Forever Baby (4 page)

I let out a chuckle. “Okay, I will remember that.”

I follow Nadia as she guides me through the house on a quick tour. Past the open living room area on the main floor are three doors. The door on the left leads to the kitchen, the one on the right enters a study, and the middle goes into my bedroom. To the right of the entry door is an open staircase that winds up to the second floor. That floor houses a bathroom and two larger bedrooms, one belonging to Nadia and the other to her brother.

Nadia helps me drag my luggage to my room situated at the far end of the living area between the kitchen and the study. My room is moderately sized and contains two twin beds with a nightstand between them. Along the back wall of the room are two large closets. At the end of the room is another door that opens to my own bathroom with a shower.

“So, Olivia, you can get unpacked, freshen up, and then we’re going out!” Nadia beams with excitement.

I peer at her with a confused expression. “We’re going out?”

“We’re going clubbing! It’s your first night here, and it’s a Saturday! All of my friends are dying to meet my new American sister!”

“Oh, okay…yeah, that sounds great!” I say, thinking how tired I am.
Oh well, it’s nothing that a shower, a killer outfit, and some alcohol won’t cure.
“Do you mind if I invite Nolan?”

“Of course not! Give him our address, and tell him we’ll leave for the club around ten.” She reaches in and gives me a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. I think you will love it. I’m going to start getting ready. Let me know if you need anything, okay?” She walks out.

I grab my cell phone. I decide to first text Cara and my family to let them know that I arrived safely and that my new roommate is super nice. Then, I text Nolan.

Me: Hey! You up to clubbing tonight? Nadia insists! ;-) xo

Nolan: You kidding? Abso-fucking-lutely! We’re in Spain!

I laugh out loud at his reply because Nolan is always up for a night out.

Me: Sweet! Be here at ten!

I text him the address.

Nolan: I miss you already! See you soon! xoxo

Heading to the shower, I can’t help but notice the nervous butterflies flitting around in my belly. I can’t pinpoint the source of my apprehension. It could be excitement. It has been a long day, and my exhaustion could be clouding my brain and blurring my emotions into confusion.

Nolan and I have been talking about this trip for a year. I am finally here, and my trip of a lifetime has started.
Am I nervous that it isn’t going to be everything I dreamed of? Will it be more?

Willing myself to keep my unease at bay, I step into the hot stream of the shower, letting the spray take away my reservations and the grimy sensation that comes with a long day of traveling. I remind myself that I am not here alone, and all of the unknowns, the things I can’t plan or predict, will be faced with Nolan at my side. I hold on to that thought, and the butterflies calm.

I check myself out in the full-length mirror hanging on the bathroom door, admiring the new dress that Cara insisted I buy for the trip. It is pretty damn sexy, if I say so myself. It’s short, fitted, and strapless with an iridescent shimmer of purple and black. Like usual, I keep my makeup simple, applying only a light shimmery eye shadow and mascara to make my deep blue eyes pop and some light pink lip gloss. I curl my hair, creating long spirals that fall just above my bra line. As I’m putting on my strappy black heels, I hear Nolan’s voice, followed by Nadia’s laughter, in the living room.

Nolan turns his head when I enter the room, and he stops chatting with Nadia. He walks my way and wraps his arms around my back, fully surrounding me in a big hug. I’m lifted off the ground as he kisses my cheek.

“You are stunning.” He nuzzles his face below my ear.

“Thanks. You clean up nicely yourself,” I say as he sets me down.

He is striking in his fitted jeans and white button-up shirt.

As we go out the door, Nadia leans in and whispers in my ear, “Your boyfriend is delectable!”

I giggle, knowing exactly what she means. “He’s not my boyfriend. He is my best friend.”

“Oh my God, really? Interesting,” she says with a mischievous smile.

I laugh. “Don’t get too excited. He has a long-term girlfriend back in the States.”

She sighs as she closes the door. “Figures.”

We arrive at a club named El Q, and the three of us head in.

Nadia grabs my hand and pulls me through the crowd. “Come this way. My friends got us a table!” she yells to Nolan and me as we weave our way through the packed club.

This place is unlike anywhere I’ve ever been to. It’s huge, and the giant dance floor takes up the entire first level with outlying tables and leather chairs lining the walls. Behind the dance floor at the end of the club is a stage with dancing bodies showcased by floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city of Seville. The backdrop of city lights is stunning.

Wrapped around the dance floor are three levels with balconies visible to the floor below. Each level is filled with round tables surrounded by black leather booths. All the tables are full with people laughing, dancing, and drinking. Although smaller than the grand floor on the main level, additional dance areas are on each level as well.

I am giddy as I take it all in.
The college clubs have nothing on this place. I definitely have to bring Cara here when she comes to visit.
Nadia finds her friends at a table located on the main floor toward the end by the wall of windows. I wonder how they secured this great spot. Nadia introduces Nolan and me to everyone. About ten people, a mix of guys and girls, are sitting around the large table. They are all very welcoming, but it’s so loud that I don’t catch most of their names. Nolan orders a bottle of Grey Goose vodka with some chasers for the table.

