Page 41 of Wild Abandon

“Way to ruin the mood,” he says. His voice is still strong. I wonder if his lips feel numb, too. “It’s a clansmen thing. I like the culture—”

“Outlander. That guy’s hot. I want to buy a red Toyota Highlander Hybrid and name it Jamie Fraser.”

“Who the fuck is—never mind. I like how the Scots wear their family’s clan over their shoulder. It’s like—hey, where are you going? I don’t think you should—you might be the first girl to ever dance on that bar.”

“Hang on there, killer.” Nate’s voice is nearby, very close to my left ear.

We’re outside, and the air is cool against my warm skin.

Too much drinky makes Crystal stinky.

I hope I didn’t say that out loud.

“You said that out loud.”

“What is the whiskey equivalent of Napa?”

“There isn’t one.”

There is a huge hole in the sidewalk because I fall to the side, and Nate grabs on to my waist, holding me up so that I don’t fall into it.

Stupid hole. “What about beer? Where is the land of beer?”

“That would be Oktoberfest.”

“I’ve been there! Let’s go to Munich!”

Someone really needs to get this sidewalk fixed. I have to reach up and hold on to Nate’s shoulder to keep from falling into the damn holes in the ground.

“Let’s get you home. Crystal…I can’t carry you if you’re grabbing my ass.”

“You have nice eyes.” My back is propped up against something hard. And rough. I lean back into it. It’s scratching my head. I look up.

Wow.

He’s pretty.

“So you’ve told me.”

“What does your tattoo mean?”

I think his mouth is broken because he’s not answering me.

“Undying love.”

Oh, that’s pretty, too. Like you.

“I could love you, Nate. But I won’t. Because you’re unlovable.”

“That makes absolutely no sense.”

“You have nice eyes.”

“Let’s get you inside.”

chapter EIGHT

“Your hair is so long.” I run my fingers through his gorgeous mane, grabbing the strands at the nape.