Page 10 of Stick Fight

I sink lower into the tub, letting the salts soothe my body, and a few minutes later, Roman is knocking at my door again.

I stay low. “Come in.”

The door opens and music filters in. As soon as I see him, I’m reminded of high school and how he was always dancing and twirling the girls in the hallway. I was once the recipient of his antics and it had made my day…week, really. I’d actually forgotten all about that. I guess I’d left a lot of my past behind.

“Are you moonwalking?” I shoot out, flabbergasted as he slides across the polished marble floor.

“Just showing off my skills, babe. Now watch this.” Stopping inches before the tub, he spins around, the wine sloshing and climbing both sides of the glass but not spilling over. I’m seconds from instinctively placing my arms over my private parts, but his eyes are closed so tightly the lines around them are crinkled and he’s probably going to end up with a headache.

“How did you know when to stop?”

He taps one ear. “I’m like a bat. I send out ultrasonic sounds.”

I laugh again. “I guess you’re a pretty good hunter in the dark, huh?”

“Not quite like Elias, who eats June bugs.”

“What?” I ask, thinking about the winger on the Bucks.

“Oh, nothing.” He hands me the glass and I graciously accept it.

“Thank you.” Before I can think better of it, I ask, “Do you bring wine to women in the bath often?”

“Ah…”

I hold one hand out even though he can’t see it. “Never mind.” Why would I ask such a ridiculous question? His sex life is none of my business, other than I’m preventing him from having one tonight.

He laughs. “Okay. I’m going to pour a drink and find a movie for us.”

“Be out soon.” I take a sip of wine as he dances out the door, and I shake my head. “This is great, Roman.”

“You mean the dancing, right?”

“Yeah, I mean the dancing,” I shoot back with a chuckle.

He moves with the beat of the music coming from the room. He really is a good dancer. “I knew you’d be impressed.”

I sit up a little bit, not wanting to miss anything. “Oh, I am.”

“I’ve got moves, baby.”

I laugh a bit harder, nearly spilling the wine. Honestly, I love that he’s trying to cheer me up and as he grips the handle on the bathroom door, I suddenly, ridiculously, begin to wonder what kind of other moves this man might have, but quickly shut that down. Why would my brain go there?

Oh, probably because you’re emotional, and lonely, Gabby.

It’s true, I am those things, and I haven’t wanted to admit it, but I’ve been those things for quite some time now. Cass was always busy, traveling, modeling and doing shows.

Was that the real reason he was rarely home?

Jeez, I can’t go there tonight. My brain might explode.

My gaze drops to take in Roman’s perfect backside before he closes the door behind him and one thought races through my brain.

Where can tonight go, girlfriend, and what else might explode? Maybe that would be a great way to numb and forget.

3

Roman

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