"Coffee?" he asks.
"God, yes. Please." He laughs and pours me a cup, adding just the right amount of creamer and sugar and my eyebrows climb into my hairline. "How did you know how I take my coffee?"
"I pay attention." He shrugs, hands me the mug and turns back to the stove.
What else does he know?
"Can I help?" I ask and take a sip of coffee. Mmm… perfect. I could get used to this.
"It's just about done. Egg-white omelet okay with you?" he asks.
"Perfect. You'll work the bacon off in the gym when I kick your ass today." I put my sassy smile on and lean against the counter, sipping my coffee.
"I look forward to it, baby," he grins back at me and winks. We settle in at the breakfast bar and dig in.
"Mmm… good," I mumble around the food in my mouth.
He grins down at me and digs into his own plate. We eat in companionable silence, then I hop up and clear our dirty dishes, and load them into the dishwasher. I turn around and Nate's watching me, his chin resting in his palm.
"What?" I ask.
"I could have done that."
"You cooked. I don't mind." I shrug and lean back against the sink.
"You look good in my kitchen."
"It's a sexy kitchen," I murmur and grin.
"So I've recently been told by a very sexy woman."
Oh, flirty Nate is fun!
"Really? Do I know her?"
"I think so. She has gorgeous long blonde hair, the bluest eyes I've ever seen, and a killer body." His eyes soften on mine and he continues. "And she is so smart, funny as hell, and a very loyal friend. Oh, and her work ethic is infuriatingly solid."
Wow. What the hell do I say to that? I blink at him and open my mouth, then close it again. I cross my arms over my chest and look down.
"Look at me," he whispers, and I raise my eyes to his. "Whether you believe it or not, Julianne, you are a very special woman, and I'm thankful that you're here."
"I think you're special too," I whisper and offer him a smile.
"Come on," he climbs off his stool and holds a hand out for me to join him. "Let's go to the gym before I strip us both naked and we spend the day in my bed."
***
"Do you have a leather jacket?" Nate asks me as we ride down the elevator to the garage.
"No," I respond.
"We're going to have to get you one." The elevator stops and we walk out. Why? I'm wearing my black yoga pants, a tight sports bra and fitted black tank, and because it's spring and still cool in Seattle, a denim jacket. Nate is in long work out pants, a black sleeveless muscle shirt, and a black leather jacket. He has a folded black bandana wrapped around his head, keeping his hair out of his face. I spot his shiny black Mercedes and my little red Lexus.
"Do you want to take my car or yours?" I ask.
"Neither." He responds and keeps walking. He stops next to a sleek, black motorcycle. It's long and lean, with chrome tires and handlebars.
"This is yours?" I ask, my eyes wide.
"She is," he offers me a wolfish grin. "You'll need leather so we can ride her often."
"It's not summer yet," I respond, backing up a bit.
"It's not raining today. We'll be fine." He eyes me and sees my apprehension. "If you'd rather not, we can take my car."
He looks so hopeful, how can I say no?
"No, it's fine. I've never ridden on one before."
"Well, I'm glad I'll be your first, Miss Montgomery." He swings a leg over the seat and settles in, pulling the bike upright and clicking back the kick-stand. He holds his hand out to me to help me on.
"What about my purse?" I ask.
"Oh, here," he opens a satchel on the side and I slip my bag down in it, then climb on behind him. The seat is surprisingly comfortable. He passes me a black helmet and helps me secure it before fastening his own. "Hold on to me, around my waist. Lean in to the turns. Just sit back and enjoy the view, Julianne. I've got you." He kisses me briefly, and my belly tightens.
Fuck, he's hot. All these new sides of him that I'm learning are so damn fun and sexy. And so unexpected!
He revs the engine and backs us out of the parking space, and then we're flying out of the garage and onto Sixth Avenue. I squeal and wrap my arms around him tightly, smiling wide. What an adrenaline rush! I feel the rumble of his laugh.
against my cheek as I hug up against him and watch the people on the sidewalk fly by. The wind is cool, but it feels so good against my cheeks.
Nate swerves into a parking lot not far from his apartment building, and I can't help but be disappointed that the ride wasn't longer. He parks and I climb off, smiling at him.
"How was that?" he asks, taking off his helmet.
"So fun!" I respond and remove my own helmet, hand it to him, then secure my pony tail. "I'm shopping for a leather jacket this week."
He laughs and climbs off, retrieves my handbag out of the satchel for me, and leans down to kiss me.
"I'm glad you liked it. Come on, if memory serves, you think you can kick my ass." He leads me toward a non-descript building. It looks pretty new, but there are no signs on it, and a passer-by would just assume it's some kind of warehouse.
"Where are we?" I ask.