Dangerous Beauty: Part One: Destiny by Michelle Hardin Page A

be lounging by the pool at the mansion Nathan grew up in or drinking lemonade in the garden Nathan and Aunt Anya built when he was a kid. Oh yeah, and probably the body guard thing too. What do you say, a thousand?” Lucca said waiting for Dante to agree.
    Dante nodded and shook Lucca’s hand. “You’ve got a deal.”
    “Oh yeah? I got three thousand that says she’s pregnant within the next year. Did you see that kiss? I’m pretty sure they’re already getting started on making Nathan’s heir right about now,” Mickey interjected.
    Dante and Lucca laughed. “I’m in on that one,” Dante said through a laugh.
    “Yeah, I’m in. I can’t wait to take your money on this one too,” Lucca said and they all laughed.
    Kyle sat there watching them agree on their stupid ass bets with only one thought going through his mind…
What the hell is going on?

7
Getting to Know the Real You
    Carter didn’t know if this was a dream, but if it was then she didn’t want to wake up, like ever. His name was Nathan Salerno, he’s twenty-four years old, his father is Italian, and his mother was a Russian woman from Moscow. He grew up in a mansion that looked like a castle, which included a pool and beautiful garden full of various flowers that he and his mother created together before she died. He loved to swim, and he did it competitively in college. He studied martial arts, kick boxing, and boxing. He enjoyed going to the gun range, and he had a collection of baseball cards that are probably worth a lot of money. His favorite color was red, and his favorite foods were steak and any type of pasta.
    Carter asked Nathan every question she could think of as they began to walk down the beach hand in hand. She was curious and wanted to know everything about him.
    When they first left Benny’s, Carter was a little nervous. After all, she didn’t know what was going to happen or where they were going to go. All she knew was that she trusted him. She didn’t understand why, but she knew he wouldn’t hurt her like others had done in the past. Being with Nathan made her feel safe. It was as if they were connected, only she just couldn’t figure out why. Without even thinking twice, Carter had taken Nathan’s hand and left the bar. Why did she take the hand of a man she had only met today without hesitation? She didn’t know where they were going and she didn’t care. All she knew, and all that mattered was that she wanted to be with him, that she needed to be with him.
    When they first left, he guided her through the people walking in the downtown area to the parking lot where his car was. He opened the door for her and Carter didn’t hesitate getting in, which was unlike her because she didn’t trust anyone. Her life, thus far, taught her that absolutely no one was to be trusted. Yet, there she was getting in a car with a man she didn’t even know.
    Once they were in the car he took her hand in his, and they drove, in silence hand in hand with “Kiss Me” by Ed Sheeran playing on the radio. Carter moved closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder. His scent was intoxicating, a mixture of fresh laundry and soap. She held tight to his large muscled arm and outlined his hand with her fingers. She then brought his big strong hands to her lips and placed a soft kiss on them. Before she knew it they were pulling into the parking lot and when he shut off the car he pulled her into his lap and kissed her breathless. His hands caressed her body like she’s never been caressed before. His touch sent electric shocks through her igniting desires she didn’t even know she had. She loved when his hands moved to her hair and his long fingers massaged her scalp, the sensations he created had her moaning into his mouth and longing for something she hadn’t longed for in two years. He seemed to be fascinated with her hair, his hand continued to explore her soft tendrils even as his lips moved to kiss her neck.
    Carter was lost in a