by Ava Miles
Tilly was soft-spoken, but she possessed a hardworking manner that charmed Flynn—as did the traditional Polish Christmas desserts of crullers and poppyseed cake she brought wrapped in foil for everyone daily. Carol was all business as well, but she joked about pouring too much liquor into her fruit cakes and getting her husband accidentally plastered, something she thought other people in their hometown could benefit from. But it was Gertie who had captured his heart. She’d dyed her hairnet hot pink and sewed on some jingle bells, and they’d only known each other an hour before she’d wrapped an arm around his shoulders and announced this volunteering gig was a blessing to a woman of her pronounced years because he was the easiest thing her eyes had ever feasted on.
He’d laughed, and then laughed harder at Uncle Arthur’s response: “Hell, Gertie, I don’t want to hear another word about you being old since Clara and Hargreaves and I probably have ten years on you.”
It turned out they only had eight, actually, since Gertie was seventy-two, but that hadn’t stopped her from participating in the banter about growing old as dirt, everything from forgetting she had friends some days to being grateful her new Cadillac had an alarm she could trigger in the grocery store parking lot because she could never remember where she’d parked it.
Annie was a capable leader, and soon the new recruits had wrapped up the production of the bath salts needed for the order. They were now starting to package them.
Amelia stayed with them more than she had, even taking the occasional trip to the portable. Annie wanted to keep her away from Tom, and the little girl seemed eager to be underfoot. If it bothered her to have less outdoor time with Carrot, she didn’t mention it. Everyone took to picking her up and putting her on the counter, and Gertie made her laugh by presenting her with a hot pink hairnet all her own, jingle bells included, which she wore constantly, driving Uncle Arthur nuts. Or so he claimed.
Flynn stayed out of Tom’s way, and vice versa. If the man was lashing out at June for helping them, she didn’t say. She worked diligently at her station, gabbing with Arthur and Clara, whom she was growing closer to, and her friends. She stayed at the lab mostly, while Flynn and Annie shuffled back and forth to the portable.
Things were going well, or so Flynn would say if he didn’t fear jinxing himself. The best news of all was that the twins were coming around. They’d surprised Arthur by apologizing for not being very nice to him and thanking him for taking care of their little sister. And they were watching Flynn more closely too, although not with the open hostility he’d seen in them previously. June had hugged him in front of the girls once, after a long day of work, and their eyes popped open as wide as quarters. June had winked at him before leaving, telling him what he’d already guessed—she’d done it to help ease his transition with them.
Yes, everything was progressing nicely. They still had a little over a week to go to finish everything on December 18. Seeing the final products start to come together with the Bilberry & Co. stickers on them only added to his sense of peace.
As far as Annie went, he couldn’t be happier. They’d spent every evening together after the girls had gone to sleep, sometimes simply talking and other times on the couch watching something inconsequential. He was finding he didn’t need her to say or do anything for him to be happy, and the most wondrous part of it was she felt the same way. But when she told him she thought they could slip away for an overnight in Columbus, on a Tuesday night no less, he was stoked.
Of course, he wasn’t simply going to drive her up to Columbus for the night and rent a hotel room. Not that there was anything wrong with that, but he was Flynn Merriam. He’d traveled across Europe for a mere date in the past. How much more did he want to do for the woman he loved?
A whole heck of a lot.
He conferred with June about his plan, which involved coming back later the next day, something she’d encouraged. If for some reason Annie insisted she had to be back for the girls, he would comply with her wishes.
When Tuesday morning came, his chest grew tight as he watched Annie say goodbye to her girls. Amelia wrapped her arms around him after she finished with her mom, tunneling her face into his neck like she usually did.
“Take care of my mom and have fun,” Amelia said, kissing him loudly on the cheek.
Annie finished hugging Iris and Eloise, and the two shifted their attention to him. He made himself smile, remembering what Louisa had said about liking them for them. Eloise smiled back—making him rock back on his heels—and then Iris did as well, although it was fleeting.
Didn’t matter. Those smiles seemed like a victory.
He mentioned it in the car after saying goodbye to his own family.
“I’ve noticed they aren’t as stiff around you,” Annie said. “Gertie keeps telling them they need to find a man like you when they grow up. June agreed, saying she couldn’t imagine finding anyone better. Their opinions matter. The girls have taken notice.”
He’d been smiling anyway, but his grin stretched wider. “Well, I’m about to make good on all their praise. Are you willing to set aside all business talk while we’re gone? I’d like to turn on the exclusive Annie and Flynn channel.”
In fact, there were programs on that channel that were pay-per-view only, and he couldn’t wait until they were alone so they could finally fall into each other like they’d both been dying to do since he’d arrived.
“No business, huh?” She turned a pretend knob in the air. “Given how good everything is going, I can do that.”
As they drove closer to Columbus, he continued on toward the airport. He’d had to memorize the directions rather than rely on his phone to guide him since he hadn’t wanted to ruin the surprise. Of course, she started to frown, and he waited for her to finally say something.
“Ah…downtown is that way.” She gestured to the windshield.
“We’re not going there.”
“What?”
