Free Flying Backwards by Jennifer W Smith Page B

happened. Her rescuer scooped up her bag and jogged over to her. He squatted at her side and questioned her in Italian; she had no idea what he’d asked her. Despite her ordeal, all she could focus on was how attractive the man was. She stared at his face. His dark wavy hair was combed back and curled around his ears, resting just above his broad shoulders. His thick eyebrows framed hooded, dark eyes. His face was broad with generous lips… Oh, his lips.
    “Miss?”
    Nora snapped herself out of it. “Oh! Oh, thank you so much.” She shook her head and tried to focus on standing up. She winced in pain and grabbed her hip, which had taken the brunt of her fall. Nora could tell there’d be a huge bruise.
    His large hand clasped Nora’s elbow to help steady her as she stood.
    “Are you okay, miss?” he said in English, his voice was deep, smooth, and heavily accented.
    “Yes, thank you. Just bruised, I think.” She accepted her bag with a sheepish smile. She felt herself blush when he bent down to retrieve her map and hand it to her. She took that opportunity to notice the muscles that rippled under his T-shirt when he reached down. He was dressed in sweatpants and sneakers. Perhaps heading out for a run, she thought. He looked to be in amazing shape.
    “Do you need help finding your way? You are American?”
    “Yes, I’m from America. I’m lost. I got turned around somehow. I’m Nora, by the way.” She held out her hand. “Nora Clark. I can’t thank you enough.”
    “Hello, Nora. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He clasped her hand. His hand felt like a warm magnet pulling her to him ever so slightly. “I am sorry we met under these circumstances. This is a nice neighborhood, but these young kids will find every opportunity to prey on tourists. Please excuse the violence. I’d like to think a good scare, without police involvement, might make him think twice next time. His mama will want to know why his face is so bruised. You should carry your bag like this…” He let go of her hand and lifted the bag’s long strap over her head. “Across your body.” As he murmured the word “body,” his heavy-lidded eyes slowly shifted down to gaze at her body.
    Nora’s voice chirped. “Could I buy you a cup of coffee? It’s the least I can do…” She held out her hands, palms up.
    “Antonio.” He wore a knowing, crooked smile.
    “Antonio,” she repeated. Maybe her heightened senses lingered after the attack, but she was hyperaware of his all-consuming presence, and her pulse raced.
    Antonio stepped back, dragging the side of his index finger over his bottom lip, and gave her a considering look. He said, “How about dinner? And I will be taking you, to make up for what has happened to you in my city.”
    Nora’s eyes widened in surprise. “You don’t have to do that. I mean, it’s really nice of you. I’d love to. I’m staying at Hotel Grande.”
    “Then I will pick you up at eight o’clock at your hotel. May I walk with you to the end of this street?”
    “Yes, that would be nice.”
    Antonio directed Nora back to the corner where she had become turned around. They chatted about the city until they reached the corner, and Nora headed back in her original direction. Antonio tucked in ear buds and slipped an iPod into his pocket before he jogged away in the other direction. She could not resist looking back over her shoulder at him. She watched his broad shoulders sway as his body moved in rhythm. She noticed his torso narrowed at his waist and his butt appeared tight, though his pants were somewhat baggy. As he retreated he did not look back, so Nora allowed her eyes to linger.
    Wow! What just happened! Here I am, thinking I’m so adventurous, and I’m knocked on my ass and my bag is stolen–only to be returned to me by a gorgeous man! And I dared to ask him out for coffee! Which will now be dinner… Oh my! Nora swallowed hard. She needed to call Bree and dug around her bag for her cell