulder at the crowd, and I saw the moment she made up her mind. Her smile turned wicked as she looked back at me.

“Then let’s go.”

I didn’t wait for her to change her mind. Taking her hand, I wove us through the crowd with a quick nod to Rick, who gave me a knowing grin and a lazy salute. Zoe giggled as we slipped past Kat, who was too busy spinning with Landon to notice us leaving.

The cool night air hit us as we stepped out of the barn, the noise of the reception fading behind us. I glanced down at Zoe, her cheeks pink from the excitement, her laughter bubbling over as she stumbled slightly in her heels. I caught her around the waist, steadying her, and she looked up at me with a grin that stole the breath from my lungs.

“Careful,” I murmured, my voice dropping. “I can’t have you breaking an ankle on our wedding night.”

She smirked, her fingers curling into the front of my shirt. “I think you’d survive.”

“Not a chance,” I said, my lips brushing her temple. “I’d be useless without you.”

Her laughter softened, and the look she gave me then was so full of love, so raw and open, it nearly brought me to my knees. I reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, my thumb brushing her cheek.

“You’re everything to me, Zoe,” I breathed, the words coming out rough. “I need you to know that.”

Her hand came up to cover mine, her touch warm and steady.

“I know,” she whispered, her voice full of certainty. “And I’m everything because of you.”

The tension between us snapped like a cord pulled too tight, and I couldn’t hold back anymore. I kissed her again, harder this time, my hands framing her face as I poured everything into it—the love, the desire, the need. Her fingers tightened in my shirt, pulling me closer, and I felt her body press against mine like she couldn’t get close enough.

I broke the kiss just long enough to scoop her into my arms, earning a startled laugh from her.

“Roman!” she gasped, wrapping her arms around my neck. “What are you doing?”

“Carrying my wife over the threshold,” I said, grinning as I carried her toward the big house. “Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do?”

She laughed, the sound warm and full of joy, and I couldn’t help but join her. By the time I pushed the door open and carried her inside the master suite, the laughter had faded into something quieter, more intimate. The glow of the fire I’d lit earlier filled the room, casting everything in a soft, golden light.

I set her down gently, my hands lingering on her waist as she gazed up at me. Her expression had shifted, the playfulness giving way to something deeper, more serious.

She reached up, her fingers brushing my cheek as she whispered, “I love you, Roman.”

“I love you too,” I said, my voice thick. “More than you’ll ever know.”

The air between us crackled with energy, and I felt the heat of it pull me closer. My hand slid to the small of her back, drawing her against me as I leaned down to kiss her again. It was slower this time, the kind of kiss that unraveled you piece by piece. Her hands moved to my chest, tracing the lines of my shirt before sliding beneath the fabric to rest against my skin.

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