“Okay.” She let him kiss her cheek again and then he was away, striding down the street on long, lean legs with a bounce in his step. Chuckling, Elise went into the building and headed upstairs to bed with her cheeks aching from smiling too much.
She slept late the following morning and spent most of the day in her pyjamas going over the files for the men she referred to in her head as ‘the projects’. There wasn’t much detail on them and she could totally understand why none of them had been particularly successful at internet dating. Their profiles were so bland you could have wallpapered with them. She had to be honest and admit that if she had seen them on a dating site she probably wouldn’t have contacted them. It was actually quite depressing. Somehow she had to turn this around and make them desirable, or at the very least interesting. Starting back from the beginning she put them in the order she wanted to deal with them and then started calling to make arrangements to meet.
She met Nathan at the station at six o’clock as promised and the moment he saw her his face lit up in a way that made her stomach fill with butterflies. She couldn’t believe her luck bumping into him on the first day in the city. It was enough to make her believe that everything happened for a reason and sometimes things are just meant to be.
They started making their way towards Wimbledon where his friends lived and Elise checked her outfit nervously. He had said not to dress up and he himself looked casual in jeans and yet another band top but she had wanted to make a good impression and was wearing a cute sweater with her jeans.
“Stop worrying, you look beautiful.” He said as they flew past another station in a blur of bright lights and faces.
She snorted. “Not sure about beautiful but thanks for the sentiment. Do they know I’m coming?”
“Yeah I called this morning.” He grinned. “They’re looking forward to meeting you but my brother will be there so don’t be surprised if he teases you.”
“Thanks for the warning.” She swatted his arm playfully. “I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“I know you will be. Just give as good as you get.” He winked at her and took her hand as they left the train, leading her up the steps and out into the sunlight. “This way, it’s not far.” The house was only a five minute walk from the station and the front door was open. Nathan squeezed her hand reassuringly and led her up the front steps straight into the house. “Hello?” He called loudly.
“We’re out back!” Yelled a female voice and Nathan led Elise through a hallway and a kitchen and back out into the sunshine into a fairly small garden that seemed to be crammed with people. There was a flurry of fist-bumping, arm clasping and laughing and then Elise wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole as everyone stepped back and stared curiously at her.
“So this is library girl.” It had to be Nathan’s brother – they had the same hair and eyes.
“And this must be Nathan’s brother.” She stuck her hand out, smiling. “Elise.”
“Harry. Nice to meet you.” He shook her hand and she realised he also had Nathan’s dazzling smile. “Did he really pick you up at the library?”
“He didn’t pick me up.” Elise winked at Nathan. “He came to my rescue like a knight in shining armour. I was the damsel in distress. It was my first day and I didn’t know anyone.”
“That’s my boy.” Harry bumped knuckles with Nathan and then put his arm around Elise, scooping her away from his brother. “Come with me and I’ll introduce you round.”
Nathan had been right – his friends were great and the food was delicious. By the time they staggered out in the direction of the bar she already had four new numbers in her mobile memory and plans to meet up with the girls for coffee on Sunday afternoon. She was practically floating down the street, semi-convinced that if Nathan wasn’t holding her hand she might have taken off.
“So, you and my brother an item?” Harry said in her ear under the music as Nathan headed for the bar and Elise shrugged, blushing.
“I only met him the day before yesterday!” She protested. “Give us some time!”
“Tell me he’s at least made his intentions clear?” He sounded mocking and Elise swatted him.
“He’s been a perfect gentleman. Which is more than I can say for you.”
“Hey!” He looked wounded but the twinkle in his eyes gave him away. “I just want to know if I stand a chance! If he’s claimed dibs then I’ll back off but if you’re just friends I’d like to take you out some time.”
“Oh that’s low!” Nathan’s friend Amanda had overheard and butted in. “You wait ‘til your little brother’s buying you a drink and then you try and steal his girl?”
“I ain’t stealing anything!” Harry laughed. “I was just clarifying the situation!”
