Page 46 of His Juliet

I smiled, but a wave of insecurity washed through me. I was still on his lap, but now that we were just sitting here, I wasn’t sure what to do.

His firm hands were on my thighs again, inching up and up, closer to my core.

I kept my breathing steady even as little bursts of panic bloomed inside me. Did he want to take this further? Could I handle it without freaking out? My body wanted him, wasburningfor him, but my mind was locked away with darker memories.

His thumb brushed against my sex and I flinched. He immediately pulled away.

“Sorry,” I whispered.

“Hey, no, you don’t apologize.”

But even with his reassurance, my insides were bathed with shame. My face flamed red and I wanted to run and hide. Why couldn’t I be normal?

“Oh, stellina. Come here.” He was so gentle as he pulled me to his chest, his arms wrapped around me in a hug that was so tender and perfect it made me want to cry. I relaxed into him, pressing my face to his neck to breathe in his masculine scent.

“You control the pace, always.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to—” I started.

“Shh,” he said. “There’s no rush.”

The way we were sitting meant his cock was pressed against my core. I shifted a little, sparks of pleasure shooting into my stomach with the friction.

“Ignore it. Just a side effect of being this close to the most beautiful woman in the world.”

I let out an involuntary snort. “You don’t have to say that.”

Romeo gently pushed me back so he could see my face. “Excuse me?”

His gaze was so serious, so stern, it made my insides squirm. “I just… you don’t have to say things like that to flatter me.”

He twisted his fingers into my hair until I was held at his mercy. “I am not trying to flatter you, Juliet. If I say you’re the most beautiful woman in the world, it’s because you are.” Something dark flashed in his eyes, making me tense. He let out a long, slow breath. “Tell me you believe me.” It was a command, not a request.

I bit my lip.

“Juliet,” he growled.

I let out a huff that was part laugh. “Okay, fine. I accept thatyoubelieve I’m the most beautiful woman in the world. Happy?”

“Ecstatic,” he deadpanned.

I ran my hand through his hair again just because I wanted to. “I think you’re the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. But I’m sure you get told that all the time.”

A wide smile stretched across his face, transforming him from sexy and brooding to absolutely stunning. “It means more coming from you.” He traced his thumb over my lips and gently pressed inside my mouth. My eyes widened as I sucked his finger and I was almost ready to sayfuck it, let’s have sex now. My body felt soalive. But he quickly removed his thumb and sighed. “I have to go out of town for work, and I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone.”

My heart sank. “Oh.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t want to leave.”

Did he not want to leave because of me? It sounded like that, but I was too afraid to ask.

“What will you be doing?”

“Our company is considering a merger with a business in Chicago. My boss would usually go, but his wife is about to have a baby, so I have to actually do my job.” He leaned his head back with a groan, and I grinned.

“Oh no, Romeo having to actually work.”

“I’m glad you see how horrible this is for me.”

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