Page 85 of Rebound
“You would use your powers for evil?” Roman asks.
My laugh sounds like a cackle. “What good is power if you only use it for good? Besides, being good all the time is boring and I’m trying not to be boring, remember?”
“Blossom, I had no idea you had it in you.”
He’s still chasing me, and I’m still walking backwards away from him. Either I’m slowing down or he’s speeding up because the distance between us is getting shorter. Roman’s an arm’s width away. My heart races as if I’ve been running miles when I’m not even exerting myself. It’s the thrill of what’ll happen if he comes closer.
“Neither did I, actually. But then I imagined the looks on the boys faces when they find out how much of a good boy you are, and I can’t resist being bad.”
Roman reaches for me and I take two hurried steps back, out of his reach. “Oh, it’s not going to be that easy.”
I take another step back and stumble as my leg hits something soft. Roman’s there to steady me, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me flush against him. His body is hard against mine, and I expect it because as a former athlete myself, I know how hard he works on it.
Also, I’ve literally seen him half naked and I thank the universe for that glorious image because it’s burned permanently in my brain. Taking a breath, I try to get my bearings and I’m immediately surrounded by his scent. I’m convinced he smells better than any man ever has.
Those whiskey-colored eyes glimmer down at me as he smirks. Somehow, the bruise on the corner of his mouth makes him even more handsome, almost lethal. The kind of bad decision you make while drunk and can’t stop thinking about because it’s the most alive you’ve felt in years.
Oh, wait.
“You were saying something about this not being easy?”
“You cheated,” I exclaim. “It’s four against one.”
“Sabrina was probably bored,” Roman says. “Trust me, there’s no way she wanted to willingly help.”
“Salem and Sabrina. What’s the last one?”
His grin widens. “Buffy.”
I’m delighted. “I love it! Do you remember that one October we watched all of Buffy The Vampire Slayer? I had nightmares every night for a month and watched nothing but Christmas movies for two months after.”
I think we were eleven years old, and we used to huddle together in my parents' media room. Drew was never interested in any kind of horror or paranormal shows, so he was either playing video games or practicing hockey. It was me and Roman, surrounded by a pillow and blanket fort with a giant bowl of popcorn.
Roman’s smile slowly drops, and his eyes shift over my face, as if trying to memorize every feature. “I remember, Blossom.”
My heart rate escalates once again. Am I being delusional here or do I need to learn to trust my instincts? Which is a lot harder than it sounds when my instincts have literally led to me being dumped repeatedly.
Roman’s hand is inside my sweatshirt, his fingers skating over my waist. I twist away from him as goosebumps pebble my skin. His fingers are gentle, almost like the wings of a butterfly. His head is tilted towards me, and I realize that he’s waiting for permission. I want to kiss him more than I want my next breath.
A loud banging on the door has us both turning our heads towards the entrance and Roman pulls me closer. “It’s an axe murderer.”
“An axe murderer wouldn’t knock,” I say.
“No one knocks on my door.”
“What about Kita?”
“I never lock the door if I’m home. She comes and goes as she pleases.” He lifts a shoulder in a shrug.
My jaw drops open. “And you think an axe murderer willknock?”
Roman looks down at me, his brows drawn down into a v. “Wait, how did you get up here? Front desk is supposed to call if I have visitors.”
“Oh! Jules gave me something to give to Kai. I did that first before coming up here.”
There’s another knock on the door, this time louder.
Roman drops his arm from around my waist and moves to the door. The cats all chirp, agitated from the door knocking, and they follow him in a line. He’s the mother duck. It’s so adorable I want to squee.
