4|Resist Me

Roman stared at me as if I was speaking Martian. He was in deep thought; a crease was present on his sweaty forehead. My shoulders were starting to relax, assuming that he found his claim unreasonable. When he opened his mouth, however, I nearly tripped while standing flat on my shoes.

“Have we had sex before?” he asked with utter seriousness, as if he was asking me what date it was.

“What!?” I slapped his hand from my shoulder, “no. And no, that’s not gonna happen.”

He tilted his head to the side, still with that crease on his forehead. “You really look familiar, amor. But no one has ever denied having sex with me, so I believe you.”

Seriously. This man has no filter!

I did not need to know that detail, and I still haven’t forgotten why we’re having this conversation.

“You, mister, need to learn to respect my boundaries. First, I’m not a charity case. Please tell me how much I owe you for fixing this truck. Second, I’m not your girlfriend. You just don’t go around labeling people who you want them to be in your life because you want to. And third, don’t you even know that before you label someone as your girlfriend, you should ask that person first?”

I breathe out heavily after my rant, spewing all the words out before this man says something to make me forget about my stand again. When he opens his mouth, nothing could prepare me for anything he says, and that’s precisely what he did.

“Boundaries. I know all about it, muñeca,” saying this, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around my waist. My hand came up to his chest, forcing him not to get too close - closer than he already was - to me.

“You’re crossing my boundaries, Roman,” my words came out breathy.

Why was I suddenly breathless?

“I know. I also have my boundaries, and you’ve stepped on it the moment I saw you dancing. Technically, you crossed mine first,” he murmured as a matter of fact.

“I don’t-“

“Shh,” he silenced me, shaking his head. “It’s okay. I don’t mind. You can cross it any time.”

My mouth gaped open at his arrogance.

“I don’t take cash. You can pay me for the truck by dressing pretty tonight.” He blatantly eyed my body, from my face to my breast, as if he was undressing me, his blue eyes darkening with desire.

“And sorry for not asking you first about being my girlfriend. So here, let me make it official. Viviana Louise Martin, do you know that you are my girlfriend?”

I give up! If I thought my brain was glitching, I might have gone mental right this instant.

When he reached for my chin, forcing my gaping mouth to close, I gulped the lump of shock blocking my throat and shook my head, wishing I’d wake up and realize this was all just a dream.

My eyes fluttered open, and Roman was still smiling down at me; I had to crane my neck since he was a lot taller than me.

“That’s good,” he said, waking me up from my trance.

“What?” I wiggled out of his grip, but he kept me in place.

“You’re staring. That is one of my boundaries, and you’re sailing across it, and that is good, amor.”

Biting my lip, a snort echoed, which soon turned to a giggle.

Damn. I’m admiring how confident he was, I realized. A strange jolt of happiness bubbled in my chest. I’ve never felt this elated before, not even with Neil.

Roman is a clear charmer, and I know I shouldn’t feel like this. Everything about him screams danger. There’s a fire in his eyes that might burn me if I get too close to him, but I can’t help but giggle at his arrogant, charming ways.

“You are so full of yourself,” I murmured, the warmth on my cheeks spreading fast through my entire body.

“I know,” he admitted without thinking twice. “I’ll pick you up at seven.” His grip on my hips tightened as he pulled me closer to his body. Lean muscles collided with mine. Even if it was midday and freaking hot, I could feel the bulge between his legs.

I gasped when he pulled me even closer, clearly letting me know of that very awake part of him. He bent a little, planting his lips on my cheek, the same one he kissed earlier.

“I’ll see you later, amor.” With that being said, he let go of me and turned to close the hood of the truck, winking as he headed towards the red Tesla Roadster park on the other side of the street.

Sweet ride.

My head is still unsure if this was a good idea. “I haven’t said yes,” I mumbled loud enough for him to hear me.

Roman turned as he opened the door. He didn’t say anything; he knew my answer already, even if he didn’t ask me. With a final glance, he smiles before sliding inside his car, driving away.

