Page 60 of Roman and the Hopeless Romantic
“Umm… trick question? Of course, I do.”
“I mean… my chocolate. The caramels. No text. Thought it was too much.”
Cassie jumped from the bed, her blood rushing in her ears. That was from Roman? Why? “How did you know?” He couldn’t have known her mom’s tradition. She wasn’t even sure Jesse did.
“I watch you.”
“That’s not creepy at all.”
He lifted his head to look at her, his eye unfocused. “Come here.”
“Why?”
“I need something to stop the room spinning.” He reached for her wrist again and pulled her toward him. “Let me hold on to you.”
“That’s not how dizziness works.” But she didn’t have the heart to tell him no, not when she wanted to be the person that made his world stop spinning. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her down in front of him, curling his entire body around her.
She couldn’t breathe when every part of her body touched his. They’d always had a physical relationship but not in an intimate way. This felt… different. But he was sick and delirious. He’d have let Jesse lay here if he was home.
Roman’s hands wound through the pocket of Cassie’s sweatshirt, keeping her in place.
“See.” He breathed against her neck. “Feeling better already.”
A shiver raced down her spine. “Rome…”
“Don’t think so much, Cass. Not now.”
That wasn’t an easy ask from her, but more than anything, she wanted to turn her mind off and just enjoy the way he held her as if he didn’t want to let go, the way his lips skimmed her ear when he spoke.
Even if none of it was real.
“Thank you for the chocolates.” That part was very real, but she didn’t know what any of it meant.
“I’d give you anything to get one of those smiles.” His voice grew softer as he spoke before his breathing evened out.
Cassie glanced over her shoulder to find his eyes closed in sleep. He pulled her tighter against him, his leg slipping between hers.
Reaching up, she flipped off the light beside the bed and laid in the dark, pretending this didn’t have to end.
* * *
Cassie wokein the middle of the night to find Roman watching her. Her cheeks heated as she turned to face him, all too aware of their intertwined legs.
“Hey,” he whispered.
She propped her head up on one arm. “You shouldn’t stare at people when they sleep. It’s weird.”
He flashed her a grin.
“How are you feeling?” She pressed a palm to his forehead, noting how it was still a bit warm.
“Like I was run over by a truck. But the room isn’t spinning any longer. Thanks for getting me back here.”
“It was a huge imposition.” She smirked. “The biggest.”
“Yeah?” His fingers dug into her sides, eliciting a yelp from her. He put a hand over her mouth. “Wouldn’t want your dad or brother to find you in here.”
She pushed his hand away. “I should probably go to my own room.”