“Don’t worry. It’s a surprise.” He flashed her a cheeky wink. “Sit back, my love, and enjoy the ride. You’re with Flynn Merriam now.”
“Emily warned me about this when I texted her last night about us going away,” she said. “She said there was no way you’d settle for somewhere mundane. Flynn…”
“Damn, I keep forgetting to text her and thank her,” he said, rubbing her knee. “It’s gonna be incredible. Trust me. June and I have it all worked out.”
When they reached the small airfield, she gasped. But at the sight of the Merriam private jet, she sagged against him.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
He scooped her up and carried her out of the car and onto the plane, laughing as the workmen tooling around in the nearby hangar started to whistle and catcall. “Welcome to your magical getaway, Annie.”
Her blue eyes shot all the way up to her hairline as he set her down in the cream leather seat. He’d arranged for someone to bring their suitcases up and also for their flight attendant to bring them champagne after they boarded.
“Do I have the right clothes packed?” She gulped her champagne. “I packed for Columbus, Flynn!”
He laughed and waited until their flight attendant exited the berth. “I don’t imagine you’ll be wearing much once we reach our destination.”
Her entire face reddened, and she started to fan herself. God, he loved watching her blush.
“My goodness.”
His shoulders were shaking he was laughing so hard. Man, it felt good to feel so carefree. The tension with Tom and the stress of getting the baskets done on time, and done right, had been wearing on him more than he’d realized.
“Why don’t you think about that while I confer with the pilot about takeoff?”
Her face was beet red when he settled back in his seat a short while later, and he leaned forward and whispered, “Are your fantasies of us that naughty?”
She swatted him. “Flynn!” But there was heat in her blue eyes.
“Yes,” he drawled. “I’m h
ere for your exclusive pleasure for the next twenty-three hours. I also take special requests.”
“Oh, stop it! My face is already so hot. I feel like I’m burning up.” And yet her gaze slid over him slowly, as if cataloguing his body.
“That’s not exactly where I was planning on having you burn for me,” he said in a low voice, kicking out his feet, “but I’ll take it. For now.”
She started laughing. “Is this how it’s going to be now that we’re alone and no one can overhear us?”
He could already hear her crying out his name. “Yep. Steel yourself, Ms. Bennet. Your next hours will be of the most carnal kind.” His British accent needed work, but from the way her blue eyes were dancing, he figured it didn’t matter.
“Good,” was all she said before settling back in her chair and pressing her leg against his in a way that was sure to drive him crazy.
The plane took off, the city lights winking below. He took her hand, stroking it as he contemplated how much his life—and what he wanted from it—had changed since meeting her.
This trip was another step into their future together.
When they started their descent, she peered out the window. “Where are we, Flynn?”
He lifted his champagne glass and toasted one of his favorite cities. “I thought long and hard about where to take you. Part of me wanted to go all Thomas Crown Affair and take you to a remote island with the mountaintop villa rented out just for us. But the thing is…I’ve done that before. Since I’ve spent the last week in your home, I thought you might like to see mine.”
“New York City?” She flew at him and hugged him, ignoring their respective seat belts. “This is perfect, Flynn.”
“I’ve called it home for some time.” He had a feeling that status might be changing because of her, although they hadn’t spoken about it yet, and if it came down to that, he was okay with it. His life had always been designed to be flexible, so he had no roots that could not be pulled up. He would be close to his family wherever he lived.
“I can’t wait to see your place,” Annie said, all but bouncing in the seat, reminding him of Amelia. “Oh, you were so smart to think of it. I’ve been wanting to see more of your life.”
He kissed her softly on the lips, and her breath rushed out.
“I’m glad you’re not disappointed. We can do the island or anywhere else another time. I’m just glad a flight from Columbus to the Big Apple is only a little over an hour. Makes it easy, you know?”
“Are you kidding? I’d much rather see where you live than go to a strange island. It’s so much more intimate this way.” Her smile changed, its brightness shifting to desire.
“Intimate is a good word,” he said, taking her hand. “I’ve been very private about my place, Annie. I might go around the world and party, but I like to keep my home for me.”
The look in her eyes told him she understood what he wasn’t saying—he’d brought very few women there.
“Then I feel even more honored that you trust me.” She cupped his cheek and kissed him sweetly on the mouth.
The temptation to turn that sweet kiss into something deeper stole over him, but he kept it light.
“Soon,” she said, winking. Which made him even more eager for the plane to land already.
When they finally reached the high-rise penthouse apartment he called home, Annie immediately walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows after they took off their coats. “I love the high ceilings and the openness of it. Your artwork is gorgeous! I love modern art too. Oh, you can see Central Park. Flynn, it’s so wonderful. Wait! Do I smell orange blossoms?”
He wheeled her suitcase to the right of the door, surveying the scattering of flower arrangements positioned around the room. The bouquets were different, some pastels and some jewel tones, but each featured a distinctive small white flower.
“You may not have orange blossoms in Ohio right now, but we do here,” he said, loving that about his hometown.
She crossed to the closest arrangement, lowering her head and inhaling deeply. Her hand came up to her chest, and when she turned to him, he saw tears in her eyes.
