That One Summer: A Collection of Steamy Contemporary Romance

Chapter 11

Violet walked out ofthe library, an extra pep in her step. Last week Roman had suggested they move in together, and by the weekend they’d made it official. Today, however, they were meeting for dinner and discussing who should be the next couple Kate and Jesse sent on a date.

She had a few choices she’d like to see go on a date, and Roman had told her the same for his friends. Who they would be, however, Violet and Roman would figure out together. They needed to make sure whomever they picked would have fun, but not just for a weekend.

On the drive through the city, she thought back to the day Kate had sat down with her in the restaurant on the outskirts of LA. The idea of this moment being her new reality hadn’t even entered her mind. In fact, even though she’d hoped her date would be Roman, she’d only thought about moving on. Silly girl. Now, she couldn’t think of any place she’d rather be.

The city whipped by her, and she turned off on Sunset, heading toward La Brea. She knew Roman still had a few hours before he’d be able to leave, but surprising him at work seemed fitting since they were always trying to find new ways to keep each other on their toes. The brick two-story building with the mural on the side denoting the name of the business, LXXVIII Ink or 78 Ink, an homage to the year Roman was born.

Bright neon lights flickered on and off in the windows while customers milled around waiting to be tattooed by the guys who worked with her man. Her man. A small smile tugged at her lips as she pulled into the spot next to his bike. Getting out, she walked into the shop and headed for the back. Rock music piped through the stereo system linked throughout the shop. Chris sat at one station working on a big, burly biker, while Dave worked on a woman who giggled as he worked on a piece near her hip. Violet rolled her eyes. She continued down the hall to Roman’s station. Each artist had their own room, giving their clients a sense of privacy. As she drew closer, the sound of raised voices greeted her.

“What the hell?” Roman yelled. “I told you I don’t want you anymore. I’ve told you that several times. Fuck, I even told you after the party at Kate’s that I didn’t want to see you again. Why can’t you take no for an answer?”

“Come on, baby. You know you want to.”

Violet knew the person behind the whiny voice. Cassandra. She pushed the door open slightly on the room and saw the woman rubbing her fake boobs against Roman’s chest. Her short skirt had been hiked up, exposing her hot-pink thong.

“I told you to leave and never show your face here again,” Roman growled, removing the woman’s hands from him. “I’m happy with my girl. Don’t you get that?”

“You’re kidding, right?” Cassandra quipped before laughing. “Violet is not your type. She’s too plain,” she said; then she nipped his chin.

Violet stepped into the room. Cassandra’s fingers curled around Roman’s belt as though waiting for the perfect moment to open his pants. Oh hell no. Violet cleared her throat and walked farther into the space.

“Violet, I can explain,” he snapped.

She held up her hand and glared at the woman occupying her man’s room. “I believe he told you to leave.” Violet grabbed Cassandra by the top of her ear, uncaring of her half-dressed state. “I might be plain, and I might not be Roman’s type, but I am still a hundred times better than you.” Violet snatched Cassandra away from him and started back down the hall.

Cassandra screamed, trying to get out of Violet’s hold, but Violet didn’t let go. “You bitch, I’ll ruin you. I’ll make you pay for this!”

Dave and Chris came out of their rooms while the patrons who stood out front watched Violet. Amusement lit their eyes as she continued around the counter and into the lobby, dragging the woman behind her.

“Ruin me?” Violet laughed. “Honey, you’re a mess. You’re going after a guy who doesn’t want you. You’re a pathetic piece of trash. Go whore yourself someplace else.” She pushed the woman toward the door.

“No,” Cassandra screeched. “You’re just jealous. He doesn’t want you, and now you’re trying to save face. He asked me to suck his dick back there. Why do you think my shirt was off, huh? You’re too pathetic to see it. He’s been fucking me the whole time you two have been together.”

A few weeks ago, Violet would have fallen for what Cassandra had said hook, line, and sinker. Now she knew better. All those misconceptions she’d had about Roman had fallen to the wayside. He was kind and considerate, not self-involved or a player. Oh sure, she knew he had a reputation, but with her, he’d gone above and beyond to prove he was the right man for her. He loved her for all her quirks and insecurities. He loved her for her passion for books. For her zest for life.

“Wow,” Violet said. “Is that all you’ve got?”

“I will be back,” Cassandra screamed, stomping her foot.

Violet grabbed Cassandra’s ear again, then opened the door. “Get lost. You’re not welcome here anymore.” Someone handed Violet Cassandra’s shirt, and she threw it at her. “Later, trash.” Turning, she strolled away.

“I can explain,” he said when she spotted him by the front counter.

“Explain the hussy feeling up what’s mine?” she questioned.

“Well...”

“Fuck that.” She pulled him back down to his room and closed the door behind her, locking it. “You’re mine, and I saw a good portion of it. I know what she did.” Closing the space between them, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “The only one who gets to feel you up is me.”

“Damn straight,” he growled. Roman cupped her cheek and pressed his lips to hers.

“That’s unsatisfactory, monster geek.” She pushed him back against the chair, crushing her mouth to his. This time she dominated the kiss, taking everything, he gave her and then some. She needed to show him she believed him. That she trusted him.

“You’re in so much trouble, girl.” Grabbing her ass, he ground her against him. “Tell me, baby. Are you wearing panties under this pencil skirt of yours?”

“Yes,” she answered with a squeak. In an instant the air between them grew heavy with lust. Roman’s eyes swirled with desire as he pushed her skirt up over her hips. “Roman,” she murmured.

“That’s my name.” He pulled her sweater over her head and groaned before flipping their positions. “I love this bra.” His fingertips teased the lacy edge of the cup. “Do you know how hot it was to watch you in action? Scared the shit out of me, but turned me on.” Taking her hand in his, he pressed it against the fly of his jeans.

