That One Summer: A Collection of Steamy Contemporary Romance

Chapter 8

“So, what’s next?”

Violet practically bounced next to Roman as they walked down the white sand beach. Her disheveled hair stuck up in different directions, flapping in the slight gusts, giving her a pixie glow. Freckles he hadn’t even known she had stood out in contrast to her creamy flesh. Getting out of the water had been one of the hardest things he’d done. Watching her lose all her inhibitions while taking her own pleasure... Damn, she amazed him.

“Well, we still have an hour before we have to catch the boat back to Key West. Would you like to explore the fort?”

A slight sunburn made her skin shimmer under the luminescent rays of the afternoon sun. “I’d like that.” She grinned, glancing up at him. “I’ve had an amazing day, Roman. Thank you.”

His heart gave a heavy thump against his ribs. The softness in her voice, the raw appreciation in her words made him want to go to his knees and say thank you instead. “Baby, it was my pleasure and my honor. I don’t think I have ever seen you smile and laugh so much in the entire time I’ve known you.” He cupped her cheek, brushing his thumb across her supple flesh. “Have I told you how gorgeous you are in that bikini? And how much I enjoyed your breasts in my face?”

A beautiful flush intensified the color across the bridge of her nose. “No, but you’re welcome to say it all the time if you’d like.” She hesitated for a moment, then pressed on. “Do you really like the suit?”

“Like it? Hell no, baby. I fucking love it on you. This suit fits you perfectly.” He kissed her three times, then pulled back. “You take my breath away,” he murmured.

“God.” She sighed. “You make me feel like I’m the only woman in the world.”

“Jeez. I thought you’d figured it out by now. You are the only woman in my world.”

He gave her hand a quick squeeze, and they walked back toward the fort and the perimeter trail.

“For this date, I am,” Violet said. “But what happens when we leave paradise and go home? Go back to our regular lives and our regular jobs? You have your fangirls. I have my books.”

“I have you, and you have me,” he whispered. “We’ll take it a day at a time. We’ll explore this whatever-it-is between us. Fuck everyone else. I want you. I’ve wanted you since the very first time I laid eyes on you.”

She gasped. “You can’t mean that.”

“But I do.”

People walked past them as they stood by the entrance of the fort, not paying them any mind, as if their little scene were a normal occurrence. Roman took Violet’s hands in his and smiled down at her. He could see her wheels turning, trying to process what he’d just told her. He meant every word he’d said. It might have taken this date to force him to own up to his feelings, but it was well worth it.

Violet pulled away from him without saying a word. For long moments while they strolled around the garrison, she wouldn’t even look in his direction. Then she stopped where a bridge emptied out on the sand behind the south wall. He braced for whatever she had to say. He’d put it all out there. It was up to her whether or not they went forward as a couple.

“Can you bring the obnoxious Roman back, please? Touchy-feely Roman scares the shit out of me.”

He opened his mouth to comment on her cussing, but she cut him off.

“You have my equilibrium thrown completely out of whack. I have to be honest with you; I keep waiting for your thugs to jump out and say, ‘Gotcha,’” she said, taking his hand in hers. “Maybe I am a little gun-shy, and maybe I should put the past firmly in the past. But I still worry.”

“I really want to kick that douche nozzle’s ass right now,” he groused. “How about I make you a deal?”

“What kind of a deal?” she asked skeptically.

“You let me treat you as though you’re really my girl—like this isn’t a date, just us taking a trip together—and I’ll prove to you that my feelings for you aren’t a fleeting thing. They’re completely real.” Though he should have called himself a nut for wanting a relationship, he couldn’t find any reason other than liking his life and not wanting to change.

Violet made him want to be a better man.

She stared up at him, seemingly contemplating his proposal, making sure he was being honest with her and not shitting her. All he could do was stand there and let her figure out what she wanted. Her eyes narrowed, and for a second, he worried. Perhaps she wasn’t really into him as much as she said she’d been.

“All right.” She grinned.

Roman let out a pent-up breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding in.

“Did you really think I would say no?”

“You did seem to take an awful long time saying yes,” he teased.

“Your masculine pheromones were distracting my brain from functioning,” she muttered. “You should tamp those damn things down. You’re broadcasting your sexiness in Technicolor. The Wizard of Oz doesn’t have anything on you.”

He barked out a laugh, tugging her into his arms; then he sighed when she burrowed into his chest. “You have a way with words, Dorothy.”

