Or maybe another would grab his attention. He had a sex club after all.
The thought had me off the floor with jealousy, with frustration, but also resignation. I turned the handle and the water stopped falling. I dried off and went back to my phone.
My fingers hovered over the keys. One phone call and I could have Rome’s number.
Instead, I texted Maksim, giving him our signal that I was safe and sound for the night.
I put my phone on the opposite side of where I slept, trying to forget the call that had ruined my night.
And that was singular because he only dialed my number once. He definitely hadn’t left a message and I wasn’t even sure he’d waited to hear the voicemail click on.
Rome was always impatient when he wanted something. He’d lived a life where efficiency was necessary and it bled over into everything he did. I didn’t know if it was a product of his lifestyle or if he’d been born with it.
Still, I was more than a little surprised when the next day, as I got ready for another meeting with Ivan, Rome texted me.
Lately, the meetings with Ivan had been more heated as we brought in lawyers and allies to sign documents. We were getting close, so close I should have been focusing on that, not a text from Rome.
Still, I sat on the bed in my lingerie, about to change, and I pulled open the text. The number wasn’t blocked this time, giving me a way to respond.
I shook away my excitement, reminding myself that I’d been the one to push him away. It was necessary for us both to have clear heads for our families, our line of work. We didn’t need relationships. Some mob family codes actually forbade them for the very reason that they put your mob family at risk.
Emotions and ties just ended up broken apart on the floor in front of you.
And yet we were both bound to bleed out in front of one another anyway.
Rome:You didn’t answer.
Me:You didn’t leave a message. Or a number to call back.
Rome: I have it on good authority you stared at me ringing your phone. You ignored the call and I know for a fact you could have got my number if you wanted it.
Me:Maybe I don’t want it. Ever cross your mind?
Rome:Never. I’ll see you soon.
Me:What?
Rome:I’ll be at the meeting.
Me:Why? You’re not invited.
Rome:We will be. That meeting’s bound to go to shit.
Me:I don’t want to see you. Don’t come.
Rome:Now, we both know I don’t listen to commands well.
Me:Rome, this is business.
Rome:I’m well aware. What are you wearing to your business meeting, Katalina?
Me:Oh, get fucked.
Rome:Wear something for me, huh? If I can’t have your pussy, I’d at least like to admire the view.
This was a conversation that was bound to lead to sexting if I didn’t stop. This little taste of my addiction was already becoming a bigger problem. My thighs were clenching as I sat on the side of the bed, my heart racing for just a fix, my soul yearning for the place it felt most comfortable. Next to the man who put me on top of the world instead of those who constantly tried to drag me down into the depths of it.
Me:Don’t you have anything better to do right now?