Chapter 23 ROSE
ROSE
“What room are you in?” D’Angelo’s voice says through my phone.
“Why?” I flick through the channels on the TV, searching for a movie.
“Because there are no rooms left.”
“Oh, what a shame. This is Rome. Find another hotel.” I pop a piece of popcorn into my mouth while the trailer plays for a romance movie.
“I don’t need another hotel when you have a double room.” His voice is clipped and I imagine the twitch in his lip while he loosens his tie in frustration.
A smile spreads across my face as I pop another piece of popcorn into my mouth. “I already have a date tonight, thanks.”
“What?” His footsteps carry through the handset. “If you don’t tell me what room you’re in, I’ll break down every damn door in this hotel.”
My stomach pops as if the popcorn is having a party in there. “You’re not ruining my date night. Find another hotel.”
“Date night over my dead body. Get rid of him before I do it for you.” Heavy breaths come through the speaker. “Do you want me to call your mother?”
Ugh. My shoulders deflate, remembering what Mamma said today. “Room 89.” I hang up the phone and jump as the hotel door thumps. The bag of popcorn topples, spilling out onto the bed.
I tie my robe tight to hide my nightdress and catch my reflection in the mirror. A sheet mask stuck to my face. Stuff it. If he wants to stay here, he can put up with my chick flick and pamper night. I look through the peephole.
Dan’s clenched jaw is the first thing I see as he fiddles with his tie, his neck tilts to the side, then the other, his knuckles white as he balls his hands into fists as if gearing up for a fight.
With a small giggle, I swing the door open. “You come to join me on my date?”
His dark eyes flick over me, his brow wrinkling as he takes in the mask on my face. He barges past me into the room. “Where is he?” Dan drops his holdall onto the floor and stomps into the bathroom.
I close the door and can’t stop the giggle bursting out of me. “Well, I can’t decide whether to have a date with Zac Efron or Channing Tatum.” I point to the TV. “And if you’re joining us, you’d better be quiet.”
His eyes narrow as he glares at me. “You think this is funny?”
More laughter spills out of me, my mask wrinkling as it slips down my face.
“You won’t be laughing when I take the remote.” He crosses his arms over his broad chest, his jaw ticking as he watches me plop back onto the bed, completely unbothered by his fuming presence. He’s probably still frustrated from our little fumble this afternoon.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he made the whole “no rooms at the inn” thing up just to get in my bed and in my knickers again. He’s a master at manipulation and if lying were an Olympic sport, he’d win gold every time.
The movie plays the intro to Magic Mike. I lean back on a cushion and get myself comfy while hoovering up the fallen popcorn with my hand and mouth.
Dan yanks his tie off and throws it on the dresser. “You can turn this shit off.”
I raise an eyebrow, pushing my sheet mask back into place. “Last time I checked, I’m paying for this room, so I’ll watch whatever I please.”
He leans over me, gripping the headboard, his face inches from mine. “Last time I checked, the airline paid for this room.”
“Fine, let’s watch whatever you want. Maybe there’s a documentary on how to be an arse.” I lift my finger in the air. “Oh wait. You already are one.”
His lips twitch like he’s resisting a smirk, but his arms stay locked either side of me, his biceps bulging under his white shirt. “I’m not watching a film where you drool over shirtless men.”
Something flutters in my chest, but I keep my face solemn under my pink mask. “How inconsiderate of me. I’m sorry. The last thing I want to do is make you jealous.”
He laughs, lets go of the headboard, and unbuttons his shirt. “I’m not jealous.”
I pat the side of the bed. “Then sit down and prove it. Popcorn?” I shake the bag, the kernels rustling.
Dan glares as if I’ve just offered him cyanide. “No, thanks.”
I toss a handful into my mouth. “Suit yourself, but standing for a two-hour movie is going to be hard on those old man knees.”
He chuckles as he unbuckles his belt and I try not to glance at him, but my eyes wander at the clink of his belt. “My knees are strong enough to hold you up against that wall and fuck you senseless. I can prove that to you if you like.”
My core clenches. My toes curl and heat pools between my thighs.
“I’m going in the shower,” he says as he yanks off his trousers, his dick tenting his boxers.
I gulp the popcorn down, my eyes fixed on his jutting erection. “Might wanna make it a cold one.”
He glances down at himself and then back to me, his eyes lingering for a beat too long. “A cold fucking shower is warmer than your hospitality.” He storms into the bathroom and pushes the door to, but it doesn’t click shut, leaving a sliver of light shining into the bedroom.
