Page 117 of Between Us

“It's his job to look intimidating.”

“Hmm.” Her lips found the skin at the base of his throat. “You smell good. Like cloves and smoke.”

“I didn't know smoke smelled good.”

“It does on you.”

In the bedroom, Roman eased Alessandra onto the king-sized bed. She tossed the blanket off, pulling on his hand to get him down on top of her. Roman chuckled, his lips meeting her neck as he peppered a few soft kisses there.

“I love you.” She gazed up at him, her sleepy eyes full of devotion, and his heart warmed for her.

“Love you, too,milaya.”

“I also love it when you call me that.”

“Yeah?” He smiled, his fingers dropping to her stomach. Reaching under the thin sweater she had on, he stroked her abdomen gently.

“Mhmm.” Her legs wrapped around his hips and she pulled him closer.

He was hard for her already, but he pushed down his lust, wanting to simply enjoy their intimate embrace for a moment. He gave her a brief kiss then dropped to his back, dragging her body on top of his instead. Alessandra let out a small laugh, her knees digging into the mattress as she pressed her chest to his. Roman grabbed her ass and squeezed, burying his face in her sweet-smelling hair.

They stayed like that for so long, Roman had almostdozed off when she spoke again, her voice quiet.

“My father called me.”

He blinked, chasing sleep from his eyelids. “When?”

She lifted her head to look at him. “Yesterday morning. You were so busy, and I wasn't sure if I should bother you with it.”

Yesterday. Most likely after Roman had broken the news about Vitaly.

“What did he want?”

“He was mad I didn't tell him about your father's attack.”

“Was he,” Roman said drily. That bastard. He was still trying to manipulate his daughter even after he'd sold her off so easily.

“I didn't tell him anything. Mostly, I just played dumb.”

Her appreciated her sincerity and obvious loyalty to him. From the day he'd married her, Roman knew Nero Rossetti intended to use his daughter to get information on Bratva business. A few months ago, he might’ve been worried about it. Now he knew he could trust Alessandra implicitly.

His cupped her cheek. “You have no obligation to him.”

“I know.”

“If he ever tries to force you to do anything you don't want, you'll come to me. Understand?”

She nodded. “Okay.”

“Now,” Roman murmured, brushing some hair from her face. “Help me get these shoes off and let's sleep.”

Alessandra rolled her eyes, though he could see she was amused. “Why are you so lazy?”

He pushed his arms under his head, watching as shestood from the bed and went to remove his shoes with a small pout. Roman felt the desire to bite it off her lips.

When she was done, he nodded to his lower half. “Pants too. Then the shirt.”

“Really?” She huffed, planting her hands on her hips.

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