“As do you, Tin Man.” She snickered.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Tin Man? Are you implying I don’t have a heart?”

“Would you rather I said you lacked courage or a brain?” Mischief laced her voice.

“You’ve got a point. Let’s go,” he said, smacking her butt playfully. “We need to grab our stuff and head back to the boat. I may have made us dinner reservations.”

“Impressive.”

“You sound surprised.”

“I’m learning very quickly that you’re more than what you seem, Roman Carpino,” she answered.

* * *

Violet stared at herreflection in the mirror. The day had been perfect. A little too perfect for her tastes, anyway. Oh sure, Roman said all the right things and made all the right moves, but somehow, she still waited for the other shoe to drop. And even though she should have been worried about what would happen or could happen when they went home, she’d found herself enjoying the afternoon with a man she could honestly say she had a crush on. Tonight, might turn out to be a complete disaster, but at least she had the courage to try. And after their little scene in the water and the dressing room yesterday—even if they didn’t have sex tonight, she’d return home with some of the best memories ever.

After applying aloe lotion and styling her hair, Violet donned another of the short cocktail dresses Kate had bought her. The ruffled skirt came down to just above her knees, adding a little flair to the dress. With the nice tan she’d gotten while on the island, she looked outstanding—if she did say so herself. She’d just finished putting her sling-back metallic purple heels on when a knock came at the door.

Roman.

She grabbed her purse and key card and opened the door. Ever surprising her, he’d dressed in a pair of slacks again and a white button-down shirt. The first few buttons had been left undone, teasing her with a glimpse of his olive skin, reminding her of what he’d looked like half-naked in the water.

“Wow,” she whispered. “You look great.”

His heavy-lidded gaze caressed every inch of her, and the corner of his lips kicked upward in a sinful smirk. “I could say the same about you. Are you ready for a night on the town?”

“Yeah.” She nodded. “Can I ask where we’re going?” she inquired, exiting her room.

“It’s a surprise, but I hope you like salsa dancing.”

Salsa dancing? Who are you, Roman Carpino?“I’ve never even attempted it before, but I’ll give it a shot.” The idea of her body rubbing against his in a sensual manner again made her blood heat and her heart trip a beat. Her sex clenched as salacious thoughts of them tangled together on the dance floor filled her mind.

“That’s the spirit,” he said, bringing her out of her musings. “We’re going to have a blast, I promise.” His fingers entwined with hers, and he glanced down at her.

Flames of desire flickered in his gray eyes, making her breath hitch. Oh, she had no doubt they would have fun. In fact, she looked forward to it. “You know, I believe you. I think tonight will be a night we both remember for a long time.”

They left the room and started down the hall to the elevator.

“Oh, I forgot.” He stopped midstride and pulled a small pouch out of his pocket. “I got you something.” Roman opened the little velvet bag and pulled out a sand dollar on a leather choker with small, silver starfish charms along the sides. “I know you saw this at the bookstore on the island, and I thought you’d like it.”

Violet blinked a few times, and her mouth fell open. She had been looking at the intricate design on the necklace. Coveting it, actually. Perfectly shaped, the round skeleton had been sealed with something that gave it an iridescent shine. The delicate choker didn’t distract from the beauty of the shell. In fact, it added to it, giving the sand dollar an extra pop of color.

“It’s beautiful, Roman. Thank you.”

“I think it fits your personality,” he said, stepping behind her.

“Oh?” she asked as he closed the clasp after placing it around her neck.

“Yes,” he answered, then he leaned in, placing a kiss on her shoulder. “See, you’re polished and refined. You have a simple beauty. But edgy when you want to show people the real you.” He stepped back in front of her and cupped her chin. “What I see every time you go toe to toe with me. I had you pegged wrong, baby. You’re not mousy; you’re calculating the best time to use your wit. The rest of the time you’re watching everyone. You’re gauging your position, where you belong, and I also figured out where that is.”

“You have?”

“Yep. At my side.” He pressed his lips to hers in a sweet kiss.

“All this from a necklace?” Violet asked when he broke the kiss. She couldn’t believe what he’d said. As much as she wanted to deny his words, his assessment of her was true.

“Yes.”

“Well, okay.” She cleared her throat and fingered the small shell. “Salsa dancing and sand dollars. What else do you have planned for me?”

“You’ll see.”