Chapter 2 #2
“I know, right?”
“Which god is that in the chariot?” He pointed to the statue on top of the fountain.
“Neptune. The god of the sea. Those are horses pulling the carriage—one calm and one angry.”
“Why angry?”
“Well, the sea is moody, and I think the horses are supposed to represent that. Oh, and those below are tritons. That building behind is the Palazzo Poli.”
“In baroque style,” he said.
“Oh, you’ve read about it?”
“No, but since I work in real estate, I notice architecture styles. Materials too—like the travertine stone the fountain is made of. By the way, there’s an ice-cream shop back there. Want some?” he asked.
My jaw dropped. “Why would you point that out?”
“I saw you looking at it out of the corner of your eye. Like you were trying to resist it.”
“And you’d thought you’d give me a push straight down Temptation Road?”
He dropped his gaze to my mouth before looking over my shoulder, smiling as if he’d just thought of a joke. Why was he willing to indulge me in everything like this?
“If you want to put it that way. Besides, they have seats. We can watch the fountain from there.”
Five minutes later, I was happily eating my pistachio ice cream with the tiny spoon. It was a stroke of incredible luck that these seats had been empty. You couldn’t really see the fountain because of the crowd, but this was good enough. The smell of sugar was thick in the air.
“Tonight was a food festival,” I muttered. I was so very full, but also perfectly happy. “It’s really late. I need to get going to my place. Rolling, most likely. You know how to get to your hotel?”
When Cole didn’t answer, I turned to look at him and was startled by the intensity in his eyes.
“Laney, I want to crash your plans tomorrow. I want to come on your tour.”
“Why?”
“Didn’t you just say you saved the best for last? What’s the one thing you’d recommend I see?”
“The Colosseum,” I admitted.
“See?”
His gaze grew more intense by the second. Leaning over the table, he put one forearm on it, staring me straight in the eyes. My heart rate was out of control just because he was looking at me. How was I supposed to spend the whole day with him tomorrow during the tour?
“Right,” I said. “First things first. We need to book you on my tour.”
“How long is it?”
“Four hours.”
His eyes bulged. “You don’t do anything in half measures, do you?”
“Never. Now let me check if there are still tickets.” I got my phone out and clicked the link to this particular tour on the company’s website.
“You’re lucky. They’ve still got a spot.”
I bought the ticket right away, almost breathless at the thought that someone else could take it. Hmm… I really was looking forward to our day together more than I should.
“All done. You can pay the guide directly tomorrow,” I announced, looking up. There was a playful glint in his eyes, but underneath all that playfulness was an intensity that I couldn’t even describe.
“Good. I’m looking forward to rounding up that first impression,” he said.
“Nah, sorry about that. You only got one shot.”
“So, what’s the verdict?”
“I’ll tell you tomorrow,” I teased. “After a good night’s sleep, I’m always more objective. Wouldn’t want to be hasty.”
“Course not.”
“Well, I’m off, then.”
“I’m going to stay out here for a while longer. It’s relaxing.”
“I know, right? Good night,” I said as I got up from my seat. “Anyway, since the tour starts at one, let’s meet ten minutes earlier in front of the Colosseum. Don’t be late.”
“No chance in hell of that. Good night, Laney.” He looked straight at me with his mouth curled in a half smile.
I felt Cole’s gaze while I made my way through the crowd. I looked over my shoulder just before the gelateria disappeared from my view, and sure enough, his eyes were on me. I fanned myself a bit as I stepped into a side street.
There was a labyrinth of narrow streets right until I reached Via Roma, one of the main traffic roads in the city.
I could Uber to my apartment, which was near the Colosseum, but why not take advantage of this amazing evening?
It was a twenty-five-minute walk, but I had enough calories to burn.
I loved strolling around. Rome was seriously an open-air museum.
Even my apartment had an old-world charm, with high ceilings, huge windows, and tiled floors. My landlady was a lovely elderly woman who kept bringing me coffee whenever I was home. She lived just above.
I called Isabelle on the way because it was still daytime in New York. There was a six-hour time difference.
“Hey, girl,” she greeted. “What are you up to?”
“Heading to my apartment after a long evening with Cole.”
“How was it?”
“I had a lot of fun, and you were right. He’s definitely a charmer. I’m not sure if he’s flirting with me or not.”
“If you have to question it, then the answer is yes. Yes, he was.”
“Thanks for clarifying that. How are you doing with the move?”
“It’s fun, and I have all the Winchesters, except Cole, helping me. But don’t change the subject.”
“I wasn’t.” Sort of.
“You know… I bet if you wanted, Cole wouldn’t mind some action under the sheets.”
I laughed, instinctively looking around, but of course no one could hear. Only Isabelle could say that in a conversational tone.
“Isabelle…,” I muttered.
“Okay, fine. That was a stretch for you. But I just want you to be happy. How about a kiss?”
“I just met the guy.”
“Well, I know him and can assure you he’s not a serial killer.
Also, he’s probably real good at it. Has tons of experience.
What’s the worst that can happen? Things get awkward?
He’s getting on a plane tomorrow night, and New York is big enough that you don’t have to see him again… unless you want to.”
“You had this speech prepared?”
“Nope, it all came to me just now. The more I think about it, the more sense it makes. It’s time for you to move on, hun. Be happy again. You deserve it.”
“You’re not giving this a rest, huh?”
“That’s what friends are for. Start small. With a kiss.”
“Well, I’m hanging up before you come up with more ideas.”
Translation: before I told her that I was seeing him again tomorrow.
I was certain she’d talk my ear off. I loved Isabelle.
I knew she had my best interest at heart, but I hadn’t been intimate with a man in two years, and I wasn’t sure that could change anytime soon.
Love and sex were part of a happy past that honestly seemed to belong to someone else.
But a kiss? I grinned, strolling with even more energy than before.
Oh, yeah. That definitely deserved some thought.