Page 29

“Tell your parents I apologize,” I expressed.

“They’re away on vacation. By the time they return, Leo will be as good as new.”

“Send me the veterinarian bill.”

“I won’t do such a thing, Rome. My sister will get him together.”

“I ju–”

“Next subject, love. I don’t care how cute and convincing you sound, you’re not paying for his medical expenses. He fucked around and he found out. Maybe that’ll keep his paws on the floor when he encounters people.”

Chuckling, I nodded. “He is a big guy.”

“He’s solid. My father has him on a raw diet. Nadia and I are on duty while our parents are in France for the next two weeks.”

“Such a beautiful place.”

Saint nodded as we made a sharp left, heading to my home. He halted at the dial box, pressing a few numbers before we continued.

7203

I made a mental note of the digits he’d pressed. I wondered if they had any significance or if they were a simple combination his mother had decided on. Hand-in-hand, we continued down the road until we approached my home. With Koen and Augusti ahead of us, our stop at the gates was brief.

As we neared the door, my breath got caught in my chest. I pulled the skin of my bottom lip into my mouth and began rolling it between my teeth. Saint’s feet were the first to halt. Mine didn’t stop moving, not even when I pushed into my home.

I unzipped the jacket I was wearing and twisted the knob of the coat closet. The single AirPod fell from my ear, landing in my hand. Just as quickly as I’d forgotten, I remembered I was missing the other. I hung the jacket on an empty hanger as I released a heavy stream of air.

I was a mess. Up top and down below. An entire zoo of animals and insects swarm my stomach. I placed my hand against my chest to steady my heartbeat.

Get it together, baby. Chemistry’s voice coaxed me to a safer, more familiar place.

I closed the closet door. Collecting myself felt like a pointless mission as amber eyes appeared behind it. Startled and comforted by Saint’s presence, simultaneously, my lips straightened. My jaws fluffed. And my lids met each other halfway.

“Your AirPod.”

Saint’s voice touched unreachable places. Places I didn’t know existed.

“That playlist–” he paused to invade my personal space, “Send that to me.”

His hands rounded my cellphone, making it look smaller than it truly was. Saint was massive. His presence. His body. His light. Him . All of him.

He turned the phone around to bypass the request for a security code with my Face ID. I observed, silently, as he toyed with the screen.

My Saint . He saved his contact. His choice of words made my stomach flip.

Once.

Twice.

Three whole times .

He placed the phone up to his ear after pressing the contact he’d just created. His phone vibrated in his hand. He ignored the call and then ended it from my cell. Once he reached his call log, he tapped the missed call log.

Aliza (5).

Aliza (2).

Aliza (8).

Aliza (3).

The amount of missed calls from the same contact was alarming. I chose to remain silent while mentally noting my observation.

“My pursuit has begun because I am a free man, Rome. Not exactly, but in almost every sense of the word.”

“I haven’t said an–”

“But, you’re thinking it. Should there be any confusion on your end, ask and I will clarify it. You strike me as a woman who thrives off clarity. I have no problem making sure you have it in every situation you approach with me. Always. Understood, Rome?”

I swallowed back the air that had gotten caught in my throat. With a nod, I responded. Words weren’t available at the moment.

“I’d like the privilege of hearing your voice,” he expressed, “Whether you’re two or two hundred thousand feet away.”

He finished saving my contact and peered down at me through hazy eyes. His lids were lower. His voice was softer.

“That won’t be an issue for you, will it?”

I shook my head. “No.”

He smiled, pressing my phone against his chest.

“The way you’re not willing to break my heart so soon is– It’s– I don’t know. I’m fucking with it.”

He handed over my cell. It was warm to the touch.

Just like me .

“My Rome?”

“You said I was yours, huh?” He reminded me.

“I did.”

“From my head to my soles, right?”

I nodded, feeling the smile creep up my face. Slowly, it began at my chin.

“Yes.”

“I’m as confident as you in my beliefs that you belong to me, too. From your head to your soles. You’re not the exception in this situation, Rome. I knew it when everyone but you disappeared on that stage. So, yes. My Rome.”

He pointed at my head. Then lowered his index finger.

“My lips.”

He continued lowering his finger.

“My heart.”

He grazed my bare skin.

“My womb.”

His index finger met my throbbing mound. I destroyed what was left of my panties. My nostrils widened with desire.

My arousal was loud and obnoxious. I could smell my purring cat from down below. Without doubt, I knew he could smell my yearning too.

“Mine–” he proclaimed.

I blinked rapidly, trying to rid my eyes of the weight from the lust I was consumed with.

