19
"You said the only problem with roller coasters was that they made you nauseous, right?" Nathan asked.
"Does this have something to do with why you kidnapped me after work, made me put on a blindfold and drove me halfway across the city?"
"It might," he said in a sing-song voice.
"And here I thought you were up to something kinky."
"Don't tempt me." I felt his hand on my upper thigh, squeezing and kneading. "So. Rollercoasters? You're okay to go on them, even with your heart defect?"
"The doctors gave me the all clear years ago," I told him. "I just avoid them now because they make me feel like puking."
"Problem solved."
Nathan pulled off my blindfold with a grin. I blinked as bright lights filled my vision. He thrust a little cardboard box in my face before I could process where we were. I took it from him and skimmed the wording on the packaging.
"Immediate motion sickness relief," I read out loud. I looked up and registered what was outside the car window.
We were at a small, local amusement park. Nothing big, just a few carnival games and rides, but in the middle of the entire affair was a tall, twisty dragon-themed roller coaster.
I looked to Nathan. "Did you…?"
"I told the pharmacist I was looking for something for a friend who gets sick on roller coasters. She recommended this." Nathan nodded to the box in my hand. "It's a little patch you put behind your ear. I don't know how it works, but it's supposed to be the good stuff." Nathan had a hopeful little smile on his face.
I had no idea how anyone could ever think this man was anything other than genuine, thoughtful and sweet.
"You up for it?" Nathan asked. "I know I kind of sprung this on you."
"I'm so up for it," I told him. "I haven't been on a roller coaster in years. The last time I went on one, I spent hours moaning and retching into a wastebasket."
"How pleasant." He grinned at me and held out his hand. "Shall we?"
The line up to get tickets was long, but before I could get in the queue, Nathan surprised me by shaking his head.
"I've already got tickets." He held up a handful he'd grabbed from his pocket. "I came here earlier while you were at work and bought some so we wouldn't have to wait."
My heart melted a little in my chest.
"Is there anything you haven't already thought of?" I asked.
"Well, I was going to smuggle in some booze in a water bottle, but I figured I should play it on the safe side."
I laughed and hugged his arm. He put it around my waist, pulling me close. I snuggled down into his side.
The line up for the dragon coaster wasn't that long. It was a weeknight, which meant fewer park patrons.
When the ride operator motioned for us to get on, I hesitated a moment. My doctors said roller coasters were now fine, but who could ever really know for sure?
"You okay?" Nathan murmured. "We don't have to if you don't want to."
I gathered myself and took a step onto the ride, seating myself on the wooden bench. I patted the space next to me. Nathan scooted in and put his arm back around me.
The ride jolted forward. I gripped the bar in front of me with a tight, white-knuckled grip.
"If I end up throwing up anyway, it's all on you," I told him. "You'll have to be the one taking care of me and listening to me moan and puke all night."
He pressed a hand to his heart. "I swear, if you start reenactingThe Exorcist, I'll be there to hold your hair back and fetch you water."
