Beautifully Stolen - Charity Parkerson Page 0,19

up someone else’s man. He felt sick. Why was he always dumb? He knew why he was always people’s last resort. Brett wasn’t like Roman. He didn’t have that spark that drew people closer.

Brett knew he needed to say something before he ended up looking like more of an idiot than he already had. “I look forward to hearing about this mystery man sometime.”

Roman’s face hardened. “Did you really just sit back, accepting that you might be some California fling?”

Discomfort had Brett’s gaze sliding away. “It’s not unreasonable to think you have someone amazing back in Aspen. It’s also not farfetched to think of myself as disposable. I’m always the guy on call. I need to check my accounts. My company is probably already falling apart at the seams. I can’t imagine my clients will be too thrilled with their impressions this month.” Brett dug out his phone and tried burying his horror by working. He couldn’t believe he had let Roman get so close.

Roman’s hand covered Brett’s phone, bringing Brett’s gaze to his. He looked sad. “I’m the stripper.” Brett held his breath. Roman looked too serious. Brett needed to hear more. Roman didn’t let him down. “I’m supposed to smile and drop to my knees for the right price. It doesn’t matter that I don’t actually do that last part. That’s what everyone who meets me thinks of me. I don’t meet people who are looking to build a life. I’m...” Roman seemed to fight for a fitting term before obviously settling. “Candy, I suppose.” A sad smile touched Roman’s lips. “I guess that’s why meeting you struck me so hard. From the first moment, you’ve never treated me like a plaything. Hell, you don’t even like me.”

“I like you.”

Something sweet flashed in Roman’s eyes at Brett’s confession. “Then put your phone away and spend some time with me. I can’t stay in California forever. You’ll still be amazingly successful long after I’m gone.”

A wave of sadness washed over Brett at the thought of Roman leaving to never be seen again. He needed to use his time wisely. That way, Roman wouldn’t forget him. Brett set his phone aside. “Tell me about yourself. I want to hear about your life.”

A bright smile lit Roman’s face. He slid his hand across the table palm up. Before Brett could take it, Jeremy, another regular, appeared beside their table. He only had eyes for Roman. “Hi.”

Roman’s smile slipped a hair. “Hello.”

Jeremy rubbed the back of his neck, looking nervous. “Would you like to have lunch sometime?”

To Brett’s surprise, Roman scowled. “What’s the deal with this place? Is Brett invisible?”

Jeremy’s gaze slid Brett’s way. He looked even more nervous than before. “No.” Horror touched Jeremy’s features as he held Brett’s stare as the truth obviously dawned. “Oh my gosh. I’m sorry, Brett. You never date anyone. I just assumed he was a new client.”

Brett waved off the apology. He knew Jeremy to be a tender-hearted guy. Jeremy wouldn’t purposely approach anyone else’s date. “Don’t worry over it, sweetie. You’re right. I don’t date.” He stole a quick peek Roman’s way before adding, “Plus, Roman is ungodly gorgeous. It was fair to assume he could be famous.”

Jeremy’s shoulders fell—like a weight slid from them. “That’s very true. You’re a lucky guy. I’ll leave you to your breakfast.”

Brett smiled and nodded. He waited until they were alone again before looking Roman’s way. Roman stared at him with an intensity that took Brett’s breath. “You’re a hit,” Brett said, hoping to hide his sudden onset of nerves. He swiped his suddenly sweaty palms on his shorts. “Jeremy is very shy. You should be flattered he stepped out of his comfort zone to meet you. I expected half a dozen others here would have approached you first.”

In a flash, before Brett could register what happened, Roman came to his feet. He didn’t stop there. Roman climbed onto his chair. “Excuse me, everyone.” The coffeehouse fell silent at Roman’s loud words. Brett couldn’t wrap his mind around Roman’s actions. Roman wore the same smile he always wore when putting on a show. It struck Brett that he knew that now. He could tell the difference between the real version of Roman and the showman. His mouth went dry as the truth sank in. He was the only one who got to see the real Roman. That didn’t explain why he stood on a chair now. Roman didn’t drag things out. He touched his chest. “I’m Roman. I’m