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“Enough about me. What are your plans for this summer?” I reach for the tablet hooked up to the bar speakers and put on one of my favorite playlists to help fill the silence between us.
“I have a three-month sabbatical to develop a new app for Viggle’s roster. Obviously, I’m hopping on a flight the day after the wedding. Works every time.”
I shift beside him. The smell of his skin travels over me in a slow journey. Hints of smoke and sweetness. I brush away the image of how that scent would translate on my tongue.
“For someone who’s all over the place, you sure are predictable.” I give his side a soft prod with my finger.
“You can’t tell me you have a better way of coming up with incredible ideas than traveling all summer.”
Little does Nico know, many of my novella plots come from some very creative and enjoyable methods, but that’s my own secret to keep.
“I can’t believe your job pays you to go on a three-month vacation forinspiration.”
“Don’t forget the fact that I can work remotely from anywhere in the world.” He grins proudly. “I’ll be honest. Sometimes, I don’t believe it either.”
With each passing moment, Nico seems to further disregard the distance between our bodies. I can’t help but watch the way his hand edges closer to mine as he slightly sways to the music.
A shiver rushes up the backs of my knees.
His hand is veiny and long-fingered. He could probably fist my hair and neck only with his palm.
Fucking hell.
“Where are you traveling to this summer?” I say, keeping our exchange on neutral topics.
What would it feel like to have his muscular arms pin me against the mahogany bar top?
Nico shows no acknowledgment of the filthy turn of my thoughts, and I silently applaud myself for not being obvious. Seducing someone I want is second nature, but resisting them is absolute torture.
“I signed up for a month-long intensive surfing class in Brazil. I’ll figure it out after that. Maybe I’ll go to Japan or Uruguay, who knows.”
I slump with a heavy sigh. “I wish I could travel like you.”
“Well, it’s your lucky day. I have an extra ticket to Brazil. One of my friends who was meant to come dropped out. You’re welcome to join me.”
“Running away from my problems isn’t going to magically resolve them.”
“Maybe not, but a little breathing room never hurt anyone. Think about it.” Nico refills the shot glass, pushing it toward me before we down the alcohol in one fell swoop.
Each drink spins us into random conversations, our laughter bouncing together like Ping-Pong balls. Time slips away, and the quiet streets outside are an obvious sign we’ve been here for hours.
“I think you missed your date,” I say, warm from the liquor in my bloodstream.
I sit on the bar top in front of Nico. His arms are closed around me. His abs press against my bare knees.
“It’s fine. I’ll call her later.” He smiles nonchalantly, and I mirror his expression, enjoying the relief cloaking my limbs.
Droplets of time collapse around us like the dusting of spring rain.
We watch each other, peering through a silent stretch as if we’re both looking for something.
Something we can’t have.
“Well, I better close up for the night and head home. Gotta figure out my life and all.” I use my palms to press off the bar, and just as my feet hit the ground, I stumble into Nico’s firm frame. “Oh.”
One of his tattooed arms wraps around my waist, steadying me.
“I got you.”
