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It’s just after 6 AM. If I leave now, I can get home in time to shower and change before Joel gets dropped back at the apartment. To my relief, Romano doesn’t stir as I grab my clothes and shoes and tiptoe out of the bedroom. I quickly pull my lingerie on, followed by my dress and shoes, and then call the elevator. Thank God it makes zero noise when it arrives.
The doors slide shut smoothly and I’m taken back down to the lobby. Part of me is sad I must leave, but I’m not dumb. Romano would have tossed me out soon enough anyway, and I’d rather leave on a high. He doesn’t strike me as the type to keep hisone-night stands around for long. No doubt he’ll have a different woman in his bed by this evening.
A twinge of jealousy shoots through my veins but I ignore it. I don’t have the right to be jealous. Hell, he doesn’t even know my real name. This is hardly the start of a love story for the ages. Nope. Nothing to see here, folks.
The receptionist glances up when I stroll through the lobby but she’s much too professional and well paid to comment on my walk of shame. I expect she’s seen a lot worse anyway. I know for a fact a famous boy band stayed here a month ago and was photographed snorting coke in the bar. Me in last night’s dress with bed hair and panda eyes is pretty tame by comparison.
At least I’m taking some hot memories with me,I think, as I emerge into yet another glorious Miami morning. They should keep me warm for a few years.
Chapter 8
Romano
Apersistent buzzing wakes me from a deep sleep. I’m not a morning person and today is no exception. Most people know better than to try calling before 8 AM, but when I reach out and grab my phone, I see it’s my brother, the fucker.
Not wanting to wake Roxy, I reject the call and roll over but the bed is empty and the sheets are cold on her side. I frown. Maybe she’s in the bathroom? But I can’t hear a thing.
I jump out of bed and stalk into the living area. There’s no sign of her and her clothes and shoes have gone. If this was any other woman, I’d be ecstatic at not having to deal with the awkwardness of the morning after. Not that it ever pans out like that since I always make sure to call a cab and shoo women out the door straight after sex.
The fact she’s the one who’s ditched me is irritating, to say the least. I thought we had a good time. I know I did anyway, and given how many times she came, I’m pretty sure she did too.
I pull some pants on and call room service to order coffee, which arrives ten minutes later, all the while stewing about the fact the first girl in forever I genuinely like has dumped me like a bad mistake. It pisses me off, not going to lie. I was looking forward to having a lazy morning in bed, fucking her six ways from Sunday, and then taking her out for lunch, before fucking her all over again.
This is not what I do, so the fact I’m even thinking about how I would have done it is a mystery. Fuck me, this woman has got under my skin and Ireallydon’t like it. Maybe I need to fuck a few club bunnies tonight. That might resolve my problem.
I take a sip of coffee and grimace at the bitter taste, then my phone rings again. This time I answer.
“What?”
There’s a pause followed by a low chuckle. “Someone’s in a bad mood,” my brother says. “What’s eating you? Or didn’t you get laid for once?”
“Fuck off, asshole. Why are you calling me so early?”
“You’re not at home. Family meeting in an hour.”
“Fine. I’ll be there.”
“You OK, bro?”
Christiano knows me too well. It’s one of the downsides of having a brother close in age to me.
“Fucking women.”
“Ah.” I don’t need to say anything else. He gets me.
I end the call and stare at my phone. I don’t even have Roxy’s number. Or her surname. It occurs to me that I know fuck all about her. Still, I’ve found people with less information, so once this meeting is out of the way, I fully intend to utilize my many skills to track her down.
Roxy might think it was a one-night stand, but if she thinks she’s getting away from me that easily, she’s fucking deluded.
Chapter 9
Rory
6 months later
“Is that you, honey?” Mom’s voice is reedy with fatigue. The last bout of chemo really kicked her ass and she still hasn’t recovered. I think both of us are wondering if it’s worth it, but I refuse to give up. I can’t lose her. She’s my anchor.
“Nope, it’s the Tooth Fairy.”
