Zadia couldn't look away from the time.

With her legs crossed and her nerves all over the place, she smiled pretending to follow along with what Adam was saying. It wasn't like she wanted to, but her thoughts were occupied by Roman so she was distracted.

Every chance they got she was under him... or above, depending on who initiated what.

They managed to sneak off well, mainly meeting in the middle of the night, when everyone was asleep in whoever's room was the closest. Till sunrise, they'd stay locked in there, whereas the other one would quickly slip away before anyone woke up. During the day in front of everyone else, they'd sneak glances at each other.

Roman would even go as far as handing her things, just to feel their hands collide.

He liked it. He liked her.

One time it led to them making out in the kitchen pantry, they were in there for so long that Dario had to cover for them. Although he left a day ago for New York in search of Eliśa, Dario had settled well with them. Zadia loved having him around because it pissed Lynn off and she was also able to speak with him about his brother. "It's a dangerous game the both of you are playing, I'm compelled to see how it ends." Dario had said to her when they were by themselves in his car.

His statement lingered on her mind a lot and when she was with Roman it was hard not to think about it.

Zadia's face scrunched up in discomfort as Tino scratched her knee, using it to prompt himself up. "Ow." She said, touching the tender spot.

"You alright?" Adam asked, looking away from the security camera monitor. It was his time of the day to keep surveillance, Zadia had just finished her shift with Tino who didn't want to leave her side. He hysterically cried each time she stepped in front of a door, not wanting her to leave without him.

She patted her knee, ignoring the small sting she felt. "Mmh." She nodded. "I'm fine, it's only a scratch." Glancing back at the time she nearly smiled looking at it. It was eleven in the morning, which meant Abel and Lynn were busy with target practice. "I'm gonna head back to my room and get a bandaid, if anyone needs me they can find me near the back." She told him, when in fact it was a lie.

Upstairs with Roman is where she'd be.

"Yes, you go. I'm all covered here." He told her, casting her an appreciative smile. "I've blended Tino some food, it's inside the microwave."

Zadia stood up, taking Tino with her. "Thanks! I was gonna get to it this morning, but this one here had other plans." She was referring to Tino. She made her way out of the room, letting out a breath, and shifting Tino to her other arm. "This doesn't go in your mouth bud." She told him, removing the hem of his shirt from his mouth. Her footsteps were light walking around the quiet house, nearing the other section of the home.

It was a big house on the outside and even bigger on the inside.

When Zadia reached the other part of the house, she put Tino down, prompting him to stand up. "We can spare a few seconds to practice." She said to him, keeping a good grip on his hand. Since he was standing up more frequently, Zadia wanted to encourage him to walk more as well. "That's right, you got it." She said while Tino and she made it to Roman's door.

His room was the third door to the left of the other hall, so they didn't have to walk far. They stopped outside his door and Zadia raised her hand, her knuckles softly knocking against it. She picked up Tino, just when the door opened and Roman appeared. "I thought you said you were gonna make it on time today?" He sarcastically questioned, cluelessly smiling down at her. He didn't know what prompted him to open the door so fast or even why his heart sped up upon seeing her. She was just here, hours ago in his bed where they laid and conversed.

"Late in person, on time in spirit." She joked, walking into his room.

Roman's cat Binx meowed in the corner, its piercing gaze on Zadia. Adam was able to grab her during the home intrusion, she was in good condition despite all the gunfire that night. Roman shut the door behind her, quickly pulling her into his space. His grasp was soft. "Ha-ha." He dryly said leaning down, capturing her lips.

He just had to.

Zadia sheepishly kissed him back and pulled away just as fast, remembering Tino was there. "You just kissed me in front of the baby." She said in surprise, looking over at Tino who silently stared at them both.

Roman raised an eyebrow at his nephew, confused with his expression. "Maybe we broke him." He was being sarcastic but Zadia was too focused on Tino to notice. He stuck out his arm. "Let me hold him."

Zadia leaned, handing Tino over. She placed her hand on her hips, watching them. "I don't think I've ever seen him so... confused." She turned her head. "He probably didn't know it was a kiss." She paused, in thought. "What if he thought you were attacking my face?" Zadia questioned, seriously.

Roman rolled his eyes. "It was one kiss Zadia, I'm sure he'll be alright. People kiss in front of babies all the time."

"Of course people do, but we aren't just ordinary people to him. I'm his mother figure and you're his uncle. You don't see how this could be a bit confusing to him?"

"Again, he's a baby. So... I doubt it. He's not even crying." Roman pointed out, casually nudging her. "Maybe we should do it again." He suggested, obviously looking for a reason to kiss her again. "It might get him to snap out of it." He better explained, gently taking her hand and pulling her towards him.

