You and Me: Together duet book number two Read online

  “Is that so?” She nods. “Thank you for that, Ella.”

  2

  Roman

  She’s quiet for a moment unsure of where to go from here. We don’t usually speak of feelings or emotions. Most of our interactions revolve around cobwebs that need to be cleaned and what groceries I want for the week.

  “Dinner would be nice, Ella. Could you bring it up to my bedroom for Aria and me when it’s ready?”

  “Yes, of course. I’ll have something ready in an hour. Is that okay?”

  “Perfect, yes.”

  I tip the tumbler in my hand up and let the warm liquid slide down my throat before making my way back to my bedroom. When I arrive, I find the bed empty, and my pulse quickens. Where could she have gone? She doesn’t know the house. It’s easy to get turned around when wandering, and she’s not even supposed to be out of bed.

  I start to turn on my heel when I hear the shower start in the ensuite bathroom. I sigh and close my eyes. Overprotective much? Get a grip, Roman.

  Ever since I found her on the shower floor unconscious in Mexico, I’ve been having flashbacks of finding Millie in the baby’s nursery. Sometimes it happens when I’m awake, but most of the time they are nightmares where the scene switches between Aria and Millie lying dead on the ground. Afterward, I am informed by the attending physician that I am cursed, and any woman I fall in love with will soon die.

  I toe off my shoes and pull my shirt off over my head in the walk-in closet and toss it in the hamper. I hear the spray of the shower change. There are several different heads, and she’s probably trying to figure out how to work them.

  I change out of my jeans into a pair of linen lounge pants and pad back into the bedroom. The bathroom door is open a crack. We talked about this. She knows I want easy access to her at all times in case something happens.

  I push open the door enough to slide in unnoticed. She’s standing under the rain showerhead, water sluicing down the smooth curves of her tanned body. Everything she needs is at least four steps away from her as the shower sprays straight down from the ceiling. I open the glass door and step into the shower still half dressed.

  “Oh.” She jumps when she hears me behind her. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “What part of total bedrest did you not understand, beautiful?” I drag a bench from the other end of the shower next to her. “Sit,” I say pointing down at it. She sits and watches as I move her shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap, and razor to the bench next to her within easy reach.

  “You’re getting wet.”

  “Don’t change the topic. Bedrest means bedrest.”

  “So, I’m not supposed to shower for an entire week? Gross, no way.”

  “I could have given you a bed bath.”

  She stops pouring soap onto her loofah and looks at me like I’m stark raving mad. “What?” I ask.

  “You know how to give a bed bath?”

  “I do, and I’ll show you day after tomorrow when you’ll need to get cleaned up, but for now, since you’re already in here, we may as well finish.”

  “Why would a man like you know how to give a bed bath?”

  “A man like me?” I pour shampoo into my hand and begin to gently massage it into her hair avoiding the stitches to one side.

  “Yes, you’re a wealthy businessman far removed from the world of hands-on caring for others.”

  “You don’t know everything about me. My best friend growing up died when we were twenty-three. I helped take care of him until the end which meant giving him the occasional bed bath when his nurse was off for the day, or his mother wasn’t up to it. I think I’d like giving you one much better, however.”

  She stares up at me under her thick eyelashes. “You’re a very good man, Roman, you know that, right?”

  “I have my moments, yes. I also have my bad times like everyone else.”

  “Your good moments outweigh your bad I’m afraid. Sorry to burst your macho bubble.”

  “It’s all right, I don’t mind as long as you keep it between us. I have a reputation to keep up, you know.”

  “No, I don’t know. What’s your reputation?”

  I guide her head under the spray and tilt her face up to keep the soap from running in her eyes. “A lot of people say I’m stiff and old-fashioned, and they’d be correct. Others say I’m unkind, unfeeling, and cold.”

  “Well, those people don’t know you. You’re not unkind, unfeeling, or cold.”

