The feeling quickly faded when he saw the look on Kate’s face as she started pacing again. “This is terrible... What the hell am I going to do now? I need three dozen table arrangements, chair adornments, boutonnieres...a bouquet...”
Her voice raised an octave with each word, and he cringed, the sound vibrating in his head. “Stop. Please. Look, flowers are flowers. There’s a florist over on Bonanza Trail. I’m sure if you explain the emergency, they could slap together a few dozen...”
She was staring at him as though he were the dumbest man on the planet, so he stopped talking.
“Flowers are not just flowers. Slap something together? The flowers Liz and Derek ordered—”
“Liz ordered,” he corrected.
She shot him daggers. “The flowers the couple ordered are saffron crocus...”
“Hey, I thought that was a spice.”
“It is,” she said through clenched teeth. “It is also a flower that cost a large portion of the wedding budget.” She sank against the wall near the door. “I can’t breathe.”
He hated seeing her freaking out, but he simply didn’t get it. To him, a flower was a flower. He ran a hand through his hair as he stood. “Look, this was the flower shop’s error. Can’t they fix it?”
She took a deep breath. “They are claiming the order clearly stated delivery in Big Valley.”
“There’s nothing in Big Valley.”
“Just thousands of dollars’ worth of flowers. Oh, my God...” She put her head between her knees. Reaching for her hands, he guided her to her feet.
“Stop stressing. You can figure this out. Can we get more? You. Can you get more?”
She took a deep breath. “Francine—the owner—said they can put together new arrangements...slightly smaller...but it’s already afternoon, how are we supposed to get them here before tomorrow morning? I’d already expected to be working through the night with the last-minute decorations.”
He stood silently staring at her, seeing the wheels turning in her frantic mind. Please don’t ask...
Her eyes widened as her head shot up.
Uh-oh.
“You could pick them up in the cargo plane.”
“No.”
She sighed. “Is that response on autopilot in you?”
He couldn’t suppress a grin as he took a step forward. “I don’t know. Try asking me for something else.” He touched her cheek. “Something requiring less clothing, perhaps.”
She shrugged away from his hand, but not before an intrigued expression flashed in her eyes. “I don’t need your penis. I need your plane.”
He almost laughed, but her request wasn’t funny. Flying to LA to pick up flowers to save the day on a wedding he still wasn’t on board with was insane. He took a deep breath, reveling in the soft, sweet smell of her—so close, so tempting...so begging with those impossible-to-say-no-to eyes. “You’re the worst.”
She smiled. “Really? Then how come you can’t get enough of me?” she whispered in his ear.
Immediately, his thoughts shifted to something he’d rather be doing for her that afternoon. Her completely naked and begging for another reason flashed in his mind, and he felt himself grow thicker in his jeans. He shoved his hands into his pockets to hide the effect she had on him, but it was too late.
Her eyes flew to his crotch, and her smile widened.
He immediately gripped her waist, pulling her hard into him. “If I do this, you owe me.”
She stood on tiptoes and placed a soft, teasing kiss on his neck. “If you do this, I’ll deliver...anything you want.”
“And you won’t disappear again?” Jesus, he sounded pathetic, even to his own ears.
“Nope.”
“Damn,” he muttered.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” she said, freeing herself and opening the office door. “Come on, we have to hurry.”
“We?”
“Yeah. I’m coming with you.”
“No, you’re not.”
She tossed a laugh over her shoulder as he followed her down the hall. “When has that answer ever worked with me, Scott?”
She had a point. So far she’d been winning all of the battles, taking his emotions, his common sense and unfortunately his heart as prisoners... Would he win the war? Did he even want to anymore, when it meant losing her?
* * *
THERE WERE FAR too many sexy layers to Scott Dillon. And she had to stop peeling them back or else she was screwed. The man had commitmentphobe written all over him—a fact he hadn’t tried to hide. And something she hadn’t cared about when he was just a sexy mountain rebound fling and the thing standing between her and career rejuvenation.
In fact, the no-strings-attached sex combined with their battling over this wedding had made things...exciting.
But she was starting to get too close. He was right when he’d said they were playing a dangerous game. Allowing herself to fall for a guy who wasn’t relationship material was a dumb idea. She’d just spent the last ten months getting over a man who’d at one point actually wanted to get married. Falling for a guy who broke out in hives at the thought of a commitment would be setting herself up for more hurt. Operating her business when her own emotions were compromised, when the sight of love had made her gag, had been challenge enough. Avoiding another emotional train wreck was her only option. But damn if she wasn’t tempted by the man sitting next to her.
He was hardworking and loyal to his family, wanting to do right by his brother. He was a hero who’d saved so many lives, yet he wanted nothing to do with the praise or spotlight. He had the most gorgeous face and a body she never wanted to let go of... Tempted was an understatement.
A dangerous game indeed. She just hadn’t figured out how dangerous yet. All she knew was that for now, she needed to fix this disaster and keep her eyes on the prize.
