“But? Are you going to go through with it? The engagement, I mean. I’m surprised you’d settle down with someone you don’t want. Or even settle down at all, if the rumours are to be believed.”

Rome blew out a long, steady sigh. “Fuckin’ rumours. Look, girls just throw themselves at me. When it’s offered, I take it. Why the hell not? I don’t have a girlfriend, never have. Sex helps me calm down from being so riled up all the time and shows folks that I’m definitely not with Shelly. I won’t apologise for it. I just like to f**k a lot and never the same girl twice.”

I’m sure my mouth gaped wide open at his crassness. But apparently, he was ignorant to my appalled reaction.

“My parents have a set plan. I’m expected to graduate, marry Shelly, take over the family business, and live the American f**kin’ dream.”

“So you don’t want to play football professionally? I thought I heard that you were destined for big things?”

His face brightened. “Yeah, I do wanna play. I love it. It’s as natural to me as breathing—the rush, the camaraderie, the roar of the crowd on game day, popping the perfect shot for a touchdown. My parents don’t support it. They just… Hell, it don’t matter. I just f**kin’ hate my life being dictated by my folks, that’s all.”

“Then do what you want. Screw everyone else.”

Rome’s head flicked up, a dejected smile tugging at his lips. “Easier said than done.”

“You can’t live your life for other people, Rome. You have to do things that you want, achieve your dreams, in any way you want to do it. If you’re happy, then your parents surely will be too, and if not, they’ll get over it in time. Don’t be with someone you dislike like Shelly. Be with a girl you can’t resist, who you truly want above anyone else. Someone you connect with.”

“Like you, Mol…? A girl like you?”

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“You don’t even know me,” I whispered, wide-eyed, as he unconsciously drifted towards me.

His hand lifted and his index finger ghosted down my cheek, causing me to tremble. “It only took Romeo one look at Juliet and his fate was sealed. Maybe I’m just like my namesake, and maybe you’re just like yours.”

His hand dropped to my knee and skirted up my bare thigh, that pink tongue of his running along his bottom lip. If we both leaned in just… that… little bit… closer… we… could… almost—

Ally’s doorknob began to shake and a high-pitched shrieking interrupted our moment. “Rome? Rome? Open up! I know you’re in there!”

Shelly. Again.

“Fuck!” Romeo shouted, standing to slam his empty beer into the bin.

I stood abruptly, anger racing through my veins at the interruption. “That girl!” I shrilled, and I had to hold the balcony rail while I calmed down.

With rapt attention, Rome watched me and my reaction from the other side of the balcony. He clenched his fists as we stared at one another in overt want.

“I’m going to go, Rome,” I said softly, closing my eyes to steady my composure.

Romeo stood opposite, just watching me silently. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking and his lack of response infuriated me.

“I’ll leave you with her. It’s probably for the best,” I said more assertively this time.

He sighed, both hands dropping to rest on the back of his neck. “Mol—”

He stopped whatever he was going to say and I took that as my cue to go.

So much for Romeo wanting sodding Juliet!

When I walked past, he clutched my hand, jerking me back to his chest. I slammed against his muscles with force, the contact robbing me of my breath.

Romeo tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “I liked talkin’ to you, Shakespeare. It was different…” He looked as bewildered as I felt, the gap between his eyebrows puckering together as he gripped the side of my toga, pulling me flush against his hard body.

I sighed. “You too, Romeo. But our little conversation seems to have come to an end. I imagine it’s probably for the best anyhow.”

I released my arms from his grip and opened the door with reluctance. Shelly came drunkenly crashing through, completely ignoring me stood to the side, and jumped sloppily into Rome’s arms, wrapping her legs around his waist.

“I want you, Rome. Fuck me, right here, right now.”

I balked. Shelly smacked her lips to his and began grinding her hips against his crotch. Romeo grunted in surprise, grasping her arms.

I stilled for what seemed like an eternity and, filled with a white-hot rage, left them to it. I was so angry. To be all flirty like that with me, then set to screwing a girl practically in front of my eyes. I guessed the womaniser reputation was deserved after all. I should’ve known better than to foolishly think I felt such a strange instant connection to someone like that. Cass and Lexi warned me, and I was a fool to have let my guard down… even though it had felt so right with him.




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