Page 94 of Sweet Addiction
Am I okay?
I’ve basically been asking myself that since I dropped Lilah back off at her house.
I’m not sure how I expected the conversation to go, but I’m pretty sure it went better than I’d hoped.
“I think I am...” I tell him softly, leaning my head against his cheek. “You were right. I needed to do that. Thank you for giving me the push I needed.”
“Does that mean it went well?” He turns and presses a kiss to the top of my head, and an almost irrational sense of security washes over me.
“There were a lot of tears... from all of us, but I think we understand each other a little better than we did before.” I kiss his jaw and wrap my arms around his waist. “I told them about the books.”
“Damn, you really went for it, baby.” Rome’s voice is soft and teasing and so perfectly him.
I love that he doesn’t harp on what I haven’t shared yet. Just supports what I have.
“I did.” I settle into his embrace and relax with his warmth and spicy scent invading every single one of my senses. “My mom asked if she could set up a meeting with her agent and publicist. She thinks I need a team to protect me, whether I choose to out myself or not.”
“And do you think you need that?” How can he be this perfect, and how did I never see it? “Do you even want that?”
God, this man.
“Thank you for not telling me what to do. Thank you for asking me what I want and how I feel.” I slide over to his side and curl up in a ball next to him, my cheek to his chest, and an arm thrown over his abdomen, just like we lie in bed. Letting his closeness ground me in the chaos currently roaring loudly in my head. Letting him be my peace.
“You don’t need another person telling you what to do, Dillan. You know what you want. My job is to remind you to follow your gut and keep you safe while you do it.”
“And exactly how long do you think you’re going to continue enjoying this job?” I ask hesitantly and slide my cold hand underhis sweatshirt, loving the way his muscles bunch under the touch of my cool skin against his. “How long until it gets old?”
He covers my hand with his and moves it over his hard dick. “Pretty sure this is one of those things, kinda like a royal title. It’s bestowed on you for life,” he murmurs with his lips pressed against my temple.
“Sounds almost noble,” I tease.
“I wouldn’t go that far.” He slides my hand down his body and over his hard cock. “Just a man who wants you happy and who always fucking wants you.”
I squeeze and feel my clit throb as Rome groans.
“I told her to set up the meeting,” I tell him, backtracking to answer his question as I stroke him through his sweats. “I’m going to meet them before we leave for your fight.”
“You sure you want to come with me?” He drops his head back against the chair and closes his eyes as he breathes in and out in time with my hand.Fuck, that’s hot.“It’s being broadcast internationally. The press is going to be all over. The entire ticket is stacked, and my fight is the main event.”
“I’m coming.” I don’t hesitate. Don’t give myself time to think it through or chicken out. “If we’re going to be together, I have to learn to deal with the publicity that comes with it at some point. I’m not saying I want to willingly put myself out there constantly, but if it matters to you, I’ll be there because I’m not letting them win. I’m not giving you up, Beneventi.”
“Keep talking like that, and we’re going to miss the sky,stellina.”
“Your nicknames are growing on me, psycho.” I turn in his arms and kiss him so thoroughly, I never want to stop. “All of them.”
“You are my Theia, Dillan. My goddess of the fucking sky. The star I worship. Fuck, baby. I love you.”
My world stops spinning, and my balance wobbles as gravity ceases to exist, and I stare up at him in shock.
Unsure how this beautiful man can love me. “How can you love me? I’m such a mess.”
“Show me someone who isn’t a mess, and I’ll show you someone wearing a mask. We’re all broken, Dillan. No one makes it through this life unscathed. It’s how you live that determines who you are and what life you lead. And you, baby, are so fucking strong and beautiful and kind... You’re the best of us, and I’m going to keep telling you that—showing you that—until you start believing it too.”
I sit up, throwing my legs over Rome’s lap and take his face in my hands. “I’ve never felt as seen, as real, or as whole as I do when I’m with you. Like I was made to be yours. Like it was written in the stars.”
“Because it was.” He takes my lips with his, and I sink into him, loved and safe and happier than I ever thought possible.
“I love you, Rome.”