She laughed, letting him guide them further into the room. "You are unbelievable right now. I caught onto that real quick." She glanced at Tino before turning forward, to look back at Roman. "Maybe we messed up."

Roman groaned deeply.

Without a word, he picked Zadia up unexpectedly, making her yelp in surprise. Tino giggled, as his uncle dropped them onto the bed. "See," Roman said, hovering over Zadia. "He's fine," Roman told her, watching Tino pull at his covers.

Zadia draped her arms around his shoulders, and he laid on top of her, careful not to crush her. Resting his chin on his arm, he looked up at her and she covered her mouth, yawning. "How come you always get the best beds? My bed feels like cardboard compared to this."

"Easy. Lynn picked your bed out." He told her and chuckled deeply at her facial expression. "Also, you barely sleep in your bed. Not that I'm complaining or anything." He quickly added. "You take up most of it too."

Zadia snorted, flicking the tip of his nose. "That's a lie. I always stay on my side."

"No the hell you don't and you were just on my side earlier." Roman countered, looking at her stomach. He craned his neck back and squinted. "Your belly button looks crooked."

"Roman." She whined, pushing him away. "Stop it." He laughed at her, his forehead pressed against her stomach. "You get on my nerves." She pulled Tino closer when he got to the edge of the bed, focusing her gaze back on Roman. "I don't like you sometimes."

Roman laughed and sarcastically said, "You make it known very well." Raising himself to kiss her, Zadia dogged his lips. "I'll just kiss somewhere else then." He nonchalantly said, leaning closer.

"There's a minor present." She reminded him, pushing away his head.

He tilted his head back. "You mean my adorable little nephew who I can feel staring at me." He stretched his arm, pulling the curious baby over. "How can I forget those little innocent eyes?"

Zadia shook her head. "Why do you always have to be so sarcastic all the time?"

"To piss you off." He answered. She glared at his response, grabbing another pillow for her head. Roman reached for her hand, folding them together. "You're gonna be alright here without me these next few days."

She scoffed. "Of course I am, you're not special." She shrugged. "I still don't understand why I can't go with you. I've practically gone everywhere with you."

"I'll be fine," Roman told her. "That's all you need to know."

Zadia scoffed louder. "Please. Your definition of safe is getting into fights and messing up that stupid face of yours." It somewhat did bother her that she wouldn't be going, but she wasn't about to tell him that. Besides, she couldn't leave so soon. It would be too hard on Tino. "At least when I'm there, I help."

Laughter rumbled from Roman's chest. He knew that it bothered her not being able to come. "I'm slightly offended that you think I need a sidekick. I've been doing this for a long ass time." Zadia gasped, he referred to her as a sidekick. "You do help... not really." He coughed. "I can't deny that, but where I'm headed is a job-related thing. What did we agree on when it came down to job-related things?"

"Istayoutofit." She mumbled extremely low.

Roman placed his hand behind his ear, propping it up. He was grinning the entire time. "Say it again, I can't seem to hear you." He teased her.

She scowled at him and sighed knowingly. "I stay out of it."

Roman sat up, dramatically clapping. "That's right, you Zadia Hamilton, stay out of it." He repeated, pointing at her. "For safety reasons." He smirked. "It's okay, you can admit it. You're gonna miss me."

"I'm not." She insisted. She wasn't...  maybe a little. "I'm looking forward to sleeping in my bed while you're gone."

Roman smiled at her, laying his chin on her stomach again. "At least try to lie better than that." He lowered his head, kissing her side. Zadia laughed uncontrollably, trying to push his head away. She kicked her legs, trying to break free of his hold. She laughed louder, which made Roman set her free. "I'll miss getting on your nerves."

"That fills me with much comfort knowing." She sarcastically said. "That's all you're gonna miss?"

"I'm not gonna miss your nagging."

Zadia stuck her tongue at him. She didn't want him to go. "When will you even be back? Do I at least get to know that?"

"I don't know that either, Zadia." She became quiet, thinking to herself. Roman waited for her to say something, he could feel there was more she wanted to say. "What is it?"

She looked at him. "I might miss you about this much," She demonstrated, pinching her fingers together a tiny bit. "It's not much but it's something."

"I'll take it." He whispered, his lips pressing down onto hers. He suppressed the need to shove his tongue down her mouth, out of respect for Tino. She kissed him back, her hand against his face. Roman flinched, small hands colliding with his forehead. "What the hell?!" He questioned, pulling away from Zadia to cover his right eye.

"Tino, that wasn't nice," Zadia told Tino, laughing on the inside.

"It's not funny Zadia, it hurts," Roman grumbled, puckering his lips to kiss her again. Before he could even try again, Tino mushed his face away.

Zadia laughed. "I don't think he wants you doing that."

Roman looked at his nephew, playfully pointing his fingers in his direction. "Little hater." He said to him, "He's strong as hell."

