Breathe You In (Sweet Torment 1)

While my whole body was buzzing from that rather thorough frisk, Roman seemed as calm as ever. He simply motioned for me to sit in one of the chairs, which I did.

The fire’s warmth heated my shins and face. I had opted for a skirt and blouse that were simple, but hugged my curves without giving too much away. I had let my hair fall casually and gone with minimal makeup. I’d had no idea how to dress for a briefing about a manufactured relationship, but this had seemed good enough.

He sat in the opposite chair and faced me.

“We need to discuss a few things before we eat.”

“Alright.” I folded my hands in my lap.

“This is not a game. What goes on between us is very real. I meant what I said, Amy. The moment you agreed to this, we became a couple to the outside world. That means no more questions or shocked reactions to my affections. Especially in public.”

“Did you just put regulations on my feelings?”

He grinned. “Yes. Of course, if my attentions are shocking, then we can remedy that.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“The best way to adapt to something is through repetition.”

The heat of his gaze burned more than the fire as those sweltering obsidian pools dropped from my mouth to my breasts, and back up.

Blinking a few times, I tried to break the spell before I fell too far under its power. To remind myself to maintain my sanity above all else, and not be sucked into the magnetic presence that was Roman Reese.

“But what if I have questions?” The tremble in my voice was apparent. Now I was certain he could hear my erratic heartbeat from where he was sitting. It was getting harder and harder to calm the pounding in my chest.

This didn’t feel like an approaching panic attack. I was familiar with those. No, this was much different. It was anticipation on a level that nearly had me shaking.

“If you insist on speaking of our arrangement after today, or have a question, then we can discuss it in a location of my choosing, and you will be naked.”

I laughed, then choked when I realized he was serious. “Excuse me?”

“Those are my terms.”

“Why?”

“Wires.”

“Is that your answer to everything?”

“No.”

Take soothing breaths, I reminded myself. “You honestly think I’d be wired?”

He shrugged. “Could be. Which is why you’ll be naked.” A hot shiver broke over my skin, as if his words had already stripped me of my clothes.

“What about your security detail?”

He frowned. “I have no desire to see them naked.”

I rolled my eyes while he grinned, clearly loving this. “No, I mean that they’re obviously wired, and they’re around you all the time.”

“They don’t know about this arrangement. Everyone other than you and me view us as a couple.”

The fact that Roman was willing to go to such an extent to keep this a secret from everyone, including those literally closest to him, was staggering. Could he really not a trust a soul? Granted, if this kind of scandal got out, it would definitely be damning. His reasons made sense, but were still a little on the crazy side.

“Why can’t you just frisk me again?”

“Naked, Amy. Those are my terms.”