“Same here, gorgeous.” His fingertip traced her brow. “I kind of got the feeling this is some kind of experiment for you. I’m glad I was in the right place at the right time. Luckiest day of my life.”
“You think I’d have done this with any hot guy I met?” She started to sit up but he tucked her closer. “Bastian, that’s not true. Believe me, I have lots of fantasies. Yes, one of them was to take a younger lover, but I’ve never wanted to make one come true as much as when I met you.”
“Tell me about the books in your purse. Are they about things you want to try? Or simply something to dream about?”
Ridiculous, considering what they’d done, she blushed again. “I guess they’re a hot fantasy. Not something I ever expected to experience but something to wonder about. Sort of like winning the lotto. Part of the fun of buying a ticket is imagining what you’d do with the winnings because that’s as close as you’ll ever get, you know?”
“I suppose.” He nuzzled her neck. “I’ve never bought a lotto ticket. If I want something, I try to figure out how I can get it myself.”
Admiration for her lover flared in her chest.
“Someday, I hope I can say the same.”
“What if I know a way you can? At least with these…”
“Mr. Fiori, we’re nearing JFK. Which gate do you require?” The chauffer buzzed through the tinted glass partition on the intercom.
Lynn’s heart bottomed out. Her time with this incredible man had expired. Sure, they’d be on the same plane, but now she had no doubt he’d be flying first class with flight attendants hanging on every request while she suffered through the nine-hour journey squashed in coach. If she got really lucky, she’d be seated between an armrest hogger and someone intent on talking her ear off when all she wanted to do was relive these past four hours, over and over.
“Terminal three, gate eleven,” she supplied. At the same time he said, “Terminal four, gate nine.”
Oh no!
They weren’t on the same flight after all. She’d have less than five minutes to say goodbye as the first airport signs zipped past the window.
“Terminal four, please,” he repeated for the driver then clicked the channel closed and cleared his throat. “Lynn, I told the airline to release your seat, that you’d made other plans. The flight was oversold even before the weather jacked stuff up. They were looking for any reason to generate free spots.”
This time he couldn’t hold her when she shoved away from his betraying warmth. “Who the fuck do you think you are? I gave up everything I know for this opportunity. You think you can make decisions for me after knowing me for less than five minutes?”
“Listen, please.” He held his hand out, palms facing her when she contemplated chucking her shoe at him. “It’s not as bad as you think. I wasn’t sure if we were going to make it here on time with the traffic. Look, it’s already six forty-five.”
She hauled her cell from her purse then dropped her head in her hands. Hormones had distracted her when she could least afford it. He was right. Even if she’d run or found a trolley to drive her, she would have had a hard time making it to her gate before they released her seat for the international flight.
“So why’d you bother with all this nonsense?” She waved at the decadent car. “You were that sure you’d get in my skirt?”
“Not at all.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, trying to ignore the husky note to his voice. Like she gave a crap if she’d hurt his pride.
“I made other arrangements for us. I’m sorry, I should have asked but I didn’t think you’d accept. Not until you knew me better. I didn’t plan for this to happen, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t hope.” A ghost of his previous smile returned. “I still think you’re gorgeous.”
Anger at his ability to melt her insides, even now, had her snapping at him. “Cut that out. Tell me how I’m getting to Europe.”
“On the team’s private jet.”
Had she heard him right? “Private jet?”
“Uh, yeah. I came to the States with my navigator Mark. We checked out a few brake suppliers we’re considering changing to. After that, he went to visit some family while I did a little sightseeing. I was meeting him here for the flight to France.”
“You’re making a transatlantic flight on a private jet.” She couldn’t stop herself from repeating herself even though she knew she sounded ridiculous.
“Yep.” He grinned. “Are you impressed yet? I’m kind of banking on that, you know?”
“Holy crap.” She shook her head. “And you’re sure it’s okay for me to come along?”
“I cleared it with our owner. And Mark.” His lids grew heavy as he stared at her, the embers of their lust glowing a little brighter for a moment. “He’s looking forward to meeting you.”
“What did you tell him about me?” Suspicion had her pulse picking up speed with every beat of her heart.
“Enough.” Sebastian scrubbed his hand through his hair before settling her onto his lap once more. Shock numbed her too much to fight. Besides, his touch calmed even when it should have repulsed. “If you just need a lift, we’re more than glad to help. If you want to check out the private cabin with me, that’s even better. And if you want to reach for your fantasies, win the lotto…well, you’re holding the ticket. All you have to do is cash it.”
She couldn’t deny the pressure of his cock, hard once more, against her thigh.
“You’d be okay with that? Sharing me with your friend?” Part of her became horny as hell as she considered the possibility, but part of her cried that he didn’t want to keep her for himself. Stupid, considering they’d met mere hours ago. How could she think their affair could be more than a simple fuck?
“I’m not going to lie,
tesoro
. I’ve done it before. But…” He shook his head. “It’s fine. If that’s what you want, it’s fine. More than fine.” His fingers clenched on her hip and knee.
“How much time do we have before take off? When do I have to decide?”
“It’s not an ultimatum. Fly with me. See what develops, okay?”
They pulled up to the curb as he pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. She nodded but she already suspected their voyage could have only one destination. It wasn’t every day someone held a golden ticket.
What a waste it would be not to use it.
The driver opened the door then handed her out. Was it too much to hope for an internet connection in the terminal?
“We have to be on board in twenty minutes. I’m going to check on our luggage. Why don’t you call Rachel and let her know you’re okay? I’m a little afraid of your friends.” He joked but she caught the serious kernel in his eyes.
He’d lobbed her a perfect excuse to get some advice and she would grab it.
