Page 96 of Downfall

“Well this is a nice surprise.” He murmurs.

I smile back, trying to cover my reservations, trying to act like this is perfectly normal behaviour. “I, I hope you don’t mind…”

“Not at all.” He says, taking my arm all but pulling me into the room before shutting the door.

I frown glancing around at the state of the place. His office looks an absolute mess. Papers are strewn everywhere as if someone has had some sort of paddy. I turn around to face him. “If you’re busy I can come back another time.”

“I’m not busy.” He says gesturing to the couch as if he has nothing better to do than spend the next god knows how long pandering to my whims.

I clear my throat, sinking into the soft leather, and he immediately sits beside me. Not across from me. Not in the armchair. Butrightbeside me.

I swallow, ignoring the uncomfortable feeling that churns in my stomach again.

“Last night you said something was going on.” I begin. “You said there was something happening in Verona.”

He nods, taking my hand, and in that moment I don’t flinch, I don’t react. I guess I’m too shocked to do anything but just let him. “There’s nothing for you to worry yourself about. I’m dealing with it.” He says gently.

“That’s not what I meant.” I reply.

He’s running his thumb over the back of my hand. Slowly. I stare at the movement as it sinks in what I’ve been trying to ignore for the last I don’t know how long. He’s not just being friendly. He’s not just looking out for me. Dariusishitting on me.

I gulp, pulling my hand away like I’ve been shocked.

“Rose?” He says tilting his head, studying me.

“It’s Roman isn’t it?” I reply.

He raises an eyebrow. “What makes you think that?” His voice sounds harsh now.

“It’s obvious.” I shrug. “At least to me. Suddenly he’s allowed back. Suddenly everything is forgiven.”

He lets out a low sigh and scoots himself just that bit nearer to me, as if he wasn’t already right up in my personal space. “I’m taking care of it. Taking care of him.”

“How?”

“There’s nothing for you to worry about. You’re not in any danger.” He places his hand on my leg, on my thigh, in what could be, if I didn’t overthink it, a reassuring gesture.

“That’s not what concerns me.”

He smiles, leaning closer and there’s nowhere for me to go, no space I can move into. “Are you concerned for me Rose, is that it?” He says.

I shake my head quickly. “No. Not like that.”

He lets out a low laugh, dropping his eyes to stare at my chest. “Don’t play coy. You’ve been teasing me long enough.”

“I haven’t…” I begin but he’s already pushing himself on top of me, his lips pressed against mine, his tongue shoving itself into mouth as his whole weight covers me and his hand squeezes my breast.

I cry out, pushing him back even as his hands grope me and for one moment I think he won’t stop. That he’s suddenly become a mad man. I slap him hard, pound my fists into his back and he stills.

“What are you doing?” I gasp in shock and outrage.

“What do you think?” He replies moving to envelope me again.

I cry pushing him off, half falling onto the rug in my attempt to escape him.

He shakes his head moving to grab me and I scramble to my feet before moving far enough away that I’m out of his reach.

“Don’t be a little cock tease.” He says.

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