"I know. Why do you think I keep tying my hair when it's time to change his diaper? That's all he'll ever pull on even though my hair isn't its original length anymore." Roman tickled his nephew, making him giggle. Zadia watched them, a smile dancing on her lips. Raising the pillow, she threw it at Roman. "Tino I'll save you." She childishly said, throwing another pillow at him. Her eyes grew large with excitement as his gaze settled on her.

"You guys are teaming up on me?" He grabbed Zadia's foot before she could even think about moving them. She squealed when he pulled her by the calves, drawing her close. "That's not fair." He said holding them both down, using both his hands to tickle them.

Zadia laughed till she couldn't anymore, each gasp of air she took made a cramp in her stomach. "We give up! We give up!" She laughed harder, thrashing underneath him.

Mischievously, Roman chuckled.

He was going to continue until someone knocked on his door.

Both adults in the room froze, their shocked eyes dead set on the other. Tino babbled some words which made them avert their gaze for a moment. Roman raised a finger in Zadia's direction, telling her to follow along. "Yeah?" He shouted at whoever was on the other side of the door.

"Umm." Abel started at the other end, slightly confused. "I was looking for Zadia since my practice with Lynn ended early. I checked in her room first, then I heard her laughing...." He awkwardly looked around the empty hall. "In here..."

Zadia nervously bit the inside of her cheek. Roman cleared his throat, properly fixing his white t-shirt. "Yeah, she's in here kid." Roman picked up Tino, grabbing his favorite blanket from off the bed. They met at the front of the door, Roman kissing the side of her face. "Later." He said lowly and she nodded.

"Later." She whispered. On his cue Zadia opened the door, acting as casual as she could. "Abel, hey!" She took Tino from his uncle. "I was just getting Tino's blanket... so we could head outside." She stepped out of the room, and into the hall. "Roman made a stupid joke about spaghetti and you already know how broken my humor can be."

Abel squinted suspiciously before he chuckled. "What was the joke?"

"The joke?" Zadia repeated, looking to Roman for help. "What was the joke again Roman?" He gave her a look that said, 'what the fuck' which almost caused her to laugh.

Roman scratched the back of his head, trying to figure out what to say to the teen. "It was...ah..." he trailed on, trying to think of one. "...What kind of pasta can grant wishes?"

"Manicotti?" Abel answered.

"No, Fettugenie," Roman said.

Both their eyes fell to Zadia when she began laughing dramatically. "See... broken humor."

Roman cleared his throat. "I'm closing my door now..." He stated, shutting it right afterward.

Abel raised a brow. "You old people are weird." He commented, walking beside Zadia.

"Hey, you're not that far from my age."

He raised his hands in surrender. "I'm young now, that's what counts. I'm also thankfully not blind, there's something you're not telling me about Roman." Zadia glanced at him but said nothing. "You told me you liked him, but ever since you got back it's like... you're both completely different people."

Zadia frowned, not understanding why everyone kept saying that. "Different how?"

"Different like... just different."

"I'm always different ." 

Abel shook his head. "Not like this, you aren't." He motioned at her. "Roman isn't as grumpy and you're like... born again happy. I love it because it fits you and you deserve it but I don't want you getting hurt. Roman can be an a-hole sometimes."

Zadia paused, engulfing him in a hug. "I have no clue what you're talking about," she started. "But maybe someday we can talk about it and yes I do agree he can be an a-hole sometimes."

"Fine." Abel sighed, patting her back. He got the drift that it was something Roman and she needed to keep to themselves. Abel smirked. "I'll stay out grown folks business but I've got my eyes on you two. We've already got one baby here, we don't need another."

Zadia laughed, shoving him away. "I know how the reproductive system works smart ass, and since you wanna bring it up. How about we bring up all things related to Sex Ed too?"

Abel grimaced, shuttering his shoulders. "I'd rather get slapped." They passed through the back entrance, he held the door open, so Zadia and the baby could go first.

Stepping outside, Zadia took in a deep breath feeling the sunlight shine above her. The dark green shirt she had on was breathable, so she wouldn't be sitting in the shade. "How was it with Lynn earlier?"

"Not too hard. She also gave me garden chores though, therefore I'm hoping you'll help because I forgot everything she said to do."

Zadia stuck her hand out, pulling on the rainbow hammock connected to its base. Having one of these made bringing Tino outside easier, but made him a pain in the butt when it was time to leave. "That makes three times in a row, I think you're purposely forgetting everything she told you."

Abel shrugged his shoulders. "I'm a teenager, things tend to go in one ear and out the other." He countered, getting into the other hammock. He laid down, looking at the clouds.

Zadia laid down, letting Tino lie in between her arms. They swayed back and forth in a soothing pattern. Zadia patted his backside gently, slowly getting him to relax. "I'll help, but only because there's not much to it. You wanna go swimming later on too?"

