Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
T he next day, Sofie had no engagements.
They spent the day at his place, and she dove into her charity work. Rome leaned against his kitchen island, watching her. She’d spread papers all over his coffee table, and sat cross-legged on the couch, with her silver laptop close by, and her phone pressed to her ear.
“That’s great. If we can add additional funds today, that would be amazing.” She was quiet a moment. “Priya, you are a miracle worker. Okay, let’s discuss the event in London next month.”
She was so organized. He knew that she was discussing millions of dollars’ worth of charity funding, and scheduling events to help so many people.
Incredible . She was beautiful, funny, generous, kind, and he wasn’t anywhere near good enough for her.
His hands clamped on the edge of the island. She was a princess, she traveled the world doing these charity events, not to mention stealing back stolen gems.
He didn’t like that last part so much. It was dangerous.
What the hell did he have to offer her?
She looked up, caught his gaze, and smiled at him. He felt it move through him.
He pushed the questions away. Whatever happened, for now at least, she was his.
His to protect and his to pleasure.
She ended the call. “Done.”
“You have a lot of work going on.”
She nodded, sticking a pen behind her ear. “The more I do, the more money I raise for the Victoria Foundation, and the more people we can help. I’m lucky to have amazing staff, like Priya in London. That woman could organize a space invasion.”
Rome walked toward her. “You’re pretty amazing, you know that?”
Sofie blushed. “I think I’m pretty normal. A bit boring, even.”
He leaned down to kiss her. “Not even a little bit.”
She gripped the front of his shirt and hauled him closer. As he deepened the kiss, she moaned. “ Now . I need you.”
“Yes,” he growled.
He dragged her off the couch and onto the rug on the floor. Papers rustled. He tore at her clothes and heard something rip.
“Shit, sorry.”
“Don’t care,” she panted.
He needed her, was desperate for her.
“Rome, Rome, Rome,” she chanted.
He kissed her again, thrusting his tongue into her mouth. She made a sexy sound and he savored the taste of her. Desire seared through him.
Finally, he got her naked, that sexy little piercing on her belly winking at him. She tore his shirt open, and then her hands stroked his chest.
Rome fumbled for his wallet. He stopped for a second to admire her, naked, and spread out on his rug.
“Fuck, you are beautiful.”
“ Hurry .”
He flicked open his pants. When he pulled his aching cock free, her gaze latched onto it. He opened the wrapper with his teeth and rolled the condom on.
“ Rome .”
When he looked up, she’d turned onto her hands and knees.
“Sofia.” His voice was guttural with need. Her beautiful ass was on display.
She looked back at him, face flushed, need stamped on her features.
“Sofie, baby.” He moved in behind her. He ran his hand over her ass, loving how she quivered beneath his touch. He gripped his cock, and rubbed the head through her wet folds. He wanted her so badly and he was having trouble holding it together.
“Rome, please .” She shoved back against him.
And he had no rational thought left.
He shoved forward, thrusting into her.
She cried out.
Damn, she was hot and tight around him. She was perfect. She was everything.
He stayed there for a second, lodged inside her. His fingers dug into her golden skin and he looked over her sweet ass, then lower, right where his cock was embedded inside her.
Sofie moaned. “Move. Please .”
Rome drew back, then rammed in.
Her back arched, her head flew back. “ Yes .”
He gripped her hips and found his rhythm. She took every hard thrust, rocking into him. The sound of their flesh slapping together filled the room as he powered into her.
Christ . He couldn’t think, could barely breathe.
There was only Sofie and the sweet, hot pleasure.
Rome slid a hand beneath her and found her clit. He thumbed it and felt her pussy clench on his cock.
“ Yes . Please. Yes, Rome.” Her movements turned wild, desperate.
He kept thrusting into her, driving deep.
“Fuck, Sofie.” He felt his orgasm building—huge and big.
“ Rome .”
She started coming. Her breathless cries pushed him over the edge.
He rammed deep, hips bucking as he imploded. His low roar filled the room.
Fuck, he loved coming in his Sofie.
She collapsed forward on the rug, panting.
He stroked his hand down her back. He could just sit here and touch her all day. He’d never wanted to just pet and caress a woman before.
She made a contented sound, and he leaned down and kissed her shoulder blade.
