Page 32 of Sinful Temptations

Leaving Roman with the bus, I led the group down the path flanked by century-old trees. I sprouted one interesting fact after the next about the château and the ancient gardens. My group were as disinterested as a bunch of kids at a dishwashing lesson.

Sometimes the occasional tourist was like that, but never had I had a whole group. Maybe the universe was once again trying to tell me something. Like there was a whole world of fun waiting for me in the stables.

Shaking my head, I stepped into the ancient building that usually took my breath away. It didn’t today. My mind was on Luca and his sexy body, and I needed to sort that shit out ASAP.

I dragged my group from one artifact to the next, then we finally made it to the elaborate banquet table. They were all so subdued as they shuffled into seats. It was like Laura had contaminated them with her negative vibes. Maybe it was me. I certainly hadn’t been myself since Pierre fucked everything up. Then again, I hadn’t been the same since I met Roman either.

Roman. Yes!

This was my chance to sus out the women on my tour and see if there were any potential candidates to hook him up with. Everyone was seated and the only available place was between Laura and Rory who was seated beside his wife, Dallas.

It wasn’t ideal, given Laura’s gloomy state and Rory’s obnoxious personality, but across from that seat were Lisa and Susan from Australia. Both were synonymous with young Australian female tourists—young, blonde, and beautiful, with olive skin, perfect white teeth, and athletic-looking bodies.Gah!My body never got the Australian-woman template.

Casting that shit aside, I put on my wing-woman hat forRoman and slid into the chair. The waiters started pouring champagne, and my group finally began chatting.

I leaned toward Laura. “Hey, how are you feeling?”

She turned to me in slow motion, and it seemed to take a second or two before she recognized who I was. My heart ached for her. I knew exactly how she was feeling—like the life had been sucked out of her, leaving her empty.

“I’m okay.” She spoke softly as if embarrassed to be there. Laura was just twenty-two. Her frown and hollow gaze made her look ten years older.

“Did you enjoy Paris?”

She picked at her fingernail, pondering her response. “It was nice.”

I leaned in to speak over the din. “I know what you’re going through. It’ll get better. I promise. Soon he’ll be an ancient memory.”

Her brows drilled together, and I was certain she was about to say something, but the waitress leaned over us to place a silver three-tiered tower of trays brimming with treats into the center of the table.

The noise of the crowd escalated as tower after tower was put into place.

Just looking at the sweet treats had my thighs growing bigger. Actually, that wasn’t true. My breasts embezzled every ounce of fat destined for the rest of my body, especially my ass, hoarding it in my lady lumps instead. Like squirrels storing acorns for winter. A fucking long winter.

Across the table from me, Lisa stood and played host by serving the food to the tourists seated on either side of her and Susan. Following her move, I did the same. There were enough treats to feed a small nation, and although I told myself not to eat too much, my body didn’t behave.

Before I knew it, I’d eaten three savory canapes and four sweet treats. Profiteroles filled with creamy vanilla custardthat melted in my mouth.Eclair au chocolatethat made the ones I’d tried in Australia taste like cardboard. Sticky caramelized apples and buttery pastry ensured theTarte Tatinwas sweet perfection that was impossible to stop after just one slice.

While I tried to convince myself it was the last bite each time I stuffed another one into my mouth, Laura remained quiet at my side, nibbling on the food like she was a delicate mouse with lockjaw. Rory, though, made my consumption look petite as he shoveled food like a ravenous wild boar, complete with disgusting lip-smacking noises.

Across from me, I studied the gorgeous Aussies, Lisa and Susan.

Susan had a crumb on her lip the size of a peanut, yet she didn’t wipe it away. Even worse, Lisa didn’t mention it. Instantly, I scrapped her as a potential candidate for Roman. And Susan for that matter. How could she not feel that thing?

“It’s really nice here.”

Laura spoke so softly; it was a wonder I’d heard her over the crowd that seemed to have finally found its voice. Chocolate and champagne would do that.

I leaned into her. “I’m glad you like it. I’m so pleased you still came on this tour. I’m sure that wasn’t easy.”

She shook her head and lowered her eyes. “No. But I’d been looking forward to it for so long. It was going to be our honeymoon.”

“Oh no.” My heart squeezed at the sadness in her eyes. “So, you actually canceled your wedding?”

She heaved an enormous sigh as if gearing up for the unthinkable. “He did. A week before.”

“Oh, Laura. I’m so sorry.”

She nibbled on the corner of a custard tart. “I guess it’s a good thing.”

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