Page 30 of Roman & Olivia
Olivia looked over at Mason. “Working for your dad can be tough. He’s very particular,” Olivia stated. She scooted into a seated position. “But I guess that’s why he got elected, right? He doesn’t let people get away with anything.”
Mason nodded curtly. “He’s hard to please.”
This time, Roman wanted to roll his eyes. Mason’s job couldn’t be nearly hard enough to complain about. He had it easy. He worked for his dad in a cushy government position. What was he upset about? That he had the weekends free? That he’d get a pension after he was done working?
Roman kept his thoughts to himself. None of that would do him any good with Olivia. And he was here for her. Not for himself.
Olivia stretched, followed by a yawn. “It’s getting late. I’m ready to turn in. What about you, Cammi?”
Her friend got to her feet. “Absolutely.” She gave Mason a bright smile. “See you in the morning?”
Mason nodded.
Roman and Mason watched the girls head over to their tent. He heard the sound of the zipper piercing the air around them, followed by their soft voices as they chatted. Then Mason shifted in his seat and drew Roman’s attention.
“You’re lucky, you know that?”
Roman frowned at Mason through the firelight. “How’s that?”
He jerked his chin toward the tent. “Olivia. She’s great.”
“Yeah… she is.” Roman’s expression remained stoic. This was exactly what he’d been needing to hear in order to give Olivia reassurance that the guy was interested. And yet, he wasn’t ready to let go of what he had with Olivia.
Not even a little bit.
“How serious is it?”
“Pardon?” Roman asked.
“You and Olivia. How serious are you?”
Roman clenched his teeth for a moment. This was exactly the sign they’d been looking for. Shoot! He cleared his throat and focused on the flames. “Pretty serious. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me.” Without realizing it, a smile touched his lips. “She means the world to me. It’s not just the fact that she’s gorgeous, you know?”
Mason nodded. “She’s smart, too.”
Roman looked in his direction. “Yeah. And a whole lot more.”
“The whole package,” Mason murmured. Though Roman wasn’t entirely sure that he heard him right.
He cleared his throat again. “I’m going to head off to bed. It’s later than I usually stay up. And the second the sun is in the sky, I’m up for the day. You planning on staying up? Or should I put out this fire?”
Mason got to his feet. “I’ll turn in.”
Roman gaped at him as he headed for the tent and disappeared. He didn’t even offer to help put out the fire or put away the supplies they had out. He might be okay with camping, but the guy didn’t know the first thing about taking care of things before bed. The critters would have had a full-blown celebration if they’d come across the snacks that were still out.
Sighing, Roman set to work. Alone.
If Mason was so interested in Olivia, then Roman was fully prepared to put on a show.
And if it turned the guy off? Well, then he deserved it.
12
Olivia
“Good morning, beautiful.”
Olivia stiffened when Roman’s arm came around her waist and he pressed a kiss to her cheek. Then the space below her ear in the hollow of her neck. Her eyes flew wide, and she gasped as her body reacted to his touch.