“All mine.”

He gestured, moving his hand up and down my body without touching it.

“Understood?”

I inhaled, deeply. Then, I immediately exhaled.

“The verdict is still out,” I confessed, feeling as though I was regaining my power.

“Fair enough. It won’t be for much longer. Mark my words.”

Saint took a few steps back, giving me personal space that I hadn’t asked for but was truly grateful to have again. I watched as he continued toward the door, never taking his eyes off me.

“Answer when I call, Rome.”

I nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Yes, baby . That sounds muc–”

“Yes, baby,” I spat out without thinking.

Saint’s smile widened. His ego had inflated much bigger than his head.

“There you go.”

“Goodbye, Saint.” I chuckled, loosening up.

“That sounds too final. I’ll see you later, love.”

His words gripped me by the throat, silencing me. With my lips attempting to touch my ears and my hands pressed against my body for comfort, I watched him exit my home.

See you later, love . I repeated in my head.

The sound of the plane’s engine was invigorating. I climbed the stairs, ending my ascend in the main cabin of the aircraft. Beyond the polished doors was the sleeping quarters. It wasn’t often I rested my body against the plush mattress and fresh linen, but the bed was whispering my name.

Uninterested in parting ways with the women I shared blood with, I settled into my designated seat. We all had a favorite on the twenty-four passenger plane. My body’s weight dented the cushion as my head rested against it. I pushed the button beside my chair to lower the back of it.

My eyes were closed before the door of the plane. Exhaustion was weighing me down. Being back on stage had its advantages and disadvantages. Nevertheless, I was thankful for the opportunity to feel the wood underneath my pointe shoes again.

“Here, Ro.”

Roaman’s hovering presence pulled my lids apart. She lowered a blanket onto my body and spread it across my limbs. Simultaneously, the back of her hand landed on my forehead. My brows furrowed in confusion.

“What is it?”

“You’re fatigued, baby. I sensed it the moment you walked out of your house. Have you been getting your rest?”

“Yes. As much as I can, anyway.”

“You need more. And, more fluids. Your body is working harder than it’s ever worked after a five-year hiatus. I need you to take care of yourself or I will.”

“I am,” I assured her.

A yawn ripped through my face.

“Get some rest. I’ll wake you up when we arrive.”

“Thank you.”

I closed my eyes, pressing the side of my face into the seat.

Bzzzt.

Bzzzt.

Bzzzt.

“Not you ready to crash and we just boarded,” Roulette teased.

Feeling as though rest wouldn’t be possible, I opened my eyes again.

“Leave her alone, Rou. She needs to rest. She’s tired.”

“Like she's been getting dicked down all night. Girl, get up.” She chuckled.

“Rou–” Roaman warned.

I opened my phone, finding Saint’s name in my message box. Naturally, I deepened my position and cradled my phone closer. My bottom lip rolled between my teeth.

“That man got your little head i–”

“Rou,” I pleaded, “Privacy please.”

She lifted both hands and pushed forward.

“Alright. I’m done,” she lied, “ For now .”

My Saint is now sharing their location with you .

The first message of our thread was a notification from iPhone. Baffled and intrigued at once, I read the line six more times before moving on to the next one.

Tell me something good.

My smile reached my eyes as I went over the message a few times. My read receipt was on, so I knew that Saint saw the moment I opened his message.

Though facing fatigue, your message has refueled me. I replied.

The fingernail of my thumb tapped against my teeth as I watched the gray bubble appear.

Are you dehydrated? Well-rested? Stressed?

Where are you?

It’s likely I’m neither. And, I’m taking off. Landing in about forty-five minutes.

That’s why. He replied.

That’s why?

I felt my heart break a few minutes ago. It must’ve felt you sneaking off.

Sneaking off? I chuckled.

Where are you headed?

Shopping.

A forty-five minute flight to go shopping? I’m intrigued. Special place.

Special people.

Understood.

Tell me something good.

The gray bubble appeared and then disappeared. Then, it appeared again. I waited with my thumb against my teeth. Seconds passed before the bubble disappeared.

By the time it reappeared, my head was against the seat again and I was snuggled up in the cover. I watched the screen intently, anticipating his response.

Saturday.

Seven.

Is this your way of asking me on a date, Mr. De Bacco?

Is there a question mark behind either of those texts Ms. Mellow?

I blinked rapidly, trying my hardest to confirm the words at the end of the text although they were abundantly clear. The signs that Saint was created specifically and especially for me were so profound. They left little room for wonder.

No.

Because I haven’t asked a question.

Saturday.

Seven.

Then Saturday at seven it is.