Chapter Thirteen #2
“Are you?” I ask, and he slides his arm around my waist and pulls me against his side.
“I will always be impatient to have you.” He kisses my forehead. “But you need time, and I understand that. I’m enjoying the journey.” The light blinks off, and he tightens his grip. “Sleep, my Mara. I got you.”
I’m warm. Satisfied. Safe.
Rome won’t let anything hurt me.
Rome was reluctant to leave me, but I insisted that he see his parents.
They had been calling his phone and getting more impatient by the minute.
He didn’t tell them what happened after we left the restaurant, and I knew they needed to see him to be assured that he was fine.
Lace was already at the store by the time we woke up, which wasn’t surprising since it was nearing noon.
Rome wanted to stay in the rest of the day and didn’t think I needed to go to work.
I need some normalcy after the events of the night and morning.
I’m still reeling from killing Ryan and the mind-blowing experience with Rome.
I keep my hands busy, stacking books in the order I need to put them away.
Why am I still stalling to bond with him?
He makes me feel good. I know he is a good man, sexy, and trustworthy.
Maybe it is the fear of the unknown. I don’t know exactly how completing the soul bond will work.
From what I do know, it won’t hurt. Being tied to someone forever is a big commitment.
We can’t sever our ties once it happens.
I frown. Perhaps I don’t want him to have any regrets.
I stand quickly when I hear the bell over the door ding.
We don’t have continuous business, so when we are slow, there are books to sort.
With our small staff, the bell was the best way to alert us to customers.
A man is hovering around the checkout counter as I come out of the shelves.
He’s wearing a suit, and his gaze is narrowed, looking behind the register.
“Can I help you?” I ask, and his head snaps my way. I glance at the door to the back room. Lace is with a client, so I know I’m not alone, but his presence makes my skin crawl. There is nothing about him, except the curious way he studies me, that should make me leery.
“Is this your store?” he asks as I go behind the counter.
“I’m part owner,” I say.
“I have a question,” he starts, and my stomach churns.
“About?” I ask sharply, unable to help the tension that comes over me.
“My friend is missing.” I try to keep my face from showing my alarm.
“I can’t find him. I went to his house, and the only thing I could find was a receipt.
” He pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket.
“He came to this bookstore the last day I saw him. I wondered if you remembered him.” He holds it out, expecting me to take it.
I didn’t wear my gloves. Rome isn’t here, and I haven’t tested out my touch without him.
I lean over and read the name. Jerry’s name is clearly on it, as I assumed it would be.
“Sorry, I don’t remember him.” I drop back and try not to fidget under his intense stare.
“Do you have cameras here? I could describe him.” He steps forward, and I don’t move. Do not show any fear.
“Unfortunately, we don’t.” I smile, but I know he can see it’s forced.
“That’s a shame. We’re good friends, and I would hate for him to be hurt.
” He slaps the receipt against his palm, looking around.
“I didn’t think he was a book kind of guy.
” I bite my tongue. My eyes flare as a black film appears around the man; my spells are warning me.
He makes me feel yucky; I don’t need to touch him to know something is off with him.
“I’m sorry, I wish I could help,” I lie, and he focuses on my face.
“Jerry was great with women. I’m sure he would have flirted with you.” He grins sickly, and I swallow.
“I would remember a man who flirted.” If I have to spell him in some way, I will. He is more defenseless than I am. Rome is going to be pissed that he left me alone. He takes my safety seriously, and this man is definitely a threat.
“Do others work here? Maybe they saw him.” No way will I let him question Lace.
“There are, but we keep a small staff. No one else was working that day,” I say firmly.
“I didn’t tell you what day it was,” he says, glaring.
“The date is on the receipt.” I lift my eyebrows, trying to look innocent. We don’t need trouble from him, but he’s determined.
“Of course,” he mumbles, looking at it. When he looks up, his body relaxes, and he leans closer. He’s trying a different tactic. “What’s your name?” I don’t want to answer him, but it would look more suspicious if I don’t.
“Mara.” My tight smile is back, and I slide my hands in my pockets. I get the feeling that if he touched me, I would throw up.
“Beautiful name,” he hums, looking down my body.
I shiver, and not in the good way Rome makes me.
This is a prime example of the shit women, whether human or not, deal with every time they leave their house.
Luckily, I am not human. My magic is growing, and I’m tempted to test out my fire skills on him and deal with the repercussions later.
“Thank you,” I say stiffly. We don’t need to draw attention to our business or ourselves. I have to play nice. Witches live in the shadows for a reason.
“Yeah,” he breathes, staring at my chest. “Jerry would have loved you. He was between girlfriends, so there is no way he would have passed up the opportunity.” He touches the tip of his tongue to the corner of his mouth and drags his eyes up to mine.
“He liked blondes, though. Me, I love long black hair.” I grind my teeth.
Fuck. I want to kill him. My body is filling with pent-up magic, ready and willing to set him ablaze.
“His neighbors saw him come home. His car is still in the garage.” He tilts his head.
What the fuck is this guy? He won’t let it go.
“It’s sad. Did you report his disappearance?” I don’t want him to, but I need to say all the right things.
“He hasn’t been gone long enough.” He taps his fingers on the surface, and my gaze flicks down. “We miss him at the office. He was one of our best.”
“Sorry, I wish I could help.” Shit, didn’t I already say that? I try to remember who Lace is inking, and if it’s a man. I don’t want him to see my sister. He lifts his hand.
“I bet your hair is as soft as it looks,” he says as the front door opens, and I jump back.
“I can guarantee it is. My fist was full of it last night as she sucked my cock.” I blink and stare at Rome. “You need to step the fuck back,” he growls, rounding the counter to get to me. My mouth opens in shock as he pulls me into his side.
“A bit possessive,” the man mumbles.
