Off-Limits Desire

Chapter Four

Scarlett’s POV

The following morning, I got a call from my best friend in college, Roman, asking us to meet. I jumped excitedly at the message because I was so worried that the only people I'd have around to hang out with were my boyfriend and his girlfriend.

Ares is obviously out of the question.

But now that Roman is in town, I feel so much better.

Taking a quick bath, I shrugged into my favorite pair of jeans, along with a black tank top, a pair of Nike sneakers, and a baseball cap. When I saunter into the living room, I meet Spencer knotting his tie, a slice of toast in his mouth.

His gaze drops on mine. “Where are you going?”

“Roman is in town,” I replied, grabbing an apple from the table. “You remember Roman, right?”

They’ve never met before, but because they are the most important people in my life, I tend to talk about them to each other a lot.

A muscle works in Spencer’s jaw. “I don’t know him.”

“Spencer…”

“Scar, you have to be careful, okay?" Nothing is as it seems these days, and I just want to ensure you are fine. That no one is taking advantage of you.

"You worry too much," I mutter, rolling my eyes. "I have known Roman since my first year." He is harmless, okay? He hasn't even asked me out before, and I think I am starting to believe he is gay.

“Urghhh!” My brother groans. “I really did not need that detail.”

I chuckle as I cross the space, grabbing his arm. “Will you drop me off at his place?” I stare up at him with puppy eyes, knowing how hard it is for him to resist.

“Is it along my route?”

I shrug. "Does it matter?" You said you can't let me drive one of the cars even though I have a driver's license, and you don't want a stranger near me, so you don't want to be a driver."

“That and the fact that I would rather save my money and drive you around myself.”

“Correct,” I say, nodding. “That is why you have to take me today.”

“Fine. But go shrug on a sweater. It’s a little chilly outside.

I smiled up at Spencer, planting a loud peck on his cheeks before racing back to my room. In another ten minutes, we are out of the house, with Roman's address on the GPS. Spencer gives me a million and one pieces of advice before he lets me go.

And he makes me promise to leave my phone on. Like I had no plans to turn it off in the first place.

Roman's apartment is a little building on one side of the road. I knock on the door twice, and after getting no response, I push it open, letting myself in.

"Roman?" I call out, looking around the living room. It has minimal decoration, as if it is a place meant for survival rather than actual living. There are no pictures on the walls. Not even of Roman or his parents. Not even a cat.

“Scar? Is that you?” I pick up the sound of water running.

“Yeah! You weren’t answering your phone.

“Give me a minute,” he calls back. “I’m almost done here.”

“Okay.”

I move around the living area, noticing the only personal property in here, apart from a bag resting on the couch, is a stack of CDs. I smile as I pick up the names of the musicians. They are artists we both listen to.

It is one of the things that drew me to Roman in the first place. We have exactly the same preference for music and taste for food, which got me really excited. We even watch the same type of movie, and I can boast about the fact that even before we met, he’d watched every single movie that I have seen.

Moving away from the CDs, I take in the space, noticing a door at the opposite end of where Roman currently is. Smiling to myself, I move towards it, my hands on the handle, slowly twisting it open.

The room is very dark, with heavy drapes blocking out the sunlight, a table and chair in one corner, and a bare mattress on the floor, littered with empty plates on the side.

Is this where he sleeps?

I raise my gaze to the walls, totally covered in different clippings and papers. Just as I am about to take a step further, I hear a hurried footstep behind me.

I am pushed out of the way at once, and my back almost hits the wall as Roman pulls the door close. He glares at me, his eyes red with anger.

“What the f**k do you think you are doing?”

My lips part open in surprise. I have never seen him like this before.

“Roman…”

And then, his eyes got calmer suddenly, the realization hitting him. "Oh my God!" Scar, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you like that. It's just…"

“No,” I shook my head insistently. “It was my fault." Of course, I shouldn’t have just searched through your house. It’s your private space. I’m sorry.”

You have nothing to apologize for. I was an ass.

An awkward silence envelops the room.

“You know what? Let’s go out. A nice breakfast place just opened right across the street. You'll love it. They serve croissants.

“Okay,” I chirp, the insistence pushed to the back of my mind. “Let’s go.”

Roman doesn’t move a muscle until I do, stepping far from the doorway and out of the living room. I waited for him to lock the doors before we fell into step together, heading towards the breakfast parlor.

“By the way,” Roman starts. “I will be staying in New York for a while." I got an internship placement.”

“Really? That’s so nice, Roman. So, I get to spend the summer break with you.

He nods, his eyes glinting.

“What company took you in?”

“Paws Real Estate.”

I arch my brows. Spencer will not be pleased. It is the Hawthorne Group's rival company. Spencer's rival.