Page 9 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 1

“Okay, then. Have a good night.” He speeds off in the golf cart, leaving me standing here trying my best not to make it awkward for Nick.

Peeking over at him, I say, “I mean it. You don’t have to worry about me. Seriously. I can call a car, or I don’t know, hitch my way back.”

“I can drive you back.” The words rush from his mouth as if the universe’s very existence hinges on them. I force my gaze away and eye the lone working scooter—turquoise with chrome accents—because it’s too easy to get lost in his eyes otherwise.

He walks over, taking the helmet from the broken-down scooter, and offers it to me. “Even though you don’t trust two wheels, you can trust me. I promise to drive safely.”

I don’t want to leap into his arms, but I’m close to jumping and straddling his body. Alas, I control my desires. “If you’re sure?”

A smug grin covers his perfect face. “I’m sure.”

Taking the helmet, I hug it in my arms. Tatum thinks she’s won the Super Bowl with Harrison, but I’m happily grinning because she left me with a consolation prize that feels more like winning the jackpot. “We’re staying at Catalina Vista. It’s just down the coast from here.”

Bellowing laughter overrides the end of my sentence, and he says, “That’s where we’re staying.”

“Looks like it might not be such a coincidence, after all.”

“I’m thinking it was destiny.”

“Whoa. Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves, cowboy. We’re still strangers.”

“You’re a handful, I can tell.” He gets on the scooter and lifts the kickstand before righting it. “Front or back?”

“I’ve been called many things by guys. Handful doesn’t even rank in order of the bad.”

“Fuck those guys.” The anger that punctuates the curse word . . . well, you guessed it—it’s unexpected and definitely a turn-on.

I grin, feeling as if he just defended my honor, and pull the helmet over my head. “Back.”

What?Did you miss the part where I said he was stupidly handsome, and he’s been utterly charming? Add in the honor part, and I’m already halfway gone. So what do you expect me to do? Call a car? Not on my life, literally, when I have a hot guy wanting to give me a ride. My inner voice yells, “Get on the bike.”

The sight of Nick sends a thrill up my spine, and the thought of holding onto this big hunk of a man is sobering in a good way. It’s not every day that a girl gets to go on an adventure with a hot stranger, even if it’s on two wheels and not the safety of the recommended four.

My Audrey Hepburn-loving heart squeezes with excitement that my California version ofRoman Holidayis coming true. Although the perfect chignon and makeup elude me, as well as Audrey’s grace being thrown out the window, this fantasy apparently includes helmet hair and a hunky man. God, I sound like my mother.

Mental note:Never usehunkyagain.

Angling to look at me over his shoulder, he asks, “You think you can handle me, Natalie?”

“Don’t worry about me, Nick. I can handle you.”

“Hold on tight.”

I do, as tight as I can, closing my eyes while pressed to his back. It’s then that I realize my inner voice,the responsible one, never stood a chance against this man.

4

Natalie

Nick smells divine.

Does he have no flaws? I don’t know if I’m enamored by his perfection or annoyed by it, but he smells too good to worry about the rest. With my nose stuck to his back,technically inhaling, he smells of bergamot and musk mingling with masculinity and great sex.

I cling to him, the wind awakening my skin just as Nick’s exhilarated my insides.I’m not sleeping with him, I remind myself. I’m on a self-induced love embargo after my last relationship went awry. Anyway, I’ve never been one for vacation flings, preferring to hook up with someone I could see again. Of course, I hadn’t met Nick before either,sooooo . . .

Stop overthinking. I can hear Tatum telling me those words herself. Enjoy the ride as we zip back to the hotel. I might be on two wheels, but Nick keeps his word and drives in a way that makes me feel safe.

I straighten my back and look around the beautiful island as we zip around it, but I keep my arms wrapped around him.

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