“No, I’ll be fine watching it with everyone.”
Christy nodded. “Then come sit over here by me and Alex.”
Victoria had just gotten settled when the press conference began. Her breath caught at the sight of Roman. Gone were the scruffy look, jeans, T-shirt and beard. Now he was clean-shaven, had a neat haircut and was wearing a dark suit. He looked to be in the role to which he’d been born—a well-dressed, suave, debonair and sophisticated politician. He approached the podium with that self-assured walk she loved, and when he turned to face the camera, he had the smile that she adored. But this smile was lined with irritation and anger. She saw it, although he was hiding it well. She noted the room where the press conference was being held was packed. Obviously, reporters from many news outlets were present.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the press. I feel that I need to make a statement regarding my relationship with Victoria Madaris and the time we spent together in Catalina Cove, Louisiana. It’s unfortunate the media painted a picture that is not at all accurate. I’ve known Victoria for years, as our families are close.” He was looking straight at the camera, but to Victoria it seemed he was staring right at her.
“Did you know she was engaged to be married?” some reporter asked rather loudly, as if he intended to make a point.
Roman tilted his head as if to stare at the man, and the look he gave him was direct and unwavering. “First of all, that’s a lie The Tattler fabricated. Victoria is not engaged to marry anyone. She was free to date whomever she wanted, just like I was. I’m just curious, why the interest in my love life?”
“We are interested because we assumed you were seriously involved with someone here in the DC area,” some reporter responded.
Without losing his cool, Roman kept his smile plastered in place. “I don’t know how anyone could have thought that when I’ve gone on the record several times and clearly stated I wasn’t interested in a serious relationship with any woman.”
“Then all you and Ms. Madaris were having was a meaningless fling?” This was asked by another reporter and Victoria held her breath for Roman’s answer.
“Let me go on record now and clear up the matter. What I shared with Victoria Madaris was not, and I repeat, was not a meaningless fling. When Victoria and I ran in to each in Catalina Cove and began spending time together, something happened to me that I hadn’t expected to happen. I fell in love. I am very much in love with her, and if I want to pursue a relationship with her, I have every right to do so. Victoria is a beautiful, intelligent and warm-hearted individual.”
“What about her involvement with Tanner Jamison?”
“At no time was Victoria involved with Tanner Jamison. Mr. Jamison will hold his own press conference in an hour. He will confirm that at no time were he and Victoria involved. They haven’t even dated. I would think The Tattler and other news outlets who followed their lead and printed the article would have gotten their facts straight before running off with a story. I’m disappointed but not surprised.”
“What about Ms. Madaris? Will she be giving a press conference, as well?”
Roman looked directly into the camera. “I see no reason for Ms. Madaris to do so. The two men who The Tattler claimed are involved in this fictitious love triangle are speaking out and denouncing the lies. What some of you reporters want and expect is a three-ring circus, but you won’t be getting one. The Tattler deliberately slandered Victoria Madaris’s name. I demand an apology to her, a retraction of the story and list of corrections. I want to go on the record and say that I love Victoria Madaris and there’s not a damn thing any of you can do about it. Nothing is more important to me than she is. Not even my being a senator. Good day.”
Victoria watched as Roman, refusing to take any more questions, left the podium. It was obvious from the conversations and high-fives around the room that her family was pleased with what Roman had said and how he’d gone about defending her name and honor. He’d stated on national television that he loved her and would give up his life as a senator for her. Yet, she’d been too afraid to put up with being in the limelight for him. Now she saw how Uncle Jake was right. With love came sacrifices and compromises. Loving someone also meant falling in love with who they are, what they are and whatever problems and issues that came with them.
She fought back tears, wanting to be alone for a while. Standing, she was about to leave the room when Diamond appeared at her side. As if she knew how Victoria was feeling and what she needed, she said, “I’m moving your things to one of the guest cottages, Victoria. That way you can rest without being disturbed. You’re welcome to join us for dinner, or if you prefer, I will tell Blaylock to deliver dinner to you.”
There were numerous guest cottages situated around the ranch, and Blaylock Jennings had been the ranch’s housekeeper and cook for as long as Victoria could remember. She truly appreciated her grand-aunt’s thoughtfulness. “Thank you.”
* * *
LYRIC SAT ON her sofa and watched the press conference Tanner was holding at the CNN bureau here in New Orleans. Earlier she had watched the one with Senator Roman Malone. Now Tanner was making it clear to the reporters in that charming, debonair, yet forceful voice of his that he was not involved with Victoria Madaris, nor had he ever been. He stressed that they’d never even dated, so they certainly weren’t engaged. She was a family friend and nothing more.
He went on to severely admonish The Tattler for printing a story before verifying the facts. The one reporter who’d tried coming back at him discovered Tanner wouldn’t put up with his BS. Tanner then chuckled and said, “I’m going to suggest to the Madaris family to do this country a favor and buy The Tattler and turn it into a fitness magazine.”
