by Sher Dillard
But now, that phone call was going to change everything. For the briefest moment, he thought about not telling her. Of delaying it so they might have one more night together. But no, she deserved better.
Sighing again, he pushed himself up from his desk and went in search of her. Of course, it wasn’t hard, she was in the kitchen whipping up some specialty that would melt in his mouth. Dressed in his shirt, barefoot and barelegged. She had been dressed that way all week and each time he saw her his insides would turn to stone.
Her back to him, she was stirring something in a bowl while she hummed under her breath.
No, he thought as he forced his hands to stop from bending her over the kitchen counter and taking her right there. Knowing Jane as he had come to learn, she would have enjoyed it. Even been disappointed that he had held back.
Instead, he said, “Jane.”
She jumped then turned around with a wide smile, obviously happy to see him. Then slowly, the smile slipped away as she studied him. “What?” she asked.
His gut hurt but he had to tell her. “I just got a call from the airport manager.”
Her face froze as she said, “Of course you did. Why am I not surprised?”
“They’re opening the airport for one departing flight. Crew only. Everyone has to pass a quick medical exam. It might be another week before it opens for good. This virus is hanging on. Its even more contagious but at least now they have a test.”
Her brow furrowed, “The crew?”
Jake laughed. “You are now an employee of Star airlines. If you want, I can get you on the plane as a crewmember.”
She looked deeply into his eyes as if trying to understand some strange secret. “How?”
He shrugged, “I own a good piece of stock. They bent some rules.”
“How much stock.”
Again, he shrugged, “About twenty percent, not enough to be an issue but enough to get my way when I need to.”
Her face lost a little color. “I forget how rich you are.”
What could he say, that had nothing to do with this issue. She wanted to get home and back to her life. He would move heaven and earth to make it happen. Sure, he’d kick himself for the next six months but that didn’t change the fact that he wanted her to be happy. And even more important. Safe.
“I think you should take it. You would be safer away from here.”
A quick strange look flashed behind her eyes before she nodded. “Of course, I understand.”
His insides tightened. He expected more … unhappiness. But she seemed to be taking it well. But then, of course, she’d never indicated this was anything more than a fun interlude. A way to pass quarantine.
“Do I have time to take a shower?” she asked.
“A quick one,” he answered. “Then I’ll drive you out there, make sure things go smoothly.”
Again, she frowned for a just a moment, then pushed her way past him and hurried to the bathroom. Once again, he felt a deep sense of disappointment. On so many levels. But he had been right. She needed to get out of town. Not just because of the virus. But she had an entire life to get back to.
She surprised him by getting ready rather quickly. Once again returning to that sexy business suit. She stepped out of the bedroom with her purse over her shoulder and her briefcase in her hand. Wet hair back in a ponytail. No make-up. But then a woman as beautiful as her didn’t really need it.
A thousand thoughts fought in his mind. This was the right thing he determined. On so many levels. Besides, really, what other choice did he have? He couldn’t exactly hold her hostage.
“Ready?” she asked with a sad smile.
A part of him wanted to curse. She didn’t have to seem so pleased with the whole idea.
“Let’s go,” he said as he touched the small of her back to guide her out as a deep regret filled him with all he was losing.
No, this was the right way, he repeated to himself. All the while knowing he would second guess his decision for half his life.
.o0o.
It was taking Jane every bit of will and strength not to break down in front of him. No, it wouldn’t be fair to him. He’d been perfect all week. He’d even arranged a way for her to escape. Yet she so desperately wished he would ask her to stay.
Biting her lip, she looked out of the window of his truck at the empty streets. The world really had come to a screeching halt. While they had been hiding, laughing and loving, the rest of the world had fallen into a deep hole. A sense of guilt flashed through her.
A few people were out, rushing to buy groceries before scurrying back to the safety of their homes. The thought of food made her think of his kitchen and cooking for him. One more thing she was going to miss desperately. Of course, not near as much as she was going to miss the man himself. His quick mind, his funny humor, and most definitely his hard body.
Even now, with him pushing her away, still, she craved him more than any addict had ever needed a quick fix.
“I forget,” he said without taking his eyes off the road. “What was your sales meeting about?”
She swallowed a quick bolt of pain. Another failure to live with. “Palmerston's software and support.”
He laughed and shook his head.
“What is so funny?” she snapped before she could stop herself. If he started denigrating her job or her company it would change the entire week and everything she thought about her people judging skills.
“I was worried about offering to make the sale,” he said with a deep frown. “Worried that you might take it the wrong way. Like I was only doing it because….”
“But?” she asked as she held her breath.
“But, seeing how I was the one who told Simpson to buy the full package two months ago. Support, training, everything. You don’t have to question my decision.”
Her heart jumped. Was he serious?
“Really,” she asked, unable to believe it was truly happening. And why? Was he doing this as some kind of payment? His way of alleviating any guilt?
