Unforgiven (Wanderers #3) (45 page)

When we reached my bed I broke down crying again. “Oh
Roman, it was awful,” I yelped throwing my arms around him. “I was
trapped in this horrible cave with snakes and spiders everywhere
and when I woke up I still thought they were on me.”

“Shh,” he said, caressing my hair. “You’re okay now
and I’m not going to let anything hurt you.”

“I’m sorry. You must think I’m some big baby.” I
pulled away wiping angrily at me tears.

He reached out and grabbed my hand. “Ella, you are
probably one of toughest girls I know. It’s okay to get freaked
out. Hell, I’d scream too if I had a dream like that.”

“No you wouldn’t,” I frowned.

“Spiders and snakes? Uh yeah, I would, and if you
tell anyone that I might have to kill you.”

I laughed and fell back into his embrace, needing to
feel the strength and comfort of his arms around me. “I’m so glad
you’re here. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” I meant it to.
I cared deeply for Roman, I did, and it pained me that I broke his
heart. I guess that was why Tristan broke mine. It was karma coming
back to bite me in the ass for what I did to Roman.

Roman squeezed me tighter before Ms. Kraft came into
the room. She looked beside herself. I guess Gabe had described it
worse than it was. She came over and sat next to me, wrapping her
arms around me. I told her all about the dream as she comforted me.
I wanted to tell her more and ask questions but with Gabe and Roman
there I couldn’t. It would have to wait.

After Ms. Kraft told Gabe that I would be fine and
that I was just a little shaken up, the two of them left leaving
Roman and I alone. “I’m sorry if I scared you,” I told him.

“It’s okay,” he said, wiping his thumb softly across
my cheek. “I’m just glad you’re okay.” He kissed me sweetly.
“Tonight we’ll make up for it.”

“Oh shit!” I smacked my forehead. “I totally forgot
and made plans with Cameron. I can call her and cancel.”

“You don’t have to do that,” he said with
disappointment in his voice.

“No. I made plans with you first and besides I rather
spend the time with you,” I smiled sweetly and he gave me one
back.

“I really don’t mind,” he said, even though I could
tell he kind of did.

“I do, and like I said, I rather spend the time with
you. Cameron and I can get together another time.”

Roman sat with me in my room until we had to leave
for training. He promised as soon as he was done he would escort me
back to my room and then to dinner. I told him that wasn’t
necessary, but he insisted, and frankly I didn’t mind. I called
Cameron and told her I forgot I had made plans with Roman earlier
and would have to reschedule. She said she was fine and we could
get together another time.

Roman had gotten done with his training before I had
and watched while I finished. It was intimidating to have him sit
there and watch me. Even though we use to train together, having
him as a spectator was different. Zane noticed I was no longer
focusing as much and instead of yelling at me like Gabe would he
told me I could go. I wondered for a moment if Gabe had filled him
in on my little outburst earlier and he was trying to give me a
break. I didn’t ponder the thought too long and I didn’t ask
questions. I just left not wanting to push my luck.

I noticed Roman was already showered and carrying a
backpack. “What’s in the bag?” I asked curious.

“It’s a surprise,” he said, smiling coyly and taking
my hand. I didn’t question him as he led me back to my room. I let
him know I had to take a quick shower before dinner and he could
wait there until I was done.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, Roman had the
entire room lit up with candles and a table set up for dinner.
“What is all this?” I asked.

“I wanted to do something special for you,” he
said.

“Thank you.” I grinned, taking his hand. “Did you
cook?”

“I ordered out,” he said, revealing a piping hot
pizza.

“Where did you get this?”

“I called in a favor.” He pulled out the chair for
me. “I hope you don’t mind. I’m not much of a cook and I thought
this would be safer.”

“No. It’s perfect.” I dug in grabbing the biggest
slice of pizza. I inhaled four slices before I remembered Roman was
sitting across from me. “Sorry,” I laughed with a mouthful.

“I’ve seen you eat before we started dating. I
thought you were holding back.”

“Hey!” I threw a pepperoni at him and he laughed.
When we were finished, he surprised me with some movies he
downloaded from his laptop. I cuddled up next to him while we
watched the movie. As scared as I was to fall asleep, my body
couldn’t hold on any longer, and I was out before the credits
rolled on the second movie.

