Wild Nights With My Brother’s Ex-Best Friend novel Chapter 23

NICOLE

Roman strokes my back lazily as I lie with my head on his chest.

I’m spent my body will be sore tomorrow, I just know it. But the truth? I couldn’t be happier.

Being with Roman brings me this sense of peace. When he’s not around, it’s easy for me to think of all the terrible things that I’m going, like stabbing my own brother in the back. But when he’s here, all these thoughts just fade away, disappearing into the back of my mind.

“When is it going to be like this every day?” he asks before kissing the top of my head.

“Did you leave your fiancée already?” I ask, hating how bitter I sound.

Roman lets out a breath, then shifts so that we’re face to face. “Of course, I left her already. The announcement is just going to take longer.”

I frown. “But I haven’t even given you an answer yet.”

“Your body has,” he claims before squeezing my left nipple between his fingers. “Come on, Nik. I know you’re as crazy about me as I am about you. You can’t lie to me. What will you do about your brother?”

I’ll have to be an adult and face this. I don’t have a choice. When it was a one-night stand, it was easy for me to want to hide it. But now? It’s too late to turn back. “When he comes back from his trip, I’ll talk to him.”

“You will?”

I nod.

Roman smiles and kisses me on the lips. He’s right on top of me, and I’m filled to the brim with desire for him, even though we’ve just spent the past two hours in each other’s arms. At this point, it’s an addiction. I can’t get enough of him.

I think it’s safe to say that I’m in love with Roman Hayes.

“You make me really happy, you know that?” Roman says between kisses. “I can’t fucking wait for our lives to start. Just you and me. Together.”

I blush. “Roman.”

His vivid eyes stare back at me while a mischievous smile curves his lips. “Spend the night with me.”

“I can’t,” I say, suddenly remembering the dinner I have with Esmeralda. It’s supposed to be just the two of us. I already agreed to it in the morning and I’m pretty sure I’m running late. I still have to shower. “I have a date with my best friend.”

After fighting to get out of bed, I manage to step inside his luxurious shower and wash up. Afterward, I put on the same dress I wore earlier at the charity event. I won’t have time to stop by Mason’s place to change.

Luckily, this dress is appropriate for dinner, too.

Roman’s still in bed, the sheets barely covering his hips. He looks like a god, sprawled on the bed with his arms behind his head. My gaze flickers from his handsome face to his delicious abs. His body is hard and muscular. He definitely takes care of himself. Everything about him is perfect.

God, I have to get out of here.

“I know you want to get into bed with me, Nikki.”

I put on my shoes and grab my purse from the floor. “I have to run. I’m going to be late!”

“You aren’t even going to give me a kiss?”

I halt and turn my head to look at him. He’s watching me through slitted eyes. I can just smell his bad intentions from here. Roman is too unpredictable for me to trust him with this-he might even tear my clothes to stop me from leaving.

“Later,” I state, ignoring his protests as I leave his apartment.

Thankfully, I’m right on time. It’s just Esmeralda and me, so I know we’re in for a good time. I blow kisses at her as I take a seat.

“Tell me about it.” She takes a sip of the cocktail, then shakes her head. “And let me tell you something-I know I encouraged you to go out with him, but now that I know who he truly is, I’m so glad you didn’t listen to me and I’m so sorry for everything I said.”

“Why? What does he do?”

I’m interested not only because I met the guy and found him to be creepy but because his daughter was engaged to Roman.

“He’s a drug dealer,” she whispers after looking around and making sure nobody’s around to listen to this. She’s so dramatic. “Like hardcore. I’m talking millions here. It’s where all his wealth comes from. He hides it all under his family name, though. Acts like a proper, admirable businessman when he’s a crook.”

“Who told you all this?” I ask, horrified. Is this the family that Roman would marry into? Does he know about this?

“He’s got other dark businesses that I won’t even mention to you. Bad stuff. Trafficking and shit. He’s dangerous, Nicole. What astounds me is how his daughter acts all classy when her father’s just a criminal. It’s crazy.”

Our food arrives, and moments later, we move on to a better topic. I can’t stop thinking about what she said, though. Right now, I’m worried.

What has Roman gotten himself into?

Thank God he changed his mind and won’t be marrying her anymore. I’m sure he didn’t know-otherwise, he’d never have gone for her.

Now, he’s with me.

With that thought in mind, I focus on dinner, and we have a splendid time.