Page 7 of Taboo

He chuckled. “Yeah, but I already have you in the booth. There’s something familiar about you.”

Julienne smiled and fought the scream that threatened to escape.

“Uh, I don’t think so. Not unless you read the tabloids.”

He shook his head and opened his mouth to respond, but the waitress stepped up to their table. Julienne ordered a single malt whiskey, as did Alek.

Once they were alone, she said, “I’m glad you didn’t add any ice to that.”

His eyebrows rose up. “Why would I want to water down the drink?”

She smiled. “You were going to say something when we were interrupted.”

“Oh, yeah, well, I don’t read the tabloids. They weren’t plentiful where I was for the last few years.”

Before she could ask anything about that, the waiter returned. The hotel and bar were well known for their service, but it was annoying.

Once they were again alone, Alek raised his glass.

“What are we drinking to?” she asked.

“New beginnings?”

“I like that.” She clinked her glass to his and took a sip. The liquid burned down her throat, leaving warmth in its path. “That is a bloody good drink.”

He smiled at her. Oh, he had dimples. He had a rugged face, with a little scruff, and a nose that had been broken at least once. Those dimples, along with the straight white teeth, against his golden skin mesmerized her.

“Yeah, haven’t had a good whiskey in a few months.”

“Oh,” she said sipping at hers a little bit. “Been on the wagon?”

He hesitated and she thought he might have said more than he thought.

“I just left the military. Been deployed most of the last year.”

“Oh.”

That’s all she could say to that.

“I take it that you’re not from the States?” he asked, humor lacing his voice. She smiled.

“No. England. London actually.”

It was refreshing that he didn’t know who she was.

“Ah, I was there once. A little…crazy at times.”

She smiled thinking of her home city and the hum that always seemed to vibrate through the streets. “Yes. And I love it.”

Well, she did. The last year had driven her barmy. She had grown up in the eye of the world. Although, they weren’t one of the best-known families in England. Jensen’s addiction and subsequent recovery had thrust them into the spotlight. Then this thing with Gregor…She shoved that thought away.

“What?”

She blinked. “What, what?”

“You were thinking about something that upset you.”

If she opened her mouth and spewed it all out on him, he would run in the other direction. Nothing was going to happen beyond tonight. She knew that as well as she knew what trends were coming out in Milan in April. No, this man, he would never go for a woman like her. Really, no man wants to hear about another man. Still…

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