by Melody Anne
“You’re very lucky to have such good friends,” she told him, her voice slightly breathless.
“Yes, I am. Now, that’s enough talk about other men. I want to focus on you and me,” he told her. She was trying to play it cool, but it wasn’t easy to do with him touching her.
There were a few other diners in the place, but they might as well have been in there alone. She saw no one but this man in front of her.
“You and me?” she asked with what she hoped was a convincing nonchalance. “I didn’t know there was a you and me.”
“Erin, I like you, and I’m about to ask you out,” he told her with a wink. “So, prepare yourself because there’s only one right answer.”
She loved how much this man made her smile. It was such a strange feeling. He was certainly an alpha male, which usually turned her off. But he did it with confidence and humor, not attitude and arrogance. There was a difference between confidence and a jackass attitude.
“Then you better make it good because I’m not easy to impress,” she said, testing what this man was made of.
“So, you’re telling me if I asked you to dinner and a movie you wouldn’t jump at it?”
“I’d tell you to try again,” she said.
He laughed hard at those words, and she found herself unable to look away from him.
“Erin, I’m going to take you on the best date of your life,” he said, confidence shining through his eyes. She had no doubt it would be the best date she’d ever had, not that she’d had very many if she truly thought about it.
“And how can you guarantee that?”
“When’s your next day off?” he asked, brushing aside her absurd question.
“Two days from now,” she told him.
“Good, plan on most of your day being filled.”
“Are you going to give me a hint?”
“Nope. I have to leave some mystery between us or you might grow bored,” he told her.
She laughed again. “I don’t mind a little mystery,” she said. She found herself super excited for this mysterious date. She couldn’t honestly remember a time she’d been this excited. She should push a bit of that down, but she couldn’t manage to.
“I can’t imagine anyone gets bored with you, Steve,” she said.
“Nope. I’m a great guy,” he told her. “Very humble, too.”
She found herself laughing a heck of a lot in this man’s presence. She looked out and her other diners were growing restless. “I should probably get back to work,” she said reluctantly.
He pulled out his wallet and threw a hundred-dollar bill on the counter. “Then as much as I don’t want to leave, I’ll leave with you wanting more,” he told her with a wink as he stood.
She went to make change as he began walking to the door.
“Hey, this is way too much money,” she called.
He kept on walking as he threw his hand in the air and waved. And then he was gone.
The man was a mystery — and one she most certainly wanted to solve. She had a feeling it was going to be a long couple of days while she waited for their date. He’d been gone less than a minute and she already missed him.
This man was going to be trouble — but maybe it was time she broke a few rules and had some fun. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d done just that.
Chapter Six
Avery Klum couldn’t seem to stop smiling these days. It was quite ridiculous after such a whirlwind romance and then becoming engaged. But she was getting married — and she was head over heels in love. Carl Schwartz had come in like a wrecking ball and her life hadn’t been the same since she’d met him. She wouldn’t take back a second of their time together.
As she looked out her large bedroom window, her gut clenched as she watched Carl in nothing but a pair of shorts, running toward the house. It was a sight she’d never grow tired of seeing — especially since they both worked far too much, and she didn’t get to see him as much as she wanted. She even loved the scars on his body from the war wounds that had forced him from the military, but she was thankful, because if that hadn’t happened, they wouldn’t have met.
Many times she’d become lost in thought about what he’d gone through as she traced his scars with her fingers. The conclusion was always the same. His pain saddened her, but she knew no matter what life threw at them, he’d protect her and fight to the end for those he loved. She’d never experienced anything like that before him, and it was a huge turn-on.
The man was constantly in motion, working harder than she ever had, and that was saying something. But she couldn’t imagine him any other way. It was another reason she loved him. He was talented, smart, sexy as hell, and had a work ethic many should envy. Right now, he was sweaty, his skin was flushed, and she was having other ideas besides leaving for their appointment for wedding planning.
The front door opened, and she heard his steps as he bounded up the staircase. She barely had time to turn before he was inside the room and pulling her straight into his arms — where she most loved to be.
“You look good enough to eat,” he told her as he pulled her in a little tighter, making her laugh with joy.
“I’m the one who should be saying that. I had quite the view as you ran up to the house. You get sexier by the second.” She ran her hands down his back, the heat of his body practically scorching her.
Avery leaned up and kissed him, loving the taste of salt on his lips from a rugged workout. He grabbed her tighter, kissing her back until her head went fuzzy, then just as quickly as he’d grabbed her, he let her go and took one step back, then another.
She pouted as she looked at him. “I wasn’t finished.”
