A strange expression spread on his face, the fierceness of it knocking me back enough to lose balance. Romeo held me steady in his arms.

"You're mine now, Mol. You know that, right? I've never had anyone respond to me like you do-every move, kiss, and stroke-full and complete surrender of yourself." His fingers, still flat against my heat, picked up speed.

I sobbed out a cry and bit the nail of my thumb to hold back the screams. "Yes, I'm yours."

Rome pulled my thumb into his hand. "You're gonna make me crazy with that move, Mol. I'd rather put an object more satisfying there if you need somethin' to play with."

I expelled a small gasp. "I... I..."

"In time. Not yet," he assured, somewhat amused.

My eyes rolled back. "Romeo... your hand..."

"Is going to satisfy you again. And I'm gonna watch you let loose. I'm gonna watch you unravel in my arms and I'm gonna love it, Mol. You get that? I'm gonna control your every desire," he hissed through clenched teeth as his fingers plunged deeper inside me.

"Yes... Yes..."

And he did. He hit every note with perfection.

I shuddered as I let out a shrilled cry and slumped onto his chest. We lay that way for a long time and he eventually removed his hands from within me, zipped up his jeans, and pulled me to lie across his lap. I closed my eyes and dozed against his warm chest, enjoying the feel of his light caresses on my cheek, thoroughly exhausted.

I woke slowly as Romeo gently twisted me between his legs, laying my back flush against his chest. "The sun is settin'. I thought you might like to watch it go down with me."

A surge of happiness burst from my heart. "I would like that."

The sky was blood-red, the warmth from the sun casting a pink-hued tint and the big yellow sphere dropped down to a half circle, dimming the large creek in a smouldering golden glow.

Romeo's breath scattered the air at my ear. "Tell me about your family, Mol."

I flinched as the shards of panic stabbed at my chest, and I stiffened, trying to find some kind of relief. Romeo, on feeling my reaction, grasped my hand in his, folding me in his embrace. His warm, safe embrace.

"Tell me, Mol. Tell me about your family. Why are you filled with such pain?"

I took a fortifying breath and watched as the last few rebellious flares of the orange sun were dragged down to the horizon. "I don't know where to start really."

"The beginnin'. I want to know you, all of you, inside and out." The reverence in his voice caused me to tremble.

"Okay."

I shifted into a comfortable position, my head on his chest, hearing the comforting thud of his heart. "My mother died at my birth. I was her only child. She died through complications." I squeezed my eyes shut, focusing on Rome's hold, and opened them again to stare at the calm water of the creek, letting the still of the surface sooth me. "I've got her picture. I look just like her."

"She was beautiful too, then?" he said as he kissed my exposed shoulder. I blossomed at his words and slouched farther against him.

"My father had no family except my grandma. She also lived with us. When I was six, my father died too." I picked up a long blade of grass, running it between my fingers. "I remember it like it was yesterday. I came home from school and my grandma was upset and sat in the front room. She told me that my daddy had been taken to heaven." I shook my head, laughing a humourless laugh. "At the time I thought I was being punished for being a bad child. It soon became clear that he hadn't died of an illness or because God was punishing me, but that he got up as usual, saw me, his little girl, out of the door for school, got into the bath, and slit his wrists with a razorblade."

Rome quietly exhaled behind me, his warm breath causing the hairs on the back of my neck to prickle. "Shit, baby. I didn't think... I'm so sorry."

The strength of his compassion enabled me to talk about that day for the first time ever-in depth-to anyone.

"I've never known how to handle what my father did. I understand that he couldn't live without my mother, but he had me. I needed him. Why couldn't he be strong for me? For Grandma? He said in his suicide letter that one day I would understand, but I don't know how any father could leave his daughter all alone."

I could feel myself growing increasingly annoyed, bitterness dripping from every memory. Rome remained a strong, silent support.

