“I wasn’t always one,” I admit. “I must have caught it from Pippa.”
Nate surveys me. “Nah, you always were. You just didn’t know it.”
“But you did?”
He nods with determination, and I imagine this is how a judge acts when declaring a case closed.
“You’re not the only one who was watching closely for years, Alice. I’ve watched you too.”
“Yeah?” I’m ridiculously pleased, so I lift my coffee cup to my lips, hiding my grin behind it.
“Yep.”
“Then why did you act so surprised at my five-date rule?”
He gives a fake and exaggerated shudder, as if the words alone frighten him. “Because it’s cruel! But I’m so glad you mentioned the topic.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. This should count as our second date.”
“That’s your comeback after telling me I’m a romantic?”
“I’m being practical. We’re going to spend the next few hours alone in this car. Better make them count.”
“Don’t expect me to swoon over your offer anytime soon.” Sipping from my coffee, I brainstorm ways to punish him for the next three hours. Luckily, the caffeine boost is kicking in, and my neurons are really starting to wake up. It’s a few seconds before I realize he’s unnaturally quiet.
“What’s with the silence?” I ask suspiciously.
“I’m waiting for that second coffee to kick in so you can feel the full effect of my charms. I can make you swoon.” He leans slightly toward me but keeps his eyes on the road. I have a hunch he plans on whispering the next part, and I want to hear him over the music blaring from the sound system, so I lean into him too until our shoulders touch.
“I can also make you writhe, and scream.”
Oh. I press my thighs together.
“I can make you come.” The word tumbles out of his mouth with too much sensuality. “Take your pick.”
Licking my lips, I decide to stick to my guns. “You still have some work to do on the swooning part, Becker. I suggest you start by making me laugh.”
Chapter Thirteen
Alice
By the time we pull up in front of the hotel, my abdominal muscles hurt from so much laughing. We talked about every single shenanigan we pulled as kids, and damn it felt good. Our hotel is conveniently located about fifteen minutes away from the Joshua Tree National Park. It’s four stories, painted in shades of dark orange and warm brown. The temperature is sinfully hot. Not the best for rock climbing, or anything other than lying in the sun.
“Can you have my luggage taken upstairs?” Nate asks the receptionist after we check in. “I’m meeting my team in a few minutes, and I don’t have time to do it.”
“Of course,” she assures him. “Ms. Bennett, we can take your bag to your room as well.”
“Thanks, but it’s small, and I’m heading there anyway.” I try not to think very hard about both our rooms being on the fourth floor.
Turning to me, Nate says, “The hiking tour Daniel planned for my team starts in two hours.”
I nod. “Yeah.” Blake, Summer, and I are going with Daniel on our climbing adventure before. Daniel said he chose one of the shorter routes. Short but exactly what he’s looking for. Nate and his team will meet us there, and Nate will try his hand at climbing before the hike with his team.
“Can’t wait to see you climbing,” he says with a smirk.
“Hey! I am very sporty. I run three times a week.” On straight ground, solid concrete, or the treadmill.