~~

The sound of anxious fingers tapping against the vanity table bounced on the four walls of my room, my reflection staring back at me.

Roman kindly informed me he was on his way. I don’t even want to know how he got a hold of my number. I’m pretty sure Tina wouldn’t give out my number without my knowledge.

There was a mountain of dress above my gray and white striped bed covers; a few shoes toppled over the black and white large circle patterned carpet. On the vanity table was a mess of assorted makeup I hadn’t used in a while. Everything in my room was out of place, just like my head. I’m a neat freak, but that’s the last of my concerns.

It’s been a year since I last went out with a guy, and the last memory I had with Neil was a very unpleasant one. We fought the night before Mom and I left Colorado, which hinted that sooner or later, our relationship would crumble. And it did.

Come to think of it; I haven’t thought of Neil since last night, all because another man had been occupying my head. A charming, arrogant one.

At the sound of the doorbell, my heart pounced out of my chest. I checked my appearance for the nth time, stood up, and glanced at the body mirror fixed on my closet door. Tonight, I preferred to mix and match a gold sleeveless top with a laced high-cut black pencil skirt and paired it with three-inch silver strappy heels.

Note to self: buy decent clothes even if it’s not for a date.

All the dresses I had had memories of my time with Neil, and I don’t need that weighing me down. Roman might come off as a self-assured egoistic man, but I don’t want to be rude by thinking of someone else while I’m with him.

Mom’s voice soon crooned from the stairs. And that is my cue to take one last deep breath and step out of the comforts of my room and face this night.

A wave of nervousness and excitement knocked the air out of my lungs as I closed the door of my bedroom, taking a few steps to reach the stairs and descend the wooden stairs of Abuela’s humble abode she left in our care.

A hopeful smile and warm hug from mom were waiting for me downstairs. She urged me to dress up tonight for this not-so-date. I was forced to go on this date, and I’m a bit excited, but I’m not going to voice that out. But the look of happiness on mom’s face was worth the trouble.

“You look lovely, Vi,” she whispered in my ears, pulling away as she reached for my hair, which I curled in big waves and let it cascade down my shoulder, tucking it behind my ears.

“Thanks, mom,” I whispered back, although I’m perfectly sure the six-foot-one figure taking the entire space of our living room could hear our hushed voice.

She wrapped her arms around mine and guided me to where Roman was standing with a white Phalaenopsis orchid in a pot at hand.

Hmm. I’ve never taken him for someone who would figure out my taste for living flowers. What’s the point of giving a bouquet of roses when they’ll just die in a couple of days?

“Beautiful,” Roman commented. It was the first genuine compliment I got from him without any hidden innuendo as he handed over the pot of orchid. It has five blooms and a few buds that I can’t wait to see bloom as well.

“Thank you.” I gnawed on my lip to hide my smile, but I’m aware that I’m failing miserably.

“Let me take that,” Mom interjected, taking the pot from my hand and practically shoving me out of the house with Roman. My not-so-date was respectful enough to introduce himself to mom and inform her we wouldn’t be out so late.

From the sparkle in mom’s green eyes, she was not expecting me to come home tonight at all.

‘Well, I should go with it then.’ I want to roll my eyes at her excitement, but I can’t blame her. She’s been worried sick of my well-being since dad.

~~

The smell of expensive leather and Roman’s signature scent gave me a comforting embrace as soon as he ushered me inside his Tesla. While he was rounding the car, I made a quick sweep on the interior of his car, and just like him, it looked lavish, fancy, and expensive.

“Ready?” he asked, securing his seat belt, the engine silently revved.

I hummed in response, allowing my sense to enjoy being surrounded by his intoxicating scent.

My expectation for this date was honestly low. I didn’t think Roman would put an effort for tonight since all I could think about him wanting to go through these lengths was to get laid.

Can anyone blame me? There’s probably a long list of his backup plans for tonight if I decide not to go with him. But again, I was proven wrong.

He took me to La Vista Hotel in town, allowing a mere mortal like me to experience a three Michelin star fine dining I’ve only read in magazines.

