Dressed plainly in black pants and a pink sweater that had seen better days. The shoes she wore were the same ones she’d had on when she arrived at the apartment, soaked and dripping wet. I’d offered to toss them in the dryer, but she’d declined, saying it was too late. They were probably still damp on her feet.

“Wanted to get an early morning start on the day,” I said lamely, knowing she could see through my lie.

I didn’t have anything important on the calendar that would have warranted the need to sneak out of the house. I was just making up excuses.

And hurting her in the process.

Again.

“What is going on, Roman?” she asked, pushing the door closed behind her.

It clicked shut with a resolute finality. As if everything before this moment—the flirting and the tired excuses to spend time with her—was then.

And this?

This was now. It was all about to change.

I might have stolen her like a thief in the night, but she was here now—with me. And damn if I wasn’t going to take advantage and lay all my cards on the table.

“I don’t know,” I confessed, taking a step forward.

She leaned back against the door as I stalked toward her.

“I don’t know, but damn it if I don’t want to find out.”

I stopped less than an inch from her. I could smell the scent of my shampoo in her hair. My hand nearly shook as I lifted it to her face. “I want you, Cara. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone,” I said, my voice barely louder than a whisper.

She parted her lips to respond, but I stopped her.

“I want you, but I need you to want me back. I’ve seen your eyes following me around the room. I know the way they linger, but it’s not enough. I can’t be with you, knowing you’re still hurting over someone else. So, believe me when I say this, I will wait, but please don’t take too long. For both our sakes.”

And to remind her of exactly what she’d be giving up if she walked away, my lips met hers for the very first time. I hoped it wasn’t the last.

It was everything I’d imagined it would be. Heat, passion, longing, and tenderness all wrapped up into one life-defining kiss. Her lips parted, and I felt her gasp as our tongues collided, like the merging of two souls.

And, fuck, maybe it was.

For the first time, I was losing myself in another human being, and I wasn’t scared.

For the first time, I didn’t feel like my father or my brother.

I just felt like me.

Chapter Sixteen

How could I move on after a morning like that?

How could I move on, period?