Page 78 of The Lessons

“I de—” She hiccupped. “I deduced it.”

Really fucking drunk.

“Natalie, focus. Where are you?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” she sang.

“Dammit, Natalie. Tell me where you are!” I growled into the phone as I grabbed my extra helmet and headed out the door.

Ten minutes later, I pulled up in front of TruEnglish. No sign of Natalie. I called her cell.

“I see you!” she answered playfully right before the line went dead. I scanned the hordes of club-goers who were now flanking the sidewalk. No Natalie. Just as I was about to redial, I felt a hot little body slide up behind me on my bike.

“Thanks for the ride, Andrews.”

It was Natalie.

I turned around and grabbed the extra helmet off the back of my bike. “Here, wear this.”

“It’s okay. I trust you. You’d never do anything to hurt me,” she said languidly, wrapping her hands around me. Oh, boy, she was even more drunk than I’d thought.

I shook my head. “That’s probably true, but I don’t trust the other idiots on the road. You know what? I don’t think you are in good enough shape to ride tonight. We’re taking a cab.”

I parked the bike alongside the curb. “Come on. Let’s walk over to the next block. Better chance of getting a ride.”

“Oh, but I’m so tired. My feet hurt. Can’t we just sit here for a second?” she started to crouch down on the street.

“Oh, no, you don’t. Get up. You can make it.” I pulled her back up and braced her with my arm. “Look, we’re almost there.”

Thankfully, my taxi-theory was correct, and we quickly nabbed a ride. “Cow Hollow,” I said to the driver as we settled into the back seat. I buckled my seatbelt and looked over at Natalie. She was fast asleep in the seat. I sighed as I reached over to buckle her seatbelt. “Natalie,” I said gently. “Natalie, what’s your address?” Nothing. I tried again, more forcefully. “Natalie, wake up.” She barely stirred.

I sighed. Fuck. In the back of a taxi with a chick who was passed out cold. I could only imagine how this looked to the driver. I made eye contact with him in the rearview mirror and offered a weak smile.

Wait! Driver’s license. Surely her driver’s license would have her address! I grabbed her clutch and opened it. Credit card, keys, condom. Condom?! I looked down at her. She was leaning against me now, the picture of restful serenity.What were you about to get yourself into? I stared down at the beautiful enigma lying against me. Who was she kidding? She wasn’t ready for casual sex. I mean, in my expert opinion.

I found the driver’s license at the bottom of her clutch and commended myself on my stellar detective work as I pulled it out to look at the address.

New York State.

Goddammit.

I sat back, defeated. What was I supposed to do with her now? I checked her cell phone but didn’t recognize any of the numbers, except for Brad and Josh, that dick she had been with on the street. I put her license and phone back in the purse.

“Sir? Change of plans. Russian Hill, please.”

Chapter Twenty-five

Natalie

I heard a door slam, and I woke up with a jolt.

My eyes flew open. I immediately knew I wasn’t in my own place. I’d fallen asleep with my contacts in, and my eyes felt dry and gluey. I blinked a few times, trying to moisten them as I took stock of my surroundings. I was in a bright and airy bedroom with wood floors, an oriental rug, and a vast bookcase that ran the full length of one wall.

Despite the cozy surroundings, I feared the worst. Had I gone home with someone from the club? Last night was very hazy. I remembered tequila at Bar 415 with Paulina, then the club, then more tequila…

Oh, God, the tequila. My head was pounding. What time was it? I looked around for my bag. It was on the nightstand, along with a bottle of Advil, a glass of water, and a note.

You passed out and I didn’t have your address, so I brought you here.

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