Page 31 of Teaching Roman

“I have a surprise for you.”

“What is it?” I asked, breathing in the scent of the flower.

“Get your swim suit on. I’ll wait.” He shoved his hands into his pockets, a crooked grin carving across his face. The sight of him, his linen shirt hanging open over a perfect slab of golden abs and a sexy smile on his face, caused temporary amnesia. I was pulling on the itsy-bitsy red bikini bottoms Cassie had loaned me before I remembered that I didn’t swim. What was next? I would forget how to eat? I couldn’t be trusted around him. His mere presence screwed with my brain.

I decided to put on the swimsuit and lodge a formal protest before we got anywhere near water. But when I walked onto the patio in the scraps of cloth Cassie called swimwear, Roman’s jaw tensed. His gaze swept down my body, lingering so long I could almost feel it. He appreciated what he saw and he didn’t bother to hide it.

“You are the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen,” he said with a sincerity that made me bite my lip in embarrassment. I didn’t doubt that he meant it. I just didn’t see it myself.

It took all my willpower to remember that I had a bone to pick with him. “I put this on, but you know I don’t swim.”

“I thought we could change that.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the beach. The water lapping against the shore beat a warning rhythm that sent my heart racing. Before we got anywhere near it, I pulled free.

“I don’t think you understand. I don’t swim. I barely do baths.”

“I’m an excellent swimmer. You’ll be safe with me.” He shrugged off his shirt and let it fall on the sand. It was dirty pool. How was I supposed to stick to my guns with him walking around like a sun-bronzed god? Just the sight of his bare skin had me practically twitching with anticipation. He took a few steps back until his feet were in the surf and crooked a finger at me.

“Uh-uh.” My body fought me on this answer, trying to move close enough to touch him. Warning bells rang in my head. “You know there are sharks in the ocean.”

“I’m not taking you out that far,” he promised me.

I took a few steps nearer, jumping back when the first water hit my toes.

“That’s a start.” He started toward me and I held up a warning hand. “I’m not going to force you, Jessica. I just thought it might be easier if I was closer.”

It would be more distracting, and I would feel safer. I nodded to let him know he could continue. When he reached me, I took his hand tentatively. He backed up, allowing me to come at my own speed. It was like being taught how to walk. When I was ankle deep, the tide crested high, hitting my knees and I shrieked.

“You’re fine. I’ve got you.” Roman’s arms circled my waist. He didn’t try to coax me any further out. Instead, he gazed down at me. “Are you scared?”

“A little,” I admitted in a small voice.

“What would help?”

“Kiss me,” I said without hesitation. He obliged, bringing his lips to mine. Our mouths locked together and our bodies followed suit, molding to one another, as the kiss deepened. It lasted minutes or hours. I lost myself in him, so much so that when he finally pulled away I realized my feet were no longer touching the bottom. I gripped his neck tightly. “Don’t let go!”

“Never. I’m sorry. We just sort of floated out.” He tightened his hold on me. “Do you want to go back?”

I thought about it before I shook my head no. I’d made it this far. “Does this count as swimming?”

“Sorta.” It wasn’t a convincing answer. “It’s a first step.”

“Do I get a reward? You know for trying it.” I conveniently forgot that we’d wound up this deep in the water by accident.

“Gold star?”

“I had something else in mind. Unless you want to continue our lessons,” I said with a coy smirk. Judging from the interested party in his pants, I knew what he’d choose.

“That’s enough swimming for today. Here.” He helped me on to his back, which proved difficult since none of my limbs wanted to loosen their death grip on him. Once we’d managed it, he treaded water until we reached the shallows. Feeling a little silly now that we were so close to dry land, I wiggled free, determined to walk the rest of the way. But as soon as my feet hit the ground, he swept me into his arms. I didn’t resist as he carried me out of the water and into bed.

There wassand in my bed, and I didn’t care. We’d managed to pry our naked bodies apart long enough to have dinner with Cassie. She’d excused herself with a lame excuse as soon as we’d finished. Maybe she was as aware that our vacation was coming to an end as much as I was. Why would I care about sand when I had that to worry about?

Roman rolled over and burrowed down until his head was resting on my abdomen. “My grandmother wants to cook for you tomorrow night.”

“She does?” I was a little surprised. Hanging out with Cassie had felt like the polite thing to do when she interrupted us to see if we were hungry. It was poor form to keep having sex while others were eating. But dinner with Roman’s grandmother was another story.

“I told her you were leaving soon, and she wanted to see you off.” A bitter edge coated his words. Maybe I wasn’t the only one dreading my imminent departure. I was probably reading too much into it. He took my hesitation as a no. “You don’t have to. We could hang out. Or you could spend the night with Cassie.”

“No, I want to…have dinner.” I’d almost said be with you, but I’d managed to stop myself. A farewell dinner was a reminder that our little affair was coming to an end. I didn’t want him to worry that I would try to drag things out when we returned to Washington. No matter how much I might want that.