I look over at Roman, who laces his fingers together and lifts his arms over his head as he stretches, then meets my eyes and smiles. My heart jumps at his lazy grin. It makes him look so young and innocent. Not the successful CEO I’m used to seeing.
I wonder how many people get to see this version of him.
“I didn’t expect it to be that funny,” he says. “Thanks for the invite.”
With both our heads leaning back on the couch, I take a moment to appreciate how good he looks, splayed out like this in front of me. His long, toned legs stretched out. His hands resting on his stomach. His hair ruffled and out of control.
It dawns on me that I’m checking him out, but I realize his eyes are doing the same to me. They move up my body as his teeth bite on his bottom lip.
“You’re welcome,” I whisper, which pulls him out of his trance.
He stands up quickly. “I should head home. I need a shower, then could use a good night’s sleep. I’ll see you later, Eva.”
I sit up on the couch. “Bye, Roman,” I reply while he is already halfway to my door.
Then he’s gone, and the electric energy that filled my apartment just moments ago disappears with him. It leaves me with a loneliness that I’ve never felt before.
I fall back and sigh.What are you thinking, Eva? Do you really think you can be just friends with him?
It feels like we’re going down a dangerous road, kidding ourselves into thinking we can maintain this friendship without things getting confusing.
Chapter Eleven
Roman
Getting to know Eva is making things worse. The more time I spend with her, the more powerful my attraction feels. Which is unusual because it’s usually the opposite of what happens when I spend more time with a woman.
Like when I stopped by a couple of weeks ago after dinner at Ma’s and provided her with her requested leftovers. She was shocked that I’d followed through, but extremely excited. The feelings that her giddiness evoked in me were strange and definitely not welcome. But it was impossible not to feel things when she was moaning over a plate of Ma’s veal parmesan in her gray pajama’s shorts and T-shirt.
She just looked so damn sexy.
So, I did the same thing this past week after dinner at Ma’s. We ate and laughed, then watched TV until she could hardly keep her eyes open.
At work, my eyes are constantly watching the hallway, waiting for a glimpse of her.
That’s why tonight—Friday night—I am going out with Walker and the guys. I need to get out and remind myself that I can be attracted to more than just one woman. I need to shake this laser focus my brain seems to have on her.
Sawyer insists on going to a club tonight. It’s not exactly my style, but a change in scenery might be just what I need.
As soon as I step into the club, the loud bass of the music vibrates through my body. Purple lights flash above as I fight through the crowd to get to the back of the room where the VIP sections are lined up against the wall.
I spot Drew first, his head bobbing to the music, before I spot the rest of the guys sitting on the plush red sofas. As soon as I get past the rope, I shed my jacket and roll up my sleeves in an attempt to relax.
I take a seat next to Colton, and he nudges my arm.
“Can you believe Sawyer picked this place? Is he that desperate for pussy tonight?”
“I don’t care where I’m at. I just need a drink,” I admit as I watch the waitress approach our area.
She hands the guys their drinks, then leans down. “What can I get you?”
“I’ll take your most expensive whiskey on the rocks. Make it a double,” I shout.
“You finally decided to grace us with your presence tonight?” Walker screams over the music.
“I’ve been busy with work,” I lie as guilt washes over me. The truth is that I’ve spent most nights with his sister between building the bookcases to watching TV together.
“How’s that going? I talked to Eva today. She seems to think everything is moving forward really well.”