Page 63 of Roman

“Understand what?”

Charlotte jumped out of her skin, a small cry escaping her lips before she could stop it.

Maalik stood in the doorway, as dashing as ever.He looked so much like Roman that she felt a guilty pang in her chest for what had just taken place.

Turel stepped away from Charlotte.“She wasn’t sure if she could help herself to the food, brother.I was just making sure Charlotte understood she was welcome to anything in our home.It’s what Roman would want.”

Maalik simply stared at Turel, suspicion clouding his face, his gaze finally resting on Charlotte.Don’t you blow this, she thought, trying to stay completely calm while her whole body screamed for her to flee the room.

Charlotte gave Maalik a big smile and let out a small laugh.“Yes, I was worried because I’d stolen someone’s roll from the fridge.I was starving and wasn’t thinking when I took it.Turel was just reassuring me it was fine.”

Maalik simply stared at her.He doesn’t believe me.Panic settled in.Maalik slowly looked back at Turel, then around the kitchen, stopping on the coffee machine.He made his way over, stopping in front of it, his back to them.

Charlotte gave Turel a panicked look.She was about to freak out; she could feel her resolve crumbling, and she was ready to burst into tears and tell Maalik everything.She was never any good at lying.Ava always did the lying for her.Turel slowly shook his head as if he knew what she was thinking.

“You must not forget to drink your coffee, Charlotte.I know how much you love the taste,” Maalik said, turning to them and giving her a small smile as he stirred it with a spoon and brought it over to her.“I added some sugar for you.I hope that’s alright,” Maalik said, handing it to her.“I watched Grigori do it yesterday when he made you one.”

Oh, thank god, he doesn’t know.She tried to take the coffee with steady hands.Be cool.

Charlotte took a big gulp, hoping the caffeine hit would calm her nerves.She couldn’t help it as her eyes closed and she savored the taste.It was amazing.Hands down, it was the best one she’d had since she arrived at the mansion.She eagerly took another sip.

“Why don’t you take your stolen food and coffee back to Roman’s room?I’m sure he will be wondering where you are,” Maalik said with a small smile, his eyes following her cup as she slowly brought it to her lips for another mouthful.

Charlotte nodded.“Yes, of course.”Thankful to escape the kitchen, she quickly nodded toward Turel.“It was nice to meet you properly,” she said, giving him a small smile, then walked past the two warriors, trying not to run out of there.

“Charlotte,” Maalik’s voice halted her.

She froze, and her stomach dropped.He knows.Her hands shook, nearly spilling her coffee.

“Don’t forget your food.”She turned to find him standing there, holding the plate out for her.Relief washed over her.This was too much.She couldn’t handle any more stress.She was about to explode.

“Silly me.Got lost in my coffee again,” she said with a small laugh.Charlotte took the plate and fled the kitchen.

I’ve got to get out of here, she thought, making her way back up the stairs, hoping with all her might that Roman was still sound asleep.Otherwise, she was screwed.

22

The sound of Roman’s phone ringing woke him from one of the most restful nights of sleep he’d had in years.He rolled over, stretching his arm out and feeling for Charlotte, only to find the other side of the bed cold and empty.

He sat up as he swiped his phone from the bedside table, glaring at the empty space Charlotte should have been curled up in.

Where the fuck is she?He scowled, answering the phone.“What?”he snapped, looking around the room.Still no Charlotte.

“Seriously?Again?”Ariel’s voice came through the phone.

She sounded exhausted.Roman winced.He hated being rude to her.She was one of his closest friends.

“I’m sorry,” he said, feeling guilty as he stalked naked from the bed, ripping open the door to his bathroom.

No Charlotte.He frowned, concerned.

“Roman, I need to speak to you about something,” Ariel told him.

He was barely paying attention as he stood back, staring around the room.Where the hell had she gone?They’d barely left his bed for the last two days.They had done nothing but have mind-blowing sex, leaving him utterly satisfied.He’d never felt this way with anyone before in his life.His mind was still reeling from their lovemaking.She had been relentless, demanding he make love to her over and over in ways that blew his mind.He had happily obliged, giving in to her every sexual whim.She drove him crazy with lust, and now that she wasn’t here, he felt as if a part of him was missing.

“It will have to wait, Ariel.I need to?—”

“Roman, it can’t wait.It’s about Charlotte.”Her tone made Roman snap to attention as he made his way over to his chest of drawers.

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