Breathe You In (Sweet Torment 1)

I pursed my lips because I didn’t want to argue, not here and now. I didn’t think Roman had meant to mess with me, but he had. I had been too confused to sleep well the last few days. Yet, despite all that, my mind was consumed with thoughts of Roman’s body.

The small glimpse I had gotten kept me buzzing, wanting another look. Maybe a taste. I wanted to tap into all that power and confidence and devour him.

“I pushed you too far,” he rasped. His fingers brushed a lock of hair behind my ear. It was the first sweet gesture he’d made all day, and I found myself arching into it. “You seemed like you could use some space.”

In some ways, yes, he had pushed too far. But in others, he hadn’t pushed far enough. There was no way for me to explain this to him, especially now. Based on his behavior and change in attitude since finding out about my sexual history, I assumed he thought he’d crossed a physical line, but all I wanted was to get back there. To him dominating me, taking me, consuming me.

Yes, I needed time to think, reflect. But it wasn’t space I was looking for, it was him. The wall he’d put up, the delineation between intimacy and physical contact, was a barrier that posed a lot of problems.

Later, I reminded myself. I’d tackle that later. First I needed to find out what my hard limits were. What I was willing to give up, or give in to. What I was willing to concede. But one thing was certain—intimacy wouldn’t be one of them.

“Can we just chalk it up to the fact that both of us were caught off guard and got a little emotional?” I said.

He grinned. “Politicians don’t get emotional.”

I raised my brows. “Seriously? That’s what you’re going with?”

He shrugged. “Depends. Are you buying it?”

I smiled and shook my head. “Nope.”

Warmth bloomed through my belly. This was the Roman I craved. The one I’d been missing. Though the more I thought about it, the more I realized how the different pieces of him blended together, creating a potent dose of strong, seductive male I couldn’t resist. This is what I needed, what we needed. The casual, sweet conversation of a couple.

I glanced around. “I haven’t seen Paige today.”

She had been gone when I’d gotten up this morning, and I’d figured she was working. Every time there was a function, she typically worked from dawn until late at night.

“She and Bill are taking care of media issues. She’ll be here tonight.”

I nodded. The idea of having Paige close by made me feel better.

“You nervous?” he asked.

“Of course I am.”

He grinned and looked down. “Are your shoes more comfortable at least?”

I thought of that night, his hands on my calves and how easy things had been with him. How he’d made me feel like I was acceptable just as I was. “Yes, thank you.”

“There are dresses to choose from in my room, and Selena will do your hair and makeup. She’ll be here in about an hour.”

Yikes. This was getting more and more real, and my nerves were rising.

“I’ve got a few things to take care of, but I’ll come get you when it’s time so we can walk down and greet everyone together.”

I nodded. He cupped my face in both hands, his palms covering the majority of my cheeks and neck, and brushed his lips over mine. The feel of his soft mouth swept over me while his hands remained steady and strong, holding me close. Hard and soft. Intense and controlled.

Against my lips he whispered, “Wear your hair down tonight.”

Chapter Ten

I watched Paige hold court with a few men and women on the other side of the ballroom. The band was playing softly, and everyone had a glass of champagne. Aside from the night I’d met Roman, I’d never felt so out of place, especially since a few pictures had been snapped of me and the residual effect of the flashing light was still burning my retinas.

Clinking my fingernails against the crystal glass, I glanced between Paige and Roman. He was near the middle of the room, smiling and chatting. The man looked good in a tux, and people were all but shoving checks into his pocket in support of his campaign.

Roman had introduced me to various people earlier, and while Selena had done a great job on my makeup and hair, I’d still felt transparent. Like everyone could see right through me. I was sipping my champagne, happy to be lost in the crowd, when I felt a tap on my shoulder. Smile in place, I turned around.

My gut plummeted and I almost wretched.