Illusions

26. love

Amira's POV

After Roman's confession on the way home, the air changed between us.

I can't even deny it, I fucking need him.

I tried to keep my composure for tonight but when he put his arm around me, I melted and I knew it was over.

I turn to face him and scan his face. My eyes lock with his lips and I wait for the right moment. But I want to tell him first, I want him to know that I love him.

Love him.

I'm not scared anymore, even if his feelings aren't the same. At least I'll know I'm capable of loving someone and that maybe, they love me back. His eyes swirl with emotion as I open my mouth to speak and he slowly nods.

"Roman, I love you."

He grabs my jaw and pulls my mouth to his.

I almost gasp into his mouth, but his hand squeezing my waist silences me.

My mind explodes as I take in the feeling of him: so close and possibly all mine.

I knew it was coming but I still couldn't believe it.

He pulls me onto his lap and I straddle him, moving my mouth tantalizingly slow on purpose.

I feel his frustration as I deny his tongue entry into my mouth and keep my hands on his shoulders.

Roman pulls away and looks at me with adoration and anger at the same time.

"I'm helplessly in love with you, Amira," he breathes, fixing a piece of hair behind my ear, "and you love me, so kiss me for real this time, dorogaya."

My heart rate climbs and my thoughts run wild as I take in his words.

He loves me.

Someone fucking loves me.

And I'm so lucky that it's the one person that I love too.

"What does that mean?"

He scans my face and I feel my heart race as he offers me a lazy smile.

"It means darling," he says absentmindedly while stroking my cheek, "you're so beautiful."

I feel heat rush to my cheeks at his compliment and move my face away from him so he can't see and gloat.

"You're blushing."

"I'm not."

He chuckles.

"Yes, you are."

I roll my eyes at his know-it-all tone.

"I am."

He laughs and butterflies erupt in my stomach.

I turn back to face him and his eyes drop to my lips.

"Kiss me, Amira," he sighs, pulling me so I'm flush with his body, "I'm getting impatient."

I feel his chest, abs, and, well... against me; everywhere.

I smirk, kiss his cheek quickly, and try to escape his arms, but he keeps me in an iron grip.

"There I kissed you."

His eyes flare.

"Fuck you."

Please.

His tongue moves along the inside of his cheek as he watches me impatiently.

I move my hands to his chest and kiss him gently.