“What situation?” Nathan was back from the bar and Elise went bright red when everyone laughed.
“Harry was putting the moves on your girl.” Amanda declared.
“I wasn’t!” Harry protested. “I was just finding out if she is your girl. I wasn’t sure. Is she your girl?”
Nathan blinked. “Uh...Hold on.” He held up a finger and then vanished into the crowd.
“Where’s he going?” Harry was just as bemused as everyone else but Amanda stood on her chair and scanned the crowd.
“He’s talking to the DJ!” She yelled down to the table.
“Oh no.” Elise put her head into her hands. Talking to the DJ could only mean bad things. Very public bad things.
The song came to an end and the DJ flicked on his mic. “Well tonight ladies and gentleman we have a special request, especially for the girl in the cute red sweater at that table over there.” Everyone scanned the table and Elise shrank low in her seat as the group burst out laughing. “I think you’ll give the guy a round of applause for this inspired choice of track.”
There was a base guitar line and then a very distinctive guitar riff before the lyrics started and Amanda creased, clearly recognising the song. “Oh my God, I have GOT to film this!” She hauled her phone out of her bag and pointed it at the crowd, scanning for Nathan. And then he appeared. Elise laughed so much she thought her sides were going to cave in. He was rocking out old school as he came in her general direction, cosied right up to her and yelled along with the lyrics:
“...big black boots and her long brown hair...” he flicked her hair with a wink “...she’s so cute with that GET BACK STARE!” He flung himself away dramatically as the crowd whistled and cheered. “Now I can see you home with me, but you were with another maaaaaan yeah!” He pointed at Harry and the crowd obediently booed and gestured. “I know we ain’t got much to say before I let you get away yeah! I said are you gonna be my girl?” He held his hand out, beckoning her to come to him and, despite herself, Elise got up and took it. He pulled her in right close and sang the next lyrics. “I said one two three take my hand and come with me because you look so fine that I really want to make you mine. I said you look so fine that I really wanna make you mine.” He pulled her back towards the dance floor and Elise was giggling so much she could barely keep upright.
“You’re crazy!” She called over the music as the crowd pressed in around them cheering along and dancing to the music.
“Just dance with me!” He called back. And so she did.
They caught the last train home, still giggling as they left their friends in Wimbledon, hugging every last one of them thoroughly.
“That was so much fun!” Elise laughed as they arrived at the door to her apartment building. “Thank you so much!”
“For what? Taking you out?” He grinned at her.
“For everything! For introducing me to people, for taking me out, for that crazy-ass stunt you pulled at the club...all of it.”
“Well, it seemed kind of appropriate at the time.” He chuckled. “I’m never going to listen to that track in the same way again.”
“Me either. And you are one hell of a dancer!” She did a little shimmy up against him. “The geek got mo
ooooves.”
“I like to dance.” He shrugged. “Maybe we should go to a class or something. I bet you’d do an excellent tango.” He pulled her into hold and marched her halfway down the street and back as she howled with laughter and tried not to trip over her feet.
“Oh my god, stop!” She panted as they got to the door again and he did a head flick. “My sides hurt!”
“I’m sorry.” He wasn’t really and they both knew it but he obediently dropped her arms and placed his hands on her hips, gently massaging her sides.
“You’re kind of tall.” Elise looked up at him and he grinned.
“You’re not. You’re tiny and perfectly formed.” He leaned down and kissed her tentatively on the mouth. “Is this okay?” He whispered and she smiled against his lips.
“It’s better than okay.”
He kissed her again, this time with a fierceness that took her breath away and left her legs wobbling, his tongue dancing with hers as her fingers tangled in his hair.
“Do you want to come up?” She whispered shyly when he released her and his eyes went liquid with want.
“I’d better not.” His voice was ragged. “I have a three date rule.”
“Technically we did coffee and dinner yesterday.” She pointed out. “Plus tonight that makes three.”
