Page 79 of Stuart Woods' Smolder

“Do you know where I’ll find the Hertz counter at LAX? I’ve arranged for a rental.”

“That’s going to be a problem. We’re not going to LAX.”

She sat up. “I thought you said we were.”

“I said we were going to Los Angeles, and we are. Just not LAX.”

“Then where?”

“Van Nuys Airport. It caters to private jets. I used to use Santa Monica Airport, but they’ve shortened the runway and are planning on closing the airport entirely in a few years.”

“Doesn’t LAX allow jets like yours?”

“They do, but they are also one of the busiest airports in the world. We could find ourselves endlessly circling the city as we wait for clearance to land.”

“I wonder if I can transfer my reservation to Van Nuys. Does Hertz even have an office there?”

“Whether they do or not is of no matter. A driver will pick us up.”

“That’s very kind, but I don’t want to put you out.”

“Where do you want to go?”

“I have a friend who lives in Altadena. I was going to stay with her.”

“You know, you’re welcome to stay at the Arrington with me.”

“You’re not tired of me yet?”

“Not even close.” He leaned over and kissed her.

“Good. Keep it that way.” She returned his affection.

Chapter 25

They deplaned in Van Nuys, and Dean transferred their luggage to a waiting Porsche Cayenne SUV. The Arrington had a fleet of them for VIP guest use.

“Good to see you again, Mr. Barrington,” the driver said as Stone and Monica climbed in. “Straight to the Arrington?”

“Please.”

Monica was in for yet another surprise when, instead of being dropped off at the front of the hotel, the Porsche stopped at the entrance to a large house behind the main building.

“What is this?” she asked.

“My L.A. home,” Stone said.

“Your home is in the middle of a hotel?”

“This property was inherited by my late wife when her first husband, Vance Calder, died.”

“The actor?”

“The very same. When Arrington passed, Peter and I decidedto turn the land into a hotel, with a home built specifically for me.”

“Youownthe Arrington.”

“Along with Peter and a company run by my friend Mike Freeman.”

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