He turned to her, interested in the last part. "Are you gonna get in the water?"

"Me?" She pointed at herself, dramatically. "You want me to get into the same water that gators are in? The very same water that could potentially be hunted?" She shook her. "No, thank you! There's no telling what went down at this lake. It could be another Lake Lanier for all we know."

Abel snapped his fingers, nodding in agreement. "I see your point, but I still don't think this lake is haunted. I didn't get any vibes and the gators keep to themselves. You'd have to be close in their face before they get a bite at ya." He leaned into the hammock, getting comfortable. "Come on, you won't even have to be in long. Forty-five minutes tops, then you can tag along when we go boating."

"Boating?" She repeated. "How come I'm just finding out about this? No one brought it up yesterday during breakfast."

He chuckled. "Lynn did."

"That makes sense why I didn't hear then."

Abel smirked knowingly. "Sure it does." He joked, shutting his eyes. "It wasn't because you were ogling you know who the entire time." Zadia's cheeks warmed. Abel laughed at her silence, the heat of the sun felt good against his body. "You're not even gonna try to deny it?"

Zadia smiled sheepishly, "I still have absolutely no clue what you're talking about." She denied it, running her hand through Tino's hair.

She wasn't going to crack so easily.

—//—//—//—

Later in the afternoon, the heat of the sun became unbearable. Zadia fanned herself, using her hand to create cool air. In the chair she sat in, the sunshade above her spared her from the sun rays. Zadia wiped her hand with the wet wipes, trashing it when she finished. She poured some more grapes into the plastic bowl for Tino, carefully setting it at his side for him to eat.

Zadia picked up the mandarin orange, digging her finger into the peel to remove it. Her swim shorts were dry since she hadn't been in the water. "These damn flies." She grumbled under her breath, swapping one off her thigh and then away from Tino's bowl. They were everywhere, attracted by the food being made outside.

Roman was grilling.

She looked his way, the smoke from the grill mingling with the air. Roman flipped a burger with the steel spatula in his hand, laughing at whatever story Abel was telling him. Lynn snickered along, passing him a container to store the cooked meat. Her yellow bikini set revealed a lot.

Zadia stared longer than she liked to. Her eyes were looking at the tattoo on the back of Lynn's leg. It was the first time she could see it and it resembled the same one Roman had on the inside of his arm. "I think I'm gonna need a drink, actually."

"Water?" Adam responded already by the cooler, his body drenched in it. He was in the lake swimming earlier. He opened the cooler, pulling out a beer for himself, although this was his fifth one.

The cooler being nearby allowed Zadia to count.

"One of those, actually." She said, motioning for the beer. He made a face but passed her the can of white claw. She held her orange with her free hand, bringing the can closer to her mouth to pull the pop top. Letting it go as it made its popping sound, Zadia chugged some of it down. "Thanks," Zadia told him, shivering off the bitter taste. "That was good."

"It's not nearly as good as the ones back home. This tastes like the opposite of what it's supposed to be." He opened his can, dragging the cooler closer to Zadia's side to sit on. "I thought you were a wine person?"

"I dibble dabble." She explained. "They all taste the same to me sometimes." She pointed at his drink. "What about you? Where's your cup of tea?"

He sighed, pushing his wet hair out of his face. His choice of swim trunks was Homer Simpson's animated face everywhere. "No amount of tea is gonna get me through the week I'm about to have. I've got loads of work to do, which mainly consists of one man. It's horrendous I tell you."

Surprised by his outburst, Zadia took another gulp. "If it makes you feel any better, I don't mind helping out. After all, four pairs of eyes are better than two."

Adam playfully winked at her, giving her a flirtatious smile. "In more ways than one I can say." His voice carried more tone when he drank, his accent thick. "If no one's told you so already, you look beautiful today... always."

Zadia chuckled nervously, tipping her beer can his way. "Thank you." She kindly said, noting that Adam liked to flirt when he was under the influence.

"Aren't you two just lovely?" Lynn commented, dryly. She nudged Adam, making him get off the cooler. She bit her lip, contemplating what to drink for the afternoon. "Still being stuck up and not getting in the water?" Her question was directed towards Zadia, but she hadn't looked her way yet.

A fruit cocktail is what she later settled for.

Zadia shrugged. "If that's what you wanna call it, then yeah." She took several more gulps, before standing up. Throwing her mandarin peels in the bucket to the left of her, she picked up Tino and carried him away. Her sandals flapped against the wet grass as she walked in Abel's direction. He was still cracking jokes with Roman. "Sorry to interrupt, we're gonna go walking around. Shout when the beans are done."

She was making bean soup again for herself tonight.

Abel and Roman turned to look at her. "Alright, I'll keep an eye on the stove," Abel responded.