No, she realized. He had nothing to feel guilty about. There had been no promises. She was a big girl. No, he didn’t need to do this. As she studied him, she realized that he was telling the truth. He’d never lied to her about anything. She couldn’t have felt this way if there was any doubt in her mind.
“Thank you,” she said as she let out a long breath. “I promise, you won’t be disappointed.”
He shot her a quick smile that seemed to say she had never disappointed him. A flutter began in her stomach as she thought about how much she loved this man. They were so good together. But that was the world of Quarantine. Not the real world she reminded herself as once again she bit back a tear and turned to stare at the empty city.
When they got to the airport, Jake turned off to drive around to the rear. A portly guard wearing a mask held up his hand, keeping well back.
Jake lowered his window an inch or two and yelled “Jake Walters.”
The guard nodded as he swung the gate open. “Told to expect you.”
Jake nodded his thanks as he drove through the gate and out onto the tarmac. A large airliner had been pushed back from the gate and sat waiting for her, a crewmember at the top of the stairs. Her heart fell as the reality of the situation finally sank in.
He pulled to a stop and jumped out. That quickness sealed the deal in her mind. He was ready for her to leave so he could start his life again.
Sighing heavily, she got out and joined him. “Thank you,” she said as she stepped up next to him. “For arranging this.”
He shrugged as he turned to her. “I’ll say goodbye here.”
A tear finally broke through forcing her to quickly wipe it away and sniffle. “I’ll never forget you and what you did for me,” she told him. “you are a true knight in shining armor.”
“And you are a remarkable lady,” he said as he leaned down to give her a quick kiss.
Her heart broke into a thousand pieces when he pulled ba
ck. This was it, she realized, her send-off. Well, at least he hadn’t called her a cab and dumped her out the front door. No, not Jake, he was too sweet for something that callous. No, he got a girl a real ride.
“Bye Jake,” she mumbled behind a hiccup as she turned and started for the airplane. No wiggle in her walk. No, she was too hurt to try and entice him. Better to just get on board and try to forget everything.
“Ms. Parkman?” the flight attendant said with a commercial smile.
Jane could only nod as she followed the woman into the airplane.
“It’s all yours,” the woman said as she waved an arm to an empty cabin. “We’re making a few stops along the way to pick up other crewmembers. They’re scattered across the country. It will be a good nine or ten hours before we reach our final destination.”
Jane swallowed a quick sob as she put her briefcase in an overhead compartment then plopped down into a first-class aisle seat. Of course, the attendant wouldn’t leave her alone.
“Can I get you anything to drink?”
Jane balked. “I thought I was sort of an employee or something for this.”
The attendant smiled. “I don’t know. I just know my boss’s boss passed down that we were to treat you like royalty. I guess your boyfriend has big pull with important people.
Jane’s heart broke once again. Boyfriend. Such a delicious word. A word that she would never be allowed to apply to Jake. No. She had just officially become an afterthought. Perhaps, someday, she might be moved up to a pleasant memory.
A wave of sadness filled her as she turned to stare out of the window. Jake and his truck had already disappeared. Of course, why should she have expected anything different?
Sighing, she drifted off into a world filled with memories. A world she would never know again. Finally, the tears began. Slow, painful tears.
Thankfully, the attendant had enough sense to leave her alone to her own misery. As the plane winged its way home, she could only stare into the darkness and miss all she had lost.
Chapter Nine
Time is an enemy never defeated, merely delayed. Jane glanced down at her phone and cringed. It was past midnight. They’d picked up another twenty people with three different stops. Each spaced out in the cabin, obviously worried about catching something.
It had been the longest flight of her life. In so many ways. Every excruciating minute had registered with agonizing reality. Now, finally, she was home. Or at least in her own city.
It was strange to see people in the terminal. Not many, but this airport hadn’t closed down, at least not yet. What if the city, her city closed down and she was forced back into quarantine? Alone. Without Jake. God. How would she ever survive?
The perky attendant didn’t look near as perky. Twelve hours in the air will do that to a person. She gave Jane a quick smile and held up a scanning thermometer. “Sorry, we have to test everyone before we let them out.”
Jane nodded. The attendant glanced down at the readout and gave her a quick smile before going on to the next person. A sense of relief washed over her. If she didn’t have it, that meant Jake didn’t have it. At least not yet.
God, she was going to miss that man. Her body physically ached with the need for his arms around her. His lips kissing her, making the world seem right and whole.
After she retrieved her briefcase, she squared her shoulders and made her way out the open door and onto the jetway.
This was it, she realized. Time to put aside the pain and hurt and face her life. She really had no other choice. Yes, she would cry and pine for months. Maybe even a year or two. And yes, it was hard to imagine ever finding a man that could meet the standards Jake had established. But again, she had no choice.
When she stepped into the terminal she stepped back, surprised at all the people. Each one going somewhere desperately important. Each lost in their own world. The shock back to reality made her shudder. The world had moved on while she had been locked in her own little magical world.
Sniffling back a tear she turned to make her way out.
