Chapter 18
In Chapter 13 of “Dreams Folding Into Broken Time,” Savannah finds herself in a tense situation with Roman after a playful interaction with Dean at the pool. Dean’s initial smugness fades into disbelief as Savannah embraces her boldness, but the atmosphere shifts dramatically when Roman arrives, visibly angry and demanding her to leave the pool. His intense gaze and commanding presence create a palpable tension, leaving Savannah confused and anxious about his sudden outburst.
As they move inside, Roman confronts Savannah about Dean’s intentions, accusing him of trying to manipulate her feelings. This accusation stuns Savannah, who defends her innocence in the situation. The exchange escalates as Roman’s jealousy becomes evident, revealing his own insecurities and past experiences with men like Dean. Savannah’s teasing response attempts to lighten the mood, but Roman’s frustration only deepens, leading to a playful yet charged interaction between them.
The playful banter quickly transforms into a heated moment as Roman and Savannah’s chemistry ignites. Their teasing escalates into passionate kisses, and the tension between them shifts from playful to intense. However, just as they are about to cross a significant line, an unexpected scream from outside shatters the moment, leaving both of them breathless and disoriented. The chaos that ensues outside interrupts their intimate moment, pulling them back into the reality of their situation and the potential dangers lurking beyond the patio doors.
**Chapter 13: We Shouldn’t Be Doing This, Roman p>
Savannah
Dean’s gaze remained fixed on me, the smug grin that had once adorned his face now completely erased.
“You’re out of your mind,” he remarked, retreating a few strokes in the water, as if distancing himself from my unconventional behavior.
I tilted my head slightly, a casual shrug escaping my shoulders. “Crazy? Maybe. But at least I own it,” I replied, a hint of defiance lacing my words.
Before Dean could retort, a voice sliced through the air, sharp and commanding, like a whip cracking.
“Sav, get out of the pool p>
My heart plummeted.
I turned, and there he was—Roman.
He stood at the edge of the deck, his fists clenched tightly, jaw set in a way that suggested he was on the verge of snapping. His dark eyes were ablaze with fury, locked onto mine as if I were a lit fuse ready to ignite.
“Roman?” I blinked, taken aback by the intensity radiating from him.
He extended his hand, his voice low and urgent. “Come with me p>
I glanced around, feeling the weight of several curious stares from lingering onlookers, their eyes drawn to our escalating tension. Even little Emily was watching us, wide-eyed and curious.
His nostrils flared, a clear sign of his agitation. “Now p>
“Is everything okay, Roman?” I asked cautiously, attempting to keep my tone even, though my heart raced.
Dean sidled up next to me, puffing out his chest with an air of arrogance. “She’s clearly not finished with her swim p>
“I wasn’t addressing you,” Roman snapped, his eyes never leaving mine, the intensity of his gaze making my stomach twist.
The atmosphere crackled with tension, thick and electric.
“Get out of the pool, Sav,” he commanded, each word ground out through clenched teeth, the urgency palpable in his voice.
I hesitated, not out of fear, but from sheer confusion.
“Roman, what’s the matter p>
I climbed the ladder slowly, acutely aware of the silence that enveloped us, as though the world had paused to witness our exchange. I pulled on a robe, fumbling to tie the sash with trembling fingers, my heart racing in my chest.
Roman didn’t utter another word. Instead, he seized my wrist and pulled me into the house with a firm grip that, while not painful, conveyed a clear message: there was no escaping this confrontation.
Once we were inside, the door slamming shut behind us, I yanked my hand free, the air thick with unspoken words.
