Life After Taylah Read Free Page A

because all I want to do is babble incoherent nonsense that won’t do me any good.
    “That’s a bad pick-up line,” I finally manage to blurt out. The urge to smack myself in the forehead is overwhelming.
    He chuckles softly. “I was never good at them.”
    “So it seems.”
    His smile widens, and he shoves a packet of smokes at me. “Want one?”
    I shake my head. “My trainer would kill me.”
    He cocks an eyebrow and steps forward. His big, black boots are unlaced, giving him that lazy, sexy look. “Trainer?”
    I stare for a moment now he’s up close. I’ve seen him on television before but he’s so much better in person. Nate is all man. His hair is dark and about three inches long, sitting messily on his head. His jaw is square and covered in a few days’ growth that gives him the ultimate rugged look. He’s got full lips and a perfectly sculpted nose.
    It’s his eyes that make him truly breathtaking, though. The eyes are what suck you in. They’re green. I don’t just mean any green, either; I’m talking a sparkling emerald green that blends with his gorgeous olive skin to create a look that is very rare in a male. They’re out of this world. They’re what women adore him for.
    “I’m a dancer. Well, I’m training to be a dance teacher,” I finally stammer, answering his question.
    He studies me. “Is that so?”
    “It’s so.”
    He hooks a finger through the faded denim jeans he’s wearing. They look incredible on him. “Do you have a name, Dancer?”
    I smile. I can’t help it. “Do you have a name?”
    “Don’t we all?” He smirks, running a hand through his hair. “I’m Nate.”
    “I know.”
    He raises both brows this time. “Then why did you ask?”
    “Curiosity.”
    He tilts his head. “Did you think I’d give you a fake name?”
    I rub my hands over my cool legs. It’s slowly cooling down as the year goes on.  Winter isn’t far off. “Maybe, or perhaps I just needed confirmation.”
    He drops the cigarette he’s smoking, and crushes it out with his boot. I watch as he moves, and I can’t help but admire the way his black tee pulls across his muscled chest. Nate would have to have a serious amount of upper body strength to be able to hold onto bikes the way he does.
    “So, you know Liam, then?”
    I frown. “He’s my brother.”
    “No shit,” he murmurs, running a hand over the light stubble on his chin.
    “And how do you know Liam?”
    He shrugs. “Met him through Kelly.”
    “And you know Kelly, how?”
    He laughs softly. “Inquisitive little thing, aren’t you?”
    I give him a half-smile. “Sure, you could say that.”
    “I know Kelly through my brother. He is a pro-surfer, and he competes with him. We all just kind of got along.”
    I nod. “Who is your brother?”
    “Keanu Alexander.”
    My mouth drops open. “No shit.”
    He looks impressed. “The lady knows my brother.”
    “I’ve seen him compete with Kelly. He’s amazing.”
    He nods. “Yeah.”
    “So are you,” I add, feeling the need to clarify that. “I’ve been watching you race for the past two years.”
    “So has ninety-nine percent of the female population.”
    I giggle, and then slap a hand over my mouth. I haven’t heard a giggle leave my throat for so long, the sound shocks me. Nate smiles at me and points to the seat, asking if it’s okay for him to sit. I nod, and he walks over, doing just that. I can smell him now he’s this close. He smells like cigarettes and beer, but the smell isn’t bad, it’s kind of comforting. Before my dad become hard and withdrawn, he used to smell like that.
    “So, what kind of dancing do you do?” he asks.
    “Ballet.”
    He looks me over, his green eyes piercing into mine. “I can see that. You’ve got the right look.”
    “And what look is that?” I ask, frowning.
    He grins. “Don’t get huffy. You just look as beautiful as a ballerina should look. You’re . . . dainty.”
    I feel my cheeks heat. “I can’t decide if