“Okay?”
She turned her head. “Rome, I’m awesome. That was exactly what I needed.”
He arched a brow. “You needed to get fucked hard, doggy style, on the floor?”
Her smile widened. “Yes. All these things that I’ve been missing out on.”
The thought of her doing this with anyone else made him want to growl. “I’ll be back.”
He made a quick trip to the bathroom to deal with the condom. When he returned, she was standing in the living room, shrugging into his white shirt.
It swamped her and made her look like a little girl playing dress-up. But those sexy, bare legs reminded him that she wasn’t a girl at all.
Sofie smiled at him, and he stalked over and kissed her.
“I like this look.” She smoothed her hands over his bare chest. “There’s something about a man in suit pants and no shirt.” She kissed his tattoo. “I’m going to freshen up.”
He watched her skip up the stairs to his bedroom.
Yeah, she was totally out of his league, but he didn’t care. He wasn’t giving her up.
He was tidying up some of her papers when there was a knock at the door. He frowned. A quick glance through the peephole made him groan. No way.
He opened the door. “What are you two doing here?”
His mom and sister pushed inside.
“Surprise,” Liana said.
His mother eyed his shirtless chest. “Why aren’t you wearing a shirt?”
Shit . Rome glanced toward the bedroom.
“We stopped at the Norcross office,” his mom said. “Vander said you were working from home.”
Thanks for the warning, Vander.
“And guarding Princess Sofia of Caldova!” Lia clapped her hands, her voice excited. “It’s so cool. I’d love it if she’d sign my Young Royals calendar.”
He heard footsteps on the stairs.
“Rome, do you want—?” Sofie froze halfway down the steps. Her eyes were wide, like a deer in headlights.
Hell, she was still only wearing his shirt, her hair loose and her face flushed.
She looked like she’d been well fucked.
His mother’s and sister’s mouths dropped open.
* * *
Sofie didn’t know what to do. Here she was, naked except for Rome’s shirt, and there were two women she’d never met staring at her.
“Sofie,” Rome rumbled. “This is my mother, Violet Nash, and my sister, Liana.”
His sister. And his mother .
Both women looked like they’d been hit with a pole.
Sofie didn’t need him to introduce them to see that they were related. His mother had the same green eyes as Rome, and his sister had the feminine version of his features.
Mrs. Nash was tall, with a curvy body, and her short hair was a mass of tight, dark curls. Liana was an inch shorter than her mother, a lot curvier, and her black hair was straightened and in a ponytail.
Sofie shook off her shock and embarrassment. “Hello, I’m Princess Sofia.”
Rome came to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. It helped her fight the urge to flee.
“Mom, Lia, this is Sofie.”
His sister curtsied. “Your Highness.”
“Please, it’s just Sofie.” She held out a hand.
Rome’s mom shook it gingerly. Sofie saw something working behind the woman’s green eyes.
Liana shook it enthusiastically. “It is so great to meet you. I’m a huge fan.”
Sofie smiled. “Rome’s been wonderful. He’s been taking such good care of me.”
“Uh-huh,” Mrs. Nash drawled.
Heat poured into Sofie’s cheeks. “I’ll just…go and change.”
Rome’s fingers squeezed hers, and she managed a smile before she fled.
She stopped in the middle of his bedroom. Oh, God. She quickly changed. Oh, God . She repaired her makeup, and pulled her hair back into a braid. She tried to tamp down the embarrassment. Oh, God.
When she headed toward the stairs, she heard voices.
“What the hell are you doing, Rome Alexander Nash?” his mother bit out.
His middle name was Alexander. Sofie liked it.
“Mom—”
“You’re sleeping with a princess!”
“Mom.”
“Are you crazy? You’re her bodyguard. You’re her employee. You’re a simple boy from Georgia, and she’s a very rich, very well-known princess.”
“Mom, keep your voice down.”
“She’s toying with you. You’re just a fun diversion, then she’ll dump your ass and move onto the next hot body. You want to be left with a broken heart?”
Sofie’s stomach worked into knots and she pressed a hand to it.
“Can I talk now?” Rome asked dryly.
“Let her run out of steam, brother,” Liana said.
“I did not raise a stupid boy,” Mrs. Nash continued.
