Grabbing hold of the bedspread, I pulled it over my face and groaned.
“What the hell are you doing?”
I peeked out from my blanket fort. Roman stood beside the bed, a mug in his hand and a bemused expression on his face.
“Um, just regretting last night,” I said truthfully.
“What’s to regret?” he asked, sitting down beside me. He placed the mug on the bedside table. “Oh. You regret telling me.”
“No, it’s not that,” I said. What was the point in lying? “Well, okay. Yes. Look, I like you. I like that you make me feel like normal Beth. I’m worried that this will give you even more reason . . .” I stopped, not wanting to come across as ungrateful. I liked that he wanted to look after me, I really did, but at the same time, I needed to get my independence back.
“And you think I’ll treat you differently now?” he guessed.
“Won’t you?”
He didn’t answer. Reaching for my hand, his fingers entwined with mine. He leaned down, his lips melting into me. All my fears dissipated with that one kiss—a long, sensual passionate kiss.
“Beth, when you’re ready to move this forward, I’m ready. In the meantime, I’m going to take my time getting to know every single part of you.”
I whimpered softly, closing my eyes as his fingers trailed over my tank, stopping at my panties. God, that felt so good
. I went from hot to cold in a matter of seconds, and I hated it. The way he touched me just now had made me feel incredibly sexy, yet last night I’d totally freaked out.
“Have your coffee. I have to go out for a while, but you’re welcome to stay here as long as you like.” He stood up, staring hard at me once more.
“Roman?” I said as he walked out.
He turned.
“Thank you.”
***
I woke up a few hours later, surprised that I had fallen back asleep. I felt the bed beside me for my phone. A text from Ivan. No, wait—two texts from Ivan. Great.
I grimaced as I clicked “open,” my heart racing. What the hell did he want now? It wasn’t enough that I had to put up with him at work, but now he was bothering me on my days off?
You have a reading in LA next week for the movie. Have you read the script? I suggest you learn the first few scenes. We don’t want you fucking this up.
“I haven’t even agreed to audition yet,” I muttered, clicking on the second text.
And I’ll need you to do me a favor while you’re there.
What was I, his fucking assistant? He could run his own damn errands. I was about to flick the phone back on the bed when I saw I had an unread email. I clicked on it.
Beth,
I just wanted you to know I’m thinking of you. I’m giving you the space you need, but please remember I’m here if you need me. I miss my friend.
Love,
Coop
I miss my friend. Boy, did I miss him too. But we couldn’t just go back to how things were. Too much had happened.
I stared at the email. I so badly wanted to call him. With everything that was going on, and now Roman . . . I needed someone to talk to. I needed my friend back. I clicked reply.
The blank screen stared back at me. What was I supposed to write? Hey, okay let’s give it a go? After all the pushing away I had done, now I turn around and want him back?