Page 18 of Sundowners
“Hey, you okay?”
Roman grabbed me by the biceps, and it hit me that I was overdue for a little nourishment. And the sexy-as-hell man standing before me had most certainly not given his permission.
“Would you excuse me?”
“You look like you’re going to faint. You should sit down.”
I smiled at him and sighed. Over the past few weeks, I’d become quite fond of Roman San Angelo, even though he was too young for me. Not physically. In fact, we’d make a great pair physically. But though my body was that of a man in his early twenties, I was as old as the folks I cared for. Older in some cases.
“Thank you, Professor. I’m fine. Just a little low blood sugar. I’ll grab something to eat and then it’s time for me to make my rounds.” I couldn’t resist one more little dig.“You sure you don’t want to check on your family? Maybe if you threaten to report them to Officer Cabral, they’ll quit gambling with real money.”
Roman chuckled. “Sorry about that. I told my cousin Ronnie not to bring Tita Stella any more pennies from the bank.”
I stood to my full height, which was about three inches taller than Roman, but Roman’s physique made him seem much larger. He obviously put in a lot of time at the gym. Lord, did he look amazing in that loose tank top and tight black joggers. His smooth golden-brown skin looked like velvet, and I imagined it would feel as soft against my lips.
Shit. I’d licked my lips. And caught Roman watching.
“I should—”
“Yeah, I should go,” he said, backing away with a smirk. “I’ll be back tomorrow.”
I took a long look at Roman. “Can I ask you a question?”
Roman busied himself checking his pockets for his keys and phone. “Yeah, sure,” he said without making eye contact.
“Who do you have? I know you have family in town, and the three vixens upstairs. But who do you have foryou? I wonder about you when you leave.”
I hadn’t meant to do it, but there it was.I released the pheromone that allowed me to lure people close in order to perform the Exchange. The scent triggered a hormonal response within my prey that relaxed their fight-or-flight reflex and made them…curious, open.
It was wrong, but I couldn’t take it back. It was out there and Roman was affected.
His body swayed toward me slightly and his pupils dilated. “I’m alone,” he murmured, but then he caught himself and frowned. “What do you mean? I’m fine. I cook for myself, I’m not helpless.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
There was a moment where Roman seemed to ponder just how open he really wanted to be.
Come on. Open for me.But I didn’t dare push any further.
“It’s weird…with her gone.” He barked out a laugh, but not before I noticed him blink back tears. “I know it sounds lame, but I’ve never lived alone.” He rubbed his hand over his freshly cut hair. After that first night, when he’d apparently just gotten off a plane, Roman had appeared with a fresh haircut about every other week. It was still long in the front, though. I loved it. And he was always clean shaven. I noticed these things.
“That’s not a bad thing,” I said gently. “It takes an adjustment. I’ve had a long time to practice.”
Roman shook his head. “How? What are you, like twenty-five?”
The need grew stronger, and I knew I had to break away from this enticing conversation.
“Ever gets too much, you know where I am. We can grab a beer or something.” That sounded bromance-y enough, I hoped. I had to be cautious.
Roman held out a hand to shake. I didn’t totally trust myself to accept it, but I did anyway.
“Thanks man,” he said as we shook. “I appreciate you taking care of the ladies. I’ll see you.”
Bromance, gratitude, whatever it was, my soul fed on that little bit of give from Roman. It would have to be enough.
I waved and headed toward the nurses’ station. Lexi had been watching me interact with Roman. She sighed loudly as he exited the front doors.
“Yes, Lexi?”
