Page 40 of Deceptive Desires

I seriously don’t know how to do any of this. I’m regretting waiting on intimacy until I find my soulmate. I should’ve explored and experienced more in college. Now I’m in my twenties and haven’t even seen a man naked.

“You don’t have to tell him, but I think you should. But wait until you start getting physical. Don’t just blurt out, ‘I’m a virgin’ at dinner. That’d be oof.”

“Okay, thanks.”

A knock at the door interrupts my train of thought.

I take a deep breath. “I guess this is it.”

“It’s going to be great. Don’t worry about it,” Gracie says as she heads to her room to give us some privacy.

I open the apartment door, and there he is in all his glory.

He’s wearing a black button up with the top buttons undone, showing a tasteful amount of tattooed skin. The sleeves are folded below his elbow, exposing more tattooed, veiny flesh. His corded forearms are on display. His black slacks have to be custom made to fit his huge build. His facial hair has grown out a little longer than a five o’clock shadow. The dark stubble looks sexy. All of him looks sexy. And tempting.

My thighs clench as a wave of arousal tears through me.

His eyes are on me, gliding from my head to toes and back up again.

“Fuck, sunshine. You look enchanting. Bewitching. Ethereal.” The awe in his voice catches me off guard. “You’re a goddess.”

I’ve been called pretty, beautiful, even gorgeous, but I’ve never been called those. I’ve never been told I don’t look of this earth. My cheeks flush at the compliment, and my heart soars.

“Thank you, héroe. You look dashing,” I say, returning the compliment with one just as true.

His cheeks tinge red a little, and he smiles so cutely.

He offers me his hand, “Come on, Cecilia. It’s time for our date.”

I take his offered hand, and we exit my apartment as a happy couple.

Chapter 24

Roman

We finished eating a while ago. So long ago, our dishes have already been bussed. But we’re not in a rush to leave.

I don’t think she’s even noticed how long we’ve been here or even the disappearance of our plates, because she’s been so caught up in the conversation.

I’ve been enthralled too, but not so much that I forget my basic instincts to always be vigilant and aware. She’s too oblivious, she has no caution. But that’s okay. I’ll watch over her.

“So, what do you do?” she asks curiously.

“I work in security. My brothers and I own and run Syndicate Enterprise. It’s a private security and defense company.” The lie rolls off my tongue effortlessly even though it’s not one I have to use often. I’m not typically in a position where I’m giving my job title. The people I deal with already know who I am and what I do.

“Oh wow! That’s really impressive. It explains your build.” She blushes as though she didn’t mean for it to slip out. “I’msorry. The wine is getting to my head. I just mean you’re strong. You can carry me around easily. You have a nice, strong build.”

So, she likes my build. That’ll be my motivation at the gym this week.

I chuckle at her. She’s adorable trying to backpedal, but I heard the compliment, and I’m not forgetting it.

“I keep in shape to do my job. I’m more hands-on than my brothers.” It’s not a lie, more of a misdirection.

“I can’t believe you really are a hero in real life!” she fawns, and I try not to choke on my wine.

I can’t believe this naïve woman thinks I’m a hero. She’s so wrong, it’s absurd. But I won’t correct her. Because to her, I’ll be her hero. While for her, I’ll be a villain. I think of Leo and tighten my grip. To everyone else, I’ll be a monster. The monster all the monsters fear.

“It’s what I do,” I say grimly, then change the topic. “What do you do?” I ask despite knowing the answer.