Page 127 of Valentine’s Billionaire Auction

I found myself blushing. It was as if no time had passed at all, yet everything had changed. I was more myself than I had ever been before, and from what I could gather so far, so was he.

When Anthony pulled to a stop at the estate, we both climbed out. It appeared the staff had already retired for the night. I looked around with memories flooding in. The last time I had been in the foyer was when he had kicked me out.

“Do you want a drink?” Roman asked.

I turned to look at him and slowly shook my head. “No.”

“Me neither.”

He took my hand and together we climbed the stairs. When we reached the top step, I was surprised to see the double doors open. I turned to look at him, questioning what had happened.

“I like to see her art,” he said with a shrug. “I leave the doors open. Anyone who walks by here gets to see it.”

I nodded, noticing he had cleaned up the place. It looked more like a gallery than an artist’s studio. “I think that’s a great idea,” I said. “Her work is beautiful. It should be seen.”

“I agree. I’m working with a gallery to display some of her pieces. I won’t sell them, but I want the world to remember my mother and her amazing talent.”

He had changed. I was so impressed. We walked by the room and into his bedroom. Nothing had changed in there. He reached up and undid his bowtie, letting it hang around his neck.

“Uncomfortable?” I asked.

“You have no idea.”

I reached up and undid a couple of buttons on his shirt, giving the man room to breathe. His fingers wrapped around my wrist and stopped me.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I want you to know, there has been no one else since you.”

The intensity in his eyes held me captive, a stark honesty that stripped away any pretense. “Me either, Roman.”

He drew a deep breath, his grip on my wrist softening. “Kaira, I’m sorry for how things ended between us. I’ve had a lot of time to think, to understand where I went wrong.”

It wasn’t just an apology; it was a confession and an invitation rolled into one. His sincerity cut through the lingering doubts in my mind. I could feel the walls I’d built around my heart beginning to crumble.

“I know you’ve had your own journey since then,” Roman continued, his voice low and steady. “I’ve followed your successes, always feeling pride mixed with a sense of loss. I just… I hope there’s room for me, somewhere in your future.”

The world seemed to hold its breath, waiting for my response. My thoughts raced, weaving past painful memories and future hopes. “You are my future, Roman.”

I saw the flash in his eyes. Desire? Love?

It didn’t matter because he kissed me and I had my answer. As our lips met again after so much time apart—craving each other’s touch—I knew that there was no one else who could complete me like Roman did; no one else whose heart beat in sync with mine quite like his did. There was no one else who could challenge me yet inspire me like him; no one else who could make me feel safe yet drive me wild at precisely the same time.

Slowly we broke apart, breathless yet yearning for more. His fingers pulled at my glove and slowly peeled it down my arm before removing the next one. I slowly turned and moved my hair out of the way, silently asking him to unzip me.

I felt the cool breeze as it hit my bare flesh, sending shivers down my spine. Roman placed slow, gentle kisses on my neck and shoulders as he slowly eased the dress off me, taking it with him as he stepped away.

I was left standing there in just my bra and panties, feeling empowered. I wasn’t the same shy woman as I was the first time we were together. I turned to face him.

His eyes burned with desire. “You are so beautiful.” His lips brushed against my lobe, sending another shiver down my spine.

He reached around and unclasped my bra before gently lowering it to the floor. His hands traced patterns on my back as he kissed and nibbled his way down to my hips. I could feel myself melting into him, wanting him more than anything else in this moment—needing him like air itself.

My fingers trembled as I pushed his jacket down his arms. He shrugged out of it while I worked the buttons of his shirt, pulling it free from his pants. I was suddenly feeling frantic. I needed to touch him. I missed the feel of his skin under my palms.

I jerked his shirt open and groaned when I realized he was wearing an undershirt. He quickly pulled it over his head. Our bodies met again. His hard chest pressed against my soft curves, our hearts racing wildly together in time—as if we had never been apart despite nearly a year passing by since our last embrace.

Within minutes, we were both naked and stretched out on his bed. He kissed my neck, sucking my skin before running his tongue over the same spot. My body arched into him wanting more. His hand slid over my breasts before tweaking my nipple, sending shocks of pleasure through me. His other hand trailed down my belly before dipping into the wetness between my legs.