  “Ah, but I am to some, to those who don’t deserve any better than that. I’ve never been one to sugarcoat anything. If someone is wrong or lazy or evil, I have no problem letting them know how I feel, and that’s not the best way to make friends.”

  “So, at work, you mean?”

  “Anywhere… work, home, with friends of which I don’t have many for this very reason. I don’t like lying to protect someone’s fragile ego. If you’re an ass, I’ll call you on it.”

  “Good to know.”

  I guide her out from under the water and look down into her ocean blue eyes. “You’re so beautiful, Aria. You have no idea what it does to me when you look at me like that, do you?”

  She tries to look away, but I hold her chin keeping her gaze locked with mine. “It’s not because you look like her, either. It’s important that I say that. Your similarities are what fascinated me at first, drew me in, made me long to know you. But it’s you who I see when I look into your endless blue eyes, not her. Do you understand?”

  She nods, and I crouch down to kiss her lips ever so lightly. “Now, Ella’s making our dinner, and she will be up soon with it. I don’t want anyone to know I’ve already broken my promise to keep you on strict bedrest, so let’s get you cleaned up and back to bed, shall we?” Her face melds into a sweet, shy smile, and it’s all I can do not to lay her on her back on the bench and lick every inch of her until she comes screaming so loud it wakes my mother and sister in the west wing.

  “What?” she asks recognizing the heat in my eyes.

  “Nothing. Can you finish up by yourself?”

  “Yes, where are you going?”

  “To change into dry pants and get you something to wear to bed.”

  “I didn’t bring clothes.”

  “I know, I have things for you.” She stops washing with the loofah dangling from her hand.

  “Why? Where did you get clothes for me?” Her words are cautious, and her tone suspicious. She can’t possibly think that I would try to give her my dead wife’s clothes. Can she?

  “I had Ella pick up a few things for you. I had hoped you would end up convalescing here with me, and I wanted you to feel at home.”

  Her shoulders relax, and she deflates before my eyes. She did think I was going to give her Millie’s clothes.

  “I couldn’t feel less at home if you’d dropped me in the middle of the mall naked.”

  I feel the deep crease of my frown between my eyes. “And why is that?”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “No, not at all. I quite like my home, do you not?”

  “I haven’t seen any of it yet, other than your bedroom, that is. But this space alone tells me we aren’t in Kansas anymore. I was raised in a small house in the suburbs. In fact, the entire main floor of my house could fit into your bedroom. So, no, I feel more like I’m spending the night in an old castle instead of your home.”

  “It will grow on you, give it time. You’ll never want to leave.” That I am counting on. She belongs here with me and not in that shabby, broken-down building down the street from her bookstore. Even if I did do a complete renovation of her apartment, it’s still in a building that should be condemned.

  I leave her to dry off and go back to the closet to change. When I emerge with a soft blue silk nightgown and a matching robe, she is standing next to the bed wrapped in her towel.

  “Sit,” I say crossing the room to join her.

  “I don’t want to get the bed damp with the towel.”

&
nbsp; I place my hands on her shoulders and guide her to the edge of the bed. “Don’t worry about the bed. Arms up,” I say, and she glances up with a tiny frown.

  “You’re going to enjoy this week, aren’t you?”

  “Oh, you have no idea.” The corner of my mouth tugs into a smirk, and she rolls her eyes.

  “I’m glad my misery makes you so happy.”

  I slip the nightgown over her head and watch the satin flow over her blonde hair as two spaghetti straps settle on her delicate shoulders. “Misery? Your stay with me will be far from miserable.”

  “Bedrest, no matter where, is miserable. I want to go to work, check on my apartment…” Her excuse trails off when the list of things she wants to do ends abruptly.

  “That’s it? You’re going to be miserable because you can’t go to work and check on your apartment?”

  “I just want to go outside, walk, grocery shop, see my customers, read a book, start my life over again. It might not sound like much in comparison to yours, but it’s what I know and love.” She ends with a huff pulling her legs up to wrap her arms around her knees.

