Roman leaned closer, just enough for her to feel his presence. “Wear it for me,” he murmured. “Please.”
That was unfair.
She had just promised herself she’d stop hiding. Stop shrinking. Stop letting shyness win.
Evelyn bit her lip, her resolve trembling—but holding.
“There’s a private cove just below the villa,” he continued in a fit to convince her. “The water’s clear.” His gaze didn’t leave her face. “I badly want to see you in this, hmm?”
“…Okay,” she said softly.
Relief flickered across his face, quickly replaced by something far more dangerous.
She breathed, the word barely audible. “But… I need a drink first. To… to calm my nerves. Can we… can we make it like a little cocktail party? Just us, by the water?”
Roman studied her for a long moment, then smiled slowly. “A cocktail
