Allie looked up into his handsome face, so close in the dimming light, completely undone. “Oh my goodness.”
“Yes.” He held her gaze, and this time she felt totally at ease. He could look inside her and see whatever he wanted. “I agree.”
“With what?”
“What you said.”
“What did I say?”
“You said―” he took her champagne, set it on the kitchen table “―that we are really, really good together, and that after this somewhat bumpy start, we should be thinking about getting serious.”
Allie put a hand to her chest. “I said that?”
“Uh-huh.” He drew her into his arms, bending her back in the crook of his elbow, and kissed her until she became somehow disconnected from the planes and right angles of her regular life.
“Wait, wait.” She pressed a finger to his lips to stop his next kiss. “There is an issue. I just remembered it.”
“What?”
She pointed between them. “Boston, you, New York, me. You have a job and I just accepted one.”
“What job?”
Allie looked at him in concern. “The one I was just offered.”
“No, I don’t have a job.”
Her eyes shot wide. “You don’t have a job?”
“I submitted my resignation, effective immediately.” He drew her close, his hand at the back of her head, kissing her temple and ear. “Right after they fired me.”
Allie drew back again. “They fired you?”
“I told them what I thought.” He chuckled and took her hands. “You and Sandra were right. Telling the truth is very freeing.”
“So...so...” Allie was unable to take the next logical step.
“So I’m not anchored in Boston.” He started kissing each of her fingers. “Though it would be the best place for me to start a new company. You can decide what you want to do.”
She managed to tear her eyes away from his lips on her skin. “Well I mean it’s not really a decision. I accepted the other job. I start a week from today.”
“Or...” He took her hands and clasped them at the back of his neck, moving her flush against him.
“Or what?” she whispered.
“Or you can call them up and say ‘sorry, I got a better offer.’”
Allie moved back from his descending mouth. “Okay, but...I haven’t gotten one yet.”
“Give me a minute.”
“Oh.” Her voice sounded very small. Butterflies invaded her stomach in enormous quantities and fluttered up a tornado. She had no idea what to expect, but she had a feeling it was going to be big.
“Allie McDonald, I am offering you my condo to move into, to see how it goes for us until we decide to buy our own house.”
“You want to—” Her mouth dropped open. “Our own house? What?”
“Hmm.” He frowned. “That didn’t go over so well, huh.”
“No, I’m just. Wow. I mean, I didn’t expect—” She broke off and clasped her hands to her cheeks, trying to take it all in. Jonas smiled, a faint curving of his beautiful lips that warmed his eyes and made her feel he absolutely adored her, and that maybe the idea didn’t seem quite as crazy as it was. “Do I have to give you an answer now?”
“No.” He lowered his mouth half an inch from hers. “There’s more.”
“Uh-oh,” she whispered. “Will I like this?”
His lips grazed hers. “I have no idea.”
“Go on.”
“Both of us will be trying to start new businesses. My place is paid for, and yes, as hideous as you are going to think this sounds, I can cover expenses while you get on your feet and—”
“No.” She drew back, shaking her head emphatically. “No, I can’t let you—”
His first kiss shut her up. His second kiss made her incapable of speaking. He dazzled and dazed her with his mouth. If they were really starting a new relationship she’d have to watch that or he’d get his way every time. “Let me finish, Allie.”
“Mmm.”
“Here’s the deal. I will make a ledger and put down every expense. If we break up, you owe me every penny back. If we get married, it’s our money anyway, and a moot point.”
“Married.” She gasped.
“Oops?” He looked at her quizzically. “Did I leave out that part?”
“Jonas!” She shoved him, laughing, feeling her face flushing, joy filling her. She had to be nearly as nuts as he was.
“Hey.” He hauled her back against him, grinning. “I would not ask you to move in with me just to try things out. This would be a serious commitment.”
“But we’re not ready for that.” She shook her head. “Are you even in love with me?”
He grimaced, squeezing his eyes shut. “Did I forget that part, too?”
Allie threw up her hands. “That’s it. You’re hopeless.”
One blue eye opened. “Did I mention Erik and I decided not to sell the house?”
She turned her back on him, her hand raised. “Stop talking. Stop now. You’re making me completely nuts.”
“Okay.” Strong arms lifted her and turned her back around. “No more talking.”
There was no more talking for a long time. Neither of them said a word as he led her up the stairs. They undressed each other and slid into the bed they’d started the whole crazy relationship in, only this time instead of pushing him out, Allie welcomed him to her. Their lovemaking would be different this time. With one word, she could be starting a whole new life with this man. They could belong to each other for the rest of their lives.
The realization spurred her to new boldness, entirely different from the false security the costumes had given her. She took the lead, taking his already-erect penis into her mouth, tasting him for the first time, discovering how much he loved her tongue and lips teasing and giving him pleasure.
When she couldn’t wait any longer, she straddled him, taking him deep inside her, showing him with her movements and sounds how much he was turning her on, watching the excitement he got from her arousal.
