“Hey, I’m glad you found a spot.” Anthony comes over with the food. He’s wearing mirrored aviator sunglasses and is so hot that if he stepped near a canister of gasoline she’s certain it would explode.
“You look straight out of Top Gun with those sunglasses,” she teases. “Maybe I should start calling you Moondoggie.”
He takes a seat. “Except the character you’re thinking of was named Maverick, not Moondoggie.”
Natalie takes a sip from her soda. “I don’t think so.”
“Yeah, it’s Maverick. The other guys were Iceman and Goose.” He puts a basket of food in front of her and then one in front of himself.
“No, it’s definitely Moondoggie. I can’t remember the other characters’ names.”
Anthony tears open a couple of mayonnaise packets and squirts them near his fries. “You’re seriously going to argue that Moondoggie was Tom Cruise’s character in Top Gun?”
“Yes, because I’m pretty sure I’m right.”
“And I’m one hundred percent sure you’re wrong.”
Natalie tries to control her grin. She knows the character’s name was Maverick, but it’s fun to get a rise out of Anthony.
“Well, I prefer Moondoggie,” she tells him. “It’s far more poetic, especially for an astronomer.”
Anthony opens his mouth, but then closes it. He starts to chuckle. “You’re shining me on, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am, Moondoggie.”
He shakes his head. “What am I going to do with you?” He looks at her though she can’t see his eyes behind the sunglasses. “Keep this up and I might have to bend you over my knee, Miss Natalie.”
She nearly chokes on a french fry. The images flooding her mind are overwhelming and she can’t decide if she’s repelled or titillated.
He smirks. “I can see I’ve finally left you speechless.”
Natalie nibbles her fish and watches as Anthony eats his fries. “Do you always eat french fries with mayo?”
“Yeah, this is how I grew up eating them.”
“Is it gross?”
Anthony laughs. “No, it’s not gross. In Italy, when you buy french fries, they come wrapped in a paper cone, and you eat them with mayonnaise on the side.”
“Really? Can I taste one?”
“Sure.”
Natalie takes one of Anthony’s fries and dips it into the mayo. She eats it tentatively.
“What do you think?”
“It’s good. It sort of reminds me of potato salad.” She tries another one and has to admit they’re delicious. “So you’re Italian for real, huh?”
“Yeah, my parents are both Italian, though my dad grew up in the States.”
“And you’ve spent time in Italy?”
He nods. “As a kid, I spent most summers visiting my grandparents in Rome.”
It sounds wildly adventurous to Natalie, who’s never even been to Europe. Peter wanted to go years ago but she thought it was too extravagant. She’s come to realize that was a mistake on her part.
“What about you?” he asks. “Are you a native Northwesterner?”
“No, but I’ve lived here for years.”
“Where did you grow up?”
She picks up her soda and plays with the straw. “All over, but mostly Nevada.”
“Did your parents work for the government or something?”
Natalie snorts. That certainly would have been something. “Not hardly, my father was a professional gambler.”
Anthony stops eating. “Really?” Then he laughs and shakes his head. “You’re shining me on again.”
“It’s true. My dad played professional poker. He even won the World Series Main Event.”
Anthony takes this in, studying her. “That would explain your odd question—about whether I’ve ever counted cards.”
Natalie is embarrassed she asked him that. Ironically, between his good looks, charm, and facility with numbers, her father would have approved of Anthony. And I’d do well to remember that.
“So do you gamble, too?” he asks.
“No, never.” People used to assume she gambled, but Natalie never wastes money like that. “I play cards for fun sometimes, but that’s it. People always think being around poker players sounds glamorous, but trust me—it wasn’t. At least not for my family.”
Anthony takes a drink from his Coke and studies her. There’s something about the way he’s doing it. Almost like he really gets it.
Natalie dabs her mouth with a napkin and sets her finished basket of food aside. “Anyway, traveling to Rome every summer sounds way more interesting.” She leans forward. “Maybe I should insist that you speak Italian to me.”
“But you wouldn’t understand anything.”
“It’s the language of romance though, isn’t it?”
Anthony grins. “Sì, mia bella signora.”
Natalie swallows. Oh. My. God.
After eating lunch, they walk along the pier and when Anthony sees a sign advertising “Shrunken Heads Inside” at Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, he points at it.
“I think it’s our duty to check this out—what do you say?”
“Shrunken heads? They’re on the top of my disgusting things I’ve always wanted to see list.”
“Me, too, what a coincidence!” His brows rise with amusement.
They venture into the shop, which is a hodge-podge of postcards, books, and Native American knickknacks. They wander a bit and discover a wall of peculiarities clustered in the back of the store. The whole place smells musty with a tinge of sea air and they’re the only people checking the place out. They peruse the selection of oddities. Various petrified and jarred animals are on display, along with other strange items. Including said shrunken heads.
“So, Professor Novello, what’s your opinion, are they real?” Natalie turns to him.
“The shrunken heads?”
“Any of it.” She waves her hand.
“Sure, it’s all real.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Real plastic.”
Natalie laughs. He’s discovered he loves to make her laugh. She really lets loose when she laughs.
