Tight

I found myself shaking my head. “If it’s crazy than I’m insane right along with you.” He made this deep sound in the back of his throat, one that always had my body lighting up.

I clenched my inner muscles together, already wet, my panties becoming damp. And then Roman leaned in and kissed me, pressing his lips to mine, taking the breath out of my lungs. This wasn’t a passing kiss, but the long, drawn-out one I’d craved.

“Take me to the bedroom,” I whispered against his lips and I felt his grin against my mouth.

I loved this man more than life itself, and knew he felt the same way. Our future looked bright, and I couldn’t wait to experience each and every day with him.

Epilogue

Kennedy

One year later

Sweat covered my forehead as I painted the second coat on the kitchen wall. I rubbed my arm across my forehead and instantly cursed when I felt thick, wet and cold paint cover my skin.

“Shit,” I heard Roman say and turned, looking at him through the arched entryway that led into the living room.

“You okay?” I called out.

“I’m fine, baby.”

Here we were, a year later, Roman still working at the mechanic’s shop, still going to school. I’d graduated early after busting my ass and working through the summers. And here I was now, finished with my bachelor’s degree, looking for a job in my field … and fixing up Roman’s house since I’d just moved in with him.

And by fixing it up, I meant fresh coats of paint, and adding a woman’s touch to the place since it screamed bachelor pad.

Putting the paintbrush in the pan, I grabbed a rag and wiped my hands haphazardly before heading into the living room. Roman sat on the couch, his big body hunched over the chipped and faded coffee table, a math textbook in front of him.

He hated math.

“That bad?” I walked over to him and sat on the couch, looking over his notes. Math was my strong suit, so for the next ten minutes I explained the problem he was stuck on. I looked over at him when silence greeted me. “Listen, we can work on this later. If you’re stressed it’s going to be ten times more difficult to understand.” I closed the textbook and smiled at him.

“How’s your dad doing with the baby?”

I snorted and leaned back on the couch. “He’s realizing how old he is with a baby around.” I grinned and looked over at him. “But every time I see him with Maddie, I can see how much he enjoys it. I think in a way it makes him feel young at the same time.”

“My mom says Catherine has never been happier, even with the dark circles under her eyes and the sleep deprivation.”

I laughed softly. “Babies will do that to you.”

“I guess she’s wanted to be a mother for a long time.”

I looked at Roman, feeling happy and sad all at the same time. “I’m glad for them. And being a big sister isn’t so bad.” I nudged his shoulder with mine and smiled.

He leaned back on the couch and just stared at me. Every time he watched me with that look I felt my toes curl and my heart race. It was an expression, a stare, that told me how much he loved me. How much he wanted me.

He was shirtless, his big, muscular body taut. God, I was wet already for him.

“Come here,” he said, his head resting on the back of the couch, the muscles in his chest showing off in stark clarity. I lowered my gaze to his abdomen, the six-pack clenched, his male prowess making my breath catch.

I moved closer to him, feeling so small, so feminine.

“You keep looking at me like that, baby, and I’m going to say fuck the rest of painting and take you to the bedroom.”

“Don’t make threats you can’t keep.”

I lifted an eyebrow in challenge.

And before I knew what was happening, Roman had me pulled onto his lap. He had his hands on my waist, this shit-eating grin covering his mouth. But that teasing note left him the longer he stared at me.

“I love you,” he said and stroked his hand down my back. “I love you more every day. It makes my heart hurt, makes me crazy with jealousy to even think about any other fucker looking at you.” He rested his forehead against mine for a second. When he pulled back and I saw paint smeared on his skin. I smiled, lifted my hand, and tried to wipe it away.

“I kind of like your jealous streak. Makes me feel like I’m it for you.”

His expression was serious. “You’re it for me, Kennedy. There isn’t anyone else that will ever compare to you.”