Savannah

Roman pulled back a little, his thumb brushing over my damp cheek as he asked, "And how do you know that?"

My chest tightened. The words burned at the back of my throat,ready to break everything open. "I know what I'm saying, Roman. I'm very certain that the child isn't Dean's. It can't be."

Could it? Could he have? That's not possible. Or is it? He said he'd never. Could it be possible that he changed his mind?

"Savannah, let it go." Roman's hand slid to the small of my back,tugging me closer into his chest as if holding me tighter would make me surrender. His voice softened, but the weight behind it was firm. "He's marrying your sister in less than two days. I think it's time you close that chapter,love."

I shook my head hard, breaking away from his hold. Drops of water clung to my hair and trickled down my bare skin, but I ignored the chill.

"It's not that. That's not what I'm talking about, Roman."

"Then what is it?" His brow furrowed, his damp hair falling boyishly over his eyes.

I took a deep breath before dropping the bomb that would probably end my sister's marriage before it even began. And also possibly divide my family as well.

"Dean got a vasectomy, Roman. He can't be the father of the baby."I said at once.

I spat the words in one rushed breath, then bit down on my lip. There... it was out. I said it.

Roman paused. His dark eyes flicked over my face as if piecing things together in his head. "Maybe he got it reversed. It is reversible."

I shook my head, certain. "He would never. Dean wouldn't get it reversed."

He raked a hand through his damp hair, droplets spraying. "Hold on,you think Chloe doesn't know that her fiancé got a vasectomy?" He continued. "How is that even possible?"

"She doesn't." My voice sharpened with conviction. "Chloe doesn't have any idea. A few days ago, I walked into their bedroom and there was a box of condoms on the nightstand. Dean has no use for those. At least not when we were together."

I didn't miss how Roman's jaw locked at the mention of our history.

"So it only means that she has no idea he got a vasectomy." I concluded,breathing hard.

Roman cocked his head, unconvinced. "Maybe they just like to pretend that he didn't." He shrugged, "A little role-play? People get up to a lot of strange fun these days,Savannah."

I almost whacked him over the head for being so dumb, despte how insanely hot he looked right now, running his hand through his wet hair."Be serious, Roman."

"I am being serious. Sav." He gave a half-shrug, muscles shifting beneath water. "It's ridiculous to assume the baby isn't his just because.Maybe he suddenly changed his mind. Mayhe he wante to

now. People tend to do that, you know."

"Dean would never want to start a family." I snapped, my voice echoing off the tiled wvalls.

Roman's jaw tightened. "Savannah, stop it. Move on. You and Dean have been over for years. And there's no going back. Maybe he's stupid enough to want to raise children with the snake, but that's his loss, not yours.Quit raising dust, will you?"

My stomach dropped. "No, you don't understand-"

"Then make me understand." He cut in sharply. "Because otherwise all I see is a woman who finds it difficult to accept what's right in front of her. Whatever you had is ancient history. Forgotten. Let go of the past.Move on."

The words hit me harder than any physical blow. My lips parted in disbelief,anger surging hot and fast. "You will not speak to me that way.Roman."

"Then stop acting the way you are." His glare pinned me. "Get a grip,Savannah."

For a long, suffocating beat, neither of us spoke. The only sound was the soft lapping of water against tile and the furious pounding of my own heart.

I broke the silence first. My voice was low and bitter. "I can't believe you."

I pushed off the wall, water dripping from my bare skin, and stalked out without caring that I was naked, without caring that he was watching.

He cussed under his breath. "Savannah,walt."

"Don't speak to me!" I yelled, snatching up my robe from the floor and pulling it around me with shaking hands. The sash slipped as my wet fingers fumbled, but I yanked it tighter.

I heard him moving quickly, water sloshing as he got out.his footsteps wet against the floor.

"Savannah-"

"Fuck off,Roman."

He caught up in two strides, his grip latching onto my wrist. His touch was firm, almost desperate.

I twisted, struggling against him. "Let go,Roman!"

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that." He apologized. "Forgive me."

I glared at him, my wrist stilltrapped in his hold. "Saying sorry doesn't work all the time. I'm not some emotional teenager going through a breakup for the first time. I'm a fucking adult, Roman. I expect you to treat me like one. And that includes trusting me to do the right thing."

I snatched my wrist from his grip with a sharp rug and walked away.leaving a trail of wet footprints behind.

I slammed the door shut with more force than necessary,knowing he was fast on my heels. My robe clung to my damp skin heavily.

He reached for me,"Sav-"

I took a step back. "Roman, stop."

"Alright. Fine." He lifted his hands in surrender. "I believe you. Dean got a vasectomy, and Chloe had no idea. I believe you when you say the baby isn't his. Alright? I believe every damn word you said. You're right.Savannah. And I'm wrong. Is that enough?"

My eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering through me. My pride bloomed anyways, a dangerous mix of vindication and ego.

"Am I forgiven now?" he asked, hope softening his gaze.

I puffed my chest out, trying to hold on to my earlier anger, though it threatened to slip through my fingers. God, I wanted to look composed,furious, unyielding. But the corners of my mouth twitched.

"How am I certain that you aren't saying this to get into my pants?"

His lips quirked into a slow, devastating smile. "But you don't even have any on right now."

Heat rose to my cheeks despite myself, anger colliding with reluctant laughter. Roman always knew how to strip me of my defenses. Sometimes literally.

Before I figured out what next to say, his arms were around me from behind, hugging me tightly.

He whispered in my ear, his body heat seeping into mine. "I'm still down for you tonight, if you'd let me get into your invisible pants."

I couldn't help the smile that lit up my face. "Stop it. Roman. I'm going to stay awake till Chloe gets back. And we're going to have a discussion."

He pulled me in deeper, then placed a kiss on my neck. Hot and

burning with the intention of making me melt under his touch.

My neck tilted a little to the side, giving him permission to continue.He didn't stop.

"And afterwards?" He whispered.

I turned around and his arms slipped from my waist. "And afterwards we're going to sleep."