Page 62 of One Hot Moment

Before I can tell him not to bother, Duane leaps out of the car and opens the back door on Tabitha's side. Like a true gentleman, he offers his hand to help her climb out of the vehicle. I nearly trip over my own feet when I try to step out, but fortunately, I don't need our driver's assistance. That would be too bloody humiliating.

Tabitha and I race into the lobby and don't stop until we're ensconced in the elevator. Another couple rides with us, but they get out on the second floor. Now, Tabby and I are alone again.

And it's time for a bit of payback.

I back her up to the wall and kiss her. She melts for me with a soft moan. While our tongues dance a sensual tango, I sneak one hand under her skirt and push her thighs apart. Then I cuff her wrists above her head with my free hand and pet her drenched flesh with my fingers. Her breaths turn into soft panting. She might come any second.

So, I pull away.

Tabitha gives me a playfully annoyed look. "Turnabout, hmm? I like this side of you."

"Being with a free spirit like you has loosened me up."

The doors open, and we sprint down the hall to my apartment. I try to unlock the door but cock it up several times before I finally succeed. Sexual arousal and fine motor skills don't mix well. Once I fling the door open, before I've even shut it behind us, Tabitha leaps on me. She wraps her legs around me and showers kisses over my face while grunting like a wild animal. Oddly, that makes me even randier.

I stumble toward the sofa and trip, which makes me drop her on the sofa rather unceremoniously. She's in a heap on the cushions.

Tabitha scrambles to her knees on the sofa, grasps my shirt with both hands, and rips it open. Buttons fly, ticking on the coffee table.

My mobile rings.

For a few seconds, the sound doesn't register in my mind. Then we both freeze.

"Better get that," Tabitha says breathlessly. "Might be your sister."

"Uh, maybe." I nearly tear my trousers while trying to extract my mobile from my pocket, but at last, I see who's calling. "It isn't Bindy."

Tabitha's brows wrinkle. "Who, then?"

I answer the call just before it could go to voice mail. "Hello, Dane. I didn't expect to hear from you."

"The American Wives Club British Branch is in full meddling mode. I'm sending my jet to pick up you and Tabitha right away."

"What?" I'm still suffering from a throbbing erection and can't think clearly. "I don't understand anything you just told me."

"Rika is my wife. Elena is Chance's wife. They're married to my brothers. Does that ring a bell?"

"I'm still confused. Why are you sending your private jet for us?"

"We can explain that to you and your girl once you've arrived at Sommerleigh. For now, pack your bags and wait for one of the pilots to ring you with directions to the airport."

I rub my eyes but still can't sort out the words he spoke. "Ah, Dane, this is all rather confusing. An explanation would be helpful."

"Oh, yes, sorry. Duane rang your sister who rang Rika who pulled me out of a meeting with investors, telling me it was an emergency." He pauses, and I hear papers shuffling. "I need to get back to my meeting. But the gist is this. We all know Kendall needs your help, so we've arranged everything so you and Tabitha can fly to England right now."

Duane rang Dane's wife? I'm never going to sort out all this rubbish on the phone.

"Just pack and go downstairs. Duane will be waiting for you at the curb in twenty minutes. Cheers, Spencer."

Dane hangs up on me.

Even if I try to explain to Tabitha everything that Dane said, I wouldn't be able to make any sense of it. Instead, I give her the important bits. "My mate Dane Dixon is sending his private jet so we can fly to England immediately. Let's pack as quickly as possible."

She doesn't even balk. "Okay. I'm great at fast packing for a trip."

The woman does not lie. She gathers everything she needs in ten minutes while I'm still trying to figure out what type of clothing I should take with me. Tabby pitches in, realizing I'm suffering from packing paralysis.

With her guidance, we step out of the building precisely on time. Duane opens the car door for us. Within a minute or two at most, we're on our way to Reagan International Airport where Dane's jet will be waiting for us. Flying private means we can skip the usual security rubbish. Duane says goodbye to us on the tarmac as one of the pilots emerges to usher us onto the jet.

---