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“We keep this professional until you’re ready for more,” Roman told her.
“More? That won’t—”
“Don’t!” he snapped, losing his cool a little. His patience had its limits. “Don’t say it. We both know that’s setting you up for failure.”
Angela’s angry gasp was clear. “Why, you arrogant—”
“Be very careful, Angel,” Roman warned, no longer feeling amused. “I’m not some dog to be tugged around on a leash.”
She was silent for a moment before a heavy sigh came across the line. “I don’t think you’re a dog, Roman. I just... I can’t...”
He knew what she was referring to—him. She couldn’t be with him. And he knew why. It wasn’t because she didn’t want him. It was clear she did. It was about her past. A past she fought off daily. A past he still knew nothing about. Even Luca, who made a habit out of hacking into NASA, hadn’t been able to find any dirt on Angela Hawthorne. There was a two-year gap, where she went away to a prestigious boarding school in another state when she was sixteen, but nothing dark or sinister showed in official and unofficial records. However, Roman knew it was there. He saw it every time he looked at her. She had admitted as much last night when she said there was death in her past.
“I know,” he replied. “And until you can, no more orgasms.” He waited a beat before adding, “All of you, or none of me.” Then he hung up, stabbing his desk with the letter opener.
“Was that the doctor? Did you really just say that? What the fuck, Roman?”
Roman looked up to find Morrigan and Abel in his doorway. He groaned internally. The pair of bickering ingrates were the last thing he wanted to deal with. “Have you ever heard of knocking?” he asked in return, ignoring her question.
Morrigan glared at him and crossed her arms over her chest. “I’ve never had to knock before. That doctor...”
“What about her?” Roman interrupted with a snap. When his cousin remained silent, he said, “Well?”
Morrigan shook her head. “I thought the whole Lenny thing was more about Bertha’s. That maybe you were laying things on a bit thick as a lesson to others. But you weren’t, were you?”
“Since when has Roman ever exaggerated?” Abel replied for Roman, taking a seat on the couch and looking at the fruit bowl.
“Are you in love with her?” Morrigan asked, ignoring Abel completely.
Roman held Morrigan’s intense gaze but remained silent. It wasn’t as if he could deny it. But he also wasn’t ready to admit it out loud.
“You are!” Morrigan pointed an accusing finger at him. “For fuck’s sake, Roman!”
Roman cocked an eyebrow, watching as she began to pace. “I don’t know why you’re so pissed.”
“Because she’s a bitch,” Morrigan snarled.
“And you’re not?” Abel questioned.
“I’m going to cut a smile into your throat,” Morrigan threatened, palming a knife from out of nowhere.
Abel didn’t flinch. He just kept picking at the fruit bowl, trying to find the best apple. Roman stood up and moved around the front of his desk. He leaned back against it, crossing his ankles and watching Morrigan pace some more. “What’s with you? Abel has a point, Morrigan. I’d think Angel was someone you could appreciate.”
Morrigan paused, pointing her blade at him for emphasis as she spoke. “I don’t appreciate her dragging you around by your balls. You need to keep your head in the game, Roman. Not up some female’s skirt.”
His jaw clenched, and he straightened up slowly as his temper ignited. “Careful, Maria.” He used her given name unintentionally, but it showed just how angry he was. “You’d do well to remember who you’re talking to.”
“I’m sorry.” Morrigan was quick to apologize. “Sorry,” she repeated, putting her knife away.
Roman regarded her for a moment, wondering why she was so opposed to Angela. “Have you ever known me to be led around by my dick?” he wanted to know.
“Not until now.” Morrigan snarked. She winced, holding up a hand. “Sorry. I’m sorry. That just slipped out.”
Roman snorted, relaxing back against his desk once more. It was hard to stay mad at someone who was just being themselves. Morrigan was woefully and socially inappropriate. She just didn’t give a shit about insulting most people. Thankfully, he was on the list of people she did give a shit about. So, he knew that apology was genuine.
“Why don’t you get to know her?” Abel suggested, shining a green apple against his shirt.
“Why the fuck would I want to do that?” Morrigan demanded, looking disgusted.
