Except Vanessa, I point out, as Davids feet touch the floor.
Yes, except Vanessa. Hes standing in front of me now, sweat glistening on his forehead, brick dust staining his city coat. Noting my shocked expression, he shrugs and grins. Jane also said I should try a romantic gesture. The florists were shut, so I thought climbing up to your window might do the trick . . . its all about balance, you know . . .
I raise my eyebrows at him. I have a sneaky suspicion he might have seen Mike attempt, and fail, to climb up to my window and was determined to outdo him. But thats absolutely fine by me.
Anyway, David continues, the point is that I need to get to a place where I can take a few weeks off without worrying that everythings going to fall apart.
He puts his hands on my shoulders. Honeymoons cant be short, can they? You would want to go away for at least two weeks, wouldnt you? If you . . . I mean, were you to do me that honor . . .
He trails off and looks at me beseechingly. Is David . . . did he just . . . is this what I think it is? I dont want to say anything, in case I misheard. In case he was joking or something.
Two weeks is generally considered about right, I manage. The corners of Davids mouth start to edge upward.
You mean, you might think about it? Even though I can be an arrogant prick sometimes?
I grin. David, youre not arrogant. Just misguided. And a bit too protective sometimes.
All valid criticisms, David admits with a smile. Now, what about you? Am I allowed to tell you what your faults are yet, or are we still focusing on me?
Definitely still focusing on you, I say firmly. Probably will be for quite a while yet.
I see. I suspected as much, murmurs David, kissing my neck. Your hair is beautiful, by the way. It suits you short.
I didnt know if youd like it.
You look like a sassy chick, he says appraisingly. Far too gorgeous for a boring accountant like me.
There you go again, I say crossly, pulling away. Dont say that when you know very well that youre not a boring accountant. You climb up drainpipes, dance like Fred Astaire, and bust organized crime rings. That is definitely not boring, and I think you are obviously notjust an accountant.
Okay, grins David. But maybe I should spice things up just a little bit. You know, become a little less dependable, keep you on your toes?
I punch him in the arm. I wouldnt say youre exactly dependable at the moment, actually.
David looks up, hurt. I thought wed been through all that? he says quietly. Its been a really difficult time, Georgie, but I really think that you
The curtain rail, I interrupt, and see relief sweep across his face. David, that curtain rail has been leaning against the kitchen wall ever since we bought it. Now, if you were really dependable, Id have curtains up over there instead of two large windows through which my neighbors can see everything.
Everything? asks David with a cheeky smile, and he starts to undo my robe. Well, I think the least we can do is give them something really good to look at . . .
David! I yelp, looking at him in horror. You cant be serious! There is no way Im going to let my neighbors see
But before I can finish my sentence, David leans down and hoists me over his shoulder.
I wouldnt dream of letting them see you naked, my darling, he says. I meantthis . With a deft movement, he bends down again, picks up my copy ofRoman Holiday and throws it out of the window. I hear it land with a thud below and wonder what my neighbors will make of the smashed vase, broken bottle, and used video tomorrow morning.
David puts me down on the bed and throws my robe on the floor before turning back and kissing me. As his hands move expertly around my body, he whispers in my ear, I think weve had enough ofRoman Holiday , dont you?
Pulling off his trousers, I agree with a smile. Now that weve had our own Roman Holiday, Im determined to spend less time watching TV and more time going out and experiencing things firsthand. Less time dreaming and more time doing. Its going to be great. And anyway, I can always buy the DVD. . . .
When in Rome . . .is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
A Ballantine Book
Published by The Random House Publishing Group
Copyright Š 2004 by Gemma Townley
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Published in the United States by The Random House Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York, and simultaneously in Canada by Random House of Canada Limited, Toronto.
Ballantine and colophon are registered trademarks of Random House, Inc.
www.ballantinebooks.com
Library of Congress Control Number is available from the publisher upon request.
e-ISBN 0-345-47212-8
v1.0
DEDICATION
To Maddyfor always leading the way,
and letting me come, too
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
About the Author
Copyright
WHEN in ROME . . .
GEMMA TOWNLEY
BALLANTINE BOOKS NEW YORK
About this Title
This eBook was created using ReaderWorksPublisher Preview, produced by OverDrive, Inc.
For more information on ReaderWorks, visit us on the Web at "www.readerworks.com"
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Gemma Townley
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When in Rome Page 24