Page 20 of Forever Cursed

Scurrying inside, I’m surprised to find that everyone is outside. At least that means the house is safe and clean. I head up the stairs and run into the bathroom in the hall, locking the door behind me. I moan when I sit on the toilet, and my bladder is more than happy to free itself of all the liquid I’ve been downing. When I’m finished, I wash my hands and examine myself in the mirror. Now that I’m done messing with Rome, it’s time to relax and have some fun. Gwen and I plan on huddling in a corner with some wine coolers and eavesdropping on random conversations. If we can’t hear anyone, we’ll make them up. Either way, we’ll be laughing our asses off.

I open the door but am immediately ushered back into the bathroom.

“What the fuck?!” I shout as Rome closes the door and locks it. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Put this on.” Rome strips out of his shirt and tosses it at me.

Not catching it in time, I unravel it from my face and grunt. “And why would I do that?”

“Because I’m tired of fighting all these guys off for you,” he growls.

“Who said I wanted you to?” I bite back, and his jaw clenches. Oh yeah, Gwen’s plan worked way better than I expected it to. “Are you jealous, Rome Carter?” I click my tongue in amusement.

“No.” His cheeks are flushed. His eyes are glossed over and dilated.

This man is the definition of bottled rage, and for some reason, it’s hot.

Taking a step closer, I drop his shirt. Rome steps back, and his spine lines up with the door.

“You’re lying.” I poke his chest and look up at him. “Why are you lying, Rome?”

My breasts press against his bare chest. My stomach brushes along his, and the feeling makes my heart stutter.

“Chrissy, please take a step back.” His eyes bore into mine. His throat bobs as he swallows, and he licks his lips.

“Why?” I whisper, knowing damn well how seductive my tone sounds.

“This is something neither of us can do.”

“Why not?” I repeat while standing on the edge of my toes to bring myself closer.

“There are many reasons,” he mumbles, sounding out of breath.

“Name one.” I feather my nose against his, and my gaze shoots down to his full lips.

“Zack.”

“I don’t care what Zack thinks.”

I only want him. I want Rome to throw himself at me, to kiss me, and never let go. I want to feel his body against mine. To feel the weight of his muscles bearing down on me.

“If you didn’t care what he thinks, you would have told him about Miles.”

Ouch... he’s got a point there. There’s a reason I didn’t tell Zack about Miles. I was nervous about how he would react. He’s super protective over me and Gwen. I mean, he nearly combusted when he found out Gwen slept over at Ash’s last fall. Everything he does is to protect the ones he loves. He and Rome are close. It would shatter him if he found out we went behind his back. He wouldn’t trust me or Rome ever again. Hell, he and Rome would stop being friends. And that’s something I can’t take from Zack. He’s been through too much. He deserves the best, and I won’t ruin that for him.

“You’re right,” I murmur as I take a step back. “I’ll chill out. I’m sorry I upset you. I’ll wear the shirt and mind my business for the rest of the party.” Putting on his shirt, I try to ignore the scent that envelopes me. The same smell I drowned myself in on the drive home from the beach.

“Chrissy, that’s not what?—”

“It’s okay,” I say with a weak smile. “How do I look?”

He trails his eyes over my body and meets my gaze, and my heart stutters.

“Gorgeous,” he responds.

My brows furrow, but I don’t ask questions. “Let’s go, Mr. All-Star.” I gesture for him to open the door.

Rome takes a minute before unlocking the door and opening it. Stepping out into the hallway, I aim for the stairs but stop when he wraps his hand in mine.

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