Page 35 of Incognito

Natasha stuck her tongue out. “I don’t need that sort of pressure. I’m just having fun with the guy, remember?”

“Uh-huh. Besides, you don’t need anyone’s stamp of approval. You’re fine just the way you are.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” Natasha grinned at Ella’s quick backtrack. “Being with Dante is fun and it’s been a long time since I’ve had any. So lighten up, will you?”

Appearing suitably chastised for all of two seconds, Ella took a few gulps of coffee, before murmuring, “The hot prince is taking big steps with you, babe. You’ll see.”

Natasha groaned and flung an empty sugar sachet and a scrunched napkin at her best friend, who ducked and laughed.

Ella had to be wrong. Dante introducing her to Gina and Paolo meant little. No big steps. Just a teeny-tiny one.

She couldn’t contemplate what it could mean if Ella was right.

No, Natasha would be safer sticking with her original theory. Dante needed her around as a pseudo-party planner, ensuring everything ran smoothly.

Besides, big steps led to big trampling, and she had no intention of getting caught underfoot of any guy ever again.

“This iswhy you wanted the gift delivered?”

Natasha cast a dubious glance at the gleaming motorcycle parked at the curb, its gleaming chrome in perfect contrast with the highly polished black paint.

Dante smiled and held out a helmet to her. “It’s the only way to travel,” he said, while she silently begged to differ. “Ever been on a motorbike before?”

She shook her head, not quite convinced she ever would. Though the bike seemed big it would be flimsy lined up against the cars, trucks, and SUVs on Melbourne’s busy roads.

“It’s easy,” he said. “Just hold on to me tight and you’ll be fine.”

Okay, he’d convinced her.

She may be afraid of big, mechanical things she couldn’t control, but the thought of being plastered against Dante’s back, with her arms wrapped tight around his waist, held a certain appeal.

Besides, what had happened to her ‘let’s have fun for now’ motto?

“Okay.” She slipped the helmet over her head, fiddling with the chin strap before Dante reached over and cinched it.

Her breath hitched as his fingers brushed the skin under her chin, the lightest of touches enough to send heat ripping through her body.

Her eyes closed involuntarily as she savoured the unusual sensation, the purely visceral reaction of a strong, uncontrollable attraction. She’d never experienced anything like it and it was heady stuff.

Dante touched her arm. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay? We can always take a cab.”

Natasha opened her eyes, her gaze connecting with Dante’s concerned one. “I’ll be fine. I haven’t had much to eat today, and just felt woozy for a second.”

She tried not to cringe at how pathetic she sounded but thankfully, he bought her spur of the moment excuse.

“Gina has catered enough food to feed the entire population of Calida, so we’ll get you something to eat when we arrive. Is that soon enough or would you prefer a quick snack before we go?”

“I’m fine, really,” she said, feeling increasingly guilty and finding it difficult not to laugh.

She’d told him she was hungry. Unfortunately, it wasn’t for food, and she wondered what he’d think if he knew he was the tastiest dish on her menu right now.

“Are you absolutely sure?”

She nodded and clambered aboard before she changed her mind. “I’m sure.”

Dante didn’t move, grinning at her like a loon. She guessed the sight of her perched on the back of a motorbike didn’t look as cool as she hoped. Thankfully, she’d worn black hipsters and a matching polo, but perhaps the buckled up salmon-pink trench coat was overkill?

Then again, it wasn’t her fault. She’d wanted to present a chic image to Gina and had expected a civilised mode of transport, not to play a biker chick for the afternoon.

---