Follow Your Heart (Catalina Cove #4) - Brenda Jackson Page 0,48
he leaned down and kissed her again.
PART 2
Only do what your heart tells you.
—Princess Diana
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
WE HAVE TWO more weeks to figure things out, Victoria...
Roman’s words kept floating through Victoria’s mind the next morning as she sat at her kitchen table sipping tea and gazing out the window at the apple grove. Those same words had kept her up most of the night. To her dismay, she wasn’t sure two more weeks would give them the answers they needed.
She honestly wasn’t sure how to proceed at this point. One thing was certain—she could no longer categorize her and Roman’s relationship as nothing more than “family friends.” Things might have started out that way but somewhere along the line, things had shifted. Although they’d known of each other for years, she’d never been a part of Roman’s orbit and didn’t have the relationship that her brothers and cousins had shared with him over the years.
Spending so much time with him was an eye-opener and she was seeing him in a whole new light. Appreciating Roman as a man had come naturally, especially with him being so easy on the eyes. She hadn’t expected so much sexual chemistry, such a deep attraction and a kiss that could stir up so much desire.
As Victoria took another sip of tea, she wondered what he thought of the text she’d sent him moments ago canceling their breakfast date, but keeping plans to meet him later for fireworks. Hopefully, that would give her the time she needed to do some serious thinking.
* * *
ROMAN REREAD THE text he’d received earlier from Victoria.
Bailing out on breakfast. Sorry. Doing household chores that need my attention. See you at five for dinner and fireworks.
He couldn’t help wondering if she really had household chores that needed her attention or if their kiss last night had her putting space between them. At least he would be seeing her for dinner. If she felt that she really needed space then she could certainly take it. However, he couldn’t see the attraction between them lessening anytime soon. In fact, he had a feeling that things were just really heating up.
Roman slid his phone into his jeans pocket and sipped his coffee. Standing on the deck of the yacht, he took in the gorgeous view of the water. Nice sight. He had to admit that for the last week he’d been appreciating another gorgeous view—Victoria. He was convinced there was more going on between them than either expected, or possibly even wanted or was ready for.
Last night he’d told her that the next two weeks would tell the story. What if the story was one neither of them wanted to read? He shook his head knowing he would want to read any story involving Victoria. How could he not when he was so taken with her?
And he was taken with her. Roman rubbed his hand down his face. Damn, who was he fooling? He was more than quite taken with Victoria Madaris. He had fallen in love with her. He didn’t need another two weeks to figure that out. What he had to figure out was how to convince her that her future should be with him and not that Jamison guy.
Another obstacle he faced was her dislike of politicians and the paparazzi. One was who he was, and the other he had no control over, especially if they thought there was a story to broadcast. He needed to take things one at a time. Over the last week, she had gotten to know him, Roman Malone Jr., the man and not the politician. He had to make sure she continued to do so over the next two weeks.
It would be up to him to make sure she did.
* * *
“WILL YOU DANCE with me, Victoria?”
They’d dined at the Cove Side, a popular restaurant known for its food and live music. Now that dinner was over, the band was starting up. They still had plenty of time to spare before the fireworks started at nine.
She glanced at him. “Yes, I’ll dance with you, Roman.”
He stood to offer her his hand and the moment they touched, he was aware of her in every single pore in his body. And from the look in her eyes, she was aware of him, as well. When they reached the dance floor, he pulled her into his arms. With his arms around her waist, he drew her closer, making him aware of her pressed against his length.