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The smile on his face fades. “That’s not who I am. I told you at Rolly’s that I only fuck one woman at a time.”
Technically, we’re not fucking. I should point that out.
“I’m single.” He waves his left hand in the air. “No girlfriend. No current lovers. Never married.”
I didn’t think I needed to hear it spelled out in such simple terms, but it’s reassuring. “Good.”
“I want to see you again soon.”
I want the same, so I tell him. “I’d like that.”
“I was going to ask for your number, but…”
“But,” I interrupt. “This has been way too much fun.”
“It has,” he agrees with a nod of his chin. “You’re eventually going to give it to me, though, right?”
“My number?”
He rakes me from head-to-toe. “Yes.”
“After our next date.”
“So tomorrow then?” he asks.
“Maybe.” I tilt my head. “We’ll have to see what the day brings.”
He inches forward, his hand still clinging tightly to mine. “Kiss me goodbye, Bianca.”
I press up on my tiptoes and glide my hand over his jaw. The soft stubble tickles my palm. “Goodnight, Roman.”
He takes my mouth in a deep, slow kiss that stops time. I hold back a moan, desperate to feel more but scared to let myself fall too far, too fast.
I break the kiss and look into his eyes.
“You’re going to kill me with need before I get my hands on you,” he whispers.
I laugh and swat him across his chest. “I thought you needed to go.”
“I do.” He kisses me softly before he gives me one last long lingering look. “Get home safely.”
I nod, turn on my heel, and walk away, hoping that tomorrow brings with it another chance for me to see him.
Chapter 25
Roman
Up until this point, I’ve eagerly taken the lead to secure time with Bianca. I’ve put in the effort, not giving a shit about what I’ll get out of it. I want to fuck her, but that’s not all I want.
Putting a smile on her face has become its own reward. I saw her expression when she walked into Lise last night.
She was curious, but more than that, she was excited. Her gaze darted around, and I know without a doubt that she was looking for one thing, or more specifically, one person. Me.
Her lips curved into a smile as soon as I greeted her from the kitchen.
We sat through dinner staring at each other.
It makes sense that I couldn’t tear my gaze away from her, but she was just as captivated as I was.
I intended to reach out to her today to secure time with her tonight, but she beat me to the punch.
It’s just past noon. I’m in my office, holding a white box in my hands. It’s wrapped in a bold red ribbon. An envelope is tucked beneath it, and my name is written across the front in black ink. The handwriting is graceful, elegant, and unmistakably feminine.
It has to be Bianca’s.
“This was delivered just now?” I question Chad.
“Yup,” he accompanies the word with a brisk nod of his head.
“By who?”
“I didn’t catch his name.” He shrugs a shoulder. “He’s been in before delivering documents. I’m pretty sure the gift isn’t from him. He was just doing his job.”
I hold back a laugh. “You can leave.”
“And miss the unwrapping?” He sits down in one of the leather chairs that face my desk. “Not a chance.”
“Get your ass out of here.”
He sees the expression on my face. I’m trying to be stoic, but I’m about to crack a smile. “At least tell me if it’s from the beauty who likes daisies.”
“I won’t know that until I open it in private.” I point a finger toward my office door. “Shut that on your way out.”
“Or you’ll fire me?” He crosses his legs.
I drop the box on my desk. “Out, Chad.”
“We need to talk about the Murphys.” He taps the face of his watch. “Mrs. Murphy wants to come in at four instead of two tomorrow. If you can make that happen, Mr. Murphy won’t have to book any time off. His shift got shifted.”
I raise a brow at his corny pun.
“See what I did there?” He rolls a hand in the air. “His shift got shifted. Good, right?”
“Wrong.” I finally smile at him. “Make that change now.”
He tugs his phone out of his jacket pocket. “I’m on it, boss.”
“At your desk.”
“You can just say go to hell next time.” Drawing to his feet, he laughs. “I’m ordering lunch soon, so don’t text me what you want.”
“Turkey on rye,” I call out as he exits my office. “And a coffee.”
He tosses me a wave before he shuts the door.
I reach for the envelope and tear it open. I laugh aloud when I read what’s written on the card inside.
Pinball Tournament.
You Versus Me.
Friday Night at Easton Pub.
Friday? Fuck, that’s three days away. I was hoping to see Bianca tonight, or at the latest, tomorrow.
