AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I remove the towel and clean the cut as gently as possible. Yet again, she remains quiet, not even making a sound when the alcohol pours over the cut, and I know that has to hurt like hell. She doesn't say anything when I bandage her foot, either.
By the time I've finished, an awkward silence has settled over both of us. I avoid looking at her as I move around the kitchen, cleaning up the mess and trying to get myself under control. Once I feel a little less off-balanced, I turn around to find her gaze focused on the countertop, her shoulders slumped.
She looks miserable, and I feel like an ass all over again.
"I'm sorry," I say.
"I'm sorry," she blurts at the same time, looking up.
Her gaze tangles with mine, and once again, I'm struck by the sadness in her eyes. I've always found myself paying a hell of a lot more attention to her than I should have. She's always been a little defiant but never very loud or in-your-face. There's always been a certain confidence in her eyes, a little gleam of contentment. I don't know what shook that confidence, but I don't like it.
"You have nothing to be sorry for," I growl, causing her to flinch away from me. I fight the urge to scowl at her reaction and try to soften my tone. Every move she makes has me on edge, ready to crawl out of my skin. I know part of that is the situation with Guerrero. But the biggest part? It's her and those big green eyes. "I shouldn't have startled you."
"It's okay. You didn't know I was here."
"Why are you here?"
She flinches again, and I bite back a curse.
"I…um, I broke up with Damien."
Well, fuck.
I'd forgotten all about the dick who thought he deserved her. He didn't. I only met him twice, and I didn't like him. He was an ass who spent as much time looking at every other woman who walked by as he did at Mila. Can't say I'm disappointed he's out of her life. I wanted to send the little prick packing when I found out about him, but I didn't simply because having him in her life gave me one more reason to keep my fucking hands to myself.
I've been running out of reasons for a long goddamn time with her. But she's my daughter's best friend. They're the same fucking age, for Christ's sake. If I touch her, I may lose my daughter. Mila may lose the only family she has. I can't let that happen. As much as I fucked hated that she was with Damien, it helped ensure I didn't do something I couldn't take back.
"Tahani told me I could stay here for a few weeks while I look for a place," she says, hopping off the counter. She tries to put weight on her foot and hisses in pain before squaring her shoulders and trying again. She takes a step forward, limping, and then another, refusing to let the pain win. "I didn't know you were going to be here, or I wouldn't have come."
I don't know why that statement pisses me off, but it does.
"I'll get my things and get out of your hair," she continues before I can say anything.
"Mila–"
"I'm so sorry for inconveniencing you, Mr. Gregory."
Inconveniencing me? Is that really what she thinks? That's she's an inconvenience? What the fuck?
I reach out and grab her arm, halting her before she can limp past me.
"Stop apologizing to me," I demand when she meets my gaze again. "You haven't done anything wrong. I didn't expect anyone to be here, and I was an ass." It's not really an excuse, but it's the only one I can offer her. I don't talk about my cases with anyone, especially not with Tahani's friends. But the thought of Guerrero knowing Mila exists scares the hell out of me.
"It's okay, Mr. Gregory," she says quietly, pulling her arm out of my grasp. She offers me a wan smile, one that doesn't reach her eyes. "Really. I don't mind going."
"Stop calling me Mr. Gregory."
"I…Okay?" Her brows crinkle, confusion pulling the corners of her full lips down into a frown.
She's called me Mr. Gregory since the day I met her, and it drives me fucking crazy. The way she says it in that sweet voice is erotic as all hell. Every time she says it, I want to bend her over and fuck her until she's screaming it. But hearing it reminds me why I can't do that, and that pisses me off. Before her, I always took what I wanted when I wanted it. I didn't fuck around often, but if I wanted something, I took it. With her, I can't do that. I can't explain that though, so I don't try. I just tell her what I want, demanding she give it to me. Just once.
"My name is Roman. Say it."
I think she's going to refuse me, but she doesn't.
"Roman," she whispers. Her eyes darken and the tip of her tongue darts out, sweeping across her bottom lip as if she's tasting my name.
My cock hardens immediately. I want her. Right or wrong, I want to hear her scream my name in that sweet voice.
