Page 3 of Spring Break with a One Night Stand

“Ooo, that’s the 127 Yard Sale. That’s on my bucket list. ” She paused, as if conducting an internal debate. “I recently moved into my own house. Before that, I rented. Decorating someone else’s space isn’t the same as designing a home that reflects your own tastes. My friends tease me about being in nesting mode.”

That phrase rang familiar, and Nelson remembered his sister Lillian using it to describe the last few weeks of her pregnancy, preparing for the arrival of his nephew.

“Uh…nesting?” he choked out.

It took a second for the significance to register and then her eyes widened.

“No, not that kind of nesting.” She rushed to clarify. “Not married. No kids. Very single.” She looked a bit panicked. “I mean, not desperate-single. Happy-single.” Realizing how that sounded, she sputtered, “This hole keeps getting deeper and deeper.”

He chuckled softly, relieved he wasn’t the only one thrown by the unexpected attraction. “I’d describe my social status as happily single but open to possibility should the right woman come along.”

“I’m a little more complicated than that.” She shrugged, the motion causing the twin mounds revealed by her low-cut bodice to jiggle just enough to short-circuit his brain.

She was saying…?

“–zero plans to relocate from the small town in South Carolina where I live. There aren’t a lot of eligible bachelors in Love Beach as it is, but Granny was fond of reminding all the young ladies not to get their sugar and bread from the same store.”

“My uncle had a similar saying, but it’s not the kind of thing you share in mixed company.” He resisted the urge to slide his hand over her knee, the silky skin exposed by the thigh-high slit in her dress. “If you’re happy-single-with-conditions, what would you call this? Us?”

She peered up at him through thick lashes, considering.

Nelson held his breath, anxious and hopeful at the same time.

“I think,” she drawled, “some things are better left undefined. Until we have a better understanding of…you know.”

He didnotknow, but he had the rest of the night to find out.

“Look, folks.” The Uber driver stared at them through the rearview mirror. “I’d love to sit here listening to you two negotiate this booty call, but my wife ran up her TJ Maxx credit card and the debt collectors are blowing up my phone. I need to make some money. Take my advice–you’re going to end up in bed, if the sparks flying off you and leaving scorch marks on my upholstery are any indication.”

“There goes your tip,” Nelson muttered, climbing out of the car and extending a hand to Odette. She slid across the back seat, stood, and straightened her dress, avoiding his eyes.

Inhaling deeply to recenter himself, he laid his hand lightly at the base of her spine, guiding her into the restaurant. The nightclubs and bars hadn’t yet closed, disgorging the after-hours flood of hungry partiers, so they had no trouble getting a table.

“The ambiance in here is fantastic.” She squirmed her way into the booth from the right as he scooted in from the left. The hostess handed them menus and said a server would be by to take their order.

“This menu is crazy.” She started reading off the drink menu. “Alabama Slammer. Black Russian. Brandy Alexander. Cape Cod. What’s a…Golden Cadillac?”

“Try one,” Nelson urged. “Get a little crazy. Haven’t you heard? What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

“I’m in Sin City, alone, on Valentine’s Day. I’m not sure there’s anything crazier than that."

"Breakfast with a stranger?”

“No,” she corrected in a teasing voice. “Breakfast with my knight in shining armor. What’s crazy about that?”

Nelson found himself hoping things would get crazy with Odette. Wild and crazy.

“I’ll order a Golden Cadillac if you try a drink you’ve never had before. Crazy is better together.” Her lips curved up, revealing a tiny dimple in one cheek.

He stared, entranced by how expressive her face was. The corner of her mouth turning up conveyed amusement. The widening of her eyes revealed surprise, followed by curiosity. The pink flush across her cheeks gave away her body’s reaction to their flirtatious conversation and the subtext of sexual tension.

“Select one for me.” Nelson rested his menu on the tabletop and leaned back against the banquette.

“Anything?” she asked, one arched brow lifting.

Their eyes met and held.

Nelson sucked in a breath when another wave of attraction washed over him.

---