“Yes, but it’s a local station and the show isn’t even in syndication. New Orleans and Catalina Cove are the only parishes that can watch the show. So if I travel to Shreveport or Baton Rouge, no one will recognize me, thank goodness. I detest being in the limelight and don’t see how you can deal with it.”
“Like I said, you learn to grin and bear it.”
“Well, that might work for you, but it wouldn’t for me. I can only admire your tolerance for such things. I know how brutal the paparazzi can be.” She paused a moment, then said, “They are the reason Jake and Diamond kept their marriage a secret for so long. Then there was the time they badgered Clayton’s wife, Syneda, when it became known that Syntel Remington was her father. And when it was discovered that Skye’s father was Senator Ryan Baines, they practically tried storming the Madaris Building to get a story.” Skye was married to Blade’s twin brother, Slade.
“Yet you became a news reporter,” he said, as if pointing that out to her.
“I consider myself a journalist who reports the facts. Not a sleazebag reporter who distorts them. I offer accurate information, not sensationalism.”
“Point taken.”
They paused their conversation as the waitress delivered their food.
“Now, back to us getting to know each other,” Roman said. “I just thought we could do what we’re doing now—enjoy dinner or breakfast and talk. I’d love to catch up on how your brothers and cousins are doing. I haven’t seen or talked to them in a while. And you did say you like to fish. Right?”
Victoria grinned. “Yes, I did say that.”
“Tomorrow is Saturday. Do you have any plans?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Then how would you like to go fishing with me?”
“And recatch those fish you tossed out today.”
He chuckled. “Hey, watch it.”
Victoria chuckled, as well, enjoying his company. She hadn’t planned on doing anything tomorrow but lounge around and read a mystery novel. She smiled over at him and said, “I’d love to go fishing with you.”
CHAPTER SIX
JUST LIKE THE day before, Roman was on the upper deck and caught sight of Victoria on the pier. He watched as she strolled toward his yacht. This time she was wearing a pair of jeans and a tank top, with a baseball cap on her head and a fishing pole in her hand. He thought she looked absolutely adorable.
The sun wasn’t even in the sky but that didn’t matter. She was bringing her own brand of sunshine with her, a brilliance that was shining all over the place. At least he thought so. Just from talking to her over dinner last night, he got the impression she was a rarity among women. A woman who was honest and expected honesty in return.
Like when she’d told him she was promised to someone, so he wouldn’t be wasting his time if he wanted more than friendship. He was glad she’d been up front about that, especially when he was attracted to her. Every time she’d smiled last night and flashed those dimples, it had done something to him. Just watching her walk toward his boat, he felt a sexual hunger stirring to life in his lower region.
It was something he intended to get over. He’d meant what he’d said when he’d told her he was here for rest and relaxation and nothing more. Definitely not romance. But he did want to get to know her better. Why, he wasn’t sure. He just knew that he did.
He knew the exact moment she saw him. She smiled and he couldn’t help but return it. Her smile caused desire to throb deep within him. When she threw up her hand in a wave, he waved back. He knew that somehow, today he had to focus his attention on fishing and not on her. Maybe it hadn’t been a good idea to invite her. But then he had a feeling he would have spent the entire day thinking about her if he hadn’t.
“Good morning, Roman,” she greeted when she reached his boat.
He quickly moved to help her board. Extending his hand out to her, something happened the moment their hands touched. A charge sliced through him and he almost snatched his hand back. He quickly glanced at her at the same moment she drew in a sharp breath, which meant she had felt it, as well.
Trying to downplay what had just happened, he said, “Good morning, Victoria. Welcome aboard.” The moment her feet stepped on the deck, he swiftly removed his hand from hers.
“Thanks. I hope I’m not too early for you.”
“No, you’re right on time. The sun hasn’t quite come up.”
“Good. I get to see the sunrise on the ocean this morning,” she said excitedly. “Usually, I just see it peeking through the apple trees.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Apple trees?”
She smiled up at him. “Yes, the house I’m leasing backs up to an apple grove. I don’t wake up to the smell of the ocean but of apples.”
“Apples are delicious.”
“Yes, and I love them. And what’s really nice is the owner of the grove has given his permission for me to pick as many as I want. So now I have apples each day. I brought you a few,” she said, taking off her backpack and pulling out two beautiful red apples.
“Thanks. And I got you something, as well,” he said.
“What?”
“These,” he said, grabbing a bag off the table.
She peeked inside and then flashed what he thought was one dazzling smile. “Blueberry muffins? From the Witherspoon Café?”
“Yes. I checked out the place on my laptop last night and saw they opened as early as five in the morning.”
“And you went and got them?”
“Yes, I went and got them, along with coffee.”
“Now aren’t you a sweetheart,” she said as he handed her a cup of coffee.
He chuckled. “I do my best. Come on. We can eat below before we take off. The Witherspoons were also kind enough to prepare us a box lunch.”
“Hey, you thought of everything,” she said, following him down the stairs. “So you got to meet the Witherspoons?”
“Yes, even with my less-than-polished look, the owner recognized me but promised not to make a big deal of my presence in the cove.”
“That was nice of him, but since moving to town I’ve discovered the Witherspoons are nice people. Their daughter, Bryce, got married earlier this year. She’s the local Realtor and the one who found the rental property for me.”
When they reached the main cabin, she glanced around. He could tell from the look on her face that she was impressed. “Nice yacht, Roman. I love the setup.”