Page 54 of Between Us

“I do.”

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Roman was gone for most of the day, handling business,but by the time he returned to the house that evening, he had his suitcase with him. Alessandra breathed out a sigh of relief at the sight of it. Their relationship was on the right track again.

After dinner, they settled in the living room to watch a movie together. Head resting on his chest, Alessandra had almost dozed off when the rumble of his voice made her alert again.

“I meant what I said.”

She lifted her head to look at him. “What’s that?”

“Don’t ever talk to your father about us. I hope you haven’t.”

Her brows pulled into a slight frown. “I haven’t, I promise.”

He looked at her. “I’m not saying I don’t trust you, but I sure as fuck don’t trust your family.”

“I understand.”

He nodded once, looking thoughtful for a moment. Then he raised his hand and stroked her cheek with his knuckles. “Missed you.”

“Missed you, too.”

“Was I too rough earlier?”

“A little.”

Roman pressed his lips to hers softly. “I’m sorry, baby.”

“You can make it up to me.”

“Yeah?” He smiled slightly.

“Uh huh,” Alessandra said, her heart feeling a thousand times lighter now that she was in his arms again.

“I think I know how.”

“You do?”

Instead of answering, he got up, hoisting her over hisshoulder at the same time. Alessandra let out a squeal of surprise as she suddenly found herself hanging head down and ass up.

“Roman!” she cried, fisting the back of his T-shirt.

“Yeah?” he responded casually, starting to walk in the direction of the staircase.

“What are you doing?”

“Taking you upstairs so I can make it up to you.”

She had a pretty good idea what that meant. It was the exact same thing she’d had in mind a moment ago. The past week of suffering disappeared into nothingness as a sense of peace took over Alessandra’s mind.

They were going to be okay.

22

“Where are we going, again?”

A smile touched Roman's lips. He kept his eyes on the road, but the palm resting on her bare thigh inched up, caressing soft skin. “I didn't say.”

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