Whether Tanner was jesting or not wasn’t clear, but the nervous look that appeared on one reporter’s face, namely the one who’d tried coming back at Tanner several times, was priceless. Lyric had done her research and knew the Madarises were not a family to mess with.
Before ending the press conference, Tanner had smoothly put in a plug for his club, which he stated would be opening on New Year’s Eve. Lyric couldn’t help but laugh. He’d shown them.
But then he’d shown her, as well. He’d told her the truth. That paper had lied, and he hadn’t been involved with Victoria Madaris. She remembered something else he’d told her. That he loved her.
She stood and began pacing, and knew what she had to do and where she had to go. With the decisions made, she rushed to the bathroom to shower and change clothes.
* * *
VICTORIA HEARD THE knock on the cottage door and glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It was 8:00 p.m. She couldn’t believe she had slept that long, and a glance out the window told her it had already gotten dark. She had tried calling Roman but hadn’t been able to reach him. Was he deliberately not taking her calls now? Was he upset with her?
Diamond had sent her dinner earlier and then she had taken a shower and fell into bed. No one had ventured to this part of Whispering Pines to bother her and she wondered who was doing so now.
When the knock sounded again, she eased off the bed, left the bedroom and headed for the door. She peeked out the peephole. She hadn’t turned on the porch lantern, so she couldn’t make out who it was, but could tell the person had a masculine build. Probably one of her brothers or cousins who’d come to check on her. “Who is it?” she asked.
“Roman.”
Roman? Victoria flung open the door and there he stood. The beam of light from inside the cottage hit him at an angle and the silhouette nearly took her breath away. He looked just like she’d seen him on television earlier. A clean-shaven, well-dressed man in a suit and tie who was too handsome for words. An image dreams were made of.
“May I come in, Victoria?”
His question made her realize she’d been standing there, staring at him without saying anything. “Yes, please come in.”
She stepped back and when he entered and closed the door behind him, in the bright lights she got a good view of his features. He looked tired but not beaten down. But even then, there appeared to be an innate sexual energy swirling around him.
Victoria wanted to rush to him, throw herself in his arms, tell him she loved him and that no matter what, she wanted them to be together. But all she had to do was remember her last phone call with him and know she had to ask his forgiveness for being so quick to cave in at the first sign of trouble.
Victoria was acutely aware of the electricity flowing between them and swore that she could hear a few crackles. Drawing in a deep breath, she said, “I tried to call you after I saw the press conference, but didn’t get an answer.”
He nodded. “I left immediately for the airport to come here.”
“Oh. I didn’t know.”
“That was my intent. I wanted the element of surprise to be on my side. I wouldn’t have been able to handle it if you told me not to come because you didn’t want to see me.”
“I would not have told you that.”
He studied her face. “No?”
“No.” She could see how he would have thought that after their last phone conversation.
He took a step closer. “Why were you trying to call me?”
Now it was her turn to take a step closer. She went even farther and lifted her hands to glide them beneath his suit jacket and rest on his broad chest. “I wanted to let you know that I intend to start following my heart.”
“What do you mean?”
“It means since you already have my heart entirely, I am yours totally and completely. It also means I can handle anything and everything that will come with it, which includes being by your side in the limelight.”
Surprise lit his features. “You sure?”
“Yes. A very wise man, namely my uncle Jake, told me today that with love comes sacrifice and compromise. He also said that falling in love with someone meant falling in love with who they are, what they do and whatever problems and issues that come with them.”
She could feel the tears that fell from her eyes but didn’t care. “And I do love you, Roman.”
“Oh, baby, I love you, too.” He leaned down and captured her lips before sweeping her into his arms and carrying her into the bedroom.
He placed her on the bed, and after removing his jacket and shoes, he joined her. “I just want to hold you awhile, Victoria.”
He wrapped his arms tightly around her and said, “I got on that plane intent on coming here and pleading my case to you. I had all the reasons lined up to convince you why our love would work. Now it seems your uncle’s words did that work for me.”
“They did. I knew I loved you. I just didn’t know how strong I could be where you were concerned until I heard you tell the entire nation how much you loved me.”
“Sweetheart, if I had the chance, I’d tell the entire world how much I loved you.”
Then he was kissing her again in a way that made her head reel, had her heart pounding and sent heat swirling between her legs. And when he deepened the kiss, she knew she was a goner.
When he released her mouth, she whispered his name seconds before opening her eyes. Then she saw he’d slid off the bed and was removing his clothes. She eased up and began removing hers. More than anything she wanted to be skin-to-skin with him. She wanted to make love to him and wanted him to make love to her.
Moments later their naked bodies came together when he rejoined her on the bed and pulled her into his arms. He captured her mouth again and his tongue began mating with hers, and what felt like bone-melting fire quickly began spreading through her body.
When he ended the kiss and straddled her body, she stared up at him, feeling so much love, not only in her heart, but also in every nerve ending.