  I crouch down in front of her straightening her legs out, so she’s no longer hiding from me. “It’s only one week. Let me care for you, so you will be able to start your new life in the best condition possible. Going back to work now is only going to set you back. We need to do this right this time, so that you won’t have any problems in the future. Your health means the world to me, Aria, and I’m not about to jeopardize it again.”

  She stares into my eyes, and I feel a little sorry for her. It must be difficult to give up control of everything when you’ve been independent for so long. I know I would have a hard time with that myself.

  “All right. I’ll try not to complain. Thank you for helping me.”

  I kiss her knee and then the other before standing. “You’re most welcome. Scoot.” I point toward the mountain of pillows Ella has arranged for her, and she slides backward away from me. She slips under the covers and drops her arms on the duvet with a plop.

  “Okay boss, now what?”

  She can’t know how much those words turn me on, can she? Deep breath, count to ten, you’re here to take care of her this week, that’s it. I have to at least try to get through the first few days without having sex with her. I owe her this time to heal after dragging her to England. “Do you need anything for pain?”

  “No, I think I’m good. Whatever they gave me at the hospital seems to still be working.”

  “Good. Ella should be up with dinner momentarily. How about a movie?”

  “Game of Thrones?” she asks looking hopeful.

  “I was under the impression you didn’t like it that well.”

  “Why?”

  “You fell asleep.”

  “We were on an international flight for hours. I would have fallen asleep watching anything. I bet we can binge-watch the whole series this week.” She opens her eyes wide with excitement.

  “I’m going to have to insist we turn it off occasionally.”

  “What for?” Her tone is playful like she already knows the answer to her question.

  “To eat, bed baths, and possibly to reenact some of the hotter sex scenes.”

  “Really? I don’t want to pretend you’re my brother, and I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t pass for Tarion at six foot tall.” She laughs, and I have the overwhelming urge to tickle her until she pees. I can’t, though, she’s resting. I don’t want to do anything that might worsen her head injury.

  “Six feet three, and yes, I suppose you’re right. They are rather raunchy and tawdry.”

  A knock on the door pulls my attention away from Aria. “That’s probably Ella with dinner.” I open the doors to find Leeza standing in front of me dressed in a cream-colored satin pajama top and matching pants holding a DVD. Great.

  3

  Roman

  “Leeza, I thought you were going to bed?”

  “I sobered up and wanted to say hi to Aria and see if she was up for watching a movie.” She holds up the DVD and smiles a wicked smile. That smile tells me all I need to know. She’s moving in on my territory, befriending Aria, stealing precious time that I had thought was guaranteed for me. But now I see it’s going to be, at least partially, spent with my little sister.

  “Hi, Leeza,” Aria calls from the bed when she hears her voice. “Come in!”

  Leeza tilts her head to the side and smiles. “She invited me in. Step aside, big bro. It’s time you learn how to share after all these years.”

  I grit my teeth and open the door letting her pass. Ella exits the elevator down the hall with a rolling dinner cart, and I go to help her.

  I listen to Leeza chatting with Aria, and as annoyed as I am for her interruption, I’m glad they are getting along. Aria needs new friends, friends who care about her, not like that horrible woman, Lynn, who dared to call Aria her best friend.

  I was never fond of the things I saw Lynn doing when my private investigator was watching over Aria. She was an opportunist, always tagging along with Aria when she had to attend a function with David saying she was there to keep Aria company since David was busy with the public when she was really there to ogle her best friend’s fiancé. In the beginning, she was only interested in being a part of the fast life, but as time went on, she set her sights on David.

  With friends like Lynn and David, who needs enemies?

  “I can take it from here, Ella. Thank you for doing this, and thank you for making sure Aria has everything she needs.”

  “You’re welcome. I don’t mind coming to set up dinner for you.”

