Page 18 of Loving Roman (The Summer Twins #3)

“Not at all. I just wanted to check in with you, if that’s okay?” I keep my tone light and friendly. No point in coming in with guns blazing. Especially when he was trying to protect the honor of the girls in his group home.

Roman takes a seat on the long couch, patting the cushion next to him. “Sit down, Jack. Alice needs to chat with you about what happened at school. You’re not in any more trouble. Okay?” Jack sits close to Roman, and their comfort with each other is obvious in their small gestures of support.

Jack nods and then looks toward me. “Roman filled me in on what happened, but I’d like to hear about it from you. Can you start from the beginning for me, please?”

He nods and starts to tell me everything from the beginning, with Roman’s encouragement.

I can’t help but feel proud of him for dealing with the situation; however, physical violence can’t be condoned from a professional standpoint.

Personally, I want to high-five the kid and celebrate his strong moral code.

I record everything in my notes and then speak with Evelyn and Ivy to get their take. Jack is clearly their hero for defending their honor in this scenario, and I agree with them one hundred percent—internally. I need to be careful not to outwardly show it, though.

The way Roman shows his caring soul as he supports each of the kids as they share their stories fills my heart with warmth. I could tell he was a good soul when we met. It’s why I felt safe enough to let go and live in the moment with him.

Roman walks me out. “So, what happens now?” He runs his hands through his hair again. Inwardly, I’m starting to recognize his nervous habits. He loves these kids, and he’s obviously concerned about Jack.

“Well, tomorrow, I’ll meet with the school. Then I’ll put my report together for my boss.” He opens his mouth as if to speak, but I cut him off. “And no, I won’t be able to tell you what the school says about the situation.”

He huffs out a frustrated breath and jams his hands into his hips, dropping his head to look at the wooden boards beneath his feet. “I know you can’t. Can you at least tell me how you think this will affect Jack in the long term?”

“Look, this will have to be noted on his record.” He tries to interrupt me, so I hold up my hand to stop him. “But, after gathering the information from Jack, Ivy, and Evelyn today, I don’t foresee anything drastic coming from this.” I rest my hand on his arm. “I don’t think you need to worry.”

Roman steps in closer to me as a fancy sports car pulls up in front of us.

He stops, retreating from me, causing my hand to drop.

A striking woman with the most gorgeous red hair I’ve ever seen climbs out of the passenger side, and an equally stunning man exits from the other side.

Roman smiles at them and makes his way forward, leaving me standing in place on the front porch.

With arms open wide, he engulfs the woman in a bear hug. “Kate. Oliver. Who told you?” They separate, and he steps forward to shake the man’s hand. This must be the billionaire Oliver Stone, and Kate, the volunteer Gloria told me about.

“It doesn’t matter who told me. It matters that you didn’t.” Kate swipes at Roman playfully.

“I didn’t want to worry you. The kids are okay, and apart from the suspension, Jack shouldn’t get in too much trouble.” He looks back toward me over his shoulder with raised eyebrows, as though he’s asking, ‘Right?’.

Kate and Oliver notice me on the porch. “Oh, hi. Sorry, I didn’t see you there. I’m Kate, and this is my husband, Oliver. We volunteer here every Saturday.”

I take the three steps down to greet the couple. “Hi, I’m Alice.” As soon as I say my name, Kate’s eyes snap toward Roman. “The new social worker.”

“Jack isn’t going to get into trouble with the department, is he? He was only protecting the girls he thinks of as his sisters.” The creases between her eyes, and the tension around her mouth portray her concern for Jack.

Oliver steps in, wrapping a protective arm around his wife’s shoulder, and tugs her close to his body.

“Sunshine, take a breath. I’m sure everything’ll be okay.

” He looks toward me, his features drawn tight.

“Right, Alice?” His tone switches from gentle and coaxing to one that is rather intimidating.

Roman moves closer to me, and I welcome his proximity.

“Alice had to check on the situation, but after speaking with the kids, she doesn’t think anything will come of it.

” He places his hand on my lower back, and Kate’s eyes follow the movement.

Her eyebrows rise, and a hint of a smile touches her lips.

“I’ll do my best to ensure Jack’s situation doesn’t get out of hand.

I can see he’s a good kid. I’m certain everything will be just fine.

” I need to get away from Kate and Oliver’s scrutiny.

“I must get going. I have questions to get ready for my interview with the school tomorrow.” I turn to Roman.

“I’ll contact you if I need anything else.

” I turn back to Kate and Oliver. “It was lovely to meet you both.” I walk a couple of steps away from the trio. “Enjoy your evening.”

