Page 63 of Between Us

“Listen to me.” He pulled her back to him, framing her face with his warm hands as he kept her gaze lockedwith his. “I haven't touched another woman since I married you.”

“Why should I believe you?”

“Because I'm telling the truth. Look.” He lifted the phone between them, scrolling down through the conversations with her. “See the dates? Last time she texted before tonight was in June. We got married in July.”

Alessandra tried to focus on what he was showing her. The most recent conversation was dated a few weeks before their wedding. She was asking for a rendezvous, and Roman agreed to meet her in a few hours at her place. While she used emojis and too many words, his replies were short and to the point.

Alessandra averted her eyes, deciding she’d seen enough. As irrational as that was, just the thought of him with another woman was enough to paint her world an ugly shade of green. “Why now? Why do you still have her number?”

“I don't know why she decided to reach out tonight, and I never thought to delete it. I'll do it right now.” Moving his thumb on the screen, he did just that, making sure she saw. “Happy?”

“Don't patronize me.” She tried to push him away, but his hold on her remained firm. He drew her a little closer, until her breasts were pressing against his hard chest.

“Milaya,” Roman murmured, his voice softening as his lips moved to her neck. “You are the only woman for me.”

The irony of the scene in itself wasn’t lost on Alessandra. Not even two weeks had passed since they’d had a similar fight regarding Luca. Now that she’d hada small taste of how Roman felt that day, she knew it must have hurt like a bitch.

Clearly, she couldn’t hold the man accountable for his past. And yet, that soft and vulnerable part of her heart that loved him with fierce passion couldn't be reasoned with. She wanted to strangle that Kate. To wipe her from existence and from her husband’s memory forever.

“I won't share you,” she whispered furiously.

“You won't have to.” His lips drifted from her neck to her shoulder, seeking to reinforce his assurance with affection. “I promise.”

PART TWO

Them

25

Summer mornings had always been Alessandra's favorites. She loved the bright sunlight streaming through the windows, luring her from sleep. The song of birds nesting in the trees outside their house. The prospect of hot afternoons spent swimming in the pool or just lazing in the sun.

Today was such a morning, although, officially, it was already autumn. Alessandra had woken up with a smile on her face and a ridiculous amount of energy after a being kept awake by her husband's wandering hands for almost half a night. Stretching her arms above her head, she basked in the splendor of an early Saturday that held the promise of toasty temperatures and good vibes.

Roman returned from the bathroom, his hair damp from a shower and a towel wrapped around his hips, his tattoos on display. He noticed that she was awake and smiled.

“You're up early,” he said, leaning over his empty side of the bed to give her a kiss.

“Yup.” Alessandra grinned against his mouth, brushing a hand over the towel where his cock was. “I feel great.”

He gave a shake of his head and chuckled, as if to say that he found her insatiable, though he didn’t actually say the words. Turning around, he headed to the closet. “I can see that.”

As her eyes followed him, the grin melted from her face. “You're leaving?”

“I have some business to take care of,” he said from inside the closet. “I won't be too long.”

With a sigh, she dragged herself out of bed and headed after her husband. Strong, inked muscles and a broad set of shoulders greeted her as she paused at the entrance and folded her arms over her chest. Roman stood in front of her wearing only a pair of black boxer briefs. He reached for a light-gray shirt and started buttoning it up as he held her gaze. “Don't pout. I'll be back before dinner.”

“It's eight o'clock. Before dinner could mean late in the afternoon. That's half a day gone.”

“I'll try to be back by two or three.” Moving toward her, he finished with the last button and grabbed her waist. “Are you going to do anything while I'm gone?”

“I could go to the mall, I guess. I need some stuff for this season.” She didn’t even try to hide the disappointment seeping into her voice. She liked spending time with him, and lately, they hadn't gotten that much quality time together because he was always so busy.

“I'll send Andrei for you.”

“Fine.” Alessandra tried to walk away, but Roman kept her in place, not done with her yet. She turned her head away from him, and he pressed his lips to the side of her neck.

“Let me see that pretty face.” He kissed his way up until his mouth was brushing over her jaw. When she moved to meet his lips, he smiled into their kiss. “Much better.”

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