Follow Your Heart (Catalina Cove #4) - Brenda Jackson Page 0,18
all bad. And just so you know, you did get my vote last November. My family thinks highly of you.”
“I appreciate that.”
“There’s something else that bothers me about politicians,” she said, deciding to open up.
He gave her a quizzical look. “And what’s that?”
“Their celebrity status. I know some who are followed about like they are the president himself. The paparazzi can be brutal and inconsiderate. You’re one of the popular ones, so I’m surprised they aren’t following you around now.”
“The senate is on break, and they assume I’m resting on my ranch in Texas.”
“Well, I don’t see how you can tolerate it.”
He shrugged. “It’s all part of the career I’ve chosen. The media in some cases can be a necessary pain in the ass, but you learn how to grin and bear it.”
He then asked, “What about you? I’m sure your face is recognizable since you’re a television personality.”
“Yes, but it’s a local station and the show isn’t even in syndication. New Orleans and Catalina Cove are the only parishes that can watch the show. So if I travel to Shreveport or Baton Rouge, no one will recognize me, thank goodness. I detest being in the limelight and don’t see how you can deal with it.”
“Like I said, you learn to grin and bear it.”
“Well, that might work for you, but it wouldn’t for me. I can only admire your tolerance for such things. I know how brutal the paparazzi can be.” She paused a moment, then said, “They are the reason Jake and Diamond kept their marriage a secret for so long. Then there was the time they badgered Clayton’s wife, Syneda, when it became known that Syntel Remington was her father. And when it was discovered that Skye’s father was Senator Ryan Baines, they practically tried storming the Madaris Building to get a story.” Skye was married to Blade’s twin brother, Slade.
“Yet you became a news reporter,” he said, as if pointing that out to her.
“I consider myself a journalist who reports the facts. Not a sleazebag reporter who distorts them. I offer accurate information, not sensationalism.”
“Point taken.”
They paused their conversation as the waitress delivered their food.
“Now, back to us getting to know each other,” Roman said. “I just thought we could do what we’re doing now—enjoy dinner or breakfast and talk. I’d love to catch up on how your brothers and cousins are doing. I haven’t seen or talked to them in a while. And you did say you like to fish. Right?”
Victoria grinned. “Yes, I did say that.”
“Tomorrow is Saturday. Do you have any plans?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Then how would you like to go fishing with me?”
“And recatch those fish you tossed out today.”
He chuckled. “Hey, watch it.”
Victoria chuckled, as well, enjoying his company. She hadn’t planned on doing anything tomorrow but lounge around and read a mystery novel. She smiled over at him and said, “I’d love to go fishing with you.”
CHAPTER SIX
JUST LIKE THE day before, Roman was on the upper deck and caught sight of Victoria on the pier. He watched as she strolled toward his yacht. This time she was wearing a pair of jeans and a tank top, with a baseball cap on her head and a fishing pole in her hand. He thought she looked absolutely adorable.
The sun wasn’t even in the sky but that didn’t matter. She was bringing her own brand of sunshine with her, a brilliance that was shining all over the place. At least he thought so. Just from talking to her over dinner last night, he got the impression she was a rarity among women. A woman who was honest and expected honesty in return.
Like when she’d told him she was promised to someone, so he wouldn’t be wasting his time if he wanted more than friendship. He was glad she’d been up front about that, especially when he was attracted to her. Every time she’d smiled last night and flashed those dimples, it had done something to him. Just watching her walk toward his boat, he felt a sexual hunger stirring to life in his lower region.
It was something he intended to get over. He’d meant what he’d said when he’d told her he was here for rest and relaxation and nothing more. Definitely not romance. But he did want to get to know her better. Why, he wasn’t sure. He just knew that he did.
He knew the exact moment she saw him. She smiled and he couldn’t help but return it. Her