Page 22 of Deceptive Desires (The Syndicate #2)

Roman

Sunshine: Hey, héroe. I wanted to see if you wanted to grab dinner sometime this week?

I stare at the message for the millionth time since she sent it this morning.

I’m waiting to respond because I don’t want to seem too eager. I’m too fucking old to be playing these games, but I don’t want her to know the power she has over me. That I’d drop everything for her. That I have dropped everything for her.

Me: Hey, sunshine. Are you free Friday?

I don’t want to wait until the end of the week, but I also don’t want to have to cut our dinner short because she has work in the morning. My schedule isn’t exactly a nine-to-five, so I can work around hers.

Her answer is immediate.

Sunshine: I get off work at 5. I can be ready for 6:30.

Me: I’ll pick you up then.

I deliberate for a full minute before deciding I’m not playing texting games.

The line rings twice before she answers.

“Hey, Roman. What can I do for you?” her sweet voice flows through the phone speaker.

You could let me ravish you.

I picture her on her back, legs spread, in only those sexy panties of hers I’ve been collecting. I picture tasting from her core, breathing in her scent. I picture thrusting into her tight pussy. How she’d moan. How she’d feel. What she’d look like coming apart from my cock instead of my thigh.

“Umm… Roman?” she asks, breaking me from my fantasy.

“Sorry, sunshine. I just wanted to call and check in. See how your day’s going?”

“Oh! Thank you!” Her surprise is palpable and adorable. “My day’s going well. My favorite patient, Mrs. Orla, came in today. She baked me a French silk pie. I’m so excited to try it. She’s an excellent baker.”

“You like pie?” I ask, wanting to know her likes, dislikes, favorites… I want to know everything about her, so I can treat her and give her the perfect life.

“Yes! I have such a sweet tooth. Especially for chocolate.” Noted. “What about you? What do you like?”

I’m stunned silent for a minute.

I don’t remember the last time someone asked me something so personal. Even if it’s just as trivial as do I like chocolate. No one’s cared. I’ve never let anyone get close enough to care. But Cecilia… she cares. She asks because she wants to know.

I have to swallow past the lump in my throat to answer.

“I love chocolate too. I have a hidden sweet tooth. I don’t let myself eat it too often though.”

“Why not?” she asks, again, genuinely curious.

“I’m conscientious of my health. I don’t want to get Alzheimer’s or cancer when I’m older. I always want to be healthy enough to take care of my family.”

“Family? Do you have kids?” she sounds hesitant.

“No, sunshine. No kids yet,” I pause before adding. “But I’d like some someday.” With you. I’d like some with you someday.

“Me too. All I’ve ever wanted is a family of my own. I wouldn’t mind having half a dozen kids. A home full of love and laughter and happiness,” she says it so wistfully.

I close my eyes, and I can see it.

Our home. Full of our children. Children that are half me, half her. Sons and daughters running around. Visible proof of our love in the family we create.

It’s a newfound dream. I’ve never thought much about kids, but now that I see our future together, I know it’s all I want.

And I’ll stop at nothing to get it.