Page 3 of Delayed
Damn! Rex Bancroft couldn’t believe hisluck. Chalking his successes up to luck cheapened all the effort heput into his life. Everything he had, he’d worked hard for.However, his current situation—standing next to this beauty—was alittle different.
With Dog Tired Brewery’s private jet delayedin Los Angeles, he had no choice but to book a commercial flightfrom Grand Rapids to Washington D.C. Thus, his arrival at thecheck-in counter at just the right moment. He hadn’t flown on acommercial airline in over a year—since they’d co-purchased theprivate Gulfstream g450—and he hadn’t been looking forward to theflight until his eyes landed on Anna.
He released her hand, slipped his to herlower back and guided her around a corner and into the Grand Hall,where the shops and restaurant were located. They had some time tokill, and he couldn’t think of better way to spend it than sippinga pint or two with this knockout. Reviewing his itinerary andreports for the visit to D.C. could wait.
Something about her drew his attention. Longchestnut waves fluttered down her back. Her navy coat obscured hisview of whether she was wearing a dress or skirt, but her blackstockings and black leather knee high boots gave him a peek oftoned yet curvy legs.
Never one to wait for fate to intervene,he’d propped himself directly behind her so she wouldn’t miss himwhen she turned around. As planned, she spun on her heels andsmacked into him. What he hadn’t accounted for was the way herspicy vanilla scent hit him, making his mouth water.
His gaze pinned hers. Her honey-colored eyeswere so round and expressive she could likely see right into hissoul. Sun-kissed, her face and neck a healthy golden shade, seemedout of place.
Her indulgent lips parted in surprise.Looking at her full mouth sent naughty thoughts racing through hishead and his dick twitched.
He pressed his hand more firmly to her back.Though he wasn’t known for picking up pretty ladies at airports,there was always a first time.
Hell. No different than doing it at bars andclubs in whatever city he happened to be in at the time. No ties.No worries. Just good hot sex.
He breathed in the scent of his eye-candyagain. Yep. No way was he settling down. Not after what Layla haddone. No woman would have that sort of power over him again. Oneheartbreak was enough. He’d spent the time after their breakupseeking sexual release, giving zero fucks about exploring arelationship with anyone. Ever. Again.
Yet, though he’d never admit it out loud,especially around his friends, the single lifestyle was gettingold. Turning thirty-five had a way of making a statement.
Did he really want to throw away the idea ofsomeday finding companionship and settling down with a good womanbecause some selfish twit slept with his now ex-friend? Right now,he had a beautiful woman next to him. He planned to enjoy hercompany for however long they were marooned in Michigan.
“What can I get you?” the bartender asked asthey moved to the bar. The blonde eyed him like he was a new dressand she was about to try him on for size. She directed her questionto him as if Anna was not standing next to him.
Rex pulled out the only stool left at thesmall bar and offered it to Anna.
Anna sat in front of him, let her coat slipoff her shoulders and down her arms before draping it over hersuitcase. Her skirt rode up high on her thighs. He traced hermovements and shuddered as she leaned to rest her purse on top ofthe carry-on at her feet.
Was that a garter?
He swallowed hard and stared, transfixed onthe black lace at the top of her tights and the black clips holdingthem up. Women didn’t wear garters very often. In fact, he’d neverbeen with a woman who used them for an everyday purpose. Heimagined undressing her until she stood in nothing but that damngarter. His cock jerked in his jeans.
“Take the lady’s order first.” His voicecame out more gravelly than usual. He cleared his throat, trying todisguise the desire consuming him. For Christ’s sake, he’d just metthis woman and he wanted to worship her.
“I’ll have a pint of the stout,” Annasaid.
He expected a white wine or fruityconcoction. She surprised him yet again. He liked her more witheach passing second.
The bartender nodded in her direction butkept her eyes on Rex. “And for you?” She smiled her best smile,obviously hoping to elicit a glimmer of interest from him.
“I’ll have the same.” Standing behind Anna,his abs brushed her back. Her spicy vanilla scent wafted up and heinhaled deeply, drawing her aroma into his lungs and fixing it tohis memory. Anna sparked something different in him. He wasn’t surewhat it was yet, but he wanted to find out.
The bartender scurried to the taps to pourtheir beers. A few people filed in behind them as others had thesame idea about grabbing a drink while they waited for the fate oftheir flights.
“A stout, eh?” He bent closer to Anna’s earso she could hear him over the surrounding chatter. She shivered,and he relished the reaction she had to him. “You struck me as awhite wine or daquiri type of girl.”
Tilting her head back and to the side, shestared at him. Her dark waves cascaded down her back, exposing herneck, and her wide eyes challenged him.
“That’s what happens when you stereotypepeople you don’t know. You get it wrong.” Teasing wove into hervoice and she cocked an eyebrow to emphasize her point.
Her spunk and sass made her even moredesirable. He loved women who stood on their own two feet, whocould handle themselves and weren’t looking for a man to definethem.
“That I did.” He grinned. “Won’t happenagain.”
The bartender slid two pints across the bar.Anna handed her cash before he could do anything. “Hey! I asked youfor a drink, which meant I was paying.”
“Doesn’t look that way.” She winked at him.The bartender held out the change. Anna left a couple dollars onthe bar for a tip and leaned over to stuff the remaining money inher purse, revealing her stockings again.
