Page 58 of Roman

Yes, he could do this, he thought as he stood from the bed and ran his hands through his hair.He would make sure the world was safe for her so she could live the life she deserved.Without me.

I don’t know if I can let her go.Even the thought caused him to rub his chest as if in pain, his heart aching for the loss.He jerked as someone lightly knocked on the door.

“Roman, it’s me.Can I come in?”Charlotte’s soft voice asked.

Mine.His whole body came alive as he flew across the room, ripping the door open.Charlotte stood in the corridor, still wearing his sweatpants and jumper, the clothes swallowing her delicate frame.Her golden hair was now free from the messy bun she wore earlier, flowing over her shoulders and down her back in stunning waves.Her gray eyes found his.

“Charlotte, I—please come in,” he stammered, shocked she was even standing at his door.He didn’t think she would come looking for him.Roman honestly thought he would have to hunt her down and beg her to see him.

He watched as she shyly entered the room.She took a few steps and turned to face him.He raked his hungry gaze over every inch of her.Heaven.He knew now there was no hope of him ever letting her go.He would have to convince her to stay.To be with him.

“Charlotte, I’m sorry.I’m?—”

Charlotte held up her hand to silence him.“Roman, I need you to let me speak before I lose my nerve.Please?”she asked him quietly, her hands pulling at the bottom of the jumper nervously.

Roman nodded, hating that she felt nervous, that he was the reason for her discomfort.

She gave him a small nod in return, standing a little taller, like she was giving herself a little pep talk in her head.“Roman, I want to apologize for my reaction to your, ah, appearance earlier.”

He quickly shook his head, taking a few steps toward her.“Don’t apologize.It’s my?—”

Charlotte took a small step back.“Please let me finish.”

Roman stopped, his hands falling to his side.He hadn’t even realized he’d been reaching for her.

Let her speak her mind.

“I’m sorry for how I reacted.But I can’t lie.You scared me.Finding out you are part… demon terrified me.For as long as I can remember, I’ve been running from demons in my nightmares, and now, after everything that has happened the past week, I find out I have to run from them in my real life as well.You lied to me.”Her eyes teared up as she said the last part.

It tormented him to see her standing there like this, tears welling in her eyes because of him.He should never be the reason she cried.He wanted to rip the entire room apart; he was so angry with himself.

“I’m so sorry, Charlotte.You can’t even begin to understand how sorry I am,” he told her, slowly taking a step closer.

She didn’t back away from him this time, giving him a sliver of hope.“You can’t do that, Roman.You can’t lie to me.Ever.”She stared at him as if she were searching for something.

He shook his head, taking another step closer.He could almost touch her now.“Never.Never again, I promise you.”

She glanced down at her bare feet, still twisting the bottom of the jumper.

Roman couldn’t stand the distance between them.He couldn’t help himself as he took two more steps, closing the gap.Slowly, he lifted his hand, tucking a strand of her honey-colored hair behind her ear.She tilted her head, leaning into his palm, looking back up into his eyes.He could get lost in the storm of them, the color of rolling clouds on a rainy day.

“Charlotte, I love you.I never meant to hurt you.I vow on my life I will never lie to you again.Never hurt you again.I only want to protect you, to keep you safe.I know I’m not worthy of you, that you deserve a lot better than the likes of me, but if you will have me, I will spend eternity trying to be better.Trying to be someone who deserves to have you.”

Charlotte gave a small shake of her head.She took his hand from her cheek and placed it over her heart.“Don’t speak of yourself that way again.I’ve never met someone more worthy in my life.Maalik came and spoke to me.He told me bits and pieces of your past to help me understand you better.You’re not the monster I thought you were.You never were a monster.Could never be.”

I need to remind myself to thank my brother the next time I see him,Roman thought, forever indebted to Maalik for whatever he had told Charlotte.

“I love you, too, Roman,” she told him with a small smile.“As crazy as that sounds,” she added with a small laugh.

Roman could feel the smile covering his face.I love you, too.He couldn’t believe he had just heard her say those words.A few minutes ago, he believed he had lost her forever.Now, she washis.The last word echoed in his mind.

MINE,he thought possessively, once again raking his hungry gaze over her body.He pulled her to him, smashing her body hard up against his.His hands cupped her face, tilting her head so he could get a closer look at those captivating eyes and her plump, luscious lips.He trailed his thumb over her bottom lip as she leaned into him.

“No more lies, Roman,” she said, her voice full of wanting.

He shook his head.“No more lies.”

“You have to tell me everything,” she said as she ran her hands gently up his arms.

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