“You have no idea,” Rome hisses, and I snap my mouth shut.
“Rome, his friend Jerry is missing.”
Rome keeps his eyes on the threat.
“So he decided to take a break from the search to flirt?”
I press my lips together, knowing it would be inappropriate to laugh.
“Take it easy. She’s a beautiful woman.”
“I know. She's my woman, and I don’t appreciate men who think they can fuck her.” Rome releases me and steps forward. “Is your friend here?”
“No.” He frowns. “He came here before he disappeared.”
“That’s unfortunate. If he bought a book, he didn’t have time to read it before he went missing.” I drop my head to Rome’s back, biting my lip. “He probably stopped at other places too. I wish you luck finding him.” He reaches back and grips my hip. “Did my woman answer your questions?”
“Yes,” he bites out.
“Then why are you still here? Do you like reading?”
I peek around him when the bell rings again. Oh, no.
“Mara, is there a problem?” Cameron asks, and I groan.
“Of course,” Rome mutters, dropping his head back.
“Uh…no.” I glance at Rome, and he straightens.
“You're done here.” He points at Jerry’s friend. “You.” He points at Cameron. “Are you here for a book?”
“Well…yeah,” Cameron responds.
“Great. Shop.” Rome glares at the other man. “Why are you still here?” He stares at us for a moment, and Rome drops his arms, making him rethink any more questions. He backs away, turning at the last second before he hits the door, then escapes through it, slamming it shut behind him.
“Mara—” Cameron takes a step forward.
“I have Mara. She can’t help you look for anything,” Rome snaps, and I see anger light Cameron’s eyes. He nods reluctantly and moves toward the back aisle. “My Mara,” he sighs, turning and cupping my face. “It’s going to be fine.”
“You told him I sucked your cock,” I inform him.
“Yeah, probably shouldn’t have said that,” he mumbles, stroking his thumbs across my cheeks. “Are you pissed?”
“No,” I say slowly, tilting my head. “I kind of liked it.” Oddly, it was a public claim, and it stirred emotions that I’ll analyze later.
“Good to know,” he hums.
“He’s suspicious,” I whisper.
“He won’t find anything.”
“But what if he comes back?” I never want to see him again.
“Then we deal with him,” he says softly.
“I don’t like him. He reminds me of Jerry.”
“Did you see his aura?” he asks, sliding his hands down to grasp my hands.
“Yes. It felt sick.” I cringe. “He doesn’t know anything, but he seems like he does.”
“Did Lace see him?”
“No. She’s with a customer.” I glance at the still shut door.
“You protected her,” he murmurs, and I shrug. “We can deal with anything. If he returns, we’ll push back.”
“That wasn’t pushing back?” I laugh.
“That was man shit. He thinks I was protecting my woman from a man who was flirting badly. Don’t worry.” He kisses me softly. “I’ve got you.”
“I know.” I smile.
“Uh…I don’t want to interrupt,” Cameron says.
“Then don’t,” Rome says, looking over his shoulder.
“Stop,” I hiss and step around him. “Did you find what you wanted?”
“I think so.” He places a history book on the counter. “It would have been easier if I had help.” My brows shoot up at the soft dig toward Rome.
“Is that the book you were looking for?” Rome asks.
“Yes.”
“That wasn’t hard to find.” He smirks, and I’m beginning to see the temper his family keeps talking about. I can’t help but find it humorous.
“How are classes going?” I ask, ringing up his purchase.
“Very well,” he says smoothly and glances at my hands. He’s never seen me without gloves, so I’m not shocked that he noticed. “You should come take a tour. It’s a beautiful building. You would enjoy it.” Rome’s spells begin leaking out.
“I don’t have the time,” I say quickly, handing him the bag. I grab Rome’s hand. “I appreciate the offer, though.”
“Who was that man?” Cameron asks.
“No one important,” Rome snaps.
“Mara, could I speak to you alone?” he persists.
“No,” Rome answers.
“She can speak for herself,” Cameron says, frowning.
“She can,” Rome says, caressing my arm. “My Mara, do you want to be alone with Cameron?”
“Rome is my boyfriend, Cameron,” I sigh. “I don’t hide anything from him.”
“Forget it,” he grits out. He grabs his bag and leaves quickly.
“I don’t like him,” Rome mumbles.
“Yeah, I got that,” I say, and turn to face him.
“I think I held my temper rather well.” He grins, and I widen my eyes.
“Really?” I chuckle.
“I didn’t drain the life out of either of them. Fuck, I wanted to.” He pushes me against the counter and cages me in. “My spells were ready.”
“I could tell,” I whisper, putting my palms on his chest.
“I think I should be rewarded for my restraint.” He dips his head, placing his forehead against mine.
“You do, do you,” I tease, biting my lip.
“Yeah,” he rasps.
“What do you think you deserve?” I ask.
“A kiss at the very least,” he says softly.
“At the most?” I tip my head back so I can look into his eyes.
“That would be inappropriate at work.” He lifts his hand and pulls my shirt over my shoulder, kissing the new tattoo. “I wouldn’t want anyone to see you without clothes.”
“Probably a good idea,” I breathe as he licks my skin. I tilt my head to give him better access. He takes advantage, moving his lips up my neck. I crave his touch. Last night wasn’t enough. My reservations about waiting are quickly disappearing.
“You taste so good, my Mara,” he whispers in my ear before biting it. I’m ready to say, fuck it, and go to the back of the store when the door opens.
“I don’t need to see that,” Gavin drawls.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Rome growls, pulling away. I grab his shirt to stabilize myself. My brain is foggy and filled with the delicious things he could do to me. “What do you want?”
“I came to update you.” Gavin doesn’t seem bothered by Rome's anger. I shake my head and turn to face him. “Bad time?” He grins and winks at me.