“You want to explain what that was all about p>
Roman turned to face me, his expression igniting like a match struck against a rough surface. “You think he wants you back p>
I blinked, momentarily stunned by his accusation. “What p>
“Dean is trying to worm his way into your head and your heart,” he spat, the bitterness in his tone unmistakable. “He knows you still have feelings for him, and he’s playing you like a fiddle. That son of a bitch was ogling you like you were some kind of dessert. And you—you let him p>
A sharp breath escaped my lips, the weight of his words hitting me hard. “Jesus, Roman. That’s not what this is about p>
He let out a hollow laugh, bitter and devoid of humor. “Right. Because it’s totally innocent. Just you, half-naked, giggling in the pool while your sister’s fiancé practically drooled over you p>
My eyes narrowed, indignation flaring. “Excuse me p>
“You heard me,” he shot back, his voice edged with frustration. “Why did you even wear that bikini p>
My jaw dropped in disbelief. “Oh, I’m sorry, should I have worn a nun’s habit to the pool p>
“Savannah,” he barked, stepping closer, invading my space. “You think I didn’t notice the way he was looking at you? You think he wasn’t undressing you with his eyes p>
“Why are you acting like this?” I hissed, instinctively backing away a step, the anger and confusion swirling within me.
“Because I know guys like him.” His voice dropped low, dark and dangerous. “Because I used to be one p>
That revelation stopped me in my tracks.
We locked eyes, breathing heavily, the silence between us thick and charged.
And then it dawned on me.
Oh.
I tilted my head, a teasing smirk creeping onto my lips. “Wait, bestie… is this about Dean, or is this about you being weirdly territorial and, dare I say, a bit horned up p>
He blinked, momentarily thrown off balance. “What p>
I couldn’t help but laugh softly. “You’re all worked up. Pupils dilated. Breathing like you just sprinted a mile. You sure this isn’t a classic case of sexual frustration, Roman p>
His jaw tightened, a muscle twitching in irritation. “Sav p>
“Because if it is,” I teased, poking him playfully in the chest, “that’s not my problem, Blackwood p>
He caught my hand, his grip firm yet playful.
I tried to pull away, laughter bubbling up, but he held on, his eyes darkening with a mixture of frustration and something else—something deeper.
“Roman,” I warned, though there was a hint of mischief in my tone.
“You think you can provoke me and just walk away p>
I arched a brow, a challenge sparking between us. “I know I can p>
I took a step back, playful and teasing. He stepped forward, closing the distance, the tension crackling in the air.
To annoy him further, I snatched a rolled pool towel from the side table and playfully smacked it against his arm.
“Stop it,” he warned, standing his ground, unyielding.
I hit him again, giggling this time. “Admit it, Roman. You’re not mad. You’re just frustrated because you haven’t gotten laid since we got here p>
He caught my wrist mid-swing, his expression shifting. “Savannah p>
“What?” I teased, lifting the towel again, ready for another playful hit.
He snatched it from my grasp, tossing it aside with a flick of his wrist.
I turned, chuckling, and grabbed the nearest object—a bright inflatable flamingo floatie—and began to whack him with it, laughter spilling from my lips.
“Down, boy,” I teased, landing a light hit on his chest.
His face remained serious, the humor absent from his expression. “Savannah, stop p>
I kept swinging, my laughter filling the space between us. “What? You gonna cry p>
“I said stop p>
In a swift motion, he yanked the float from my hands, tossing it aside, and before I knew it, he had me backed against the wall, the playful atmosphere shifting instantly.
“I said stop it,” he growled, his voice low and intense, a warning laced with something darker.
“Roman p>
His mouth crashed onto mine, hot and fierce, as if he had been waiting for this moment, tongue parting my lips in a way that sent shockwaves through me. I moaned before I could stop myself, fingers tangling in the damp strands of his hair, the towel slipping from my grasp.
His hand moved to my robe, fingers deftly working at the knot.
“Roman p>
With a swift tug, he undid the knot, the robe falling open to reveal my bikini-clad body. His mouth left mine just long enough to kiss down my jaw, along my throat, trailing heat that sent shivers straight to my core.
Oh God! This feels too good. How does he move his mouth like that?
What the hell are we even doing?
“You drive me insane,” he muttered against my skin, his breath hot and heavy.