“Do you think it’s plastic? Some of it does look real to me.”
“I agree the mummies are real. The other stuff is dubious, though.”
She nods, leaning forward to inspect a stuffed mermaid. “This is an odd place.”
He’s inclined to agree with her.
“Oh, wait, look over there.” Suddenly Natalie is pulling on his arm and he follows her over to a gypsy fortuneteller machine. “Let’s have our fortunes told. Do you have a quarter?”
Anthony digs into his front pocket for some change and holds his palm out to her.
As Natalie delicately sifts for a quarter, his eyes wander down. Underneath her jacket she’s wearing a shirt that’s tight enough for him to see her curves and yet only shows a small tantalizing peek of cleavage. He can’t tear his eyes away from that peek of skin, though. It feels as if he’s been staring at it all afternoon, trying to visualize what’s below.
“Are you sure you’re ready to hear what Madam Estrella has to say?” She looks up at him. Busted for staring at her chest, he quickly meets her eyes.
“Sure, hit me.”
“Maybe it’ll tell us if you’re going to win the Smyth Medal.”
“That would be something. I wouldn’t hold my breath, though.”
“I know! It’ll command you to lease us that space next door.”
Anthony nods. You have got to tell her the truth. He tries to ignore his feelings of guilt. I’ll tell her soon. It’s still hard for him to believe his first impression of Natalie was so off the mark, though he has to admit she is a bit of a ballbuster. After hearing a little about her childhood, though, he understands why she’s probably had to be that way. In truth, he admires her for it. He doubts she gives anyone her good opinion unless they deserve it.
Natalie puts the quarter into the machine and after some mi
nor theatrics with lights flashing, it spits out a small card. She picks it up and her eyes widen when she reads it.
“What does it say?” he asks curiously.
She hugs it close. “I’m keeping this one to myself.”
“Hey, you can’t do that. I paid good money for that fortune. Hand it over.”
“What makes you think it’s for you? I’m the one who put the money in.”
“And I’m the one who bankrolled it.”
It’s in her right hand, and when he playfully tries to grab it, she quickly puts it behind her back. “Too slow, Professor.”
“Now I definitely have to see what it says.”
Anthony tries to grab it again. She keeps thwarting him and before he knows it he has her pressed against the wall. He slips his arm around her, his hand closing over hers.
Natalie laughs, but there’s a breathless quality to it that’s going straight to his groin.
“Give it up, Miss Natalie.”
“Never!”
She squirms against him. Instead of relenting, he feels her hand tightening around the card even more. Little minx. And then he has an idea that might work.
“Dai,” he murmurs. “Fammi di averlo.” Come on, let me have it.
She meets his eyes and her expression changes. Those blue eyes darken and her amusement turns to something else entirely. When her mouth opens, Anthony can’t help himself, he leans in and kisses her.
At first she’s hesitant, but then gives in with a breathy moan. One of his hands immediately goes to grab her ass and pull her to him.
Damn.
They kiss enthusiastically and when Anthony feels her hand with the card inside loosen, he plucks it from her.
She breaks the kiss. “What are you doing?”
“I’m taking what’s mine.”
She tries to pull away, but he won’t let her and keeps her body firmly pressed into his.
Natalie gives him a saucy smile. “It’s not yours yet.”
And then to his surprise, she snatches the card right back from his hand. He looks down and sees her fist tighten around it.
“What are you going to do next?” he jokes. “Eat it?”
“If I have to.”
He lowers his voice. “Should I speak Italian again? It appears to be your kryptonite.”
Natalie laughs. “God help me, please don’t.”
He considers her and decides if she really wants to keep the fortune to herself this badly, he’ll let her.
“All right.” Anthony releases her. “Keep the card. But now you owe me.”
She puts the card in her coat pocket. “I don’t think so.”
“Yes, you do. And believe me, I plan to collect.”
Once they’re outside, they walk side by side along the pier, with Natalie occasionally meandering ahead of him. And being the pig he is, he can’t take his eyes off her body, especially her ass. It was dark at the star party last night, but in the light of day Natalie is luscious with an ass every bit as ample as her breasts. He remembers that she was a bit heavier when they first met, and that she’s obviously lost weight, but he prays to God she doesn’t lose any more. Women in the States always act like they can’t be skinny enough, and she’s perfect the way she is.
Natalie suddenly sees something in a shop window. “Wait a minute!” She stops walking and pulls on his arm.
“What?”
She doesn’t answer and instead leads him back to one of those shops that sell tourist souvenirs.
There are only a few people around and she goes straight for a T-shirt rack near the front window.
“Look! I have to get it for you.”
At first, he’s not sure what she’s talking about, but then he sees she’s pointing at a rack of Hulk T-shirts.
“Or do you have a whole closetful already?” Natalie seems to be having misgivings. “People probably give them to you all the time. Forget it. It’s a stupid idea.”
“No, wait.” He grabs her arm. “This is cool. And I swear I don’t own a single Hulk T-shirt.”
“Really? Because I think it’s perfect, being that you’re an expert on gamma radiation.”
“Long gamma-ray bursts,” he corrects her automatically, “but close enough.” He grins.
