Page 76 of DadBod

ELIZABETH

What is happening? Is this real?

These are the thoughts rolling around in my head on the way to my apartment. It’s just Rome and me. Calvin stayed back with Ryann to eat breakfast and get ready for our outing. Ryann started to protest, until I told her we were going to the animal shelter. She didn’t jump for joy, but for once, she didn’t argue. That has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Charlie, the dog from the shelter. That’s fine with me. I’m glad she’s willing to go back. It sounds to me as though Charlie needs a friend as much as Ryann does.

By the time Rome pulls into a spot on the street near my apartment, I realize that neither one of us has said a word to each other the entire ride over. I know why I’ve been quiet, but his reason concerns me. Does he regret kissing me? I hope not, because I don’t regret it. Hell, I want it to happen again.

“Be right back.” I open my door just as he opens his. I don’t tell him he doesn’t have to come with me because it’d be pointless; Rome has decided he’s going. Pushing open the door to my building, he snaps, “There’s no lock on the front door?”

“It’s broken.”

“Does your landlord know?”

“There’s a building manager, and yes, he knows.” We’ve all complained about the lock on the front door, but so far, he’s done nothing.

Rome grumbles something, but I ignore it, focusing on walking up the several flights of stairs with the man of my dreams right behind me. All I can think about is the fact that my big butt is right in front of his face.

Don’t think about it, Beth.

At my door, I unlock the knob and the deadbolt. “At least you have two locks that work.”

I want to roll my eyes, but I get why he’d be concerned. He’s just that kind of man––protective, a bit alpha.

Pushing open the door, I wait for him to enter first, but he shakes his head. Moving in, I take a quick glance about to make sure there’s nothing embarrassing lying about. I don’t know why there would be: I’m never here anymore, except to sleep.

When I hear the door shut, I turn to say, “I’d offer you something, but––” I’m about to explain that I have nothing here but water, when his hands slide around me and his mouth is on mine again. Just like before, his hands are on my ass as his tongue seeks out mine.

“Fuck, baby,” he whispers in my ear. I feel the scruff of his beard on my cheek. I’m in sensation overload. “I’ve wanted you for as long as I can remember.”

“You have?” He has? Was Jeriann right?

“Jesus, yes.”

I feel myself being lifted off the ground. I do the only thing I can: I wrap my arms around his neck and hold on tight. He spins me around until my back is against something hard. And right there, this is the fantasy I’ve had for months, hell, years. My back against a wall and Rome doing all sorts of wonderful things with his mouth.

Dreams do come true.

I feel him and all of him is hard. Wrapping my legs around his hips, I feel it there too. When he presses himself into me, I nearly choke with the pleasure of it. Even through my jeans, it’s making my body tingle and my eyes roll back into my head. I do my best to get closer, which he seems to understand. While he presses his hard you-know-what into me, we’re making out like teenagers in a drive-in movie. We’re all hands and mouths. I get my fingers into his dark hair, something I’ve wanted to do forever, and sigh at the texture. His hair is thick and soft.

“Is this okay, honey?” His palm has discovered my breast, on the outside of my shirt. Part of me wants to rip off my top, but the other part, the one who’s always been a scaredy-cat, wants to say no. I don’t get the chance to do either thanks to the knock on my door.

“Who the hell is that?” Rome’s voice sounds a tad angry.

“Hey, bitch. You in there?”

Crap. “It’s Jeriann.” Her timing could’ve been better.

“I hear you in there. You’d better open up and tell me where you were last night.”

With a tap on his shoulder, Rome sets me on my feet. My unsteady feet. Hell’s bells, that man knows how to kiss.

“Hang on, honey.” I glance at Rome, who’s doing his best to disguise the bulge in his slacks.

Attempting to help, I point to the bookshelf. “Pretend you’re looking at my books.”

Shockingly, he listens and does it. At the door, I take in a big gulp of air and pull the door open.

“Where the hell…” The second she sees Rome, she stops talking. For a second anyway. “Oh, hey, Boss.”