“I love you, Victoria,” he whispered.
“And I love you, Roman.”
And then he was inside of her, claiming her and taking them on another wild adventure. The blaze of desire she saw in his eyes had her purring, and the air shimmered with sexual energy all around them. He always made love to her like each time would be their last and he intended to carry them over a tidal wave of pleasure that was destined to last a lifetime.
And as far as she was concerned, it would. Regardless of what her great-grandmother thought, Victoria was convinced this was the man intended to have her heart. No other man deserved the honor. And with every thrust into her body, he was telling her in his own way that he believed it, as well.
Every day since he’d left Catalina Cove her body had ached for his touch and now he was stroking her at every angle and she couldn’t help but groan in raw, feminine appreciation. She closed her eyes, absorbed in all the sensations she was feeling, swamped with emotions, dazed in pleasure. Her nails dug into his shoulders, and she lifted her hips to grind against his every thrust.
“Open your eyes, sweetheart.”
Victoria did as Roman asked and the moment she did, she felt a climax building and could sense his passion escalating, too. She saw it in his eyes, heard it in his breathing and felt it in the shaft pounding hard into her. She tilted her hips to get it all. Suddenly, she convulsed with intense pleasure.
“Roman!”
“That’s it, baby. Let it go. I’m right there with you.”
She watched him throw his head back as he continued to rock into her. Then he hollered her name and her hand tightened around his neck to bring his mouth down to hers.
When she released his mouth, he shifted their bodies so they could face each other. “Remember that day I told you I wouldn’t give you up?” he asked, pushing a lock of hair from her face.
She nodded, clearly remembering that day. “Yes.”
“I meant it. I’m not giving you up, Victoria. Doing so would be giving up my heart.”
“Oh, Roman.” She wanted to cry. He loved her. He wanted her. She loved him and wanted him.
And then she was kissing him again and knew that what had begun in Catalina Cove would continue no matter where their paths led. They would have to sit down with Mama Laverne when she returned from her cruise and let her know she’d made a mistake. Roman was the man who had captured her heart. Victoria knew that she was meant for him.
* * *
ROMAN HADN’T EATEN any dinner so an hour later they put on clothes to stroll over to the ranch house to get him a plate. The moment they walked through the door Victoria saw everyone had left except for Alex. He was talking to Jake.
“I’m glad to see you, RJ,” Alex said, standing to shake Roman’s hand, then giving him a bear hug.
“Same here. Where is that godsister of mine?” Roman asked, craning his head to find Christy.
“I took her home, which is why we weren’t here when you arrived.” He glanced back and forth between Roman and Victoria. “In fact, I’m glad to see the both of you. I was just telling Jake I had some information to share. Information you guys might find interesting. Especially you, Roman.”
Victoria lifted an eyebrow. “What is it, Alex?” she asked, sitting down on the sofa. Roman sat beside her and took her hand in his.
“As soon as I heard about that article, I begin doing research. Luckily, I’ve investigated The Tattler before, which resulted in a huge settlement in favor of my client. Evidently Buddy Fields didn’t learn his lesson.”
“Buddy Fields?” Roman asked.
“Yes. The owner of The Tattler. He’s a sleaze with no morals. He loves smearing reputations when he has no valid proof. It’s a wonder he’s still in business and somehow financially stable. That is another story, believe me.”
He paused a minute and said, “Finding out how they got those pictures was easy. All I had to do was check the hotel rosters in Catalina Cove. Once I identified the PI—”
“Private investi
gator?” Victoria asked.
“Yes. Someone was hired to spy on RJ.”
Roman leaned forward in his seat. “Who hired him?”
“A woman by the name of Audria Wayfare. Senator Wayfare’s daughter.”
* * *
A SHORT WHILE LATER, back at the cottage, Roman held Victoria in his arms. They had made love again and then gone limp in each other’s arms.
Roman ran his fingers through Victoria’s hair, loving how silky smooth it felt. After Alex had revealed the identity of who had hired the PI, Roman’s suspicions had been confirmed. He then told Victoria, Jake and Alex that he and Audria had dated for a while, and that she’d gotten it in her head that she would make the perfect politician’s wife and insisted they were meant for each other. When he’d gotten to know her better and hadn’t liked what he was seeing, he’d made it clear to her that he wasn’t looking for a serious relationship with her...or anyone.
“Roman?”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“How did Audria know you were in Catalina Cove?”
“I’m not sure. She probably had my call traced when I talked to her. Mint suggested I call her to get her off his back when she showed up at his office demanding to know where I was.”
“And you think she would go that far to smear your reputation?”
“Yes, if she’d convinced herself she could help clean it back up.” His hands tightened around her. “To be honest, I became suspicious when she called and offered to stand by my side at the press conference today. It sounded as if she had already planned things out—or thought she had. I think she assumed I was going to save my own reputation by saying you and I were just a vacation fling, and that my true love was her.”
Follow Your Heart--A Novel Page 24