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‘Really?’ I perked up. ‘That’s cool.’ I slid a forkful of ravioli into my mouth and nearly keeled over on the spot. It wassogood.

‘Taking it out is very relaxing. It is just me and the water.’

‘Sounds amazing! The only boat or should I say ferry that I’ve been on is one from Dover to Calais when I was on a school trip.’

‘Ah, that is very different. A smaller boat is much more peaceful.’

‘I bet. What else do you like doing?’ I asked.

If he was this big flirt, then he’d probably enjoy partying or drinking or some other activity that involved him interacting with lots of women. Yeah, he said he wasn’t looking for a relationship, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have hookups.

I took another glug of my wine.

‘I like pottery,’ Romeo said casually and I spat a mouthful of wine in his face.

‘Shit! I’m so sorry!’ I winced, whipping the thick napkin from my lap and handing it to him.

Romeo squinted, wiped his eyes with the back of his hands, looked at me and then burst out laughing.

‘Samantha, Samantha.’ He shook his head whilst his deep chuckle continued to vibrate from his chest. ‘You are one of the most amusing women I have ever met.’

He wiped his damp cheeks with the napkin, then licked around his lips, catching the remaining droplets of wine with his tongue.

I was sure he didn’t intend it to be erotic, but seeing his tongue moving so skilfully was hot as fuck and had me thinking about what else he was good at licking.

‘Please, call me Sammie,’ I said as I tried to divert my dirty mind from straying down Filthy Thoughts Street. ‘Samantha’s what my mum calls me when I’m in trouble. My friends call me Sammie.’

‘So we arefriendsnow?’ Romeo quirked an eyebrow.

‘Course! I don’t share my second-hand wine with just anyone.’

Romeo snorted.

‘I cannot believe you spat in my face.’ He shook his head good-naturedly. ‘I offer to keep you company at dinner andthisis how you repay me.’ He gestured to his damp face and continued mopping it up.

He was being a good sport about it though. If someone spat in my face, I’d go straight to the loo to rinse it off. But if it was Romeo’s spit, I’d just leave it.

‘I really am sorry,’ I winced. ‘It’s just that when I look at you, nothing saysthis is a guy who enjoys making shit with clay.’

‘Appearances can be deceiving.’ His eyes darkened.

‘Yeah,’ I said, my heart beating faster.

Was it me or had the temperature just shot up ten degrees?

I couldn’t even blame the sun because it was almost ten at night.

The air crackled between us and as our eyes locked, I wondered what else there was to discover about Romeo.

Because as much as I knew I shouldn’t, I wanted to knoweverything.

25

ROMEO

‘Did you enjoy your evening?’ I said as Sammie got off the coach.

The other guests had already left and the driver had pulled away, so now she was the only one around.