Page 10 of Loving Roman
We simultaneously pout, narrow our eyes, and angle our jaws, doing our best Blue Steel impression, then promptly burst into giggles. I finally get my laughter under control. “I could never hate on Derek Zoolander,” I wheeze as I try to catch my breath.
7
–roman–
“All right.My turn to ask a question,” Alice says as she leans forward in her chair, pinching a piece of cheese between her fingers.
I dip my head for her to go ahead.
“If you could visit any country in the world, where would you go?”
I press my back further into my chair, my mind racing with images similar to those of a travel documentary highlight reel. Each image is more spectacular than the last, and in each one, I have Alice by my side. “So many to choose from.”
She leans forward, closing the distance between us, and I get a peek at her cleavage. What I would give to bury my face between those generous mounds. “Perhaps it was an unfair question.”
I shake my head vigorously. “Not at all. My top pick, although far away, would have to be Australia.”
Her mouth drops open, and her eyes shoot wide. “What?” She waves her hand around in the space between us. “Well, I guess it was nice knowing you. If you go there, I’ll never see you again with all the deadly animals they’ve got down there.”She shivers, and I laugh at her dramatics. “Have you seen the size of their spiders? Those things could carry you away to their lairbeforethey feast on you.”
My entire body shakes with my laughter, and I reach across the table, linking our fingers together. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard. “I’m pretty sure it’s not that bad.”
“I’m pretty sure it is. I think I read somewhere that Australia has the largest number of deadly species in the world.”
I tilt my head to the side. “I guess that means you wouldn’t come with me?”
Her eyes snap up to mine as if she’s searching for something in my gaze, and even though the words slipped out, the idea of traveling to different parts of the world with Alice is so very appealing. After a long moment with no response, she pops a cube of cheese in her mouth and steals her eyes from mine. My shoulders slump, and my disappointment seeps into the air like fog surrounding us.
“It’s just a vacation fling,” she murmurs to the window, reminding me of our agreement and squashing any hope I may have for something more.
Being needy is not what this week is supposed to be about. I should be thrilled the woman opposite me agreed to spendanytime with me. I never should have suggested anything more.
I paste on a smile and clear my throat. “So, turnabout is fair play. Where in the world would you visit if there were no limitations?”
Alice grins at me. Her face lights up, and the tension across her shoulders releases. “That’s easy. Egypt.” My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “I would love to see the pyramids. I bet they’re even more spectacular in real life than they are in photographs and on TV.” She sighs. “The history and the magnitude of the construction. The sheer genius it would havetaken to create the secret chambers and move the giant blocks into position.” The awe in her voice and delight in her eyes is so damn sexy. I can tell she’s picturing it all in her mind, just as I did a few moments ago.
We talk more about places we’d love to see as we polish off the tasting board, and when it’s time to pay; I take care of it, leaving a generous tip. It’s not like I earn an enormous salary, but I don’t have a lot of expenses. I live simply and with no rent, amenities, or food to pay for; I have a reasonably healthy bank balance, so why not give a little extra where I can.
Alice smiles at me and nudges my arm with her shoulder. “You can tell a lot about a person by their generosity.”
I hold the door open and lead her out into the warm afternoon, then wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her against me as we take the stone walkway back to the road. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” She smiles up at me but says no more.
Warmth fills my chest as if her smile and approval are all I need to survive. And in this moment, with her settled against my side, and my arm holding her close, everything feels right in my world. If only we had longer than a handful of days to explore this connection we share.
Leaning down, I kiss the top of her head, drawing her sweet vanilla scent deep into my lungs, then pull away enough so I can see her face. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve booked a surprise excursion for us later this afternoon.” Her eyes widen, and her cheeks press up. “We have a couple of hours to kill. What would you like to do?”
Her eyes twinkle beneath the afternoon sunlight. “How do you feel about checking out the small local craft shops along the main street?”
I duck to kiss the tip of her nose. “Lead the way.”
Alice’s laughter rings out across the beach as her horse trots along the shoreline. “This is brilliant, Roman. What an incredible experience!” I sear the joy on her face into my memory, knowing I’ll hold it dear for years to come.
I’m thrilled she’s enjoying the ride. It was a risk to assume she’d be okay with getting on a horse. I know they’re not for everyone, but I’m glad I took the gamble, and it paid off. Alice’s penchant for not letting her fears hold her back gave me the courage to go ahead with the idea. Our horses slow to a walk side by side as our guide leads us along the shoreline, explaining the ancient formations and wildlife that call this area home.
As we reach the end of the guided horse ride, the sun is sinking toward the horizon, turning the cliffs golden and orange. The warm sea breeze blows Alice’s hair, and the moment is perfection, one I wish would last forever.
Her shoulders drop, and she turns to me with a soft, contented smile. “Thank you so much for this experience. I’ll always remember it.”
