“Sounds good.”
Curtis lifted a hand and turned back to the microwave.
Robbie paced, looking out at the lights of Venice as he waited for Alice. Curtis finished eating and headed back up the stairs.
A few minutes later, he heard movement on the stairs and his stomach flipped over. He hurried to the bottom of the stairs, anxious to see …
Price strode down.
“Oh.” Robbie backed away.
“Waiting for someone?” Price’s dark eyes twinkled at him.
“Not you, that’s for sure.”
Price chuckled.
A door opened and closed, and they both turned. Alice appeared atthe top of the stairs and paused, as if she knew Robbie needed to appreciate this view.
The breath was walloped out of him as he stared with wide eyes and a slackened jaw. Alice’s dress was V-neck, had short sleeves, and fell to the floor. It was white with little flowers on it, a soft material that clung to her curves in the most alluring way and set off her dark coloring.
“Breathe, man,” Price murmured, slapping him on the back.
Robbie gasped in a breath and straightened to his full height, extending his hand to her as if he were some prince waiting for his princess.
Price chuckled and turned, striding into the kitchen to give them some space.
Alice glided down the stairs, her steps slow and measured, her gaze focused on him. She placed her hand in his and all was right in the world. Robbie knew he should say something, but he was still having trouble breathing.
“You’re exquisite,” he murmured in a gravelly voice.
“Thank you.” She beamed at him. “You … your clothes fit your build nicely.”
Robbie heard a low chuckle from the kitchen. He didn’t waste the time to shoot Price a dirty look. He stroked his beard with his free hand. “You don’t like the hairy wildebeest look?” He acted injured, but he recognized he looked wild with all the hair. It was intimidating to many people, but it helped him fit in with some of the scuzziest men on the planet, which was the purpose.
“No, I don’t. The Aquaman look isn’t my favorite,” she admitted, still smiling. “I can’t even imagine how I’d kiss you with all that hair …” Her voice trailed off, and she looked shocked at her own words.
“Kiss me?” he managed, his imagination spinning back to all the kisses they’d shared in years past. Was she willing to kiss him? That would change everything. He’d go shave this very moment.
“Oh, look at the time. We’d better get to our appointment … dinner.”
Robbie studied her, waiting for her to admit she would kiss him. She was the one who’d brought it up.
“Price?” she called, stepping around Robbie. “Are you accompanying us to dinner?” Her voice was high and tight, and she sounded too formal for his Alice.
“Yes, ma’am. Let me just grab Merrick.”
Price pumped past them and up the stairs.
Robbie was left staring at Alice, but she wouldn’t look at him. She wasn’t his Alice anymore, and there wasn’t the easy familiarity and trust between them any longer.
It would be impossible to get back there.
Chapter
Eight
Alice had marveledat their first day in Venice wandering the streets and bridges, their boat rides, and the elaborate dinner that unfortunately wasn’t as comfortable and carefree as lunch with Robbie had been. She was trying to remind herself to keep her distance. Robbie seemed to be struggling with something as well.
