Page 73 of Hate On

“Julianna,” he muttered, seeking her mouth out.

They moved together, him riding her as she arched up under him, each moving toward the next orgasm. Hands slicked against sweat-dampened flesh and into wide, searching eyes.

Roman gritted his teeth as he felt the climax edging closer. She wasn’t there yet—

Then she was, her fingers sinking into the muscles of his back as her head fell back and she thrust it into the mattress, chanting out his name.

“Roman!”

He caught her mouth in a deep, hungry kiss and stopped fighting.

They came together, him on the heels of her and when it ended, he collapsed on the bed, slumping down so that his head lay pillowed between her breasts.

A laugh snorted out of him a minute later when she said in a drowsy voice, “I guess that was better than a game of strip charades.”

Epilogue One

Julianna

“Sir,can I get you anything before we take off?”

Roman smiled at the flight attendant. “Scotch, neat.”

Charles Castle echoed the request while Juliana asked for a glass of white wine on her way to use the facilities.

She paused by Roman and dropped a kiss on his head.

On her way out of the main cabin, she heard her father speaking and paused just a moment to hear his question.

“I suppose it’s wishful thinking to hope that you’ve spoken to your father recently,” Charles said, his voice gruff.

“I’m afraid not, Charles. You and I both know he’s not likely to give in. He’s just too set in his ways.”

“He always was a stubborn old goat.” Charles blew out a breath. “Her mother and I keep hoping, but…” His voice trailed off.

“I know.”

Julianna’s bladder panged so she hurried on to the restroom as they continued to speak.

When she returned, she loitered a moment longer, staying just out of view, listening once more. A smile curved her lips as the two men she loved the most spoke to each other. They’d become friends. More, her father was becoming a father-like figure to Roman, which she adored.

“…things with your brothers? Your mother?”

“I’m pretty sure your wife would have mentioned that she ran into my mother at the spa.”

Julianna could hear the smile in Roman’s voice and the grin on her face spread in reaction. Oh, yes. Her father had heard that the two mothers had a brief run-in at their mutual spa. Julianna had made certain of it.

“The two of them spoke.” Roman sounded amused.

Julianna had relayed the whole story to him—or what she knew of it—the very night it happened. The next day, his mother had called him and asked him to join her for lunch.

According to Roman, she’d been unusually blunt when she told him,I want my children to be happy. If Julianna Castle makes you happy, then that’s what…that’swhoI want for you. I’ll handle your father as best as I can.

“Yes, Janice mentioned it. She said that they both came to a meeting of the minds,” Charles said, his familiar voice cutting into Julianna’s pensive reverie. “Your mother is a remarkable woman, you know.”

“So is your wife.”

The flight attendant brushed by her, pausing at Julianna’s side. Julianna lifted a finger to her lips and mouthed,Shhhh…