Free Pain Lived, Love Found 2 by Thalia Lake Page B

became pliable in his arms and reciprocated. My hands rested on his chest before they snaked around his strong neck. Once I made that move he went in for the kill. His tongue urged my lips to part, and once I complied that’s when he completely took over. I moaned out loud at the pleasure that assaulted all of my womanly senses that had been dormant for so long...until now. Roman moaned as well and deepened the kiss. At some point I dropped my expensive clutch on the floor, but I didn’t care. Then abruptly, the kiss ended. My eyes were still closed when Roman had pulled back, and when I opened them he was staring at me. I saw raw need and passion in his eyes and it made me take a step back. My head was swimming with so many thoughts and emotions that I didn’t know what to do. His hands were still wrapped around my waist, gently caressing me there in hypnotizing circles.
    I felt like I was losing myself to this man. Everything I said I wouldn’t let happen was happening, and I had no control to stop any of it because Roman was so damn sexy. It’s like he was the big strong magnet and I was the poor piece of metal that was too weak to resist his pull. He’s a man in every sense of the word - big, strong, and a natural-born leader, all qualities that I find to be highly desirable and admirable in a man. I’d had a glimpse of his anger, and I just experienced his seductive, possessive side. He made me feel wanted and desired, which I felt was above and beyond what was expected of him tonight. This is still an act, right? We’re both playing a role, aren’t we? Damn this man for screwing with my emotions!
    Now I felt self-conscious, and not just for myself, but for the both of us. I looked around and saw that people could have easily seen our horny display as we weren’t as secluded as I initially thought.  If we were any place else I wouldn’t have cared about such public displays of affection. This, however, was a classy event with a lot of important business people that Roman needed to make connections with, and hopefully form new partnerships with. We needed to get our acts together and remember what we’re here for.
    “We...that shouldn’t have happened. Why did you do that? People saw us, Roman.”
    I knew I sounded nervous, but I couldn’t help it. The man rocked my world with one single kiss.
    “I wanted people to see us. I don’t want anyone doubting that we’re together, even if it is just for tonight. And I dare any man here to put their hands on you, disrespecting you again. I will personally make sure they regret it.”
    From the seriousness of his tone, I knew he meant every word. His eyes were stern even though they still lingered on my lips, lips that he masterfully devoured only moments ago. He turned around and picked up my clutch and dusted it off before handing it back to me.
    “Thank you,” I whispered. I still couldn’t shake the nervous jitters I had around Roman, and I hated it. I was always in control and one step ahead. I prided myself on being able to read men and anticipate their next move, always prepared to charm them and massage their egos when needed; making them feel in charge and important when really I was the one running the show. Roman Mancini, on the other hand, had me confused and not knowing what to expect from him next.
    I began to walk away for the second time. “I should go to the ladies’ room and freshen up,” I quickly stated. I had no clue where the nearest ladies’ room was, nor did I care. I just knew that I needed to get away from Roman so I could get a hold of myself and clear my mind.
    He reached out and gently took my hand into his. The gentleness of the gesture stopped me in my tracks as I turned to look at him. “That kiss wasn’t an act,” he informed me, looking directly into my eyes.
    I knew that his kiss wasn’t an act, but to hear him admit it frightened me. This changed our make-believe world and put us into an area that I wasn’t prepared