Page 34 of Inside Out
“When gravitational waves reach the earth, the waves stretch and squeeze space. This is a tiny stretch and squeeze. Far too small to detect with ordinary human senses.”
~Kip Thorne
“The gravitational pull of the human heart surpasses any scientific explanation.”
~Julius Shepherd
It was nearly impossible to keep from checking the clock after receiving the text from Rome that he was on his way back to Blissville. I tried watching the football games on TV, but I couldn’t tell you the score or even who was playing. I also kept my ears tuned for the sound of his car pulling up outside.
The apartment I rented was above a garage and could only be accessed by walking through it, which might make many feel like they were trespassing. Wren did keep a classic car in the garage below and a ton of tools, so I was always cautious to keep the door locked. When I finally heard Rome’s car pull into the driveway and stop beside my car, I jogged down the steps and opened the outside door.
“Hey,” I said when he and Dolly reached me.
“Hey yourself,” he said warmly. I could see how badly he wanted to kiss me, so I stepped closer and met him halfway. I didn’t want there to be any hesitation between us unless we were in a place where PDA wouldn’t be appreciated.
“I wasn’t sure if I should kiss you in open view of Dare and Wren’s house,” he said, staring at my lips.
“They might not be watching.” I moved until my lips were just a breath away. If he wanted me, he would need to come and get me. “Then again, they could have the binoculars out.”
A seductive smile spread across his handsome face and he said, “Let’s give them something to gawk at then.” Rome cupped the back of my neck and pressed his lips to mine. Soft and teasing at first, but the happy sigh that escaped my parted lips spurred him on to deepen the kiss. I braced one hand on the door to hold myself up and fisted my other in his lightweight sweater. God, the man could kiss. There was something to be said about a man with more experience than me. Kissing Rome didn’t just involve my tongue and lips; every part of my body was in on the action. My heart raced, my dick throbbed, and something deeper yearned to learn everything there was to know about the man, including all the ways I could please him in bed. The last thought had me pulling back and looking at him through half-lidded eyes.
A sharply whistled catcall ripped through the silent back yard followed by clapping. Rome stepped aside, and I could see Dare looking at us through an open window. “Encore! Encore!”
Laughing, I pulled an equally amused Rome along with Dolly into the garage and closed the door behind them. “He’s a nut, but I couldn’t ask for a better landlord. Come on up,” I said, nodding toward the stairs. “You might want to carry Dolly because her little legs might have a hard time navigating the steps.”
“I was just thinking the same thing.” Rome scooped Dolly up and she licked his chin. Was it ridiculous to be jealous over a dog? He caught me watching him and grinned wickedly like he knew what I was thinking.
“Right. Follow me.”
I felt his eyes appraising my ass as I walked up the steps to the apartment, and I liked knowing I wasn’t the only one feeling the chemistry between us. I had resisted him for as long as I could, but I was no longer interested in fighting his gravitational pull. I wanted to be in his orbit, not circling it. Wow. That kind of sounded dirty. Didn’t make it less true.
“Can I get you something to drink?” I asked once we were inside my apartment. “I don’t have wine, but I have several different types of IPA from my favorite brewery.”
“Who’s your favorite?” I knew he would file the information away so he could have it on hand the next time I was at his house, just as I made a note in my phone about the cabernet he’d enjoyed the previous night.
“Four Brothers Brewery from—” Rome’s laughter interrupted me before I could finish. “What’s so funny?”
“It reminded me of the trouble I stirred at my sister’s house tonight. You wouldn’t believe the evening I had.”
“I want to hear all about it. Would you like to try one of my beers or would you prefer soda or water? Milk and cookies?”
“Is the last one an option?” Rome asked.
“If you want it to be.”
“I’d like to try your favorite beer,” he replied.
I grabbed two of the pale ales from the refrigerator and two frosty mugs from the freezer.
“I really like your apartment, Jules. It’s much bigger than I thought it would be from the outside.”
“Thanks. Dare and Wren said it had undergone a massive remodel before I rented it. Wren said it was a throwback to the seventies, but I don’t even know how bad that was.”
“Bad,” Rome said with an exaggerated shrug. “We’re talking burnt orange, avocado green, yellow, and brown. It was like the whole decade was on an acid trip. It probably had shaggy carpets too.”
I laughed at his description. “Sounds like a nightmare.”
“One that no one wants to relive.”