Then his hand came up, cupping my breast through the fabric, and I gasped, arching into him, the sensation igniting every nerve ending. He squeezed, firm and possessive, sending a jolt of electricity coursing through me. His mouth returned to mine, rougher, hungrier, as if he were trying to consume me whole.
I felt him—hard, undeniable—pressing into my hip, the reality of our situation crashing down on me.
Oh.
His body pinned me to the wall, and suddenly, I was hot everywhere. Breathless. Throbbing.
“Roman,” I whispered, my hips instinctively shifting against him.
His other hand slid down to my thigh, gripping it tightly, fingers teasing the edge of my bikini bottoms. “You don’t know how hard you’re making this p>
“I think I do,” I breathed, my voice barely above a whisper.
His teeth grazed my neck, igniting a fire within me.
“We shouldn’t be doing this, Roman.” My voice was barely a whisper, a plea wrapped in uncertainty.
“I don’t care,” he replied, his determination unwavering.
He kissed me again, deeper this time, his hand kneading my breast, thumb flicking over my nipple through the fabric, sending tremors through me.
Just as his hand slipped lower—
A scream.
High-pitched. From outside. Then another.
Roman froze, the moment shattering like glass.
My body went cold, the warmth of desire evaporating in an instant.
We pulled apart, both of us breathless and disoriented, the reality of our situation crashing down around us. My robe hung open, my lips swollen from his kisses, his chest heaving with exertion. His erection still pressed against me for a moment longer before he stepped back, jaw tight with tension.
“What the hell p>
We rushed toward the patio doors, another scream piercing through the air.
Someone was yelling near the pool.
Roman flung the doors open, and chaos met us, the world outside spiraling into a whirlwind of panic.
And just like that, our moment was gone.
In the aftermath of that chaotic moment, the air between us was thick with unspoken words and unresolved tension. The playful banter that had once filled the space was replaced by a heavy silence, punctuated only by the distant echoes of panic from outside. As we stood there, hearts racing and breaths shallow, the reality of our actions hit hard. What had begun as a flirtatious exchange had spiraled into something deeper, something that felt both exhilarating and terrifying. Roman’s fierce protectiveness had ignited a spark within me, one that I had tried to suppress for too long. Yet, as the screams echoed in the air, that spark was overshadowed by the gravity of the situation unfolding before us.
In that moment of chaos, I realized that the fragile boundaries we had danced around were no longer just lines in the sand; they were walls that needed dismantling. The fear of what could happen next loomed larger than our playful teasing, and I could see the conflict in Roman’s eyes—his desire battling against the reality of our world crashing down around us. As we rushed to confront the chaos outside, I understood that the connection we had forged was now intertwined with uncertainty and urgency. The dreams we had folded into this broken time were at risk of shattering, but perhaps, in this moment of crisis, we could find clarity. Together, we would face whatever lay ahead, and in doing so, perhaps we would discover the truth of what we meant to each other amidst the chaos.
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter p>
As the chaos unfolds outside the patio doors, the fragile bubble of intimacy that Savannah and Roman shared is shattered, leaving them grappling with the sudden shift from passion to panic. In the upcoming chapter, readers can anticipate a whirlwind of emotions as Savannah and Roman must confront the reality of their feelings amidst the turmoil. The screams echoing around them will force them to prioritize safety, but the tension that simmered just moments before will linger, complicating their dynamic even further. Will they be able to navigate the chaos while confronting their undeniable attraction, or will the external threats pull them apart?
Moreover, the unexpected crisis will serve as a catalyst for deeper revelations. As they rush to uncover the source of the panic, Savannah will find herself questioning not only her feelings for Roman but also the implications of their heated encounter. Roman, on the other hand, may be pushed to confront his own vulnerabilities and the protective instincts that drove him to act so fiercely. As the night spirals into uncertainty, readers can expect a gripping blend of suspense and emotional depth, leaving them on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how Savannah and Roman will reconcile their desires with the chaos that surrounds them.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.