I click my pen across the counter, angry that led us to a dead end. There must be someone else, or something else that can lead us to the Sanitorium. I graze my finger across my stitches near my hairline. The customers aimlessly walk through the store, gazing fondly at the displays and trying out everything that we will allow them. How great it would be to be that carefree. I think about a life like that, but then I remember my Mother. I open a new tab on the store computers, searching for the Sanitorium once again. A new website appears: www.urbanlegendsrevealed.com. I click on it, searching for the Central Sanitorium in California. Many articles pop up and I click the first one. I read quickly, any information about that horrid place will do me some good.

"Though it has been closed to the public for some time now, it has been rumored to have been occupied, some people even say that it has been remodeled. Everyone remembers Mr. Carl Thomas who claimed that they were torturing people in there as some sort of test or brainwashing process right? Oh right... he was killed four hours after his video went viral and any trace of his existence, and the existence of the video, was wiped."

"These computers are to be used for work-related research only. This is your first warning Angel." Roman's boss warns me, making me jump fiercely.

I nod. "Sorry sir. It won't happen again." I assure him.

He nods, walking away to greet customers. I sigh deeply, rubbing the gauze over my bullet wound gently. I check the time on the computer, closing all of the tabs. Finally, time to go. I walk slowly to the back, ignoring customers that call to me. I get to the break room, retrieving my purse and shirt from my locker. I lean on the locker, waiting for Roman to come back to clock out.

Carl Thomas... doesn't ring a bell at all.

I hear numbers being punched into the time clock behind me and I bring myself back to the present, turning to face Roman, who is clocking out quickly. He grabs his shirt out of his locker as I am clocking out.

"Ready?" He asks, extending his hand for me to hold.

"Yes." I reply, tired.

Roman seems to be oblivious to the looks that we get while we are walking out of the store. Women scowl, men wink, and even the children are looking afraid. Roman stops at the front desk, speaking to his boss about something and I hear conversation, with my good ear, about the Ball. I release Roman's hand, stalking over to the two women having the conversation.

"You were at the Ball?" I blurt, interrupting their conversation.

They frown at me in unison, looking me up and down as if I don't belong.

"Uh yeah... I'm sure you weren't." The woman with the red dress and designer heels says, her frown deepening.

I take serious offense to that, but I just keep my cool. I did interrupt them. "Actually I was. There was a magic show...?" I say, trying to get them to realize that I took part in that trap.

The other woman's blue eyes go wide when she realizes that I had been there. "Wow. Well... it was pretty cool right?" She asks, awkwardly sparking the conversation back up.

I shake my finger at her. "Yeah no. I don't want to talk about the festivities, I just wanted to ask... who was the host?" I inquire.

The women look at each other, puzzled. "Umm... I don't know. The person who hosts every year. Some lady. Don't remember her name or what she looked like." Red dress answers.

The other woman shrugs. "Yeah, oddly enough. I remember my date, I remember what happened, except for how we got back home afterwards, we must have been drinking a lot, but I don't remember the host. Funny." She says, actually trying to rack her brain for the memory.

I shake my head. I should have known that. "Okay thanks." I say, feeling defeated. I turn, bumping into Roman. "Ready now?" I ask, looking into his worried eyes.

"What are you doing?" He asks, grabbing my hand.

"I'm waiting for you so we can leave." I say, raising my eyebrow.

Roman looks past me to the women I was just talking to. "Why were you bothering them?" He asks, an accusatory tone.

I frown. "Bothering? I wasnt bothering them I was simply asking them a few questions. What's your problem?" I retort, yanking my hand from his grip to fold my arms across my chest.

Roman gives me a stern look as if to say 'I'm not stupid'. "Angel. Don't you think they would have wiped the memories of every person that they were letting go? Why would they allow a whole ballroom of people to witness a crime and then leave with that knowledge?" He asks, as if I'm stupid.

I roll my eyes. "I know that. I was just..." My voice trails off. What was I doing? I should know better.

"You're just obsessed, is what you are." He says, walking past me and out of the store.

My mouth drops and I follow behind him, tugging the strap of my purse over my shoulder.

"Roman! Roman come here you asshole!" I yell.

He turns around, shooting me a glare. I stop in my tracks, maybe I should just leave him alone. He turns around, standing in place, waiting for me to join him. I slowly make my way over to him, reaching for his hand, but he places it in the pocket of his jeans, walking beside me. The walk home is torture. I want to say something to him, but I don't know what. His gaze is focused on the road ahead, not once did his eyes divert or glance at me. He must be really pissed. Now I wish we wouldn't have dropped the car off at home after the lunch break, because this walk seems like an eternity. We finally reach the front steps of the duplex. We scale the steps cautiously, in silence. Roman unlocks the door, going into the living room and sitting on the couch. I close and lock the door behind me. I guess I need to swallow my pride and apologize. I walk into the living room, dropping my purse on the couch.

"I'm not apologizing for wanting to take those Evil Twins down or for wanting to get my Mother out of that hell hole and I am definitely not apologizing for trying to stop whatever World Domination plan they have in mind." I say. That wasn't how I thought this would go at all.

