Page 13 of Wild Tonic
He reached over and rolled one of her nipples between his thumb and forefinger. The touch sent fireworks to her groin and it was all she could do to stop herself from straddling him again. With a huge sigh, she tore herself away and headed for the bathroom. She ran the water and stepped beneath the shower, the water not exactly the forceful jets she needed. While Nate got himself cleaned up, she dressed, the feel of the jeans rough against the most sensitive parts of her body. She found his shirt in amongst the tangle of clothes on the floor, breathing in the scent of his aftershave. Unsurprisingly, the soft cotton checked shirt was too big for her and she had to roll up the sleeves and tie a knot at the bottom to make it fit.
“I should lend you my clothes all the time.”
Nate’s voice came from behind her and she drew breath as she turned and saw him, dripping wet from the shower, a towel wrapped round his waist. Droplets of water slid down his pecs and Clem couldn’t pull her gaze away. She imagined him racing around a stage, topless, guitar slung around his body, commanding the audience with his talent. She shook the thought away. Time was ticking. As Nate towelled himself dry, Clem scoured the room for her shirt and ruined knickers. She stuffed both into her bag and looked up just in time to see Nate pulling on his boxers.
“Hey! I could have borrowed your underwear!”
Nate crossed the room to murmur in her ear, his voice low. “I want you to remember last night. Each time you sit down or cross your legs today. I don’t think you’re going to be able to forget it.”
He was right. The seam of her jeans was in exactly the wrong—or right, depending on your train of thought—place to stimulate her. It was going to be a long journey home. Involuntarily, she groaned.
“Come on, let’s get out of here,” he said.
They came out of the hotel to bright sunshine. Clem wished she had sunglasses with her, not least to hide the shame she felt at being commando. She turned to Nate. “Do you have to rush off?”
He checked his phone, then shook his head. “Nope, why?”
“I’m starving, I need breakfast.”
Nate’s face practically split in two with the smile he responded with. “You’re a mind reader. I definitely need food too. You sure know how to wear an old guy out,” he joked.
Clem punched him on the arm. “You’re not old.”
He quirked an eyebrow at her. “You would say that.” He took her hand. “Now, where to? I think you’ve got the local knowledge here.”
They walked down the street, hand in hand. It felt strange to Clem, good strange though. If you worked it out, she had only known Nate a matter of hours and yet she’d pretty much jumped straight into bed with him. He was nothing like any of the other guys she’d been out with before. He wasn’t in business or banking or had a trust fund. At least not that he’d shared with her. Though they’d exchanged lots of messages and had a couple of conversations, Clem realised she didn’t know a lot about him. She could have stalked him on Google and found everything out for herself, but how much of that would actually be the truth? Even having breakfast together before they had to go their separate ways would be wonderful. She gripped his hand that little bit tighter.
The cafe they found was finishing up serving breakfast and they were the last two customers there. They ordered the works and found an empty table in the window.
“I didn’t figure you as the kind of girl who would come to a greasy spoon.” Nate’s eyes appraised her.
“After a heavy night, the only thing that gets me through is bacon.” The waitress brought over their drinks, two mugs of coffee and a full-fat Coca Cola. “And sugar.” Clem poured the bottle into her glass and slugged down almost the whole lot in one go.
“I had you down as an avocado on toast Insta-worthy chick.” Nate blew on his coffee, taking a more restrained sip.
“Have you even seen my feed?”
“Of course. I stalk you on it daily. That bikini shot is one of my favourites.” He winked and Clem instantly knew he was lying. She didn’t post bikini shots.
Their food arrived and they both dug in, talking the last thing on their minds. When they’d finished, Clem sat back in her seat, her hands covering her belly.
“I’m not sure that helped much, I might be sick.”
Nate laughed. “I guess I’m made of sterner stuff then. This is traditional tour fodder.” He pushed his knife and fork together. “Definitely one of the better breakfasts though. Particularly the company.” He slid a hand across the table to reach for her.
The image of the tattoo on his hipbone came back into Clem’s mind. She had to know what it stood for. For all she knew, he could already have a steady girlfriend and was playing away.
“Nate, who’s India?”
His hand froze halfway across the table and he bent his head, avoiding looking directly at her as he spoke. “That’s my daughter.” He raised his head, his eyes questioning. “I thought you would have known.”
“Maybe I should have done that bit of stalking after all.” Clem kept her tone light.A daughter?What did that mean for his relationship with the girl’s mother? Were they still together? A whole raft of questions came up in her mind.
“I’d rather you didn’t.” Nate cradled his mug between his hands. “It doesn’t make for pretty reading.”
“Then maybe you can tell me?”
There was a pause, Nate shifted in his chair and Clem thought for one moment that he was going to get up and leave.
