Friends Forever Read Online Free

percent sure of
the meaning behind his statement, but her heart rate increased. His
words love each other hit a nerve in her that she couldn't
relinquish.
    “Rome? What are you saying?” Her voice
pleaded. She needed clarification.
    “I don't think I needed to be more clear.”
His voice husky, his eyes tender, yet ardent. He opened his mouth
to continue, but Kate cut in.
    “Shh.” Her eyes gazed up at him. “Make love
to me just this once. That's all I'm asking of you. Then you can
leave.”
    She didn't expect more from him than one
night. She couldn't, Rome was out of her league, no matter how much
she wanted him to be hers. What she wasn't expecting, was his
reply.
    “No.” Rome startled her. “No, I can't do
that.”
    “W-what?” The remains of Kate's heart broke
when he announced his admission of not wanting to make love to
her.
    “I can't do that,” he reiterated, stepping
back to look at her.
    Humiliation bloomed on Kate's sweet
face.
    “I-I don't know...” She shoved away from
him, breaking all contact. “Just leave… Now!”
    In a split second, she reached up, placed
her hands on his chest and pushed him away.
    “Kate...”
    “Go! Damn you, Rome. Just leave!”
    Rome opened his mouth to speak, but thought
better of it. Cursing under his breath, he turned and left the
room. He sensed Kate crumbling to the floor, when he heard a thud
from her bedroom, as he walked down the short hallway. He heard her
sobbing and his heart broke, knowing he'd devastated her.
    “You are such a fool, Katherine Rose.” Rome
heard her scolding herself in between sobs. “How could you make
such a fool of yourself in front of the only man you've ever
loved?”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter Five
     
    Rome stopped when he heard Kate's words. He
knew her feelings were strong, just as his were for her. But to
actually hear her confess the affection struck him hard.
    He eased back some to listen, thankful he
hadn't shut the door behind him. His first thought had been to
close it, giving her privacy, but he hadn't. His internal anguish
ruled as he stormed out of her bedroom. He was seconds away from
making love to Kate, his sweet Kate. And if he had only stayed ten
more seconds and explained why he couldn't just make love to her
once. He'd be in there loving her now tasting her mouth, touching
her soft skin and feeling her love beneath him.
    Rome smacked his palm to his forehead, which
seemed to be a reoccurring theme in his life.
    He turned back to her bedroom and walked to
the door. He found Kate slouched against the bed frame, looking
defeated and ruined. Leaning down next to her, he brushed the hair
away from her face and she flinched under his touch.
    “Go.” Her voice was a whimper.
    “No, Kate. I have to explain.” He settled on
the floor next to her, trying to take her in his arms. When she
resisted, he halted his actions so as not to upset her more.
    “There's nothing to explain. I get it,” her
hair fell over her face, blocking him out.
    “Yes, there is.” He whispered. “More than
you can imagine.” When she didn't reply, he continued. “I can't
make love to you once, Kate. I just can't do it.”
    “I know.” Her sobbing started again. “You
told me that.”
    “And I have a reason for that.” Rome scooted
closer, so their bodies were touching.
    “Oh God!” Kate howled, her shoulders shaking
uncontrollably.
    He trudged on before she lost control of her
emotions. “It’s because I'm not capable of it.”
    “Am I that hideous?” She tried to make her
question sarcastic but it came out in between her tears, making the
rebuttal pathetic.
    “No, no, sweetheart.” His words attempted to
coddle her. “I just know that I can't make love to you...once.”
    “Not even once?” Her voice crackled.
    “Not just once.” He restated,
slipping his arm around her. “Let me show you.”
    Lifting her chin with his hand, his lips
brushed against hers. With his other arm