Chapter Twenty
Josie
I woke up in Rome’s arms and carefully rolled onto my side so I could look at him.
The room was still dim, sunlight barely peeking through the curtains. Rome’s face was relaxed in sleep, which softened all the rough edges he carried around during the day.
I just looked at him, taking in every little thing about him in.
His beard had gotten longer.
I liked it.
His nose had clearly been broken at least once.
I liked that too.
There was a scar near his eyebrow I hadn’t asked about yet.
I liked that.
Apparently, I just liked Rome. A lot.
The realization hit me and sat there. Before I could spiral into a panic about how I had let this man into my life, Rome groaned.
One eye cracked open and he looked at me. A smirk spread across his lips, and immediately pulled me closer. “Morning.” His voice was rough with sleepy and I melted.
“Morning.”
“You staring at me?”
“No.”
“Liar.”
“You’re too handsome. Even the scar above your eyebrow makes you look hot.”
Rome buried his face against my neck. “Whatever you say, beautiful.”
“How did you get that scar?” I asked.
He laid back on the pillow. “Had my eyebrow pierced.”
I tipped my head to the side. That scar looked pretty angry for an eyebrow piercing.
“Got in a fight three years ago, and the asshole decided it was a handle, and ripped it out.”
My face scrunched up. “Dear god,” I gasped.
He chuckled and closed his eyes. “Not the best feeling in the world.”
I leaned in and pressed a kiss to the scar. “I mean, if it’s any consolation, it’s really true that chicks do dig scars.”
He buried his fingers in my hair, and rolled me onto my back with him landing on top of me. “So you’re just with me because of my scar?”
“Among other things,” I whispered.
He glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “Well, we have an hour until you need to be to work, so why don’t you show me exactly what those other things are?”
I hummed under my breath and trailed my fingers up his back. “Game on, handsome.”
An hour later, after showing Rome the exact reasons why I was with him, we were pulling into the parking lot behind Bad Habit.
I frowned. “You know Scoop & Swirl is across the street, right?”
Rome killed the engine. “I’m aware.”
I looked at him.
He looked back. “I’m parking us at my shop. I like the idea of walking you across the street so everyone knows you’re mine.”
I laughed. “You sound possessive.”
“I am possessive.”
That shouldn’t have made me smile, but it absolutely did. I liked being Rome’s.
We climbed off the bike, and Rome slipped an arm around my shoulders as we walked toward the front of Bad Habit.
I glanced down at my wrist at my tiny ice cream cone tattoo. A smile tugged at my mouth.
Rome noticed. “What?”
I held out my wrist. “I’m getting the itch.”
His eyebrows shot up. “For another tattoo?”
I nodded. “I think so.”
Rome barked out a laugh, then tucked me against his side. “Welcome to the club, baby. Tattoos are addictive.”
“I don’t think that’s medically proven.”
“It should be.”
I laughed and he kissed the top of my head. “I give it six months.”
“For what?”
“You’ll have sleeves.”
I gasped. “I sell ice cream.”
“You can sell ice cream with sleeves.”
“I’ll look intimidating.”
“You already do.”
I snorted. The man was delusional.
Before I could argue further, the roar of motorcycles filled the street.
Three bikes rolled into the lot.
I recognized them immediately.
Skid.
Cash.
Mack.
Skid parked first and took off his helmet. “Well, what do we have here?”
Rome flipped him off.
Cash laughed.
Mack pointed at me. “You still dating this asshole?”
I blinked. Dating? Was that what we were doing?
Rome answered before I could. “Unfortunately for her.”
I rolled my eyes.
Skid looked between us, then smirked. “Oh yeah.”
“What?” Rome asked.
“You are a fucking goner, man.”
Rome looked at me and shrugged. “Yeah.”
Which only made them laugh harder.
Fantastic.
Cash shoved his hands into his cut. “How’s the shop? Rome let us know about the shit sprayed on your windows. Sorry, doll.”
My chest tightened. I didn’t know that Rome had told the club, but it was fine. I’m sure most of the town had seen the words before I had. “Thanks.”
Cash shook his head. “Still think it’s the ex?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. That’s the only person who makes sense.”
Rome’s jaw tightened beside me.
“Want us to pay him a visit?” Mack asked.
Rome sighed. “Jesus Christ.”
“What?” Mack said. “I’m asking nicely.”
“I told you just hold off for now.”
Cash looked offended.
“I don’t need anybody beat up,” I interrupted. “I’m sure it was just a one time thing.”
Skid nodded. “Hopefully, but just know it will take just one call, and we’ll be here.”
That was oddly comforting.
Rome looked at his watch. “Alright. She’s gotta open.”
Skid waggled his eyebrows. “You walking her over?”
Rome deadpanned. “No.” Then immediately took my hand. “You three assholes can piss off.”
“We’re actually here to get some work done,” Cash said.
Rome hitched his chin at him. “Give me five minutes.”
We crossed Main Street with three bikers watching us.
“I should be shocked about the drastic changes in my life,” I said to Rome as I stepped onto the sidewalk, “but I actually like it.”
Rome leaned down and pressed a kiss to my lips.
“Then that must mean you’re doing something right.
” He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.
“If you need anything, just call me, okay? Something tells me I’m going to be tied up with those assholes for most of the day, but I’m just across the street. ”
I nodded. “I’ll send out the bat signal if I need you.”
Rome leaned down and kissed me again.
I smiled against his mouth. He smiled back, then stepped away. “I’ll be across the street.”
I nodded. “I know.”
I unlocked the front door, turned back one last time, and Rome was already heading toward Bad Habit with his hands in his pockets.
He looked over his shoulder and caught me staring.
“Stop being so sexy, and I’ll stop staring,” I called, not caring who heard. “It’s rude being that handsome.”
He let out a loud laugh. “It’s only for you, baby. Only you, Josie.”
My heart did a flip at his words, and slipped into Scoop & Swirl.
Damn it, I really liked that man. Really really liked.