Roman Quotes

“No.” I shook my head. “I was angry when she suggested giving you to me for a bit of ‘fun.’ Furious that she would do something so hideous. I lost my temper, and yes, I told her to peddle her offer elsewhere. I had no idea she would, Effie. I have no clue how she found the Santini brothers and made her deal. If I’d had any inkling she’d do such a thing, I would have gone and found you right away. Yes, when I figured it out, I did everything to find you because I felt guilty. Horrified that my anger and outburst had caused you pain. Especially once I met you. Saw the sweetness you carried with you. I knew it would be crushed, and I couldn’t take it. But it changed. I swear to you, it all changed.” She began to shake her head, and I framed her face with my hands, refusing to let her look away. I needed her to see my eyes. To know what I was saying was true. “Once I got to know you, it became paramount to protect you. But that’s not why I married you, Effie. I rescued you because I had to.” I drew in a deep breath. “I fell in love with you because I had no choice. My heart wanted you.” Her eyes widened.”
― Melanie Moreland, Roman

“Go to bed, Effie.” She shook her head. “No, I want to keep talking to you.” “I don’t want to talk to you. Get out of my sight.” “Why?” “I am barely holding on. Get out of my sight before I do something we both regret.” She lifted her chin. “You don’t scare me.” I pushed off the chair. Walked toward her. She never wavered. She met my gaze, steady and sure. “You’re mad at yourself, not me,” she said. “Pretty sure it’s you irritating me.” “What have I done that is so irritating?” I leaned close, laying it on the line. “I can’t get your voice out of my head, Effie. I can’t stay away from you. You are all I think about. Worry over. Your opinion matters to me. I don’t usually give a fuck what anyone thinks, but your thoughts somehow have become a priority. You have gotten under my skin, and I’ll be damned if I know how to get you out.”
― Melanie Moreland, Roman

“Marianne didn’t find it. I did. It’s safe with you, just as you are with me.” “Thank you,” she whispered, then rolled up onto her toes to press a kiss to my cheek. But I turned my head and captured her mouth. She stiffened, then melted against me, fisting my shirt in her hand. I slanted my head over hers, deepening the kiss, dipping my tongue in and tasting her. She whimpered low in her throat, and I caught her against me, holding her tight. I explored her, groaning. I slid my hand under the too-big shirt, spreading my fingers against the skin of her back. It was warm and soft. I dipped under the waistband of her pants, running my hand side to side, wanting what was under the material. She shivered, and I gathered her closer. She moaned, but this time, the sound was painful. Distressed. I released her, stepping back. “Forgive me, I forgot about your injuries.” She touched her lip, not saying a word. Then she backed up. “I-I’m sorry.” “It’s fine. I was out of line. Sit and finish your dinner.”
― Melanie Moreland, Roman

“She frowned, starting to open her mouth. I did the strangest thing. I leaned forward and pressed my lips to hers to silence her. “Pick anything you want. No arguing.” She looked as shocked as I was. I never kissed a woman, aside from my nonna’s cheek. It was too personal. Too intimate. But it felt natural to kiss Effie. Her lips were warm and soft under mine. Sweet—like her. I did it again as if to check and affirm the feeling I got when we kissed. It felt the same. “Please,” I said against her mouth. “Pick something.” She blinked. “Okay.”
― Melanie Moreland, Roman

“Effie held up a purple shirt, and I stood behind her. “Pretty,” I observed. “Matches your eyes.” She jumped, turning my way. I leaned close. “You need clothes, Little Tiger. I own this place. Everything you’re touching, I pay for, so pick anything you want. The price is for customers, not you.”
― Melanie Moreland, Roman

“Her words kept playing in my head. My sister. Virgin. Have her for fun or sell her. For a night. Forever. I don’t care. The callous tone she used and the uncaring attitude shocked me. In my world, family was important. Big or small. You protected those you loved, using whatever means necessary. You didn’t offer to sell them to the highest bidder as if they were a piece of unwanted art. And somehow, a woman doing it to her sister seemed even worse.”
― Melanie Moreland, Roman