Page 29 of Sinful Temptations

He bumped his shoulder to mine, and when he looked at me in that special way, like I was his favorite little sister, I knew everything was going to be okay. “What’d you do?”

As I relayed what happened, my mind replayed it like I was watching a low-budget porno in slow-mo. Pierre’s wife on her hands and knees. Him grinning at me. Me barging in naked and slapping Pierre. What I’d said to his poor wife. I felt sick to my stomach.

“You did her a favor.”

I huffed. “Maybe.”

“No maybe about it. She should be grateful.”

“Still going to hurt.”

Sorrow flashed across his eyes and vanished just as quickly. Was it possible to ever get over that kind of pain? I hoped so, for Roman’s sake. He was a good guy. He deserved to be loved.

“What happened next?”

The sadness in Roman’s eyes hurt, so I decided to play up the details of me grabbing that stupid apron. “I couldn’tbelieve it. My tits were hanging out. My ass was on display. His nosy neighbor will be talking about it for the rest of her life.”

Roman released another burst of laughter.

“I streaked up the street.” I began laughing, really truly laughing. “I was waving at all those people.” I imitated my waving. “They were on their balconies, looking at me.”

Wiping away happy tears, I glanced at Roman, shaking my head. “I can’t believe I did that.”

“It’s gold.” His cheeky smile was spectacular. “Wish I’d seen that.”

“Pfft, no you don’t.”

I told him the rest of the story like I was recapping a comedy skit. Although it was horrible at the time, it was fucking funny now. The more Roman chuckled, the more I played it up. When I detailed climbing that fence with my ass in the air and landing on the tomato bush, I thought he was going to pass out laughing.

With each giggle, I felt better. Like my bricks of guilt were being sprinkled with soothing fairy dust. Roman was right. What Pierre did wasn’t my fault. I was innocent.

But I’d learned my lesson. I was not having sex with another guy until I knew all about him.

I told Roman about returning to the hostel at midnight and then making the decision to go back to Pierre’s.

Roman jerked back. “You didn’t?”

I shrugged. “I had to get my bag.”

“Why didn’t you call me?”

I patted the bag at my hip. “My phone was in my bag—I couldn’t.”

“Shit. I can’t believe you went back there. What happened?”

“I kicked him in the balls, of course.”

His stunning smile grew even more. “I bet that felt good.”

Heaving out a sigh, I said, “Like you wouldn’t believe.”

Stifling a yawn, I suddenly felt utterly shattered. Glancing at my watch, I groaned. It was nearly three o’clock. I had to be up in three hours. “Hey, Roman.”

“Yeah.”

“Thank you for listening.”

“Prego. Anytime, Daisy. I mean it.” He pulled me in for a hug, and when I wrapped my arms around him and listened to his beating heart, I was so content.

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