Chapter 13
In Chapter 13 of “Dreams Folding Into Broken Time,” Savannah and Roman find themselves in a humorous yet tense situation as they navigate the complexities of their fake engagement. Roman’s playful demeanor is highlighted as he teases Savannah about her father’s admiration for his charm and success, which leads to Savannah feeling flustered and overwhelmed. Their banter is filled with flirtation and sarcasm, showcasing the chemistry between them while also emphasizing Savannah’s discomfort with the intimate setting of sharing a bed.
As the chapter progresses, Savannah’s annoyance with Roman’s teasing is palpable, yet there’s an underlying current of attraction that complicates their interactions. The playful back-and-forth escalates as they discuss the absurdity of their situation, with Savannah attempting to maintain her boundaries while Roman pushes against them with his charm. This tension is both amusing and revealing, as it highlights their struggle with the feelings that arise from their close proximity.
The emotional depth of the chapter emerges when Savannah reflects on her father’s comparison of her achievements to Roman’s, leading to a moment of vulnerability. Roman’s reassurance of Savannah’s brilliance provides a tender contrast to their earlier teasing, allowing for a glimpse into their deeper connection. The atmosphere shifts from playful to serious, illustrating the complexities of their relationship as they grapple with the implications of their fake engagement.
As they share a moment of silence, the tension becomes almost palpable, illustrating the unspoken feelings that linger between them. Savannah’s humorous threat to Roman adds a layer of lightheartedness, while their accidental physical contact hints at the growing intimacy between them. The chapter concludes with an interruption from Savannah’s mother, shifting the mood once again and leaving both characters to navigate the new dynamics of their situation, as they contemplate the potential for deeper feelings amidst their playful banter.
**TITLE: Dreams Folding Into Broken Time p>
**Chapter 13 p>
Roman flashed a cheeky smirk, pulling his shirt off with a casual grace that only seemed to amplify his infuriatingly perfect physique. “Come on now, Sav. Your dad only mentioned my hedge fund once. That’s practically restraint. I was half-expecting him to pop the question himself p>
With an exaggerated sigh, I flopped onto the bed, burying my face into the pillows, my voice muffled by the soft fabric. “He might as well have proposed. Honestly, he was practically swooning while you explained market volatility earlier. I thought he might faint p>
“I can’t help it if I’m irresistibly charming.” Roman began peeling off his slacks with a slow, deliberate confidence, the kind that suggested he was fully aware of the effect he had on me. He tossed the pants aside, leaving him clad only in snug black boxer briefs that did little to conceal the situation brewing below the waistband.
As his hands hovered over the waistband of his briefs, I felt a shiver of panic. “Don’t even think about it,” I warned, my tone firm.
“C’mon, Sav,” he coaxed, a teasing glint in his eyes.
“I am not sharing a bed with you if you’re going to be completely naked, Roman,” I insisted, my resolve hardening.
“You know I can’t stand sleeping in clothes,” he retorted, a playful pout forming on his lips.
“And you know I can’t stand someone grinding their warm, hard parts against me,” I shot back, deadpan.
He stood there, a smirk plastered on his face, as if he were waiting for me to relent.
I lifted my head, my brow furrowing. “Could you not stand there like that p>
“Like what?” he asked, arching an eyebrow.
“Like you’re about to audition for a GQ photo shoot. We’re supposed to be fake-engaged, not starring in a Calvin Klein ad p>
“Hey, don’t blame me,” he said, climbing onto the other side of the bed with an exaggerated flourish. “This body is just an added bonus in the fiancé package p>
I rolled onto my back, letting out a heavy sigh. “Why is there only one bed? This is a six-bedroom house. You’d think my mom would’ve thought to separate us p>
Roman’s grin widened. “She probably thinks we’re madly in love.” He made exaggerated air quotes with his fingers. “Which means she expects we’re already accustomed to ‘casually rubbing parts together p>
I nearly choked on a laugh, the absurdity of his words hitting me hard. “Oh my god. That phrase should be banned from existence p>
He leaned closer, propped up on one elbow, his expression mischievous. “You said it, not me p>
I shot him a look, my curiosity piqued. “Okay, but hypothetically speaking. On a scale of one to ten, how weird would it be if we did… casually rub parts together p>
Without missing a beat, Roman replied, “Define ‘rub p>
My eyes narrowed in annoyance. “Roman p>
“I’m just saying, context matters,” he said with a smirk. “An accidental thigh graze? That’s a three. An intentional butt scoot? Solid six. Anything above waist level, and we’re hitting eights p>
I groaned, pulling the covers up to my chin, feeling a mix of exasperation and amusement. “You are the absolute worst p>
With a flick of his wrist, he turned off the light, plunging the room into darkness, save for the soft glow of moonlight that illuminated his smug profile. “You love me,” he stated, his voice teasing.
