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“Do I like it?” Her eyes dance between me and the tickets in her hand. “Nathan, these … these are too much.”
I shake my head, knowing she would say this. “Don’t worry about that. Please. I wanted to do this. Besides, long story short, I haven’t had a chance to tell you, but my mom had purchased a plane ticket for me for my birthday to go on a trip to Australia with some friends.” I pause, not wanting to say the asshole’s name in case it ruins the moment, then continue. “Well, I called my mom earlier today and told her the trip had been canceled, hoping she could get a refund. But unfortunately, the plane ticket was nonrefundable, so I came up with this idea, which my mom thought would be a much better trip anyway. I’m pretty sure she likes you more than me.” I laugh. “Anyways, the airline let me use the credit toward the two tickets, and I made up the difference.”
“But Nathan—”
“Remember that night at the common?” I cut in.
“Yes,” she responds with a slight smile. “How could I forget?”
“Well, do you remember how I asked you ‘where is the one place in this whole world you would want to go?’”
She nods her head.
“The way you looked when you told me how you’ve always wanted to go to Paris, well, I knew, at that moment, I had to make that dream come true for you.” I cup her cheek in the palm of my hand, looking down into a pair of wonder-struck eyes. “So, please, let me take you to Paris.”
“I just can’t believe you did this for me.” Her eyes glaze over the tickets in her hand before landing back on me. “No one has ever done something this romantic for me before.”
“I would do anything for you, Natalie.” I take the envelope from her hands and place it on the nightstand. Bracing her face, I gently brush my lips against hers.
“Nathan?”
“Yes?”
“Take me to bed,” she says softly against my lips.
Our lips meet fervently, devouring each other, finding it impossible to get enough. My hands slide down from her face to the back of her thighs, where I grip her, picking her up with no effort. Her legs wrap tightly around me as her hands tug my hair, demanding more of me. I take a couple of steps to her bed and place her right on top of her rose-petal-covered comforter, breaking the kiss to look down at Natalie, wishing I had a camera to capture the most beautiful sight I have ever seen.
* * *
“I can’t believe we are going to Paris,” Natalie ponders as she stares out the passenger window. Her mind is clearly far away from here, envisioning us walking through the streets of France hand in hand or maybe having sex on every surface of our hotel room that will overlook the Eiffel Tower.
Of course, I’m a guy, so that’s what I had been thinking about.
“Well, we still have some time left until winter break starts, but it gives us something to look forward to.” I bring her hand to my mouth and place a tender kiss on the back of it.
We left Natalie’s house pretty early since we have to make it back to Boston in time for our classes, plus my nighttime shift at the yacht club. And also because when I stepped outside and felt the first real chill of the year, I knew I needed to stop by my mom’s house to pick up some of my winter clothes.
Honestly, I’m surprised it hasn’t snowed yet.
Jason seemed pretty bummed to see Natalie leaving, but we promised to be back next weekend for a family birthday dinner for her. I think it put his mind at ease, knowing she would be back in just a few days. But he also has nothing to worry about because I plan on keeping Natalie safe by my side.
Pulling into the driveway at my mom’s house, I’m surprised to see the front door cracked open. “That’s odd.” I look around to see if anyone’s car is nearby, but I don’t see anything. However, just as I put my hand on the door handle, Natalie stops me.
“Nathan,” her eyes narrow as she scans my house, “something doesn’t feel right. Maybe you should call the police to check it out before you go inside?”
“It’s fine. I’m sure Nick just didn’t shut the door hard enough the last time he was here or something.” I place my hand under her chin and kiss her soft lips. “I’ll be right back.” I put my hand back on the door handle but then turn back to her. “I love you,” I say, which causes her to smile immediately.
“I love you,” she responds before grabbing my face and planting a light kiss on my lips. “Hurry back.”
As I walk up to the house, a blast of cold air whips at me, causing me to zip up my coat before pushing the front door fully open and slowly entering.
It’s unnervingly quiet in here.
“Hello?” I ask, waiting for a response. But I hear and see nothing out of the ordinary, so I close the door behind me and head to the stairs. My foot lands on the first step when I hear a familiar rough voice.
“I knew you would come back sooner or later.”
My body paralyzes in fear, and my pulse begins to beat wildly. I turn my head slightly and see my father sitting in a small chair in the living room, staring at me with a crooked smile that sends chills down my body.