  “No, take the rest of the evening off. You deserve it. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

  “Yes, sir, have a good evening.”

  “You, too.” I push the cart down the hall and through the double doors only to find Leeza cuddled up on my side of the bed and the theme music for Titanic coming from the TV.

  “Really, Leeza? The Titanic? You couldn’t have chosen a shorter movie to barge in and interrupt our evening with?”

  “Nope, I had to make sure she would like the movie, and everybody loves the Titanic.” She smiles triumphantly, and I sigh.

  Aria’s gaze flickers between my sister and me settling on me. “Are you tired? We can do this tomorrow if you were planning to go to sleep right after dinner,” she says, and Leeza’s face falls.

  “No, I’m fine. Enjoy your movie.” I go about arranging her food on a lap tray and setting it on her legs. Leeza reaches across to swipe a strawberry, and I give her hand a gentle slap.

  “You can go to the kitchen and get your own food. Aria can’t get out of bed.”

  “Oh, it’s okay, I don’t mind sharing,” Aria says, and Leeza smiles a saccharine smile as she steals the strawberry and pops it in her mouth.

  Note to self, don’t open bedroom door for the rest of the week.

  Aria shoots me an apologetic look when I settle in the wingback chair next to the bed to eat my dinner. She sees my frustration but isn’t in a place to do anything about it. I shrug and smile to ease her nerves. After all, it’s not her fault my sister is pushy and obnoxious.

  “What’s Mom up to?” I ask Leeza.

  “Oh uh, nothing much, just reading, I think.”

  Leeza is a horrible liar. Her voice was full of pitch changes, and she failed to make eye contact with me when she answered. “Reading, huh? What’s she reading these days?”

  “Not sure, probably a psychological thriller or something. You know Mom.”

  Totally lying. Mother only reads historical romance and self-help books. Something fishy is going on. “I like psychological thrillers. I’ll have to borrow it when she’s done.”

  Leeza squirms in bed but avoids looking in my direction. I let it drop. It’s easy enough to check the security cameras and see what’s going on later. Leeza knows the house is monitored, so I don’t know why she’s trying to hide something.

  I relax and eat my meal wat
ching to make sure Aria does the same and having to nudge her attention back to her food occasionally. She likes this movie, a lot. Funny, it’s something I didn’t know about her. I think of myself as something of an Aria expert after six years of watching her every move, but her love of this movie slipped through the cracks.

  I remove her tray and hand her two pain pills without a word halfway through the movie. She began squinting fifteen minutes ago, a sign that her head is starting to hurt. It’s easy to pick up on her body’s clues as long as she’s distracted.

  She swallows them without complaint, and I take out my laptop to work while two of my favorite women in the world finish watching the biggest tragedy the ocean ever saw.

  Before it’s over, Aria slumps over onto Leeza’s shoulder asleep from the pain pills. I knew they would make her tired, but it wasn’t my intention to ruin the movie. I happen to know she is much more uncomfortable when she doesn’t stay on schedule with her meds.

  I leave them alone to return the dinner cart to the kitchen. On my way, I hear the front door close and heels clicking across the marble floors in the foyer. Mother. So, she wasn’t in bed reading a book after all, just as I suspected.

  I start to clear the dishes from the cart into the sink waiting for her to join me, but she doesn’t. When I’m done, I go back upstairs taking a left instead of a right toward my mother’s quarters.

  Her door is open a crack. I knock, and she answers right away. “Yes?” she calls.

  “It’s me, can I come in?”

  “Of course.”

  This part of the house is divided into four equal living areas including a bedroom, living room, den, and bathroom. Leeza and Mother have their spaces, and the others are for long-term company which I hardly ever have.

  I enter the living room and see a stream of light coming from her bedroom. “Are you decent?” I call out.

  “Yes, come on in, love.”

  I push open the door and find her sitting in bed wearing a long robe and a book open and turned down on the mattress next to her, a psychological thriller.