"No, you won't. Abel's busy on the grill." Roman spoke up.

Zadia's eyebrows furrowed. "It's beans. I'm sure Abel doesn't mind. Right, Abel?"

Abel nervously waved, between the two. "I don't mind."

"He does. Abel, give us a second," Roman grumbled, flipping another burger. Abel hastened away, leaving them alone. Casually, Roman flipped another burger over. "The kid needs a break, so I'm giving him one. You on the other hand can keep an eye on your beans, especially if you want to drink one of those." He pointed at the can in her hand. "How many of those have you had?"

Zadia held up her pointer finger. "Not that I have to tell you. This is my first one." She raised the can his way. "I can drink occasionally, Roman." She stated.

"I know that, but Adam is drunk and Lynn is pretty much right up there with him, which means no one's keeping surveillance. I need you sober... for emergency purposes of course."

She almost smirked. "Well look at that, it sounds like you need me."

He scoffed. "If that's what you think I'm saying, then sure."

She placed the beer can on top of the nearest container. "Bull."  Zadia switched Tino to her other arm and she backed away to rid them of the heat of the grill. "I didn't know you and Lynn had matching tattoos."

Roman paused, trying to detect her tone. "That's because it falls onto the list of things I never mention until you bring it up." He stated, taking the cooked burgers off the grill. When Zadia remained silent, Roman looked at her only to find her gaze elsewhere. A yellow moth held her interest. "It's just a moth." He stated, watching her eerie expression.

Zadia shushed him. "They bite."

"They're harmless insects. Won't even feel a thing."

"That's easily debatable, everyone's version of pain is different."

Roman kept from laughing, not wanting to draw attention. "This woman." He thought to himself. Closing the grill top, he backed away, moving closer to where the moth flew. He positions his hand in the air, waiting for it to fly back. "Those matching tattoos aren't just a Lynn and I thing. It was Adams's idea."

Zadia would've never guessed it'd be Adams's idea. "Let me guess, you all were young and stupid."

"Incredibly, but it's one of those things you don't regret." He chuckled. "Unless you're Adam. Lynn dared him to get it on his ass." Zadia laughed at what he shared, picturing what they all must've looked like long ago. When the moth flew back his way, he quickly closed his hand, successfully capturing it. "Come here."

"I think not." Zadia was quick to say, shaking her head. Tino outstretched his arms, wanting to see what was in his uncle's hand.

"Zadia, relax," Roman said, walking her way. "It won't hurt you, I promise." Stepping in front of them, he held his hands out. "Watch." Slowly, he opened his hands and Zadia watched nervously as the moth's bright yellow wings flickered. Its wings had black markings at the tips and its borders were narrow with brown speckles. "Look, Tino." He said, putting the moth closer.

Tino looked mesmerized. He held up his hand, reaching for it.

Zadia smiled, watching how happy he looked. "Not so bad?" Roman asked her.

"No, not so bad." She agreed and when the moth flew away, she grinned and asked, "Did you see how big its eyes were? It was staring into my soul."

Roman smirked briefly at her reaction, looking back at Adam and Lynn. They were laughing hysterically on the dock, wrestling each other to see who would fall into the water first. "I have to go stop the two of them, don't forget about your beans."

"Ughhh, beans. Right." Zadia sighed, looking at Tino as she paced to the house. She sometimes hated cooking because of the time it took. "I don't see how you guys aren't afraid of moths." She fanned herself with her hand, wanting a shower. Playfully she raised Tino's arms, smelling and tickling him. He giggled, thrashing around. "You're just as smelly as me bud." She joked, opening the sliding.

Zadia walked to the living room, flicking on the lights and television. She dragged Tino's playpen to the center of the room and he started to fuss when Zadia tried to put him in. "I can't hold you forever Tino." She told him but he fussed more, gripping her top. "Santino." She said his first name and he grew quiet, breathing in like he was going to cry. "That's not gonna get you out of this, bud. I'll be right in the kitchen."

Tears welled in Tino's eyes as he fussed.

Zadia played an episode of his kiddie show, waiting a few seconds for him to quiet down before slipping out of the living room to finish her soup.

••••

"You know how to put out a grill?" Roman questioned Abel, looking away from the sky. It reminded him of one of Zadia's paintings that he had in storage. An ever-changing canvas of colors.

Abel raised his eyebrows. "You trying to be funny?" Abel scoffed. "Of course I do, I'm young, not stupid." He nodded his way. "You want me to do it?" He asked, waiting for the confirmation. "Or you want me to ask Adam to do it?"

Roman glanced over at Adam, who was laying in the hammock with his eyes shut. Roman had to place both him and Lynn in one minutes ago. "Adam's done for today, you can do it if you want." He said to Abel, his eyes looking to Lynn. She was gazing at the clouds. "Also, boating is still an option for today if you're up for it."

