Don’t let him get to you.
She was a sucker for men in uniform, men out of uniform and bad boys in general. All the types of men her parents didn’t approve of.
Of course, the only men her parents approved of were from money, high society or a WASP. Also known as her sister’s fiancé.
Jennifer cleared her throat and tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear.
“Oh, I’ve made you uncomfortable.”
“How do you know?”
“You’re fidgeting. Admit it, you’re nervous around me.”
“A bit, but you’re right. I’m escaping. I’m not really into shindigs like this.”
“Want to get out of here?”
“Uh, you’re a complete stranger.”
“I’m a soldier, though. Doesn’t that make me honorable or something?”
“Not really.” She grinned. “I’m Jennifer.” And she stuck out her hand.
He took her hand in his and the touch of his skin sent a jolt of heat through her blood.
“I’m Nick. I guess we’re not strangers any longer?”
“Nope. We’re not. What was that you were saying about getting out of here?”
He held out his arm. “I hope you don’t mind riding a motorcycle.”
“I don’t mind in the least.”
Nick turned to lead her back in through the party and she pulled him back. “What’s wrong? Are you having second thoughts?”
“No, I just don’t want to go back in there.” She didn’t want some tabloid to snap a picture of her on the arm of a soldier. Not because it was bad, but because it was an invasion of her privacy, something she held dear because it was the only thing she could control.
He looked around. “Well, can you think of a better way out of here?”
“Hold this.” She jammed her clutch into his hands and kicked off her heels.
“What’re you doing?”
She smiled. “What, you’ve never jumped a fence, soldier?”
Jennifer picked up her shoes and tossed them out onto the dark lawn and then climbed the patio fence, dropping down three feet onto the grass below. “Are you coming?”
His answer was to drop her purse at her feet. She scrambled out of the way, retrieving her shoes as he dropped down beside her.
“How did you know to do that?” he asked.
Jennifer panicked. She didn’t want him to know who she really was. If he knew she was a senator’s daughter, he might not want to “escape” with her.
“It was obvious,” she said, brushing it off like it was nothing. “Now, you have to provide the adventure.”
He smiled again, that half-smile that brought out that delectable dimple. “Oh, I can provide the adventure. Like I said, my bike is parked down the street.”
“Lead the way, soldier.”
He took her hand and they ran across the lawn and out onto the street where his motorcycle was sitting. He opened up his pannier and tossed her a helmet as he put his hat safely away and then grabbed his own helmet.
“You carry two helmets? How fortuitous.” She crammed it down over her head.
Nick took her purse from her hand and put it in the pannier next to his hat. “Well, I like to come prepared for adventure.”
He shut the pannier and climbed on. She sat behind him, gripping him about the waist.
“You’re being reckless. You’re such an embarrassment.”
The words had stung. Like a slap to her face. Her father had never spoken to her like that before, when he’d been a rancher.
Jennifer shook her father’s words from her head as Nick started the engine, kicked the stand and took off, heading west out of Carson City.
She didn’t know where they were going and she didn’t care.
She knew that any rational female wouldn’t go off with a man she’d just met, but something deep down inside her trusted him, probably when she shouldn’t.
Jennifer didn’t even freak when they left Carson City far behind them and headed into the state park.
After almost thirty minutes of driving, he pulled over at the Sand Harbor Overlook in Lake Tahoe State Park.
She let go of her hold on him and got off. Her legs felt a bit shaky, not used to riding on a motorcycle.
“What a great spot,” she said as she took off the helmet, handing it back to him. He’d taken his off, too, and set the helmets on the seat.
“Yeah, I love it here. I was planning on coming here after the party. One last look, you could say.” There was a hint of sadness in his voice.
“Are you heading overseas?”
Nick nodded. “My tour of duty is two years.”
Disappointment gnawed at her.
Damn.
Not that she’d been expecting this to go anywhere, but she was disappointed that they would only have this time together, because once she finished her fellowship at the end of this summer, she could get a job anywhere. Or even stay in Boston. The possibilities were endless.
“See, now you feel all bad for me. Don’t. I serve my country and I’m glad to do it. I also plan to be back to see this lake again.”
Jennifer smiled. “Are you from around here originally?”
Nick shook his head. “No, but I’ve been stationed out this way for a year. Nevada grew on me. I don’t think I want to be anywhere else.”
He walked down toward the sandy beach through the tall pines, which sighed in the light summer breeze. It made her feel a little cold and she was regretting the sleeveless shift dress she’d chosen to wear.
The sky was bright, full of stars and a large moon was hovering over the lake. A large, bright moon that was reflected in the clear, calm water.
Nick stood on the beach, gazing up at the moon. He’d taken off his dress jacket and laid it on a large boulder. He was unbuttoning the shirt, his sleeves already rolled up to his elbows.
“You’re not planning to swim, are you?” Jennifer teased.
He looked back at her over his shoulder and winked. “Maybe. Are you up for skinny-dipping?”
