From Best Friend To Fiancé (Savannah and Roman) novel Chapter 56

**TITLE: Dreams Folding Into Broken Time**
**Chapter 56**

“Are you ever going to give me a warning before you throw me around like some rag doll?” she grumbled, her voice laced with playful indignation.

A low, amused chuckle escaped my lips. “That’s a charming question… but the answer is still no.”

Her eyes widened in surprise, sparkling with a mix of disbelief and challenge. “No, no, no. That wasn’t my actual question, Roman.”

I raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “Well, it sounded like a question to me. And I gave you an honest answer.”

“You tricked me!” she protested, her pout deepening, which only made my smirk widen.

“I merely stated the truth,” I replied, enjoying the playful banter. “Now, it’s my turn to ask.”

Her expression shifted, eyes narrowing slightly, but she remained silent, clearly intrigued.

“What did Chloe do at the hospital?” I inquired, leaning back slightly, curious to see her reaction.

Her brows knit together in thought. “Chloe? She… was filming herself in Emily’s room.”

A grin broke across my face. “Bingo, baby.”

Her smile blossomed, and she executed that ridiculously adorable little victory wiggle that had a way of piercing straight through my defenses. “Yes!”

“Now, ask away,” I encouraged, eager to see where this would lead.

Without a moment’s hesitation, she dove in. “Why don’t you want children? Or to settle down? I’m still curious about that.”

The question caught me off guard, jolting me from my casual demeanor. I had anticipated something more along the lines of family dynamics or perhaps Chloe’s antics. Not this. I realized, perhaps too late, that I shouldn’t have opened that door with her.

I kept my expression neutral. “Babies cry. They get sick all the time. They’re… just too much work. They can even pull husbands and wives apart… sometimes.” I lied, knowing that my words were far from the entire truth.

Her gaze was piercing, cutting through my facade like a knife. “Why don’t I believe you?”

“Now that’s another question. You’re breaking the rules,” I countered, trying to deflect.

“You lied. I want my payment,” she insisted, her voice firm, eyes glinting with determination.

“And how do you know that?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“Because you just described me with that… And last time I checked, you’re still keeping up with my annoying self even though I cry and I’m too much work.”

I was taken aback. She didn’t realize it, but that sentence had sharp edges, cutting deeper than she might have intended.

I clapped my hands together in mock celebration. “Great thinking, Sav. You’re one smart cookie.” I couldn’t help but smile at her.

“Now it’s time for my payment,” she reminded me, her tone teasing yet serious.

My smirk was instinctive. “What currency are we talking about?”

“Cute,” I said, catching her chin between my fingers, forcing her gaze back to mine. “But you’re forgetting something, Sav. The game is still mine.”

Before she could react, her panties hit the floor, and her legs instinctively parted in surprise.

Her breath caught in her throat. “Roman—”

“Shhh.” I pressed my mouth between her thighs, moving deliberately slow, savoring every moment until her hips trembled against me. This wasn’t just a kiss; it was meant to steal her thoughts entirely.

Her fingers curled into the sheets, gripping tightly. “That’s… that’s cheating.”

“No, it’s not. I asked a question, and you answered incorrectly.” I smirked, relishing the moment. “Having me unzipped doesn’t equate to leverage. You should know better.”

Her eyes widened as the realization hit her. “Roman, you cunning little—”

I laughed, the sound rich with satisfaction. “Don’t forget, you’re supposed to be playing detective. So far, you’ve done a terrible job at piecing the clues together.”

“It’s deceptive,” she grumbled, pushing against the bindings on her wrists, frustration mingling with desire.

“It’s strategy,” I replied, glancing up through my lashes, letting my mouth linger in a way that had her thighs twitching with anticipation. “Lose focus, and you lose answers.”

She was breathing heavily now, her skin flushed and alive with need. “Ask.”

“What did we do last night, Sav?” I asked, my tone casual, as if I already knew the answer—and it certainly wasn’t the one she expected.