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She gave me a curious look. “So, the end result would still be the same, no matter what I would have done? Is that what you’re telling me?”
“Damn straight, that’s what I’m telling you.”
I smiled before picking her up and swinging her around. The sound of her giggle thrilled me, making me want to keep doing it. When she begged me to stop, I placed her gently on her feet and extended my hand.
“Hi, I’m Frank. I own this bar here, and I think I started falling for you the second I saw you. I really hope you’re single, because I’d like to take you out to dinner.”
Her cheeks reddened, but she took my hand and gave it a firm shake. “I’m Claudia, and it’s your
lucky night. I just happen to be single, and my night’s wide open.”
“Not for long.” I pressed my lips to hers, claiming her again. I didn’t want there to be any question as to whom those lips belonged to.
I helped her with her helmet, gave her my jacket to wear, and drove us down the Pacific Coast Highway to my favorite seafood restaurant in Malibu. Claudia gripped my waist the entire ride, pressing her body against my back, and I had to keep my excitement in check.
Focus on the road.
The restaurant was perfect, even though it was too dark to see the water. Claudia told me she’d never been here before, and I made a mental note to bring her back when she could appreciate the view.
I had forgotten how fun it was to take a person somewhere that was new to them. Claudia was appreciative and excited, her face lighting up as she took in every detail. It made me want to take her to every single place in Los Angeles that she’d never been to before, just to see her face as she experienced it. She made me feel young and alive, two things that I hadn’t felt in a long time. And when we flipped through our menus and came up with the exact same appetizer and dinner selections, I took it as another sign that I had done the right thing. Not that I needed any more signs, but still.
“We can’t order the same meals,” she insisted, pinning me with her stare.
“Why not?” The reason didn’t matter. I’d do whatever she asked me to.
“Because I want to try whatever you get. Don’t worry, I’ll share mine with you. But that’s why we need different things, so we can eat more,” she said with an excited smile, and I agreed.
I couldn’t remember the last time I laughed so much, or enjoyed someone’s company as much as I genuinely enjoyed hers. Being with Claudia was effortless and comfortable.
• • •
After eating way more than I should have, I patted my stomach. “Probably not going to be able to fit you on the bike now with this belly.”
Claudia clutched her own stomach and groaned. “Why’d you let me order so much food?”
“Oh, that’s how this is going to go, huh?” I laughed.
“I’m so full.”
“I know.”
“Come on.” I pulled her chair back to help her out after paying the bill. She stood up slowly, rubbing her nonexistent pot belly.
We walked outside, our arms around each other. As I led her toward the bike, she asked, “Is the date over already?”
I wanted to take her to my favorite beach spot, but it was late. The coastal breeze had kicked in, cooling the night air.
I stopped and turned to face her. “I’d love for the night to never end, but it’s late and it’s cold, and I’m a gentleman.” I said the last part with a small laugh. “As much as I don’t want to, I’m going to take you home.”
Her bottom lip jutted out in a pout that I found adorable and far too inviting. I leaned down, taking her lip between my teeth and biting gently before sucking it into my mouth. She moaned, gluing her body to mine as I deepened the kiss and fisted her hair. There was something about Claudia’s long, dark hair that made me always want to get tangled up in it.
My tongue explored her mouth, loving the taste of her, wanting more. I moved to her neck, licking the parts of her I’d yet to explore, and she moaned softly. If she didn’t stop making those noises, I was going to rip off all her clothes and take her in the damn restaurant parking lot. This was one of those moments I wished I had a car rather than a motorcycle.
The feel of her nails digging into my back both fueled my need for her and crashed me back to reality. I pulled away, panting. “We have to stop.”
Her eyes were wild, her lips swollen and wet. I had to look anywhere but at her, or I’d never calm down.
She put a hand to her chest, her breathing choppy and fast. “Good God, Frank.”
