Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“Please, Roman,” I begged, tightening my legs around him.
He moved faster, deeper, hitting me exactly where I needed. Stars exploded behind my eyes as another orgasm washed over me, and I clutched him tighter. He gripped me, his hips pivoting then stilling as we crested, locked together, not a whisper of air between us.
His mouth was gentle as he kissed me.
“My little tiger,” he whispered. “I love you.”
I felt his sincerity. I buried my face into his neck, feeling the same emotion.
And still, I couldn’t say it back.
The sky was still overcast, which matched my mood on Friday morning. Roman stepped into the bedroom, tugging down the sleeves of his pure-white shirt. I admired his suit, the deep green setting off his eyes. His tie and shoes were black, and the color combination was striking.
“You look handsome,” I said with a smile.
He sat in the spot across from me, lifting his coffee cup. He took a sip, eyeing me over the rim of the cup. “You look ravished,” he replied, then winked. “I like it when my wife looks that way.” Then he frowned. “You also look sad. Your eyes are dim.”
I shrugged and swallowed. It amazed me how he noticed my emotions by the color of my eyes. “Today is the anniversary of my mom’s death,” I confessed. “It still hits me hard.”
He took my hand. “You should have said something. I’ll stay home.”
“No, it’s fine, Roman. I’m going to get flowers and go to the grave later. I-I want to do that on my own.”
“Alex will go with you.” His tone brooked no argument. “And he will drive.”
I was getting used to Alex following and taking me everywhere, so I nodded in agreement.
“I would like to accompany you and pay my respects,” Roman murmured.
“I go every few months. Maybe next time? Today is just…” I wasn’t sure how to explain it. “It is personal for me, Roman.”
He studied me and nodded. “I understand.”
“I might have coffee with Vi afterward.”
“Good. She will make you smile.” He sat back. “I’ll take you out for dinner tonight. Overlooking the Falls. We’ll stay at the hotel.”
“That would be lovely.”
“I was thinking maybe we could take Nonna to Luca’s this weekend. Have a family dinner. He and I need to do some more talking, and Nonna would love to see Justine.”
“She will miss him when he moves.”
“She will. But she knows he has to make his wife happy. Justine is very close with her family, and she misses them a lot. With a baby on the way and Luca stepping back, it makes sense. Nonna can visit, and they will come here. And she has you now.” He finished his coffee. “She is incredibly fond of you, Effie.”
He stood, bending down and cupping my face to kiss me. “As am I.”
His mouth was tender, his words sincere. I gripped his wrists, enjoying the feel of his mouth on mine. “I know,” I whispered. “Roman—”
He cut me off with another kiss. “When you’re ready, Little Tiger.” He kissed me again. “Let me know when you are leaving. And if you change your mind, I will come with you.”
“Thank you.”
He pressed a kiss to my forehead and left, with one last look over his shoulder. As the door shut behind him, my shoulders dropped. He told me he loved me every chance he got. He showed me in his touches, his care. And I knew I loved him. He knew I loved him.
Why couldn’t I say it?
I poured another coffee and pulled my feet up under me. I heard the distant rumble of the car leaving the front of the house, and I knew Roman was gone. It tugged on my heart a little. Part of me wanted him to come to the cemetery with me. To have his strength beside me when I stood at my mother’s grave. I went often and laid flowers, but today felt different. Darker, more severe, and poignant. I wondered if my mom knew Marianne was dead. If she knew why. I wanted to tell her myself, alone. Part of me believed that she would know I was there and she would forgive me for any part I had in Marianne’s death. I knew how deeply Roman hated Marianne, which was why I had to do it alone. I wasn’t sure he would understand. He saw things in very black-and-white terms, and I didn’t know if he believed the ones we lost could see or hear us. I did, so I needed to do this by myself.
I waited until after lunch and the rain had stopped. I wore a pair of sturdy shoes, jeans, and a light coat against the chill of the day.
Alex drove me, and I stopped at a florist and got a bunch of lovely flowers that contained all my mom’s favorites. My hands shook as we rolled to a stop in the graveyard. Alex opened my door, and I stepped out onto the damp gravel. “I’d like to go alone.”