“Jane,” a deep velvety voice called from behind her. A voice she would know anywhere anytime.
Holding her breath, she turned to find Jake standing there. An expensive Italian suit, a questioning look in his eyes.
Her heart jumped into overdrive as she fought to understand. “Jake?” she asked. “How? Why?”
He smiled softly but she could see a hint of doubt behind his eyes.
“The how is easy. A private jet and no stops.”
“And the why?” she asked as she held her breath.
He looked down for a quick second then looked up and stared into her eyes. That sexy, commanding stare that turned her stomach into fluttering knots. “Because I didn’t want to say goodbye. I don’t ever want to say goodbye.”
Jane’s heart slammed to a halt as she fought to catch her breath. Was this possible?
“It is simple,” he said as he stepped forward and took her hands with his. “I want to spend the rest of my life in Quarantine with you.”
“What does that mean?” she asked as her mind fumbled for some kind of understanding.
He frowned down at her. “I thought it was rather obvious. Marriage, kids, you know, happy ever after type stuff.”
“You want to marry me?”
He laughed. “I’d have stopped to get a ring, but I figured it was more important getting here ahead of you before you disappeared into your world. Besides, I thought we’d fly to New York and you could pick it out at Tiffany’s”
“New York,” she gasped. “I don’t have any clothes.”
“That’s all right,” he said as he took her elbow and started to steer her to an exit that led to the private jets. “Besides, I packed extra shirts.”
She looked up at him as her legs hurried to keep up with him. The man was obviously in a rush to start their new life. And there was no way she was letting him get away from her. Not again.
“Jake Walters,” she said, “I love you and I’m going to make you the best wife any man has ever had.”
He laughed as he pulled them to a stop so he could look into her eyes. “I know,” he said. “That is why I fell in love with you. And why I will move heaven and earth to make you happy.”
Jane smiled up at him before pulling him down so she could kiss him. “How private is this jet of yours?” she asked as she felt her cheeks grow warm.
He laughed out loud then winked at her. “Enough,” he said as he once again took her elbow and hurried her to the plane.
Jane couldn’t stop herself from laughing. She was flying off into the sunset with the man she loved. Even more importantly, a man who loved her. Yes, she could laugh. Life didn’t get more perfect.
The End
Author Notes
Thank you for reading my story. I would enjoy hearing from you. What did you think, would you like to see more of these type of stories. I can be contacted at [email protected]. Or feel free to visit my facebook page.
A special thanks to my critique partners. Eryn Carpenter, and Frankie Love. This story would not exist without their wonderful insights and support. They are the greatest.
Please continue to read on and explore the first chapter to my book Dragon Fire.
I hope you enjoy it.
Dragon Fire
Chapter One
She entered the place like she owned it. As if she was simply stepping into a palace ballroom. Pure poise, grace, and beauty. Girls like that shouldn’t come into taverns like this. It wasn’t good for their health.
Drake looked down at the rough hands holding his ale. It wasn’t any of his business. He had enough problems of his own. The last thing he needed was to get mixed up with some high born beauty slumming through the worst part of town.
Yet, he couldn’t look away for long. Something about her drew him in. Called to his inner beast.
Sighing to himself, he looked up.
She was dressed in a fine burgund
y cloak. The kind that screamed wealth and too much refinement. She had pulled back the hood to reveal sun-kissed blond hair and sparkling blue eyes. His stomach turned over. Pure trouble, that was what this was, pure trouble.
The woman was looking for something. Her eyes searching the room. A dozen eyes were examining her in return. Cataloging every curve. In fact, almost every man in the place was evaluating his options and opportunity. Drake well knew what they were thinking, knew what they wanted. The thought roused a part of him that had been dormant for too long. His protective instincts naturally grew as he grumbled in the back of his throat.
No! He reminded himself. This was not his problem. Do not get involved in their petty issues.
But still, something about the woman called to him.
As he watched, her eyes finally came to rest on him in the far corner. They opened wide in surprise, then narrowed as she inspected what she saw. He noticed a hint of disappointment mixed with a smidgen of interest.
Smiling to himself, he shook his head and focused on his ale. Maybe, if he ignored her, she would go away. And if she hurried, maybe she’d be allowed to leave.
But, no such luck.
The woman started walking towards him. Every man in the room followed every step. Their eyes devouring the subtle swing of her hips, the bounce of her golden hair, and the sparkle in her eyes.
She came to stop at his table, looking down at him. Her look dismissing him like a scullery maid late in her duties. The woman had no idea who she was dealing with.
“Mr. Drake?” she asked.
She was probably about five years younger than himself. Maybe twenty years old. But, her eyes held a maturity that surprised him a little. This woman may be young, but she knew what she wanted, and had a confidence well beyond her years.
“Just, Drake,” he answered.
She hesitated for a moment, obviously surprised he had not risen.
“May I join you?” she asked as she began to remove her kid gloves. Not hearing an answer, she sat on the wooden bench across from him, her eyes letting him know she was not amused.
