The Roman's Woman (A Singular Obsession Book 4) Read Online Free Page A

from across the room. Her dark hair was pinned up, and she was dressed in a loose white t-shirt and brown shorts that concealed her delicious curves from the other patrons. It occurred to him that he was disappointed she wasn’t wearing the sexy white dress from the dinner, which was ridiculous.
    And if she wore that dress or something equally form-fitting, she definitely wouldn’t be sitting alone.
    Walking over to her before he could lose his nerve, he skirted a group of German tourists talking at a near deafening decibel level. He wanted to ask them to quiet down, but unfortunately their volume was necessary to be heard above the din of other conversations and the sound of clattering dishes.
    Wincing, he stopped in front of Sophia’s table, slipping off his glasses and opening his mouth to introduce himself.
    She looked up at him, a relieved expression on her face, and he froze. Up close, she was even more appealing than her online photos or from a distance. Her eyes were remarkable, the color of gingerbread, a few shades more intense than the soft café au lait of her skin.
    She smiled at him, and he became aware that he was standing there like an idiot with his mouth open.
    “ Bongiorno , ” he said.
    “ Bongiorno , she replied in a mellow American accent. “Are you Gio?”
    Shocked, Gio nodded, closing his mouth and blinking. Had she looked him up, too? Was she expecting him?
    “Yes. Sophia Má rquez ?”
    Leaning forward, she raised her voice to be heard over background noise. “That’s me. I’m so glad you were able to meet me. Kelly would be disappointed if we missed each other again.” She gestured to the empty chair in front of her. “Please, sit.”
    Wondering if Kelly was one of the administrators in her lab, he sat, confused but relieved that she seemed pleased to see him. It had been a while since a woman had looked at him like that, without suspicion. Even his secretary had been giving him the eye lately.
    “Am I speaking too fast?” she asked, enunciating each syllable when he didn’t say anything.
    He laughed. “No, of course not,” he said.
    Sophia flashed him another brilliant smile. Warmth streaked down his chest, ending at his groin. Shifting to relieve his sudden arousal, he smiled back.
    Stop grinning like a fool and say something.
    It was harder than he’d imagined. Every coherent thought had flown out of his head when their eyes met.
    “Kelly said your English was good, which is a relief because my Italian is decidedly subpar. I’m terrible at languages. Anyway, I’m so glad I was able to catch you,” Sophia continued with a graceful wave of her hand before he could find his tongue. “I wasn’t planning on coming back to Rome yesterday, but when I heard you wouldn’t be able to get together later this month, I changed my plans.”
    “You did?” he asked. Had she been in touch with his office, after all? He leaned in. “I’m glad I’m able to catch you, too. I was sorry to have missed you earlier this week. I was stuck at work and then in traffic.”
    Her brow creased as if she was puzzled, but she smiled again, and he could feel his tongue thicken and a flush crept up his throat.
    “It’s no problem,” Sophia assured him. “I’m relieved you made it now. Your interview is important to Kelly. Her project met with some setbacks, and she had fewer participants than first estimated,” she continued brightly, handing him a thick manila envelope.
    “Interview? I’m sorry, what’s this?” he asked, opening the envelope and fingering the thick sheath of papers inside. Had Charles forgotten to mention a PR commitment?
    She leaned in again. “It’s more intimidating than it looks, but if you like I can go through it question by question. Can you read English as well as you speak it?”
    He met her eyes, his brow creasing. “I’m proficient,” he said, trying not to sound amused.
    Sophia blushed and adjusted the neckline of her shirt. “Sorry, I assumed you spoke it