Intense (Dark Hearts)

“Yes, sir.” The trip seems like an eternity. When I get there, Amelia’s sitting on her bed waiting for me with our parents. The bandage that was wrapped around her head has been reduced to a small patch on her forehead. She has her wrists and one arm still wrapped, but the rest of her looks ready to go.

“I missed you,” I utter, stepping into the room and wrapping her up in my arms.

“I missed you too,” she grunts. Fucking idiot. I let go of my grip and step back.

“I’m sorry. It’s been a long morning without you.”

“It’s okay. I’m ready to go.”

“Were you all just waiting for me?”

“It’s only been about five minutes since they gave me the papers.”

“Well, then, let’s take you home.” I lift her up and then settle her in the wheelchair. I’d love to carry her to our vehicle, but I don’t want to jostle her at all. Our little one is growing inside, and I spent all night reading up on what to expect over the coming months.

“Are you ready, Princess?”

“As I’ll ever be.” We all head out together and down to where Johnson is waiting. After I set Amelia inside, I scoot in beside her while our parents slide into the other side of the limo.

“You brought a limo?”

“We needed space, and I wanted it to be easy for everyone to fit. Besides, it’s time to take you home in style.”

“Are we going back to the dorms?”

“No. All of your things have been removed. You’ve been released from the first-year dorm obligation due to extenuating circumstances and will be living with me for the rest of your days.” The tension immediately falls from her shoulders.

Once we arrive at my building, Amelia’s eyes widen. “You live here?”

“We live here, and I work a few floors below.” It’s not one of New York’s high rises, but it’s still made with the love and care of one of the best in the city. It’s actually just a ten-story building right outside the downtown area. As a businessman, I know it’s silly to purchase expensive space when I can move just outside the high-priced zone and then lease out several floors.

“Okay, please don’t tell me we have to walk up.”

“No. We have a private elevator. Come now, let’s get you nice and cozy inside. It’s the middle of August so it’s hot and humid, but from the looks of the sky, we’re about to get a downpour. As soon as we pass the threshold to the building, there’s a loud crack in the sky.

“Just in time,” my father says.

“Yep.”

I carry Amelia to the elevator. “I can walk, you know?”

“I like holding you.” I stick out my tongue at her, and she moans. I lean in and whisper, “Brat.”

“I love you too.” I can’t hold back, and I bend to kiss her.

“Romeo, you want to hit the code so we can go up?”

“Sure.” I enter her birthday, and the elevator takes off to the penthouse. As soon as we’re inside, I set her on her feet.

“Wow. Seriously, this place is amazing.” I wrap her up in my arms, letting her head fall onto my chest.

“It’s cool, but it just got a lot better,” I whisper, bending down and kissing her neck.

I give her a brief tour of the place, ending in our bedroom where I close and lock the door. “Now I’ve got you all alone,” I growl.

“What are you going to do to me, big boy?”

“I’d love to fucking lick you from head to toe and then fuck you until you pass out, but for now, I just want to say I love you.”

“I love you too, Roman. It’s only been a short while since we’ve known each other, but I do have a slight confession to make.”

“What’s that?”

“I’ve been fascinated by you for years. I had no idea that you were related to Theodore until he brought us home and your picture was on the mantle. I thought you were a great humanitarian for a cause that’s so close to my heart, and super sexy. None of the photos ever had you in them. Even your mother wasn’t in them.” Anna hated the fact that I loved to give back to kids who had been like my dad at one time. She thought that when he abandoned us, I would lose that love to help others.

“The orphanage and foster care programs?”

“Yes. I don’t know if you know, but I was…”

“Adopted. My dad told me. So when you met me and I was a total asshole...”

“You know the saying. Never meet your heroes because you’ll be let down. I was, but at the same time, I understood your anger was out of love and fear for your father.”

“And insane, unexplainable attraction to you.”

“Why? Am I not attractive?”

“You’re fucking gorgeous, but at thirty, I’d had no sexual interest in any woman I’d met. There were moments when I considered dating a beautiful woman, but then I’d see how superficial she was and I’d turn back around. You were different. The moment I saw you, my entire body lit up and I let my jealousy get the better of me.”