Page 11 of Flight Plan

Okay, this was a start.

“I like this idea of staying in the moment.” She drifted her fingers to run along his smooth jaw, eyes brimming with desire.

He licked his lips, his mouth going dry, not expecting this about-face.

She leaned toward him and placed her other palm on his thigh. “Mindfulness sounds useful.”

“It’s a great technique.” But saying the word technique out loud only made him think of using it in far more pleasurable terms.

“I can think of a way to ease tension, but it requires getting lost in the moment.”

The low, husky words she murmured and her green and amber-flecked eyes smoldering with intensity made his blood rush, sparking his desire. When she reverently sighed his name, a jolt of fire shot to his groin. He reiterated to the universe with reverence:I want her!

Leaning closer, she pressed a kiss on his jaw, her satin hair soft against his cleanly shaven cheek. Under the soft, dark curtain of her hair, he slipped his hand along the column of her neck and stroked her nape. It seemed to be the confirmation she needed, and her mouth met his with force. It was a full-on attack—and it rocked his world.

This scorpion is a great kisser.

Ava grabbed his torso with both hands, asserting her dominance. He adjusted his seat to better accommodate her as she swung her legs over him, filling his lap. Her dress bunched around her thighs. Wesley clamped his big hands on her hips and rocked her over his pelvis. She rubbed against him enticingly, making him groan deep in his throat.

From the moment he’d laid eyes on Ava, he’d fantasized about being with her. And he possessed an incredible imagination. One couldn’t create an imaginary game world with mediocre creativity. The passionate, dominant way she liberated her hunger made his hands shake with desire. No matter how much his body craved more, he stopped her.

“Hold on.”

“What…what’s the matter?” She moved to flick her tongue along his neck and nibbled his earlobe, her hot breath fanning the titillating effect.

Wesley released her hips, unable to touch her and control his mounting desire at the same time. “I just thought we could talk some more.” He couldn’t bear the thought of a one-and-done with this woman. Something told him a quick bump-and-grind in the parlor would only make her think worse of him. She was very tipsy, if not drunk, and he needed to establish a relationship with her, for the sake of his game. He didn’t want just a quickie. He wanted…something more.

“Is something wrong?” She stiffened. “I’m not good enough?”

“Good enough?” He gripped her shoulders, despising she could think such an abomination. “On the contrary…you’re extraordinary.” He smoothed the hair back from her face, rather in awe of her.

“Well, if there’s no problem…” Ava ran her tongue from the corner of his mouth to his other earlobe. She clicked her teeth together; the sound at his tender ear made him flinch. With his heart rate increasing, his breathing became ragged. She wet his lobe with a moist kiss before capturing it between her teeth.

Barbaric…and powerfully stimulating.

Wesley’s eyes drifted closed. He was nearly having an out-of-body experience as her kisses scorched his neck and her hands found their way under his shirt. Her short but manicured nails met his flesh, and she stroked with exquisite slowness.

“Ava.” He groaned; his voice sounded hoarse even to his own ears.

She returned her lips to his and rocked against his zipper.

He placed his hands on her rounded biceps and stalled her advance. “We have plenty of time. The wedding festivities last all weekend.”

Ava convulsed as if she were gut-punched. “You really want me to stop?”

“Let’s get to know each other better.” He hoped this wouldn’t spook her. And also hoped that his raging erection would ease on its own. He never wanted a woman more in his life, but his intuition told him he must wait.

She slipped her hands from his shirt and scooted back to her side of the settee.

Wesley knew his rejection upset her. But there were lines that shouldn’t be crossed. He never took advantage of women, and he certainly wouldn’t start now. No matter how intriguing, sexy, or inspiring Ava was, it might be best if he left her alone in the romance department. He shook off the doubt that gnawed at him.

Ava glanced around. “This place gives me the creeps, with all the weird artsy shit.” Running her fingers through her hair, she rallied. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Go where?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “Downtown? Where the regulars hang out?”

He understood what she meant about the priceless Asian vases and modern paintings lining the hallways but an artist at heart, Wesley saw the value in the costly pieces.

“A locals bar. Can’t hurt.” At least she wanted to spend time with him. “I’ll be the designated driver. Brock promised I could drive his classic Alfa Romeo. The keys are in the garage.”

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