Their bodies communicated perfectly, shifting, giving, taking. Allie was no longer afraid to meet his eyes, no longer embarrassed or inhibited by his wanting to watch her nakedness or her pleasure. She was the woman he wanted there with him, even knowing all of her secrets.
Close to coming, she planted her hands on either side of his shoulders and rocked her pelvis forward, rubbing her clitoris against his pelvic bone until her moans let Jonas know she was ready. He grabbed her hips, thrusting hard as her orgasm started, reaching his own climax when she was still in the throes of hers.
Allie slumped down on top of him, totally spent. For a minute or two she lay across his chest, letting her breathing slow, listening to the beating of his heart. Then she lifted her head and met his eyes, which were as full of his feelings as she knew hers were.
And she knew they were true and lasting and real.
“I love you, Jonas.”
His mouth spread in that wonderful smile that turned her heart upside down. “And I love you, Allie. I want to live with you and get the chance to see your beautiful face every day. I want to be there for you in whatever way you need me while you pursue a career that matters to you. I want to laugh with you all day and make love to you every night.”
“Oh, Jonas.”
“Wow.” He blinked, looking surprised and pleased. “I think I got it right that time.”
“It was perfect.” She kissed his chest, trailed her finger along his collarbone, hardly able to take in that they were no longer looking at pain and sadness and parting, but a long life together. “With you I feel more like myself than with anyone else. I have given you more of myself than anyone else. You bring out the best parts of me and tolerate the worst. I am deeply touched that my future career means so much to you, and I would be honored to live with you and help you with yours, as well.”
“Sweetheart. Allie.” His arms tightened around her, his voice husky. “You fee
l okay deciding all this now? I know it’s soon.”
She sighed. “I suppose I should reserve the right to panic. But right now I feel so sure and strong that I can’t imagine I’ll change my mind.”
Jonas grinned and started stroking her hair. “So, um, you’ll bring the Cleopatra outfit, right?”
She giggled at his eagerness, giddy at all the plans they were making, all those they still had to make. “You bet.”
“It’s funny. In our first email exchange I told you a secret I’d never told anyone, about wanting to start my own company. Now we’ve told each other all our secrets.” His hand stopped stroking and he looked slightly sick. “Um. Haven’t we?”
“Uh, well...” Allie bit her lip in fake concern. “There’s the body in my basement...”
“Oh, no.” Jonas clapped his hand to his forehead. “I knew it.”
“No, no more secrets.” Allie kissed him, kissed him again, rolled with him when he moved them over so he was on top. She wrapped her arms around his neck, gazing at him adoringly. “With you I have nothing to hide.”
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from BREAKAWAY by Nancy Warren.
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1
THREE MEN SAT around a campfire on a warm June evening at a wilderness site in Oregon. All were rugged, fit and experienced outdoorsmen. Two were single. One was about to be married. Four days of kayaking had seemed like the perfect choice for their last trip as three single guys. Max Varo, Adam Shawnigan and Dylan Cross had known each other since they started playing together in the sandbox three decades earlier. Now in their mid-thirties, they had successful careers and still played together, though now their sandbox was a hockey rink.
The fire crackled, throwing a little light and a little warmth their way. Max’s muscles ached from paddling all day against choppy currents. He rolled his shoulders, knowing tomorrow would bring more of the same. Their dinner, beef Stroganoff that came in a foil pack from someplace called Backpackers’ Pantry, had been eaten. Now they sat around holding metal mugs of campfire coffee, their tents pitched behind them, kayaks pulled up for the night. Max and Adam stared into the fire, each lost in his own thoughts, while Dylan, always the restless one, built an inuksuk out of nearby stones. Then, bored with that, he suddenly said, “So, Adam, any regrets about getting hitched?”
Adam turned from the fire to glance over at his old friend. “No,” he said simply. “In fact, if I could be granted one wish, it would be to have met Serena earlier.”
Recalling some of the women Adam had dated in his very full bachelor life, Max was inclined to wish the same thing. He’d been forced to spend time with some of Adam’s women and they tended to be—well, flaky would be putting it kindly. But Serena Long had been right for Adam from the first day they’d met. Not that either of them had known that, of course.
Max took some pride in the fact that he’d been the one to introduce his old friend, a performance coach, to his buddy, a cop who was having some performance issues in the hockey arena. When Serena started getting threatening emails, Adam had done everything he could to keep her safe, even as the crazy psycho who was stalking her stepped up the threats. But some good had come out of it. A notorious killer was behind bars, and Adam and Serena were getting married.
“One wish. Wow,” Dylan said. “Hey, Max, if you could have one wish what would it be?”
As he opened his mouth Dylan held up a hand. “And no ‘world peace’ or ‘cure cancer’ allowed. Let’s hope we’d all man up and choose something noble if we actually stumbled across some genie who could give us anything. But, you know, what would you want for yourself?”
