“You are so easy to tease. But, seriously, have fun tonight, Roman. Be yourself. Don’t hide the very best parts of you that I know are lurking somewhere inside all that gruff exterior.”

“You really are like a happy little bucket of rainbows, aren’t you?” I shook my head, grabbing the heaviest coat I could find as well as a pair of gloves, just in case.

“That’s what you keep telling me.” She laughed.

“Never change,” I said in a rare moment of sincerity.

“Right back at you. Now, go get the girl. And do me a favor?”

“What’s that?”

“When she falls in love with you—which is bound to happen—let her.”

I opened my mouth, unsure of what she meant but ready to protest.

“Just let her, Roman. You and I both know that you’ll try to fight it. You’ll convince yourself that you’re somehow unworthy, and in the end, you’ll walk away from what could be the love of your life. Don’t. Save both of you from a world of hurt, and just allow yourself to be loved.”

I promised her, but it was a wasted promise.

Because I knew… if I were lucky enough to ever earn the love of that woman, I wouldn’t run. I’d cherish it for as long as I was able.

Even if I didn’t deserve it.

Because I’d taken what wasn’t mine.

And like hell I was ever going to give it up.

“You know, when I pictured going on a date with Roman Cavenaugh, it never involved the subway,” Cara said, giving me a sideways grin.

We were standing on a dingy platform with tons of other New Yorkers and tourists, waiting to board the next train.

“You’ve dreamed of going on dates with me? What else have you dreamed about doing with me?” I asked, leaning in closer so that I could whisper the last part in her ear.

I was a quick study in all things related to Cara Hamilton. One thing that drove her wild was my lips murmuring sweet nothings in her ear.

Such a simple thing. Such amazing results.

She instantly shivered.

“I said the word pictured, not dreamed.”

“Same difference. You’re stalling,” I said.

Her eyes met mine, full of defiance and heat.

“Fine. Yes, I’ve dreamed of many things we could do together, and maybe if you tell me what we’re doing on a subway platform while I’m dressed like I’m about to climb a mountain, I’ll indulge you by trying a few of those fantasies. Tonight.”

My grin widened.

“Wish I could, but unfortunately, that would just ruin the surprise. But good to know that you can’t wait to get me back in bed.”

She let out a frustrated groan and stomped her foot.

Goddamn, she was adorable.