Breathe You In (Sweet Torment 1)

I nodded, remembering Roman’s secretary saying something about this a couple of weeks ago.

“We won’t be staying there,” he said quickly, as though the thought made him sick inside. “But I should stop by. And I was hoping you’d come with me.”

My brows shot up. “To meet your parents?”

“Isn’t that what couples do?”

“Yeah, but…”

I was shocked. Mostly because it would be so easy for me not to meet them. I could go to the hotel and not even have to set foot on their property. But Roman was making an effort. Choosing to bring me, to share a part of himself with me. Like we were an honest to God couple, in every way.

“You sure that’s what you want?” I didn’t know how else to ask this. I couldn’t say what I was really thinking, which was, “Hey, remember how this is supposed to be ‘fake’ until you win the election? So there’s no real need for me to get too close, meet your family, and drag this thing out with complications.” But of course, I couldn’t say that.

His words from earlier hit me hard.

You matter…

Something was pulsing in the sore spot in my chest. It was the spot that been hollowed out when Lauren had died. The same spot that had been through a rollercoaster of emotions since I’d met Roman. But this time, the ache was different. This ache had a happy lining around it.

I mattered to someone.

Mattered to him.

He ran his fingers along my cheekbone. “I typically don’t do things I’m not sure about.”

I wanted to scoff—because boy, was that the truth—but something in his gaze, in his touch, seemed almost worried. Dear lord! Was the governor holding his breath?

“I’d love to go with you and meet them,” I said.

A steady exhale came from that impressive chest. “Thank you. But don’t get too excited. You may not feel the same once you meet them.”

Something dark flashed across his face.

“You want to talk about it?” I asked.

He shook his head and brushed his lips over mine.

“No. Not when we’re getting along so well.”

With that, he consumed me in one intense kiss, and like every other time, I was lost in the power of Roman Reese, the only person in the world who seemed to want me.

“I have one more request,” he said against my lips.

I tried to reply with, “Anything,” but it came out more as a moan.

“Will you stay the night with me tonight?” he asked. He looked a little nervous waiting for my answer, and it made me want to kiss him all over again.

I wrapped my arms around him. “Yes.”

He smiled and kissed me, like a real man might kiss his real woman.

I splashed some water on my face and looked in the mirror. It had been a good day, and Roman was waiting for me on the other side of the door. I looked around his master bathroom and wished I fit in a little better. My worn jeans and simple top were so plain against the marble counters and glossy fixtures. Still, he’d invited me. He wanted me here. I just had to keep reminding myself that.

Pulling off my clothes, I tugged the T-shirt I’d borrowed from Roman over my head. It hit mid-thigh and was as appropriate as anything for sleepwear.

All day he’d stolen kisses and touches, but now, it felt like something was changing. Like we were on the brink of a shift in our relationship, an important one. We had spent the day together, like a real couple, which was nice since we were in the homestretch of the campaign. It was one of his few days home before he would pick up traveling the state again. We were nearing the finish line.

Unbraiding my hair, I ran my fingers through it and opened the door. All thought, reason, and breath left me when I saw Roman standing by the bed, wearing gray pajama bottoms and a white shirt like mine.