Chapter 69

Charlotte’s eyes grew darker as she casually switched off her phone and glanced up, meeting Anthony’s gaze. He was impossible to ignore, even in the low evening light. The long black trench coat made his shoulders look even broader, his waist trim. He kept his eyes lowered, but there was a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth.
Anthony’s whole presence was magnetic. The air around him felt charged.
“Have you been waiting long?” he asked, stepping closer. He crouched down in front of her, bringing himself eye-level. His voice was low, a little rough, almost teasing. “Are you cold?”
They were close, close enough that Charlotte caught the clean, subtle scent of his cologne. For a second, she just stared, soaking in every detail of his face. “I’m fine,” she said, her voice soft.
She stood up, picking up her backpack. “Should we get something to eat?” Her voice sounded a bit raspy.
Anthony noticed her calm expression and smiled, then slipped off his coat and draped it over her shoulders with a gentle touch.
“What do you want to eat?” he asked.
Charlotte glanced at the coat, pausing for a brief moment, a little caught off guard. “Hm?” he prompted again, lowering his head slightly, the smile on his lips growing. “Anything’s fine,” Charlotte replied. She didn’t protest about the coat, just shrugged it on and walked by his side.
“There’s a good place up ahead. Let’s go there,” Anthony suggested.
He turned to look at her as they walked. She had her lips pressed together, her eyes focused lazily on the path ahead. Her face looked innocent enough, but there was something wild about her, like she could do anything she wanted at any moment.
He couldn’t help but remember the way she looked on that heavy motorcycle, all confidence and attitude. There was so much more to her than she let on, and he was starting to get really curious about all the secrets she kept.
…
After they finished dinner, Charlotte stood up, grabbed her bag, and wandered out to the restaurant entrance. She leaned on the railing by the lake, letting the cool air brush across her face.
Anthony came out a moment later after settling the bill. He spotted ber right away, her silhouette slim, legs long and straight. He walked over, settled
sailing to sfmself and his
coat back on her shoulders.
“It’s getting chilly. Don’t get sick,” he said softly, his voice warm and comforting.
Charlotte nodded, slipping her hands
into the coat pockets. Her fingers brushed against something inside. She stilled for a moment, then pulled Anthony’s phone and handed it to him. “Your phone,” she said.
Anthony grinned and took it from her, their fingers brushing together. His eyes sparkled with a quiet
charm. For a heartbeat, their even et
met, and a strange electricity ran through her making her skirtingle The moment lasted only a second before Charlotte looked away, steady as ever.
Anthony tucked his phone away and let out a low laugh. “What time’s your first class tomorrow?”
“Seven.”
“Do you want to walk a bit more, or should we head back?”
Charlotte was just trying to figure out which hotel would be best when a sudden, sharp crash broke through the night. A heavy splash followed, loud and jarring.
“Help, help!”
“Someone fell in the water!”
She turned quickly toward the commotion. Not far away, a serious accident had just happened. A boy, maybe ten years old, had been hit by a car and thrown straight into the lake.
People were already gathering at the lakeside. Someone was about to jump in to help, but the boy had landed far from shore, and the water looked deep and cold.
It would take at least five minutes for someone to swim out there. By then, it might be too late.
Charlotte didn’t hesitate. She knew she could make it in a minute and a half. Her eyes went sharp with focus. Without thinking, she bolted for the water and dove straight in.