Page 48 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 1

I don’t have to search for my girl. She’s exactly where she should be—owning the room. In a short black skirt that fans out from her hips, it highlights her great legs. A sparkly gold top fails to disguise the shape of her fantastic tits. I’m sure that was the point when she picked it out. Jealousy strikes like lightning, and I scan the place to see what feels like a thousand guys vying for her attention.

I’m not going to waste time worrying about other guys when I only have one night left to leave an impression of my own.

This is quite the sight. She knows how to celebrate. From how she dressed to the champagne, she could be easily discounted as a party-girl socialite, but it doesn’t matter what she wears. Her aura has everyone in the room mesmerized, including me.

Weaving my way through the crowd, I notice how different this bar is to the ones in LA. It’s quaint, like everyone here is friends. In LA, I tend to see the same group of people, but it feels more competitive there, like we keep our enemies closer instead of our friends near.

Tatum shouts, “In celebration of my best friend, a glass of champagne for everyone.”

I’m quick to cut through the cheering just before the ladies start to climb down. The band begins playing on the far side of the room, and everyone returns to their own conversations just as I reach them. Rubbing Natalie’s calves to get her attention, I’m greeted with a spark in her eyes that rivals her shirt for catching the light. I’d never get tired of looking at her, but it’s her personality that has me craving more time with her. “Need a lift?”

She sets the bottle on the bar and squats down, miraculously balancing on thigh high, sexy fucking-heeled, black boots. “Thought you’d never ask.” Her smile is infectious, her laughter better than any melody a band could create. While she holds her tiara, I lift her by the waist and set her down safely.

I turn back to Tatum. “Would you like help?”

“Thanks.” When I set her feet on the ground, she comes in to give me a hug. “It’s good to see you again. It would be better if Harrison was with you.”

Chuckling, I look down, rubbing my chin. “Yeah, I think he’d agree.”

Natalie flies into my arms and rests her head on my shoulder. “If only destiny wasn’t so wicked and would keep us abreast of her plans.”

Enjoying the feel of holding her again, I rub down her back and back up again. To Tatum, I say, “I’ll bring him with me next time.”

She smiles, and it’s easy to see why Harrison was attracted to her. Fun and easy-going. Pretty and great taste in friends. The best, actually. I kiss my girl on the forehead, and she looks up at me. “Glad to hear there’s a next time planned. When is that exactly?”

“When would you like it to be?”

“Wednesday.”

I start laughing. “So fly home Tuesday and return on Wednesday?” I raise an eyebrow. “I’m all in, baby, but I can’t say the same for my bosses.”

“I thought you worked with your family?”

“I do. They’re my bosses.”

Tatum hands her a glass of champagne. Natalie takes a sip and rolls her head on her neck. “I worked for my family for years as an intern. I couldn’t imagine doing it full-time for my career. Not that they’re bad people or bosses, but I want to do something I love.”

“If you can make money at something you love, then you’ll never work a day.”

“That’s my philosophy. Andyouneed some champagne because we’re celebrating. I got an extension on my loan for another year.”

“Are all these people your friends?”

She laughs again, the sound as effervescent as the champagne. “No. This is just one of our favorite places to celebrate.”

Tatum moves closer. “Though we probably know most of them.”

Ah.It seems so by how lively the crowd is in their presence. I’ve always been fairly casual when it came to women. They come and go, and I let them, sometimes encouraging them to take off, and maybe we’ll hook up again. I don’t have to chase them, thanks to the genes I inherited, but the more laid-back I was, the more possessive some of them got. It’s weird how that works.

I’m not like that with Natalie. I met an independent woman with her own goals and dreams to accomplish. I won’t be the center of her world because she doesn’t cling, despite currently clinging to me. She’s not alone, considering I’m doing the same to her. But I’m starting to wonder if there’s more to us than a few days here and there.

It’s not something I’ve wanted, but she makes me smile and is fun, lives life on her own terms, and is open to having me be a part of it.So far . . .

Tatum hands me a glass, and the three of us toast to Natalie’s success. Tatum quickly disappears, not even bothering with an excuse to free herself of the burden of witnessing me kiss Natalie like I’ve wanted to since we left the bed this morning. “I missed you,” I whisper against her cheek and then go lower to kiss her neck.

Her arms tighten around me again, and she kisses me just under my ear. “I missed you, too.” Tilting back, she finds my eyes. “How did your meeting go?”

“It went well. I think we’ll be making a deal, but my dad and brother have often said not to count the eggs before they hatch.” She laughs.

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