When I woke up, Roman was still lying beside me,
watching me sleep. “I’m sorry I fell asleep,” I yawned.

“After the day you had. It was totally
justified.”

“What time is it?”

“Just past one,” he said, moving closer to me. I
pressed myself up against him, drawing in more of his warmth. I
slid my cold hands under his shirt causing him to jump. His breath
hitched as I ran my cold hands up his chest. He placed his hands
over top mine to warm them. I smiled and leaned in for a kiss. I
knew if I wanted to make a move for this to go further I would have
to just go for it. I thought if I went slowly, it would give him
time to pull away.

After twenty minutes of breathless kissing, I climbed
on top of him, and took off my shirt. I pressed my lips to his
before he had a chance to protest. He allowed me to take off his
shirt and I knew I was getting somewhere. He rolled over on top of
me kissing me intensely.

When I thought I had him, I started to undo the
buttons on his jeans, and that was when he stopped. “Ella,” he
gasped, pulling back. “We can’t.”

“Why not?” I whined. “I know you want to. I can feel
it,” I said, dragging my fingertips down his sides. He gripped the
sheets trying to control himself. I could feel him quivering
beneath my touch.

He grabbed my wrists to stop me. “I do. Trust me I
do. I just don’t think it’s a good idea.” I rolled over on my side
not happy where this was going. “Ella, it’s not you.”

“I’ve heard that before,” I sighed.

“Ella,” he pulled me back to him. “I just don’t want
to disappoint you.”

“How could you disappoint me?”

“I was the one who said we should take things slow
and I feel if I give in to temptation it might screw things up. I
don’t want to go back to the way things were. I like how we are now
and I don’t want to mess that up.”

“Roman,” I placed my hand on his cheek. “Nothing you
could do would change the way I feel about you, nothing. “ I pulled
his lips to mine and that was enough convincing for the rest of our
clothes to come off.

Any doubt I had about our relationship vanished. When
he kissed me, I felt the passion, the need, the want. I felt it all
and it was amazing. Roman took his time, exploring every inch of my
body with his hands and lips. The touch alone made me want to cry
out. I grabbed his face and pulled him back to me needing to feel
those magical lips on mine again.

His hand danced slowly up my thigh, making my insides
quake with excitement. He stopped just short of the delicate areas,
teasing me. His mouth pressed harder against mine. I parted my
lips. He swirled his tongue around the inside of my mouth and then
the teasing was gone. I bit his lip and drew blood. “Ow, damn
Ella,” he said, pulling back.

“Oops, sorry,” I giggled. I grabbed the sides of his
face and lifted my head. I licked the blood off of his lip. He let
out a small gasp as his arms gave way and then he was back on top
of me. I ran my hands down his back and to his backside coaxing him
to move forward. He went slowly and I thought I was going to
explode from the anticipation. I pressed my heels on the bed not
able to take any more. Roman let out a moan and I smiled in
satisfaction. He tried to move slowly, but I wouldn’t let him. I
pulled him tighter to me, swirling my hips against him. He grunted
with each thrust and tried his hardest to keep with a slower pace,
but when my nails dug into his back, he pushed harder. The
sensation I was feeling was hard to contain and I let out several
cries with each movement.

“Roman…I love you,” I whispered.

“I love you so much.” He pushed in again causing me
to throw my head back and close my eyes tight. I held in my moans
the best I could. Roman twisted his fingers in my hair and gave a
light tug exposing my neck. His lips trailed down my jaw and softly
caressed my neck. His tongue tickled my skin and I thought I was
going to lose it.

“Bite me,” I begged, breathless. There was no
hesitation or argument. I gave Roman the green light and he took
it. His fangs slid into my neck. Afraid I was going to wake the
whole town, I bit down on my hand to mask my screams. Everything in
my body exploded all at once. My skin was tingling and my toes were
curling on the sheets. Sweat dripped from both our bodies as Roman
slid his hand across my chest, down my side, and finally stopping
on my lower back where he pulled me into to him tight. Roman shook
once, twice, and let out a gasping breath as he pulled back from my
neck.

