The Marriage (Darkest Lies Trilogy Book 3) by Bethany-Kris (animal farm read .txt) 📕

window for a second where it paused before coming back to her. “Trying to remember all of this. You.”

There was something about the way he said that—maybe it was how his gaze didn’t stay right on hers at the end—but it gave her a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.

“Is something wrong?”

Roman’s jaw worked as he chewed on his thoughts, and she thought he might actually tell her what it was. Just for a second, she really did. But then he breathed in deeply, and shook his head.

“You have nothing to worry about, my beautiful girl. Come here,” he said, tugging on her wrist until she was close enough for him to kiss. It was too quick, but it still took her breath away all the same. Only, it hurt a little more. Roman smiled lopsidedly, lifting one shoulder when he added, “It’s not like I can really forget this anyway—I couldn’t forget you if I tried.”

That, she did believe.

*

After breakfast, Karine headed for the shower, needing to wash off the remnants of the night before. With her back turned to the bathroom door, she didn’t see Roman come in, and his footsteps were so quiet she hadn’t heard them until his last one.

By then, she was already engulfed in his embrace. Her giggles muffled into the crooks of his arms as he nuzzled her head to the side, getting access to her throat that he loved with his mouth in the best kind of way.

She melted into him while the rainfall shower overhead inside the large, tiled stall shot down in a steaming, steady stream. Her toes just touched the threshold to step inside the stall, but he’d caught her before she did.

Roman’s kisses ended on the pulse point in her throat, and then he rested his chin on her right shoulder. Letting his arms fall around her waist, with nothing but his silk robe between them, he said nothing.

“You know, for nothing being wrong,” she said quietly, “you’re broodier than usual.”

He kissed her neck once more, then slowly flipped her around so she could see him.

“Are you getting in with me?” she asked, looking down to find him semi-hard already.

Roman cocked a brow. “Likely.”

“Hmm.”

“Let’s not pretend we’re fucking sad about it.”

Fair point.

“I just wanted to touch you,” he added, quieter. “I came in, you were there—there was a time not too long ago when you could barely run yourself a bath without someone being right at your side. Do you realize that? I saw you and thought ... I don’t think she knows how many days it’s been. So, yeah, I just wanted to touch you. I’ve never really been amazed at something before, but I am with you. Obsessively, maddeningly, constantly amazed with you.”

“Roman—”

“I don’t really think I deserve you.”

He didn’t give her time to absorb the impact of his words before he’d moved on to his next task—dropping the robe and stepping past her into the large stall. Karine followed him in, letting him tug her under the waterfall of water for a kiss that melted her into his arms all over again.

When he released her, moving to grab the hotel’s provided bodywash and the fresh washcloth on the tiled shelf, she searched his face for answers to the questions she didn’t want to ask. There was something definitely different about today. Like he wanted to tell her something he didn’t have the words for. Was their time in Vegas coming to an end?

“How about we do something adventurous today?” he suggested, breaking through her thoughts.

“I’ve never been bungee jumping.”

But it sounded like fun.

Roman threw his head back and laughed. Hard. “Do you really think I’m going to stand back and watch you being pushed off a fucking cliff? Honest question.”

She rolled her eyes. “Okay, so what kind of an adventure are you talking about?”

“How about a spa day?”

It was Karine’s turn to laugh now.

“You’re not serious.”

“What’s wrong with that?” he asked.

“A spa day is Roman Avdonin’s idea of a big adventure?”

Her giggles had his face darkening just enough to make her wink. He shrugged back. It wasn’t often Karine got a rise out of Roman, and she enjoyed it.

Very much.

“It’s not like we’ll have the opportunity to keep doing shit like this—spending the day together at a spa, relaxing. Not when we have to go back soo—”

She cut him off, pressing her palm brutishly to his mouth to keep him from finishing that sentence.

Karine didn’t want to hear it.

That made it real.

“Okay, yes, let’s go. It’ll be fun,” she said quickly.

Roman sighed as he took her hand away with two kisses to her palm. “I really just want you to have a nice day, Karine.”

She smiled as she took the bottle of bodywash from his hand. “I always have a nice day when I’m with you, Roman.”

*

The private property where they had to travel outside of the city to reach looked like a resort, but Karine hadn’t seen any large signage on the outside of the gates as they’d driven through. The small plaque was too small for her to discern the writing when Roman pulled beyond security. She didn’t know where they were but the weaving, long driveway that led to the welcoming lobby style entrance was a beautiful distraction.

Karine didn’t mind the long drive. There was nowhere else in the world she’d rather be than with Roman, the top down and wind in her hair. If she closed her eyes, it was almost like she was flying.

Free.

Roman had watched her closely during the drive, smiling the whole time. He even joined in when she started singing to a song on the radio that she had heard enough times to at least know most of the verses. He had a good singing voice. Deep and sexy.

Unsurprisingly, he ignored her compliment when she told him so.

His only comment had been a teasing, growled threat of, “If you mention this to anyone...”

All it took to quiet his grumbling was Karine leaning into him,