And that day, it was game on. Promising Scott anything he wanted in return for the favor hadn’t exactly been a hardship for her.
Especially now, seeing him climb into the cockpit of his cargo plane.
He was actually about to fly this thing. Holy hotness. Anticipation of delivering on her end of the deal manifested itself in a dull throb between her thighs as she sat in the seat next to him.
“Buckle up,” he said, his voice gruff, as he flicked several controls on the display panel and readjusted his headset.
She noticed a slight shake of his hand. Was he nervous? About flying? More likely, about having a passenger. He’d told her he hadn’t flown with anyone since the crash.
Yet he’d barely put up a fight about her being his first.
* * *
AS THE CARGO plane left the ground and Scott headed west toward LA, his hands felt damp and clammy. It had been over two years since he’d had a passenger. Another person’s life he was responsible for. He should have insisted harder that he go alone, but unfortunately he knew Kate would have argued that he knew nothing about flower arrangements, and she’d be right.
“The mountains are so beautiful, flying this low over them,” Kate said, her gaze out the window on her side as they reached ten thousand feet.
“I could spend hours in the air,” he said. “Especially in winter.”
She stared at him for a long moment before asking, “So why did you give it up? I mean, you saved lives, you were awarded a medal. You were obviously a great pilot and you loved it, so why walk away?”
“Landing that plane safely that day was dumb luck.” How many times had he explained that to media, professionals, the medal of honor committee that honored him after the case was resolved, proving he wasn’t at fault, and he’d been offered his job back? He wasn’t a hero. He’d been lucky. But the world needed to believe in heroes. It made them feel safe. It restored their faith in humanity, and i
t saved the airline a lot of money in legal fees and reduced travel from worried passengers, he thought wryly.
“I don’t believe everyone could have done what you did.”
He navigated the plane through the mountains, and the city came into view. “Well, I couldn’t do it again,” he said honestly. He didn’t believe for a second he could repeat his actions if needed.
“So you’ve lost your confidence as a pilot?” she asked.
“As a commercial pilot, yes,” he said, not sure why he was making himself vulnerable to her. Despite their amazing sex, she was still a stranger. Yet he felt a pull to her stronger than just their physical chemistry. She was smart, funny, sassy as hell, and somehow he knew he could trust her, be himself with her. Which was stupid. Making himself unavailable to women had kept him free of heartbreak all these years, and that was the way he’d intended on living his life since Amy. Watching Derek mend his heart over and over had been more than enough. “Besides, I like my quiet, complications-free life in Big Bear,” he said. Though whether the words were to prevent her from getting any ideas about where things were headed between them or to remind himself, he wasn’t sure.
She nodded. “Yeah. I like my life uncomplicated, too.”
He glanced at her, hoping something in her expression would reveal if she meant that or not, but she’d turned her attention to the view outside her window.
The airstrip came into view, but he veered slightly right instead.
“Where are we going?” Kate asked.
“Thought you might like a tour of the city you live in,” he said, flying the plane over the high-rise buildings in the downtown core.
She smiled as she sat closer to her window to peer at the scenery below. “I can see why this lifestyle appeals to you. Living in the small town in the mountains and being able to get to the city within twenty minutes. You get the best of both worlds, really.”
“But you’re happy with your city life? You’d never want to explore the option of life in a small town?” He wasn’t sure why he’d asked, and the look in her eyes when she turned to face him made him wish he hadn’t. The question had sounded too loaded. Not at all casual conversation, but more like an invitation.
She bit her lip. “I’ve never had a reason to consider it,” she said finally, her gaze locked with his.
Damn. He wasn’t giving her one, if that was what she was assuming. At least, he didn’t think he was. That hadn’t been his intent. “Over there in the distance, you can see city hall,” he said, changing the subject by adopting the role of tour guide as they continued their circle around the city. “And the US Bank Tower.”
“Definitely a spectacular view from here,” she said.
He checked his watch and said, “We should probably land. It’s after four.”
She nodded, looking as reluctant to end their time in the air as he was. “Yeah, you’re right. The store will be closing soon.”
“I’ll be sure to take the scenic route back,” he said and she smiled. And for the first time, he relaxed, having her there with him. It was nice to share the air with her. Show her the views he loved. Have her experience the thrill of it the way he did.
It was nice to be near her. Too nice.
Landing the plane moments later, he unbuckled his seat belt. “I have a Jeep parked just over there.” He pointed to the rusted old vehicle.
She nodded, but sighed when her seat belt buckle stuck. “This is jammed,” she said, tugging on it.
He moved closer and pressed the release, yanking on the belt, but it was stuck. “Sorry, no one has used this one before.”
“I’m glad I was the first.” Her soft expression when she looked at him made him give in to the urge to kiss her. Forgetting the seat belt, he wrapped an arm around her, drawing her as close to him as the constraint allowed, savoring the taste of her peach lip gloss. The smell of her vanilla-scented perfume hadn’t been noticeable before, but now, as he held her tight to his chest, it filled his senses and he deepened the kiss. His tongue explored her mouth and her hands stroked his neck, her fingers creeping into his hair.