“What size do you wear?” She starts flipping through the shirts.
“Large.”
“How’s this?” She pulls out a black T-shirt, holds it in front of him.
Anthony looks down at it and nods, deciding he likes being the object of her good intentions for a change. “I approve.” The shirt has bold red lettering that says The Incredible Hulk and a green angry Hulk on the front.
“I think it should fit. I’m getting it for you. I can’t resist!”
“Okay, thanks.” Their eyes meet.
In truth, a lot of women have bought him gifts over the years, but Anthony finds he’s touched that Natalie wants to buy him something. While she’s up by the cashier, he wanders the shop a bit, wishing he could find something for her, too.
And just when he’s nearly given up, he sees the perfect thing.
“HOW DO I Look?” Anthony asks. He’d slipped into a public restroom and put on the Hulk T-shirt.
Good enough to eat. Natalie lets her eyes linger over his lean muscled torso. Even the shirt looks happy to be worn by him.
Never thought I’d envy a T-shirt.
“The shirt looks fantastic,” she says. “It’s a pity you’re so darn unattractive though.”
Anthony smirks, but doesn’t say anything.
Natalie reluctantly hands him back his motorcycle jacket. She was holding it for him while he went and changed and has been drowning in its delicious Anthony scent. At one point, she even held it up and stuck her face inside. Luckily, he was still changing and didn’t see her.
“How is it a woman who bakes such sweet things for a living never has anything sweet to say?”
Natalie shrugs with a helpless smile. “It’s just my way.”
He puts his jacket on while she holds the sales bag with his Star Wars T-shirt inside.
“Not that you deserve it, but I decided to get you a gift, too. I bought it when you were in the restroom earlier.”
Natalie looks up in surprise. “Really? You bought me something?”
“Yes, even though you’re cruel to me.”
“I . . .” She fumbles around for some kind of response. “What is it?”
“You’ll see, but you have to stand still and close your eyes.”
She does as he asks. There’s a rustling noise and then she senses Anthony standing directly in front of her. His hands gently tuck her hair behind her ears and then something slides in place, resting on her cheeks and nose.
“All right,” he says. “You can open them now.”
The world is shaded. Her hands reach up to touch the sunglasses on her face.
“Very nice.” He nods with approval as he takes her in. “I bought you some aviators. Now we can both look like the famous Moondoggie.”
Natalie squeals with delight. “You did? I have to see them!”
They head over to the nearest shop so she can examine her reflection in the glass. After checking herself out for a few seconds, she can’t help herself, she squeals again. “I love them!”
“Now you look just like the badass you are, Miss Natalie. Though, you might want to cut back on all that screaming.”
“Thank you,” she tells him. Suddenly, she feels shy. Natalie can’t remember the last time a man bought her a gift when it wasn’t her birthday. It feels like years—eons. There’s an ache in her chest and a deep longing she doesn’t want to examine too closely.
They’re both still looking at their reflections in the window when she gets on her tiptoes and kisses him on the cheek.
Anthony turns his face toward hers and slowly shakes his head. “No,” he says and points to his lips, “baciami qui.”
Her heart flutters as she puts her hands on his cheeks. They feel sc
ratchy under her fingers. Then she draws him toward her and kisses his mouth.
Afterward, he pulls his own aviators out from inside his jacket and puts them on too. “What do you say? Let’s both be badasses.”
Anthony takes her hand in his and Natalie tries to act casual about it. As usual, his hands are toasty warm. They continue their stroll along the pier and Natalie is as excited as a teenage girl on her first date with the cutest boy in school. She doesn’t even mind the way women stare at him anymore.
For once, I’m flying first class.
“Do you want to take a ride on the Ferris wheel?” He points toward the end of the pier where the large wheel is rising out of the water like a giant sea monster.
“Uh, okay.”
He glances at her. “We don’t have to.”
“I want to. It’ll be fun,” she says with forced enthusiasm. Hopefully, everything will be okay. Just stay calm, she tells herself. You can do it.
They walk down to the Ferris wheel, and after getting tickets, wait in line behind a group of tourists. She feels like a tourist herself. This whole day has been like an out-of-body experience.
Anthony takes his sunglasses off and puts them on top of his head. “Listen, my daughter’s coming over this weekend. That’s why I can’t go to your house for dinner on Friday.”
“Serena?”
He nods. “Just want to clear that up. I didn’t mean to give you the wrong impression earlier.”
“That’s okay. Why don’t you bring her along? My daughter, Chloe, will be there and she’s invited a few friends over.”
Anthony doesn’t say anything. He looks out in the distance toward the water. Pensive.
She studies his perfect features, trying to figure out why he would be so hesitant.
“I don’t typically introduce Serena to any of the women I date. It’s easier that way. No offense.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that.” Natalie reflects on what he’s saying. “I’m not offended. You sound like a protective father, that’s all.”
He lets out a breath and seems relieved. “I’m glad you understand. I’ve been divorced for a long time. I was a kid when we got married and it only lasted a couple of years. Nicole’s been remarried now for a while.”
Year of Living Blonde (Sweet Life in Seattle, Book 1) Page 21
