Page 50 of Sweet Somethings

"No, but I occasionally make it for a private party. Actually, I should think about doing that for Valentine's Day. I'm catering the dessert for four private dinners."

"It sounds like you're going to have a working Valentine's Day," he commented.

"It's a busy time for sweets, but I'm happy about that. And then there's Easter not too long after."

"What's the slow season?"

"Probably the summer. It gets too hot and people think more about Popsicles than cake. But it never falls off entirely."

He set the photo down and took a seat on the ottoman in front of the armchair.

She perched on the end of the bed. "So why did you really come to see me, Roman?"

"I told you I was taking a walk."

"You get a lot of exercise."

"I do, and this block is on my route." He paused. "So did you get the information you wanted from Doug?"

"Finally, you ask the question I know you came here to ask."

"I actually don't care what he said, but you were curious."

She didn't buy that for a second, but she'd let him keep his pride. "I asked him about the fire. He told me that you did it and blamed it on him and Travis."

"Of course, he did," Roman muttered. "I told you he would."

"He also said you were trouble, and I should stay away from you."

"He's singing the same old song."

"Did you really put Billy the bulldog in the middle of the lake?"

He tipped his head. "It seemed like a good idea at the time. I thought he'd jump off the raft and swim back, but it turned out that he didn't like the water. He barked all night until someone from the fire department got in a rowboat and went out to rescue him." He paused. "What else did Doug tell you?"

"Not much. He made a lot of vague references to things that he wanted to pin on you."

"So, there you have it. You've heard both sides. Who do you believe?"

Now she knew what he'd really come here to ask, and there was a tension about him that told her that her answer was important. "I believe you."

His expression lightened as he took in a quick breath. "Why?"

"Because you haven't lied to me yet. Have you?"

"No. But going by that criteria, has Doug lied to you?"

"Not exactly lied, but I got the feeling that he took me to dinner more because he was interested in getting my support for his run for mayor than because he found me wildly attractive."

"I don't believe that was the reason he took you to dinner. Doug is ambitious, but he's not blind, and I'm sure he's very interested in you. He did kiss you good night, after all." Roman got to his feet. "I should go and let you get to bed. I know your morning is coming early."

She stood up, not ready to see Roman go, but asking him to stay was probably not a good idea.

When they got to the door, he paused and looked back at her, and her stomach fluttered with anticipation under his dark gaze.

He reached out a hand and slid his thumb along her jaw, and her heart beat faster. "You are so beautiful, Juliette, more so because you have no idea just how pretty you are. And if you hadn't already had one good-night kiss from a man I really don't like, I'd be tempted…" His voice trailed away.

She wanted to say that good-night kiss had already been completely forgotten, but Roman's hand fell away from her face, and he headed out the door and down the stairs, leaving her with a racing pulse and the feeling that she'd missed out on something amazing.

For a split second, she was tempted to go after him, but she had enough sense to fight against it. Things were already getting too hot too fast. She needed to turn down the heat before she burned everything up.

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