Roman takes his hair out of its bun, picking up the television remote. "I didn't ask for an apology." he says flatly.

"So then what is the problem?" I ask, sitting next to him on the couch.

"You're the smart one Angel. You've been making some pretty stupid decisions lately. Researching on company time, asking random people about the Ball, chasing dead end leads. What you need to do is take a deep breath, relax, and think about this rationally. We didn't make it out of there thinking like me." He says, finally locking eyes with me.

I shrug. "I found a lead. It's an article about a man that was killed because he revealed everything about the Twins and the Sanitorium. Let's see if he has kids or if we can find anything else out about him." I say, ready to jump on this lead.

Roman groans loudly, making me frown. "Angel. The man is dead. I'm sure he has no children. There you go with those dead end leads again. Where did you find the article?" He asks, flipping through more channels.

"At least I am looking for leads!" I exclaim.

"What website did you find the article from?" He repeats.

"Why does it matter?" I ask, throwing my hands up.

He sighs. "Because. That man is alive. That man knows something. Find the person who owns the website and we will get real answers." He explains, placing the remote on the coffee table.

Before I make a witty remark, I realize that he is right. "That's actually a great idea." I say, laying back on the couch.

"Wow thanks. I am smart some of the time." He says, rolling his eyes.

I turn to Roman. "I didn't mean it like that." I say, honestly.

"Okay." He says simply, watching the Food Network.

Before I try to cheer him up, I stop myself. He doesn't want me doing that. We both know how his feelings are and I don't want to make him angrier. I watch him engulfed in the woman making the creme brulee on the screen. He drags his tongue over his lips, almost salivating at the treat in front of his eyes. That gesture makes me tingle inside. It reminds me of the many times that Roman has given me that same look, as if he could eat me up, as if I was some appetizing treat to him. Despite my reluctance, Roman does entice me. I'm fascinated with his beauty, his brawn, his intellect, and even his desires. His muscles flex involuntarily under the fabric of the Bed, Bath, and Beyond employee shirt. It seems no shirt can keep his biceps at bay. I bite my lip absentmindedly, feeling my mind going south and my eyes follow suit, scanning his well-defined body and resting on his pants. I flick my eyes back up his body, surprised to meet his eyes.

"What are you looking at?" He asks, his light eyes boring into mine.

I drop my gaze, laying back on the couch. "Uh.. nothing. I thought your fly was open..." I lie, my voice shaking with embarrassment.

His gaze returns to the show. "You wanted my fly to be open." He says, smirking lightly.

I feel my cheeks flush and I get up from the couch. "I'm going to get the first aid kit." I whisper, walking into the kitchen to grab the first aid kit from the cupboard.

I walk back into the living room to a shirtless Roman. My legs shake slightly. I shake the feeling off. He has a chest wound, cmon Angel. I rejoin him on the couch, opening the kit and fumbling with the antiseptic and gauze.

"Are you having any pain or discomfort?" I ask, popping the top to the alcohol.

"Nope." He says, watching me intently.

"Okay I'm going to clean it now. Heads up." I whisper.

I look at the gauze covering his wound. Focus on the task at hand. I rip the gauze off, his muscles rippling underneath. I shiver, wiping the wound off with a cotton pad doused in alcohol. The wound looks really good. It's starting to return to it's normal color and it doesn't look that swollen anymore. I squeeze antibiotic cream on my fingers, rubbing it gently on his bullet wound. I finish by putting a large bandage over the wound. I glance at his face. The scratches and bruises aren't noticeable anymore. Those doctors in that hospital are amazing.

"Okay. I'm done." I say, closing the first aid kit.

"Your turn." Roman says, grabbing the kit from me.

I shake my head. "My wound is fine. It was just a flesh wound, remember? I'm good." I reassure him.

He ignores my words, drenching a cotton pad in alcohol. "Give me your arm." He commands.

I hold my arm up to him and he rips the gauze pad off. He wipes the cotton pad onto the wound and I wince, the sting always getting to me whether I know it's coming or not. He glances up at me before putting the cream on the wound and bandaging it back up.

"Take off your shirt." He says, closing the first aid kit and laying it on the ground.

I scoff. "Absolutely not."

"You have internal bruising of the ribs. I'm making sure it isn't getting any worse." He explains, trying to sound as reassuring as possible.

I reluctantly take my shirt off, looking the other way while Roman is examining me. He pushes on my ribs gently, making me wince again.

"That hurts?" He asks, gazing up at me. I nod slowly. He presses in another area, and I whine, biting my lip. "I'm sorry. That's the core of it. I'll steer clear of it. You need to tell my boss that you're still hurting from the 'accident'. He will lessen your load. You can't do all of this work if you're in pain like this." He says, concern in his voice and all over his face.

I shrug. "I'm fine. It only hurts if you touch it." I say, grabbing my shirt that is hanging on the back of the couch.

His stare is making me nervous and the longer I keep my shirt off, the worse it will get for me. These emotions are flowing through me fiercely, making me question whether I want to be that person. Like those people in the store, carefree. If I could ever let go and enjoy life. This could all be a trap, but this could also be a second chance. I just don't know how to feel. Roman seems eager to jump on his second chance.

