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“So serious all of a sudden.”
It’s only going to get worse if you sleep with her.
I wasn’t a fucking moron. And I knew myself well enough to feel the difference between a woman like Natalie and, well, just about anyone else I’d dated. This...something...between us was quickly spiraling out of control. The fact that I wanted to grab her hand as we began to walk back wasn’t a good sign either.
Resisting that particular temptation, I shot Natalie a bit of honesty. “I was just thinking about when we get back.”
Natalie’s lips flattened. Clearly the thought was as distasteful to her as it was to me. “We agreed, no land talk.”
It wasn’t just the land. I was talking about what happened afterward, but Natalie misunderstood. I didn’t clarify.
“Alright, forget I said anything.”
“Isn’t your hotel the other direction?” she asked as we got back to the piazza.
“I’m walking you to your apartment.”
“I appreciate it, but you don’t have to do that. I’m quite safe.”
“I’m aware.”
Her sidelong gaze told me she understood. I wanted to be with her. And by the way Natalie looked at me, I was pretty sure she wanted to be with me for as long as possible too.
“So you’ll meet us for a pre-dinner drink?”
“Sure,” I said as we strolled down the hill, the side street lined with restaurants and shops, a bustling town center and probably one of my favorites in Sicily. Maybe all of Italy, of the places I’d been at least.
“That’s the drink place,” she said, pointing to a place with forward-facing half tables where already people were drinking as they watched passersby like us.
“What time?”
“Six. We’ll probably stay until about seven forty-five and then walk to dinner.”
“Got it.”
“Welp, there I am.” She moved toward a door that led to a rental apartment above.
“Great location,” I said.
“Tell me about it. I only wish we had a view of the sea.”
“My hotel does,” I said, not meaning anything by it. At first. But it only took two and a half seconds for me to throw caution to the wind. We were happening whether it was a good idea or not. “Why don’t you run up now and grab some stuff? That way I can take it back now.”
“Stuff for?”
I cleared my throat.
“Oh. You’re asking me to stay at your place tonight?”
“Unless you’re opposed to waking up to a view. And some Americano coffee on the balcony tomorrow morning?”
I loved the twinkle in her eyes. “Is that all you have to entice me? A sea view?”
I closed the distance between us. “We both know I have a hell of a lot more than that.” I leaned closer so only the two of us could hear and whispered, “Maybe you should bring enough for two nights. I’m pretty sure after tonight your apartment won’t hold as much appeal.”
Her breath coming noticeably more quickly, Natalie swallowed as I stood back straight. “I’m screwed, aren’t I?”
That was too easy of a softball not to hit. “I’m pretty certain you are, sunshine. In more ways than one.”