“No one touches you.” She shrugged, giving him a squeeze. “This is a little unfair again. Here I am missing my blouse and you’re still fully dressed.” She yanked on his tank, taking it off him. “Much better.”

“Still too many clothes,” he grunted. With a flick of his wrist, her bra fell away, and his mouth latched on to her nipple. “So fucking sweet.” While he teased and tormented her tight peaks, he ripped her panties off.

His fingers filled her in the next second, and she came off the chair. “Roman,” she cried. The first flutters of her release rolled through her. “More, give me more.”

“Hell yeah.” He groaned, adjusting the chair to the right height. Opening his pants, he pulled out his cock, then stroked himself, enjoying the way she writhed above him before lining up his dick up with her pussy. In one stroke he filled her, stretching her to the max. “Fuck!”

Violet rolled her hips, riding him as he stood there. She needed a hard fuck as much as he did. Cupping her breasts, she squeezed them, lifted them to his mouth. He readily took from her, sucking and nipping at her flesh. The way he manipulated her body drove her insane. Intense pleasure coursed through her in heady waves, threatening to pull her under. She loved these moments with Roman. He could make her forget the world around her.

His pace quickened. He nibbled on the sensitive skin behind her ear while his warm breath feathered across her neck. Goose bumps broke out on her body when he moaned. “Take me,” she whispered, running her hand down his back.

The wanton part of her that he’d created the first night they were together came out to play with the man she loved. He shifted his hips, tipping her upward slightly, and slipped deeper into her pussy. His pelvis ground against her clit, sending shards of bliss crashing through her. She cried out, digging her fingernails into his shoulders. His thrusts grew more frantic as he muttered her name over and over again.

Overwhelming sensations bombarded her. She trembled in his arms. He fit his hand between them, swiping her clit with his middle finger. She gasped. He continued to rub the tiny nub until she thought he’d drive her crazy.

“Come, baby. Get my dick wet,” he snarled, pushing down on her clit.

Violet shattered. She screamed his name, bucking against him. She rode out the waves of her release as he slammed into her one last time and let go. He grunted, grinding their hips together, which set her off again. Her pussy rippled around him, stealing her breath. She collapsed into the chair, panting for air. When she’d decided to visit Roman at work, she hadn’t counted on office sex, but damn if she didn’t want to do it again.

“Wow,” she whispered.

“Indeed.” He gave a breathless chuckle. “So, besides taking out the trash, to what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you here?”

“I was going to ask you to dinner and to discuss the date we need to plan,” she answered, running her fingers through his hair.

“Sounds good.” He pulled out of her. “How about you go upstairs and get into my bed? I’ll be up there as soon as I can.”

“That’s not a dinner date.” She laughed.

“It will be when I’m done.” Kissing her once more, he stuffed himself into his pants and stepped back. “I’ve got about another two hours before I can take off. How about you order in, and we’ll watch a movie and discuss this date?”

“You’re on.”

* * * *

Several hours later, Roman wrapped Violet in his arms as they watched a movie in his bed. When she’d stormed into his shop and kicked Cassandra out, he hadn’t known what to do. At first, he’d expected to see a crying woman demanding to know if he’d used her. Instead, she’d fought for him. She’d made her position known to everyone in the shop, including the woman who didn’t take no for an answer.

“I thought of someone to offer the date to,” he murmured against her temple.

“Me too,” she replied, snuggling into his side. “Why don’t you go first?”

“Chris,” he stated.

“Nice choice. My pick will complement him,” she said before kissing his chest. “I choose Melody.”

“Oh hell.” He chuckled. “She’s like a dog with a bone when it comes to him. This should be interesting.”

“She’s only like that because she’s interested in him.” She shrugged. “She’s had a hard life. Even though Melody doesn’t act like she is attracted to him, she is.”

“Great. So, what’s the point, then? Conquer her fears?”

“Kind of. I think she also needs to get over something that happened almost twenty years ago, you know?” Her fingers ran through the coarse hairs of his chest. “She likes him. She’s just afraid to trust herself and him.”

“I think he likes her too, but...” He sighed. “Chris has abandonment issues. It makes him come off as a prick. It’s his story to tell when he’s ready. However, he’s looking for something to call his. With Melody, he can achieve what he wants. Do you think he’ll get his forever with Melody?”

“I think so. I hope both of them together can find love.” She kissed Roman and sighed. “Now, where are we going to send them?”

“Hmm. I don’t know. Where do you think she’d like to go?” Trailing his fingers up her arm, he stared down at his girl and still couldn’t believe his luck.

“England. She loves history and stuff. Actually”—her cheeks turned a deep shade of pink—“I found something that will showcase his talent and give them a chance to have some fun.”

“You’ve got my curiosity piqued. Spit it out.”

“There is a tattooing contest over in London. It lasts a week, that’s the only downside. I thought it would give them time to explore London while also boosting his confidence and teaching Melody to stop dwelling on the negative bullshit in life and smell the flowers. Away from us, she’ll have to learn how to stand up and move forward with her life. If she happens to fall in love with Chris, so be it.”

“I like it,” he answered. “You’re right. It’s time for both of them to grow and move on. I think the boost in his confidence will do him good, and it’ll open him up to new adventures.”

“Kind of like us.” She straddled his waist. Leaning down, she kissed his lips.

“Yep,” he agreed. He rubbed his thumb against her stomach. “Now that you’re up there, what are you going to do?”

She took his cock into her hand and stroked him before she positioned him at her pussy and sat down on him. “This,” she said, rolling her hips.

“Mmm, I like this. I love you, Violet.”

“I love you too, Roman. Always.”