“That sounds good. I’ll get the same.”
Just as Nadine says that, our waitress arrives, ready to take our orders.
Once she leaves, I fold my arms on the table and lean in. “So, Nadine, this is your first time in Mexico?” I question, staring directly into those golden eyes.
Her head dips slightly. “Yes.”
“First time out of the country?”
She nods.
“And you decided to come by yourself. That takes some courage.”
She shrugs as if it were no big deal, but a tiny smile crests her rose-colored lips. She’s not wearing any makeup like she was the previous night, and yet, the dark brown skin of hers glows.
“I suppose,” she states.
I don’t miss the shifting she does in her chair. This topic makes her uncomfortable for some reason. And my first instinct is to wipe away the sadness I see appear in her eyes.
“Lucky for you, you bumped into me.”
She raises both eyebrows. “Is that so?”
I nod. “Oh yes, butterfly. I’m a shit ton of fun, and you don’t have to worry about getting hurt because, as I said earlier, I’m a—”
“Firefighter,” she finishes.
My grin widens. “You’re catching on. I like that.”
Our drinks of fresh squeezed watermelon and orange juice are brought out and placed in front of us. Sitting back in my seat, I watch asNadinetakes a sip of her watermelon juice. Her full, glossed lips look inviting as she swallows. I run my tongue along my own lower lip.
“What did you come to Cabo looking for?” I question, inching closer.
Her eyes narrow as if she doesn’t understand the question. “Looking for? Nothing.”
“Bullshit.”
She blinks.
“No woman goes on vacation by herself unless she’s looking for something.”
Setting her glass down, her gaze lowers for a heartbeat before she returns it to me. “We’ve already established that you don’t know me.”
I nod in concession. “I don’t know basic stuff like where you live, where you were born, etc. All of the unimportant things …” I lean in closer, drawing in even more of her attention. I carefully watch as the small vein in her neck quickens its pace. A result of my nearness, I’m certain. “But I do know that you came searching for something. You got on a plane, flew from wherever you live in the States, all by yourself, to rekindle something you’ve lost. Or at least, something youthinkyou’ve lost.”
She glances away, then toward something over my shoulder. A second later, our waitress is placing our plates of food in front of us. Though I don’t say anything, I continue to hold her in my gaze. And though she does her best to look everywhere but directly at me, I know she can feel the heat of my stare.
“How many days do you have left in Cabo, Nadine?” I question as soon as our waitress walks away.
“Three.”
“Give them to me.”
Those golden pupils of hers bulge at my request … no, not a request, a command. One I hadn’t intended on giving until the words left my mouth.
“Give them to you? What does that even mean?”
“It means, the women you were with have all gone, you didn’t come with anyone else, and I’m guessing you’re not expecting anyone else to be arriving. You’re free to spend your time as you please. Give me your time.”