He collapsed on top of me. I closed my eyes never
wanting to let go of this feeling. I was still in a haze and my
body felt numb, but in a good way. Roman kissed me over and over
again before he rolled over on to his back trying to catch his
breath. “Ella.” I didn’t answer him. I kept my eyes closed still in
the glorious haze. “Ella?” I could feel his breath on my cheek, but
I still refused to open my eyes. “Ella?” he asked worried. He
turned my head to face him. “Ella, look at me.”

I blinked a few times and then opened my eyes. I
pressed the softest kiss to his lips and smiled. “Are you okay?” he
asked.

“Words can’t describe the way I am feeling right
now,” I said, lying my head back down. “Now shh, you’re killing my
buzz.”

He laughed and pulled me into his chest. I wrapped my
arms around him and rested my head on his chest while I listened to
his heart move back into a steady rhythm. The beat lolled me to
sleep.

When I woke up in the morning I felt exuberated. I
was still entangled in Roman’s limbs. I smiled and nestled closely
into the crook of his neck. “Good morning,” he smiled, kissing my
forehead. “Did I ever tell you how much I love waking up next to
you?” I responded by kissing his neck, then his jaw, moving my way
to his lips. “If I would have known you were this easy I wouldn’t
have waited to put out,” he teased. I smacked him and he rolled
over on top of me. His lips trailed down my neck and chest. He
stopped abruptly and pulled back.

“What’s wrong?” He stood on his knees tearing the
covers back and exposing my cold, bare skin. I followed his wide
eyes. My skin was bright red like fresh sunburn. “Oh.” I ran my
hand over the splotches. From the looks of it I would have to say
Roman was a little out of practice. I barely felt it last night,
but now seeing the burn marks, I understood his concerned look.

“It’s okay. It doesn’t hurt.”

“Ella,” he said, voice pained.

“Roman,” I sat up and caressed his cheek with my
hand. “I’m okay, really. Roman, look at me.” He averted his eyes,
not able to look at me. “Roman…look at me.” I turned his face and I
could see the shame in his eyes. “I’m already healing, see.” The
marks had now faded to pink and I was sure within the next few
hours they would be gone.

He sighed and fell down next to me. I joined him, but
he wouldn’t touch me. “Roman, this has happened before. Why are you
so upset?”

“Yes, but it was never this bad and because…I did
this. I hurt you.”

“Roman,” I smiled, tucking my hands behind him. “You
did not hurt me.” I pushed his hair out of his eyes. “Please don’t
be upset. Last night was…probably one of the best nights of my
life.”

“Probably?” he raised a brow.

“Give or take…top three at best.”

His eyebrows pinched together and his face looked
serious before his cocky smile replaced it. “I think then maybe I
need to work on getting that number one spot,” he said, pouncing on
top of me. I giggled and squealed and let Roman prove to me over
and over again just how much he loved me.

The rest of the summer flowed smoothly. Every day we
had class, alternated between cleaning the school and working
outside – even Mackenzie started helping – than training. Roman
spent every night in my room and our relationship was stronger than
ever. After the incredible night we had shared we were inseparable.
We shared something together that no one could give us. That night
brought us back together making it almost impossible for anyone to
come between us again. We were survivors of a tortured past and
together we could face anything.

I hadn’t heard from Josie all summer and was worried
I might never see her again. I also hadn’t had any contact from
Tristan and from that nightmare he had left me in, I was glad. I
did approach Ms. Kraft and spoke to her alone about the dream. She
had told me that there wasn’t a way to stop someone from invading
your dreams, but there was a way to control it. Her eyes lit up
when I told her about the bond we discovered Tristan and I had and
she got to work right away researching. I wasn’t as excited as she
was about it. I no longer wanted anything to do with Tristan, but
maybe she could find something to break this bond.

There were only two weeks left until school started
and I couldn’t wait to see my friends.

I was heading back to my room after training when I
heard my phone. I hurried, thinking it was Roman. “Hello?” I
answered breathless.

“Ella, I was wondering if you could join me in my
office,” Aidan said. I sighed, disappointed.