I shovel more popcorn into my mouth as I lean forward on the bed.
Dan lathers himself in soap, scrubbing harshly, as if he can wash away the tension.
He turns his back to me, and I watch the rivulets of water run over the cross on his back and words that I can’t make out from this distance.
I hadn’t noticed the small words wrapping around the cross before. Never studied him long enough.
I pad the few steps to the bathroom door and get a closer look.
These violent delights have violent ends
I suck in a breath, the quote from my favourite book.
He turns to the side, his hands washing shampoo into his short hair.
My gaze follows the soap sliding down his body all the way down to his jutting cock, thick and rigid with dark veins. My heart rate picks up speed as he trails a hand down to his cock, creating more bubbles there with the soap.
Heat pools low in my belly, watching him make a fist around his erection, one hand braced against the shower wall as water cascades over him.
My mouth waters at the sight. He’s annoyingly magnificent. My clit tingles at memories of him making me come on the plane. His words from the phone call today and how he was with my son last night. Our son. I should stop giving him grief. If Mamma can trust him, perhaps I should too.
I pad away from the door before he sees me watching, although he admitted to watching me, so I shouldn’t be ashamed, but I’m afraid if I continue to watch, I’ll do something I regret, like join him in the shower and reenact our mile high experience from today.
I climb back onto the bed and act nonchalant.
He walks into the room, rubbing his hair with a towel, another towel wrapped around his waist. “Have you eaten?” His voice is much softer now, matching his dick, judging by how the towel hangs straight.
I wave my hand in front of all my snacks laid out on the bed, my cheeks still glowing under the mask. I need to take it off, but it’s hiding a multitude of sins right now.
He drops on the bed next to me, the towel around his waist parting to reveal his muscly inked thigh. “You need to eat some proper food, Rose. You should take better care of yourself with your condition.”
“The paninis here are really nice. I could go for a tuna melt.”
“I’ll order, then let you watch your movie in peace.” He smiles softly.
“Did you have a personality transplant while you were in the shower?”
“No, why?”
“You’re being nice. It’s not so hard, is it?”
“You have no fucking idea.” His gaze lingers on me, his lips tightening, like he’s not sure whether to kiss me or strangle me.
Maybe both.
“Take that ridiculous mask off. I can’t take you serious with it on.” He reaches a hand up and peels it from my skin. “Why does it have a bunny face?”
I shrug my shoulder with a smile. “It’s the only one they had at the airport.”
His hand swipes the damp hair from my neck, his fingers lingering there as he examines his handy work with a smirk.
I glare at him. “Do you brand all the girls you seduce at 30,000 feet?”
“Just you.” He leans close. “When you look in the mirror, maybe you’ll remember you’re mine.”
A wave of goose bumps tickles my skin. I should be angry. I stopped being a possession a long time ago, but the way he says mine causes my stomach to flip.
“Is there a menu around here?” He moves my vanity case from the bedside table and my vibrator falls onto the bed.
I stare at it in horror, my cheeks burning up, wishing I still had the bunny mask on.
“You really were planning on a date tonight, huh?” His lips quirk into a grin as he picks it up and pushes the on button, but nothing happens. “You ran the battery down already?”
I snatch it from him. “It’s the only thing that’s stopped me from maiming you.”
He snatches it back. “You won’t be needing it tonight.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” I scramble off the bed. “You have a way of killing my libido.” I saunter into the bathroom, my silk dressing gown wafting behind me.
I rinse the mask residue from my face and inhale a few deep breaths. I need to be strong to get through a night with him. The plane was a weak moment. He caught me off guard and after having him at home all night, I was on fire.
I walk back into the hotel room.
Dan’s leaning against the headboard, the bag of popcorn in his lap resting on the towel. “I’ve ordered food. It’ll be about twenty minutes.”
“What are you doing here, Dan?” I drop on the end of the bed with a sigh. “You could be anywhere right now. Why are you here?”
“I thought we’d established this, Rose. I’m here to protect you.”
“I’m perfectly safe in the hotel room. There’s security here. Unless you think I’m going to choke on my popcorn or cause death by vibrator.”
“Stranger things have happened. You’d be surprised.” He rustles the bag of popcorn and pulls out a handful, tipping his head back as he pours them into his mouth.
“I’m serious. You could be out there living your best life, eating at a fine restaurant with—let’s face it—” I roll my eyes. “Any woman you want.”