“No. I’m just watching.” He tipped back his beer. “You gonna take that shot today?”
I shook my head and willed myself to concentrate. I took the shot, and the ball wavered near the hole and stopped. “Aww too bad,” he teased and stood behind me, crowding me in. He leaned down, nuzzling my neck. “You wanna move so I can take my turn?”
He had me crowded in, but I was able to squeeze around him. He chuckled while my nerves were on edge, senses filled with him. This was a game, but it felt more like a seductive dance between the predator and his susceptible prey. Roman had a smug look as he easily knocked the next three balls in the pockets. He was going to win effortlessly at this rate. When he reared back the stick for his next shot, I casually walked by bumping the end of his stick causing him to hit the side of the cue ball and miss the target.
“Oops, sorry.” I had to fight to keep from laughing.
He slowly glanced back at me with a playful glint in his eyes. “You’ll pay for that.”
I guess my drink was starting to go to my head because I knew when I did it Roman would get his retribution, but I didn’t know how or when it would happen. I set my cup down and trailed my finger along the wooden edge of the table before lining up to take my next shot. “Maybe I’ll make you pay,” I said, leaning over, lining up my stick, and knocking a stripe in the corner pocket.
Roman watched me with a casual stance, but he ran his tongue over his bottom lip. “I’d like to see you try, Corazón.” His words came out like a sweet seduction and it seemed like we were dancing around something sensual and yet tense that soon something would have to give. I knocked in my next shot, and as I rounded the far end of the pool table, I concentrated on my next move. The only viable option was to try to bank the ball off the edge and hope it went near the corner hole. I leaned over and studied the angle I was going to take.
I heard him moving close and willed myself to focus on the game. Focus on the shot, Theodora. You got this. Suddenly, I felt the heat of his body and two large hands on either side of me as he craned over me, his chest covering my back. His rough, stubbly cheek touching mine. “I wouldn’t take that shot if I were you,” he said lightly, matter-of-factly as though trying to get in my head. As though him covering me with his body like a hot, plush blanket that smelled divine wasn’t already messing with my mind.
“If I wanted your advice, I’d ask.” I kept my eye on the white ball and nudged the end of my stick into his gut, which did nothing to make him move.
“I’m giving you my advice whether you like it or not.” His words were heavier and I felt him move in even closer if that were possible, but I guess it was because something hard pressed against my butt. I knew deep down I was going to miss this shot.
“You’re not giving me advice. You’re trying to make me miss.”
“No. I’m not trying to make you miss,” he whispered against my cheek. “I think your alignment is off.” He ran his hands over my hips. “Let me help you with that.” He pressed into me ever so subtly, and I bit my lip, holding in my breath. One hand slid over the small of my back, pushing me lower over the table. In a position better suited for something besides playing pool. “Now, I think you’re ready.” His words vibrated against my skin.
The chemistry in the air was unbearable, and the shot was forgotten. This game was a new one entirely and he was more than ready to play me and conquer. My thoughts were jumbled. “I don’t think we’re talking about the game anymore,” I got out slowly as I felt warmth pooling in my lower abdomen.
“Oh, but we are, Theodora.” The hand on my back slid around until I felt his fingers travel under the hem of my shirt, touching my bare skin. His other hand loosened my hair that was in a ponytail and strands fell around my shoulders. “That’s better,” he murmured and his fingers curled around my chin, tilting my face to his. “This is the game I prefer. This is the game I’m going to dominate.” His mouth claimed mine, and I gasped as I relished his consummation.
His lips ravished mine with possession and a need that had been building for weeks. His tongue thrust through my lips while his hand slid up my stomach until it covered my left breast. “Your heart is pounding. You want this too. Tell me you do.”
His words fell into my mouth as I dropped my stick and tried to twist my body to face him, but he held me trapped between him and the table. His teeth captured my lower lip. “Say it, Theodora.” His voice was rough. “Tell me you always wanted me and don’t fucking lie because I can read you so well. Sense your need. Your body tells the truth. It craves me, and I’ll fucking prove it.”
He was blunt as always, but his words rang true. Whatever happened in the past seemed like a small object in the rearview mirror. No matter how his father had warned me off. I didn’t care. I’d always loved him. I didn’t even give two thoughts that Taylor was in the picture at the moment. I was high on the moment and drunk on his kisses. “Roman,” I moaned as his lips traveled down my cheek to my ear.
“Say the words,” he warned huskily, taking my lobe between his teeth.
“I want you,” I exhaled shakily.
“That’s what I wanted to hear. Was it so hard to finally admit it?” He flipped me around, spreading my legs wide and closing over me until I lay prone on the pool table. “You lied before. Now it’s time to atone for your sins, Corazón.” He tugged my shirt up exposing my bra and soon my tee was pulled over my head. I could feel his erection pressed into my pelvis. His eyes were dark with lust.
“I-I never wanted to hurt you.” I palmed his cheek because I could also see there was conflict brewing on his face.
“And I never wanted to see you again after what you did, but all I can think about is you and what we had. I hate myself for it sometimes, but at this moment, I don’t fucking care anymore.” Like a man chasing his demons, he reached behind me and unclasped my bra, yanking the straps off my arms, tossing it aside. “Fuck, you’re so goddamn beautiful.” He plumped up my breasts between his hands and leaned low taking a nipple in his mouth biting down and sucking hard.
I hissed and arched into him. He kissed and licked and bit until I thought I was going to climax on that alone as he continued to press against me. I ran my fingers through his hair. “Yes, like that.”
“You like that.” Roman ran his lips over my other nipple, doing the same. “I’m going to mark you everywhere so you’ll always know you’re mine. Every fucking person will know you’re mine.” He clamped his teeth around my sensitive skin, causing me to cry out. He then lapped softly over the pain with his tongue. “Do you realize how crazy it makes me when I think about another man touching you? Much less looking at you?”
“Roman,” I moaned. It’s as though I didn’t know how to speak in complete sentences when I was around him. My thoughts were consumed with pleasure while he moved down my stomach, nibbling on my skin.
His fingers closed over the button on my shorts, unbuttoning it and drawing the zipper down. “I’ll kill a man who ever touches you.” He slid my shorts down my legs and I heard them drop to the floor.
I flushed pink as he hooked his fingers over my underwear. “Don’t be embarrassed, Theodora. Never be ashamed around me. Own your sexuality. Own this moment. Because you were always made for me.” He kissed me so profoundly, it nearly robbed me of air.