“That’s cheating.” He kissed her again and then rested his forehead against hers. “Right now we’re both high on life and we’ve had a few drinks. I really don’t want to mess this up and do something either of us regrets.”
“Then come for dinner tomorrow.” She suggested. “I have to go into the office in the afternoon for an hour or so but I’ll stop at the shop on the way home and get something to cook for us.”
“Excellent plan.” He sighed. “God I really hope you still feel like this tomorrow.”
“I’m pretty sure I will.” She cupped his cheeks in her palms and kissed him gently. “I’ll look forward to it.”
“Good.” He groaned and pulled himself away from her. “I have to go before I change my mind and haul you upstairs like some sort of caveman. Sleep well and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“You too.” She blew him a kiss and bounced through the door of the apartment building, too excited to wait for the lift and bounding up the stairs two at a time. It had been one of the best nights of her life.
Chapter 4
The following afternoon Elise stopped by the office and let them give her a make-over for the picture that would go in her byline. She felt awkward posing for it but when they brought the pictures up on the screen they didn’t look too gawky and when they inserted the best one into the page layout they had planned for the feature it was hardly noticeable. They described where the words and pictures were going to go, both in the magazine and on the site, and they also showed her the layouts they had been designing for her blog. For the first time Elise began to get a sense that this was all real and it was quite a daunting prospect but they assured her that she would do just fine and eventually she left the office feeling a little more confident.
The sun just about blinded her as she headed into the street and she didn’t shade her eyes quickly enough to see the man she walked into.
“Fuck! I’m so sorry!” She winced and shielded her eyes to look up. “Oh! Hi Taylor! How are you?” She knew she was grinning warmly but he didn’t look particularly happy to see her.
“Elise.” He greeted coolly. “This is turning into a habit, you swearing at me.”
She flushed beet red. “I’m so sorry. At least this time I won’t break anything or accuse you of sneaking up on me. I was blinded by the sun. Did I hurt you?”
“Not at all. Enjoy your afternoon.” And just like that he was gone, sweeping past her with his entourage of beautiful people. Elise felt about an inch tall. Something had happened in between now and the last time they met that had really pissed him off but she was damned if she knew what it was. Shaking it off she reminded herself of the night ahead and headed for the shops leaving thoughts of Taylor behind her.
By the time the buzzer went on her apartment door she was almost finished making the lasagne. “Come on up.” She said into the phone, pressing the lock. “The door is open.” She propped the door of the apartment open and went back to the kitchen to start on the salad.
“You can tell you don’t live in the city!” Nathan told her reprovingly from behind a giant bunch of flowers. “You didn’t wait for me to say hi before you opened the door. I could have been a murderer.”
“I haven’t been here long enough to upset anyone.” She grinned, accepting the flowers and searching for a vase. Giving up she propped them in a jug she found in a cupboard. “I know it’s not very classy. I’ll buy a vase tomorrow if I don’t find one somewhere. They’re beautiful, thank you.”
“No problem.” He kissed her cheek and she inhaled his warm scent.
“You smell really good.” She stepped back. “You’re looking pretty fine too.” And she meant it. Some guys could rock a leather jacket and Nathan was clearly one of them. “Let me take your coat – there’s a cupboard in the hall.” He let her take it and when she returned he was leaning up against the worktop.
“Dinner smells great.” He smiled. “Are we having lasagne?”
“Yes it’s in the oven. Is that okay?”
“It’s my favourite.” He patted his tummy. “Especially when it’s homemade.”
“No jars in my kitchen!” Elise laughed. “How was work?”
“Awful.” He grimaced and she gasped.
“Really? Oh no! What happened?”
“It wasn’t really awful.” He chuckled. “I was just angling for a hug.” He held his arms out and she stepped into them, laughing.
“You could have just asked.” She grumbled jokingly. “I really thought you’d had a bad day.”
“I’m sorry. Next time I’ll just ask. Or I’ll sneak up on you and steal one before you realise that’s where I’m headed.”
