Run To Rome

Had she found a converter last night? Probably. She’d find out in a few hours, wouldn’t she? Halli smiled to herself. Today was already better than yesterday in so many ways.

Back on the deck, she paused before joining Trent on the dock. “Maybe I should take care of your arm first.”

“Halli, the Spaghetti O’s wore off about midnight.”

Her own stomach growled and she laughed. “You’re right, let’s go.”

He reached out a hand to pull her up, but didn’t let go when her feet hit the wood. Her lips parted in surprise when he caught her close and his mouth covered hers for a breathless, all too brief moment. She didn’t even have a chance to close her eyes, though he had.

When he released her, it took a moment to remember to breathe. “What…was that for?”

“Hell if I know.” He grinned, draped his good arm across her shoulders and steered her toward shore. “Let’s go eat.”

God, he smelled good. Just like all day yesterday whenever she’d gotten close. It wasn’t fair. She needed deodorant.

When they reached the edge of the market, she tried to distract herself by drinking in every nuance of the busy street laid out before them. Trent slid his hand down along her arm and laced their fingers together.

“Cover,” he whispered in her ear. “We don’t want to stand out in case any of Lapaglia’s police connections are around.”

Alarmed, Halli jerked her head up from where she’d been staring stupefied at their hands. His lips began to curve upward, but before his white teeth could flash, she moved close and placed her hand over his mouth.

“Don’t smile.”

Their eyes met beneath the shadow of his baseball cap and he smiled anyway.

Wow.

Her stomach fluttered as his lips moved against her palm to finish the expression in his eyes. She thought it’d been hard to resist his magnetism last night, but today he was really getting to her.

“Wud ooh aunt to epth?” he asked.

Lessening the press of her hand on his mouth, she tried not to smile herself.

“What do you want to eat?” he repeated.

She considered for all of two seconds. “Something sweet.”

“Mmmmm. Me too.”

The low, exaggerated growl vibrated his lips against her skin and she quickly lowered her hand. His eyes were still smiling; locked on hers and lit with an inner fire. The man was like a chameleon all of a sudden. Brusque on the boat, playful here.

She tilted her head. “Are you sure you’re feeling okay?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“You’re starting to freak me out.”

His hands lightly grasped her hips and urged her closer. “Not quite the affect I was going for.”

He was flirting his ass off.

“Whatever you were going for, knock it off.” Before I throw myself at you and embarrass us both.

She averted her gaze only to see a young couple stop in the middle of the marketplace to do exactly what she’d just imagined doing to Trent. No one batted an eye at the R-rated kiss.

“Sorry.” Trent’s dejected tone and little boy face made her feel bad. His hands dropped to his sides, his smile gone. “It was a stupid idea. I just thought we could have a little fun before the rest of the day takes over.”

When he put it like that, she felt like a total killjoy. Live a little, Halli. He’s being nice. Enjoy your limited time together. She sighed. “No, Trent, I’m sorry. You’re right, again. Any fun on this nightmare vacation would be nice.”