“Mom, I’m not sleeping with the princess. To me, she’s just Sofie.”
Sofie leaned against the doorjamb, her heart melting.
“You can’t separate the two,” his mother said. “And don’t tell me that your emotions aren’t involved. I can see it a mile away.”
Sofie’s heart leaped in her throat. Really?
“Mom, I like her a lot. She is smart, sweet, kind—”
“Beautiful,” Liana added. “Rich.”
Sofie heard Rome growl. “I know she’s way out of my league. I’ll enjoy the time we have together.”
Her heart shriveled. That sounded temporary. Was she just a good time to him? It was painful to breathe. Especially when she realized that she was falling in love with him.
Oh, goodness, she was falling in love with Rome. She moved her hand to her chest, felt her heart beating hard.
“You’re making a mistake,” his mom said.
“Keep your voice down,” Rome said. “She’ll hear you.”
Too late.
“You think she doesn’t know all of this already?”
“Mom, she isn’t Dad.”
Sofie backed into the bedroom and took a few deep breaths. She’d have to think this through. Later. If she could handle the pain.
She headed out, stomping loudly this time so they’d hear her coming.
In the living room the conversation stopped. Sofie pinned on her princess smile. As she descended the stairs, Rome looked at her mouth and scowled. When she got to the bottom of the stairs, he pulled her under his arm.
“Sofie and I are going back to her rental house later. Vander’s increased the security there. You guys can stay here.”
“Sweet,” Liana said. “Sofie, I have a copy of the Young Royals calendar. I was hoping you’d sign it.”
“I’d love to.”
“I could use some tea,” Mrs. Nash muttered.
Rome deposited Sofie in an armchair. “I’ll get it.”
“I’ll help.” His sister followed him out.
Sofie fought the urge to fidget. She leaned forward. “This must come as a bit of a surprise.”
“Mmm,” Mrs. Nash replied.
“Look, Rome is…amazing.” Sofie smiled. “So strong, steady, protective. I have a stalker.” She wrinkled her nose.
Mrs. Nash’s face softened the minutest bit. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s pretty scary, but when I’m with Rome, he makes me feel safe.”
His mother studied her face.
“He sees me. I’m used to feeling like I’m in a fishbowl. People watching your every move, speculating on everything you do, making things up.”
“That sounds horrible.”
Sofie shrugged. “I’m used to it. I realized people only see and believe what they want anyway, regardless of the truth. But Rome, he saw the real me right from the beginning.”
“Sounds like my boy. He’s very observant.”
“He’s amazing.”
Mrs. Nash paused. “He’s strong, but he has his own scars.”
Sofie nodded. “I know. He’s told me about Lola. I’m very sorry for your loss. He’s also told me a little bit about his time in the military.”
“He told you?” Mrs. Nash whispered, her expression full of pain. “About Lolly?”
Sofie nodded. “No one should ever lose a child, especially like that. I know he feels responsible.”
“He was just a baby, shouldering too much responsibility. It was my fault.”
Sofie couldn’t help but rest her hand on the woman’s knee. “It’s not your fault, either. It’s the fault of the predator who took her. You were doing the best you could in what I suspect was a difficult situation.”
Mrs. Nash dragged in a shaky breath. “He really talked about her?”
Sofie smiled. “He told me that she loved to sing.”
A sad smile crossed Mrs. Nash his face. “She did. Sofie…Rome hasn’t talked about Lola since we lost her.”
Sofie’s chest locked. “Oh.”
Mrs. Nash’s gaze turned speculative. “So, you’re here for the jewelry exhibition. Lia told me all about it. She’s hoping to find a ticket.”
“I can get tickets. It’s raising money for my charity, the Victoria Foundation.”
Mrs. Nash’s eyes widened. “I’ve heard of it. I work at a local shelter back home in Atlanta. The Foundation helped several of our residents, including a friend of mine. She was escaping a bad marriage.”
“That’s exactly what I’d hoped for when I started it.” Sofie sank back in the chair. “I lost my best friend because of an act of unspeakable violence. I wanted to help other women like her, Mrs. Nash.”
Rome’s mother held Sofie’s gaze, and they shared a beat of understanding.
“Please, call me Violet.”
“Only if you call me Sofie.”