“If you knew how long it’s been since… Oh, Flynn. Thank you!”
“I’m glad they make you happy,” he said, his eyes taking in her presence in his home.
The overhead lights made her blond hair seem lighter somehow, like she’d been on the beach earlier. Her cheeks were still flushed like she was burning. He understood. His body was one long line of male tension.
She settled her hands on her thighs, and the sight of her licking her lips almost brought him to his knees.
“Do you want the nickel tour?” he asked, aware his voice was heavy with desire.
“Not right now,” she said, moving toward him slowly, her blue eyes darkening. “It’s funny. I made up a lotion and body spray with a scent for our private time together. I wanted it to be a scent you’d always remember. The scent of me—as a woman.”
All the blood in his body pooled south. “That might be the hottest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“But I can’t wait. I don’t want to take a shower and put on my scent and a reasonably sexy nightgown. The clock is ticking on our time here. I want you to put your hands on me.”
His gut tightened at the husky quality of her voice. Put his hands on her? You bet. He smiled, cupping her curvy hips to him. “Music to my ears. You know, I brought something too. I wanted to rub some of the body butter I made all over your skin like I’ve been imagining. I figured I had another hour before I lost my mind from wanting you, but I’ve never been more wrong about anything. Annie?”
“Yes, love?”
“I want you like no other.” His finger traced her cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” she whispered, taking his hand and placing it over her breast. “Make love to me, Flynn.”
He set his mouth on hers, cupping the back of her neck to bring her closer, and she opened for him immediately. The kiss went wild. His tongue dueled with hers before he sucked on her bottom lip, causing her to moan.
That moan was his new favorite sound.
Her hands slid under his cashmere sweater, her soft fingertips tickling his heated flesh. “Oh, yeah. More of that.”
He helped her take it off, and then she stepped back to survey him. “Goodness, you take my breath away.”
When she pressed her palms against his chest, he covered them with his hands, ducking his head to find her mouth again. Another roller-coaster kiss, and then she was stepping back and raising her sweater over her head. The black bra made his mouth water, but it was her hands undoing the button and zipper of his pants that had his eyes crossing. He wasn’t going to last if she touched him.
“Maybe we should slow down a sec here,” Flynn said, brushing her hands gently aside. “I’m about to go crazy, and I want to make sure you’re with me.”
Her cheeks were flushed as she lifted her face to look at him. “Trust me, I’m with you. Oh, Flynn, I want—”
She squeezed her eyes shut suddenly.
He heard the elevated cadence of her breathing, and if he hadn’t already been rock-hard, that would have done it. “Tell me what you want.”
She opened her eyes, meeting his gaze without flinching, and in their blue depths he saw the same urgency that was rising inside of him. “These past few days of holding back have been hell. I want you inside me. Right now.”
He might have blinked in shock before smiling, but he grabbed her hand and they ran to the bedroom together. Had he ever felt this joyful?
“You want it right now? Oh, baby, I’m so going to give it to you.”
Dimming the overhead lights, he tugged her to the bed covered with tiny, fragrant white flowers.
“More orange blossoms!” she exclaimed, scooping up a handful and smelling them. “How did you—”
“I had my housekeeper set some things up for us,” he said, caressing the line of her slender arm. “One second.”
He strode to the bathroom and found the condoms in the cabinet. Coming back, he found her pulling off the last of her clothes. She paused. “I can’t seem to think about anything but you inside me.”
“And that’s a problem how?” he asked, eating up the distance to the bed and throwing all but one of the condoms down. “We didn’t talk about birth control, so I took the liberty of being ready.” There was no way he was going to break that sacred trust after what had happened to her.
“Good, I had some in my purse too,” she said, pulling off her socks and then leaning back on the bed amidst all the tiny blossoms. “Oh, God, I feel like I’m out of control, and you’ve barely touched me.”
He’d wondered how long it had been for her, but it wasn’t the kind of thing he was going to ask. If she wanted to tell him, that was another thing.
“I was barely hanging on to my control on the plane,” he admitted, the lush, sweet scent of the blossoms saturating his senses. “I thought about taking you, to the bedroom at least a dozen times.”
She tucked her knees up to her chest, all mouth-watering naked woman. “There was a bed? Why did you wait? All I kept thinking about was this. Did you think I’m normally this flushed? I feel like my skin is on fire, Flynn.”
He chucked off the rest of his clothes and ripped open the condom, fitting it over him before joining her on the bed. “I had some notion about romance and being a gentleman.”
“We can do that later,” she said, rolling toward him and caressing him. “God, you’re beautiful. I want you so bad.”
He came over her as she opened her legs, her hands hot on his skin. His mouth found her neck, and he reached between them to make sure she was ready. She hadn’t been lying.
Nudging her open, he slid in slowly. She hissed, and he closed his eyes at the glorious fit.
His entire belly clenched with the pressure of holding back. “I’m not hurting you, am I?”
“God, no. I can’t imagine it hurting. Oh, please, Flynn. I need you.”
He levered up on his knees, wanting to make it easier for her, knowing they were both close to the edge. “I’ve got you.”
