6. ROME
Rome
T here’s a hidden beauty sitting in front of me, housing down on a club sandwich, ignoring any social etiquette required for a public setting. The way she surveys the room before those gorgeous brown eyes fall back on me, however, worries me. I know fear when I see it and Luna is chock-full of it. Something or someone is after her and returning to her hometown doesn’t seem to be by choice. The fact that her bag is still tightly strapped to her back gives me pause.
And yet, I can’t help but stare at Luna, the woman my father shared stories about over the years. My curiosity got the better of me as I looked her up, Luna St. Claire, a woman I fell in love with through pictures. Her radiant smile, unruly curls, and the mischievous look in her big brown eyes brought her essence to life. She made my father laugh when he had nothing else in this little town to keep him occupied. Sure, the older couples waltzed in here for fresh baked goods but many of the kids—the ones now my age—had no interest in places like this.
They grew up and moved on, leaving all this behind.
What Luna doesn’t know is that we have met a few times, in passing. She may not remember me because she merely came to drop something off to my father who was only dating my mother at the time. He had brought me in here, showing off his pride and joy, and this goddess bounced in full of smiles and excitement. She lit up the entire cafe and while I only waved from the doorway of the kitchen, I still remember telling myself that a smile like that would ruin me.
My gaze continues to peruse my crush sitting on the stool and unashamedly, I take in her thick curves, rounded hips, and full thighs. She’s not petite like most of the women in Spring Haven and thank the goddess for that. Just feeling her pressed up against me a few moments ago had me nearly forgoing any restraint and bending her over the stool. Luna isn’t ready for that but I hope she will be.
Unable to help myself, I lean in and brush away one of the curls dangerously close to her sandwich.
Luna grunts and shifts away before moving closer as if she has to think about who’s touching her. I hate that. I hate that someone has ruined the little things in life for her, that my touch is both welcomed and feared. “Aren’t you going to eat?”
I shake my head as I return to my lingering duties. It’s late and I should clean up so that I can head home. There’s no use in telling Luna that she’s eating my dinner. This small café only serves baked goods, not sandwiches and even if it did, I would never serve packaged meat. I just knew that Luna needed something more than the cinnamon roll and I would give her anything she desired.
I might have been head over heels with the idea of this woman but seeing her in person has cemented my one-sided feelings. “Luna, slow down,” I say as I reach around to steal the remaining quarter of the sub from her hands and instead shove the beer between her fingers. She coughs and tries to twist the cap open to no avail. I grab that from her too and chomp it against my counter, wincing when it leaves a little dent in the natural wood. Father, forgive me.
Luna murmurs a thanks as she chugs it, sputtering through another cough. “Sorry, just… wrong pipe.”
“I know, sweetheart but the food isn’t going anywhere.” I hand the sandwich back to her and she delicately takes it as if she hadn’t been swallowing most of it whole. “You’re welcome to hang around while I finish the few dishes and then I’ll walk you back to Ms. Elrod’s, okay?”
Her face scrunches up as she chews, looking like the most perfect chipmunk. Goddess, I wish she’d let me kiss her again. “I don’t need that. I can-”
“I’d feel better if you let me walk you over there, Luna.” I suck in my bottom lip, nibbling on the angel hoops. Her eyes follow the movement, heat blaring in her expression before it disappears and there’s that wall again. She doesn’t fight me as she downs her beer and playfully gestures for me to hurry up.
Falling into my usual rhythm, I begin stacking the dishes, reaching for my phone to turn on the playlist that I always listen to. It’s a combination of pop, punk rock, and alternative, anything and everything mixed in so that I don’t get bored over the next fifteen minutes. With Luna watching me, I feel like I’m being observed and tested and yet, I can’t help the way my body begins to move to the beats and the gentle hum that falls from my lips.
It isn’t until I look up as I’ve finished that I see Luna leaning against the counter, her chin propped up in her hands, a dreamy look on her face. Fall Out boy fades into the distance and one of Beyonce’s new songs rings through my speaker. A grin splits across my face as I reach for Luna’s hands, hoping she’ll give into the budding attraction between us. I know she sees it, feels it and if it’s only one night that I get with her, I want it.
Every. Last. Minute.
She snorts and tilts her head to the side before taking my hand and allowing me to pull her against my chest once again. Luna smells faintly of peaches and mango as I dip my head into her shoulder, my nose dragging along her throat. I wrap an arm around her waist and grab her other hand with my free one. “Dance with me, sweetheart.”
Luna melts against me as I twirl her around, holding her close and tight as if she’ll disappear. I’ve dreamt of this moment one too many times—maybe not a reunion in my father’s café—but a reunion nonetheless. She’s more beautiful than all the pictures and I can’t wait till she lets me explore every last curve. Her backpack is in the way and I tell myself that maybe I’ll be the man who gives her enough safety to ditch it.
For now, I’ll enjoy her softness in my arms.
“Kiss me, Rome.”
At first, I think I mishear her but then petite fingers are pulling me down toward her face, her lips brushing against mine. She’s waiting for me to take charge and fuck, if she’s giving me permission, I absolutely will.
“Don’t tempt me, sweetheart.” My voice is a few octaves deeper than I intended as our dancing comes to an end. Slowly, I walk her back to a wall, staring down at her. I know she can feel the full length of my arousal as I press it against her belly, her true height becoming apparent as she sags against the wall.
Goddess, she’s adorable.
“I wouldn’t tempt you if I didn’t want it, Rome.” She whispers my name and it's like honey on her tongue.