Romance

Roman rested back against his chair, taking a sip of his scotch. Their meal had been excellent. They had turned down dessert. They had both requested a vintage scotch on ice. He looked at his friend. There was something definitely going on with him. Lines were etched into his forehead and around his mouth, and he had lost weight. “Luca, what’s going on with you? You seem distracted and you look tired.” 
Luca rubbed his hand across his face. “I’m not in the US just for business. I’m here hunting for a woman.”
Roman leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “Why? I thought you were marrying the Bruno heiress.”
“That’s not happening now. I… I was involved with a woman before my father made me promise to marry Elena Bruno. I didn’t want to. She is just a child, only turning eighteen last month.”
“Why did you promise to marry her then?” Roman set his drink down on the table. No one mad

Blair allowed Roman to drop her off near her sister’s place on Sunday morning.
When he pulled up to the curb, he switched the car off. He turned to face her, saying, “Are you sure you don’t need me to come?”
Blair answered truthfully. “I don’t think I’ll need you. That will only make matters worse.”
“Well, to be honest and transparent with you, I’m letting you know I’m driving down there, anyway. There is a weekend property I’m going to be looking at as a weekender. If you need me, call.” Roman shocked her with this. A weekender. Had this been planned before, or was it because they had hooked up? She believed he had every intention of looking at a place. Roman never lied or made up stories.
“What property?” Blair hadn’t even known he wanted a weekender. She wondered if she would know the place.
Roman smiled. “My realtor sent the details through. When I know more, I will tell you. I’m jus

Saturday afternoon Blair was sitting in the lounge room reading when the doorbell rang. She looked around for Roman. He had taken a call and walked away so he could leave her in peace while she was involved in her book. She spied him through the glass doors leading outside. He was still on the phone. Shrugging, she could answer the door. Putting her book aside, Blair got up and cross to the door. Looking through the side glass panel, to see a gorgeous man standing there. He was tall, taller than Roman, with thick midnight black hair and dark eyes. 
This must be Roman’s friend from university. Blair turned the lock and opened the door. “Hi.”
The man gave her a once over. She didn’t feel he was checking her out in a sexual way. If she had felt that way, she would have put him in his place. Blair wasn’t sure if Roman had said anything about her to him. 
“I see Roman still has impeccable taste. I don’t mean to be rude, but Roman told me he couldn’t be late tonight because he had plans. Now I understand.”
Blair blushed. “Come in, please. Roman is just on the phone.” She stepped back, allowing him in. Realizing she didn’t know his name. 
Roman’s friend moved into the house straight into the open plan entry, lounge and library, which opened onto a terrace and pool area. 
“I’m sorry. Roman never told me your name.” 
He saw Roman outside, and they gave a wave of acknowledgement to each other. Then he gave a signal to say he was wrapping up the call. 
The friend then turned back to her. “It’s ok he didn’t give me your name either. I’m not sure he planned on even introducing us yet.” He stepped forward, holding out his hand. “I’m Luca.”
Blair had a few misgivings about anyone with that name due to the heartache her sister was going through. But it couldn’t be the same man, surely. For one thing, he wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. Sutton had said he was to get married straight away to the other woman. Some men didn’t wear wedding rings, she knew. Realizing he was waiting for her name, Blair spoke. “My name is Blair. It’s nice to meet you Luca. Roman did tell me you were in university together. Berkeley.” 
“Yes, I have heaps of embarrassing stories, if you like.” 
Blair could see he was joking. Roman being who he was, and she couldn’t see that being any different now that he was then. “That I don’t believe.” Showing Luca she was wise to him. “Can I get you something to drink?” 
Luca shook his head. “I’m fine, thank you.” Frowning at her. “I don’t want to sound corny and I’m not trying to hit on you, I promise, but… have we met before?”
Blair tilted her head and looked at him. She couldn’t see this wasn’t anything more than casual interest. “No, we haven’t been introduced.” That didn’t mean he hadn’t seen her in passing at the office. Blair didn’t say she worked for Roman because she wasn’t sure he wanted that known after what happened with Jessica. “Are you married Luca.” Blair decided to ask a question that had been bugging her. 
He shook his head. “Unfortunately, not.” There was a look of sadness that crossed his face. 
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” Blair felt almost compelled to reach out and comfort him. But she didn’t. She didn’t know this man. And what would Roman think?
“No, it’s ok. The old saying applies to me. ‘I didn’t know what I had until it was gone.’ I let the one slip through my fingers.” Luca said.
“I’m so sorry.” Blair said sincerely. She wondered if he had done the same thing as Roman. Worked so hard and neglected their other half. Jessica had ended up cheating. But was Roman still grieving the loss of Jessica as Luca seemed to be with his lost woman? 
She didn’t ask any more questions, even if she wanted to. She didn’t know him well enough. Luckily, she was saved from even thinking of how to change the subject because Roman walked back into the room. Blair let out a breath. 
“I see you have already introduced yourselves.” 
Luca walked over, giving Roman a man hug and a pat on the back. Roman returned the greeting warmly. “It’s good to see you.” 
“It‘s been too long,” Roman agreed.
“Well, you might be seeing me more often for a while. I have moved my operations here. I will explain more at dinner,” Roman asked. “The information you have been so secretive about over the phone?”
Luca shrugged. “Yes, and no.” He looked at Blair. “Will you be joining us tonight?”
Blair shook her head. She could see both men were open to her going. This wasn’t just being polite. Blair looked down at herself wearing well-washed jeans and a t-shirt. “I’m not dressed, not only that, but you haven’t seen each other in a while. Go out and enjoy catching up with each other. I’m fine here.” The last thing she wanted was to be spotted with Roman yet.
Roman laughed. “What she isn’t telling you is she is reading a book.” He pointed to the book laying on the lounge. “It’s the latest thriller, and she has had her nose in it for the last hour. I think that holds more appeal than two friends catching up and talking business.”
Blair couldn’t help grin at him because he wasn’t wrong. The thing he didn’t know was the book also had some spicy sex scenes at after experiencing a new side of herself with Roman. She was enjoying so much more. Realizing that sex could be that good. The last 48 hours had been a real eye opener for her.
“Shall we go? If Cinderella is to be home early.” Luca said. 
Roman laughed. “Hilarious. You should do stand up.” Roman walked over to Blair, uncaring that Luca was in the room and pulled her into his arms. Taking her mouth in a hungry, open-mouthed kiss. 
Blair had to grab his arms to stay upright when he released her. Roman touched the side of her face, saying so only she could hear. “I’ll wake you up when I get home.” The look on his face told her why he would be waking her up if she was asleep. It sent sparks shooting through her bloodstream. 
“You had better.”



Roman rested back against his chair, taking a sip of his scotch. Their meal had been excellent. They had turned down dessert. They had both requested a vintage scotch on ice. He looked at his friend. There was something definitely going on with him. Lines were etched into his forehead and around his mouth, and he had lost weight. “Luca, what’s going on with you? You seem distracted and you look tired.” 
Luca rubbed his hand across his face. “I’m not in the US just for business. I’m here hunting for a woman.”
Roman leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “Why? I thought you were marrying the Bruno heiress.”
“That’s not happening now. I… I was involved with a woman before my father made me promise to marry Elena Bruno. I didn’t want to. She is just a child, only turning eighteen last month.”
“Why did you promise to marry her then?” Roman set his drink down on the table. No one made Luca do something he didn’t want to do.
Luca looked down into his own glass, staring at the amber 

Chapter 25