Trapped by the Bastard's Kiss

Chapter 10

Like the biblical sea splitting, the crowd on Cole’s left parted, and Becky saw Roman. It was like the stage light suddenly switched from Cole to Roman, even though the other man hadn’t moved a muscle.

While Cole still looked stylishly handsome, Roman just exuded an air of dominance and power that made everything about him more pronounced.

Roman’s tall, muscular build accentuated his tailored semi-formal outfit of black dress pants and a black button-down shirt open at the collar. He almost looked like he had just left the office and decided to remove his tie, ditch the jacket, and come to the party. The black shirt made his olive skin stand out and accentuated his broad shoulders.

His strong jawline and permanent stubble on his cheeks added to his rugged yet refined look, while his coffee-brown hair, shaved on the sides, gave him an edgy and modern appearance. As he scanned the crowd, his eyes landed on Becky, and a slight smile formed on his lips. It was a smile that sent a shiver down her spine, and she couldn’t tell if it was from fear or excitement.

Becky wasn’t sure how to interpret the sudden slam of her heart against her rib cage. She hadn’t known Roman had been invited to the birthday party. After the way dinner had gone all those weeks ago and the way Cole had venomously talked about his half-brother, Becky had really thought she had seen the last of Roman in the Pollen house.

That was why she hadn’t mentioned her encounter with the man at the cafe to anyone. She thought she could just sweep the strange encounter and her confusing thoughts over it under the rug, so to say, and forget about it.

But clearly, the stars were not in her favor and Roman was there, standing behind the crowd with his eyes fixed on her.

Thankfully, Cole finally reached her with his beaming smile. After greeting her father and Sylvia, he leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek like the perfect gentleman in front of her parents, even though they had shared a few more intimate kisses behind closed doors.

“So glad you are finally here,” Cole said, and Becky felt a sense of relief. Despite the allure of Roman, Cole was her fiance, and she had to remember that. But even as she smiled back at him, she couldn’t help but feel Roman’s gaze burning into her skin, and somehow she knew that this was only the beginning of what was going to be a complicated and long night.

For the next hour and a half, Becky was able to push all thoughts about Roman out of her mind and focus on Cole as he led her around the room, making introductions. She smiled and nodded at everyone, trying her best to appear interested in the conversations, but her cheeks were burning from forcing the smile to remain in place. The five-inch heels that hadn’t seemed like a terrible idea at the start of the evening now felt like torture tools from hell. Becky needed a few minutes to herself just to breathe and rest her feet.

Finally, after another ten minutes, she saw the opportunity as Cole got drawn into a long conversation about company shares. It was her chance to gently pull away with a quiet whisper about needing the powder room, and then she made her escape.

As Becky walked through the crowd, headed for the door that would lead her to the hallway, she couldn’t help but feel a little panicked. Tonight was like a glimpse into her future. She could see herself hosting several gatherings and walking among guests, hanging on to Cole like an accessory to be admired.

A shudder ran through her body, making her gasp softly. She needed fresh air right now. Thankfully, she had reached the hallway. Becky turned and walked past the bathrooms and headed straight for the back of the house, where she knew there was a door that led to the pool outside. Her steps quickened the closer she got to the door, and when she finally pushed it open and walked outside, Becky thought she could cry from the simple relief of fresh air that didn’t smell like a thousand expensive perfumes.

This part of the yard had been kept in the dark, probably to discourage the guests from venturing out. But that was fine. The night sky was clear, and the stars were shining brightly above her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, enjoying the cool breeze that swept over her heated face. Then the sound of the water from the pool filled her ears, and she walked over to the edge of the pool.

Becky was drawn to the clear and cool water, and after a moment of hesitation, she removed her shoes, sat down, and dipped her feet into the refreshing water. It was a peaceful moment that she had been searching for, and she savored the tranquility and silence of the night.

She sat there for a few minutes, just enjoying the silence and the calmness of the night. Becky leaned back, braced her hands against the edge, and closed her eyes.

But then her skin tingled with awareness, as though someone was watching her. She opened her eyes and looked around, but there was no one there. Still, the feeling persisted. Becky knew that she probably needed to get back inside. So she stood up.

That’s when she saw who had been watching her. Roman stepped out of the shadows on the side of the house and stepped directly under the moonlight. He seemed relaxed with his hands in his pocket, but Becky could feel the tension rolling away from him in waves.

A moment of silence passed when he simply watched her and then he calmly asked, “How’s the water?”

Becky blinked at him. She was standing bare feet outside the Pollen house in the dark with a man that was making her very uncomfortable. Becky had to swallow and clear her throat to find her voice.

“It’s fine.” Really feeling uncomfortable, she picked up her shoes but didn’t put them back on immediately and then looked at him. Becky realized she had to walk past Roman to get back into the house. Her eyes instantly darted around as though looking for another route and, of course, the man didn’t miss that.

“Are you running?” he asked with a tilt of his head like a German shepherd trying to figure something out.

Becky squared her shoulders and decided not to show any weakness. She looked him straight in the eyes. The first rule of dealing with a problem was recognizing it, she thought. There was something between them that shouldn’t be there. Something that made her heart skip and her skin flush, but she couldn’t let him see she was affected.