She broke away slightly to capture his bottom lip, biting gently as she opened her eyes to stare into his. The message in them was clear, and his jeans immediately grew tighter at his crotch. Damn, she could turn him on so easily.
And her appetite for sex was sexy as hell.
Reaching for the belt again, he pressed harder and pulled it free. Then, without breaking the connection with her mouth, he guided her out of the chair and stumbled backward into the cargo section of the plane.
“Are we really doing this here?” she asked, wide-eyed, a look of excitement on her beautiful face.
“Either here or the Jeep, because I’m not waiting any longer,” he said grabbing a blanket and spreading it out on the floor.
She was already removing her jacket, tossing it aside.
The sight of her slim-fitting lace-trimmed tank top, hugging her perfect breasts, the tempting cleavage peeking over the top, had his mouth watering. He reached for the hem of the top and yanked it off. She reached behind her back and unclasped her bra, glancing at her watch as she tossed it onto the pile of her discarded clothing. “We need to hurry.”
“Not a problem,” he said, grabbing her waist and laying her down on her back on the blanket. He pushed her skirt up, not wasting time removing it, and tore her silky underwear down her legs quickly, giving him access to her pussy.
Unbuttoning and unzipping his jeans, he moved the denim and his underwear down over his ass, freeing his already hardened cock. Then, reaching for his wallet, he produced a condom. “I came prepared this time,” he said, tearing it open and rolling it on. If she wanted fast, he could give her fast.
Fast and hard.
She raised her knees and wrapped her legs around his waist as she grabbed his shirt to pull him closer.
He slid the length of his cock between her folds, rubbing back and forth against her clit.
Her breath quickened as she lay back and closed her eyes, her back arching to give him better access.
He gripped her hips as he continued to stroke along the outside of her body, feeling her wetness through the condom and his own throbbing member growing thicker. “Do you want me, Kate?”
She nodded eagerly, biting her lip as her hands gripped the blanket beneath her.
“Say it.”
“I want you, Scott.”
“Say it again.” He dipped just the tip inside and slowly pulled out.
“I want you inside me, please,” she begged, her legs trembling around him.
The woman was driving him insane. He could barely hold back his orgasm and he hadn’t even felt her tight folds accepting him and clenching around him yet.
He took a deep breath as he slid the length of himself into her body, torturously slow, feeling every inch of her wrapping around every inch of him.
She moaned, the sound growing louder, more frantic the deeper he pushed. “Am I hurting you?” he asked.
“No,” she croaked, lifting her hips to give him deeper access.
His balls rested against her ass and he dug his fingers into her hips as he slowly slid back out. He felt her muscles tightening with the deliberate in-and-out movement that was killing him as much as it was tormenting her.
“Faster, Scott. Harder,” she pleaded, writhing and wiggling beneath him, rocking her hips to try to force a faster release.
And while he could have continued the slow, torturous pace all night, they did need to hurry. “Okay, baby, hang on,” he said, sitting back on his heels and bringing her up to straddle his lap. Then, gripping her ass, he pumped her up and down, fast and hard.
She tossed her head back, her hair coming loose from her bun as her head whipped back and forth in the frantic, desperate pace. His fing
ers separated her butt cheeks and started an exploration of their own, and she was panting and clutching him in appreciation.
“Yes, yes, that feels fucking incredible, Scott,” she said, her breath warm against his cheek.
He lowered his mouth to her neck and sucked on the delicious skin there, her collarbone, her shoulder, while lifting her up and down over him.
“I’m going to come,” she said, and he immediately felt her muscles contracting and convulsing around his cock.
The tightness of her warm, wet body had his own orgasm mounting, and he held her down tight over him as he pushed his hips upward, going deeper, making her cry out as he went completely over the edge.
Exhausted and spent, she collapsed against him, fighting to catch her breath, and he held her tight as the aftershocks rippled through his body. “Fuck, pretty girl, you’re right—I can’t get enough of you,” he said. Which was a problem.
A big one.
* * *
“I’M NOT SURE how this could have happened. I know the order was rushed, but Big Bear and Big Valley are two very different places.”
The flower shop’s owner, Francine, sent Kate a look suggesting exactly what she thought about a wedding in Big Bear, Big Valley or any other small town with Big in the name. “Not really.” She reached under the desk and pulled out a binder of orders. Flipping to the month before, she searched for Kate’s order. “Anyway, see? The order says Big Valley.”
Kate’s face paled as she scanned it. Her argumentative fire visibly dimmed, escaping as puffs of shame smoke from her red ears. “It does say Big Valley.”
Francine’s smile was too quick for Scott’s liking. The woman with spiky red hair and wide-rimmed black glasses was a little too eager to let Kate take all the blame for this. “But I’m sure it could have been written down wrong...by one of your employees.”
Kate shook her head. “This is Janet’s writing. She scanned and emailed this order over.”
Tempting Kate Page 12