"The saving grace of this whole fucked-up situation, I suppose, was that I was always smart. When I was seven, my teacher admitted me for MENSA testing. I got in, learned I had an abnormally high IQ, and that's how I coped with things-studying and gaining knowledge. I became obsessed with religion and philosophy, trying to find a reason for my daddy's death, why bad things happen to good people. I never got the answer I was looking for. Then, just when I was getting a handle on my life, Grandma was diagnosed with cancer and for three slow months, I nursed her as she grew weaker by the day, only to eventually die in my arms, the two of us all alone in our small house with no one to turn to."

I took a deep breath and watched as bird after bird returned to their nests near the creek to settle for the night.

"Then what?" Romeo pushed.

"I was put into care after she passed. Luckily, it was with a nice family close to my home. They weren't very affectionate and were clearly in it for the money, but it was safe and I suppose that's all you can ask for. I found life hard to cope with, and I distanced myself from everyone to avoid being hurt any more. I was lonely but just... kept going.

"Again, my studies kept me focused and I knew it was my ticket to get away from that foster home and all the memories that haunted me back in my hometown. I just needed to leave."

Romeo dropped a soft kiss onto my bare shoulder.

"When I was seventeen, I passed my exams early, got into university a year young, and I was offered an advanced place at Oxford. I got my degree and came here. I'll move somewhere else for my doctorate."

Romeo released a sharp breath. "So you run."

I stiffened and tried to shuffle away, distancing myself from being called out on my life strategy. Romeo just held on to me tighter. "Don't struggle. Answer the question."

"You have no idea what my life has been like! You don't get to judge!"

His voice dropped to a commandingly low octave. "I'm not judgin' you. But you run from your problems, don't you?"

"So what? I don't have a real home, no family. Why not?"

"That may have been true before, but now you have people who care for you, truly care for you. I won't let you run away from me."

Tears glossed my vision. Romeo's words were such a comfort, and I wanted so badly to believe him.

"I won't let you leave me," he reiterated sternly.

Something within me broke and I cried, cried for the first time in years, placing my head in my hands. Romeo stroked my hair, refusing to release me from the safety of his arms, because that's what he was-my safety... my peace.

When all my tears had been shed, he asked, "Why did you run from Oxford to here?"

I sighed in defeat, deciding to just be honest. "Oliver wanted more from me. He stayed on to do his PhD and wanted to take things further. I didn't-he knew nothing about me. I never told him.

"After we slept together, I knew I couldn't do it anymore. I thought being intimate with him would help me get closer, that it would bring my walls crashing down. But all I felt was strangling disappointment. I thought I was unable to ever be close to another person again. In the end, I freaked. I ran. Simple. He woke up and I was gone. I haven't spoken to him since."

Crickets chirped louder as darkness fell and the wide blanket of stars began to twinkle in the crystal-clear sky. "That was until you. I'm close to you. I let you in. Maybe I'm not as damaged as I thought."

I heard his loud swallow. "You're not the only one who feels like splittin' when times get rough, baby, but from now on, I won't let you run anywhere if I'm not right there runnin' beside you."

I swerved my head towards his lips and he gently brushed his mouth against mine. When we broke away, I cupped his cheeks and asked, "Tell me about you."

Romeo's eyes iced over and he shrugged and looked away-there was only silent refusal from his stiff body.

A cold breeze suddenly snapped in the night air and goose pimples swept up my bare arms and legs. Romeo noticed. "We should go."

I held him tighter. "I don't want to leave yet. I want to know about you."

He tilted his head in bewilderment. "I don't wanna split either. But it's gettin' late and you're gettin' cold. Come on, baby. Time to call it a night."

Rome helped me to my feet and took my hand as we strolled back to the truck, no further comment on his past.

Once we were in and coasting down the freeway, I noticed Romeo was deep in thought. I reached over and took his free hand. "You okay? You seem miles away."

He swallowed as though nervous. I'd never seen him look so out of sorts before.

"Yeah."

I wasn't convinced. "You sure? You don't look it."

