Page 122 of Burning Daylight
Art’s head snaps toward me, his face dropping. “Jules, come on. You don’t belong here. Your brother would?—”
“Is Lance here?” I snap my head around, looking for him. “Is that why you’re being so overbearing?”
His jaw tenses. “No, he’s not.”
“Then I’ll stay, thanks.”
Art sighs and attempts to grab meagain, and now Roman physically slides in between us, his back resting against my arm. He’s angled just enough where I can see him staring a hole through Art, his arms crossed as he leans against me.
Heat pours through my body at the close proximity.
Roman’s voice is low, and he leans in, almost whispering to Art. “Try to touch her again, and I don’t give a fuck who your dad is, or whether you own this place, you’ll be leaving in an ambulance.”
Art blanches.
Felicity practically swoons right out of her chair. “You heard him, Art. Get fucked.”
“Felicity.” He gives a tight grin to her. “Always the opposite of a pleasure to see you.”
She smiles back and tips her drink toward him. “Choke and die, Arthur.”
He gives me one more glance and then he mutters, “Fuck it,” and storms off.
My gaze falls to Roman as he spins to face me, his features softening as he does.
My skin prickles, a dizzying heat working its way from my middle, up my chest and around my shoulders, the way italwaysdoes when he’s around.
He’s here.
Somehow, I knew he would be.
Gripping my chilled martini, I bring it to my lips, taking a sip and focusing on that burn instead of the way his eyes are searing into me.
“Well, I don’t know who you are,” Felicity starts, “but clearly mybestfriend does, and I won’t lie, it’s hurtful that I haven’t heard about you.”
Leave it to Felicity to break the intensity of the moment.
He looks at her, his lips curling up. “I’m Roman.”
Her brows rise, and she sips from her straw before saying, “And I’m in love.”
A laugh pours out of me, and I shake my head. “Felicity, this is RomanMontgomery. Roman, this is my best friend.”
Felicity tilts her head. “You look familiar.”
“I’ve got a common face, and it’s been plastered all over the local news for weeks now.”
“Well, thanks,” I interrupt. “You didn’t need to step in, but I won’t lie and say I’m not happy you did. You can go now, though.”
“Juliette,” Felicity scolds. “Don’t be so rude to our savior.”
Roman smirks and crosses his arms. The movement makes the muscles on his inked-up forearms flex and highlights the veins that run beneath the sleeves of his shirt. “Finally, someone with manners. Juliette’s been incredibly mean to me.”
“Is that right?” Felicity’s voice is amused.
He nods solemnly. “Completely unwarranted. Between you and me, I think it’s because she has a crush.”
I let out a dry chuckle. “I’mthe one with the crush?”