“Fake love,” I corrected, trying to keep my tone light.
“Still counts,” he insisted with a chuckle.
A brief silence settled over us, the weight of unspoken thoughts hanging in the air.
Finally, I broke the quiet, my voice barely above a whisper. “I can’t believe he compared your achievements to mine at the table p>
Roman didn’t respond immediately; when he did, his tone shifted, becoming more serious. “He’s an idiot for doing that. You’re brilliant, Sav. He’s just too old-fashioned to see it p>
I stared up at the ceiling, feeling my throat tighten. “You didn’t have to say that about me being the most talented p>
“I didn’t say it for her,” he replied softly.
“Thanks,” I murmured, feeling a warmth spread through me.
A moment passed, the bed creaking softly as we both shifted, trying our best not to touch, yet inevitably brushing against each other’s arms and legs beneath the sheets.
“This is weird,” I sighed, the tension between us palpable.
“Yeah,” Roman admitted, his voice low. “But not bad weird. We’ve done this a lot of times p>
More silence enveloped us, thick and heavy.
“Roman?” I finally ventured, breaking the stillness.
“Hmmm p>
“Try anything, and I swear I’ll knee you right in your very expensive parts p>
He chuckled softly under his breath. “Understood, Miss Hart p>
I reached over and playfully smacked his chest. “That’s Mrs. Blackwood to you p>
There was a brief pause, a moment of tension where I could feel my heart racing.
“Savannah?” he said, his tone suddenly serious.
“What p>
“…You’re kind of rubbing my thigh p>
I froze, my eyes widening. “No, you’re the one rubbing my thigh p>
“Oh no, this is clearly your fault,” he retorted, a grin creeping onto his face.
Just then, a voice called out from the hallway, slicing through the charged atmosphere.
“Savannah? Are you two still awake p>
We both turned toward the door, our faces inches apart in the dark, caught in an embarrassing moment.
I shouted, “Yep! Just… saying our bedtime prayers! Separately p>
Roman stifled a laugh, biting his lip to contain his amusement. “Ten out of ten awkward p>
I hissed, “Shut up p>
My mom’s voice chimed in again, far too cheerful and completely oblivious. “Chloe and Dean want to take you two out for brunch sometime, for a double date. They said they want to catch up. What do you think p>
The tension in the room shifted, morphing into something new as I exchanged a glance with Roman, both of us silently processing the implications of our situation.
**Chapter 14 p>
In the quiet aftermath of laughter and playful banter, Savannah and Roman found themselves navigating the delicate balance between their fake engagement and the undeniable chemistry simmering beneath the surface. The lighthearted exchanges masked a deeper emotional connection that had begun to unfold, revealing vulnerabilities and insecurities that neither had anticipated. As they lay side by side, the weight of their unspoken feelings hung in the air, turning their playful teasing into a moment of genuine introspection. Savannah’s heart raced not just from the proximity of Roman’s body but from the realization that their relationship had evolved into something far more complex than mere pretense.
As the night deepened and the world outside faded into silence, Savannah understood that the lines between reality and illusion had blurred. The prospect of brunch with friends loomed like a reminder of the facade they were maintaining, yet it also offered a glimpse into a future that could be filled with warmth and connection. Roman’s teasing words and sincere compliments echoed in her mind, igniting a flicker of hope amidst her uncertainty. With a shared glance, they both recognized the potential for something real, a spark that had ignited in the playful chaos of their interactions. In that moment, under the soft glow of moonlight, they were no longer just two people pretending to be engaged; they were on the cusp of discovering what it truly meant to be vulnerable, to love, and to embrace the intricate dance of their intertwined lives.
In the upcoming chapter, readers can expect the tension between Savannah and Roman to escalate in unexpected ways. With their playful banter and undeniable chemistry simmering just beneath the surface, the arrival of a double date invitation from Savannah’s mom adds a new layer of complexity to their already complicated arrangement. Will they be able to maintain their facade of a fake engagement while navigating the prying eyes of friends and family? Or will their playful teasing lead to something more serious, blurring the lines between their scripted roles and genuine feelings?
Moreover, the looming brunch date promises to be a pivotal moment where the stakes are raised. As Savannah grapples with her insecurities about her father’s comparisons and Roman’s unwavering support, readers will be left wondering how their dynamic will evolve in a social setting filled with expectations. Will they succumb to the pressure of their charade, or will the outing reveal deeper truths about their relationship? With the promise of awkward encounters, heartfelt confessions, and perhaps even a revelation or two, Chapter 14 is set to deliver a delightful mix of humor and emotional depth that fans won’t want to miss.
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.