Page 23 of Romeo
I laughed. “No, your moaning was…” I paused. “Very…”
“Very?” she urged while looking curious.
I realized during the time I’d spent with her at Mancini’s place that I really wanted this woman. Then I had done nothing but dream of her since I met her. I tried to deny it. Told myself it was just physical attraction and to ignore it. But now I could seeit was far more than that. “Hot, ok?” I told her plainly. “It was hot.”
She stared at me and looked a bit panicked.
Reaching over, I patted her hand. “I don’t know why you think dating me would be so bad.”
She shook her head at me and said, “No, not bad.”
“Then what?”
“It would be unprofessional and it would make me look like a slut, to be honest.”
I sucked in a sudden breath and replied, “Well, shit.” I didn’t know what to say to that.
Nodding, she grabbed her wine glass. “But I think you’re hot too,” she admitted. “I have for the last few weeks.”
“Really?” I felt hopeful suddenly.
“Yes, but again…How much self-respect would I give up by sleeping with a client’s son?”
“Well damn, you make it sound like a crime or a cardinal sin.”
“It would be both in my book.” Julianna drank her wine down and set her glass onto the table. “I never sleep with co-workers, clients or with anyone associated with my work.”
I drained my wine too as I felt frustrated. She had a good point. I actually agreed with her in all honesty. “I have to admit. I have never done that either.”
She laughed. “Not even a secretary?”
I chuckled. “Not even a secretary or anyone associated with my father’s businesses.”
“But you would forgo that record and date me?” she asked.
I let out a breath and said, “You would be worth it.”
Her head rose up and she stared at me with wide eyes.
“I admit I never thought about dating you as being wrong,” I confessed. “Even though I have the same rule as you do about it. I think we could be a wonderful thing together. Like not a fling or just something fun.” I looked right into her shocked eyes and said, “I think we would be a forever deal.”
Staring at me in shock, her mouth popped open.
I chuckled and reached over to close her mouth with my forefinger under her chin. “I would never want you disrespected or thought of as immoral or weak in any way. I didn’t think about it in that light, I admit. I should have considered that and I didn’t, but I think it’s because I am falling in love with you.”
Gasping as she looked almost scared, she scooted her chair back. Then she stood, dropped her napkin onto the table and rushed away.
I stared at her receding form until she left the dining room.Ok, dummy, you just blew it.
“Yo, Romeo,” Dante called to me.
I slowly looked over at him.
Cocking his head at me, he asked, “What did you say to her?”
What did I say…“She had a call to make,” I told him.
“Yeah, yeah. You were never good at lying, bro.” He scoffed. “Even though you are a lawyer.”
