Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
A silly smile curled her lips as Irina snuggled under the covers. Roman was… amazing. He made her feel treasured. Adored.
Loved.
For the first time in what seemed like forever, she truly felt comfortable in her own skin.
Roman slid into bed next to her and pulled her close, then nipped the shell of her ear. “Sleep well, trouble.”
A pang of hurt ricocheted through her heart, dimming the happiness from only a few moments before. Facing away from him in the near dark gave her the courage to speak. “Why do you call me that?”
There was a long beat of silence before his breath tickled the back of her neck as he spoke. “What?”
“Trouble.”
“Have I ever told you”—he rolled her to her back and stared down at her—“that I was always getting into scrapes as a kid?”
She shook her head, brows dipping low. “I don’t think so?”
“Well, I was. If it was dangerous, it had my name written all over it. I’ve always been addicted to trouble.” Her cheeks heated as he propped himself up on an elbow and swept his thumb over her lower lip. “And you, pretty girl, are the best kind of trouble there is.”
Her heart skipped a beat at his words, but she still made a face, not entirely convinced. “That doesn’t really sound like a good thing.”
“It is, believe me. I’ve never met anyone who keeps me on my toes the way you do, who pushes me until I’m ready to snap, then brings me back down with one sweet smile.”
A tiny smile curved her mouth. “If you say so.”
“Just take my word for it.” He framed her face with one huge hand and pressed his lips to hers. Just as passionate as their feverish kisses earlier, the gentle sweep of his lips over hers stole her heart.
Roman pulled back and stared down at her in the darkness, his thumb slowly stroking over her cheek.
He’d lied to her before when he called her superficial and self-centered.
Irina was incredible. She hid so many layers of herself deep down, and he had a feeling he’d only begun to scratch the surface of the passionate woman he held in his arms.
He’d known there was something extraordinary between them the moment his lips touched hers, and if that kiss hadn’t told him everything he needed to know, this sealed the deal for him. She was everything he’d ever dreamed of, more than he could ever ask for.
He’d never felt like this with a woman before, and he had a sneaking suspicion he never would again. This, whatever he had with Irina, was something people searched for their whole lives. He wanted her every way, every single day; a lifetime wouldn’t be enough.
It was too soon for any declaration of love, but neither was he going to give her up—not for a long time.
He didn’t know what their return to the real world would bring, but he would fight every day to keep her by his side.
It wouldn’t be easy, especially not in her world, but he knew he would do anything for her.
He and Irina had experienced the absolute worst of each other at the beginning of their relationship—now they were experiencing the best. He wanted more of her than she’d ever given anyone else, and he would endeavor to make each day better than the last.
He couldn’t see her in the dark, but he could feel her gaze on his. He moved his hand to her chin, making sure she was paying attention to every word when he spoke. “I meant what I said.”
Twin lines of confusion appeared in the space between her brows, but she didn’t voice her curiosity. He traced her lower lip with his thumb. “You’re mine, Irina. And I’m yours.”
She tucked her nose into the crook of his neck, curling into him as she started to drift off.
He knew she was tired, but he wasn’t done with her yet.
Tangling his fingers in her hair, he tipped her head up and stared down at her pretty face.
Her eyes popped open, and she stared at him in silent question.
“This—” He gave a gentle tug to her hair. He wanted to make sure she understood. “This is serious, you and me.”
She gave a little nod, but he knew she wasn’t quite certain what he was saying. Honestly, he wasn’t entirely sure, either. He just knew he needed to get the words out, because he would regret it if he didn’t.
“It’s gonna be hard when we get home, but I don’t care.” He felt her fingers curl into the flesh of his back as he continued. “You occupy my every thought, every moment of every day. I want to be with you—I want to make this work.”
She blinked rapidly, and he couldn’t tell if the faint sheen there was from the moonlight or tears. “Me, too.”
He studied her for a long moment. “Good.”
Releasing his hold on her hair, he kissed her once, long and slow, praying she could feel every emotion he couldn’t yet put into words. A long moment later, he broke the connection and tucked her head against his shoulder. “Sleep.”
She nestled in close, and he could feel the heat of her breath on his neck as she gradually drifted off.
He wasn’t sure how they’d make it work, but he would make certain it did.
Because he wanted her right there—just like that—every night.
He was starting to believe that an eternity wouldn’t be enough.