“Running?” she asked, like she was unfamiliar with the term. “Do I have a reason to run? Are you a serial killer?”

A light chuckle bubbled out of his mouth as he slowly walked over to her until they were barely three feet apart.

His amused tone filled the air. “Many are my crimes, but I have never killed a person. Not even great s*x can do that.”

Heat climbed into Becky’s cheeks at his second statement. She suddenly looked away, unable to meet his eyes, but still managed to respond. “Well, I heard you have plenty of practice, so you would know.”

“Have you been discussing me?”

“Only in passing.” Becky smoothed her hand down her dress nervously, still remembering their tense conversation at the cafe and not looking for a repeat. “Well, it was nice seeing you. I should get back inside before my fiance looks for me. Enjoy the party.”

“Before you go.” His words stopped her mid-step. Becky lifted her head and found him watching her intently.

“Yes?” she asked, curious about why he was stopping her.

“Why are you getting married to Cole?”

Becky instinctively took a step back. Her brows furrowed over her nose as she frowned at him, confused by his question and wondering why he asked it.

“Excuse me?”

Roman stepped closer and repeated his question. But with more adjectives this time. “Why are you getting married to that spineless snake, Cole?”

Anger immediately flared inside Becky. Pulsing in her veins and making her hands twitch and then clench. “You know,” she said in a low, controlled voice. “The least you can do when someone invites you into their home and feeds you is refrain from insulting them.”

“I wasn’t starving last I checked. And being here holds no honor for me.”

Without missing a beat, she waved her hand toward the side of the house that led back to the front of the property. “Then leave. And stop trying to cause problems.”

“Why are you avoiding answering the question?”

Becky looked at him for a moment, really trying to understand what was wrong with the man, but nothing on his face gave a hint. His features were so blank, one would have thought they were discussing the size of the pool behind her.

Finally, she responded when it was clear she wasn’t leaving without concluding the conversation. “Because some questions are not worth answering.”

Roman smirked. “It’s a simple question. Because you see, I have been asking myself this question for days. Actually, I think it strolled into my mind and refused to leave the very first day I met you.”

“Well, that sounds like a you problem,” Becky clipped. “I don’t have to explain my reasons to you.”

He let out a chuckle and looked at her with a quizzical expression. “I beg to differ,” he said. “I think you have to explain it to both of us. If you loved the man and it was as simple as that, you would have told me the moment I asked.”

She took a deep breath and looked down, gathering her thoughts before speaking. “I do love Cole,” she said.

He raised an eyebrow, a disbelieving smile tugging at his lips. “You just happened to forget the word and needed a reminder?” he asked incredulously.

Becky clenched her teeth together. It was becoming apparent that Roman had set out to piss her off, but she didn’t know why. She refused to ask herself why she hadn’t just said she loved Cole in the beginning. It was none of his business. However, she gave him this, “It’s been a long evening.”

“Or perhaps,” he said, his voice low and smooth, as though he hadn’t heard her. “It’s because you don’t love him. I have seen the way you look at me.”

Becky’s heart skipped a beat as her head snapped up to look at him, her eyes narrowing in confusion. “I beg your pardon?” she asked, her voice wavering slightly.

Roman stepped closer. He looked at her a moment and then he leaned in closer, his breath hot against her cheek as he whispered into her ear. “Yes,” he said, his voice dripping with arrogance. “I’m not blind, and I can tell when a woman looks at me more than once with interest.”

Becky felt a chill run down her spine as she pulled away, her mind racing with disbelief. “You are delusional,” she said, her voice shaking with a mix of shock and anger.

He chuckled, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Am I?” he asked, a sly smile playing at the corners of his lips. “Or are you just afraid to admit the truth?”

Becky felt her cheeks flush with anger as she took a step back, her fists clenching at her sides. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she spat, her eyes blazing with fury.

“Oh really? Are you saying I have not caught you looking at me as though you would like to rip my clothes off?” Roman contended without an ounce of doubt in his voice.

“How dare you! You didn’t just say that. How dare you say such a thing to me? I am getting married to your brother!” her voice rose with each word even as anger swelled in her.

“I am hearing a lot of words, but I am yet to hear you call me a liar.”

Becky’s heart raced with anger and frustration as she opened her mouth to curse him out, but no words came out. And the realization that he was getting under her skin only seemed to please the arrogant man more.

Becky took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. She knew she had to get away from Roman before she did something she would regret. With one final glare, she turned, but before she could step around the man, Roman grabbed her.

Vaguely, she was aware of her shoes falling and landing with a muffled thump on the ground and of the firm hands that held her shoulders. But what she was most acutely aware of was the sudden pressure of lips against hers.

For a moment, time stood still as she lost herself in the sensation of his mouth on hers. Then she gasped, her lips parting and his tongue dove in to devour her. The kiss was rough and urgent, full of a raw desire that made her head spin. She felt a firm hand snake around her waist, pulling her closer to him, and she responded instinctively, her arms wrapping around his neck as she deepened the kiss.

As the kiss continued, Becky felt her body responding to him in ways she had never experienced before. She could feel her heart racing, her breath coming in short gasps as the heat between them grew more intense with each passing second.

Suddenly, a loud and angry voice bellowed, “Becky!” and the spell was broken. She pulled away from Roman, her heart racing with fear and confusion.