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“Nothing. I just wanted a moment with you.” He pulls me to him and kisses me lightly, and just like that, all seems right in my world.

Like a typical outing, I make Roman take picture after picture with me. Every time we stop to read a placard, I use the opportunity to capture the moment. And every time I start to get too hot, I pull my boyfriend close and use his cool temperature to cool down.

Boyfriend? Did I really call him my boyfriend? Yes, I did, and I really like the sound of it.

“Are you having fun?”

“I am, are you?” I ask him.

He nods and leans over the wall, spreading his arms wide.

“Please don’t do that,” I beg.

Roman stops and pulls me into his arms. “You do know, if I fell, I’d live.”

I shrug. “I’m still learning.”

“I’m invincible.”

“Mhm…” I rest my head on his shoulder and let him hold me. Between the wind at my back and him, I shiver.

“I think you’re the only one in Boulder City who is cold right now.”

“You’re my personal air conditioner.”

Roman laughs. “I can be a lot more if you’d like.” He tugs at the bottom of my earlobe. The simple act increases my body temperature, making me hot… for him.

After the dam, we drive to the lake where the vampire men have packed a lunch and plenty of water for Lydia and me. The men have decided to show off their strength by climbing up a deadly rock formation and diving into the lake. Admittedly, this act would kill a human, but not Roman and Damen. Nope, these two resurface without a single scratch on them.

Once we get back to the hotel, Roman hands his keys over to Damen and tells him he’ll pick up the Jeep later. Roman and I walk, hand in hand, through the lobby and inside the elevator; I let him know with my mouth that I want him to stay. His hands are all over me, and mine is in his hair, tugging at the ends of his perfectly coifed strands.

Thank heavens Roman’s senses are extraordinary because he moves me from the elevator to my door without missing a step. Somehow, I get my front door open, and we’re inside without much effort.

“Roman…”

“Yes, Fiona,” he whispers against my skin as his mouth abates my warm flesh. “I can smell your need for me.”

“I’m sorry, what the fuck did you say?”

I push Roman away at the sound of my father’s voice. He’s standing in my foyer, his face red and his fist clenched. “Daddy,” I say, scrambling to fix myself and pull away from Roman, but he doesn’t budge. He lets out a low growl as he turns and looks over his shoulder. From this angle, I can see one of his fangs. “Roman?” my voice quivers.

“Get the hell away from my daughter.” In my father’s hand is a stake. Roman turns, shielding me. “Did you hear me, monster? You’re not welcome here.”

The grip Roman has on my hip tightens. “Roman, please.”

“I will end you!” my dad yells. He rushes toward us with his arm raised and the stake heading toward Roman. In a flash, there’s a deafening crash and a loud roar, followed by screaming. Roman’s arms are around me, telling me everything's okay. I realize, I’m the one screaming and I don’t know why.

I look at Roman, who seems pensive. Beyond me, there’s a moan, and I turn to find my dad lying on the floor with blood coming from a cut on his forehead. “Daddy,” I say, pushing away from Roman. “Dad, can you hear me?”

He moans. I glance over my shoulder at Roman. “What did you do?”

“He interrupted us,” he says as if this is no big deal.

“So you try to kill him,” I state, standing up. “That’s my father, Roman. The man you so desperately want to do business with.” Roman’s eyes go from mine to my dad’s and back to mine. I shake my head. “Roman, you have to leave.”

“No, I should stay.”

“You can’t.” I point to the door and look at the floor, unable to look Roman in the eyes. Once he leaves, I rush to the bathroom for my first aid kit. When I get back to my dad, he’s standing and holding the back of his head.


Tags: Heidi McLaughlin The Clutch Fantasy