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‘Wet like a dog.’ He let out a low laugh. ‘I still have nightmares. Who knew you were so strong?’
‘Well, now you know.’
She moved aside, allowing Roman Carver to step into her world.
‘I was about to have dinner. There’s enough for two if you like.’
‘Thanks,’ he said. ‘I checked into a hotel, but haven’t eaten all day. I’m surviving on coffee.’
‘Take your coat off and drop it anywhere.’ She went to the kitchen to retrieve another plate and upgrade the takeaway disposable utensils to the gold-toned ones her mother had bought her. Her heart was still racing. Naomi could have warned her that he intended to stop by. She was going to rip into her as soon as he left for bluer skies, as she was certain he would.
Roman called out to her. ‘Hey. Where are you off to?’
Samantha took a deep cleansing yoga breath, pasted a smile on her face, and marched out of the kitchen. ‘What did you say?’ He pointed at the open suitcase on the rug. ‘Going on a trip?’
‘Just got back from Rome, actually,’ she said. ‘Contrary to what you see in films, the Eternal City is therapeutic for everyone, not just for American divorcées.’
‘More people need to know about that.’ He took the plate from her. ‘What great insight did Rome provide?’
‘I learned that travelling is well and good, but home is fine. This is my home and I like it.’
Roman looked around. ‘I like it, too. And I’m glad you got to travel.’
‘It’s easier now. My office went virtual and I can work from anywhere, even a plaza in Rome.’
His fingers tightened on the plate. ‘You can work from anywhere?’
‘And I get to blog like I’ve always wanted to. Tonight I’ll edit the photos I took in Rome.’ She swivelled on her heels and returned to the kitchen for proper drinking glasses. She’d been drinking from a sports water bottle. ‘Hope you like chicken masala as much as I do.’
When she returned, he was standing pretty much in the same spot, still gripping the plate as if he intended to send it flying like a Frisbee. It was clear they would not be able to enjoy a meal without first clearing the air. She set the glasses on the coffee table and took the plate from him. Dinner could wait. Reheated masala was just as good.
‘You said you wanted to ask me something. What is it?’
His expression softened. ‘You’re direct. I love that about you.’
Samantha took another deep breath, hoping to clear her fogged brain. She had to establish a few ground rules. ‘I’m not playing any more guessing games, Roman. If you have something to say, spit it out.’
Holding things in had not served her, not in her love life or even in friendships. Going forward she would speak up and be as honest as possible. Samantha would expect no less from the people she let into her life.
Roman moved closer. ‘All right, let’s start there. You never answered my question, the one in my last text. If anyone was left guessing, it’s me.’
Oh, damn … She knew exactly which text he was referring to. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t read it a thousand times, deleted it then went insane trying to get it back from oblivion.
For the sake of clarity, he repeated the question. ‘Would you want that kind of intense love from me, Samantha? The kind of love I didn’t think possible until I met you? Because if you do, nothing stands in my way.’
Samantha hadn’t answered his question the first time around because her emotions were too big to squeeze into a text. She couldn’t answer it now because there were no words for how she felt. Instead, she did what she’d wanted to do since his voice had spilled out of the intercom. She touched him just to make sure he was real, not a product of a fever dream.
Roman drew her to him and wrapped his arms around her, enveloping her in his warmth and strength. Her hurt and anger melted away. She was close to tears. She never thought she’d make it back to this place.
‘Sam,’ he whispered in her hair. ‘How did I survive three weeks without you? I hated every minute of it.’
‘Well, I hated you. So there’s that.’
‘Can you love me now?’
She pulled back and smiled up at him. ‘Depends. How long are you staying for?’
‘I’m headed to Morocco next. Think you could work from there?’