Every taste from the appetizers, entrees, and dessert left an explosive experience on my palate. But that’s not the best part of the night, not even the wine but the company. Roman was surprisingly normal in a sense - compared to his self-assured, arrogant self from our previous encounters.

He seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me, asking about stuff like my life back in the states, how mom and I moved here in Spain - omitting that certain event with dad’s death, of course - and in return, he shared things about himself as well.

My night turned out to be good, better even. After dinner, Roman invited me to walk for a bit on the plaza nearby. We stopped at a churro stall. Even though my dress would soon split in two from the amount of food we already ate, I cannot let a night in town skip without eating churros. It seriously became my go to comfort food as soon as we landed here in Spain.

Seated on a wooden bench near the riverside, Roman draped his arms over my shoulder, pulling me closer to him. If I’m being honest, I was wondering when he’d make a move to touch me all night. He kept a safe distance from me, probably showing me he’s not always as upfront as he’d been before.

“Did you enjoy it?” he asked, his thumb drawing circles on the bare skin of my shoulder.

“Hm?” I glanced at him, finding him already staring at me. His face was so close, and I wouldn’t mind if he kissed me right now. I can’t go back on my words, but I won’t stop him from kissing me. It had crossed my mind since I saw him in our living room, looking devilishly handsome in a blue button-up shirt - the same color as his eyes in the light - dark jeans and loafers. I’ve been itching to run my hand through his messily tousled hair, which only made him look even hotter.

“This, our first date as boyfriend and girlfriend.” Oh, there he is. That charming yet arrogant side that’s been hiding all this time.

I shook my head, fighting back the fluttering in my belly at our closeness. “This is not a date and you are not my boyfriend.”

The waters of Guadalquivir were surprisingly calm; a reflection of the lights from the building along the riverside made the water dance beautifully, along with the gentle wind that blew my hair a few times.

Roman did not respond, but his thumb stopped the soothing circle it was drawing, making me pout silently. Before I knew it, he retracted his arm around me entirely, leaving me devastatingly cold.

He cleared his throat, fishing out his phone from the pocket of his suit jacket, glancing at it quickly before shoving it back.

“It’s already late,” he murmured calmly, standing up. I followed suit with a confused expression I didn’t bother hiding. “I should drive you home before Janet worries about you.”

My mood plummeted from his words. I was enjoying his company, and I didn’t want this night to end yet, but all I could do was agree with him, not wanting to look so eager.

Walking in silence, his bright red car came into view in no time, marking the end of this night. Roman was walking beside me at a safe distance. It seems my words finally sank in on him. But I don’t want him to keep his distance from me anymore.

‘What’s going on with me? And what the hell is his problem?’

A few steps from his car, I mustered all the courage I had and reached out to hold his hand. I was harshly biting my lip, hoping that he wouldn’t find my actions too eager. He squeezed my hand in return but still continued to walk towards his car.

Can’t he see I want more time with him? That I already had a change of heart. Holding his hand was a bold move on my part already, but this man doesn’t seem to care at all.

He opened the passenger side for me; I remained glued on the pavement while he patiently waited for me to slide in.

“Viviana?” He’s even using my name, not amor or whatever that muñeca meant. I fear that this might be the end of my short-lived romantic time with him, and I don’t want that.

I glanced up at him, turning a little so I could look into his eyes. He’s so beautiful it hurts to be this close to him knowing this will probably be the last time I’m seeing him.

I let his hand go, taking one step closer to him. He was watching my every move, my pulse racing, and I reached for his shoulder; my shoes were set on the works, barely leveling me with his towering height.

“Thank you for tonight,” I said instead, before standing on the tips of my shoes, planting my lips on his soft one, breaking my own words last night.

He worked hard to earn this night, and he’s proven that he can be a gentleman too. But when I felt him smile against my lips, realization hit me hard. I’d fallen for his trick.

Tricky bastard! I pulled away, intending to scold him, but he was quick to shut the door of his car closed, caging me with his body against it.

“You can’t resist me, can’t you?” he mumbled in a rush before claiming my lips once more.