Page 41 of Sinful Temptations

“Why did your sister choose Brazil?”

“Followed a guy there, but it didn’t last long. Didn’t stop her though. She’s done loads of traveling. All my sisters have. I’m the only one who needs to pick up my game. It’s why I took this job.”

I nodded, understanding that quest completely. “Same.”

Note number two—Roman would like a woman who wants to travel.Check.

Our drinks arrived and Roman raised his glass. “Salute. Here’s to trying something new together.”

My heart melted. “To something new together.” We clinked our glasses and looked into each other’s eyes as we sipped our drinks. If I died and went to heaven right now, I’d die the happiest person in the world. Roman had that way about him. He made me feel like I was the only person in the room.

William had always made me feel like I was the elephant in the room.

Why, oh, why couldn’t I find a man like Roman? One who cared for me enough to put me first?

Grrrr. Stay in the moment.

“So . . .” Trying to hold back the smirk curling on my lips, I raised my hand to count off my points as I went. “You want a woman who likes travel.” I raised one finger. “And you want a woman who eats like a pig.”

His jaw dropped. “I didn’t say that.”

“Gotcha.” I grinned my cheekiest grin.

“Very funny.”

“So, what else appeals to you?”

He squinted at me, flashing an I-know-what-you’re-doing look. “You giving me the ol’ twenty questions.Si?”

“Sure. Why not? I told you we’re going to get you laid thismonth. I need to know what you’re looking for in a woman.” I sipped my drink, all cocky with myself at hitting Roman with his own game.

“Okay, well for starters, she needs a vagina.”

Wine shot out my nose and as I coughed and gasped, swallowing back the liquid that’d gone down the wrong way. Roman burst into laughter.

“You bastard.”

“Gotcha.” When Roman truly smiled, everything about him glowed. His eyes, his face, even his personality.

He shuffled his chair toward me, and as his warm hand rubbed my back, my girly bits started breakdancing.Stop it, Daisy! Roman is just being nice. Like he is with everyone.

“Okay.” I dabbed my napkin to my chin. “So, she needs to like eating, traveling and must have a vagina. Check.”

Roman was fighting laughter, and when I looked over my shoulder, the waiter was right there. His wide eyes and gaping mouth confirmed he’d heard what I’d said. I wanted to crawl under the table and die.

The pimply-faced waiter adjusted the glasses on his nose, and smiling like a randy teenager, said, “May I take your order?”

“Sorry. We haven’t had a chance to study the menu.” Roman saved me from having to talk. “Can you explain how this works?”

“Oh, sure.” The waiter turned and pointed toward the kitchen where two chefs were turning skewered meats above a large open flame.

As he explained the concept behind churrasco cuisine, I studied Roman. Why did he want to spend time with me? It didn’t make sense. He should be with the guys on our tour, clubbing or pubbing. Yes, he’d said he’d rather be with women any day. But me? I wasn’t exactly the life of the party. Maybe he felt sorry for me after the Pierre fuck-up.

Was that it? Was he hosting my very own pity party?

Oh, God, I hoped not. I drank my wine and listened to the rest of the waiter’s description.

We placed our orders and the waiter topped up our drinks, snuck a glance at my cleavage, then slinked away.

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