“Thank you.” She hugged him tight. Maybe he’d gone about things all wrong, but she could admit to herself that she’d have been royally screwed—and not the fun kind—if he hadn’t done it. “I’ll meet you at the gate in fifteen minutes.”
Lynn found a bench in a quiet corner. This terminal had a much classier feel than the cramped, utilitarian commercial wings. Her finger tapped the icon for Rachel in her contact list. Unsure if the thing had even rung, her best friend’s shriek almost destroyed her eardrum.
“Tell me everything! Are you okay? What’s going on?” In the background she thought she heard Ethan trying to calm his fiancée.
“I’m good. Everything’s good. Great really.” She hesitated.
“Are you sure?” Rachel pressed.
“Yes.” The aura of her sexual conquest had been tainted by her doubts. “It’s just…well, Sebastian has a bad habit of acting before asking. He’s done it twice in the nanosecond I’ve known him.”
“Did he hurt you?” The
shwing
of her friend’s claws coming out rang through the line.
“No, that’s not it. But he trampled my pathetic attempt at being in charge of my destiny.”
“That’s the price you pay for having a hotheaded, younger man in your life. You just met. He doesn’t understand what you’ve been through yet. But there are definite bennies too. Speaking of…did you fuck him?”
“Rach!” Ethan’s outrage traveled over the line.
“Uh…”
“You did! I knew it! God, he’s smoking. And really good at his job. I researched him for you. He’s won the title in his class the last three years in a row.”
Why should Lynn feel any measure of pride over that? It wasn’t as if she’d had a hand in it. Still, something inside her glowed for him.
“I only have a few minutes, Rach. I’m flying to France with him on his team’s private jet.”
“Holy shit! He’s hot, successful, good in bed
and
he has access to a private jet? You bitch!”
Ethan mumbled in the background. Something about the
Kama Sutra
.
Lynn really didn’t want to know.
“I never said he was good in bed.” She’d burn in hell for implying he wasn’t.
“Whatever! I can hear it in your voice. Okay, okay, I’m under control now. What the heck do you need me for? Sounds like you’ve got things well in hand.”
“He…” She had to stop and clear her throat before starting again. “He found my books. There’s going to be another guy with us. His navigator. Sebastian implied they’re into
ménage
.”
Nothing came across the line.
“Hello?” She peered at the display on her cell, which claimed to still be connected. Not now! She banged the thing against the heel of her palm. “Rachel? Can you hear me?”
“Sorry. Still here. Just… Whoa.”
In all the years they’d known each other, Rachel had never been at a loss for words before.
“Is that a good ‘whoa’? Or a bad ‘whoa’?” Panic started to breed self-doubt.
“It’s a just-wait-until-I-post-this-on-the-blog whoa. I know you, Lynn. If you didn’t feel it you would have kicked him to the curb already. The fact you’re considering means you really have something going. To be honest, I’m more concerned about that. What are you going to do after tonight? Are you going to be able to walk without getting hurt?”
“I—I don’t know. It might be too late for that already.” She wished she could put the world on hold to think things through. Then again, hadn’t that always gotten her in trouble? Maybe it was time to let go and trust her instincts. “I think I’m going to do it, Rach. If there’s a spark between us, I’m going to go for it. I’ll figure the rest out later.”
“Good for you. Enjoy yourself. Email me when you can so I know you’re all right.”
“I will. Thanks.” She closed her phone with a snap. The digital clock on the front reminded her no more than five minutes of her reprieve remained. No way in hell would she meet Sebastian’s friend looking like a something that’d been strapped to the hood of their racecar for a dozen rough miles.
She hustled to the restroom to freshen up.
“Dude. Quit pacing, you’re driving me nuts.”
Sebastian glared at Mark, the ungrateful bastard. Didn’t he realize how much they stood to lose? Letting Lynn out of his sight had been a gamble, but he’d nearly pushed her too far by rearranging her schedule. Maybe she’d tell them to fuck off. “What if she doesn’t show?”
“She’ll come. You said this trip is important to her, right? There’s no other choice today. I came through the main hall from my connecting flight. It’s wall-to-wall in there.”
He didn’t dare tell his friend how bad he hoped Lynn returned because of him—the hell with the lack of alternates. He’d never live that down. At least not until the man had met her. Sebastian found it hard to believe anyone could resist Lynn. How she’d made it this long without some guy claiming her boggled his mind. Unless she didn’t want to be tied down.
“Hot damn, is
that
your lady?” Mark looked like a kid in a candy store as he watched Lynn approach.
“Uh-huh.” She had gotten even more gorgeous in the past half-hour. He’d swear to it.
“Good eye, Fiori.”
“It’s more than that, asshole.” He regretted the fire in the rebuke when his friend turned to face him, eyebrows raised. Maybe this hadn’t been one of his best ideas.
Too late to rescind his offer—not that he’d deny Lynn a chance to explore her fantasy—he reached out to buss her cheeks before making introductions.
He ignored the urge to snatch her away as she hugged Mark in greeting. When her luscious breasts pressed against his friend, she might as well have waved a red flag at the poor sucker. No way could the man resist her stacked frame if given half a chance.
Mark had been his second-in-command since their junior racing days a decade ago. His best friend understood what Sebastian wanted when he lingered instead of clambering onto the plane.
“Very nice to meet you, Lynn. I’ll see you two on board. Gotta make a call before we take off.” He wore a shit-eating grin as he practically skipped into the Jetway.
“I was afraid you’d run.” No use in beating around the bush.
“Me too.” She patted his chest then fixed some imaginary wrinkle in his collar before she whispered, “But I couldn’t. I would regret it the rest of my life. Not knowing what might have been. I have to say this though. No more stealing my thunder. Only
I
say what goes with me.”
“There are no expectations,
tesoro
.”