"Angel put your shirt back on." Roman whispers, turning his gaze to the television.

"Put your shirt back on." I challenge.

Roman gives me a knowing stare. "Put it back on." He urges.

"... What if... I don't want to put it back on?" I whisper, my heartbeat picking up with the anticipation of his rebuttal.

Roman's eyes widen, with all the mixed signals I have been giving him lately, I don't think he knows how to handle this. "Angel don't." He begs, his voice just above a whisper.

Though I've lost most of my hearing in my left ear, I can hear the desperation in his voice, pleading with me to spare him his feelings and desires. I don't know what I want, but I don't want to miss any opportunities to find out.

I reach my hand out, my fingers finding a few wavy tendrils of hair on Roman's voluminous head. I run my fingers through the strands gently, his gaze never faltering.

"I... I need to be close to someone... And you're my person. I've never felt this... I'm curious." I answer, my words just as jumbled as my mind.

Roman grabs my hand gently, pulling me into him for an embrace. It's sweet, but not what I wanted. Not the contact that I was looking for, but it will do for the moment. I sigh into his hair, rubbing my hands down the tight muscles in his back. My body temperature rises slowly as Roman is running his hand down my back, and my breath catches when my bra is unhooked suddenly, releasing my breasts from the position I've been accustomed to. I hold onto him tighter. Oh Lord he is undressing me. But this is what I wanted, right?

"Roman... I..." My voice trails off as I am trying to piece together my emotions.

"You need a taste." He whispers, his breath brushing against my bad ear, making me shiver.

He attempts to break the hug, but I just tighten my grip on him.

"Relax." He says, breaking the hug and grabbing my arms gently, pushing me back.

I bite my lip, staring at the ceiling as he peels my unhooked bra off of me. I close my eyes. I don't feel anything. I don't feel more turned on or anything, I feel alright. Roman's breath touches my nipple before his lips do and my eyes shoot open, a moan escaping my lips from the pleasurable feeling.

"Umm.." I moan into the air, my body tensing up immediately.

Roman removes his lips from my nipple, grabbing a firm hold of both of my breasts. "Your breasts are so soft." he whispers, gazing wide eyed.

"Don't speak. Please." I beg, avoiding any eye contact with him.

"Angel look at me." He says gently. I tilt my head down, meeting his kind eyes. "I wont do this unless you are comfortable. You have to talk to me." He stresses.

I nod slowly. He drops his gaze to my breasts, squeezing them gently in his large hands, making me flinch. His lips return to my nipple, making both of them harden instantly. The sensation is bittersweet as he tugs on my nipple with his teeth, while simultaneously pulling my body closer to his.

"Ugh.." I groan, gripping the rough fabric of the couch as my body begins to come alive.

"How does it feel?" Roman asks sensually.

"Don't ask me that." I whisper, feeling the shame and embarrassment settling in the pit of my stomach.

"Tell me how it feels. I will get my answer one way or another." he says cynically.

Before i can ponder what he means by that i feel his hand snake around to my slacks, requesting access to even more sensitive parts. I grab his hand quickly.

"Roman no." I gasp.

"Talk to me." He commands.

I bite my lip, looking deep into his brown eyes. "What do you want me to say?" I ask.

He caresses my breasts gently, making my hips buck involuntarily.

"Tell me what it feels like when i touch you. Tell me the sensation you get when you feel my tongue dragging across your hard nipple. Tell me how your insides are flowing out onto your soft thighs from this arousal. Tell me anything." he breathes onto my breasts, making me shiver.

"I can't." I say, wanting to cover myself.

Roman quickly attaches his lips to my breast before I can pull away and the pleasure floods my inhibitions, making me believe that I can enjoy this, even for a moment. His silky hair brushes against my skin and I moan under my breath.

"Tell me." He groans before lapping at my breasts.

"It...it feels good." I moan, allowing the lust to overpower my fears.

His hand slides over my stomach and grazes the sensitive skin of my pubic region. I grab his wrist and he lifts his head from my breasts.

"Just a taste. I wont go too far. I promise." He assures me, looking deep into my eyes. I nod reluctantly, releasing his wrist. "Close your eyes." he whispers and I obey.

I feel Roman drag his tongue over the side of my neck, my body shivering in response. I suppress a moan as his hand goes further south until he reaches my clit. I hold my breath with anticipation, but he doesn't move his hand any further. He sucks on my neck roughly, making me gasp and slide my hand in his hair. My breath catches when his fingers finally do find my clit, rubbing ever so slightly, enough to make whatever moan i was holding in escape my lips with an urgency.

Roman groans into my neck. "Oh you are so... Fucking wet I can't." he says in a deeper tone than i am used to.

I feel his skin brushing against my bare skin and for a split second the thought of letting Roman take me doesnt scare me. He swiftly removes his hand from my underwear, sitting up. I'm glad he stopped. The pained expression on his face tells me that if we continued he wouldn't be able to keep his promise he made to me. I lean in, kissing his supple lips gently before retrieving my clothes from the ground and retreating to my bedroom.


~~~.~~~