“I want to strip you down, throw you on that bed, and show you exactly how turned on I am,” he said as he took another step away. “But I fear your mother, and she said if we were late again she was going to cut off parts of my body — parts that I truly enjoy working with.” He kept moving farther away as Avery gave him a seductive glance.
“I think I can change your mind. My mom isn’t that scary,” she told him as she took a step closer.
He made it to the bathroom door and gripped it so hard she was surprised it didn’t splinter. “I’m running now because I know it won’t take much to risk your mother’s wrath. I can’t get enough of you.”
She took another step closer and he moved all the way into the bathroom. “You’ll be the death of me, woman,” he said before shutting . . . and locking . . . the door. She laughed hard on the other side when she heard him groan.
“Chicken,” she called through the door. In all reality, she was thrilled that Carl not only respected her mother, but loved her as well. There wasn’t a day that went by she wasn’t elated to become this man’s wife.
Unable to trust herself to not pick the lock and join him, she left their room and went downstairs. If he wanted to be on time, then she wanted to give him that. She couldn’t believe how many times they made love, and it still felt like the first each time she was in his arms. She’d worried the hunger would diminish, but it hadn’t in all the time they’d been together. She wanted him, and she had no doubt he wanted her just as much. Their relationship was filled with romance, passion, and true love. She couldn’t believe how lucky she was to have met him.
It didn’t take long for Carl to join her downstairs. He came up behind her in the kitchen and wrapped his arms around her, his fingers moving just below her breasts. “I can’t wait for us to get back home,” he growled in her ear before his tongue traced the edges, sending a shiver down her spine.
“We should’ve eloped and gone straight to the honeymoon,” she whined, her body on fire.
“I agree, but I think you’d later regret it, and I know your mother would,” he said. “Let’s get out of here before I change my mind and drag you back upstairs.”
She turned, quickly kissed him on the cheek, then moved to grab her sweater and purse. He was right, if they didn’t get out of ther
e, they wouldn’t go anywhere. And she did hate to disappoint her mother. The wedding was really for her mom, who had one child and wanted a spectacular wedding. Avery hadn’t been into the whole romance thing until she’d met Carl.
As soon as they were in the SUV one of Avery’s favorite songs came on the radio, and she turned it up, singing along with Johnny and June, deciding it described how she was feeling about this man of hers.
“I’m so glad I’m marrying you,” she told him when he reached over and took her hand.
“I don’t know how I managed to talk you into it, but I’m damn glad too,” he replied, lifting her hand and kissing it.
It didn’t take long to arrive at the small private airport where they’d decided to get married. Sherman Armstrong owned the place, and through him and his great friend, Joseph Anderson, they’d been led to the place. Sherman and Avery’s mother, Bobbi, had met in their small town and really hit it off. Much to Avery’s shock and delight, sparks had seemed to be flying between Sherman and her mother ever since.
When Avery had tried talking to her mother about it, she’d blushed, something Avery never saw her mother do, and then had brushed away the words as if they were nonsense. Avery didn’t want to push her mom, afraid she’d retreat, so she’d dropped the subject. But the main reason Avery had chosen to get married at the hangar was so her mother would have a legitimate excuse to be around Sherman. Her mother had been alone for too long, and with the loss of her uncle, Avery wanted more than ever for her mom to have a companion — and Avery really liked Sherman.
“It looks like your mother and Sherman are both here,” Carl said.
“Maybe we could’ve been late without them even noticing,” Avery said with a chuckle.
“They do seem to have a real connection,” Carl said. “Do you think it will turn into something more?”
“I sure hope so,” Avery said.
The two of them stepped from their vehicle and moved inside where several people were milling about. Many conversations were going on as multiple people worked on airplanes and talked about flying. One thing she’d noticed about these pilots — amateur and professional — was that they could talk planes all day long and then some. It was sort of infectious actually. It was pretty dang cool they were able to do something most people couldn’t.
“Well hello there,” a voice called out. Avery and Carl turned to see Sherman Armstrong moving toward them, her mother at his side, a slight flush on her cheeks. The proverbial “hand caught in the cookie jar” look on her face.
“Hello, darling, I’m surprised you’re on time,” Bobbi said in a sweet girlish voice that had Avery beaming. She kissed Avery on the cheek before giving Carl a hug and kissing his cheek as well.
“I value my body so I wasn’t going to be late again,” Carl said with a chuckle.
“I love a man who listens,” Bobbi said. “And this place is absolutely perfect for the wedding. I can see it all now.”
“I really appreciate you letting us use this space, Sherman. With the size this wedding is getting to be, we might need all of it.”