My first night in Spain does not disappoint. The music is great, and I have so much fun dancing with Nadia and her friends. Nolan, of course, makes friends, and he is joking with everyone at the table. He’s totally in his element. My head starts to feel fuzzy, and I can’t remember how many drinks I’ve had. Nolan always makes sure to keep my glass full, and while it’s a kind gesture, it’s occasionally a hazard.

He grabs my hand and pulls me out a couple of feet past our table into the sea of dancing bodies on the main dance floor. Wrapped around each other, we sway to the music. Nolan lifts me up and holds me against him with his hands under my behind. I secure my legs around his middle with my arms around his neck as I rest my head on his shoulder. We dance in this embrace for several songs. I feel relaxed and completely happy as I snuggle into Nolan’s neck.

I pick up my head and look into Nolan’s eyes, and before I know what’s happening, Nolan’s mouth is on mine. On instinct, my mouth opens to allow his tongue to entangle with mine. I suck on his tongue, tasting alcohol and mint. I hear him groan as he deepens the kiss, removing one of his hands from my behind and placing it on the back of my head. He buries his fingers in my hair and pushes my head firmly toward his. We kiss with a sense of need and urgency. My heart is racing when he pulls away abruptly.

“Jesus, Liv, I’m sorry,” he says through labored breaths. He removes his hand from my hair and runs it through his own with obvious frustration.

I loosen my legs from around him and drop them to the floor. Extending my grasp behind his neck, I lean back in and kiss him on the cheek. “No worries, babycakes.” I lay my head back down against his chest and close my eyes, allowing my breathing to calm.

It’s not the first time that Nolan and I have kissed. It has happened a handful of times over the past three years, usually after we’ve been drinking. We always apologize, and then we are back to our normal routine.

Nolan’s labored breaths settle as we continue to dance. Resting against him, I take in the music while his strong arms hold me tight, pulling me against his body. When I glance in the direction of our table, my gaze locks with a pair of mesmerizing dark eyes. For a moment, I’m frozen in this intense stare with an unbelievably gorgeous man. I blink and force myself to peer behind me, wondering if he’s observing someone else. I don’t see anyone taking notice. I turn my face back to him, and once more, I am met with his concentrated stare.
Yes, his eyes are definitely locked on me.

I am still not able to pull my gaze away from him, and I feel this luring draw to him. I don’t recognize him from earlier even though he is standing by our table. He’s tall and tan with a face to write home about. He has a strong jawline that exudes rugged manliness, but at the same time, he has a soft, youthful quality. I have an intense urge to feel his skin under my fingertips. His hair is dark brown with faint golden highlights illuminated from the club lights dancing over his face. His regard is powerful, penetrating every thought and sensation running through me. Everything about him—from the way his hair frames his chiseled jaw and intense eyes to the way he’s standing with his hands in his pockets while leaning on the wooden beam, watching me as if he can read my every thought—is disarming.

I experience a sense of complete exposure while I’m utterly aroused at the same time. My heart begins to race, accompanied by an uncomfortable throbbing sensation below my waist. I’m drawn to him by such a fierce force that it feels real and tangible. It’s as if an invisible rope is wrapped around my middle, and he is reeling it in.

Nolan’s voice breaks my trance. “Hey, love, you okay?”

I release the breath I am holding, and I blink, breaking my connection to this stranger. I face Nolan and then back to the man again. He’s still staring at me.

“Um…yeah. I need to use the restroom,” I stammer as I loosen my arms from Nolan’s neck, letting them fall to my sides.

I hear Nolan saying something to me, but I don’t catch what it is, and I don’t stop to ask as I walk through the crowd to the other side of the club.

What the fuck was that? Who is that guy? What was that?
I continue to weave through the throng of sweaty bodies. I’m completely perplexed as I get to the restroom. Completely hot and bothered, I wet a towel and dab my face and chest.
Pull yourself together, Olivia. Jesus.
I take a few moments to steady the rapid pounding in my chest. When I’ve regained my composure from my sudden loss of sanity, I exit the restroom.

Nolan is leaning against the wall, facing the restroom, when I exit. “You okay, babe?” He gives me a concerned grin.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I think I’m just tired,” I reply as he grabs my hand and leads me toward the front of the club.

“Well, it is four in the morning. It’s been a long day. Nadia went to hail a couple of cabs out front.”

“Okay.” Remembering my purse, I try to see across the club to our table. “Did you grab my purse?”

“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t.”

“No problem. Go ahead. I’m going to go grab it, and I will be right out.” I can see the questioning expression on Nolan’s face. “I’m fine, really. See you in a second.”

I quickly walk toward our table, now void of patrons, and I get a glimpse of my black sequined purse that fell onto the floor under the table. Retrieving it, I begin to depart, and I see him. My chest expands with a sensation I haven’t felt often—deep desire and attraction. My senses return, and I take in the surroundings past my tunnel vision, focusing on him. I stand immobile, unable to pull my eyes away. As quickly as my body flooded with desire, it leaves, only to be replaced by a different emotion, one that is not nearly as welcome.