Page 42 of Captivated By You

The comment about grandkids had been a joke; I had no clue whether our relationship had a chance at longevity.

But if we didn’t try, how would we ever know?

Kiana Doherty differed from every other woman I’d dated. She read me as if she’d known me for years, overflowed with sass, she was smart, funny, riveting to spend time with, and had a warmth about her that drew people in.

It was one of the main reasons I knew she’d make a terrific hotelier. Some things were taught, others were God-given.

Kiana had that unknown quantity: hugely personable.

She metaphorically wrapped you in a welcoming hug, but rather than simply shaking your hand… she glowed.

I wasn’t blind to her physical attributes either, but beautiful women with smoking bodies weren’t rare.

Beautiful women that piqued my interest and held my attention for hours at a time…thosewomen were rarer than snow at the height of summer.

“That’s very presumptuous of you.”

Kiana found her voice, her molten eyes burning a hole in my face.

“And you’re wrong. I have too much to lose to risk getting into bed with you, literally or figuratively.”

I smoothed a hand over the lapels of my suit jacket. “And everything to gain.”

“Like what? Orgasms on the regular?”

I lifted my hand to my mouth and tugged on my bottom lip, drawing her focus. She fidgeted in her seat, her body language impossible to hide.

I turned her on.

She turned me on.

I understood her reticence, but my job was to persuade her that we could make it work. And I wouldn’t quit until I had.

“It’s a start.”

She snorted.

Adorable.

“If that’s the best you’ve got, then there’s an uphill battle ahead of you.”

“Far from my best, Kiana. And I rather enjoy a bit of hill climbing. It’s the competitor in me.”

She sipped her champagne, eyeing me over the top of the glass. “Are you a sore loser?”

I smiled. “Terrible.” I tightened my seat belt as the plane began to move. “It’s not something I have a lot of experience in.”

“It’s a valuable lesson.”

“One you plan to teach me?”

“Someone has to.”

She stared out the window while we taxied to the runway. As the captain lined up, ready for takeoff, she set down her champagne glass and gripped both arms of the chair.

“Nervous flier?”

“Not particularly.”

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