“Sick of what?” I knew what he meant. Of course I was sick of it, but I was sick of everything. What else was I going to do? Sit at home with my imaginary friends and play charades?
“This. The partying. Being out every night.”
I turned to him, a sudden rush of anger seeping through me. This guy had known me all of a week, and suddenly he was an expert on my life?
“You’ve met me three times, Roman. I don’t think that gives you the right to make comments on my lifestyle. What business is it of yours what I do?” My voice was harsh.
He opened his mouth, and then closed it. Nodding, he shrugged, his expression softening. “You’re right. What you do with your life is not my problem. I’m here to drink, not to babysit.”
“Babysit? I didn’t ask you to be my fucking babysitter, Roman. Isn’t there somewhere else you can go?” I retorted, frustrated.
He smirked at me, and took a sip of his drink.
Fuck this.
I stood up and grabbed my purse. Without a glance back, I stormed out the side exit and into a deserted alleyway. Goosebumps prickled the skin on the back of my arms as I stared into the darkness. My breathing began to shallow.
“Beth, wait!”
I sighed with relief as the door opened and Roman’s voice echoed through the night. I wiped under my eyes and turned around.
“Let me take you home,” he offered. I shook my head viciously.
“I don’t need you to take me home, Roman. I need you to stop messing with my head.”
“I’m sorry you think that’s what I’m doing, Beth,” he said quietly.
Gah! Now he had me feeling bad for snapping at him. “Look, I like you, but I can’t handle not knowing what the hell you want with me. One minute we’re friends, then I think there could be more, then a second later I feel like I don’t know you at all . . . which is funny because I don’t.” I took a breath, calming myself down from the tangle he was working me into.
He took a step toward me. “I’d like to change that, Beth.” His voice was low and gravelly.
“Why are you here, Roman? Why do you even care?” I pleaded.
“Because I see a girl who is crying out for help. This?” He waved his arms around. “This isn’t you.”
“You barely know me,” I muttered.
He leaned over and stoked my cheek. “I know enough,” he whispered.
“Fine,” I grumbled, my heart melting. “Take me home.”
Chapter Eleven
Roman
She was quiet on the drive home, barely saying a word. I snuck glances at her, wondering what she was thinking. Her head rested back against the seat as she gazed out the window, lost in her own world.
My eyes wandered over her bare legs. God, those smooth silky thighs. What I wouldn’t give to be between them…
“Watch it!” Beth screamed, clutching hold of the seat. I swerved, regaining control of the car, which had began to drift sideways toward a tree. My heart pounded as she glared at me accusingly.
“Sorry,” I muttered. I wanted to add that it was her fault for being so damn sexy.
“How much did you have to drink?” she muttered, shaking her head.
“Less than you, that’s for sure. Settle down, Princess, I’ll get you home in one piece.” I shook my head as she glared at me.
I was becoming obsessed with finding out her secrets. How did this beautiful creature harbor so much pain? She hid it well, but for someone who had known her for a long time—at least, from a distance—it wasn’t hard to see.