“Stealth hugs huh?” She leaned up against the full length of him as his arms closed around her. “I think I can live with that.”
“Good.” They stood in comfortable silence for a moment or two and then Elise sighed.
“I should get the salad ready.” She tried to push away but he tightened his arms.
“Nope. By my calculations I’ve spent a whole 19 hours away from you so I don’t think we’ve done nearly enough cuddling yet.” He joked. “How long before the lasagne comes out?”
“Um, about twenty-five minutes.” She was too amused to be cross.
“Then we have a whole fifteen minutes to cuddle in and I’ll help you make the salad.” He declared and Elise relaxed back into him.
“Fine. But if it’s burnt it’s totally your fault.”
“I will accept that responsibility.” He planted a kiss on her forehead. “How was your day?”
“It was okay. Having my photo done was awkward but they showed me what the site is going to look like and it’s pretty cool.”
“That’s good.” He shifted slightly, settling comfortably against the granite. “So, about last night...”
Elise snuggled into his chest. “I hope you’re about to tell me that you still feel that way without being under the influence...?”
He relaxed almost imperceptibly. “Yeah, I do. Do you?”
“Definitely. I kinda like you Nathan Redwood.”
She could sense him grinning. “Just ‘kinda’?”
“Well it’s part like, part lust and part butterflies. It all amounts to like with a little...” she searched for the word “...torque?”
“Excellent. Because I’ve been dying to do this since I walked through the door.” He tilted her chin and leaned down to kiss her, gently at first and then with a breathless urgency as she responded.
They spent most of Saturday in the bedroom fooling around and catching up on sleep, watching movies together and eating too much ice cream. Elise couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed so muc
h. She’d perched on a chair with her guitar and sung to him until he thought his heart was going to burst. By the time Sunday came around neither of them particularly wanted to go out and face the real world but they were running low on food and Elise had promised the girls she’d meet up with them. She couldn’t rely on Nathan to fill her world. She needed friends. In the end they agreed she would go for coffee and he would go to the shop. He had to stop at home to get clean clothes so he’d pick her up on the way back to hers and they’d cook a Sunday roast together.
Like most good plans it didn’t stick to schedule. Elise and the girls had so much fun in town that by the time Nathan arrived they persuaded him to stay and ordered another round of coffees and before they knew what was happening all the girls had been invited back for dinner as well. Elise was torn between wishing she and Nathan were alone and being overjoyed that the huge echoing apartment was full of laughter and warmth and home cooking smells.
In the end she went to bed with a smile on her face and a man in her arms, feeling that all was right with the world.
On Monday morning Nathan woke her with a cup of coffee and a kiss before he rushed out to work and she drank it in bed feeling very pleased with herself. At 9 o’clock she got up and had a shower and by half ten she was at her desk ready to face the world. She’d decided to blog on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and they had to have it by 3pm at the latest on that day so that it could go through the editing process before being posted online at 7pm.
Tomorrow I am going to meet the first of my ‘projects’. His name is Mark and I know absolutely nothing about him other than that he likes watching rugby and lives in London. His photo is very quirky and interesting but doesn’t actually show him. I’m not sure if he’s trying to be an enigma or if he really doesn’t have a clue that women would find this off-putting.
I find I’m quite nervous about this whole concept. What if I meet him and discover that there is absolutely nothing likeable about him? I’ll be like the marketing people that put labels on blueberries. (Bossy voice: Come on guys!! It’s a super-food!! It HAS to have more than one instruction!! Minion voice: I have an idea boss! Let’s tell people they need to eat them at room temperature because it improves the flavour! No-one will ever know...). Will I find myself drowning in a sea of fibs by omission in an attempt to make him look good or will he turn out to have some hidden desirable feature? Like being a superhero. Or rescuing kittens. Or running a charity for kids that have nothing. Would it be weird to ask him to take his shirt off so I can a) check if he’s wearing a spandex bodysuit underneath, or b) try and picture a kitten snuggled up to his pectoral?
Summer Loving Page 5