"I'm still up for it!" Abel was quick to say. He'd never been on a boat before and it was something he was eager to experience. Abel walked to the grill, closing the vents. "I've got this."

Roman cleared his throat. "Did Zadia say if she was coming or not?"

Abel smiled slyly. "On the boat? Ain't that something you should've asked her when you were cracking your spaghetti joke?" He laughed at Roman's blushed cheeks. "She said she was coming earlier." He answered. "But maybe you should go check with her again because she's pretty clear about staying out of the lake."

Roman sighed. "Might as well find out now." He scratched the back of his head. "I'll be back. Don't leave that unattended."

"Again, young not stupid."

"Right, my bad." He corrected, wiping his hand down with a napkin. "Think you can drive the boat too?" He questioned, waiting for his response.

"Without a doubt."

Roman chuckled, backing away. "I hope you prove me right, primo." He said walking to the entrance. Roman cringed hearing the high-pitched baby song play through the house. "Not this shit." He muttered, shutting the sliding door. He raised his head, peeking into Tino's crib.

He'd fallen asleep in an awkward position, his forehead laying on the screen side of the playpen.

Picking up the remote off the table, he shut off the television and laid Tino down in a better position, placing his blanket on him. "Tino fell asleep." He informed Zadia, walking inside the kitchen. Roman had eaten, but the smell of her soup had him debating whether he was full or not. Roman watched her add fresh celery into the pot. Her look was determined as she stirred with the steel ladle.

Something about her stance made him relax involuntarily.

"He did? It's barely five. I was gonna take him a bath after this." Zadia responded, leaning forward to lower the broth temperature. She used her fingertips to grab more onions, dipping them in one by one. She stirred again, raising the spoon when she turned his way. "Taste this for me," Zadia told him, slowly blowing onto it.

Roman sighed but stepped closer when she raised the spoon to his lips, rotating onto her heels to feed him. " I don't remember signing up to be your lab rat." He resorted. Under her gaze Roman tasted the sauce, melting at the taste. "It's good." He swallowed.

She frowned, moving the spoon from his mouth. "Good means bland now. I think I went overboard on the garlic, but I can fix it. I think something else is missing."

"It's marvelous." He rephrased, with his best British impression.

"That sounded way too legit." She laughed, placing the spoon in the sink with the other dirty dishes. "Help me tag-team these dishes." She utilized the paper towel on her left, drying her hands. "Pleaseeeee."

"Sure." 

Zadia snapped her fingers, turning back to him. "It's missing mojo." She told him and glowered. "Which we don't have here, meaning I'm gonna have to d-i-y to my best capabilities." Zadia stood on her tippy toes and wiped the mess off the corner of his lips. She used her thumb to do it, nonchalantly licking it away. "Where's everybody? I didn't hear them come inside."

Roman huffed, "Having drinks on the hammocks, I doubt they'll be moving anytime soon. Those things are ridiculously comfortable."

"That's what I told Abel." Walking back to the sink, she turned on the water and proceeded with pre-washing the dishes. "I've got a question for you." She stacked them on top of the counter.

Roman moved to her right side, grabbing the soap from underneath the sink shelf. "Dios mío." (Oh lord)

"Hush, it's just one tiny question."

"It's always one tiny question with you." He resorted. "What is it?"

"What made you befriend Adam and Lynn?"

He shrugged. "We all just clicked you know. Coming from our background, that's not something you can say often about people."

She pointed at him. "While we're on the subject of friendships, where do I fall in?" She wiggled her eyebrows at him, playfully making weird facial expressions. "Am I one of your best friends or like a close friend?" Zadia stopped him before he could say something. "Don't say, work friend."

Roman smirked. "I don't know, work friend seems accurate enough." She rolled her eyes and scooped up the soap foam, trying to throw it at him but missed. He smirked, grabbing the sink spray. "I was gonna let that go, but I've wanted to see you wet all day. " He admitted.

Zadia burst out laughing. "Roman what the hell." She jolted as he inched the spray closer. "Don't! No, don't! Roman!" She shrieked trying to run away from him, but he'd already sprayed her with water. "I'm gonna kill you." Zadia threatened, speeding his way. He sprayed her with more water till she tried to take the hose from him, water splashed everywhere wetting the both of them.

"Stop trying to take it from me."

"No." She fussed, gripping the bottom. She twisted it his way, spraying the water directly in his face. "Ha!" She rejoiced, spraying him some more.

"I'm going easy on you." He insisted, grabbing her by the hips. They struggled with the spray, the hose clicking once it reached its length limit. "Let go or I'm dumping you in that lake."

Zadia held on tighter. "I'll take you with me." She let go of the hose suddenly, making him land flat on his ass. Zadia gripped the counter so she wouldn't go down with him.

