Page 18

“You have a good heart, Natalie. I’m glad Carlton Klein didn’t change it.”

Laughter rattles her shoulders. “He’s done the least amount of damage to me. He was my worst idea, not my worst decision, but that’s not a story for two strangers getting to know each other.”

I roll onto my back again, staring at the beams crossing the ceiling. Taking a chance, I reach over and take her hand. “I made a few bad decisions in my life.” Her fingers fold between mine. I glance over and add, “You’re not one of them.”

That elicits another smile, not shy, but big and broad—gorgeous like her. Keeping our hands clasped together, she rolls toward me, an eagerness built into her expression. “Tell me about your day, and don’t leave out the good parts. I want all the details.”

As requested, I tick through my day from the sunrise surf to lunch at a food truck. She never once appears bored, but rather entirely engaged. I say, “I’m not sure why we picked to go inside that bar other than it sounded like a good time from outside.”

Looking pleased as punch, she says, “It’s not destiny if that’s where you’re going with this, Mr. Optimistic. It’s . . .” She looks away, searching for some evasive explanation, then takes a deep breath. Her exhale takes a while as if measured in the confines of time. A quick glance, and then she returns her attention to the ceiling. “Nick?”

“Yes?”

“You have me rethinking my stance.”

“On?” I ask, not wanting to stare at her but not even trying to find an excuse to do it anyway.

“You and the sex.”

Okay, for real.How am I supposed to keep a straight face after that comment? It’s impossible. “We’ve been dancing around this since you showed up, so here are my thoughts even though you didn’t ask,” I start after the laughter stops. “First,thesex? Did we make a pact I’m not aware of? I feel like I would remember that? Or is this a recurring theme for you to stick to the embargo you mentioned and not have sex by reminding yourself every hour or so?”

“Hm.” Considering the question, she twists her lips to the side. Her eyes narrow, and she proceeds with caution. “And second?”

“Second, I assume the sex is referring to sex with me, but you made it really clear there would be no sex, monkey business, and to keep ideas out of my head the moment you walked in. I, for one, can live by your rules, but I have to say I think it would be quite fun to find out if the same chemistry extends beyond what’s currently happening between us. Just my two cents.”

“That was a lot, Nick. If you were trying to woo me into bed, a simple, hey, you’re hot followed by some kissing is a great start.” Exasperated, she rolls her eyes as if the whole world has worn her down. “It’s on the table. Geez, I’m right here lying next to you. Do I have to be naked for you to make a move?”

I grin. “That’s not a terrible idea.”

“Oh my God,” she says, throwing her arms in the air and letting them fall heavily to the mattress again. “You’re incorrigible.”Me?“I finally give in to my whims, and now you’re the impossible one. You’ve done your job. I’m charmed, rummed up, and dined, so why are you arguing with me instead of kissing me like you mean it?”

“As much as I loved to take credit for any of those arguments, I’ve actually not done anything to earn an ounce of your affections if that’s how you’re calculating this deal.”

She sits up, her eyes volleying between the open door and the end of the bed. I tuck my hands behind my head again and wait for the comeback I can sense she’s constructing. When she finally turns to me, she rests her chin on the round of her shoulder, and says, “Maybe it’s naïve of me, but I feel safe with you. I have no clue why, but I like you, Nick.”

“I like you, too.”

“But if you don’t want to have sex, I’d like to stay in bed with you. We could talk, or I’m sure the hotel has a backgammon set.”

Sliding my hand across the blanket, I rest against her hip, wanting to hear every crazy thought that comes to her head. “Be forewarned, I’m really good at backgammon.”

“Only one way to find out.” She slips her legs off the side of the bed and reaches for the phone on the nightstand. There’s a pause, and then she says, “Do you have backgammon available? . . . Okay. Yes. Also, rum. Send that up as well, please.” Whipping back to me, she asks, “What kind?”

“You were drinking Bacardi. Order a bottle of their best rum, and we should be good.”

She places the order and hangs up the phone but then stands, planting her hands on her hips. “I thought for sure this was going in a different direction.”

“For the record, I never said I didn’t want to have sex, but I can’t say I’m disappointed.”

Another laugh escapes her. “You surprise me, Nick.”

My name has become so familiar with her tongue that it sounds like it belongs long term. I’m kind of hoping it lasts. “How so?”

“Remember how I said not to get any ideas?”

“Very clearly.”

“Did you ever get any?”