Page 9 of Talk About… Dramay

“They’d love that, too. They’ve been trying to get me to come home and visit for years. I just haven’t been able to face it. But God, I miss Rockwood. The views are amazing, the mountains in the background, the fresh air, the trees everywhere. There’s just something so peaceful about the town. It’s not tiny like a lot of small towns out there, but it feels small. Everyone knows everyone and all the small businesses support each other… or the ones that are left.”

I blushed when I realized I’d just rambled on like an idiot. Roman, however, was hanging on every word.

“You said a lot of the small businesses fell away after the accident?” he questioned, his voice gentle, like he didn’t want to trigger me.

He didn’t have to worry. It was kind of nice to talk about home again. I hadn’t realized how much I’ve been denying myself any kind of outlet or support.

“Yeah, the fairs were huge. We had some pretty famous Artisans from around the world that came in. There was a website that promoted the new and upcoming artisans as well. It was a real community. But after the accident, it all kind of fell away. Somebody, apparently, tried to run it the next year, but it was just so sad and depressing that nobody wanted to comeback. It was like one last hoorah, a memorial to the men that were lost.”

“What a nice way to honor their memory,” Roman said with a sad smile.

“It was. The artisan community is really close-knit. They became friends, extended family of sorts, and with that devastating of a blow, it just never really recovered. And without the fair, slowly, the tourists stopped coming, and the businesses found different places to open up. I’m really not sure what’s left of that area of town anymore, either. It’s been a long time since I’ve been back.”

Roman studied me, silver blue eyes studying my own as he tucked a stray hair behind my ear.

“If you ever want to go back to visit, I’d go with you. Where you go, I go.”

It was the second time he’d given that sentiment, and I was really starting to believe it.

Would that mean if I did decide to move home one day, that he would come with me?

I shook the thought off. It wasn’t going to happen. I had enough going for me here, and I couldn’t leave all the clients that I had worked with countless times. Being an independent real estate agent wasn’t easy, but I had my small office space and a client list that a lot of other agents around the area were jealous of. The marketing firm had done wonders with the billboards and posters around the city, and I was getting new clients all the time.

Yet, in that moment, none of it felt important. I was realizing how much I denied myself over the years. I was a shell of a person, barely living, and Roman made me want to be awholeperson, one that embraced life and lived in the moment, experienced things.

Roman seemed to notice the weight of my thoughts and nudged me forward, offering a distraction I needed.

“How about the ferris wheel?” Roman asked, pulling me with him toward the line. “You’re not scared of heights, are you?”

“I grew up near the mountains. I spent half my childhood hiking up those things. Definitely not afraid of heights. Though, hiking often required my inhaler.”

“Asthma, noted. I’ll need to know where you keep your inhalers so I can have it handy if you ever need it.” Again, making plans for more than today. I could brush it off, or answer.

“I have a couple in the apartment and always one in my purse.” The line moved forward and Roman pulled me in front of him, his arms around my shoulders, tucking me under his chin as we waited. Every so often, he’d brush a kiss over the top of my head or nuzzle into my neck, breathing me in.

“Just you two lovebirds?” the carnival attendant asked as he waved us towards the four-person car.

“Yes,” Roman confirmed. “Can we sit alone?” He slid the man a tip, and the worker just gave him a wink and waved for us to move in. He locked the small door behind us making the next group wait.

“Thanks for giving this date a chance,” Roman said, his voice a husky whisper as he leaned in. This time he didn’t bother to nuzzle my neck, he just claimed my lips.

One of his hands went to the side of my neck, holding me in place and tilting my head slightly so he could deepen the kiss.

His lips were soft against mine. The stubble on his chin scraped lightly against my face in the best way, sending a shiver down my spine.

My entire body ached for this man. I squeezed my thighs together and leaned in, fingers clenching at his shirt, desperate for more but knowing we couldn’t have it.

At least not yet.

The ride jerked, pulling us out of our moment. I bit my lip and clenched my thighs to hide the effect it had on me as I looked over the horizon.

Maybe the city wasn’t so bad, not if I had Roman.

Oriana

Roman’s scent was making me feral as he drove us away from the carnival. I was full of lemonade and funnel cakes, and felt more free than I had in years.

It was like I had been a husk of a person and finally was waking up again.