Roman groaned, the bottom of his shorts wet with water. "Help me up."

Zadia pointed at him, laughing hard. "Help yourself up." She resorted, laughing some more. "Look at all this water." The floor was so soaked that it would take a while to dry up all the mess. "This is all you."

"Just help me up."

"No."

"Zadi—"

"Nope."

"Pleaseeeee." He begged, imitating her childish pout. "I promise, I won't do anything."

"If you're trying to pout, I'm scared of what puppy dog eyes you'll conjure up." Zadia sighed heavily, taking a step forward. "Give me your hand," Roman smirked as he grabbed her hand, pulling her to the wet floor with him. "You fucking liar." She laughed.

Holding up his other hand, he revealed his crossed fingers. "You fell for it though, literally." They laughed harder at their collapsed position, slowly filling the space between them.

"Is it finally later yet?" She asked him lowly, her laughter dying down along with his. Water dripped from her face and she used the back of her hand to wipe it off. Roman lifted his hand, assisting her with the task.

Tilting his head to the side, he kissed her, invading all her senses. Her lips were delicate and balmy, their wet skin cool against each other. Zadia groaned softly, enjoying it all far too much. Her eyelids drooped when Roman backed away, gently kissing her wet cheeks. "Maybe not on the wet floor." He said as they both panted.

The corner of her mouth quirked up and she laughed. "The shower then." She voiced quietly, batting her eyelashes innocently.

Standing abruptly with no help, Roman replied, "that's better." Lending his hand to her, he helped her to her feet. "Where's the baby monitor?"

"In the living room," Zadia answered, making sure the stove was off. She looked at the mess surrounding her, water dripping from different parts of the ceiling. "Roman." She called, shaking her head. "Who's gonna clean this up?"

"Me of course." He agreed, momentarily stepping out of the kitchen. "Eventually. One sec." When he appeared again, he smiled at her while holding up the white baby monitor. "How do I work this thing?"

Zadia clapped her hands. "Finally something you don't know how to do." She took the monitor from him, and grabbed his hand, leading him away. "You flick this side when you're trying to hear him and you flick this when you want to turn it off. When you want to see him you click this and boom. You have your baby." She explained walking ahead of him.

"I wasn't paying attention."

"Figures, I knew your attention span was bad." She joked.

Chuckling at her statement, Roman replied, "Can't be any worse than yours." He cleared his throat. "Are you boating with us today?"

They stopped beside his door she leaned against it, turning to face him. "I'm gonna have motion sickness... but yeah I'm coming. I can already picture the scenery." Zadia opened his door, waltzing in to find his cat sunbathing near the window. It lazily turned to its side, ignoring both of them. "Someone's comfortable." She commented, continuing to his bathroom. "Why do you keep towels in your bathroom closet?"

"Because that's where they go," Roman answered, shutting his blinds. Binx hissed at him for it and Roman shooed her away, not bothered by the show of its canines. "You don't put your towels in there?"

Zadia started to pull down her wet shorts, throwing them in the basket, while Roman went through his dresser. He was grabbing a condom. "No. I mainly stuff my closet with skin products and paper rolls. I keep the towels in that storage thing in front of my bed. Easier access." She grabbed a towel from the closet, putting it aside as she turned on the hot water in the shower.

"That doesn't sound like easier access to me." Roman walked up from behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. She leaned closer to him, breathing in deeply. "Where do you take your shots at?" He asked helping remove her top, he palmed her smooth back.

"I used to do the front of my thigh here," she pointed at it, Roman used the mirror to look. "but now it's here, near my so-called crooked belly button." She showed him. "You've never seen me do it? I've done it countless times in front of everyone."

Roman's fingers outlined the area. "Aren't you the one that said I had a bad attention span?" He smirked when she didn't offer a comeback. "It may seem like it, but I don't see everything." Taking off his shirt, he threw it out the way as Zadia wrapped her arms behind his neck.

"Do you see me?" She asked him, studying his eyes.

"I see you." He told her, pushing off his shorts. The tight fit uncomfortable. He placed both his hands at her side, walking her to the tub. Roman winced when the heat of the water touched his skin. "Why is it so hot?!." He quickly reached for the handle, lowering it.

"I always take hot showers." She reminded him, leaning against the shower wall, the cold tilt beneath her back. The water heated her body although it wasn't too hot, steam fogging around them.

Roman lifted her chin with his finger, slowly grazing her neck. "No wonder you use so much coconut butter." He whispered, cupping her waist. He was so close that Zadia decided to kiss him, her tongue parting his lips, pushing into his mouth. Roman's tongue swirled around hers, grabbing her ass to pull her closer.

His hand rubbed over her clit, parting her lips with his fingers. She moaned as he moved his head down, flicking her nipples with his tongue. He kneeled on both knees kissing her lower stomach, nuzzling her with his nose, smelling her sweet scent.

