Page 6

“Yeah. Sure.” I’m not bothered he’s taking off with a chick. That’s how we’ve always operated, not giving each other a hard time over a hookup.

Just as he pulls to the edge of the parking lot, Tatum motions to her friend’s temple area, but then says, “I promise to make it up to you back in the city.”

When they blend into traffic and travel around the corner, we’re left in their dust. I’m more interested in the blonde next to me. She stares down the street with her hand as a sun visor and then shifts to the curb, sitting down on it. She laughs at some inside joke, then turns to me. “Guess you’re stuck with me.”

I sit down next to her. “There are worse people to be stuck with, I suppose,” I reply, gently nudging her like we’re old friends.

“You sure about that?” Her smile breaks through the disappointed façade she briefly tried on for size, the other one never quite fitting her natural disposition. Nor her drunk one. “For all you know, I could be a nightmare to deal with.”

“I’m fairly certain I’ll be okay. You’re not a serial killer, are you?”

Offense colors her expression but is whisked away just as quickly. “Me?” Her fingers swirl near my nose. “I’m not the one with that boy-next-door face.”

Capturing one of her fingers, I hold it hostage and grin at her. “You say that as if it’s a bad thing.”

“Handsome guys are always so cocky, too.”

“All I heard was handsome.”

I’m granted another front-row seat to an eye roll, this one more dramatic and aimed at me. “Of course, you did.” Her eyes lock on something lower. “That Omega watch was probably stolen from a victim. If it’s real . . .”

“Let me get this straight. Your serial killer radar is going off because I’m wearing arealOmega watch? I’m no expert in detection, but I’m pretty sure that’s not a reliable method.” I reluctantly release her finger, but I hold onto the fact that she never once tried to pull away.

“Money is always a dead giveaway for lady killers.”

“I thought we were talking about serial killers.”

“Lady-killers.Serial killers. Tomato.Tamahto.” She nods. “It’s all the same thing.”

I chuckle. “I’m still curious about money being a giveaway. Care to expound on that train of thought?”

“Money makes people mean.”

“Do you know this firsthand or something you’ve surmised?”

“A little of both. Anyway, what other method would you suggest I figure out who the bad guys are? I can’t ask because what serial killer would ever admit they’re a serial killer?” The way she angles her head to the side as if I’m going to give her a meaningful response to this insanity causes me to sweat under the collar. Just a little.I’d hate to disappoint her.

“Serial killer conversation aside,” I start, holding my hand out. “I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Nick.”

She slips her hand against mine, and our fingers wrap around each other. Ah, there’s the gorgeous smile from before. “Hi, Nick. I’m Natalie.”

3

Natalie

I didn’t knowsex was possible through a handshake, but I might need a cigarette after this one.And I don’t smoke.

Until that moment, I was content calling him Mr. Smug and Sexy. But temptation has a name, and it couldn’t be more perfect.Nick.

Nicholas.

Nicolai.

Dominick.

Although now I’m curious about the nickname, I exhale before glancing into those brown and golden-tinged eyes that made me feel safe inside the bar. I’d like to say he was better looking in the cover of the dimly lit bar, but nope. He’s still ridiculously attractive in broad daylight, if not more so.

Pulling my gaze away, I ask, “So now that we have that out of the way, are you a serial killer or what?”