Page 28 of Sinful Temptations

A frown drilled across his forehead, yet he remained silent. Roman sure was good at this stuff. If I ever met his sisters, I wouldn’t know whether to thank them or scold them for making him so perceptive.

I cleared my burning throat. “Do you remember back in Brussels, when you wanted me to go to Pierre, and you asked what was the worst thing that could happen?”

Roman nodded, his expression growing deeper. “Sì, you said it would be if Pierre laughed in your face and said he’d have to be totally drunk to have sex with you.”

I jerked back. “Jeez. How the hell do you remember that?”

“It was only a few weeks ago.”

“Yeah, but . . .” I huffed. “Never mind.”

His expression grew darker. “Is that what happened?”

“No. It’s way worse.” I shoved an annoying curl behind my ear. “Pierre’s married,” I blurted. The word stung like a thousand-foot wasp.

I searched his expression, waiting to see the disgust. But it didn’t appear—shock and confusion did.

“He’s married? But you said he was divorced.”

“Yes. The asshole told me he’d been divorced four times, but he neglected to mention that he’s been married five times.”

“Oh man, what an asshole.”

“I know. I’m so sorry.”

“Sorry? What for?”

“You know . . .”

He blinked at me, torturing me with his apparent confusion, forcing me to spell it out. “I had sex with a married man, just like Caterina did.”

He half chuckled, half huffed, shaking his head. “It is nothing like what Caterina did. She knew Nate was married; she even met his wife.Andshe was still with me. You had no idea. This was not your fault.”

I studied his expression, trying to read his mind, hoping that he meant what he’d said and praying he’d forgive me if he didn’t.

His eyes lit up. “Don’t tell me she caught you two.”

I shook my head. “We were in the middle of . . .” I lowered my eyes. “. . . you know, stuff, when his wife came home.”

“Shit. I bet you nearly died.”

As we sat on that bench, thighs touching, his eyes spiraling through different expressions, I told him all about Pierre shoving me outside, my clothes going over the balcony, and then me hearing them having sex.

“They had sex? While you were outside?”

“She didn’t know I was there. But when Pierre saw me peeking through the window, you know what he did?”

He shook his head, eyes bulging. “What?”

“He smiled at me. Like he was enjoying it.”

“Jesus. Cocky bastard.” Roman whistled. “So, you’re butt naked out on his balcony?—”

“Not butt naked.” I brought my feet up. “I had my shoes on.”

He burst out laughing. “Thank God.”

“I know, right?”

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