I click my seatbelt into place as my car door opens, and Roman fills the space. He crouches down so we’re at eye level. “Am I still gonna see you in two weeks?” His words rush out along with his breath.

I don’t want to make promises I’m unsure I can keep.

I want, more than anything, to pick up where we left off.

Watching him with the kids solidifies my first impressions of him, but I’m not who he thinks I am.

I’m rigid in my schedule; boring in daily life.

I keep to myself and stick to the rules.

I don’t have affairs with random men while on vacation.

“I’m not sure it’s such a great idea, to be honest.”

His face falls, disappointment wafting off of him in waves. I feel an immediate need to soothe him, but we have an audience. “Clearly, I misread the cues. I’m sorry if I’ve made you uncomfortable.” He moves to stand, but I stop him with my hand on his hard thigh.

I could use my job as the reason we shouldn’t see each other outside of our professional roles, but I need to be honest with him.

I need him to understand I’m not the woman he thinks I am.

“Roman. You never made me feel uncomfortable. In fact, for the first time in a very long time, you made me feel seen, desirable even. You didn’t misread anything.

I feel this thing between us, too. It’s just that …

” I look out the windshield and back at him.

“The woman you met on vacation isn’t really who I am.

I’m not spontaneous, and I don’t fall into bed so easily with a man I’ve just met.

I’m a serious, rigid person who follows the rules and thrives routine.

I’m not exciting, nor am I interesting—” He leans forward, cutting off my diatribe wi th a press of his lips to mine, and I open to him immediately.

I’ve missed him so much.

His taste, his touch, his warmth.

It’s like coming in out of the cold.

A throat clears nearby, and we startle apart.

Roman stands abruptly, his crotch at eye level, and it’s a spectacular sight.

I remember how he felt in my hand, and I should feel embarrassed that we’ve been caught in such a compromising position, but I can’t find it in me to care.

I’m dizzy from his kisses, and I’ve missed him more than I’m comfortable admitting.

“We can watch the kids and make dinner if you guys wanna spend some time together.” Kate kindly offers.

Roman looks down into the car at me with eyebrows raised, asking me the silent question.

I’m unsure whether these people have clearance to watch the kids outside their scheduled volunteer hours.

He crouches back down into my space, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear.

“Kate and Oliver looked after the kids while I was on vacation. They have approval from the higher-ups. I would love to use this opportunity to take you to dinner, but I don’t want to pressure you.

I know you’re feeling uncertain.” He kisses the crook of my neck.

“But, Alice. I’m aware there are parts of you I don’t know, just as there are parts of me you don’t know.

The one thing I do know is that I want to spend more time getting to know you .

Every part of you. Not just the person I met on vacation. ”

How can I refuse?

I nod, swallowing past the rock-sized lump in my throat. “Okay.”

Roman raises his eyebrows at my easy acquiescence, and I allow myself to be in the moment and enjoy his company—much the way I did on vacation.

A smile spreads and a giggle escapes as he punches the air as though he’s won the lottery.

He undoes my seatbelt and pulls me out of the car, wrapping me in his arms.

“Thanks, guys. Let’s go inside, so I can tell the kids I’m going on a date.”

Whaaat?

My world screeches to a halt.

They can’t know. Nobody can know. I don’t want to lose my job—I’m reasonably sure this is inappropriate.

I pull on his hand to stop him. “We can’t tell the kids we’re going out.

What if they tell Marcus, and Marcus tells my boss?

” I look between Kate, Oliver, and Roman.

My heart’s thumping in a panicked rhythm, and I struggle to take a full breath.

Shit, Oliver’s the major financial supporter of the foundation. He could easily have me removed from my position.

He stops. Studies me closely, then nods sharply. “Okay. You wait out here. I’ll be back out in a minute.” He presses a hard kiss on my lips and vanishes inside.

Kate looks at me, eyebrows raised, a ghost of a smile on her pretty lips. “So, you’re Alice.” She nods to herself, then looks up at her husband, nudging him with her elbow. “ This is Alice.”

“Yeah.” He smiles down at her. “I got that.”

“ The Alice.” Now I’m worried about what she knows.

“Uh, did Roman tell you about me?” As she’s about to answer, the kids come barreling out of the front door—wide smiles on every single one of their faces.

They greet Kate and Oliver like they’re rock stars, and it’s wonderful to watch.

Normally, kids in their situation don’t have much to smile about, but these kids are doing remarkably well considering their backgrounds.

And I get the impression Roman has a lot to do with that.