“Reading?” I respond. I suppose it was technically napping. I’d only meant to grab a book and, well, here I am. I’m not sure what happened.
He reaches down, helping me to my feet. His hand wraps around my wrist as he leads me out of the library, not saying a word. His steps are loud on the wood floor.
“Is Ace okay?” I ask, starting to get worried.
“He’s fine.” His response is short and clipped. I stop walking, pulling on my wrist to get free of his hold. He doesn't let me go but he does stop walking.
“Let me go.” I glare up at him, annoyed with how rude he’s being. I’m still half asleep and have no idea why he’s being so rough.
“Never.” However, he does release his hold. Only for a second. He lifts me, tossing me over his shoulder.
“What the heck, you brute? What is wrong with you?”
“You’re what’s wrong with me,” he growls. I huff a breath. Is this what it’s like when you get on Roman’s bad side? He said I’d never be there. It’s starting to look like he’s a liar. A jerk too!
A few moments later, he drops me down on our bed. I scramble to the other side, slipping off so that the bed is between us.
“You don’t run from me.” We have a stare off for a few seconds. “We had a movie night,” he reminds me like we’re not fighting right now.
“You can watch all the movies you want by yourself!” He gives me a surprised expression. How is he shocked by this? He’s growling and shouting at me for no reason. Carrying me around like a sack of potatoes.
“You’re my wife. You’ll watch with me. What snacks do you want?” His words are still heated. What is happening here? This man is driving me crazy.
“I don’t have an appetite.” I put my hands on my hips.
“Don’t leave this room.” He points to the ground before he storms off, slamming the door behind him. I’m so angry I could cry. What the heck is his problem? Where does he even think I’m going to go if I leave the room? Paris?
I go into the closet, changing my clothes before I slip into the bed. I’m determined to fall asleep as fast as possible. I won’t be able to watch a movie if I’m sleeping. I check my phone one last time to make sure Grams hasn’t messaged me. The only thing I see are two missed calls from my father. I guess the jerks are all out tonight.
I turn off the lights before pulling the blanket over me. Roman comes back a few minutes later, flipping the light back on. I peek out and see he’s carrying all kinds of snacks. The smell of popcorn fills the air, making my mouth water. I pray my stomach doesn’t growl. I hear him set everything down before his shadow falls over me.
He pushes my hair back out of my face. His thumb strokes my cheek gently. This man can be so confusing. I want to slap him and kiss him at the same time. Still, I do have this fear of ending up on his bad side. He’s so cold with everyone else.
I wouldn't call him cold tonight, but would it take much to slip to that place? Tonight he’s a burning inferno. I still don’t understand why he got so upset. Is it because I went to the library when we were supposed to have a date? Is he going to throw a temper tantrum like a child every time I don’t do something he wants? It’s a reminder that I was bought and paid for. He expects me to be obedient and do whatever he says.
I hear him move around before the lights all go off and he gets into bed. He reaches across, pulling me into him to wrap his arm around me. He buries his face in my hair. I don’t know how long we lie like that, but at some point, I must drift off.
When I open my eyes again, I can see the morning light starting to flood in under the bottom of the curtains. Roman is still wrapped around me. I slowly wiggle out of his hold before slipping off the bed quietly.
Roman reaches out for me but only finds a pillow. He pulls it to his chest. He’s so peaceful in his sleep. I don’t think he knows how much he shuts out the rest of the world. He only lets a few people get close. I was starting to think I was one of those people, but I’m not so sure anymore.
I head downstairs to the kitchen to make myself some coffee. George is already there making some for himself. He starts to make me one when he sees me, and I know there’s no stopping him.