Intense (Dark Hearts)

“So, you ready to bust out of here?” my stepfather asks, lightening the tension.

“Sure. Who’s gonna carry me out of here?” I ask.

“Me, of course. I want that privilege.” God, he’s gorgeous and looks so ragged. There’s hope in his eyes. It strikes me that he believes it’s all his fault.

“I wouldn’t have anyone else. How bad do I look?” I ask my mother because I’m afraid of what Roman would say.

“You’re still your beautiful self,” Roman answers.

“Please.”

“He’s right.”

“You’re biased,” I insist. I can feel the bruising on my face and my head’s wrapped up. “I must look like a mummy.”

“I’m not saying you’re not bandaged like a mummy who ran out of toilet paper, but you’re perfect to me.” That makes me smile, which in turn makes Roman do the same. He’s about to say something when his phone takes that moment to ring.

“One second.” He steps away and says, “Yes, Grizelda, please bring it. Thank you.”

“Why is she coming?” My eyes narrow.

“Is she bringing food?” Theodore asks.

“Yes. She’s bringing us some food. I don’t know if you can eat, but Grizelda wants to bring us some dinner.”

“I don’t want your mistress’s meals,” I snap, slapping my hand to my mouth. I’m immediately mortified at the outburst. I don’t want him to know I’m jealous, but the look on his face is pure shock.

“Mistress?” Theodore busts out laughing.

Roman shakes his head and comes to the side of my bed again. “She’s my housekeeper, Amelia. I had no idea you thought that.”

“Housekeeper?” I say just above a whisper, feeling like an idiot.

“Yes, my older, married, housekeeper.”

“Oh.” I blush, and so does Roman.

“I think we’ll take a walk to the vending machines,” my mom says, getting up and dragging Theodore with her, who is still trying to hide his smile.

As soon as they close the door, Roman sits. “Amelia, I didn’t tell you before, but I was a virgin too that night.” My mouth pops wide open in surprise, but he continues talking, “I’ve never been able to get close to a woman before you. You’re the first and only woman to arouse me enough to actually let down my guard.”

“I can’t believe it. I’ve let myself be pissed this whole time. I heard you say for her to be ready for your return.”

He pauses for a moment, thinking. When he figures it out, he says, “In the car. I remember. I wasn’t supposed to be home, so she wasn’t going to have to make any meals for me, so I was just letting her know that I was coming back early.”

“Oh. I feel stupid.” I slam my eyes shut, hoping the bed will swallow me up.

“Open those gorgeous eyes,” he growls. I shoot them wide open, surprised and turned on by his tone. “Don’t. I think it’s fucking sweet and sexy.”

“Sexy, that I was mentally ripping these women’s hair out?”

“Women? Do you mean Inga too?”

“Yes. Sorry.”

“Enough apologizing. There is no one else for me but you, Amelia. If you’ll still have me.”

“I love you too, Roman. I’m not going to let you get off that easily.”

“Good. I don’t want to be.” He bends down and presses his lips to mine. It’s gentle and oh, too brief, but it causes my heart to race.

A minute later there’s a knock at the door, and it’s the doctor. “It’s good to see you awake. I hate to do this to you, but the police requested that they speak to you. The other woman in the vehicle is claiming she’s the victim and you assaulted her.” Roman’s body stiffens, and he looks like he’s about to kill someone.

I respond before he goes apeshit on these guys. “Please have them come in. I’m ready to speak to them.”

“She just can’t stop making my life miserable,” he sighs, shoulders dropping with an air of disappointment.

“It’s going to be okay, Roman,” I say, giving his much larger hand a squeeze.

“As long as I have you.”

Our parents come into the room along with a grizzled-looking detective. “Hello, Ms. Reeves. I’m glad to see you’re awake. I need to ask you a few questions.” I nod. “I’m going to record this so it’s easier to review. Is that okay?”

“Sure.” He pulls out a recording device and holds onto it as he moves next to me, taking the seat my mother was in.

“So let’s get started. Do you remember what happened today?”

Roman tenses, blaming himself for his mother’s actions. I could never be mad at him for this, but I also can’t let that wench get away with her crimes. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. My morning started off shitty.” I explain about my phone and then the trip to the bookstore. “I was tired and thinking I really should have taken your offer to lend me your driver, and then as I approached my dorm building, she stopped me. Played a recording of you believing the image was real.”