Boldly, Roman licked up and down her hot slit. He pushed his tongue in and out of her slowly, filling her entrance. "Ah." Zadia whimpered in pure bliss, shutting her eyes as he pushed faster. Her fingers ran through his damp hair and he wrapped his arms around her waist, squeezing her slippery ass from behind. Circling her clit with the tip of his tongue, he began sucking. The running shower drowned out the soft moan Zadia let out when he pushed two fingers inside of her.

Roman sucked her clit harder, fucking her faster with his fingers.

Latching off of her, his arousal pressed against her womanhood when he stood up. Roman kissed her hard, letting Zadia taste herself through him. When he pulled away, it was for the foil wrapper clenched in his hands. Tearing it open, Roman put it on himself. "Spread for me." He told her, touching her stomach.

She loved when he said this, her legs spreading on request.

Zadia gripped his shoulders, her lips parting when he pushed into her, She let out small gasps, the force of his thrust making her spiral. Resting her head on his shoulder, Roman sped up, holding onto her hips as he fucked her. Zadia lifted her leg, holding it at his side. Her cries of ecstasy filled his ears. "Roman." She moaned, writhing when he started to fuck her harder.

"Say it again." He told her, pushing and pulling out faster with more force. He rubbed her clit with his finger, the intense buildup making her shiver.

"Roman." She moaned in his ears, nearing her climax. "Ro—"

"Roman, where'd you put the hot sauce!" Lynn asked, sending a round of knocks to his front door. "Roman?"

Zadia covered her mouth with her hands, jolting at the sound of Lynn's voice. Out of all times, she could've popped up, she choose now. "Crap."

Roman slowed his pace, grunting a bunch of curse words. His head tilted back and he shouted, "I never fucking had it!" He held onto Zadia's waist when she wrapped her legs around him. "Fuck." Roman cursed, grinding into her and kissing her deeply.

"Calm down. Adam is the one that said you had it! We need it for meat."

"I... I." He couldn't finish his sentence. Roman lost himself inside of Zadia, her eyes and mouth bringing him closer to the edge. His hands roamed her soft face, and down the side of her body, to her jerking hips. His dick rammed inside her as she clutched him close, echoing small coos in his ears.

"She's talking to you." Zadia reminded him, jerking her hips faster as they pulled in for another kiss.

Roman groaned biting the bottom of Zadia's lip, before shouting to Lynn, "I don't have it!" When Zadia's eyes began rolling back, he pressed his lips to hers, muffling the cry she let out. Zadia climaxed and Roman's balls pulsed against her, throbbing for several seconds before he went still. Their foreheads touched, Roman, holding her still. "Repeat that." He said to Lynn.

"Where's the last place you saw it?" Asked, Lynn.

Breathing heavily, Roman tiredly replied, "Check with the other stuff that was brought in from the store. It's probably there or something." He was still buried deep inside Zadia, the water pouring on them both. Roman kissed her collarbone, trailing kisses to her neck.

Lynn paused. "Alright, alright! I'll check there then." She shouted back. "Hurry up in there! I've gotta tell you about Adam and little miss vegan flirting with each other."

Roman stopped abruptly, lifting his eyes to look at Zadia. He carried a blank expression as he pulled out of her. "Can't wait to hear about it." He blandly shouted, as Zadia slowly unwrapped her legs from around his waist. With her back still pressed against the shower wall, he backed away to give her some space.

"Little miss vegan? That's what she calls me behind my back?!" Zadia said out loud after it was clear Lynn left. Roman turned around, removing the condom to dispose of it. He stepped out of the shower and she frowned, grabbing her coconut butter soap and her washcloth. "What else does she call me behind my back?! I need to know at this point." She paused. "You know what don't tell me, I'll just strangle her in her sleep. Little Miss vegan." She repeated and scoffed. "It doesn't even sound good."

Roman stepped back into the tub, grabbing his loofah. "Depends on who you ask." He grumbled.

She glared at him, soaping herself. "Don't be shy, say it louder."

"Whatever, Zadia." He told her scrubbing his chest. He preferred to use body wash, because of the benefits of the moisturizing ingredients. Roman lifted his head to better look at her, wetting his hair in the midst of it. "Be sure not to bring it up when you're around her."

Zadia sighed, rinsing away the foam off her body. "Ella me altera." (She gets on my nerves.) "Don't be surprised if I push her off the boat."

Roman smiled at her slightly, kissing her forehead. "At some point, Abel's going to be driving, so you might be able to get away with it." Zadia laughed, holding his gaze. That feeling in his stomach was there again, heart racing just staring at her. Roman swallowed hard, something dawning on him.

He cared about her.

Lightly edited. Point any errors out.

Any thoughts?