Page 21 of Robert

“I assure you, I am a very good pilot. Trust me.”

“It would be very tragic if we meet our deaths on the day of our fake marriage.” She muttered as she put them on.

“I should be offended, but I am not. Just look at the view.”

She felt a clutch in her stomach as he levered up and very soon, they were whizzing towards their destination. After a few minutes, she was able to put aside her fear and concentrated on the stunning view from up above.

“How are you holding up?” He shouted, half an hour later.

“Fine!” She shouted back. “It’s not so bad.”

“Good, we are going down.” He levered down without warning and had her clutching her stomach and screaming.

They landed in a clearing with surrounding trees and a car waiting a few feet away. Cutting the engine, he removed his headgear and hopped out. Opening her door, he took her hand to help her down. Taking the luggage out, he gestured towards the vehicle.

“How was it?” The quiet after the noise of the helicopter was a bit unnerving.

“Wasn’t as bad as I thought. My hair is a disaster.”

“You’re fine.” He wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked, but did not dare. She had changed out of her dress and was wearing painted on denims and ankle boots.

The thin green silk sweater molded her curves and gave him more than a glimpse of her assets. He was wondering how the hell he was going to survive seven days being in such close proximity to her and did not want to think about it.

“Is this all yours?” She rolled down her window, so she could see the scenery.

“It belongs to the company. We have an idea of building a ranch type house for out-of-town business associates.”

“It’s beautiful and so much land.” The breeze was whipping her hair around her face, while she laughingly tried to control the strands. He was surprised that she allowed herself to be so disheveled and free.

Sonya Faulkner…. No, he mentally shook his head. She was still Beaumont. His mouth set in a grim line as he remembered that they were not really husband and wife. Tonight was not going to be his honeymoon where he got to see his bride naked and make love to her until the sun comes up.

They would be sleeping in separate rooms. He did not have the right to touch her, and he was wondering why the hell he had agreed to this damn torture. Pressing his foot more on the accelerate, he increased the speed. It was beginning to get dark, and he was not looking forward to tonight.

Sonya stole a glance at him and realized his mood had changed.

She was beginning to think that this was not a good idea after all. The place was isolated, and they would be spending seven days and nights alone, together. And she was the one who had put them in this untenable position.

She had just opened her mouth to apologize to him when he spoke.

“We are here.”

The cottage was pink and white and reminded her of a lovely two-tiered cake. It was in the middle of a veritable forest. There were trees everywhere and flowers – wildly beautiful flowers were in direct contrast to the lush green of the grass. A barnlike structure was to the left of the cottage and a corral.

“Are there horses?”

“There used to be.” Hopping out, he came around to take out their luggage and opened the door.

“The place originally belonged to a horse trainer.” He waited while she looked around.

“You’re cold. The air is thinner up here.”

“It’s so beautiful and serene.”

“And isolated.” He faced her. “Not what you’re accustomed to.”

“Oh, I think I can manage to survive the quiet.”

“Shall we?”

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