“We all love a big wedding. It proves that love is still in the air and can conquer all,” Sherman said. Avery didn’t miss the look Sherman sent her mother, thinking he was being sly. Avery wanted to say something but bit her lip to keep quiet. She didn’t want to take any chances on scaring either of them.
“You said Joseph wanted to attend. That sort of scares me. He’s a celebrity and this isn’t a five-star affair,” Avery said as she shifted on her feet. She hadn’t met Joseph Anderson but her mother had, and her mother said he was a wonderful man. She didn’t know all of the connections, but she knew he owned a lot of businesses in the area. He was somehow involved in Carl’s work, but she didn’t know exactly how. She didn’t know a heck of a lot about what Carl did. But she trusted him, and that was what mattered.
“Joseph would laugh and laugh at that. He might have a ton of money, but underneath it all, he’s a country boy at heart. You give him some good food and a lot of laughter, and it’s a perfect night for him,” Sherman said. “Money might define some people, but not all of us.”
“I’m glad I met you, Sherman. I hope you’re in our lives for a long time to come,” Avery said, truly meaning it.
“I seek out good people, and you and your mother are exactly that,” Sherman said with a big smile.
“We can certainly say the same about you,” Bobbi told him, blushing once again. Avery wondered if they were going on a date soon. She truly hoped so.
“My mother is one of the best people around. She’s worked hard her entire life and has been the greatest mother a girl could have,” Avery said.
“Oh, you stop that,” Bobbi said. “This day is about you, and you alone.”
“Mom, you’ve always hated compliments, but I wouldn’t be here right now without your guidance, so I can say whatever I want,” Avery told her.
“Let’s do some planning,” Bobbi said. Avery knew she was changing the subject to get herself out of the spotlight and that was okay with Avery.
“I bet you have it all planned out, and there isn’t going to be much I’ll need to do,” Avery said, suddenly inspired.
“Well no, not really. I figured you’d want to be involved. We can meet with the wedding planner later and get it all ironed out,” Bobbi told her.
Avery looked at Carl and sent him a pleading stare. He smiled at her, letting her know he was behind her every step of the way. Her heart filled even more. They didn’t have to say words to communicate. She was so glad she’d met this man — so glad they’d come back together when it looked as if she’d never see him again.
“I love you,” she said.
He leaned down and gently kissed her. “I adore you,” he replied.
“Oh, you two were meant to be,” Sherman said with delight.
“Yes, I knew it from the moment he crashed her table back in Frisco,” Bobbi said. “I instantly liked the man.”
“Now I’m the one blushing,” Carl said with a laugh.
“Ha. You are anything but humble, darling,” Avery told him. He shrugged. He knew she was correct on that.
“Mom, we’re going to be busy for the next month. If we have to plan it, nothing will be fancy at all. Do you think you and Sherman can take care of things and surprise us?” Avery asked, trying to look as apologetic as she could. If her mother figured out she was matchmaking, the game would be up and she’d instantly lose.
“You don’t want to plan your own wedding?” Bobbi asked, looking horrified.
“It’s not that I don’t want to, but Carl’s swamped at work, and I just got this new case I want to put a lot of my time into. It’s a mother who’s being harassed, and the father has a lot of money and is trying to take her daughter away from her. I won’t sleep if I don’t do everything I can to ensure she’s okay.”
It wasn’t that Avery was exactly lying to her mother. She really did have a case on her desk, but it was a slam-dunk. There was no way that man was taking anything away from his ex-wife. She was completely in the right on this one.
“Well, of course, work is very important,” Bobbi said. “But Sherman doesn’t have to give up his time. I can do all of the planning.” She didn’t meet Sherman’s eyes as she said that.
“Uncle Sherman loves planning a good wedding,” a man said as he moved up to the group, and threw his arm around Sherman. “And he truly loves to meddle, but since this wedding is already on you don’t have to worry about that.”
“Everyone, this is my nephew Maverick who finds himself amusing,” Sherman said with a chuckle. “In reality he’s a heathen who doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” The words were spoken, but the love and admiration in Sherman’s eyes countered the words he spoke.
“Ah, I know I’m your favorite, Uncle,” Maverick said. “I’m just running in and out real quick. I’m taking Lindsey for a flight tonight – hopefully a mile in the sky,” he added with a wink.
“See? My point proven,” Sherman said with a roll of his eyes. “Of course, Lindsey is his wife, or possibly his ex-wife after she hears about how this heathen has been talking.”
“No way. She thinks I’m brilliant,” Maverick said. “It was great to meet you all. Sorry I have to run.” And just as quickly as he’d rushed in, he was gone again.
“Your nephews are all so fun,” Bobbi said with a laugh. “But back to the wedding, you truly don’t need to put all of this time into it.”
