He laughed. “You’re probably right, but it wasn’t nice of you to point that out, Victoria.”
Victoria’s breath caught in her throat. There was just something sexy about the way he said her name. Sexy, just like the rest of him. Now she was reacting to him like the women in her office had. But then, could she really fault herself when he was so darn sexy? Still, her reaction bothered her.
“Just keeping you honest, Roman,” she teased.
He leaned back in his seat. “And speaking of honest, would you like to tell me what you have against politicians?”
CHAPTER FIVE
ROMAN HADN’T BEEN able to believe his luck when he’d walked into the restaurant, found it packed and spotted Victoria sitting alone. When he’d asked to join her, she hadn’t suspected that she was the reason he’d come here. He wasn’t sure why of all the women he knew, he was so fiercely attracted to her, but he was.
“It has to do with Christy.”
Her words drew his attention. “You have something against politicians because of Christy?”
“Yes.”
She obviously saw the bewilderment on his face, because she added, “Remember that time she was kidnapped?”
He definitely did. A few years ago, Christy had been working as an investigative reporter and had exposed an international human-trafficking ring mostly run by US politicians. If it hadn’t been for a family friend, Sheik Rasheed Valdemon, and Christy’s husband, Alex, Christy would have been a victim herself.
“Yes, I remember,” he said.
“It’s truly somewhat of a miracle how things turned out,” Victoria said. “Not only did she get the blockbuster story she went after, but she brought down an international human-trafficking ring that saved a lot of teenagers’ lives. If you recall, there were several politicians involved.”
“There were,” he said. “I won’t lie and say those senators involved didn’t give politicians a bad name, but they weren’t the only ones, Victoria. There were several businessmen involved, as well. Not only that, a few members of the clergy were arrested, too.”
She didn’t say anything, and he hoped he had gotten her to thinking. He was thinking, as well, but no longer about Christy’s abduction. At that moment, he was struck by how the lamp on their table illuminated her features, making her even more beautiful.
She looked up at him and frissons of heat raced up his spine as he gazed into her dark brown eyes. “All you’ve said is true, but my opinion about politicians won’t change overnight, Roman.”
He liked the way she said his name, even when it came with a warning. “I understand and don’t expect it to. All I can ask is that you not lump all politicians in the same bag. You know Senator Lansing, right?”
“Of course. He’s married to Aunt Diana, so I consider him my uncle.”
“Do you think of Nedwyn as corrupt?”
“No.”
“There you have it. As you can see, there are honorable politicians, just like Nedwyn. I hope you don’t see me as one of the bad ones.”
She shrugged what he thought was a pair of beautiful shoulders. “I have no reason to think you are. But then, although I’ve always known who you were, I’ve never really gotten to know you.”
He nodded. “I was just thinking the same thing about you. I’ve always known who you were, but my association with the Madaris family was limited to Jonathan and Marilyn’s kids, your brothers and male cousins.” He paused a moment and then said, “I know a way to remedy that.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “How?”
“I suggest we spend time together while I’m in Catalina Cove to get to know each other.”
* * *
VICTORIA HEARD WHAT Roman was saying and wasn’t sure that was a good idea. Shouldn’t she be concentrating on Tanner, and getting to know him better? But how was she supposed to do that when Tanner obviously wasn’t concentrating on her? He still hadn’t called for that rain check dinner.
“To get to know each other as friends?” she asked for clarification.
“Yes, of course,” Roman said. “What other reason would there be?”
Now she felt embarrassed for having thought there could be anything else. From his bemused expression, there was no telling what he was thinking, and she felt maybe she should explain. “Sorry, but I had to ask because I’m promised to someone.”
She saw him glance down at her hand before lifting his eyebrows. “You’re engaged?”
She shook her head. “Not exactly. This guy and I were promised to each other.”
Roman’s brow furrowed. “Are you saying you’ve agreed to an arranged marriage or something?”
She figured he was even more confused. “Not exactly an arranged marriage, but he’s someone my great-grandmother has chosen for me.”
“Oh, I see.”
Clearly, he’d heard of her great-grandmother’s matchmaking shenanigans. It didn’t surprise her since he was close to members of her family who would have enlightened him.
“Well, let me assure you, Victoria, that I’m here for rest and relaxation, not romantic entanglements. I just figured since we both know of each other, but never got around to really getting to know each other, now would be a good time.”
He took another sip of water and then said, “Besides, I figured as a family friend, who’s also a politician, I could get you to see that not all politicians are bad.”
“I don’t think they’re all bad. And just so you know, you did get my vote last November. My family thinks highly of you.”
“I appreciate that.”
“There’s something else that bothers me about politicians,” she said, deciding to open up.
He gave her a quizzical look. “And what’s that?”
“Their celebrity status. I know some who are followed about like they are the president himself. The paparazzi can be brutal and inconsiderate. You’re one of the popular ones, so I’m surprised they aren’t following you around now.”
“The senate is on break, and they assume I’m resting on my ranch in Texas.”
“Well, I don’t see how you can tolerate it.”
He shrugged. “It’s all part of the career I’ve chosen. The media in some cases can be a necessary pain in the ass, but you learn how to grin and bear it.”
He then asked, “What about you? I’m sure your face is recognizable since you’re a television personality.”