Max hoped he’d be big enough to ask for world peace if this magic genie appeared, but he suspected he was too weak. There was one thing that all the money and hard work in the world couldn’t buy. “I’d ask for infection-proof ears. Retroactive to childhood.”
There weren’t many people in the world who knew his secret regret, but these two guys were the closest friends he had. They knew that he’d always dreamed of being an astronaut. And that a couple of stupid childhood ear infections had weakened his ears to the point that he was out of the running before he even started. By the time he finished high school he knew he’d never be an astronaut.
“Yeah, that really sucked. But, you know, how many people get to be astronauts? For real?”
“I would have made it,” he said with the simple certainty of a man who had the tenacity to set his sights on a goal and pursue it single-mindedly. He had the smarts and the right temperament. What he didn’t have were the ears. He’d been ridiculously successful at everything he’d set his mind to. Except his dream.
“Life didn’t turn out too bad for you,” Adam said. “I bet most astronauts would trade their jobs for the billions you’re worth.”
Max shrugged. “I’d take the trade.”
“Yeah, I know.”
Money was easy to make in Max’s experience. Even though he couldn’t take part in space missions he’d studied astrophysics and invented a climate-control system that was eventually purchased by NASA. He’d refined his system and licensed it to most of the world’s major airlines. Obscenely rich at thirty-five, he now spent his time working as a venture capitalist. Money wasn’t the problem. If he had a problem, he suspected that it was boredom.
“Bought any companies lately?” Dylan asked.
“As a matter of fact, I am thinking of buying an airline.”
“I hope it’s a big American one because I have to tell you, last time I flew—”
“Nope. It’s called Polar Air.”
“Polar Air? Are you kidding me? Sounds like an air-conditioning system.”
“Well, it’s an airline. A small outfit that operates in Alaska.”
“If I had your money I’d buy yachts. And really big jewelry for bathing-suit models.” Dylan shook his head. “You buy Bush League air.”
“And that’s why he’s rich and you’re not,” Adam said.
“What about you, smart-ass?” Max said to Dylan. “What would you have if you were granted one wish? And no world peace for you, either.”
“Or Max’s billions.”
Dylan grinned, his teeth gleaming white in the firelight. He thought for a moment then grew serious. “I’d choose a superpower, obviously. Superstrength? X-ray vision? I can never decide.”
“Come on, dude. Quit messing around.”
Adam said, “You know, I think he’s being serious.”
“Bet your ass I am.”
Max shook his head and asked Adam, “Why are we friends with this guy?”
“Comic relief?” Adam tipped his head to the side and caught the coffee cup that came flying toward him. Having a serious conversation with Dylan was like talking physics with a golden retriever.
Dylan stood, stretched his arms high. “Well, one thing is for sure, I’m still in the running for Last Bachelor Standing and the odds are getting shorter.”
Max laughed. “It’s down to you and me now, buddy. And I play to win.”
* * *
MAX RETURNED TO his office in Hunter, Washington, after his long weekend of kayaking and found that, as usual, everything was running smoothly. His staff looked happy to see him, but it wasn’t like there was a lineup of people needing his input.
He was smart enough to hire the best people he could find to work fo
r him. He gave them autonomy, paid them well and was generous in praise and bonuses. As a result, his staff members were loyal, hardworking and proactive. His business ran like clockwork, his wealth grew exponentially every day.
Varo Enterprises was so successful it even had an entire division devoted to funding charities and worthy causes.
And Maximilian Varo, CEO of Varo Enterprises, was bored.
After a meeting with his key people at which he mostly agreed with their suggestions and approved decisions and expenditures, he asked Leslie Adamson, the manager he’d put in charge of the Polar Air acquisition, how it was going. Leslie pulled out the relevant file. “It’s going all right. It’s a pretty small deal by our standards. Shouldn’t be any problem buying for the right price and then putting in some good people to turn it around.” She flipped back a few pages in the file. “Polar Air used to be a successful regional airline. Started in the ’50s with a couple of bush pilots, husband and wife. Lynette and Carl Lundstrom.
“They flew supplies to hunting and fishing lodges, carried mail, flew equipment to logging and mining operations. Got bigger, and more successful. They flew hikers, hunters, geologists, kayakers all over Alaska. Then in the last five years things have gone south. The recession had an impact, but they are way behind on payments to suppliers and they aren’t keeping up with the times. We think there’s plenty of business that they aren’t going after. The fleet’s in good shape, there’s a small but loyal customer base. Could be a turnaround candidate to flip or we could keep it, maybe look at further acquisitions, expand as a regional airline.”
He knew all about the financials of Polar Air. Max never bought a business he didn’t understand and believe in. The small airline had some troubles, but the equipment was good, the pilots well trained. “You’re right. The airline should be more successful.”
Leslie nodded. “I don’t like not knowing what the problems really are. What we need is somebody on the ground.”
“Or in the air,” he said.
Leslie agreed. “They’ve got an opening for a pilot. Somebody with a commercial pilot’s license and some smarts could find out what’s going on from inside the operation.”
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