Page 127 of Along Came Amor
Luckily, no one except Ava was looking at him. Everyone was too busy laughing at something Ashton had said. They didn’t see the quiet, adoring look Roman sent her, one she was probably reflecting back to him. Unless her face was revealing the shock of her revelation.
But even as she thought it, the shock melted away, leaving only gentle acceptance. She’d felt this coming. It was different than before—steadier, more mature. Maybe becauseshewas steadier and more mature. And it wasn’t a surprise—how could it be? Roman was everything she could ever hope to find in another person—playful, caring, honest, open. And he washers.
Except she couldn’t claim him. Couldn’t walk right up to him and plant a big, smacking kiss right on that soft, agile mouth. Not in front of her family.
Cold despair filled her, along with—ah. The familiar prick of jealousy. Her cousins could go to their men without fear, but Ava couldn’t.
Her eyes fell on her grandmother, on Titi Nereida, on Titi Nita, on Olympia. The echoes of their past words, rangingfrom censorious to accusatory to passive aggressive, rang in her head, holding her rooted to the spot.
She’s not even pregnant!
Just apologize for whatever you did.
Not everything is meant to last, you know.
Let’s not talk about unpleasant things like divorce.
Ava shook their voices away.
Maybe she wasn’t brave enough to go over there and grab him, but nor could she stay away from the man she loved a second longer.
As he made his way farther into the suite, she moved to intercept him.
“Roman, can you help me with something?” she asked nonchalantly.
He smiled. “Of course.”
She led him down a short hall to the bedroom and shut the door behind them.
“What did you need help wi—”
Ava cupped his face and pulled him in for a kiss.
Roman—beautifully sharp, quick-witted Roman—didn’t miss a beat. His hands gripped her waist and drew her closer. His mouth slanted, deepening the kiss. As his tongue slid against hers, Ava felt it from her lips down to the tips of her toes and back up, desire twisting low in her belly and making her whimper. Her hands trailed down his neck to grip his lapels.
“I missed you,” she said breathlessly against his lips. “I missed you so much.”
The wordsI love youwelled up, but they were too new, too scary, too private. She needed to turn them over in her head and examine them more closely.
Even as her heart whispered,There’s nothing to think about.
“I’m sorry,” he rasped. His hands molded over her hips and around to grab her ass. “Come with me next time. I can’t be away from you this long again.”
“Where?” She let out a little laugh as he dragged his mouth down her neck, licking and nipping and biting. Her toes curled in her sandals.
“Wherever.” His voice was muffled against her collarbones. “Anywhere I go. Come with me.”
The idea was too exciting, too tempting. “I’ll think about it,” she said, and pulled his face back to hers.
“I know you will.”
Her mouth swallowed the rest of his dark chuckle and they were kissing again, deep and hungry, the only sounds in the room the soft little moans in the back of her throat and the groan rumbling in his chest.
And then the door opened behind them with a sharp squeak.
Gasping, Ava tore herself away from Roman and stared.
Gabe stood in the doorway in his too-small tank top, one hand on the doorknob, his dark eyes quickly sweeping them, from their wet, swollen lips to their rumpled clothes to—