His fingers gripped mine as his eyes regarded me with uncertainty.

"Rome, what is it?" I pressed.

On a cough, he confessed, "I never knew before tonight what it felt like to be wanted... just me for me."

His words hit me harder than a granite boulder to the chest, and I almost cried for him.

"What do you want me for, Mol? I'm tryin' to work it out."

I scooted closer and kissed his hand wrapped in mine. "I just want you."

"That's what I don't get. Why would you want me for just me? No one ever has before. I'm pissed twenty-four-seven. I'm possessive and not good with attachments-where's the attraction?"

"Then I'm the first, because I want you without anything in return. Why does any human want anyone? My body recognises you as something that's good for me. My mind recognises you as someone who's right for me, and my soul recognises you as someone who is meant for me."

A bashful smile ghosted his lips and his tense shoulders relaxed. "We're in fuckin' deep, aren't we, Shakespeare?" he said in hushed tone, his body radiating a peaceful happiness.

A feeling of contentment settled over us both.

"I think that's an understatement."

"C'mere." He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, kissing me softly as the city lights dashed by.

Rome dropped me off at the front door of the sorority house and I darted up the stairs, glad it was quiet and the door to the TV room was firmly shut.

I took a long, hot shower and tipped my head back, letting the hard water pound at my hair and skin. I felt different. I couldn't describe how. Just... changed on a molecular level. My hand drifted to my stomach as I remembered the feel of his hand within me, and I stifled a groan. He'd been so stern and strong, conducting the music of our movements, creating a symphony with our cries and moans. I'd never felt anything like it before.

I stepped out of the cubicle before my legs gave way at the memory. I dried, changing into a purple nightdress, and settled into bed.

Within minutes, the tapping began.

I threw my covers back and ran to the balcony, looking down. Romeo gave me a wide smile and scaled the trellis, almost jumping into my arms, appreciatively smirking at my choice of nightwear.

"I got back to the frat house and I immediately wondered what you were doin'. I decided to stop wonderin' and just come find out."

"You just want to stay again, don't you? You planning on making this a regular thing?"

"Oh, you can count on that, baby. After today, I'm now entitled to certain privileges."

"Really and what are they?"

"You'll find out in due course, Shakespeare. Now move that fine ass, get into bed and into my arms."

I moved into the room and coyly glanced over my shoulder. "I don't remember Romeo being this pushy with Juliet!"

He arched his eyebrows meaningfully. "And look at how that worked out for them. My way is better-less death, more orgasms."

I tried to feign shock, but I couldn't help but laugh.

"You. Bed. Now." He pointed as he rid himself of his clothes, leaving only his black boxer briefs hanging low on his toned body.

I was still chuckling following his instruction as he jumped behind me. I immediately swapped the giggle for low moans as his fingers ran straight underneath my nightdress and stroked against my core.

"Now about those privileges..."

11.

I woke, stretching my hands above my head, flexing the kinks out of my tight back. I reached out beside me for Romeo. Nothing. He was gone. Out of habit, I made a grab for my glasses off my bedside table, forgetting they were no longer needed.

I sat up and frowned at Romeo's absence-he never left me without a good-bye. The bed sheets were cold and messy from where he'd slept, but resting on the pillow was a note. I snatched it in my hands and began to read: Had early morning practice.

Didn't want to wake you-you looked so beautiful.

Your Romeo x I buried my head in the pillow, smiling, when a knock sounded at my door. I opened it to Ally, who had her arms crossed, a "don't mess with me" expression on her face, and an impressively raised eyebrow.

She barged past me, shutting the door, and sat down on the edge of my unmade bed. "So... wanna tell me why I saw Rome creepin' off your balcony this mornin'?" Her voice was deceptively calm.

I walked towards her, fiddling with my hands, and when I reached the bed, I dropped down beside her, staring unseeing at my white walls. "He stayed the night with me."

"I assumed so. So how long has this been goin' on?"

"What? Staying the night or seeing each other?"