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He suddenly took off his leather jacket and wrapped it around me. “Cover yourself with this.” It was heavy and felt like a warm hug coated in his sandalwood scent. If this felt good, I could only imagine what his actual body would feel like wrapped around me. I shook my head at the thought.
Looking down while I zipped it up, I noticed a small pair of metal wings pinned onto the chest. “What’s this pin? Were you a good little boy on your flight or something?”
He smirked. “Something like that.”
When I cracked a smile, he reached his large hand out. “Let’s start over. Hi, I’m Carter.”
Carter.
Huh.
He sort of looked like a Carter.
I took his hand and felt shivers roll through me when he squeezed mine with a powerful grip. Narrowing my eyes, I said, “Carter…I thought your name was Trip.”
“No. You assumed my name was Trip because that was what Louie called me. Trip’s a nickname.”
“Where does it come from?”
“Long story.”
“How do they know you here anyway? Do you travel a lot on business?”
“You could say that.”
“You’re a little dodgy, you know that?”
“And you’re fucking adorable. What’s your name?”
“I told you my name.”
“Oh, that’s right. Sydney…and your last name’s Opera-House. Sydney Opera-House.” He laughed, lifting the magazine and pointing to the actual Sydney Opera House on the cover. “Why did you lie to me, Perky?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t like giving my real name out to strangers.”
“That’s not it. You’re not shy. You don’t even wear a fucking bra in public, for God’s sake. And it took you almost a full minute to cover your tits after you knew I could see them. You’re not reserved, and you’re certainly not being cautious.”
“So, then why do you think I lied about my name?”
“I think it gave you a thrill to pretend you were someone else. You figured you’re never gonna see me again, so why not? Am I right?”
“You think you have me pegged as a careless thrill-seeker? You’ve known me for what…ten minutes?”
“It takes one to know one.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes. It’s how I live my life…always looking for the next thrill, never in one place.” After a moment of silence, he squinted his eyes with an examining look. “You don’t know where you’re going.”
“How do you know that?”
“When I first walked up behind you, you were talking to yourself, wondering where you should go. Remember?”
“Oh. That’s right. Yes. I’m taking myself on a trip…Trip.”
“What are you leaning toward?”
“I still have no idea.”
