Page 43 of Sinful Temptations

“Ahh, no, I haven’t been ‘checking out your ass,’ as you say. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t noticed it at all.” He raised his beer to his lips, and wriggling his eyebrows, said, “See? I don’t lie.”

“Right, in that case, tell me this: Do you like a woman who is athletic? You know, into sport?”

Roman grinned. “You don’t give up, do you?”

“No. I need to know what you’re looking for in a woman so I can get you laid.”

Roman glanced over my shoulder and burst out laughing.

Oh, God. The waiter was back. “Why do you keep sneaking up on me?” I was a bit louder than I intended.

“I, ummm, sorry.” His eyes bulged, and his jaw dropped like he’d walked in on his parents having sex. Poor thing looked set to run away crying.

Shit! Now I felt bad. I let out a hearty laugh, hoping it didn’t sound too fake. “Only joking. But seriously, you’ve got a bloody good stealth mode.”

The waiter placed two empty plates down and dashed off without a word.

“We need to swap places.” I stood, not taking no for an answer.

“Really?”

“Yes, quick. Before he comes back.”

We exchanged chairs and swapped our drinks over.

“Better?” he asked.

“Yep. Your view is way better.”

A different waiter returned with a giant rod skewered with beef that was lightly charred on the edges. I salivated at the delicious aromas as he carved the meat onto our plates. When he left, a different waiter again arrived with our sides.

“I think you scared him off,” Roman said once we were alone.

“Well, that’ll teach him.” I gathered my knife and fork. “This smells so good. I’m starving.”

“Sure does.Buon appetite.”

We shared out the side dishes and as we ate our meals, Roman told me all about the other wonderful places his sisters had traveled to.

Our conversation flowed so naturally; it was like we’d known each other forever. We sipped our drinks and ordered more. Our discussion flitted from one topic to the next. It was delightful and interesting, and everything in the whole world I’d been missing. Only I hadn’t realized it until now. Pierre had said I was lonely for love. But really, I’d just been lonely.

Without Zali around, I’d forgotten what it was like to have a true friend to talk to. An unprecedented feeling of completeness embraced me. If ever I found a man to spend the rest of my life with, I hoped we could have loads of wonderful long conversations like Roman and I were having right now.

Dragging my mind back to our conversation, I asked, “So, your mamma is okay with them traveling?”

His eyes bulged. “Ahhh, no. Mamma doesn’t sleep until they come home.”

“Is she the same with you?”

“No.”

I did a double-take. “No?”

He grinned. “She’s worse. I’m the baby in the family, but she carries on like I’m a teenager.”

I was once again reminded of how different our lives were. “Well, in her defense, you do act rather immature.”

His mouth gaped. “Oh, I do, do I?”

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